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It’s been a long time coming since Disney restored perks and systems that gave Passholders certain benefits over regular ticket holders. On January 10, 2023, Disney made significant announcements that thrilled Disney Fanatics, especially those planning to visit the Walt Disney World Resort. One of the exciting updates included introducingĀ a free Photopass service available through the Disney Genie suite (a product usually controversial for its Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane services).
Disney characters in Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort/Credit: Disney
Disney also announced that Walt Disney World Annual Passholders would be able to start visiting Theme Parks after 2 p.m. without needing a Theme Park reservation at Magic Kingdom Park. Disney had also stipulated that weekends (Saturdays and Sundays specifically) would be the exceptions to the rule.
As journalist Ashley Carter took to Twitter to remind fans that the date this change goes into effect is today, April 18, 2023.
Reminder: Starting today, Disney World annual passholders can visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom. Pass blockout dates still apply. pic.twitter.com/2n5QkqmhGN
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) April 18, 2023
Guests should note that Pass block out dates still apply. Journalist Scott Gustin also clarified, “Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park will continue to work the same way it works now. APs can still visit Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays after 2pm if you have a park reservation and have entered a different park.”
Guests were certainly happy to see the change. One shared, “Good step forward. Now they just need to do away with Park reservations altogether and open up park hopping – just like it was before covid.”
Flamingos in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park/Credit: Disney
Park reservations at Walt Disney World are part of the new Disney Park Pass system that Disney implemented in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guests now need to make a reservation in advance for the Disney Theme Park they want to visit on a particular day using the Disney Park Pass reservation system.
Of course, per Disney, the reservation system allows Disney to manage Park capacity and, at the time of the pandemic, was meant to ensure that social distancing guidelines are being followed, which is essential for the safety of Guests and Cast Members. Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro has mentioned on multiple counts that the system allows them to ensure the Parks are running smoothly, especially considering how understaffed they are.
Regardless, this is one piece of good news that fans can celebrate!
