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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Tuvalu3 days ago

Agree.

Dr.GrantSeeker3 days ago

Definitely agree about onsite APs. But at this point it needs to just be 100% completely dropped for all remaining ticket types that require reservations. There is absolutely no need and I can't imagine that the number of APs going into the parks with reservations on a daily basis is really helping Disney staff accordingly compared to the number of other ticket types going in and out of the parks without reservations.

Tuvalu3 days ago

Those using military or group tickets also have to make park reservations. I am in 100% agreement that APs staying on sight should not need to make park reservations. It annoys me to no end….

Disstevefan13 days ago

Well if they see a large enough drop in per capita spending in the parks, maybe they will drop the PPRs for APs

Vacationeer3 days ago

At absolute minimum, park reservations for APs staying onsite should be removed. After spending crazy money on multi-day tickets the past several years (25 month span - individual cost breakdown over $3.5k for ticket, hopper, share of memory maker), to finally finding a good opportunity to buy APs again, but now getting smacked with being the only group left needing park reservations, when every trip we stay onsite too. There’s gotta be a better way to make it feel less done dirty 😆 I prefer happily parting with money. They used to have much greater finesse in that department.

DCBaker3 days ago

3 more Annual Passholder good-to-go days have been added to the calendar: August 6, 7, 11.

Brian10 days ago

The MEP holders are the ultimate undesirables. They're also included in the GTG days.

Jrb197910 days ago

It's more like we can't fill the parks those days so the unfavorables can come visit

Brian10 days ago

Insert 'requisite rant about reservations and the way it used to be' here.

Fido Chuckwagon10 days ago

Huzzah!

DCBaker10 days ago

Disney has added more Annual Passholder good-to-go days in July and August: July: 22, 27, 31 August: 4

Fido Chuckwagon21 days ago

Incredipass can only hold 5 at a time when staying offsite.

Fido Chuckwagon21 days ago

I say this as someone who travels to WDW during Christmas & Easter: Just scrap park reservations except for Thanksgiving Week, Christmas Week, and Easter Week. They are clearly not needed at any other time now since they're always available and they're just an added annoyance with no benefit to anyone, including Disney at this point. Or, if you **must** use park reservations because you want to have an idea of where your AP's who don't buy LL will be (even though they can easily change their mind at the last minute anyway), then still require park reservations, but just don't cap the number than an AP can make.