Last minute park reservations -- hopeless?

[4Hawks]

We're taking a last minute trip next week. I just looked at park reservations and DHS is only available on Saturday 2/20, which will be our last day in town. We have a late flight, so we could swing it, but would rather have a full day.

What are the chances that another day will open up last minute?

If I get a 1-day ticket for that Saturday and make a reservation for DHS, can I change it later for an earlier day and different park?

If I buy a 1-day ticket for Thursday (cheaper) and then want to switch it for Saturday (more expensive), will I need to visit guest services to upgrade?

 

[lanejudy]

First - have you actually tried to make a DHS park reservation for any of the days? I have heard that sometimes there is spotty availability even if the calendar shows no. So I would try that first. Then keep stalking the website because people do change plans and/or WDW shifts buckets and availability without notice.

If I get a 1-day ticket for that Saturday and make a reservation for DHS, can I change it later for an earlier day and different park?

If I buy a 1-day ticket for Thursday (cheaper) and then want to switch it for Saturday (more expensive), will I need to visit guest services to upgrade?

A 1-day ticket is good for that specific date. Yes, you can change it -- possibly online, or by calling, definitely in-person. If the new date is more expensive, you will need to pay the difference; if the new date is less expensive, no refund.

Tickets are separate from park reservations. Both can be changed but it will not be done automatically or simultaneously. To "change" a park reservation you'll need to cancel the original and then rebook. But a valid ticket is required so you would need to change the ticket date first if changing dates.

 

[4Hawks]

First - have you actually tried to make a DHS park reservation for any of the days? I have heard that sometimes there is spotty availability even if the calendar shows no. So I would try that first. Then keep stalking the website because people do change plans and/or WDW shifts buckets and availability without notice.

I have not, but can give it a try. Thanks for the tip!

 

[4Hawks]

You were absolutely right! The park was actually available on the day we wanted (so silly that the availability is incorrect on the calendar). Thanks again!

 

[gharter]

Glad it worked out.
The website still has many glitches, (hard to believe).

 

[Elephantay]

This thread just caught my eye....I am clearly behind- do you need to reserve a park for a certain day? Family going in May...thanks

 

[MarcIsMe]

Yes and the reservation is linked to your ticket or annual pass. The reservation can be done through MDE. If you have a park hopper ticket you reserve for the first park you plan to attend, you have to tap in at that park, and after 2:00 you can hop to the next park on a space available basis. It is my understanding if you take a bus between parks you will be check before boarding to see if you have entered your first park and if you have a park hopper, they will also tell you if the park you are going to has availability.

 

[Elephantay]

Yes and the reservation is linked to your ticket or annual pass. The reservation can be done through MDE. If you have a park hopper ticket you reserve for the first park you plan to attend, you have to tap in at that park, and after 2:00 you can hop to the next park on a space available basis. It is my understanding if you take a bus between parks you will be check before boarding to see if you have entered your first park and if you have a park hopper, they will also tell you if the park you are going to has availability.

Thanks-
Have they said when this will be in place until? Possibly May?

 

[francie57]

The park reservations will still be in place in May. They probably won’t go away until Disney can increase the crowd level back to almost normal. Hopefully things will get better later this year as more people are vaccinated.

 

[MarcIsMe]

I don’t think anything definitive has been said, I think the consensus in the posts is reservations will go long term, possibly into next year.

 

[Elephantay]

The park reservations will still be in place in May. They probably won’t go away until Disney can increase the crowd level back to almost normal. Hopefully things will get better later this year as more people are vaccinated.

Thank you!

 

[lanejudy]

Have they said when this will be in place until?

Currently the park reservation system is active into January 2022. WDW has mentioned it may be here for the long-term. Unknown how "long" that really means but with the system in place through the year I wouldn't expect it to be dropped any time soon.

 

[MomOTwins]

Currently the park reservation system is active into January 2022. WDW has mentioned it may be here for the long-term. Unknown how "long" that really means but with the system in place through the year I wouldn't expect it to be dropped any time soon.

The long term element doesn't surprise me. From Disney's perspective, it makes total sense. Allows them to plan ahead more accurately when setting park hours and scheduling staffing for the parks. It also probably encourages more people to book in-park restaurants since they know where they are going to be on a given day--just anecdotally for example, we have 2 days on an upcoming trip we are keeping flexible and those are the only days where we haven't booked any ADRs

 

[bakerworld]

Because we just went to the parks in November, I was hoping to avoid the parks for our March trip (more the cost of the tickets). Here's hoping if we weaken we can buy and reserve the same day.