Park Hopping returning to Disney World on Jan. 1, 2021

Park Hopping is returning to Walt Disney World, with some caveats and still the need for a Park Reservation.

Disney made the major announcement this morning as part of its next step in phased reopening. This impacts those who purchase a Park Hopper tickets and for those with annual passes.

The new Park Hopper experience will still require guests to make a  Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit and they must enter that first park prior to visiting another. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. The ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations.

In addition, there are specific Park Hopper hours when this will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.

Disney states these changes are designed to help continue managing attendance that still fosters physical distancing. Face coverings and other health and safety measures remain in effect, Disney announced.

This will be a big benefit for guests who may have felt they were able to conquer one park in a few hours and wanted to go on more rides. This is also going into effect during what is normally the slowest season of the year at Disney.

January and February are normally lighter months attendance wise and with the cancellation of the Walt Disney World Marathon, there will be significantly less people who may have been visiting the parks.

This would be a good opportunity to Disney to test the Park Hopper option.