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Last month, Disney introduced 3 BIG Changes Coming to Walt Disney World to Improve Guest Experience & Value. One of these is that Annual Passholders will be capable to enter the parks after 2 pm while not having to make a reservation, with some exceptions. We now have extra particulars about this and share these together with Park Pass commentary right here.
Already within the final two months, the Disney Park Pass system has modified considerably. Back in December, Walt Disney World stopped requiring reservations for single-day tickets. With these tickets being each date-based and now park-specific, reservations can be redundant. As such, Walt Disney World’s system robotically makes a reservation for that ticket kind.
However, that change was just for guests who buy 1-day, 1-park tickets. That’s a giant chunk of friends, however in all probability not most individuals studying this. The overwhelming majority of different friends will proceed to make theme park reservations. As earlier than, Annual Passholders, Park Hoppers, and multi-day tickets nonetheless must make reservations. As of early 2023, there have been no modifications to the Disney Park Pass system for these ticket varieties but. But that’s about to vary.
Beginning April 18, 2023, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be capable to go to the theme parks after 2 pm while not having a Disney Park Pass reservation, besides on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom. All Annual Pass blockout dates will proceed to use (h/t Scott Gustin).
Visiting any park earlier than 2 pm will proceed to require a Disney Park Pass reservation, as is the case at present. Moreover, Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom will work the identical manner as now–Annual Passholders can nonetheless go to Magic Kingdom on weekends after 2 pm in case you have a park reservation (and have entered) a special park.
The timing of this modification is unsurprising if you happen to’ve learn our 2023 Spring Break Crowd Calendar for Walt Disney World. Spoiler: that’s the day after the favored college break season ends and shoulder season begins. That’s why it’s additionally the date we beforehand recognized because the more than likely time for Annual Passes to return. (I’m guessing Walt Disney World received’t make this modification and reintroduce APs on the identical day, so now you might need to attend a bit longer for that to occur.)
What’s unclear to me, and what this announcement doesn’t resolve, is whether or not you can enter EPCOT with no reservation at 2:01 pm on a Saturday, instantly exit and take the monorail to Magic Kingdom, and enter that park with no reservation. The verbiage of the announcement (“and” as a substitute of “or”) suggests this might not work, however I’m skeptical. Currently, tapping into one park is what “unlocks” the others in Walt Disney World’s system.
Another unknown is whether or not Annual Passholders planning after 2 pm visits will nonetheless be capable to buy Genie+ within the morning and “stack” Lightning Lane reservations for his or her afternoon arrival. Likewise, will they be capable to be part of the digital queue for Cosmic Rewind (assuming it nonetheless exists) or TRON Lightcycle Run if it’s nonetheless out there after they enter after 2 pm.
My guess is that the reply to all of those questions is “yes.” Of course, this assumes there’s an inside logic to every part and Disney IT follows clearly-defined guidelines…fairly than being a patchwork of techniques that make little sense, steadily battle with each other, and are mainly held collectively by duct tape. (I’ve inquired about all of this and am awaiting a response–I’ll replace accordingly when I’ve it.)
As we’ve beforehand mentioned, this leisure of Disney Park Pass insurance policies for Annual Passholders is one in all many modifications we’re anticipating this 12 months. Frankly, I’m stunned that is taking place earlier than modifications for multi-day ticket holders and Park Hoppers, however Annual Passholders have been fairly vocal of their complaints. I assume let this be an instance: the squeaky wheel will get the grease!
There’s an excellent likelihood that one thing much like the prior modifications for 1-day, 1-park tickets will happen earlier than Summer 2023 for multi-day tickets. The expectation is that reservations will probably be built-in into the shopping for movement for these tickets, or be dropped totally. After that time, it’s probably reservations are solely a problem for Cast Members and Annual Passholders with out an on-site resort keep. As for when that’ll occur is anybody’s guess–I’ve been advised repeatedly that this was simply across the nook for properly over a 12 months. I’m not holding my breath at this level.
Don’t get too excited concerning the leisure of reservation guidelines for Annual Passholders occurring first. As we’ve indicated repeatedly, the more than likely long-term situation is that Disney Park Pass is right here to remain for Cast Members and Annual Passholders in some capability, however will probably be eradicated totally or not less than built-in into tickets for everybody else. Josh D’Amaro was at Disneyland when the Flex Pass debuted there, and was reportedly an advocate for the reservation system for Cast Members.
Retaining reservations for APs and CMs offers Disney management over the attendance combine, and permits the corporate to prioritize vacationers who spend extra per go to on common. Although Disney needs Annual Passholders and Cast Members to go to–and spend cash–when there’s extra capability, the circumstances are totally different when the parks are busier.
It thus is smart that Walt Disney World would wish to prioritize resort friends and different vacationers and never fill the parks with Annual Passholders on the expense of extra profitable vacationers throughout busier dates. Hence the compromise of no reservations after 2 pm most days for APs. That’s additionally why we don’t anticipate park reservations to be retired for Annual Passes in 2023. (Perhaps a super-expensive ‘no-reservations’ AP will probably be launched, however even that’s uncertain.)
At this level, the one parks which are commonly operating out of reservations are Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. This had been occurring on many days no matter wait instances, with each parks unavailable from time to time with 7/10 or decrease crowd ranges final fall. This meant that Walt Disney World was utilizing reservations to redistribute attendance on these days, fairly than truly operating out of reservations.
Thankfully, that is taking place much less and fewer. It occurred once more for the week of Presidents’ Day and Mardi Gras, however that’s truly extra about anticipated crowd ranges being excessive than it’s Walt Disney World attempting to artificially manipulate attendance dynamics. Here’s hoping the corporate discovered that method backfired, and has eased up on it.
Using park reservations to redistribute attendance by limiting availability at Magic Kingdom pushes individuals in the direction of Animal Kingdom and EPCOT to extend the utilization of these parks and normalize numbers throughout all 4 parks. This is an occasion of the notorious “yield management” method mentioned by executives on earnings calls and in interviews. There truly are advantages to this method, together with making for a extra nice visitor expertise and easing staffing shortages.
However, there are additionally downsides to this method for Disney. If somebody is touring to Florida and needs their youngsters to expertise Walt Disney World, they in all probability is not going to going to be happy if solely EPCOT or Animal Kingdom can be found. Rather than make reservations to these two parks, some friends will select to not purchase tickets in any respect and easily not go to Disney if they can’t do Magic Kingdom. (For many causal guests, Magic Kingdom is synonymous with Disney; EPCOT and the remainder should not a comparable substitute.)
Beyond this, Walt Disney World continues to function at a considerably decreased capability, though that improves with every passing month. This would possibly come as a shock to anybody who has visited within the final a number of months, particularly on dates when wait instances hit their highest ranges in two years.
However, the bigger crowds are a byproduct of staffing shortages, plus much less to do and fewer time to do it, which consolidate crowds. In a nutshell, if sure leisure and experiences are lacking or the parks are unable to function for as many hours as regular, general park capability decreases. Wait instances are longer regardless that general attendance is (considerably) decrease as a result of extra friends are consolidated into fewer choices.
Since debuting the Park Pass system, Walt Disney World has quietly prolonged the reservation calendar on plenty of events. It was initially going to finish the week earlier than Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. That was undoubtedly strategic, as that was the corporate’s goal date for operational normalcy again when the parks reopened.
Obviously, that didn’t occur. With the following launch of 2023 Walt Disney World trip packages, the Park Pass calendar was prolonged once more. Currently, it runs till January 18, 2024. This doesn’t imply it’ll proceed till then, nor does it imply it’ll cease then. Our expectation is that it’ll be in use for Annual Passes lengthy after that date, and can finish for friends utilizing common tickets properly earlier than then.
Ultimately, eradicating reservations for Annual Passholders after 2 pm–aside from Magic Kingdom on the weekends–is a step in the precise course. One of the massive complaints from locals is that Disney Park Pass eradicated spontaneity and the flexibility to “drop in” to the parks after work or college.
This successfully eliminates that criticism. It’ll as soon as once more be straightforward for native Annual Passholders to do an after 4 pm go to to EPCOT to graze the meals cubicles, catch a late displaying of Fantasmic, or do a late evening in Magic Kingdom when the climate is good. All of these are concrete examples of issues which are truly in style with APs, and that they haven’t been capable of do up till now with pre-planning. Bringing again that spontaneity is an efficient factor. Sure, it doesn’t assist non-local Annual Passholders who nonetheless should choreograph every single day of their trip with reservations…however it’s a begin. (Beyond the scope of this publish, however there’s a cause why Disney doesn’t favor non-local APs!)
It’s nonetheless our expectation that Walt Disney World will drop reservations someday in 2023 for normal ticket holders or the system will probably be rolled into the method of buying tickets. As issues proceed returning to regular, there will probably be much less want from a capability perspective for Disney Park Pass for normal multi-day tickets.
From a useful resource allocation perspective, the reservation system already gives little benefit over what already exists–it’s simply further friction in an already difficult trip planning course of. With that mentioned, Walt Disney World has been far more conservative throughout the previous few years than we’d’ve anticipated. With extra visitor suggestions and elevated staffing to facilitate extra reopening, we are able to’t assist however marvel if that method modifications. What Disney has accomplished so far has achieved blended outcomes, however staying the present course till after Spring Break 2023 does make sense.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every part it is advisable to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
How do you’re feeling about Walt Disney World principally dropping reservations after 2 pm for Annual Passholders? If you’re an AP, does this modification offer you sufficient freedom and spontaneity, or is it nonetheless not sufficient? Do you anticipate the Disney Park Pass reservation system to be retired sooner or later, or proceed perpetually? Think Walt Disney World regrets requiring resort friends and theme park ticket holders to make use of Park Pass? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!