Security Enhanced at Disney Park as Guests Gather to Protest

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Security was enhanced over the weekend at one Disney Park as Guests gathered to protest the theme park reservation system implemented by Disney.

Walt Disney World Resort introduced the new system, the Park Pass Reservation System, for the first time when the Florida parks reopened following a nearly 4-month-long closure in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic in July 2020. As with anything new, the saying goes, “It takes some getting used to,” but some fans simply can’t get comfortable with a system that limits the time they can spend in their happy place.

Early on Saturday, Guests gathered just outside the gates at Disneyland Paris to protest the park reservation system, following a beefing-up of security at the Parisian park in preparation for the protests.

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While The Walt Disney Company may tout its new park reservations system as an effective means of crowd control, many fans feel like the system is limiting–especially Guests who spend thousands of dollars on annual passes for themselves and their families. They’re told there are “no blockout dates,” when in reality, every date that’s already booked full is blocked out.

“No blockout dates” seems a misnomer at best.

Per another tweet from @DLPReport, Disney had already enhanced its security on Saturday, so as to be prepared for the potential demonstrations: “Security has been enhanced at the Resort’s checkpoints due to potential demonstrations outside Disney property against the park reservation system.”

The protesters were peaceful as they gathered just outside the park at the nearby train station. They also garnered the support of many who are reading about their plight on Twitter.

User @MatthewRansley responded to the tweet from @DLPReport, tweeting: “Good on them. Worst thing ever introduced. Annual passes aren’t annual we should boycott and not renew I certainly won’t be until this system is gone.”

Disney announces MAJOR CHANGES to the Park Pass Reservation System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Disney has announced some major changes to the Park Pass Reservation System at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort in California and those changes go into effect, August 23, 2022. (And we have to admit, we kinda like at least some of these changes!)

Disney’s Park Pass Reservation System is among those things that many Guests would rather not have to deal with as a part of their Disney vacations. It is a product of the coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020, but it has remained in place at the parks, largely as a means of crowd control. (Though we don’t know that the system necessarily helps with crowds in the parks.)

Here’s a look at what’s changing:

The User Interface

One of the first things Guests will notice is an update to the Park Pass user interface. This means that the new interface will gel with other systems already in place at Disneyland and at Disneyland Paris.

Every Guest will be able to use the same Park Pass Reservation System. Before the changes took effect, Annual Passholders and Guests with multi-day tickets had to use a different interface and a different system. Park Pass reservations already in place will move over to the updated interface, and Guests with reservations won’t need to do a thing.

Reservations Tied to a Ticket

Previously, park pass reservations were linked to a Guest, and not to a ticket. But effective August 23, Park Passes will be tied to a ticket, meaning Guests can hold different types of tickets, such as an Annual Pass, a single-day ticket, etc., and choose which ticket to which a Park Pass reservation will be linked.

Ease of Use

Now Guests will be able to book Park Pass reservations for any ticket type–and all in a single transaction. Guests will also have the ability to book those reservations for as many as 30 Guests per transaction. (Formerly, Guests were limited to reservations for only 12.)

crowds at magic kingdom

Guests will also have the ability to change the email address associated with a specific reservation. This allows for Guests to use an email address that is different from the one used with their My Disney Experience account, though this doesn’t change the email address used with the account. Sadly, Guests are still unable to make a Park Pass Reservation via the My Disney Experience app. (We’ll just keep our fingers crossed on that one!)

A few other things to note

  • The update to the Park Pass Reservation System allows Guests to have the ability to modify their reservations without canceling an existing reservation first.
  • Guests must still make their respective reservations via the official Walt Disney World website.
  • Click here for more information about the new updates to the system and to find answers to some of your questions about the Park Pass Reservation System.

Walt Disney World’s Park Pass Reservation System Extended Into 2022

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Well, Disney fans, it looks like Walt Disney World’s Park Pass Reservation System is here to stay… at least for a long while! The Walt Disney World Park Pass Reservation calendar has been updated to show it is extended into January 2022.

Previously, Park Pass reservations were available through September 2021. Now, you’ll see in the screen shot below from the Disney website, the calendar has availability through January 14, 2022.

If you’re new to the Disney Park Pass, this is the system where guests visiting Walt Disney World must make a reservation for which park they plan to visit. Certain dates fill up based on Disney’s capacity allotments.

Additional Park Pass Slots Open for Walt Disney World Resort Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort in the coming weeks but weren’t able to snag a Park Pass Reservation previously, it’s time to head back to Disney’s website and try again. Additional Park Pass slots opened this morning for Resort Guests!

As shown on the Disney Park Pass Availability calendar here, July 15, July 17, and July 18 now have availability when previously they were full. All parks are currently available on July 17 & 18. Three parks are available for July 15, with Disney’s Hollywood Studios being full.

Helpful Info For Disney Parks Pass System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As of June 26, Annual Passholders can begin making Walt Disney World Resort Reservations via the Disney Parks Pass System. All other existing ticket holders can begin making reservations as of June 28. To help with the process, Disney has shared some helpful information.

As a valued resource for Disney fans and guests, we wanted to share a few helpful tips and clarifying details that you can leverage in your coverage of the Disney Park Pass system. 

Please note we will not open new availability at a pre-announced time of day. When the system opens, all Passholders will be eligible to make theme park reservations for up to three days at a time. Or, Annual Passholders staying at select Disney Resort or other select hotels with valid theme park admission will be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay(s). For example, if an Annual Passholder has three five-night reservations, they will be able to hold up to 15 theme park reservations at one time. 

Click here to watch the header video for more information on the Disney Park Pass system and how to make a theme park reservation. 

We are using virtual waiting rooms as needed to manage the high volume of guests looking to make park reservations for their upcoming visits. We anticipate many Passholders and Guests will begin making their park reservations right away, so wait times may be longer earlier in the day.

Here are a few helpful reminders for those looking to make park reservations:

  • Ensure your ticket or Annual Pass is linked to your My Disney Experience account for each member of your travel party.
  • Please be sure you are searching for available park days within the valid use period of your ticket or Annual Pass. You can view your valid use period under Tickets and Passes in My Disney Experience. All reservations are subject to availability and applicable pass blockout dates. 
  • Contact the Disney Reservation Center via phone or online chat if these tips do not resolve the issue. Please note that we are experiencing a high call and chat volume at this time.

We recognize that theme park reservations will change the way many of our Passholders prefer to enjoy their pass. With that in mind, we are offering alternative options to help Passholders manage their pass, including an additional one month extension to passes that will automatically be processed and visible in My Disney Experience accounts in October 2020. Click here for more details on DisneyWorld.com.

As a reminder, Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders will have the opportunity to register for a special preview at Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on July 9 or 10. Email invitations with additional preview registration details will be sent out soon.