News Disney Park Pass System announced for Walt Disney World theme park reservations

[Bocabear]

… Counting the people that actually go through the gate.

That’s why the park reservation system was actually a really good idea but everyone threw a fit at the idea of actually having to take a couple extra minutes to decide what park they want to start their day in.

There was more to that than just deciding where you want to start your day that made people throw a fit...it was the fact that most of the time you could not go to the park you wanted to....because it was all booked up...traveling with friends as we do, we often had the issue of a couple people not able to get into the park the same day as the rest of the group....Which I know there are often work-arounds for but it makes it all feel like a gigantic hassle especially as a passholder.... Disney Annual passes are the most expensive park passes in the country and even when you buy the premium pass, it is crazy you still have to go through the hurdle of booking a reservation to just walk into the MK... Years ago we used to pop in to get a cookie at the bakery or just to walk around for a little while without doing any rides....but now that you have to go through the process of pre-booking, it makes you feel invested ...that you should probably book attractions too....amd then the whole idea of a carefree impromptu visit to a park becomes an ordeal.....

 

[DisneyCane]

There was more to that than just deciding where you want to start your day that made people throw a fit...it was the fact that most of the time you could not go to the park you wanted to....because it was all booked up...traveling with friends as we do, we often had the issue of a couple people not able to get into the park the same day as the rest of the group....Which I know there are often work-arounds for but it makes it all feel like a gigantic hassle especially as a passholder.... Disney Annual passes are the most expensive park passes in the country and even when you buy the premium pass, it is crazy you still have to go through the hurdle of booking a reservation to just walk into the MK... Years ago we used to pop in to get a cookie at the bakery or just to walk around for a little while without doing any rides....but now that you have to go through the process of pre-booking, it makes you feel invested ...that you should probably book attractions too....amd then the whole idea of a carefree impromptu visit to a park becomes an ordeal.....

Well said! I'll also add that it makes it a pain if you decide at the last minute that today seems like a better day for a different park than the one you booked. Even if the reservations are available you still have to go through the pain of changing them before you head out or even in the parking lot. The best benefit of being a passholder was being able to have completely unplanned, carefree days when you felt like it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

There was more to that than just deciding where you want to start your day that made people throw a fit...it was the fact that most of the time you could not go to the park you wanted to....because it was all booked up...traveling with friends as we do, we often had the issue of a couple people not able to get into the park the same day as the rest of the group....Which I know there are often work-arounds for but it makes it all feel like a gigantic hassle especially as a passholder.... Disney Annual passes are the most expensive park passes in the country and even when you buy the premium pass, it is crazy you still have to go through the hurdle of booking a reservation to just walk into the MK... Years ago we used to pop in to get a cookie at the bakery or just to walk around for a little while without doing any rides....but now that you have to go through the process of pre-booking, it makes you feel invested ...that you should probably book attractions too....amd then the whole idea of a carefree impromptu visit to a park becomes an ordeal.....

When were they “all booked” up? On low staffing in 2021?

Let me check my calendar…

Nothing is booked up and they can’t sell the damn things.

It’s all pretense

 

[nickys]

When were they “all booked” up? On low staffing in 2021?

Let me check my calendar…

Nothing is booked up and they can’t sell the damn things.

It’s all pretense

On our last day of our Christmas trip, which was the first non-blackout day of 2023, we couldn’t change our park reservations. There were a few days where we couldn’t, but it not that day mattered.
But that was back when everyone needed to make them.

 

[Goofyernmost]

First thing, I know this is a 5 year old thread. Second, this isn't a local park, people from all over the world and all over this country travel for miles and miles to go to WDW and MK within. There is no better way to cripple yourself then to have someone ride, drive or fly to a place only to find out that the plans they had have to hit the trash because they either didn't know about or wouldn't even have thought to check on such a ridiculous thing as making reservations for a theme park, no matter how popular it got. It is a corporation death wish to even attempt it. People, especially the ultra lazy USA residents would quickly find someplace else to take a chance on with a whole lot of less pre-arrival stress. There might have been a solid reason during Covid to limit the numbers of people there at the same time. But there is no other reason. If they want to accommodate more people. All they have to do is build some people eater attractions and stop closing present attractions. The doesn't help cut down on crowding at all.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

On our last day of our Christmas trip, which was the first non-blackout day of 2023, we couldn’t change our park reservations. There were a few days where we couldn’t, but it not that day mattered.
But that was back when everyone needed to make them.

Well now almost no one needs them..and its a completely arbitrary requirement

Parks hold way more people than are there on a given day…

And you’re gonna make people who pay $1600 a year jump through hoops?

It’s in the big book of bad business tactics

 

[nickys]

Well now almost no one needs them..and it a completely arbitrary requirement

Parks hold way more people than are there on a give day…

And you’re gonna make people who pay $1600 a year jump through hoops?

It’s in the big book of bad business tactics

Agreed.