Honestly we RARELY use the train for park hopping. Literally walking all the way to the gate from back in Hogsmede or DA is almost always faster than waiting for the train! The train is certainly fun but I've only seen it save time maybe 1-2 times for us.
12:29am on 12/31/25 by
browndalmatian
We use the train as transportation from IoA to US if we're already at the back of IoA. The wait for US to IoA is long so we only go on HEx if we want to do the ride. It is absolutely doable to go to the gates to park hop.
7:21am on 12/31/25 by
TenMileMom
We ride the train if we are in the area AND the wait isn't super long. It doesn't usually save a lot of time just steps depending where we are in one park and want to be in the other.
7:27am on 12/31/25 by
Buckeye86
The train is strange in terms of wait times. I've seen it say 20 minutes and then we hop in EXP line and it's taken WAYYYY longer. I do like the ride, it's fun, but 95% of the time we just walk to the gate to park hop.
4:47pm on 12/31/25 by
browndalmatian
I REALLY wish they'd leave that area by Seuess/Hard Rock open all of the time. That was much faster! I don't know why they don't leave that open year round!
4:48pm on 12/31/25 by
browndalmatian
I agree. Only time we got to use it was Christmas 2020 when park was at capacity and social distancing was a "thing." It would be so helpful.
6:41pm on 12/31/25 by
Buckeye86
The line has always seemed long, even with EP. While the ride is cool, I don't mind the walk at all, seems faster than waiting for the train.
9:51am on 1/1/26 by
WendyMarie
Usually we ride it once each way just for the ride experience but as far as saving time, I agree that it rarely does even with EP.
9:04pm on 1/1/26 by
Buckeye86
I think we only used that "secret shortcut" 1 or 2 times other than during 2020/Social Distancing too. It should be open year round!
12:56am on 1/3/26 by
browndalmatian
So where do we go for the fastest walk from park to park?
10:23am on 1/20/26 by
Kracinda
Fastest is if the secret gate is open (between OFTF and McGurkus in IoA to near the stage in USO (very unlike that will be open). Next is front gate at IoA to the gate between DMMM and the big US store at the front of US (not likely). So usually just . .
5:57am on 1/21/26 by
TenMileMom
. . . front gate to front gate. You would walk on the Hard Rock Cafe side of the lagoon/pond/body of water. I know of no shorter way.
5:59am on 1/21/26 by
TenMileMom
What is DMMM?
11:05pm on 1/21/26 by
Buckeye86