Frustration Grows Amongst Disney Fans As ‘No Show’ Punishment Continues

in Disneyland Resort

Disneyland

Both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World have been using a reservation system since the parks reopened in April 2021 and July 2020, respectively. This measure has been controversial and has received mixed reactions from Guests.

Disneyland Ticket
Credit: Inside the Magic

Many Guests find the requirement simple and consider it necessary or order to control Park capacity, as some cases of Covid-19 can still be seen in America.

disneyland cast member with sleeping beauty castle
Credit: Disney

Related: Disney Confirms Full Park Capacity Will NEVER Return, Fans React

However, most Guests consider the whole online experience of buying tickets and making a reservation to be poorly designed. Many also state the reservation system is overly complicated and unnecessary, as they suggest only a certain amount of tickets should be sold for each day, instead of deliberately selling them and making Guests hope there’s a reservation open on the date they are planning their visit.

Disneyland reservation calendar april 2022
Credit: Screenshot from Disneyland website

Related: Elderly Couple Tragically Denied Entrance To Disney Park

This, of course, causes a rising frustration amongst Guests, especially Magic Keyholders who can’t seem to catch a break from the system.

Disneyland Magic Key

Earlier this year, Magic Key holders struggled with the reservation system as it offered them no options to make reservations, even after some tiers of this membership had been advertised with little to none on block out dates. Many Guests argued that Disney was artificially limiting Park capacity, preventing pass holders from making reservations.

Related: $5 Million Lawsuit Filed Against Disney Parks Alleging ‘False Advertising’

While it seems Disney has corrected this issue, a new measure is now making Magic Key holders consider if they made the right choice buying this pass.

Mickey at Disneyland Resort
Credit: Disney

Disneyland is now enforcing a no-show policy that penalizes Guests who make reservations to visit the Park but fail to show up on the date. As expected, pass holders feel frustrated on the matter, and some have voiced their opinion showing how inconvenient this policy can be.

Guest frustrated at California Adventure entrance
Credit: @jackieomaui

Jackieomaui (@jackieomaui) posted on TikTok, sharing what she had to do to avoid getting penalized after forgetting to cancel her reservation. Her video states the following:

Going to stupid Disneyland just to check in for my stupid reservation b/c I was stupid and forgot to cancel it…
Grabbed a churro and walked right back out…

You can check out her TikTok below:

Anyone else do this? #magickey #disneyland #dca #disneytiktok #disneylife #disneyadult #disneyproblems

@jackieomaui

Anyone else do this? #magickey #disneyland #dca #disneytiktok #disneylife #disneyadult #disneyproblems

♬ оригинальный звук – _malifisenta007_

Meghan Heneghan (@themagicalmillenial_) also shared the lengths she had to go to avoid penalization, as she had to enter the parks late at night, in the rain while not in the most adequate wardrobe.

You can watch her video below:

Gotta brave it for the res…Thanks bipolar SoCal weather 👍🏻 #disney #disneyparks #disneyland #jackass #rain #oops #mistakesweremade #foryou #disneyfyp

@themagicalmillennial_

Gotta brave it for the res…Thanks bipolar SoCal weather 👍🏻 #disney #disneyparks #disneyland #jackass #rain #oops #mistakesweremade #foryou #disneyfyp

♬ original sound – belle

Related: Disneyland Now Enforcing “No Show” Policy For Park Reservations

While this measure is relatively new, making it understandable that Guests and pass holders are struggling with it, Disneyland’s official site clearly states that reservations can be canceled until 11:59 pm the day before they were scheduled to prevent a no-show, a relatively flexible margin all in all.

disneyland entrance
Credit: Disney

More on Disneyland’s No Show Policy

Disneyland’s official site states the following regarding cancellations to prevent Passholders from being penalized:

*The ability of Magic Key holders to make and hold park reservations will be impacted by the “no show” policy. Magic Key holders who are a “no show” for 3 reservations in a 90-day window will be unable to make new park reservations for 30 days. Existing park reservations at that time will not be cancelled. The 30-day period begins the day after the third “no-show,” and will continue even if the pass is upgraded to another pass during that time. A Magic Key holder who enters the designated park any time before closing on the day of the reservation is not considered a “no-show.” If the reservation is for both parks, only one park needs to be entered to avoid being a “no-show.” Magic Key holders who timely cancel a reservation are also not considered a “no-show.” Cancellation of a reservation must be done by 11:59 PM PT on the day before the reserved date. Rules and policies are subject to change without notice.

What do you think about Disney’s no-show policy? Let us know in the comments below!

Let the expert team at Academy Travel help you plan your next magical vacation to Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney District. Or what about Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios — and the Disney Springs shopping and dining district!

in Disneyland Resort

View Comments (138)