FINALLY! Park Reservations go away Jan. 2024. Also Dining plans return

[WilsonFlyer]

I just don’t think we know anything for sure about the rules for DVC and APs. There is a post going around that indicates those will be able to add it like before.

They definitely did not say it won’t apply to those groups,.just have to wait until booking begins.

I'm talking about park reservation crap.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm talking about park reservation crap.

Are you talking APs? They currently treat those staying onsite with APs differently so there is nothing in the news that indicates it won’t be the same moving forward in that we won’t need them onsite.

I just think we need to wait for more info before jumping to conclusions that DVC owners using points who have APs will be put back into the regular AP rules.

 

[Mle8308]

I think it's kind of ironic that people hate the park reservation system, but wish the old FastPass system would come back where FP's could be booked in advance (and that is me, though the park reservations don't bother me)! It's basically the same. Granted you could start at a different park, but that is a park hopping thing, not a park reservation issue.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

You paid approx $150 for it, but you got 20% off at table service restaurants with everything included (even alcohol)

And free valet parking (gratuities appreciated). That made it a special treat to eat at some of the deluxe resorts when we had a rental car.

 

[Traveling on cc points]

I think it's kind of ironic that people hate the park reservation system, but wish the old FastPass system would come back where FP's could be booked in advance (and that is me, though the park reservations don't bother me)! It's basically the same. Granted you could start at a different park, but that is a park hopping thing, not a park reservation issue.

It is not the same at all.

Reservations do nothing positive for the guest experience. People don’t want to plan which park they are going to months in advance if there is no advantage in doing so.

Fast pass was an included perk that allowed guests to choose 3 rides 60 days in advance if staying on property. If the guest decided to skip a fp, or change parks entirely, it was no big deal because it was included, you weren’t paying extra for it.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

Wow. Yeah I don't think we'll ever see that again lol

It’s a little meh if you already have a 10 percent discount through dvc or being an AP holder. You’d have to spend $1500 on food to hit the breakeven point.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I think it's kind of ironic that people hate the park reservation system, but wish the old FastPass system would come back where FP's could be booked in advance (and that is me, though the park reservations don't bother me)! It's basically the same. Granted you could start at a different park, but that is a park hopping thing, not a park reservation issue.

I wish they would keep the park reservation system for christmas/thanksgiving/Easter. It’s much better there now on those holidays. Oh well, I guess we’re back to wall to wall people on Christmas and phase IV closures with 30 minute lines to use the bathroom. Magical!

 

[The Jackal]

It’s a little meh if you already have a 10 percent discount through dvc or being an AP holder. You’d have to spend $1500 on food to hit the breakeven point.

Food and alcohol at restaurants. TIW included adult drinks. It was good for 13 months so we would get at least 3 uses out of it. Also the Gurgling Suitcase at OKW accepted it. I believe it was the only pool bar to do that.

 

[BamaGuy44]

It is not the same at all.

Reservations do nothing positive for the guest experience. People don’t want to plan which park they are going to months in advance if there is no advantage in doing so.

Fast pass was an included perk that allowed guests to choose 3 rides 60 days in advance if staying on property. If the guest decided to skip a fp, or change parks entirely, it was no big deal because it was included, you weren’t paying extra for it.

Right but you still had to plan which park you wanted to go to each day, 60 days in advance, in order to use the fast pass system. Not that much different than making a park reservation, IMO. Making a park change mid trip or a few days out meant you were locked out of FP completely. Genie is much more flexible in that regard, other than the very rare occasions when there was no park pass availability to switch.

In my fantasy land (pun intended), Disney would offer something similar to Universal's Express Pass. It nearly doubles the cost of a ticket, but worth every penny. I'd gladly pay it at Disney. We don't actually buy them, we stay at the hotels that offer the unlimited pass as part of your stay. Which is an even better deal and the best theme park deal in the history of ever.

 

[Mle8308]

It is not the same at all.

Reservations do nothing positive for the guest experience. People don’t want to plan which park they are going to months in advance if there is no advantage in doing so.

Fast pass was an included perk that allowed guests to choose 3 rides 60 days in advance if staying on property. If the guest decided to skip a fp, or change parks entirely, it was no big deal because it was included, you weren’t paying extra for it

I respectfully disagree. You had to plan your parks 60 days out (as a resort guest) in order to secure your FP, so you were reserving your place in line instead of reserving your place in the park (as we do now), basically the same. At least with the reservation system you don't have to do it 60 days out, parks are rarely full now unless it's a busy holiday. And if you decided to change parks, you lost your FP selections. With Genie+, that doesn't happen.

 

[kes601]

Maybe they will waive the park pass requirement for AP holders if they are staying on-site.

This is my hope too. My wife's theory on why APs may still have to make park reservations is paying for G+ in advance. If advanced selections have to be made then you are going to have to pay ahead of time as well. Back in the no park pass days, APs were restricted to 5(?) days worth of advanced FP+ selections unless they had a resort stay. In that case they could make it for the length of the stay.

I'm hoping the advanced selection G+ setup will be the same -- APs could make G+ selections on any day they have park reservations OR during their resort stays (assuming they've paid for G+ in advance).

 

[Traveling on cc points]

I respectfully disagree. You had to plan your parks 60 days out (as a resort guest) in order to secure your FP, so you were reserving your place in line instead of reserving your place in the park (as we do now), basically the same. At least with the reservation system you don't have to do it 60 days out, parks are rarely full now unless it's a busy holiday. And if you decided to change parks, you lost your FP selections. With Genie+, that doesn't happen.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion. Im happy that the new system works better for you.

To me, it is not the same and certainly not better.
Not that I loved booking my fast passes that far in advance but I felt that I was getting something (the fast passes) for planning my trip that far out, with the reservations, we get nothing for planning in advance.

As a AP, I still have to make a reservation for the foreseeable future and may be blocked out even though I purchased a pass with zero block out dates.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For those that asked, this is from Disney Food Blog:
"When it (dining plan) returns, Annual Passholders will be able to book rooms only and add the Dining Plan, instead of needing to buy the full package with tickets. For DVC Members, Dining Plans can be booked on a points reservation — but Members will need to call the DVC line to do so, as online booking will not be available just yet."

Edited to add this blurb re: AP holders

I think they're working toward removing or reducing reservation requirements for passholders. We'll see what days are included in the future.

And yet they can't just go ahead and say - "park reservations are over". With no reservations required for AP's after 2PM except MK on weekends it's almost there. Really quite silly they don't just eliminate it.

Right but you still had to plan which park you wanted to go to each day, 60 days in advance, in order to use the fast pass system. Not that much different than making a park reservation, IMO. Making a park change mid trip or a few days out meant you were locked out of FP completely. Genie is much more flexible in that regard, other than the very rare occasions when there was no park pass availability to switch.

In my fantasy land (pun intended), Disney would offer something similar to Universal's Express Pass. It nearly doubles the cost of a ticket, but worth every penny. I'd gladly pay it at Disney. We don't actually buy them, we stay at the hotels that offer the unlimited pass as part of your stay. Which is an even better deal and the best theme park deal in the history of ever.

Your experience with FP+ was very different than ours.
We'd change parks and book FP's. Even pick up the favorite attractions during the day.

The 7am Genie+ booking has improved since it is no longer a ticket add on option. I'd begun to frequently skip the 7 am time and book just before park opening. I'd wonder if that 7am time was causing some to not purchase Genie+ which isn't in Disney's favor. Overall it's worked ok except for the restriction of only once per ride per day. If there's some set level of availability later in the day I wouldn't mind being able to book something a second time.

But may I say they should NEVER bring back the virtual queue booking that required you to be in the parks by park opening. In all my years of Disney that was the absolute worst non-guest friendly thing ever.

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I’m very interested in how the out of state AP will work. Was initially excited about not needing a reservation after 2pm, but will not be happy if I’m paying for zero blackout dates but will have some kind of “good to go” date calendar.

 

[kes601]

I’m very interested in how the out of state AP will work. Was initially excited about not needing a reservation after 2pm, but will not be happy if I’m paying for zero blackout dates but will have some kind of “good to go” date calendar.

The good to go dates are dates you won’t need reservations. You will be able to book any other date (assuming availability) with the incredipass. The good to go dates are replacing the current bonus pass days. Your incredipass is not being devalued.

 

[pirate33]

Haven't read through this thread yet. But wanted to comment real quick since I just saw the news. At first...I was super excited that we won't have to decide which park we want to start each day at.

But then I saw the part about how they will be changing Genie+ to where you'll book things BEFORE your trip. So I guess that basically cancels things out. If we want to book Genie returns, we'll need to know which park we'll be at and when. Ugh.

Yup. Personally I like the current Genie+ system much better. Who can plan 60 days ahead of time what they want to do on an hour by hour basis?

 

[Sandisw]

Yup. Personally I like the current Genie+ system much better. Who can plan 60 days ahead of time what they want to do on an hour by hour basis?

While we haven’t used Genie, we didn’t plan with FP because we didn’t want to plan that far out and if we waited, all the good rides were gone.

So, we just went with the flow and took what we could when we decided closer to the trip and had decided a tentative itinerary.

 

[Disneykate605]

What I liked about the fast pass system was the ability to pick times for 3 rides that were one after the other (1pm,2pm and 3pm). I would also arrange the times so I wasn't zig zagging all over the park ( one ride in Tomorrowland, one in Fantasyland and one in Frontier land). With Genie + there's none of that. You have to take what's there and it wasn't usually the most convenient.
I also hate having to wake up at 7 am to book Genie + ( the few times we've used it) and ILL.
I'm just hoping not to have to wake up at 7am!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

It’s a little meh if you already have a 10 percent discount through dvc or being an AP holder. You’d have to spend $1500 on food to hit the breakeven point.

Well, not really. The alcohol for many folks (us included) make a HUGE difference.
Especially because it was good even if hitting the pub and not ordering food.

 

[Miffy]

Maybe they will waive the park pass requirement for AP holders if they are staying on-site.

As an out-of-state AP holder, I certainly hope so, but I wish they'd said something about it.