Guest Warns Others About Disney’s “Dumbest Rule”

When Disney was finally able to begin reopening its theme parks after the pandemic forced every single one of them to shut down, there were many things that were different. The Parks had strict capacity limits, everyone was required to wear masks, character interactions were limited and socially distanced, and every Guest needed a theme park reservation, in addition to their Park ticket. The Park reservation system was tough for many Guests to get used to, especially once they started purchasing Annual Passes.

Credit: Disney

Even though theme park reservations have been around for more than a year, there is still some confusion among people when it comes to making them. Some Guests who have not traveled to Disney since before the pandemic aren’t even aware that you need reservations at all. Now, one person has taken to social media to warn Guests about what they believe is Disney’s “dumbest rule” when it comes to theme park reservations and Annual Passes — or Magic Keys as they are called at Disneyland Resort.

Credit: D23

The Guest shared the following post on Reddit:

Guys quick heads up about the dumbest rule we bought regular Disney park hopper tickets and then when we got to Disneyland decided to upgrade. Well later in the day we went over to California adventure and they stopped us at the gate to tell us that since we upgraded our passes and that day is blocked off they needed to get the manager. She comes and kinda gives us a hard time about it but I explained I didn’t know and she said as a courtesy she would let us in but that we couldn’t go back to Disneyland anymore:/ kinda sucks but I guess we’re coming back another day anyway. So just a heads up wait until the end of your trip to upgrade

Credit: Used With Permission of Inside the Magic

When it comes to upgrading your regular Disney Park ticket to a Disney World Annual Pass or a Magic Key, it can be slightly complicated. For some reason, Disney does not transfer your theme park reservations over when you upgrade. So, if you upgrade your Park ticket at the beginning of your trip, all of your future reservations will be deleted, and you will have to remake them with your Annual Pass.

Credit: Disney

The best way to avoid this is to upgrade your ticket at the end of your Disney vacation. However, it is important to note that, even though you may upgrade your ticket on the last day of your trip, the Pass will expire one year from the first day you used the ticket. So, for example, if you started using your theme park ticket on January 1, but then upgraded on January 3, your new Walt Disney World Annual Pass or Disneyland Magic Key Pass would expire on January 1.

It is also important to note that discounted tickets may not be upgraded to an Annual Pass or Magic Key. Only fully priced tickets can be upgraded.