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Do you love or loathe Disney Park Reservations? Find out how the Walt Disney Company really feels about them. The answer will probably surprise you.
Big Changes for Park Reservations
Since the phased reopening of the theme parks, park reservations have been required for all four theme parks. In May 2023, Disney made many changes for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. One of these big changes is in regard to Park Reservations.
Starting with park visits on Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. This is great news for guests with the standard theme park ticket. Park Reservations will still be required for guests with student/sport/convention tickets and Annual Passholders if visiting the parks before 2:00 pm.
Starting with park visits on Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets.
Disney’s View on Park Reservations
Former Disney CEO, Bob Chapek, was on the record several times praising this Park Reservation system. Chapek claimed, “It protects the guest experience so that when you get into the park…you can have confidence it’s not going to be overcrowded.”
Now that the previous CEO, Bob Iger, has returned Disney has a new view on Park Reservations. During a 3rd Quarter Earnings Call yesterday, the Walt Disney Company shared their current earnings, big successes at the box office, future expansions, and also big changes coming to Disney+.
The Walt Disney Company also shared its “Recent Business Highlights.” These include Avatar: The Way of Water, opening TRON Lightcycle, improving their DTC operating income, 4th consecutive year that ABC is ranked #1 in entertainment, NBA playoff success, and finally the announcement for the removal of Park Reservations.
Yes, you read that correctly. Disney now sees the announcement to remove Park Reservations as a “Business Highlight.” No longer does the Walt Disney Company see these as a guarantee of a great park experience. It looks as though they view Park Reservations the same as so many Disney Park guests do.
Disney now sees the announcement to remove Park Reservations as a “Business Highlight.”
What do you think of the removal of Park Reservations? Are you surprised that the Disney Company sees their removal as a “Business Highlight”? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with a fellow Disney pal.
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Jim
Sunday 13th of August 2023
It has nothing to do with crowd levels pre-pandemic, the parks would fill to capacity at several times throughout the year and the waits were never as bad as they are on a slow day now. They have intentionally slowed down the wait times to make paying more for what used to be a standard, complementary, part of the experience seem more reasonable. Iger and Chapek mastered the art of creating a problem to warrant a monetized solution. I'm surprised they haven't claimed that transportation is too crowded and started making you pay to use the ferry boats, monorails, and busses yet.
Jim
Sunday 13th of August 2023
This just shows that, even after Disney flirted with casual guests, leaving their loyal passholders in the position of redheaded stepchildren, and lost their bankroll in the process, they are still willing to minimize the experience for their most loyal guests and risk losing more of their steady income. Looks like Iger hasn't quite gotten the message yet. Guess he needs to bleed out of few billion more before he realizes what the fans really want. Maybe selling out to Apple wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. They do, at least, tend to try to give their customers a good experience.
Arthur L. Kimmel
Friday 11th of August 2023
End all reservations for all types of tickets. Bring back the pre-covid Fast Pass System. Allow spontaneity again! Reset the on property hotel guests early entry to one hour. PLEASE!
Eileen
Friday 11th of August 2023
Go back to pre pandemic park experiences with no reservation system, free fast passes first come first serve, and the old annual passes, especially for Florida residents. Florida annual passholders could just decide to go to the parks spontaneously for a few hours or for dinner or for the day. It is too cumbersome now.
Luis
Friday 11th of August 2023
I’m a Disney pass holder and I truly feel like they should keep the reservations and limit the number of guest in a day. It would make the experience more enjoyable. I go to Disney every other week and the amount of people there is insane. It’s not an enjoyable experience and we’re all crazy to pay so much money to be stuck in lines for 2/3hrs + if you don’t purchase lightning lanes. Guest look so miserable in my opinion. Especially seeing it every other week. It’s just about money to them. Not the guest or the children.