Disney World Removes Park Pass Requirements For Select Guests

To enter a theme park at Walt Disney World — including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Animal Kingdom, or Disney's Hollywood Studios — Guests must need a valid theme park ticket and a Park Pass reservation.

After Walt Disney World reopened to Guests following the temporary shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Central Florida theme park implemented a new Park Pass system to help control crowds and to help monitor the number of Guests entering and leaving each day. Per the Walt Disney World website, "To enter a theme park, all Guests ages three and older must have a theme park reservation in addition to valid admission for the same park on the same date (limit one park per day). A theme park reservation is not required to visit a water park. However, theme park reservation requirements are subject to change."

If Guests wish to visit more than one theme park on the same day, also known as Park Hopping, Guests must first enter the theme park they made their reservation for, and then after 2 p.m., they can enter a second or third park if they wish.

Now, select Guests will no longer have to make a Park Pass Reservation as Disney announced changes coming to the system.

Beginning next year, Guests with date-based tickets will no longer be required to make a Park Pass reservation.

"Starting with park visits on January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets," the company reported. "When getting your ticket, you will simply select a start date for January 9, 2024, or later, complete your purchase, and then you will be all set!"

Their report continued, "For reference, date-based tickets are the standard option we offer guests; for other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required to help us manage attendance and deliver a great experience for everyone. You can check which admission types require park reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/ThemeParkReservations before you purchase."

All other ticket holders still need a Park Pass reservation to enter a theme park -- aside from Annual Passholders if visiting after 2 p.m.

Last month, Disney changed its Park Pass system for Annual Passholders after they, especially locals, voiced frustrations regarding this system. With restrictions, Walt Disney World Resort Annual Passholders can enter a theme park without a Park Pass reservation after 2 p.m.

"Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will be able to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park," Disney Parks Blog reported earlier this year. "Pass blackout dates will continue to apply like they do today. While the theme park reservation system remains important to manage attendance in our parks, especially on busier days, we realize our Passholders enjoy more spontaneous visits – and this change will make that possible."

Annual Passholders wishing to visit Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios during weekdays may begin today without a Park Pass reservation if they enter after 2 p.m.

For those visiting Magic Kingdom on the weekends, Saturday and Sunday, a Park Pass is still needed. However, a reservation is not required if visiting one of the other theme parks — EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, or Hollywood Studios.