Why are reservations required at Disney?

Both have stated repeatedly that the park reservation systems exist to protect the guest experience to guarantee admission on busy days and ensure that the parks are not too crowded. This script probably sounds familiar to anyone who has read our post, Disney Doesn't Want Lower Crowds.



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Today, Disney is still using the park reservation system, presumably to continue tracking the expected number of guests in each of its parks on a given day to better plan for staffing, food needs and more logistics.

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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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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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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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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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The Disney Park Pass System helps Walt Disney World Resort manage attendance and ensure that every Guest has a magical experience in the four Theme Parks. At this time, there are no penalties associated with not using a Park Pass Reservation you have made at a Walt Disney World Resort Theme Park.

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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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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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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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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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Guests do not need to reserve parking at the theme parks or water parks. Theme Park Guests pay one fee for a daily parking pass, which is good all day at all four theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Standard parking is $25 per day.

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You can purchase tickets at the Main Entrance Ticket Booth located in the Esplanade between the two park entrances. 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.

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If you do not see any theme park reservations for your travel dates you have a few options: Reschedule your Disneyland vacation, unused tickets often don't expire for some time. Check your ticket for expiration dates. Continue checking the Disneyland availability calendar.

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There currently is no penalty for no-shows for standard tickets, however, Magic Key passes are different. If a Magic Key holder has a reservation and does not show up for that reservation date, you do get a strike.

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Guests can make Disneyland theme park reservations on a rolling basis. Guests with 1-5 day tickets can make reservations 120 days in advance of their visit and guests with Disneyland Magic Key Annual Passes can make park reservations 90 days before the day they hope to visit.

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If you're planning an impromptu visit, there's certainly a chance that you may find same-day availability for Theme Park Reservations. This is especially true on weekdays. Saturdays, in particular, are more likely to be booked to capacity. Dining reservations can be booked as early as 60-days in advance.

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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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