Guests Speak Out Against “Wild” Disney Park Policy

In 2020, Disney was tasked with the impossible: keeping crowds at bay. With historically high attendance numbers, top-ranking Parks like Disney’s Magic Kingdom, and an all-new Star Wars attraction to explore, the higher-ups needed to make drastic changes.

Disney Genie was introduced, Lightning Lanes were opened, and Park Reservations were up for grabs when Walt Disney World and Disneyland reopened to the public—and curb the crowds they did. But these tweaks and price hikes sent ripple effects that execs like then Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products head, Josh D’Amaro likely couldn’t anticipate.

Three years later, the crowds are under control, but not intentionally this time. Fourth of July weekend saw a 30% decrease in crowds from 2022 and 2019, and Guests continue to call for change in Park policies. Notably, one Guest took to social media to highlight an unfortunate flaw in one of the post-pandemic Park practices that fans have lamented.

‘Chasing (Pressed) Pennies While Dollars Fly Overhead’

On May 8, Disney shared five updates coming to the Parks in January 2024, including Genie+ practices, a returned dining plan, extended Park hours, removed Park reservations, and “good-to-go” days. In the meantime, these policies aren’t just tripping up Disney Guests—a Disney fan caught a glaring glitch in the system.

In a post on Twitter, @zacstack shared a screenshot of a Guest’s conflicting reservations for their meticulously-planned Park day:

This is wild to me. This person was willing to spend at minimum $300 at Walt Disney World just for one morning and their dumb policy just made them lose out on half of it. Chasing (pressed) pennies while dollars fly overhead.

This is wild to me. This person was willing to spend at minimum $300 at Walt Disney World just for one morning and their dumb policy just made them lose out on half of it. Chasing (pressed) pennies while dollars fly overhead. pic.twitter.com/oNd8I83SHX

— Kwisatz HaderZac 🪱 (@zacstack) July 10, 2023

Because of the 2:00 p.m. rule for Park Hopping, which locks Guests into the first Disney Park they attend on a given day until that time, this Guest had to potentially release a coveted dining reservation at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. While Park Hopper tickets allow Guests to pack more magic into a Disney day with visits to multiple Parks, the 2:00 p.m. rule complicates the Guest experience.

The Countdown to Park Reservations Ending

Anyone who has been to Disney in the last few years knows how competitive the dining reservations get. Snagging a character dining opportunity is no small feat. Still, with a morning reservation at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s reservation system allowed for the conflict to happen.

Sure, many Guests are aware of the reservation system rules by now, but what if someone new isn’t? What if—with all the continuous updates about Park policies—the Guest assumed the system would block the reservation if it weren’t allowed?

Situations like these emphasize holes in the Park Reservation system, which will see its last day on January 9, 2024. In the meantime, the complexities of Walt Disney World’s planning have fans like these wishing for a return to the pre-pandemic Disney experience.