Disney has been catching some heat for recent changes they’ve made, so is there ANYTHING they’ve done right lately?!
Lofty, “blue sky” plans have been replaced with cheaper, more generic ones, and don’t even get us started on the free FastPass and FastPass+ being replaced with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes — a new, paid, skip-the-line service. With so much discontent sowing among Disney fans, we have to wonder: Has Disney done anything right these past few years?!
We asked our readers over on Facebook if they thought Disney World had done anything right over the past few years, and here’s what they said!
Ditching Park Pass Reservations
When Disney World reopened after the pandemic, they implemented a Park Pass Reservation system to help control crowds. Essentially, everyone had to make a reservation for a specific park in order to be able to visit that day — in addition to having valid admission.
But, as of January 9th, 2024, Disney World no longer requires a Park Pass Reservation for most guests. Anyone who buys a regular date-based ticket from Disney (either on its own or as part of a vacation package) no longer has to reserve their park visit in advance.
However, select guests including Disney World Annual Passholders and Cast Members STILL REQUIRE Park Pass Reservations (with some exceptions). Group tickets, Florida Resident tickets, Military tickets, and more still need park pass reservations in order to visit Disney World. We’ll let you know if this changes!
Click Here for More Info on Who Still Needs Park Pass Reservations
Disney Dining Plan Return
The Disney Dining Plan failed to return after the post-pandemic reopening of the parks as well — much to the chagrin of hardcore fans everywhere. Folks were begging Disney to bring it back and constantly asking us for updates on it.
Essentially, Disney Dining Plans are an optional add-on to a Disney World vacation package (which includes hotel and tickets). This means that the Disney Dining Plan is exclusive to guests staying in a Disney World Resort hotel. Disney Dining Plans are pre-purchased, so all you have to do when you get to Disney World is head to a restaurant that accepts the Disney Dining Plan and you’re good to use it!
It was a big hit with people, as it took the stress out of having to pay out of pocket for meals, snacks, and drinks on vacation — and instead paying for everything in advance so that you didn’t have to worry about how much things would cost while on vacation. Eventually, Disney brought the Dining Plan back on January 9th, 2024.
Learn More About the Disney Dining Plan!
Disney Springs Drone Show
Disney World is known for incredible nighttime fireworks shows, but recently the first drone show premiered at Disney Springs! Disney Dreams That Soar is a new nighttime drone show that celebrates “the joy of flight with state-of-the-art drones choreographed to create designs in the sky” all paired with a “soaring” musical score interspersed with movie quotes.”
And, it’s a pretty big hit! It’s so popular, in fact, that Disney is having to do some serious crowd control to put up with demand. It’s an incredible feat of technology, so it’s no wonder that the show has become pretty popular and garnering some chaotic crowds.
The stories are shared with state-of-the-art drones (800 of them!) choreographed to form 400-foot tall designs in the sky, featuring some of your favorite Disney characters and icons. (Look for friends from Toy Story, Coco, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Up, Star Wars, and more!)
See More of Disney Dreams That Soar Here
Park Hopping Changes
Another relic from the post-COVID Disney World era — park hopping restrictions. When the parks first reopened, you weren’t allowed to hop from park to park at all so Disney could try and control the crowds. Eventually, park hopping returned but with a caveat that you had to wait until after 2PM to do it — and had to scan into the park you had a reservation for first.
It made it difficult for folks to freely move about the parks, and caused some disgruntled fans to make it known they wanted it back. But, as of January 9th, 2024, anyone who has a park ticket with Park Hopper capabilities or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours. Happy hopping!
Free Parking at Hotels
Disney giveth, and Disney taketh away. Except in this case, former CEO Bob Chapek took it away and current (but also former) CEO Bob Iger brought it back. We’re talking about free parking at Disney World-owned and operated hotels, of course!
Years ago, overnight self-parking at Disney World’s hotels was FREE for hotel guests. But Disney later changed things and introduced overnight parking fees for those staying at Disney World’s hotels, which varied in cost depending on what level of hotel you’ll be staying at. We’re happy to say that overnight self-parking is FREE once again for guests staying at Disney World’s Resort Hotels as of January 10th, 2024.
No matter what you think of Disney’s latest changes, one thing is for sure — you can count on Disney Food Blog to bring you the latest updates! Stay tuned for all your Disney news needs.
ALERT: 3 MAJOR Genie+ Changes Are Coming to Disney World This Year
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Getting rid of the park pass reservations doesn’t count because you still have to make a reservation if you have an annual pass. They need to get rid of the park pass reservation system entirely.
The annual passholder having to still make reservations is honestly a thorn in my side. I feel like there is the definite possibilty of a lawsuit just like the disneyland keyholders. It’s bologna.
One thing that really bugs me is the incredible lack of theming on DVC refurbs and new properties. Disney used to be over the top on theming and it made for an incredible experience to stay at a DVC resort. Not so much any more. Take the BoardWalk for example. The new refresh made the rooms so bland! Gone is the old vibe. The new Poly towers are even worse! Can’t tell if I am at a Disney Property or Marriott! Quick and Cheap has replaced the really excellent theming of these resorts. Corporate arrogance and greed has really killed the vibe.
The positives listed by no means make up for the multitude of things Disney has stopped. It will eventually catch up with them!
It’s rather sad that the bulk of a list of “Positive Changes” is just making things the way they were four years ago. Only one thing listed here is actually new (the drone show).
In my opinion, most of what “Everything Is Ruined” was due to Covid-19 and Bob Chapek. As with a lot of businesses, they took a huge it and are still recovering from all the damage done. Yes prices keep raising and getting more expensive at the parks, but so is everything else we buy and use. Remember, Disney is a business out to make a profit like all businesses.
So I don’t understand why some people expect things to be the same as they were pre-Covid and before Chapek nearly destroyed everything. Especially those who speak of the good ‘ol days back in the last century and the early 2000s. Things don’t last forever, so get use to change whether you like it or not.
But yes, there are things I wish they would bring back. Like passholder not having to reserve dates. Or not being able to park hop at any time when ever you want. But I can live with that, so it doesn’t keep my family from gong for now.
I thought the return of the Disney Dining Plan was a good thing, until I did the math and realized that the cost of the food I would eat in a day amounts to less money than the cost of the plan, and that included factoring in the refillable resort mug and the 1 snack per day. The price increase (for adults, at least) and the fact that you actually get less than you did with the pre-Covid dining plan makes this new version a waste of money. I do think the drone show is an exciting addition, it’s just a shame that it’s going to have such a limited run. Hopefully Disney will make this a permanent experience.
Besides some of the changes that I wonder what they were thinking, is Genie+ and Lighting lanes. This system is, at times, very confusing and aggravating. With the old fast pass system, you could plan your days at the parks around your fast pass times well before you went on vacation. I am a baby boomer. I use my phone for basically talk and text. I generally do not use apps. Now if I can do it correctly, I cannot plan my vacation days out well ahead of time. Also you never know the cost until you go on. We usually had dinner plans for each day either at a Disney park or resort. Now we have only made 3 dinner and one character breakfast reservations for our two week stay. They have to improve this system. I know many DVC members, like me, who have decided to use their points for other options and skip family trips to WDW , because of all the confusing new Genie+ and LL nonsense.
The loss of the Magical Express was a game changer for my family. We were yearly visitors until they ended that.
Par reservations for annual passholders needs to stop. Fast passes need to be reinstated and early entry hours for park guests need to increased like they were before to 1 hour before park opening. I get prices increae thats just a fact of life but so many perks being taken sway from guests does not make a enjoyable expierence. You can vacation most places for less money and I think families will be choosing alternative vacation destinations.So sad as the Magic used to start with luggage tags being sent to your home for Magical Express and airline check in at hotels with luggage drop off was so nice