Time to do away with park reservations. If you pay all that money for a ticket you should be able to go to whatever park you want on whatever day you want. If it’s raining you might not want to be stuck going to Animal Kingdom. Open things back up and get back to normal. If you want to wear a mask then do so. If you don’t feel good don’t go to Disney. Use Common sense
You do realize this is what keeps things balanced, right? Like if everyone wants to ride that one ride that’s super popular right away, the lines are going to be super long. This is to help control guest capacity and gives people a chance to ride the rides they want in less than 3 hours (hopefully). If you want to go to a certain park, they specifically say when purchasing a ticket that you need to get a reservation as well. This is really on the parents
Talk about going backwards, I’ve been coming for years and its never been required until now, Yes Covid got in the way and I understood Park Capacity, but have you seen how full the parks are now, Disney must not be using capacity anymore, perhaps if they employed more cast and did away with the lightning lanes then you probably would not need a 3 hour wait for the ride, as unlike the Fast Pass the queues were more fairly managed and not over subscribed, this is Disneys doing and their Greed that has caused the issue.
Get rid of lightning lanes? That’s literally their old fast pass system. Getting rid of that would literally make things longer. And it wasn’t fairly managed since it favored those that are booking at a disney hotel versus now, it literally that day, so any and everyone gets about the same chance to get on a ride they want to do. I’ve been there many times, and it only seems busier now because they are still limiting everything they have because of covid. Once things start going back to normal, who knows, you will finally see how well it works
What an entitled take, as if spending a certain amount of money should grant you the right to do whatever you want. Perhaps if you don’t want to follow the rules (that have been in place for a while at this point), don’t go to Disney. How’s that for common sense?
It’s a business and this is capitalism. Listen, I’m all for social justice and equity, but most of the world and country never even get to go in Disney. So just going is elitist. If I have the disposable money to make my vacation better than yours, of course I’m going to use it for my family. Most people would make the same choice. Time is money on a vacation. I would rather spend money to skip standing in lines to enjoy my time. Overall for me it’s a better use of my money. I just budget out expensive meals and alcohol if I want to cut back.
I hear you, but the parks must be at capacity looking at the videos they are rammed so this reservation policy is total crap, this is just more Disney bureaucracy, they never do anything the easy way for customers.
Yes, it’s about time things went back to normal. The new variant is not justification, it’s too mild but they are using it as though it’s a huge threat. Chances are, this thing has been over exaggerated for a reason, profits, even at the beginning but now the virus is so weak that the new variant is about the equivalent of a common cold as far as symptoms go. I have read scientists saying this is a good sign. Of course, I found none of those article in mainstream media, instead I see the stories of we need to fight this new variant, more vaccines, more lockdowns, etc. going on. The governments, corporations and media will not let go of the idea of not capitalizing on this forever. Which means, we will never get back to normal anywhere, much less Disneyland. I think this should not be allowed to happen but too many people still asleep. Hope they wake up soon, so we all can get back to the old Disneyland system we had before.
Disagree. The people who argue with CMs thinking they can circumvent the requirements are also those most likely to ignore safety protocols. We went in October, and I can’t tell you the vast number of times we saw CMs having to remind guests to mask up. We all spend a lot of money on a Disney vacay. A few simple steps of planning ahead shouldn’t inconvenience anyone. Frankly, it was nice not having to keep paper handy for so many things. Every company has protocols. Ever tried to get on a cruise ship without appropriate documents? Or to an airport gate? It’s all over. Why should Disney be expected to be any different?Having said that, I am not thrilled with some of the non-Covid, money-grabbing changes the admins are instituting. So I’m not being starry-eyed all-supportive of Disney here. But I’m all for ANY changes that keep everyone safe.
Using your logic…EXACTLY!
Why pay all that money and not be able to get in the door.
Literally because the line stretches from here to magic Kingdom come!!
Apparently you’ve never shown up with a ticket to be turned away at the gate due to being at full capacity.
CEO said reservations are here to stay. I for one applaud that decision.
So grow up and deal with it or just plain go to Universal
Christopher, that is SO few and far between that people are not allowed if for capacity reasons. It’s apparent you don’t go often. As an AP holder, this res system is horrible.
Totally agree! It’s gotten out of control. I’m an AP holder and if I have time to go to a Park, I shouldn’t need to be “allowed” in to be able to hop over. Disney needs to follow UO. They have handled this FAR better!
I am huge Disney Fan! I am so disgusted on how Disney is trying to change everything. now prices are getting so high that the very rich can afford it. Now they are saying that you have to make a reservation and tickets do not work!!! What the heck!!! They are changing everything into something Walt would have never let happen!!! His speech he made in the opening of Disneyland is now a complete joke!!!! I have heard a lot of people say that they wish that some one would build a park and make it like Walt wanted it to be!! My hats off to those people. I am so upset about how park customers are being treated!!! The people who even pay to get into the parks are how the parks make their money. I am starting to wonder if I should plan on taking a Disney Cruise instead? I think I would be not only treated better, but made to feel welcome!! If you want people to come to the park then you need to start thinking about Walt’s wish!!!!
They have talked about reservations for as long as they have been open during the pandemic. It’s nothing new. They are literally doing it because of covid. Who’s to say if it’s something to stay or just until things are 100% safe. Yall are just getting so worked up over nothing….
Here’s the thing though, just because he said it was ok, doesn’t mean it is. Numbers can easily go up again and Disney doesn’t want to be the reason for that. Besides, it’s not like it’s a bad thing to have a limit when you see how busy it still is
Disney is in an uncontrolled tail spin and really doesn’t know how they should handle it. Money, money, money controls Disney and they are getting more and more less concerned about the guest experience. When you get to big, this is what to expect. Getting rid of Bob Paycheck would be a good start.
When I made a reservation last summer I was able to change it twice as needed. Not sure that would work now.
That being said, whatever keeps the parks less unbearably crowded (short of price gouging 😤) is good. I don’t want to go to D-land and have to deal with masses of people pushing and shoving. And some of the indoor queues can get downright claustrophobic. That situation was never safe and Covid just makes it scarier. I miss the sense of spontaneity but it’s more important to keep everyone safe, to keep the parks open.
I like the park reservations myself. I’ve been able to go every day that I wanted to so far, I just plan in advance and if I can get a last minute reservation, I do. If not then no big deal.
People that say they should be able to get in no matter what they pay are forgetting that Disneyland/Disney parks actually closed due to capacity a few times during the holidays in the past. Imagine if your family bought tickets and got turned away at the gate because who knows when they could let more people in (used to take HOURS). Now that family is guaranteed spots into the park and can get into the park without worrying that could happen.
It’s just a new way to control capacity and that’s okay with me. Makes the ride lines shorter and while still crowded, not as much as it was in the past.
At least we’re handling it better than HK Disneyland’s first experience with holiday-capacity Chinese New Year crowds, when the locals didn’t understand why the park closed early, and were trying to boost their kids in over the wall.
You can’t do what you want at THEIR park. If WDW capacity-limit crowds during the pandemic, and does it in an organized fashion, you get in that line, or you don’t get in at all.
Unless you’re trying to barge that attraction-line, too.
The park reservation thing used to bother me. We just went in October and it wasn’t really that bad. Reason for that is for our family, dining is just about as important as going to the park itself. So, for example, we love The Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom. Any popular restaurant there, you have to make dining reservations in advance or you likely won’t get it. Well park reservations and dining reservations go hand in hand, so it really wasn’t a big deal for us. Overall, I still prefer spontaneity and being able to choose that day what we want to do. Especially if there is weather or something like that.
Now, for the people whining and complaining about ticket prices…. Listen, at $109-$125 per person for a single day ticket, you’re still getting a great value. You get in to the park, ride everything you want and do everything you want for 12-15 hours. Compare that to other forms of entertainment like a concert of a popular musician or a sporting event like an NBA game. You’ll pay triple at least for somewhat decent seats and be entertained for 2-3 hours and that’s all. So Disney is a bargain especially if you buy a 4 day ticket like we did and it was $62 per person per day. And for you complainers, you can’t turn around and say Disney doesn’t sink money into their parks. They spend billions adding rides and expanding and upkeep all the time year after year. What do you want? All the new rides and then the ticket prices stay the same? They’re a business. You’re not being realistic. If it’s too pricey for you, don’t go.
Had a park reservation for Thursday and guess what. Disney cancelled it. Yup! I am what they call A legacy annual pass holder and if you look at the rules under the actual pass it states it can be cancelled at any time without notification or reason. Had to go to guest relations and I asked. Wth?!?! They had never seen this before and reinstated my pass for the day that was cancelled (I had a picture of my reservation). FYI the park was so busy that LL were 45 min+ wait and regular lines were all 120 min at the kingdom on 12/1. We are letting the annual passes run out. By-bye Disney.
It takes 30 seconds, it’s not that big of a deal. And for those we say we spent so much, well if your spending that much money, maybe do some research before you go.
You are so correct! But I’ve known many people who just go into their Orlando vacation without any preparation. A couple of them have even asked which Disney park Harry Potter land is in!!
The reservations are stupid and just another touchpoint of aggravation for cast members. They solve nothing. Disney has done everything wrong from the start. Funny how Universal and Six Flags seem to be handling things just fine.
Technically Universal is an industry leader now. They led Disney to make a change to paid fast passes and photos. The difference is Disney didn’t copy other important aspects … AP levels with highest including those benefits & hotel guests with some of those benefits .
Park reservations, other than for some of the restaurants, is freaking ridiculous. Bob Paychek is killing all the ‘magic’. Get rid of him the sooner the better.
People are spoiled and feel entitled. Disneyland is a business whose top problem is crowd control. Yes they should keep reservations. The site has tons of notifications about it. So what if it costs a lot to go to Disneyland. You don’t have to go! The price is not so high people can’t save for it. Also cannot expect Disneyland to pay fair wages without high ticket prices. There are many entertainment options in life. If Disneyland doesn’t suit you go somewhere else. However I prefer Disneyland with reservations.
How about people that pay that much money ARE entitled to go to the parks. Ticket sales for any given day should be capped and the reservation system removed. Honestly the whole reservation thing is ridiculous and just puts too many steps between deciding to go to the park and getting there.
I don’t mind the reservations, although it does take away some of the flexibility when you are on a multi-day trip. Make the ticket sale tied to the reservation so you are doing both things at the same time. I don’t understand why that wasn’t done from the beginning.
While I don’t agree with “throwing a fit”, they aren’t wrong. This reservation system needs to go. It just adds another needless layer of complication to trying to plan your vacation. It may have been necessary initially to help control capacity, but obviously Disney is approaching pre-Covid capacity levels again, and it is time for the system to be retired.
I Always laugh at people when they start off saying (and I quote) “If Walt were alive.” Well first off, he’s not and then secondly 🤣🤣🤣 He did what he said he wanted to do and that was to build a place where Families could all go and be Together and having fun. Well that worked and he did just that! Then the OTHER SIDE OF HIM CAME OUT and that was the BUSINESS MAN, when he saw just how much his park was making. So then Money 💵 was Flowing in and who wouldn’t want that? I know I would. So STOP SAYING “IF WALT WERE ALIVE, HE WOULDN’T LIKE THIS” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣He’d Love it, because he’d be even MORE FILTHY RICH 🤣🤣🤣Money, unfortunately is what makes the world go round. The one with the most money, MAKES THE RULES, PERIOD!!! Now the way these NEW EXECUTIVES are handling the parks is WRONG. Over charging for EVERYTHING. More Money and Less Products and Waaaaaaaay cheaper quality. Now THATS WHEN “EVERYBODY” SHOULD BE ANGRY. Mr Disney implemented Good quality things (for that time and era) into Disneyland, but when he left this world, the next group of people CHEAPENED ALL OF THAT Good Quality of what Mr Disney had started. It’s hasn’t been Mr. Disney ANYTHING since he passed on. So PLEASE STOP SAYING SUCH RIDICULOUS THINGS ABOUT what Mr Disney would say. YOU’RE NOT HIM OR HIS MIND 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I don’t understand why Disney needs to now have a reservation system. Seems like they have put up so many obstacles for guests.
Not the wait to treat guests in your home
Hi.
I’d rather they not sell me a ticket if that date’s reservations are full. Doesn’t seem hard to me…
Now, understand – I haven’t gone since Feb. 2020.
And, I will NOT go until all mask mandates are removed.
Unfortunately, Covid is probably here to stay like the annual flu. Educate people and let them decide their level of risk. Between Masks, the reservation system, and the threat of Splash Mountain being replaced (for NO good reason), it is becoming harder for regular (annual) guests like me to go to WDW.
And that is sad to me. Even though I’m 69, I still love to go. We stay at the Dolphin hotel, and go into Epcot and some into the Magic Kingdom. I really miss WDW being like it was before 2019. So much of the magic is disappearing (like replacing the Epcot fireworks show Illuminations with the Iron monstrosity).
Regardless, God Bless ALL with a very blessed Christmas/New Year’s time coming up (and all the parties before that…).
I went to Disney for years before covid. But now they have stopped the Magical Express and Meal Plan I do not even want to go back. The reservation system does not seem to appealing since we enjoy running over to a park on a whim which is the purpose of the hopper. I really wish they would just go back to the way they were. It was expensive enough and now it seems even more costly for less.
Having just been to Disney and Universal, I am actually in fa or of the reservation system. Went to Universal one day and it was PACKED. Every single ride was an hour plus line, with multiple big ones being 3-4 hours. Even walking down the street was hard as there were so many people.
Went to Disney the next day, and while it was still busy, it was much less so than Universal. There was one ride in the park was just under 2 hours at its busiest with the other popular rides running 45-75 minutes. There were also some rides running 20-40 minutes. It was still busy being the week of Thanksgiving, but much less than Universal.
All in all Disney was running about 2 times faster. IF they maintain this and use it to help make a good experience, I am for it.
1st of all the author of this has some growing up to do, THIS is worthy of a news article?
There are more worthy topics, and 2, Disney is ridiculous.
AP, DVC since 2012, been going yearly since 2009, and I want out.
They have taken so much magic away and hiked the prices to a ridiculous level.
Over it. They are lowering their quality and doubling costs. I agree with the person who had a melt down.
Get it together Disney.
I don’t think a meltdown temper-tantrum is the answer. Especially for an adult/s. Disney has it all over their website that reservations are needed. In fact, when you try to purchase a ticket, a pop-up reminds the buyer of this.
My money says after the spring break crowds, the 50th anniversary hoopla will die down. The “novelty” of Disney’s reopening (post-pandemic) will subside. DVC points will have been rented or used and most contracts will be caught up. These along with a few other factors, will get things caught up and Disney will be a ghost town, so to speak.
With all the covid protocols going on at Walt Disney World, I wouldn’t go there at all. I wouldn’t go to the Walt Disney World Resort until all covid protocols are eliminated. The way things use to be way before the pandemic was even a thought.
Comments for Disney Guest Publicly “Throws a Fit” Over Still Needing Park Reservations
Em
Time to do away with park reservations. If you pay all that money for a ticket you should be able to go to whatever park you want on whatever day you want. If it’s raining you might not want to be stuck going to Animal Kingdom. Open things back up and get back to normal. If you want to wear a mask then do so. If you don’t feel good don’t go to Disney. Use Common sense
Jordan
You do realize this is what keeps things balanced, right? Like if everyone wants to ride that one ride that’s super popular right away, the lines are going to be super long. This is to help control guest capacity and gives people a chance to ride the rides they want in less than 3 hours (hopefully). If you want to go to a certain park, they specifically say when purchasing a ticket that you need to get a reservation as well. This is really on the parents
Julian Herring
Talk about going backwards, I’ve been coming for years and its never been required until now, Yes Covid got in the way and I understood Park Capacity, but have you seen how full the parks are now, Disney must not be using capacity anymore, perhaps if they employed more cast and did away with the lightning lanes then you probably would not need a 3 hour wait for the ride, as unlike the Fast Pass the queues were more fairly managed and not over subscribed, this is Disneys doing and their Greed that has caused the issue.
Jordan
Get rid of lightning lanes? That’s literally their old fast pass system. Getting rid of that would literally make things longer. And it wasn’t fairly managed since it favored those that are booking at a disney hotel versus now, it literally that day, so any and everyone gets about the same chance to get on a ride they want to do. I’ve been there many times, and it only seems busier now because they are still limiting everything they have because of covid. Once things start going back to normal, who knows, you will finally see how well it works
Elle
What an entitled take, as if spending a certain amount of money should grant you the right to do whatever you want. Perhaps if you don’t want to follow the rules (that have been in place for a while at this point), don’t go to Disney. How’s that for common sense?
PoundSand
You sound like a typical holier-than-thou elitist.
Julian Herring
What, if you holiday on Disney Property regardless of how much you pay, which is a lot, you should be able to enter the parks its part of your fee.
Zach
It’s a business and this is capitalism. Listen, I’m all for social justice and equity, but most of the world and country never even get to go in Disney. So just going is elitist. If I have the disposable money to make my vacation better than yours, of course I’m going to use it for my family. Most people would make the same choice. Time is money on a vacation. I would rather spend money to skip standing in lines to enjoy my time. Overall for me it’s a better use of my money. I just budget out expensive meals and alcohol if I want to cut back.
Susan Ashley
The rules say you need a park reservation to get into a theme park.
Get a reservation, or don’t plan on getting in.
It’s really that simple.
Julian Herring
I hear you, but the parks must be at capacity looking at the videos they are rammed so this reservation policy is total crap, this is just more Disney bureaucracy, they never do anything the easy way for customers.
Eugenia
Yes, it’s about time things went back to normal. The new variant is not justification, it’s too mild but they are using it as though it’s a huge threat. Chances are, this thing has been over exaggerated for a reason, profits, even at the beginning but now the virus is so weak that the new variant is about the equivalent of a common cold as far as symptoms go. I have read scientists saying this is a good sign. Of course, I found none of those article in mainstream media, instead I see the stories of we need to fight this new variant, more vaccines, more lockdowns, etc. going on. The governments, corporations and media will not let go of the idea of not capitalizing on this forever. Which means, we will never get back to normal anywhere, much less Disneyland. I think this should not be allowed to happen but too many people still asleep. Hope they wake up soon, so we all can get back to the old Disneyland system we had before.
dw
Disagree. The people who argue with CMs thinking they can circumvent the requirements are also those most likely to ignore safety protocols. We went in October, and I can’t tell you the vast number of times we saw CMs having to remind guests to mask up. We all spend a lot of money on a Disney vacay. A few simple steps of planning ahead shouldn’t inconvenience anyone. Frankly, it was nice not having to keep paper handy for so many things. Every company has protocols. Ever tried to get on a cruise ship without appropriate documents? Or to an airport gate? It’s all over. Why should Disney be expected to be any different?Having said that, I am not thrilled with some of the non-Covid, money-grabbing changes the admins are instituting. So I’m not being starry-eyed all-supportive of Disney here. But I’m all for ANY changes that keep everyone safe.
CHRISTOPHER HOWES
Using your logic…EXACTLY!
Why pay all that money and not be able to get in the door.
Literally because the line stretches from here to magic Kingdom come!!
Apparently you’ve never shown up with a ticket to be turned away at the gate due to being at full capacity.
CEO said reservations are here to stay. I for one applaud that decision.
So grow up and deal with it or just plain go to Universal
Jody
Christopher, that is SO few and far between that people are not allowed if for capacity reasons. It’s apparent you don’t go often. As an AP holder, this res system is horrible.
Jody
Totally agree! It’s gotten out of control. I’m an AP holder and if I have time to go to a Park, I shouldn’t need to be “allowed” in to be able to hop over. Disney needs to follow UO. They have handled this FAR better!
Arch Stanton
Definitely agree.
Amber
I am huge Disney Fan! I am so disgusted on how Disney is trying to change everything. now prices are getting so high that the very rich can afford it. Now they are saying that you have to make a reservation and tickets do not work!!! What the heck!!! They are changing everything into something Walt would have never let happen!!! His speech he made in the opening of Disneyland is now a complete joke!!!! I have heard a lot of people say that they wish that some one would build a park and make it like Walt wanted it to be!! My hats off to those people. I am so upset about how park customers are being treated!!! The people who even pay to get into the parks are how the parks make their money. I am starting to wonder if I should plan on taking a Disney Cruise instead? I think I would be not only treated better, but made to feel welcome!! If you want people to come to the park then you need to start thinking about Walt’s wish!!!!
Jordan
They have talked about reservations for as long as they have been open during the pandemic. It’s nothing new. They are literally doing it because of covid. Who’s to say if it’s something to stay or just until things are 100% safe. Yall are just getting so worked up over nothing….
PoundSand
DeSantis blessed 100% capacity months ago. Disney has capped capacity at 70%. Covid is just an excuse at this point.
EricJ
It’s THEIR excuse. DeSantis doesn’t run Disney.
(In fact, in FL, it’s probably fairer to say that Disney runs DeSantis…)
Jordan
Here’s the thing though, just because he said it was ok, doesn’t mean it is. Numbers can easily go up again and Disney doesn’t want to be the reason for that. Besides, it’s not like it’s a bad thing to have a limit when you see how busy it still is
lorraine
they seemed to do just fine any other year
David
Walt would also be smoking ciggarettes and dying of lung cancer while doing whatever you imagine him to be doing.
rroe
Disney is in an uncontrolled tail spin and really doesn’t know how they should handle it. Money, money, money controls Disney and they are getting more and more less concerned about the guest experience. When you get to big, this is what to expect. Getting rid of Bob Paycheck would be a good start.
Tammey
Need to do away with reservations. With the cost of tickets constantly going up you should be able to go to whichever park you want to.
Phoebe L Ho
When I made a reservation last summer I was able to change it twice as needed. Not sure that would work now.
That being said, whatever keeps the parks less unbearably crowded (short of price gouging 😤) is good. I don’t want to go to D-land and have to deal with masses of people pushing and shoving. And some of the indoor queues can get downright claustrophobic. That situation was never safe and Covid just makes it scarier. I miss the sense of spontaneity but it’s more important to keep everyone safe, to keep the parks open.
Piggy
I like the park reservations myself. I’ve been able to go every day that I wanted to so far, I just plan in advance and if I can get a last minute reservation, I do. If not then no big deal.
People that say they should be able to get in no matter what they pay are forgetting that Disneyland/Disney parks actually closed due to capacity a few times during the holidays in the past. Imagine if your family bought tickets and got turned away at the gate because who knows when they could let more people in (used to take HOURS). Now that family is guaranteed spots into the park and can get into the park without worrying that could happen.
It’s just a new way to control capacity and that’s okay with me. Makes the ride lines shorter and while still crowded, not as much as it was in the past.
EricJ
At least we’re handling it better than HK Disneyland’s first experience with holiday-capacity Chinese New Year crowds, when the locals didn’t understand why the park closed early, and were trying to boost their kids in over the wall.
You can’t do what you want at THEIR park. If WDW capacity-limit crowds during the pandemic, and does it in an organized fashion, you get in that line, or you don’t get in at all.
Unless you’re trying to barge that attraction-line, too.
CWK
The park reservation thing used to bother me. We just went in October and it wasn’t really that bad. Reason for that is for our family, dining is just about as important as going to the park itself. So, for example, we love The Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom. Any popular restaurant there, you have to make dining reservations in advance or you likely won’t get it. Well park reservations and dining reservations go hand in hand, so it really wasn’t a big deal for us. Overall, I still prefer spontaneity and being able to choose that day what we want to do. Especially if there is weather or something like that.
Now, for the people whining and complaining about ticket prices…. Listen, at $109-$125 per person for a single day ticket, you’re still getting a great value. You get in to the park, ride everything you want and do everything you want for 12-15 hours. Compare that to other forms of entertainment like a concert of a popular musician or a sporting event like an NBA game. You’ll pay triple at least for somewhat decent seats and be entertained for 2-3 hours and that’s all. So Disney is a bargain especially if you buy a 4 day ticket like we did and it was $62 per person per day. And for you complainers, you can’t turn around and say Disney doesn’t sink money into their parks. They spend billions adding rides and expanding and upkeep all the time year after year. What do you want? All the new rides and then the ticket prices stay the same? They’re a business. You’re not being realistic. If it’s too pricey for you, don’t go.
Cameron
Had a park reservation for Thursday and guess what. Disney cancelled it. Yup! I am what they call A legacy annual pass holder and if you look at the rules under the actual pass it states it can be cancelled at any time without notification or reason. Had to go to guest relations and I asked. Wth?!?! They had never seen this before and reinstated my pass for the day that was cancelled (I had a picture of my reservation). FYI the park was so busy that LL were 45 min+ wait and regular lines were all 120 min at the kingdom on 12/1. We are letting the annual passes run out. By-bye Disney.
Jean
It takes 30 seconds, it’s not that big of a deal. And for those we say we spent so much, well if your spending that much money, maybe do some research before you go.
Joem
You are so correct! But I’ve known many people who just go into their Orlando vacation without any preparation. A couple of them have even asked which Disney park Harry Potter land is in!!
Kathleen
The reservations are stupid and just another touchpoint of aggravation for cast members. They solve nothing. Disney has done everything wrong from the start. Funny how Universal and Six Flags seem to be handling things just fine.
Gern Blanston
Kathleen,
I think you spelled ‘Industry Leader’ wrong. Disney has been ahead of all others during the past year-ish.
-Gern
Michelle D
Technically Universal is an industry leader now. They led Disney to make a change to paid fast passes and photos. The difference is Disney didn’t copy other important aspects … AP levels with highest including those benefits & hotel guests with some of those benefits .
Barb
Park reservations, other than for some of the restaurants, is freaking ridiculous. Bob Paychek is killing all the ‘magic’. Get rid of him the sooner the better.
Mae Lynn
Agreed!
Rachael
People are spoiled and feel entitled. Disneyland is a business whose top problem is crowd control. Yes they should keep reservations. The site has tons of notifications about it. So what if it costs a lot to go to Disneyland. You don’t have to go! The price is not so high people can’t save for it. Also cannot expect Disneyland to pay fair wages without high ticket prices. There are many entertainment options in life. If Disneyland doesn’t suit you go somewhere else. However I prefer Disneyland with reservations.
Jj
How about people that pay that much money ARE entitled to go to the parks. Ticket sales for any given day should be capped and the reservation system removed. Honestly the whole reservation thing is ridiculous and just puts too many steps between deciding to go to the park and getting there.
Dulcie
I don’t mind the reservations, although it does take away some of the flexibility when you are on a multi-day trip. Make the ticket sale tied to the reservation so you are doing both things at the same time. I don’t understand why that wasn’t done from the beginning.
Tiffany
So basically- if you don’t go online you don’t realize this. Suppose you are in Florida and decide on a whim to go!
Zach
Well you don’t do that anymore. Simple.
J.
While I don’t agree with “throwing a fit”, they aren’t wrong. This reservation system needs to go. It just adds another needless layer of complication to trying to plan your vacation. It may have been necessary initially to help control capacity, but obviously Disney is approaching pre-Covid capacity levels again, and it is time for the system to be retired.
DLand
I Always laugh at people when they start off saying (and I quote) “If Walt were alive.” Well first off, he’s not and then secondly 🤣🤣🤣 He did what he said he wanted to do and that was to build a place where Families could all go and be Together and having fun. Well that worked and he did just that! Then the OTHER SIDE OF HIM CAME OUT and that was the BUSINESS MAN, when he saw just how much his park was making. So then Money 💵 was Flowing in and who wouldn’t want that? I know I would. So STOP SAYING “IF WALT WERE ALIVE, HE WOULDN’T LIKE THIS” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣He’d Love it, because he’d be even MORE FILTHY RICH 🤣🤣🤣Money, unfortunately is what makes the world go round. The one with the most money, MAKES THE RULES, PERIOD!!! Now the way these NEW EXECUTIVES are handling the parks is WRONG. Over charging for EVERYTHING. More Money and Less Products and Waaaaaaaay cheaper quality. Now THATS WHEN “EVERYBODY” SHOULD BE ANGRY. Mr Disney implemented Good quality things (for that time and era) into Disneyland, but when he left this world, the next group of people CHEAPENED ALL OF THAT Good Quality of what Mr Disney had started. It’s hasn’t been Mr. Disney ANYTHING since he passed on. So PLEASE STOP SAYING SUCH RIDICULOUS THINGS ABOUT what Mr Disney would say. YOU’RE NOT HIM OR HIS MIND 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Glasseyes
I am a pixie dust pass holder. I can only hold three park pass reservations at a time.
Connie
I don’t understand why Disney needs to now have a reservation system. Seems like they have put up so many obstacles for guests.
Not the wait to treat guests in your home
Ken Brenner
Hi.
I’d rather they not sell me a ticket if that date’s reservations are full. Doesn’t seem hard to me…
Now, understand – I haven’t gone since Feb. 2020.
And, I will NOT go until all mask mandates are removed.
Unfortunately, Covid is probably here to stay like the annual flu. Educate people and let them decide their level of risk. Between Masks, the reservation system, and the threat of Splash Mountain being replaced (for NO good reason), it is becoming harder for regular (annual) guests like me to go to WDW.
And that is sad to me. Even though I’m 69, I still love to go. We stay at the Dolphin hotel, and go into Epcot and some into the Magic Kingdom. I really miss WDW being like it was before 2019. So much of the magic is disappearing (like replacing the Epcot fireworks show Illuminations with the Iron monstrosity).
Regardless, God Bless ALL with a very blessed Christmas/New Year’s time coming up (and all the parties before that…).
Anna
I went to Disney for years before covid. But now they have stopped the Magical Express and Meal Plan I do not even want to go back. The reservation system does not seem to appealing since we enjoy running over to a park on a whim which is the purpose of the hopper. I really wish they would just go back to the way they were. It was expensive enough and now it seems even more costly for less.
Ryan
Having just been to Disney and Universal, I am actually in fa or of the reservation system. Went to Universal one day and it was PACKED. Every single ride was an hour plus line, with multiple big ones being 3-4 hours. Even walking down the street was hard as there were so many people.
Went to Disney the next day, and while it was still busy, it was much less so than Universal. There was one ride in the park was just under 2 hours at its busiest with the other popular rides running 45-75 minutes. There were also some rides running 20-40 minutes. It was still busy being the week of Thanksgiving, but much less than Universal.
All in all Disney was running about 2 times faster. IF they maintain this and use it to help make a good experience, I am for it.
Mae Lynn
1st of all the author of this has some growing up to do, THIS is worthy of a news article?
There are more worthy topics, and 2, Disney is ridiculous.
AP, DVC since 2012, been going yearly since 2009, and I want out.
They have taken so much magic away and hiked the prices to a ridiculous level.
Over it. They are lowering their quality and doubling costs. I agree with the person who had a melt down.
Get it together Disney.
Mickeymouse3
I don’t think a meltdown temper-tantrum is the answer. Especially for an adult/s. Disney has it all over their website that reservations are needed. In fact, when you try to purchase a ticket, a pop-up reminds the buyer of this.
My money says after the spring break crowds, the 50th anniversary hoopla will die down. The “novelty” of Disney’s reopening (post-pandemic) will subside. DVC points will have been rented or used and most contracts will be caught up. These along with a few other factors, will get things caught up and Disney will be a ghost town, so to speak.
George
Spend all that money for a top pass and still have black out dates. Not good.
Scott
Disney is a private business. They can require reservations. Thay can require masks.
Mnorail
The only thing I have to add is what the crap is a “ressie”? I mean I know what it stand for but what the heck?
Robert D.
With all the covid protocols going on at Walt Disney World, I wouldn’t go there at all. I wouldn’t go to the Walt Disney World Resort until all covid protocols are eliminated. The way things use to be way before the pandemic was even a thought.
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