Walt Disney World in Florida is set to roll back two significant COVID-era restrictions, allowing guests more flexibility during their visits. Starting Tuesday, park reservations will no longer be mandatory for most Disney World visitors, and the 2 p.m. restriction on park hopping will be lifted. Additionally, the highly anticipated return of the Disney Dining Plan is scheduled for Tuesday.
The changes, effective January 9, 2024, mark a significant shift in the theme park experience at Disney World. Here’s a closer look at the modifications guests can expect:
1. Park Reservations:
Starting Tuesday, guests with date-based tickets, the most common ticket type, will no longer be required to make reservations to enter any of Disney World’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This move eliminates a major constraint that was implemented during the pandemic to manage crowd sizes and maintain social distancing.
However, annual passholders and cast members will still need reservations to enter the parks before 2 p.m., except on designated Good-to-Go Days, which will be visible on annual passholder calendars starting January 11.
2. Park Hopping:
Guests who have purchased the Park Hopper ticket add-on will enjoy more flexibility starting Tuesday. The previous restriction, which required guests to wait until 2 p.m. to hop between parks, will be lifted. This allows visitors to start park hopping at their convenience, potentially maximizing their experience by exploring multiple parks in one day.
For instance, if guests begin their day at Animal Kingdom, they can hop to any of the other three parks as soon as they open, rather than waiting until the traditional 2 p.m. start time. The new rules enable a more seamless and spontaneous park-hopping experience.
3. Disney Dining Plan:
The Disney Dining Plan, a popular option for guests looking to enhance their dining experience at the parks, is set to return on Tuesday. Advance sales for the dining plan began in May 2023, and its comeback is eagerly awaited by visitors.
The dining plan offers two options:
- Quick-Service Dining Plan: Priced at $57.01 per adult and $23.83 per child per night of stay (including tax), this plan includes 2 quick-service meals per night, 1 snack or non-alcoholic drink outside of meals per night, and 1 refillable drink mug for use at resort hotels.
- Standard Disney Dining Plan: Priced at $94.28 per adult and $29.69 per child per night of stay (including tax), this plan includes 1 quick-service meal, 1 table-service meal, 1 snack or non-alcoholic drink outside of meals per night, and 1 refillable drink mug for use at resort hotels.
These dining plans provide guests with convenient and cost-effective options for enjoying a variety of dining experiences throughout their stay.
Conclusion:
With these changes, Disney World aims to enhance the overall guest experience by offering more flexibility and freedom to explore the parks. As the theme park industry continues to adapt to the evolving landscape, these adjustments reflect Disney’s commitment to providing a magical and enjoyable experience for visitors.
These modifications come as part of Disney’s ongoing efforts to navigate the challenges presented by the pandemic and create a balance between safety measures and guest satisfaction. Visitors can now look forward to a more traditional and immersive Disney World experience, reminiscent of the pre-pandemic era.