Today was a HUGE day. On top of the Disney World Resorts re-opening, the Disney Park Pass system went live for the first time.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

However, there’s a lot to keep in mind when it comes to the resorts and the new theme park reservation system.

This week, the Disney Park Pass reservations are only opening up to resort guests with tickets (June 22), Annual Passholders (June 26), and regular ticket holders without resort hotel bookings (June 28). While new tickets and passes aren’t being sold, new Disney Resort reservations also aren’t available either (bummer).

Grand Floridian Resort Pool

Although you may really miss chilling on your balcony at the Contemporary, Disney made these limitations as a way of prioritizing guests who have existing reservations, tickets, and passes since Disney will need to limit access to the parks due to CDC guidelines, and they’re making sure guests with existing reservations get the first crack at the park pass system.

Boardwalk Resort

So what if you have a regular Disney World ticket, but no valid resort hotel, and you want to grab your reservations BEFORE the June 28th free-for-all (after all, we’re already starting to see opening days sell out!)? Well, if you get a valid hotel reservation before the 28th, then you’ll be able to book your park passes before they’re open to all ticket-holders.

But the issue is: Disney has halted resort hotel bookings for the time being. HOWEVER, there are several non-Disney-owned hotels that also offer the early park pass booking perk! 

Beach Club Resort in Disney World

Here’s what you need to know about booking Disney Park Pass reservations for your whole family!

On top of the Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Shades of Green Resorts, and Four Seasons Orlando Resort, Disney has direct connections to multiple applicable Good Neighbor and surrounding area resorts. Many of them will provide many of the same perks that the Disney Resorts do and give you access to Disney World privileges that on-property resort guests receive.

Swan and Dolphin Resort

One of the privileges includes the ability to have primary access to the Disney Park Pass system with an existing hotel reservation. And, some of the resorts are allowing guests to book new stays for the future, so if you already have your tickets but don’t want to wait until the 28th to book your park passes, you might even be able to score Disney Park Pass spots EARLY after making a reservation at one of the hotels in the area. (Thanks to @themeparkmillennial for reminding us of this awesome tip!)

Four Seasons Resort Orlando

However, keep in mind that it may take up to 72 hours before your resort reservation can be linked into My Disney Experience, so in order to book BEFORE other ticketed guests on the 28th, be sure to book your applicable good neighbor hotel quickly. You’ll need to check with individual resorts to confirm the ability to use Disney Park Pass early before trying to book park reservations with an existing stay or making a new stay.

Boardwalk Resort

Some of the Bonnet Creek Resorts and Disney Springs Area Resorts listed here may have availability:

• Hilton
• Waldorf Astoria
• B Resort & Spa
• Best Western (note that this hotel appears to be not accepting new bookings at this time)
• DoubleTree Suites
• Holiday Inn
• Wyndham and Wyndham Garden

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Find out what counts as a “Walt Disney World Resort” here!

This can be a BIG DEAL for the guests wanting to visit the parks as soon as possible, especially since Disney hasn’t stated when new reservations will be able to be booked on property. While it may not work for every Good Neighbor and surrounding resort, we definitely recommend looking into the possibility that your existing stay (or maybe even a new one) could be eligible to book Disney Park Pass reservations ASAP.

Here are ALL the re-opening dates for Disney World Resorts!

When do you plan on taking a vacation in Disney World next? Let us know in the comments below!