What is the point of Disney reservations?

Walt Disney World is using park reservations to redistribute attendance by limiting availability at Magic Kingdom–and thus pushing people towards Animal Kingdom and EPCOT to increase the utilization of those parks and normalize numbers across all four parks.



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The original reason for requiring theme park reservations at Disney World was to help limit the number of Guests in the parks during their phased reopening following the COVID-19 closures. Capacity limits have eased since then, but the reservation system has remained in place.

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Subject to change, there is currently a $10 per person cancellation fee for dining reservations canceled within two hours of the reservation time, or for no-shows. I hope this information gives you flexibility and peace of mind when scheduling your park days, Sarah.

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Disney has extended the park reservation system into 2024, though starting Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. If you wish to visit the parks before Jan. 9, 2024, you will need valid admission AND a Disney Park Pass reservation for the same park on the same day.

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Theme Park Reservations are required for every day you wish to visit the Parks- except for the two Water Parks. You will have to visit your My Disney Experience account and pick the Parks you wish to visit and on which day. Don't delay as the Park reservations can fill up!

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Standard tickets for Disneyland Resort don't really sell out, however, theme park ticket reservations do fill up for dates. Theme park ticket reservations are needed along with a valid ticket for entrance to either of the Disneyland Resort parks.

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Disney will typically hold your dining reservation up to 15 minutes after your scheduled dining time. However, any later than this, they reserve the right to reallocate your table to other diners.

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You now can only park hop AFTER 2PM. So you'll have to wait until well after lunchtime if you're planning on visiting another park. However, this rule is different for Annual Passholders.

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If a Magic Key holder has a reservation and does not show up for that reservation date, you do get a strike. According to the Magic Key Terms and Conditions, if you are a no-show for three reservations in any 90-day period, you will not be able to make any new reservations for 30 days.

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It's actually fairly unusual for Disney World tickets to be completely sold out. Even if a specific park's reservations are sold out, other parks are typically available. For example, Magic Kingdom reservations may be sold out, but Animal Kingdom may have reservations available.

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What happens if I miss a Disney Park reservation? Whether you have a regular theme park ticket or an Annual Pass, if you miss a Disney Park reservation at Disney World, you won't be penalized in any way. But, Disney does encourage you to either cancel or modify your reservation if you know you won't make it.

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In addition to purchasing Theme Park Tickets, Theme Park Reservations are required to enter Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Because reservations are required, if reservations are not available for a specific date you will not be able to purchase Theme Park Tickets for that date.

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If a Magic Key holder has a reservation and does not show up for that reservation date, you do get a strike. According to the Magic Key Terms and Conditions, if you are a no-show for three reservations in any 90-day period, you will not be able to make any new reservations for 30 days.

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You can only hold 3 park reservations at a time (unless you have a resort stay booked). It's recommended you book Disney's Hollywood Studios first, as this reservation goes the quickest.

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While buying in person is possible, I highly recommend that you purchase your tickets ahead of time to avoid the worry of being able to get same-day reservations. In order to enter the parks, you need both a ticket and a theme park ticket reservation.

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Modifications and cancellations will need to be done by 11:59 PM PT the night before a Disneyland Resort reservation date to avoid being considered a “no-show.” If a Magic Key holder has three “no-show” dates within a 90-day window, they will be unable to make new reservations for 30 days.

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If you are unable to visit on the date you planned, the Magic Key No-Show Policy states that you must cancel or modify your reservations by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the day before the reserved date, subject to availability.

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The answer is the MagicBand! Your resort reservations are linked to your MagicBands through your My Disney Experience account, and, during Extra Magic Hours, you must scan your MagicBand to enter the park early. Or, during evening Extra Magic Hours, you must scan your MagicBand at any rides or attractions.

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What three words can't Disney employees say? The three words that Disney employees are trained not to say are “I don't know.” “If a guest asks you a question, you always have to have an answer, no exceptions,” an anonymous former Cast Member shared online. “If you don't know it, find out, but don't say you don't know.

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The Genie 120-minute rule says that you can make a new reservation at most 2 hours from when you made the last one, and this countdown timer doesn't change if you modify the reservation. If you made it at, say, 11 a.m., then your two hours will be up at 1 p.m. even if you modify the reservation at noon.

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You don't need a parks pass reservation for any parks you visit after 2PM after you visit your first park, however you do need to start your day at that first park with a parks pass reservation.

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Reservation Window – Frequently Asked Questions
  • Guests with a Valid Disney Resort Hotel Reservation: Make reservations for your entire length of stay (for up to a 10-night stay) up to 60 days in advance of your arrival! ...
  • All Other Guests: Make reservations up to 60 days in advance.


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