Park hopping begins January 1 2021 but will not see the return of the EPCOT monorail

Dec 30, 2020 in "Walt Disney World Monorail System"

Posted: Wednesday December 30, 2020 1:13pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Park hopping returns to Walt Disney World theme parks on January 1, but park-to-park transportation options will not include the monorail.

Park-to-park bus transportation will begin shortly prior to the 2pm start of park hopping. Cast Members will be verifying eligible park tickets prior to boarding. Other transportation options will include watercraft and Disney Skyliner where service is available.

The EPCOT monorail beam has remained closed despite EPCOT reopening in the summer of 2020. Disney has said that the closure remains temporary, and that it will evaluate monorail operations based on needs.

Here is a rundown of how the modified park hopping process will work:

Starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of ongoing focus on health and safety.

With the updated Park Hopper experience, guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND 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.

Additionally, Disney will set specific Park Hopper hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper hours will start at 2pm 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.

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SirwalterraleighOct 19, 2021

I don’t think there’s any danger of that happening anytime soon… not this year. And in the future…it would be “hell days” where you shouldn’t be there anyway.

MelliesMimiOct 19, 2021

Good to know! Thank you!

Disstevefan1Oct 19, 2021

As long as you are not using an AP to enter the parks, I do not think you will have a problem. Besides that, I do not think EPCOT will ever close to capacity.

JohnDOct 19, 2021

I think 10/1 was the first time a park was declared "at capacity" to park hoppers and told to go another park. So that situation you ask about is extremely rare.

MelliesMimiOct 19, 2021

I'm a little confused, we are going in March and will have park hoppers. If I have a late dinner reservation in Epcot and go to MK in the morning I need to make a park reservation for MK. What happens if when I'm ready to hop to Epcot they are full? We will probably eat at Epcot every night. Is there an exception if you have dining reservations?

JohnDMar 31, 2021

Yes.

ptaylorMar 31, 2021

Thanks both

TuvaluMar 31, 2021

Yes you do.

DisneyNittanyMar 31, 2021

Latest "Disney News" update that I watched over the weekend said as much, but I can't 100% confirm.

ptaylorMar 31, 2021

Anyone know if you still have to enter the first park that you have the park pass reservation for before you can hop?

dreday3Jan 18, 2021

Ha! Good thing I asked! :D

nickysJan 18, 2021

You don’t make a reservation for hopping.

dreday3Jan 18, 2021

Doesn't the magic band scan just show you have a reservation, be it for the day or for hopping? Or can it differentiate between the type of reservation as it can between say a day ticket and a separate party ticket?

nickysJan 18, 2021

Scanning will tell them anyway, since if you’re park hopping it won’t show a park reservation. So it’s absolutely to stop park hoppers clogging up the gates. If people are arriving with a reservation they should be allowed in. Park hopping is subject to capacity and the time can change so they can decide whether to let people in a few minutes early. They can also decide to keep you waiting longer if they need to, for example a large group arrive. But as a policy I agree they should be keeping you outside. If a crowd is forming you wait in line, out of the way. Some signage though would definitely help. And frankly if someone said they weren’t park hopping and scanned in, I’d send them to the back of any line. Why should lying get you in early?