When Disney theme parks were finally allowed to open after their forced COVID closure, strict health and safety protocols were in place, even before you entered the Parks. Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort (and later Disneyland Resort) were required to make a reservation to visit a Park, in addition to purchasing their ticket. This was done so Disney could have control over the crowds visiting. However, as the crowds grew, Guests became increasingly annoyed that they still had to make reservations to visit.
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek took a lot of heat for keeping the reservation system in place, but kept reiterating that it was crucial to make sure that everyone from Annual Passholders and Magic Key Holders to the family from Denver would be able to head to the Parks and know that they would get in. He said that the reservation system made the Disney experience better.
In turn, many pointed out that the only time Guests were really turned away was when they visited during the busiest times of the year, like Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. Plus, the crowds seem bigger than ever, causing Guests to be even more annoyed by the system.
Well, after months of griping and telling Bob Chapek he’s wrong, it looks like the end of the reservation system might be on the horizon, but Chapek isn’t the one who will get credit for it. In a since-deleted Tweet, Sean Nyberg shared that Chapek had been planning on announcing the end of Disney Park reservations this winter. Even though he’s gone, Disney will still end the system, but Iger will be the one to get the credit.
Nyberg then posted a follow-up tweet in which he did not retract what he had said, but simply said that he didn’t want to tell people to trust him without revealing who his sources were. He also told Disney fans to keep an eye out for theme park news coming in the next couple of weeks.
I posted earlier about some positive park changes that were triggered under Chapek that will become official in a few weeks. Since I can’t share my sources I deleted it, because I hate the vague “trust me” or “I’ve heard” posts. Just know a lot of you will be VERY happy!
https://twitter.com/SeanNyberg/status/1595489070989578241
Although Nyberg deleted the original tweet, it is highly likely that it may be true. Disney recently announced that it would no longer require Guests who purchase a one-day-one-Park ticket to make a Disney Park reservation. Ending the reservation system entirely is the next logical step. Should Disney end the reservation system, it is also in the realm of possibility that they will also end the Park Hopping restrictions that are in place — another pandemic-related change that Guests are eager to get rid of.
It is important to remember that Disney and Bob Iger — the new/returning CEO — have not commented on the theme park reservation system (or Park Hopping), but multiple reports indicate that Iger is hard at work to bring about much-needed change.
