Two of the biggest things Disney fans have asked for since the pandemic are coming to Walt Disney World next year.
Theme park reservations will not be required starting Jan. 9 for most people visiting the Florida resort and Disney dining plans will be available again for resort hotel guests, Disney World announced Monday.
“We know our guests – and families in particular – have missed dining plans, which offer guests the convenience and peace of mind of pre-paying for their meals and snacks,” Disney World said in a press release detailing other changes aimed at easing and improving guest experiences.
The announcement comes on the heels of several updates, which have already taken effect this year, like rolling back overnight parking fees at Disney resort hotels and offering same-day attraction photo perks with Genie+.
Here’s what travelers planning trips to Disney World should know.
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Are reservations required for Disney ticket holders?
Ever since Disney World reopened amid the pandemic, guests have had to have park-specific reservations for entry before 2 p.m. However as of Jan. 9, park reservations will no longer be required for guests with date-based tickets. Date-based tickets are the standard tickets available on Disney’s website. Most tickets are date-based.
“For other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required to help us continue managing attendance and delivering a great experience for everyone,” Disney explained.
Examples of non-dated tickets include those tied to specific conventions or seasonal offers, as well as annual passes.
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Annual passholders, cast members will have more flexibility
Currently, annual passholders may enter any theme park after 2 p.m. without a reservation, a change announced in January, which took effect last month. Starting next year, Disney will introduce select dates when reservations will not be required at all for passholders or cast members.
Disney has not yet revealed when these “good-to-go days” will begin, but said they will be rolled out periodically throughout the year and will be visible on annual passholder calendars. “Good-to-go days may vary by park, and pass block out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today,” according to Disney.
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Are Disney dining plans coming back?
Guests who book Disney vacation packages with park tickets and accommodations at Disney resort hotels will be able to buy Disney dining plans again for stays beginning Jan. 9.
There will be two different options: a Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and Disney Dining Plan. A list of locations accepting the plans will be available on Disney’s website at the end of this month, when the booking window for most 2024 vacations opens May 31.
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Do Disney resort hotel guests get extra time at parks?
All guests of Disney resort hotels may enter Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom 30 minutes before the parks open to everyone else. Early theme park entry perks will continue next year.
Additionally, extended evening hours will continue to be available to guests of Deluxe resorts and villas on specific nights at select parks.
Is Genie+ is changing?
Details haven’t been released yet, but Disney World is working on changes to Genie+ so guests won’t have to spend as much time on their phones at the parks.
“We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024,” Disney World said in its press release. “Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.“ More information will be released down the line.
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