Several policy changes are being implemented at Walt Disney World and Disneyland which stand to reduce costs or improve experiences for theme park guests.
Reporter Scott Gustin has revealed a number changes planned across Disney theme parks in the U.S.
Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will no longer require Park Pass reservations to visit the parks after 2:00pm. The one exception to this guideline is Magic Kingdom park on both Saturdays and Sundays, which will still require a reservation. Passholders can enter the three other theme parks, along with Magic Kingdom on Monday - Friday, without having made any Park Pass reservations for the day.
Walt Disney World guests who purchase the Genie+ service will soon receive free digital downloads of attraction photographs. Attractions mentioned by name include Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash, Test Track and Expedition Everest, though all attractions offering on-ride photos should be included. This is similar to a Disneyland policy which offers the PhotoPass product for free along with Genie+. No specific timeline has been revealed for the addition of this benefit.
Disney is also bringing back complimentary self parking for guests staying at Walt Disney World resorts. After many years of providing free parking as a hotel benefit, Disney began charging guests to park at its resort hotels back in March 2018. Disney Vacation Club members were always exempt from the added parking fees, given that parking lot maintenance and upkeep is already passed on to owners via annual dues.
Complimentary self parking goes into effect immediately.
Meanwhile, beginning February 4, Disneyland guests will be able to begin park hopping at 11:00am, two hours earlier than the current 1:00pm time. Also for a limited time Disneyland guests will receive complimentary PhotoPass attraction downloads in conjunction with the Disney100 celebration.
Finally, Disneyland has committed to reopening the Magic Key annual pass program to new sales periodically in 2023. In November 2022, Magic Key sales resumed for a little more than one day before being suspended again. No specifics have been provided as to when sales may resume or how long passes will be available.
No updates have been provided regarding the Annual Passholder program at Walt Disney World. While current passholders have been able to renew their passes--including the DVC Sorcerer Pass--new passes have not been sold since November 2021.
