New theme park reservation policy goes into effect today at Walt Disney World

Posted: Tuesday April 18, 2023 7:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders can now visit the theme parks after 2pm without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom.

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders now have more flexibility on entering the parks after 2pm

The new policy, announced by Disney in January 2023, is a response to guests' criticism, particularly from frequent annual pass visitors, that previous reservation requirements were too restrictive and inflexible.

Disney said in a statement during the initial announcement, "While the theme park reservation system remains important to manage attendance in our parks, especially on busier days, we realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible."

Passholders can now visit parks at certain times without needing a Park Pass Reservation

The changes to Park Pass reservations effective April 18 2023 come just ahead of Disney resuming Annual Pass sales on March 20 for Walt Disney World.

Also new this week, starting March 20, Passholders will receive access to Disney PhotoPass lenses and one complimentary Cinderella Castle Mural of Memories experience.

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wdwmagic2 days ago

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Brian17 days ago

wdwmagic17 days ago

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TrainsOfDisney21 days ago

I think they are keeping it so they can close off a park if it’s going to see unusual demand. On my last trip, the only day a park reservation was full was the Saturday that Tony Baxter was signing at Epcot. Being able to limit the number of guests in a park when a special event is happening could be handy, I get that.

JMcMahonEsq22 days ago

Ah so each provides separate information, one as to who plans on going to a particularly park, and then the other tap on who actually shows up.

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

I often play bus roulette and don’t know which park I’m headed to. Sometimes I remember to make the reservation on the bus / transportation. Sometimes I forget.

ManicMillennial22 days ago

I don’t mean this in a rude way but I am curious why you don’t do it before heading to the park? When I lived down there I would get my park reservation while heading out the door and then drive to whatever park I just booked.

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

2 different kinds of taps. I use the physical pass so I’m tapping my pass at the gate. “Tap my phone” - was being used for slang as in get on my phone and make a park reservation.

JMcMahonEsq22 days ago

Not being a passholder, i am curious here. Without a reservation system, or even with one, if you don't tap your phone at the gate, is there another way that WDW tracks that you are entering the park? Data on number of bodies in the park, who are AP holders and who are ticket holders. What park you are visiting on a given day, what months have more AP visitors vs others, ect., seems like pretty important data to collect, especially if all it takes to collect it is a simple tap of your phone at the gate.

TrainsOfDisney22 days ago

I mean it’s pretty silly to have to tap my phone when I’m at the gate of the park and there are reservations available- not sure why they can’t fix that. But it’s also pretty painless unless you get a CM who judges you when the light turns blue and you have to do the walk of shame out of line to make a reservation. Oh the shame!!!!! 🙈