The Disney Park Pass System

The majority of guests no longer have to make a Disney Park Pass Reservation. The process was introduced following the resort’s reopening, but has now been stepped down for most guests. If you have one of the following tickets, you no longer need a reservation:

  • Date-based 1-day ticket
  • Date-based multi-day ticket

While this covers the majority of guests, certain ticket holders may need to make reservations:

  • Student group tickets
  • Sport and Convention tickets
  • Disney Military Salute Ticket
  • Annual Pass
  • Florida Resident Summer Magic Ticket
  • Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket
  • All other ticket types not mentioned above

Guests who must make a reservation must present their park reservation and a valid park ticket to access their first park each day. If you need a reservation, you will be refused entry, even if you have a dining reservation.

Guests who need a reservation and are planning to Park Hop must enter this park before trying to join another. The same rules apply if guests plan to attend Early Theme Park Entry or Extended Evening Hours.

Cinderellas Castle MAGIC KINGDOM SUMMER 2025
Who still needs to make reservations for Disney Park Pass?

Annual Pass Holders

Things have become easier for Annual Pass holders and reservations are not always required. If they arrive at their first park later than 2 pm, they will no longer need a Disney Park Pass. However, a reservation will still be required if they plan to arrive earlier or visit the Magic Kingdom on a Saturday or Sunday.

If a reservation is required, Annual Passholders can have the following number of reservations booked on a rolling basis:

  • Disney Incredi-Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Sorcerer Pass: up to 5
  • Disney Pirate Pass: up to 4
  • Disney Pixie Dust Pass: up to 3

Annual Passholders staying at Disney Resort hotels or other select hotels are eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay.

Good-to-Go Days

To make it a little more confusing, good-to-go days are select days when Passholders may visit a theme park without needing a theme park reservation. They don’t make it simple!

All about the Disney Park Pass System
Annual Pass Holders usually need a Disney Park Pass for The Magic Kingdom on Saturday and Sunday.

Better than it was!

The Disney Park Pass Reservation system was awful. Yes, it is still around for some guests, but for the majority, it isn’t. Hopefully, we will never see it again.

Read More

Visit our Beginners Guide to Walt Disney World to learn more. Our guide includes all the latest information on Walt Disney World.

2 thoughts on “The Disney Park Pass System”

  1. Sharon Dalton

    I have tickets and a room reservation for June 2022. I am a “technically challenged “ senior citizen. I am confused about the park pass. Do I need both ticket and park pass?

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