New Change Means You’ll Need to Plan Your Disney Vacation Earlier Than Ever

Significant changes are coming to one Disney resort, and it is imperative that you know before your next trip.

For the millions of Guests who visit Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort every year, planning the perfect Park vacation is imperative. When you are spending thousands of dollars on a holiday to the Parks, you want to make sure that you are getting your money’s worth.

Any Disney Parks fan knows that oftentimes, the best vacations come when you plan ahead… and I mean far ahead. Dining reservations, hotel accommodations, and special Park extras are known to sell out far in advance. To ensure that you’re vacation can go as smoothly as possible, Disney advises booking your trip far in advance.

Credit: Disney

Disney’s Park Reservation Windows

There is no doubt that Disneyland Resort is a magical place to visit, but it should be known that planning a trip to these Parks requires some careful considerations. One crucial aspect is Disneyland Resort’s theme park reservations.

In the wake of the pandemic, both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World introduced the theme park reservation system to manage capacity and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for guests. This system requires all ticket holders to secure a reservation prior to their visit, guaranteeing their entry into the park of their choice.

The reservations themselves did not cost money, but they were mandatory to enter the Park. Unlucky Guests who bought a theme park ticket but didn’t make a Park reservation would not be allowed into the Parks. It wasn’t only visitors who dealt with this policy; Annual Pass holders and Magic Key holders were also responsible for making reservations.

Credit: Disney

Earlier this year, Walt Disney World Resort announced that they would be ending their reservation system. Beginning on January 9, 2024, Guests will no longer need a reservation to visit the Parks, just a valid ticket. Disneyland Resort has not announced any end to its Park reservation system.

A Change Arrives at Disneyland Resort

While it is unknown if Disneyland Resort plans to cancel its Park reservation system, they have announced a significant change to it. Starting sometime in October of 2023, Disney will extend the window that Guests have to book their theme park reservations. Guests are currently able to make a reservation at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park 120 days in advance. That window will soon extend to 180 days.

NEW: Starting later this month, Disneyland Resort guests will be able to book theme park reservations up to 180 days in advance. Currently, you can make a DLR theme park reservation as far as 120 days in advance. pic.twitter.com/rrUWp8g9T9

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 4, 2023

As for Magic Key Holders at Disneyland Resort, the window to book a reservation will still be 90 days in advance.

While this is certainly not bad news, many fans just wish that Disneyland Resort would ditch theme park reservations once and for all. In today’s post-pandemic world, they really do not hold the necessity they once did.