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

Apr 18, 2023 in "MyMagic+"

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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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Royal Purple Pigment2 days ago

It takes me just as much time and effort to log on and see it is good to go. This reservation system was one of the big differentiators in the AP tiers aside from blackout dates. We rarely even use our reservations and have 5 of 5 available. I understand everyone is different but this whole thing is lame. It is so annoying that they never could incorporate it into the app and you had to launch a different website and log in again. They need to dump this lame system or add something as a tier level replacement to the AP program (free Photopass, etc.)

wdisney90002 days ago

People have simply said its annoying, exactly like you yourself just stated in your post. I don't see anybody making mountains. Individually, the requirements you need to be on your phone for are not that frustrating, but when combined, it just gets ridiculous.

bmr15912 days ago

I mean, do you though? Unless you’re coming on a peak week, reservations are always available to make day of. Heck, my wife and I change ours the morning of often. I don’t disagree that making reservations is annoying, but some of y’all make mountains out of things that aren’t actually issues. It makes sense though, doesn’t it? CPs came from all over to work at Disney because they love Disney. Most don’t care to do anything on their off day except go enjoy the parks. With that said, man, what a scheme. “Come work for us! With the little you make, you’ll give us a portion back in rent. We also know you’ll spend a lot of what you make back with us in the parks.” It’s almost voluntary slave labor.

GhostHost10002 days ago

interesting I would also suspect they spend on average way less than annual passholders

wdwmagic2 days ago

It is way way more than that. CPers alone make up a good number on a daily basis.

Bullseye19673 days ago

The fact that CMs have to make a reservation is absolutely insane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How many CMs are in a park on any given day? 50 or 100?. This is nuts but at least they can go again.

Disstevefan13 days ago

May the force NOT be with APers.

Rich Brownn3 days ago

Star Wars day ("May the Fourth be with you") :D

hopemax3 days ago

So far the good to go days for CMs have matched the AP days. CMs can see them on the calendar when they go to make a reservation.

SingleRider3 days ago

Do good to go days apply to CMs as well? I thought it was only APs.

hopemax3 days ago

This one was surprising. I saw the news about the merchandise VQ on May 1st and my Dad wanted a reservation, but none were available (Main Entrance Pass). Then an hour later, it's a good to go day. Whatever, Disney. Why make this so annoying!

Brian3 days ago

Notable. They must not be expecting a big crowd for DHS's 35th anniversary day.

Fido Chuckwagon3 days ago

Wow, May 4th unavailable for AP reservations at HS. I know it's May 4th, but it can't possibly be that busy given how slow it is this time of year. They just want to push AP's to other parks and/or don't want to staff HS enough to cover the demand. Shameful.