Disney World Locals Say They Aren’t Wanted in the Parks

One of the great things about living close to a Disney park is that you can (ideally) visit them whenever you want. That is especially exciting if you are a local who lives close to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Not only do you have four amazing theme parks at your fingertips, but you also have two water parks, Disney Springs, and more than 2 dozen Resort hotels, each with its own amazing dining options.

Unfortunately, for some locals, living near The Most Magical Place on Earth isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. With all of Disney’s new reservation rules and requirements, locals are feeling like Disney doesn’t want them there.

Man, I gotta say. Trying to do ANYTHING at Walt Disney World as a local is insanely inconvenient. They really don’t want you here.

— Josh Bailey (@xjoshbaileyx) October 8, 2023

According to Josh, he made a dining reservation at a Disney World hotel. However, when he got there, he was told that parking was for hotel guests only. It did not matter that he had a dining reservation. Josh said that his reservation was at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. He could not park at the hotel and, instead, had to park in the cast member parking area and walk to the hotel.

Related: Free Parking Returns to Disney World Resort Hotels! 

He also said that guests planning to dine at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or the Contemporary had to park at the Ticket & Transportation Center. From there, they would take the monorail to their desired hotel. Guests can also use the Ticket and Transportation monorail to get to the Grand Floridian.

Josh said that security told him that he would have to drive back to the Ticket and Transportation Center. Then, after he parked there, he would have to take the monorail to get to the hotel he needed to.

Commenters shared their frustration at Disney’s policies, which don’t seem to always be the same. Some never had an issue with parking, while others said they were told the same as Josh. Some were shocked that Disney is making it so difficult for people to spend money at their parks and restaurants.

Yeah, exactly this. I want to spend money at your restaurants and bars. Please let me

Yeah, exactly this. I want to spend money at your restaurants and bars. Please let me

— Josh Bailey (@xjoshbaileyx) October 8, 2023

Since the theme parks reopened after COVID, guests have been required to book theme park reservations if they want to visit the Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Locals at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort have frequently complained about this system because there are always more reservations for dated-ticket holders, while Annual Pass reservations are limited.

Related: Disney Shells Out Millions to Settle Annual Passholder Lawsuit

Others, like Josh Harris, are just frustrated that it takes away the spontaneity of visiting a Disney park whenever you want.

There are times when I think I would like to just go in for a few hours to do something… & then I think about Park Reservations*, stay home, and listen to the soundtrack for whatever I was going to do.

*I don’t care if they’re all available I just don’t want to use the app.

There are times when I think I would like to just go in for a few hours to do something… & then I think about Park Reservations*, stay home, and listen to the soundtrack for whatever I was going to do.

*I don't care if they're all available I just don't want to use the app.

— Joshua L Harris (@JLHomni) October 8, 2023

While Bob Chapek was CEO, former Disney CFO Christine McCarthy famously called Disneyland locals an “undesirable attendance mix.” That label has stuck with both Disneyland Magic Key Holders and Disney World Annual Passholders. Passholders feel like Disney doesn’t want them there because they aren’t as likely to spend as much money as those visiting for a limited time.

As Chapek said, locals are an undesirable population. We don't spend enough money and take up space.

— Robert Holland (@holland_rj) October 8, 2023

Thankfully, Disney World’s reservation system will soon experience a big change. Beginning January 9, guests with date-based tickets will no longer be required to book theme park reservations. Reservations will still be required for Annual Passholders, but APs will get more “good to go” days. Those are days when APs can visit the parks without reservations.

What do you think of Disney’s reservation and parking rules? Let us know in the comments!