Is The Reservation System Really Staying Forever?

[gelatoni fan]

Don't hate me for this. Hear me out. I like the reservation system. OK, not completely. I'm thinking about getting APs this fall and the reservation system could cause a bit of a headache.

BUT....ever since the reservation system came out, DL park hours on weekdays have been a lot longer. When we went in October, hours were 8am to 9pm or 10pm. Before the system, "off-season" hours were typically 9am (sometimes 10am) through 7pm or 8pm. We're getting 2 or 3 more hours at DL each weekday. The reason they can do that is because Disney knows how many guests are coming and can properly staff the parks. They never "over" staff now, which means they can keep the parks open longer, increasing those satisfaction scores. And believe me, I'm a lot more satisfied with longer hours.

Is it one more step in planning? Yes. Does it make life better at the parks? It appears so. Now, if you want to talk Genie+, I'll pour in all the hate you can handle.

I don't think it's reasonable to tie longer hours to the reservation system because they could do longer hours without the reservations system. Overstaffing and keeping the parks open longer may cost more but there's nothing about overstaffing that inherently prevents them from having longer hours. Doing both just leads to greater guest satisfaction because guests are not complaining about having extra CMs around. If anything, they are under-staffing right now which leads to great dissatisfaction from me. Sometimes, I just want a question answered such as which side does the cavalcade start from and there is nobody to ask since all the CMs are busy. And maintenance is a nightmare.

The additional annoyance in planning can also be pretty major. I had to completely cancel a trip in November due to lack of reservations and wasted so much time checking for specific dates. There was also a day I made a reservation thinking I would go in to the park to see the fireworks since I was hanging out with a friend who booked the Grand Californian to burn some DVC points before they expired. In the end, we wanted to continue hanging out in the hotel but we still had to go into the park to avoid a "no show". Thankfully, California Adventure is close and I could just go in and then right back out. It was still an annoying waste of time and the day was fully booked so some people couldn't go to the parks that day because some of us were doing this. It's also not possible to check how many "no shows" they've recorded for you so you could suddenly be blocked from making reservations because something came up and you couldn't go into the parks.

This is just one other thing that forces people to plan and visit the parks in a very specific way which does not bother some people but can be a major inconvenience to others.

 

[LizzyS]

I don't mind the reservation system because I'm an out of town guest and plan my trips way in advance, anyway. If I were a local with a MK, maybe not so much, but I'm still such a planner that it may not bother me in that case, either.

 

[pokee99]

I don't think it's reasonable to tie longer hours to the reservation system because they could do longer hours without the reservations system. Overstaffing and keeping the parks open longer may cost more but there's nothing about overstaffing that inherently prevents them from having longer hours. Doing both just leads to greater guest satisfaction because guests are not complaining about having extra CMs around. If anything, they are under-staffing right now which leads to great dissatisfaction from me. Sometimes, I just want a question answered such as which side does the cavalcade start from and there is nobody to ask since all the CMs are busy. And maintenance is a nightmare.

The additional annoyance in planning can also be pretty major. I had to completely cancel a trip in November due to lack of reservations and wasted so much time checking for specific dates. There was also a day I made a reservation thinking I would go in to the park to see the fireworks since I was hanging out with a friend who booked the Grand Californian to burn some DVC points before they expired. In the end, we wanted to continue hanging out in the hotel but we still had to go into the park to avoid a "no show". Thankfully, California Adventure is close and I could just go in and then right back out. It was still an annoying waste of time and the day was fully booked so some people couldn't go to the parks that day because some of us were doing this. It's also not possible to check how many "no shows" they've recorded for you so you could suddenly be blocked from making reservations because something came up and you couldn't go into the parks.

This is just one other thing that forces people to plan and visit the parks in a very specific way which does not bother some people but can be a major inconvenience to others.

I know DLR allows same day cancelations... but I didn't think about no-shows... how does DLR treat those? For example, let's say I have Hopper reservations for tomorrow, and 2 days afterwards, and I'm sick and forget to cancel. Would I have to forfeit my hopper on all days where I don't show up for a reservation? Or would DLR auto- cancel your entire reservation because you were a no-show on Day 1?

 

[gelatoni fan]

I know DLR allows same day cancelations... but I didn't think about no-shows... how does DLR treat those? For example, let's say I have Hopper reservations for tomorrow, and 2 days afterwards, and I'm sick and forget to cancel. Would I have to forfeit my hopper on all days where I don't show up for a reservation? Or would DLR auto- cancel your entire reservation because you were a no-show on Day 1?

DLR does not allow same day cancellations for Magic Key reservations, only tickets. For tickets, I think you forefeit that day. No idea what happens if you don't show up on the first reserved day as that is the day that is supposed to activate the validity period of the ticket. If a Magic Keyholder gets a certain number of no-shows in a certain period, they become banned from making reservations and there is no way to check how close you are to getting banned.

 

[bwvBound]

FWIW, we received a survey from DLR regarding our visit on 3/1. One of the questions asked if Theme Park Reservations made us more or less likely to plan a future visit. Maybe they are evaluating the process??

 

[CeCe0906]

FWIW, we received a survey from DLR regarding our visit on 3/1. One of the questions asked if Theme Park Reservations made us more or less likely to plan a future visit. Maybe they are evaluating the process??

Since I'm an out of towner, I'd probably select more likely. I never really considered it before, since I've only been to DL many years ago as a child and WDW only a few times in the last thirty years, all but one during school summer breaks, but I never even worried out showing up and not getting in.
It would be terrible to have flown in, got a hotel, and your kids excited and be turned away.
So now that I realize it's a possibility, I like the guarantee. But I'm a planner on vacation. I like having a plan, at least loosely. And usually plan around baked in must do on vacation. And getting in the park, it's a must do.

Is it really that big a deal, as a local, to make a reservation on the way to the park?

 

[Lisa24jks]

Is it really that big a deal, as a local, to make a reservation on the way to the park?

I'm not a local, but from what I've heard from some locals who are Magic Key holders, the problem is... there aren't any reservations. Or at least it's never a 100% guarantee. So even if you have the highest level with zero blackout dates, if you don't make a reservation in time, you might not be able to go to the park any time you want to. So it really cuts down on people who go on a whim, just because they're MK holders.

As someone who lives out of town and plans ahead, I'm fine with it. But, I get why people who paid $1400 for a pass that has no blocked days are mad when they can't get a reservation.

 

[tsumgirl]

I know DLR allows same day cancelations... but I didn't think about no-shows... how does DLR treat those? For example, let's say I have Hopper reservations for tomorrow, and 2 days afterwards, and I'm sick and forget to cancel. Would I have to forfeit my hopper on all days where I don't show up for a reservation? Or would DLR auto- cancel your entire reservation because you were a no-show on Day 1?

My mom was a no show on the first day of her 5 day PH due to a storm. She was still able to enter the park on the remaining 4 reservations afterwards and the 5th day was available to schedule if she was able to use it within the next 14 days, so don't worry about it too much. The rules are stricter for Magic Keys.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I know DLR allows same day cancelations... but I didn't think about no-shows... how does DLR treat those? For example, let's say I have Hopper reservations for tomorrow, and 2 days afterwards, and I'm sick and forget to cancel. Would I have to forfeit my hopper on all days where I don't show up for a reservation? Or would DLR auto- cancel your entire reservation because you were a no-show on Day 1?

For regular tickets, if you are a no show nothing happens. Your tickets remain unused and valid and you just rebook.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I'm not a local, but from what I've heard from some locals who are Magic Key holders, the problem is... there aren't any reservations. Or at least it's never a 100% guarantee. So even if you have the highest level with zero blackout dates, if you don't make a reservation in time, you might not be able to go to the park any time you want to. So it really cuts down on people who go on a whim, just because they're MK holders.

As someone who lives out of town and plans ahead, I'm fine with it. But, I get why people who paid $1400 for a pass that has no blocked days are mad when they can't get a reservation.

I have never not been able to get a reservation for a day I want. I might not be able to book far in advance but I have always been able to get the next day the night before (because people cancel if they decide not to go to avoid getting dinged).

 

[Narcoossee11]

Disney has spent BILLONS on this new system. It really is necessary at DLAND. Crowd control is such an issue .

 

[gelatoni fan]

I have never not been able to get a reservation for a day I want. I might not be able to book far in advance but I have always been able to get the next day the night before (because people cancel if they decide not to go to avoid getting dinged).

Disney+ Day was the only day I actually failed to get a reservation and couldn't go. And I will be mad at Disney for it for years to come since I don't think I'll ever be able to do the things that were only offered on that day.

On some occasions, I did get very frustrated at the constant need to refresh the page. One time, I even clicked the date and then had the reservation disappear after it asked me to log in again.

 

[duckboyone]

Don't hate me for this. Hear me out. I like the reservation system. OK, not completely. I'm thinking about getting APs this fall and the reservation system could cause a bit of a headache.

BUT....ever since the reservation system came out, DL park hours on weekdays have been a lot longer. When we went in October, hours were 8am to 9pm or 10pm. Before the system, "off-season" hours were typically 9am (sometimes 10am) through 7pm or 8pm. We're getting 2 or 3 more hours at DL each weekday. The reason they can do that is because Disney knows how many guests are coming and can properly staff the parks. They never "over" staff now, which means they can keep the parks open longer, increasing those satisfaction scores. And believe me, I'm a lot more satisfied with longer hours.

Is it one more step in planning? Yes. Does it make life better at the parks? It appears so. Now, if you want to talk Genie+, I'll pour in all the hate you can handle.

Interesting points. Do you think the reservation system also keeps the crowds down a bit during the busiest times of year?

Also, I would actually love to hear your thought son Genie+, trying to decide whether or not to get it when we go this summer.

 

[bwvBound]

Is it really that big a deal, as a local, to make a reservation on the way to the park?

As locals, we gave a neutral answer to the question ("neither more nor less likely").

We had Flex passes before the Covid shutdown which also required reservations. We don't see the reservation process as inherently evil ... but do wish there were tweaks for recapturing same-day cancellations to allow locals spontaneity, especially for late day visits (after 5p? or maybe after 8p?).

Our former Flex (mid/low level) pass worked better for us than our current Dream (highest level) pass. Bother! We feel we must really work this expensive pass to get maximum value from it ... and the behavior is unpleasant to us.

I'd be so happy just to get a decent Flex Pass equivalent again!

EDITED TO ADD after rereading the quoted question: For the first many months there were no "same day" reservations. Even "same week" was difficult unless you were willing to stalk/refresh the reservation tool late at night hoping for a cancellation. So, yes -- it was a big deal attempting to book a reservation "on the way to the park." It was, by and large, a non-starter, no-go, full stop. However, something changed after Magic Key sales were halted for the higher pass types. Reservations are easier to find ... at least, for me, a week (+/-) out. I was surprised to see even the hotel bucket sold out for one of our soon coming dates ... but gladly we have DVC reservations for that weekend and could use the hotel bucket to book whichever park was still available. Hmm, that was a first for us.

 

[StageTek]

First someone said yes and someone said it’s temporarily, so please people, make up your mind! Sorry to be rude, but all I get is mixed answers.

People have made up their mind. The person who said yes has made up their mind. The person who said it’s temporarily has made up their mind.

You will always get mixed answers when you ask what people think about something. We don't all get together to come up with a single consensus.

 

[StormyCA]

We went to WDW last May and the reservation system really was nice and we liked having 'guaranteed entry'. Since it was still 'reduced crowds' due to Covid the level of guests was 'just right'. Even though it was hotter than Hades we enjoyed it immensely as we weren't cheek by jowl with hordes of people.

If DL uses reservations to control the crowd levels I'm all for it. Especially since it had gotten to the point where there was no real 'off season' and it was a real crap shoot if you tried to find a 'less crowded' time to book your stay. And the crowds on a busy day were overwhelming at times with more frayed tempers and rude behavior than I was used to seeing at a Disney Park. Not to mention hellacious if you have mobility issues. So if DL wants to limit reservations in certain months to sort of 'create' an off season or to avoid the crazy crowds of the Before Times, I'm good with that.

The only drawback I could see at WDW would have been if we'd wanted to change our park 'of the day' at the last minute (as in 'that morning') as there's no way to do that. But we've never felt the need before to rearrange last minute and can't think of something that would cause changing to be imperative, so it's really a moot point. We don't hop at WDW, it takes too long to get from park A to park B. We had hoppers the first time and only used them twice out of 5 days. Now we just buy a 6th day to revisit a park, much cheaper. But at DLR with hopping being so easy and only 2 parks, the need to change park reservations wouldn't be an issue, other than not being able to swap your 'starting park'.

.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

We went to WDW last May and the reservation system really was nice and we liked having 'guaranteed entry'. Since it was still 'reduced crowds' due to Covid the level of guests was 'just right'. Even though it was hotter than Hades we enjoyed it immensely as we weren't cheek by jowl with hordes of people.

If DL uses reservations to control the crowd levels I'm all for it. Especially since it had gotten to the point where there was no real 'off season' and it was a real crap shoot if you tried to find a 'less crowded' time to book your stay. And the crowds on a busy day were overwhelming at times with more frayed tempers and rude behavior than I was used to seeing at a Disney Park. Not to mention hellacious if you have mobility issues. So if DL wants to limit reservations in certain months to sort of 'create' an off season or to avoid the crazy crowds of the Before Times, I'm good with that.

The only drawback I could see at WDW would have been if we'd wanted to change our park 'of the day' at the last minute (as in 'that morning') as there's no way to do that. But we've never felt the need before to rearrange last minute and can't think of something that would cause changing to be imperative, so it's really a moot point. We don't hop at WDW, it takes too long to get from park A to park B. We had hoppers the first time and only used them twice out of 5 days. Now we just buy a 6th day to revisit a park, much cheaper. But at DLR with hopping being so easy and only 2 parks, the need to change park reservations wouldn't be an issue, other than not being able to swap your 'starting park'.

.

Disneyland has been really crowded lately. They don’t seem to be using it crowd control, but just staffing I assume.

 

[Wedgeout]

Think a majority would want reservations to go away immediately. Back to free will and spontaneity. I think Disney wants to keep reservations with no desire to end it. Baby steps though and get rid of the hopping time. Just make the daily reservation for the entire DLR. (or WDW). Reservation made having access that day to the entire place. No park choosing. Go and hop.

 

[LizzyS]

Disney has spent BILLONS on this new system. It really is necessary at DLAND. Crowd control is such an issue .

We just visited the parks and we agreed that we've seen it way more crowded in the past (still crowded, but not insufferably so).

 

[StormyCA]

Disneyland has been really crowded lately. They don’t seem to be using it crowd control, but just staffing I assume.

I wonder if the crowding feels worse because they're keeping the staffing at minimum levels. Closed registers at shops & eateries, one queue operating instead of two at a ride, closed attractions (although normal at this time of year) and eateries can 'push' a lot of people onto walkways and/or into the available shops, eateries, and rides. A crowd can feel a lot 'crowd-ier' if there is less space for them to disperse into. When we were at WDW pretty much everything was up and running, so that 'reduced crowd' for the park we were in was spread out over the whole park with plenty to do & places to eat. And the staffing may have been reduced, but if it was it wasn't noticeable. There were crowded areas & some long lines, sure, but they were also the more popular areas and rides so to be expected. Now, if we'd had reduced attractions, eateries, and such it would have felt much more crowded, even with the same number of people.

But I do agree that DLR is going to try to get away with the least amount of staff as it possibly can, limited crowds or no. They're starting to get some bad media publicity because of it, but whether or not that ends up impacting anything, who knows.