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

[Krandor]

So if this is truly a lack of attendance thing why would they wait until 2024?

Most likely because packages for 2024 don't go on sale until end of this month I believe so this gives time for people to know what the deal is going to be for next year before booking packages.

It is also interesting that they are not starting this until after marathon weekend I guess because they figure people who have already registered for the races are already "locked in" on rooms even if they can't officially reserve them yet. (though my TA already kinda has and I am sure is not alone).

 

[Krandor]

I've tried to explain to people before. If I buy the dining plan and pay for it in the cost of my package, then I don't think at all about food choices while I'm there. (Except for anything separate from the dining plan, of course.) I just get what I want and don't worry about it. But if I pay cash, even if I've budgeted a set amount ahead of time, even if I've put that amount on a gift card for food, I will be thinking about the amount every time I make a purchase. I'll be paying attention to the prices instead of the rest of the menu. And my experience won't be the same.

Maybe that's illogical. Maybe that's a failing on my part. But that's the way my mind works. Guaranteed.

Nothing wrong with that. My opinion on the dining plan has ways been it has been a "budgeting tool" since you pay in advance moreso then a "save you money tool"

 

[Doberge]

I mean, not really.

Making a resort reservation and buying tickets *is* committing to certain dates.

Buying date-specific tickets *is* commiting to certain dates.

Passholders have to make reservations because they're the only ones who don't have to commit to specific dates at the time they purchase their admission entitlement.

But even with date-specific tickets Disney doesn't know exactly what days someone will use the ticket. As an example, on a 4 day ticket Disney doesn't know what 4 days of a 7 day period you'll use that ticket. But it’s okay to not know exactly because Disney knows there are historical trends when those tickets will be used.

So Disney *should* extend similar knowledge to AP holders on reservatioms. While not all passholders are in a park on a day with a resort reservation, Disney *should* know what percentage of annual passholders onnresoet reservations visit a park on any particular day. It seems reasonable to just bake that number into calculations to have a very good idea how many resort reservation passholders are likely to be in a park on a given day. But of course this requires data from two systems, ticketing and resorts, to be married and it wouldn't surprise me if Disney actually doesn't have the data available.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But even with date-specific tickets Disney doesn't know exactly what days someone will use the ticket. As an example, on a 4 day ticket Disney doesn't know what 4 days of a 7 day period you'll use that ticket. But it’s okay to not know exactly because Disney knows there are historical trends when those tickets will be used.

So Disney *should* extend similar knowledge to AP holders on reservatioms. While not all passholders are in a park on a day with a resort reservation, Disney *should* know what percentage of annual passholders onnresoet reservations visit a park on any particular day. It seems reasonable to just bake that number into calculations to have a very good idea how many resort reservation passholders are likely to be in a park on a given day. But of course this requires data from two systems, ticketing and resorts, to be married and it wouldn't surprise me if Disney actually doesn't have the data available.

There's already a separate inventory of park reservations for APs with resort reservations, and they basically never sell out.

 

[SteveAZee]

I'm hoping all these positive changes causes a lot of people planning to visit later this year decide instead to go in 2024.... says the guy going in early December.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

They could have just added that one other key component...To remove that Park Hopper until 2pm..

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Will they have enough cast members to handle this?

The only reason they’re doing this is to increase profits with fewer people…it’s a damage control move for sure.

Dining is down. I was there over Easter, it was not hard to get day-of reservations even at some of the really popular restaurants.

You can get anything at almost any point in the booking window right now. It’s massively down.

Maybe huge prices and less Covid spreading around cash hit home?

Nah…Bob is smarter than that

 

[tanc]

Best news I've heard in a long time. I was skeptical if it was here to stay forever. Hopefully park hopping is changed as well, but still a huge step forward

 

[correcaminos]

There's already a separate inventory of park reservations for APs with resort reservations, and they basically never sell out.

Is it really separate?

 

[Disstevefan1]

Somebody fact check me, but starting in 2024, only dated entry tickets will not require PPRs

APs will only get some "Good to Go" days on the calendar that do not require PPRs.

APs must still check the calendar and may need to get a PPR.

 

[JD80]

Curious how they are going to handle VQs. From the WDW website:

• Guests visiting from another theme park using an Annual Pass or the Park Hopper option may not be able to join the virtual queue in a park where they do not have a theme park reservation. In order to request access to a virtual queue during Park Hopper hours, a Guest must be inside the theme park where the virtual queue will be used.

If you do not need a theme park reservation anymore what will Disney do to stop people squatting on BGs? Wake up at 7AM get a BG then decide to go to another park later and that BG goes to waste.

I can also see them not caring and let anyone get one and if the lines are light, they can just drop more invites throughout the day and teach people to keep checking.

 

[Touchdown]

Maybe VQs will go bye bye too

 

[Jrb1979]

Somebody fact check me, but starting in 2024, only dated entry tickets will not require PPRs

APs will only get some "Good to Go" days on the calendar that do not require PPRs.

APs must still check the calendar and may need to get a PPR.

AP holders will still have to make reservations even if they stay on-site.

 

[gerarar]

Curious how they are going to handle VQs. From the WDW website:

• Guests visiting from another theme park using an Annual Pass or the Park Hopper option may not be able to join the virtual queue in a park where they do not have a theme park reservation. In order to request access to a virtual queue during Park Hopper hours, a Guest must be inside the theme park where the virtual queue will be used.

If you do not need a theme park reservation anymore what will Disney do to stop people squatting on BGs? Wake up at 7AM get a BG then decide to go to another park later and that BG goes to waste.

I can also see them not caring and let anyone get one and if the lines are light, they can just drop more invites throughout the day and teach people to keep checking.

That's why I have a feeling they're (somewhat) going to revert back to the old VQ rules, where a guest must scan into a park first before joining the VQ to get a BG. And maybe the release of BGs happens at official park opening instead of the predefined 7am drop.

That or VQ is going away altogether by January 2024. I mean CR is about to turn 1 year old and Tron will also be 8 months old at that point.

But going forward for any new major attraction opening, the VQ system will need another overhaul once park reservations go away. Tiana's Bayou Adventure will be the first one on deck so we'll see by then.

 

[Jrb1979]

Get rid of VQ all together and let new attractions be standby only.

 

[bmr1591]

Maybe VQs will go bye bye too

Gah, I sure hope not. The only time I’ve missed a VQ was my own fault. I’d much rather have my group called than wait hours to ride a ride.

 

[Ayla]

Maybe VQs will go bye bye too

I think that is the only way they'll have enough inventory to allow pre-booking.

 

[mgf]

AP holders will still have to make reservations even if they stay on-site.

Most likely conference ticket holders also. Unless conference tickets suddenly become date based, which would be a change.

 

[Big T 1963]

Some Dining Plans are returning.

And it sounds like pre-booking G+ rides will also return. But still paid for, not free.

I can't believe it !!! I heard the news and the Dining Plan is coming back yes!!!! We've been heard !!! I am saving my pennies for a 2024 return

 

[JD80]

I very much doubt VQs will go away. Either everything stays the same regardless of reservation or it's on park entry. Anything else seems convoluted.