Entrance to WDW Parks after 2:00

[joules12]

ETA: I've received confirmation that, on non-GTG days, MEPs and Guest Passes can only with a park reservation, regardless of park block-out status. Looks like we'll be leaning hard into resort-only planning.

We've decided to take a relatively last minute trip to WDW for our daughters' Spring Break the first week of April. As we expect larger crowds than we'd prefer to navigate in the parks, it will predominantly be a non-parks, resort-heavy visit. However, we would likely be up for popping into the parks most evenings (except MK, since we're blocked out that week). Unfortunately, since this was a last minutes decision, there are no park reservations available at any parks for the days we'll be there. I *thought* we could enter any non-blocked park via MEP and Guest Passes after 2:00 without a park reservation (except MK on Saturdays and Sundays). However, since the park reservation and park hopping rule changes in 1/2024, I haven't been able to find a that specific allowance written anywhere for CM park entrance... only for annual passholder park entrance.

Has anyone had any experience with after 2:00 park entrance without a park reservation since the 1/2024 changes? Or has anyone seen documentation anywhere that it *is* still permitted? I was at the parks post-change, but we had park reservations secured for each day of our stay that wasn't a "good to go" day.

Thanks!

 

[joyjanet]

Unless it is a good to go day, you need a reservation no matter what time you enter the park. Always check every day because reservations pop up all the time. Remember, if a park is blocked out, you will not be able to park hop to it.

 

[mmouse37]

This so frustrating. I just booked 4 nights at Coronado for March 19-23 on a cast rate but can’t get a park reservation for any of the days. I will keep checking but it’s just another thing to keep on top of.

MJ

 

[PatMcDuck]

I am glad my next trip is in late April, so all days were available. It would be appreciated if they at least let the CM into the parks using ID, like at DL, and only block MEP guest passes on (most) busy days.

However, DL kinda stinks because they only allow 3 park reservations at a time, even with an onsite resort reservation. BUT you can book 3 as CM only and 3 under MEP, so I do that and hope to switch the CM only ones to MEP after I use each CM only park reservation. And I book under comps for days 4/5 too. It is overly complicated.

 

[joules12]

This so frustrating. I just booked 4 nights at Coronado for March 19-23 on a cast rate but can’t get a park reservation for any of the days. I will keep checking but it’s just another thing to keep on top of.

MJ

Yesss! The whole process has us very "and this is yet another reason why we're loving DCL more and more over WDW!" We have everything crossed to see a ship return to NYC once the fall 2025 itineraries are finally released.

FX that some park reservations open for your trip this month.

 

[joyjanet]

The sad thing is, people will book reservations just so they have them and not cancel them when they change their plans. If they got penalized like at Disneyland, they would cancel them.

 

[mmouse37]

Yesss! The whole process has us very "and this is yet another reason why we're loving DCL more and more over WDW!" We have everything crossed to see a ship return to NYC once the fall 2025 itineraries are finally released.

FX that some park reservations open for your trip this month.

I'd take DCL over WDW in a heartbeat but CM rates out of Florida are getting fewer and fewer these days. We just a 5 night DCL out of Ft. Lauderdale in early January on a cast rate and wish some more out of Florida would pop up...even if we have to travel from NY to Florida!

MJ

 

[mmouse37]

Yay....was just able to book EPCOT and HS for 2 of my days at WDW (they opened for reservations for CM's as of this morning). Keeping my fingers crossed for MK opening up on Wednesday, March 20th.

MJ

 

[joyjanet]

MK did open up!! Hopefully you can get your reservations. Have fun.

 

[mmouse37]

MK did open up!! Hopefully you can get your reservations. Have fun.

I got it for the day I wanted!! Thanks!!

MJ