Disney World making big changes on park reservations, Genie+

Walt Disney World is making same major changes to the parks reservation system and is attempting o simplify the Disney Genie+ experience.

Most of the changes announced today, including the return of the Disney Dining Plan, will be taking place starting in 2024. Vacationers will be able to start booking for 2024 on May 31, 2023.

The changes to the park reservation system include removing theme park reservation requirements for date-based tickets and introducing creating days in which no theme park reservation will be needed.

Starting with park visits on Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. When getting your ticket, you will simply select a start date for Jan. 9, 2024 or later, complete your purchase and then you will be all set. Date-based tickets are the standard ticket option offered. For other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required. You can check which admission types require park reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/ThemeParkReservations before you purchase.  

In 2024, Disney World plans to offer select days on which Annual Passholders and Disney cast members may visit Walt Disney World theme parks without needing a park reservation. Once introduced, it will roll out these “good-to-go” days on an ongoing basis. This will be in addition to the recent update which offers Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Good-to-go days may vary by park, and pass block-out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today. 

Disney is also trying to simplify the Disney Genie+ experience.  “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,” according to Disney. No speciic detals are available yet, but according to Disney, the goal is to give guests the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying a visit with friends and family. Anything that can get us away from always having to use our mobile device in the parks, the better.

In addition, extended park time will be staying for a while. The popular early theme park entry will remain for visits through 2024 across all four theme parks. For those staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe Villas, the extended evening hours on select dates at select parks will continue through 2024.