Dear Disney, It’s Time to End Park Hopping Restrictions

For more than two years, Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort have been unable to jump from theme park to theme park whenever they want. For Guests who visit Disneyland Resort, it’s been nearly two years (since the Resort opened back up much later than Disney World). Park Hopping restrictions were put in place, so Disney could try to limit the number of Guests in each Park and try to keep them safe.

However, it’s been a long time since Disney’s other COVID restrictions were removed, and now it’s time to remove this one.

Credit: Disney

As if having to make a theme park reservation wasn’t enough, Guests also have to wait until 2 p.m. to Park Hop at Disney World and 1 p.m. to hop at Disneyland. What’s more? The virtual queue system at Disney World opens at 7 a.m. and 1 p. m. — BEFORE you can Park Hop. So, the only way to join a virtual queue is if you have a reservation at that Park. Disneyland Resort doesn’t currently have any virtual queues.

Hoping to get in the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind? Well, if you were Park Hopping to EPCOT that day from another Park, you are out of luck.

Credit: Disney

I mean, I get it; the Disney World Park Hopper restrictions made sense when Disney was trying to keep Guests safe. However, even Disney is now admitting that the Park Hopping restrictions are a little ridiculous. While they are still 2 p.m. at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland recently changed Park Hopping to 11 a.m. for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

Credit: Disneyland Resort

There’s no reason to keep them in place at this point. Crowds are back to where they were pre-pandemic, social distancing isn’t required, masks don’t need to be worn, and Guests don’t even need to be vaccinated. So why not let Guests hop from Park to Park whenever they want? Add to that the fact that Disney is “relaxing” its reservation system for Annual Passholders (they don’t need a reservation if they visit after 2 p.m. on weekdays), then Disney Park Hopping restrictions are completely pointless.

Credit: Disney

Disney hasn’t said if they plan to get rid of the Park Hopping restrictions, but based on how they are beginning to relax things like reservations, then it seems like only a matter of time before the Disney Resort Park Hopping limits are a thing of the past. Maybe when the 50th Anniversary ends? I, for one, can’t wait for them to be a distant and unpleasant memory. Bring back the traditional Disney Park Hopper rules!

What do we hope is right after Park Hopping restrictions? The Disney Park pass reservation system and Disney Genie+.