The Covid pandemic forced Walt Disney to make massive changes to its Florida theme parks. While California's Disneyland remained closed for an extended period, Florida's more flexible response to the virus allowed Disney World to reopen, but it certainly wasn't business as usual.
In the early days of reopening, Disney had to implement massive changes. Health checks were conducted when people entered the parks and masks were required except when actively eating or drinking.
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The theme park giant even required people to eat or drink while stationary to prevent them from using sips of a drink as a way to remove their masks. Disney enforced the rules and monitors kindly (at first) reminded people to keep their masks on.
Most food orders were moved to the Disney World app and attractions were socially distanced to keep park guests six feet apart. It was a very strange time to visit Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, but the biggest change may have been capacity limitations and reservation requirements.
Because each park could only accommodate a certain number of people to allow for social distancing, Disney World guests needed a valid ticket and reservation to visit one of the four theme parks. In addition, “park hopping” was eliminated, the ability to move between the four parks for people with a ticket that allows it.
In January, however, Disney World will (mostly) return to the pre-pandemic way of operating its Florida theme parks.
Image source: Daniel Kline/TheStreet
Disney eliminates most park reservations
It's worth noting that Disney World's main rival, Comcast (CMCSA) – Get a free report Universal Studios never used a reservation system. It had capacity limits at its two Florida theme parks, but instead of using reservations, it simply had a line where people waited to get in after someone else left.
Disney's system meant no one had to wait in line, but it added a level of hassle to visiting their parks. That added burden was especially hard on annual passholders who were used to being able to visit one of the company's four Florida theme parks on a whim.
Now, Disney World is finally rolling back the reservation system.
“Theme park reservations are required to enter a park through January 8, 2024. Beginning January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. For other types of admission “Theme park reservations may be required.” Disney shared on the Disney World website.
Reservations will be required for certain ticket types:
- Tickets for student groups.
- Ticket for sports and conventions
- Disney Military Salute Ticket
- Annual Passes
However, annual passholders will get some “out of the box” days where reservations will not be required. Starting January 11, 2024, passholders will begin to see ready-to-use days, displayed at:
- Theme Park Reservations Calendar
- Annual Passholder Admissions Calendar
- My Disney Experience app home screen (if your pass is linked to your Disney account)
“Out-of-the-box days will be added periodically. Out-of-the-box days may be released days or weeks in advance,” Disney added.
The jump returns to the Disney World parks
Before the pandemic, many Disney World visitors purchased “Park Hopper” tickets that allowed them to hop between the four theme parks at will. Capacity limits still applied, but aside from the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, it was very rare for those limits to prevent anyone from moving between the parks.
Disney brought back limited park visitation in 2023, and the theme park giant will return to its pre-pandemic rules in just a few days.
“Starting January 9, 2024, Guests with a Park Hopper benefit ticket or Annual Pass will be able to visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours (subject to capacity limitations),” the company shared on their website. .
On days when Annual Passholders require a reservation, they will be able to access the park at will after visiting the park they reserved first. Additionally, annual pass holders do not need reservations after 2:00 p.m., with some exceptions.
“Annual passholders can visit theme parks after 2 p.m. without a theme park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park,” the company added.
