Disney World’s park pass reservation system requires guests to reserve a specific park for each day of their Disney World trip before they can gain entry into that park (with a valid ticket).
However, the system has not been without its criticism — many Disney World fans have expressed their opinions about it. Well, now, the Park Pass system is about to change in a HUGE way.
Guests who purchase date-based Disney World park tickets will no longer need to make park pass reservations beginning on January 9th, 2024!
Disney World has just announced that vacation packages for 2024 will go on sale on May 31st. This Park Pass change will take effect with those vacation packages.
One very important thing to note — if your tickets or passes for Disney World are NOT tied to a date, you will still need to make a Park Pass reservation. This will apply to Annual Passholders and to Cast Members, but also to other categories of tickets, such as those you might get if you are attending a convention at Disney World or going on a student trip, and for select promotions.
If you have an Annual Pass, then you know about the change that went into effect on April 18th, 2023 — you no longer need a Park Pass reservation to go to any park after 2PM (except for Magic Kingdom on Saturdays or Sundays).
There is more good news for Annual Passholders and Cast Members, too! Disney has also just announced that it will be creating “Good To Go” days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members. These will be special days on the Annual Passholder Park Pass Calendar when you will not need a Park Pass. They will replace the Bonus Days that Annual Passholders now receive.
Remember — this new policy will take effect January 9th, 2024. You will STILL NEED a Disney World Park Pass for the remainder of 2023 and the New Year’s holiday period.
Disney World also updated its Park Pass page to note the changes coming in 2024. Here’s a handy chart showing the ticket type and notes that you need a park pass reservation through January 8th, 2024.
Then, Disney lays out who needs Park Passes on or after January 9th.
There’s MORE big news from Disney World today — including HUGE news about the Disney Dining Plan! Keep following AllEars for the latest! And if you ARE planning a Disney World trip, be sure to visit our planning section for help in deciding what hotel to stay at, where to eat, and what to do!
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What do you think about these changes? Let us know in the comments!
No mention is made of hotel guests that are not purchasing a package. Ie., what about DVC members staying a week at a DVC villa?
The original rationale for reservations was to control the attendance at each park each day. Will there be a limit to the number of guests and you find out when you arrive at the gate that you can’t get in and you have to go to a different park? I imagine most days that won’t be an issue but for the holidays and periods when new riders start running, it might be. Wasn’t it also in the past folks staying on Disney property were guaranteed entry?
Sounds a bit confusing. 1 day ticket, easy peazy but a multi day pass they will not know what day one plans to visit.