While we await further details regarding Disney’s new reservation system, earlier today we noticed Disney World’s annual passholder calendar had undergone a major update! As we know, just like the general public, Annual Passholders will be required to obtain a reservation before they’re allowed inside a Disney World theme park (which will also be the case at Disneyland).
Disney World
Disney hasn’t released very many details yet on the new reservation system including how long they’re expecting to use it, so we were intrigued when we noticed the Annual Passholder admission calendar was listing “reservations required” through June 2021!
And according to theme park reporter @Scott Gustin, this new reservation system could be in use for quite some time. He’s confirmed with several travel agencies that Disney may intend to use it well into next year.
Multiple travel agencies based in the UK have received communication from Disney that suggests Walt Disney World plans to use the park reservation system through 2021.
The system, still being developed by Disney, appears to be sticking around for a while.
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) June 16, 2020
Do keep in mind that at this time, Disney World has shared that “To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required.”
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We will provide you with more details regarding the new reservation system as soon as they are released. And keep in mind Disney hasn’t made any official announcement regarding how long guests will be required to obtain reservations, so try not to stress out too much until we hear more from the Mouse himself!
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What are your thoughts on needing a reservation in addition to a park ticket or annual pass to visit Disney World? Let us know how you’re feeling about this news in the comments below.
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With the limited access and being an Annual Pass holder – will Disney reduce the price of the annual pass due to limited access, since I will not be able to go whenever I would like. Are there going to be reservations set aside strictly for pass holders?
What happens if you travel from Pa, have hotel and park tickets, but then, can’t get a reservation to a actually get into the park? That would be unbelievably unreal. Travel all that distance, all the money spent on hotels and park tickets and then you can’t get a reservation to actually get in the park.
Eileen, eventually we would expect that theme park reservations would be made pretty far in advance, however with the reopening in under a month, I realize this could be the situation for some folks. I think at this point only time will tell, unfortunately.
So, is it looking like in 2021 we will need a vilid ticket AND a reservation at a Disney hotel to get access to the parks? What happens if you weren’t intending to stay on site? Please don’t tell me that Disney are insisting you stay in their hotels in order to access their parks????? We already have tickets and an offsite reservation (cancelled from this year) which we are intending to use next year. From what I have just read it is not looking very hopeful for my Disney/Orlando holiday in 2021 either now…
Daniel, no word on any changes to pricing for APs. We also don’t have any details about reservations set aside for APs. Hopefully when the theme park reservations system is live, we’ll get more information.
Has the Park Hopper option disappeared since there will be a reservation system in place? If so, will there be a refund if the Park Hopper has already been purchased?
This reads like you will now have to have a Disney hotel reservation and a ticket in 2021 in order to get into the parks. What happens to the people who choose to stay offsite. Am I correct in how I am reading this?
Karen, my understanding is that it is more likely to be a confirmed ticket that’s required for a theme park reservation. However, until this new system goes live or until Disney make a clearer official statement, we just don’t know for sure.
Karen, there’s no official word from Disney on Park Hoppers. However, if they are suspended, I would expect guests would get refunds for that upgrade.
Here’s a concern that hasn’t been fully fleshed out (Amongst others), i’m guessing it will be time-slotted for the reservations, so I worry that it’ll be “Ok, you can go to DHS on Tuesday BUT you can’t go in until 4pm. Park closes at 7pm. Have fun!”
I trust that they’ll figure it out but it’s still nerve-wracking.
Thanks for all the great news and updates DFB! Keep up the excellent work!
We have APs. Our adult children bought PH tickets for our trip in November. How can Disney expect people to pay full price for tickets & rooms for no PH option, no parades, no fireworks, limited restaurants with limited menus, probably no F&W, no MNSSHP or MVMCP, no Candlelight Processional, no character meets and a coin flip that you’ll get in the park you want? And all this possibly extending well into 2021 and the 50th anniversary “celebration” of MK? Top that with Universal proceeding towards a quicker return to normal and it spells disaster for WDW. I understand erring on the side of caution. I understand the PR nightmare if you return to normal too soon. Disney weighs risk vs reward every day regarding their operations. A trip to Disney is not a yearly thing for the majority of visitors because of the expense. Plans are made many months or a year or more in advance. Those visitors aren’t making those plans for this year or next with the uncertainty coming from Disney so they will be lost for at least 2 years. Disney May end up with a PR nightmare after all but not the one they are trying to avoid now.
I Don’t think i would mind reserving days in the parks, as long is i could reserve then well in advance for the 14 day trip i have planned in 2021, and that it garuntees entry. Other wise its pointless in my eyes as we are travelling from the UK for disney!
I agree with the other annual passholder. How could Disney charge us Annual Passholders the standard fee if we cannot use what we are paying for?! I have 4 annual passes in our family! Honestly, I believe Disney really needs to help Annual Passholders. We are the ones who FREQUENTLY visit the parks.
I think it’s worth looking at the Flex Pass AP that Disneyland has to see what the reservation system might look like. Considering they’ve already developed a reservation system for that, I find it unlikely that they wouldn’t try to use or scale it up. I doubt they’ll force you to have a hotel reservation just to get into the parks, but I imagine, like the WDW fastpass+ system, that they’ll get some sort of priority.
I feel like they should have delayed re-opening for a bit, at least until they could tell everyone what exactly is going to happen. Let people who have existing reservations and tickets go in when they planned to and be “beta-testers”, while stopping new ticket sales and general AP entry. That way you avoid the inevitable flood of people (like a 3 hour wait for World of Disney in Disney Springs…) and you get to figure out what works and what doesn’t. You also allow cast members to prepare and be trained on new protocols, without overloading them with inevitably frustrated parents (for example, think Universal Studios Orlando and their small speedbumps when implementing mobile order for restaurants that never had it before, and having to wait to sit at a table just to get a cup of water)