Park Hop Athletics™: The Story Behind the Apparel, by 1923 Main Street®

This is the story behind the creation of the Park Hop Athletics Collection by 1923 Main Street and how a single event prompted a whole new way of thinking.

Hop. Play. Repeat. This is how the Park Hop Athletics trademark collection was created.

When Walt Disney World first opening in 1971, it was a much simpler place. We had one theme park (Magic Kingdom), two hotels (Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort) and Fort Wilderness Campground. That was it.

For over a decade, we had endless fun at this original Walt Disney World. The monorail was as much a part of the whole experience as anything else. But when Disney acted to complete one of Walt Disney’s final project dreams, a second park finally opened in 1982 (in fact, it was 11 years to the day: October 1, 1982).

1982 Was the Year When Park Hopping Became a Thing

When EPCOT opened as Disney World’s second park, something else happened: park hopping suddenly became a reality for Walt Disney World visitors. Now, your amount of fun doubled, because you could hop from one park to another on your vacation on the same day, if you paid for the privilege.

And with that, park hopping officially became part of the Disney World vacation lexicon.

Being a part of this formative period in Disney World history is what led Mike Belobradic to create the Park Hop Athletics™ collection at 1923 Main Street®. 

Park Hopping is Fun and Has Benefits, but it isn’t for Every Disney Traveler

Of course, nowadays, park hopping is much more ingrained into the Disney travel experience – plus you have four theme parks that you can potentially hop between. But one thing hasn’t changed: park hopping isn’t for everyone. Cost aside, it does take a little stamina and will to want to park hop at Walt Disney World. 

Many years ago, Disney resort hotels used to present you with a special paper certificate if you managed to hop between all four Disney World parks in a single day. They no longer do this (perhaps because it isn’t as big of a challenge any more, given more transportation options), but still, four parks in one day is as much a part of the park hop experience as is two parks on the same day.

Park Hop Athletics™ by 1923 Main Street®: Inspired by the Magic of Park Hopping

The 1923 Main Street Park Hop Athletics Collection was inspired by that first park hop experience back in 1982. With a variety of designs that celebrate the ability to Hop. Play. Repeat.™ at Walt Disney World, Park Hop Athletics clothing is truly steeped on this longtime rite of passage.

The Park Hop Athletics Collection by 1923 Main Street is comprised of graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies that feature a wide range of authentic original designs, perfect for anyone who loves to take part in this time-honored Disney World tradition. In fact, if you combine rope dropping with park hopping, you can truly make the most of your Disney day. (Read the back story of our Rope Drop Apparel™ Collection here).

Within the Park Hop Athletics Collection you’ll find graphics inspired by Disney Park hopping in collegiate style, along with unique skateboard and snowboard themed graphics (inspired by the board parks in both sports) and even more themes, including beer and Park Hop Princesses. How’s that for a wide range?

If Park Hopping is something you love to do, there’s a 1923 Main Street Park Hop Athletics t-shirt, sweatshirt or hoodie that’s right for you.

Shop at 1923 Main Street

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