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Credit: DisneyWhen Walt Disney World reopened its theme parks to the public in July 2020, they also implemented a brand new Disney Park Pass reservation system to help the resort manage daily attendance at the theme parks. In case you aren’t familiar, this new system requires those who wish to visit a Walt Disney World theme park to have a valid ticket and a reservation for the park they want to visit on that day.
Theme Park Reservations For 2023
The Disney Park Pass system had a recent update and is now allowing Guests to book a Park Pass through January 2023 (previously, it allowed Guests to book through January 2022), and it looks like this new system is going to stick around for a while.
It doesn’t come as a surprise as in 2020, Chairman of Parks, Experiences, and Products Josh D’Amaro indicated that the Disney Park Pass reservation system is a “new normal” that isn’t going away anytime soon, if ever. It is also important to keep in mind that anything is subject to change at any given time.
Additionally, it has been confirmed that the same Disney Park Pass system will be used at Disneyland Resort when it reopens in California.
Related: Fans Irate About Disney Park Pass System Extending Into 2024
Guests React to Disney World Park Pass System
After Disney World extended the Disney Park Pass system into 2023, it didn’t take long for fans to speak out regarding the news. Some Guests enjoy the new reservation system in place, while others miss being spontaneous and visiting the theme parks on a whim.
Inside the Magic follower, Madison B. shared that seeing the Park Pass system extended is a relief:
Honestly with the uncertainty of how much longer covid will affect things, and the pre-covid crowds that were getting worse and worse this is a relief.
Related: Magic Kingdom at Park Pass Capacity All Week, Guests Unable to Enter
Gloria G. explained that she is thankful Disney World is open and doesn’t mind the current Park Pass system:
As soon as I found out this was happening, I bought the tickets (single park) and reserved for November 2021 – around 13 months out. I think that while they’re limiting capacity … and even after … that this system will help to ensure the ease of processes at the parks. […]
And J.R. shared how the Park Pass system isn’t very different from FastPass+ or dining reservations, so he doesn’t mind the new system sticking around either:
Love the reservation system. Like it was when you had to pick your FP’s anyway, or your dining reservations. No different.
Inside the Magic fan, Chris isn’t too surprised by Disney Park Pass sticking around since it makes sense for monitoring crowd levels:
I called it from the start that they are here to stay, I think the surveys about new membership offerings at Disneyland where the main differences were price and how reservations will be handled proved that.
And it makes sense, Disney can have a better sense of how’s many people will show up on any given day and guests can also use the availability calendar to help determine how busy it will be on any given day. For those that go on a whim there is still same day reservations if they aren’t all ginger and if they are, you probably don’t want to visit that park that day anyway.
Deanne K., on the other hand, misses being spontaneous and not having to plan so much while visiting Walt Disney World:
The worst part of Disney vacations is how everything has to be so over planned!!!! I miss spontaneity! Yes, I know, you can still wait till the day of, but the opportunity to do any of the “big things” is gone at that point. In order to do the favs, you have to know what you want to do that day months ahead of time. Just really dislike how everything must be so heavily prescheduled. Dulls the magic just a bit.
Inside the Magic follower, Shelley S. also explained how she isn’t a fan of the new Park Pass system, but that is probably because she loves to plan things:
Not really thrilled with the new park system. But then I am a planner.
Julie D. said she understands why Disney is keeping theme park reservations around, but she doesn’t think it will work for her family:
On the one hand, I understand why they are doing what they are doing. However, on the other hand, this probably wouldn’t work for my family.
And lastly, DVC member and Inside the Magic fan Sharon explained that she does not like the new Disney Park Pass system as she, too, misses the spontaneity of visiting a Disney World theme park:
I do not like the reservation to come to a park. I live in Florida and I like to come on a whim. I have been a DVC members sense 1994 ! […] I wish we could just come in to the park whenever we would like and have more choices.
More on Disney World Park Pass Reservations
Keep in mind, as Disney has shared in the past, if you want to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks, you will need the following:
- You’ll need a My Disney Experience account, as this is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed.
- You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass linked to your My Disney Experience account.
- If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to your My Disney Experience account beforehand.
Additionally, there are three different options for Disney Park Pass reservations depending on which type of ticket or reservation you have. The official Disney World website states:
Park attendance is managed via the Disney Park Pass reservation system—now available to Guests with valid admission. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for Guests ages 3 and up.
Related: Universal Adds Jaw-Dropping Benefits For Annual Passholders
Booking Your Park Reservations
The Disney Park Pass system is now open to Guests with valid admission. The number of theme park reservation days you can hold at one time varies based on your plans:
- Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests can make park reservations for dates during their stay for the number of days that they have valid theme park admission.
- Annual Passholders can make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time, and for their length of stay if staying at a Disney Resort or other select hotel.
- Existing ticket holders can make reservations for the number of days of valid theme park admission.
If you want to plan a vacation to Disney World, but aren’t sure where to begin planning, don’t hesitate to reach out to our friends at Academy Travel. Get started with your free quote today!
How do you feel about the Disney Park Pass system at Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.