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It’s like a dream–a wonderful dream come true–as Disney announces exciting new perks for Annual Passholders, including the availability to soon be able to visit the parks at Walt Disney World with no advanced reservations.
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In July 2020, fans of the Walt Disney World Resort were thrilled as Cast Members at the parks welcomed them back with open arms to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The Resort closed its gates indefinitely in March 2020 in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, and its reopening date was completely unknown. In fact, the future of visits at Disney World was 100% uncertain.
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Over time, those excited Guests became semi-excited Guests and then frustrated Guests–and at this point, some Guests at the parks have become disgruntled altogether–thanks in part to Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System–the proverbial thorn in Guests’ sides, which requires an advanced reservation at a specific Disney theme park for admission. Gone are the days when a Disney World Annual pass or a paid park ticket alone allowed Guests access to their favorite theme parks at Disney World.
Credit: Disney Parks
The change even paved the way for several lawsuits filed by Guests who grew weary of being passholders but experiencing the woes of lockout dates and zero availability in theme park reservations.
But beginning in April, Disney World Annual Passholders will finally be able to visit the four theme parks at the Central Florida Disney Resort with no advanced reservations needed.
NEW: Beginning April 18, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park.
Blockout dates will continue to apply. pic.twitter.com/upOgILyVaW
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) February 23, 2023
But of course, there are some restrictions, loopholes, and fine print that include the following:
- Blockout dates will continue to apply as they do now.
- The new “no-reservation-needed” perk only applies to Guests with certain Annual Passes–not all of them.
- Visits to the parks made without advanced reservations must take place after 2:oo p.m. on weekdays only.
Credit: Disney
Beginning April 18, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Pass blockout dates will continue to apply like they do today. 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.
For more information and specific details related to this exciting new perk, visit Disney World’s official website by clicking here.
