Please stop with the silly Park Reservation System for AP!

[ChiDisneyFan]

Annual Pass should be a "pass" to go whenever you want. As a local passholder I would love to go to a park today but can't make a reservation. I seriously doubt they have reached capacity at all 4 parks.
would like to make 2 suggestions to make being an Annual Passholder a better overall experience

1. Please eliminate having to Book Park Reservations now that COVID-19 is not minimizing attendance. A " Pass" should be a "Pass" to go whenever we want, like before the Pandemic. It's just silly and inconvenient now.
.2. Allow Passholders to visit any resort without having a restaurant or hotel reservation. I get limiting this when it is busy or a holiday but to turn away an Annual Passholder to visit a resort where we always spend money on food or merchandise doesn't make sense to me. We are not trying to get out of a parking fee since it is included in our AP. Just adding these 2 features would greatly enhance the AP experience.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I find your #2 suggestion kind of odd. The annual pass is for the 4 theme parks, and perhaps even the water parks. It was never intended as a pass to the resorts. You can visit any of the resorts - you just can't park there! My only request of the AP system would be they start selling them again!

 

[lovethattink]

Check periodically throughout the day. I’ve booked a reservation late afternoon for same day that was previously filled.

 

[lovethattink]

I find your #2 suggestion kind of odd. The annual pass is for the 4 theme parks, and perhaps even the water parks. It was never intended as a pass to the resorts. You can visit any of the resorts - you just can't park there! My only request of the AP system would be they start selling them again!

But prepandemic, you could park at a resort to shop or grab a bite to eat. It didn’t have to be for TS.

 

[soniam]

But prepandemic, you could park at a resort to shop or grab a bite to eat. It didn’t have to be for TS.

Not all of them. Some of the ones with less parking, like BW and Poly, would not always allow people to park without a hotel or dining reservation. I know that most times we have gone to GF, we have been told we need an ADR or spa reservation to park. I think Contempo was getting stricter just before covid too. There is always transportation from the theme parks or Disney Springs to the hotels. I know it's not ideal.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Not all of them. Some of the ones with less parking, like BW and Poly, would not always allow people to park without a hotel or dining reservation. I know that most times we have gone to GF, we have been told we need an ADR or spa reservation to park. I think Contempo was getting stricter just before covid too. There is always transportation from the theme parks or Disney Springs to the hotels. I know it's not ideal.

Agreed - the parking limits at the resorts closer to the theme parks have been in place for quite awhile. Not sure pandemic changes have anything to do with it. They might just be getting more consistent across all/most the resorts. They've always allowed resort hopping, it's just they're appropriately tight with the parking capacity at their resorts for guests staying/eating there - with what guests pay for the Disney resorts, you sure don't want to not be able to get a parking space - especially since non-DVC guests are paying for that parking space.

 

[greeneyedchick]

Annual Pass should be a "pass" to go whenever you want. As a local passholder I would love to go to a park today but can't make a reservation. I seriously doubt they have reached capacity at all 4 parks.
would like to make 2 suggestions to make being an Annual Passholder a better overall experience

1. Please eliminate having to Book Park Reservations now that COVID-19 is not minimizing attendance. A " Pass" should be a "Pass" to go whenever we want, like before the Pandemic. It's just silly and inconvenient now.
.2. Allow Passholders to visit any resort without having a restaurant or hotel reservation. I get limiting this when it is busy or a holiday but to turn away an Annual Passholder to visit a resort where we always spend money on food or merchandise doesn't make sense to me. We are not trying to get out of a parking fee since it is included in our AP. Just adding these 2 features would greatly enhance the AP experience.

Agreed 100%

 

[lockets]

While I agree that the reservation system is yet another hoop to jump through in a series of Disney hoops lately, unfortunately asking for it to go away is a moot point as Disney has already announced the reservation system is here to stay.

 

[HopperFan]

Annual Pass should be a "pass" to go whenever you want. As a local passholder I would love to go to a park today but can't make a reservation. I seriously doubt they have reached capacity at all 4 parks.
would like to make 2 suggestions to make being an Annual Passholder a better overall experience

1. Please eliminate having to Book Park Reservations now that COVID-19 is not minimizing attendance. A " Pass" should be a "Pass" to go whenever we want, like before the Pandemic. It's just silly and inconvenient now.
.2. Allow Passholders to visit any resort without having a restaurant or hotel reservation. I get limiting this when it is busy or a holiday but to turn away an Annual Passholder to visit a resort where we always spend money on food or merchandise doesn't make sense to me. We are not trying to get out of a parking fee since it is included in our AP. Just adding these 2 features would greatly enhance the AP experience.

1) I agree it is all so frustrating - especially when I do not believe at all that Disney is limiting attendance, just spreading everyone out as they see fit each day. It has done nothing to improve operations from a line, guest experience POV. It seems quite common among places I follow that people have opted to split their days between Disney, Universal and other parks to avoid the whole reservation system so in the end will it cause folks to explore the other options more fully. Local APs usually have Universal & SeaWorld as well, so I would guess they are spending more time and money at those parks. Disney better be thinking forward to when Epic Universe opens because it will impact Disney.

2) I would not be surprised if Disney continues the restrictions going forward - only enter with hotel or dining reservation. For years guests have complained about parking issues at about half the resorts especially now that they are forced to pay. Disney only needs "locals, APs or other non-hotel guests" to visit to fill the resort restaurants and bars, and they are not needed at this point in time. And there is the Disney Springs bus option or park at at theme park with your free parking. I parked at TTC and walked to Poly to do some shopping, no big deal.

 

[Jrb1979]

1) I agree it is all so frustrating - especially when I do not believe at all that Disney is limiting attendance, just spreading everyone out as they see fit each day. It has done nothing to improve operations from a line, guest experience POV. It seems quite common among places I follow that people have opted to split their days between Disney, Universal and other parks to avoid the whole reservation system so in the end will it cause folks to explore the other options more fully. Local APs usually have Universal & SeaWorld as well, so I would guess they are spending more time and money at those parks. Disney better be thinking forward to when Epic Universe opens because it will impact Disney.

2) I would not be surprised if Disney continues the restrictions going forward - only enter with hotel or dining reservation. For years guests have complained about parking issues at about half the resorts especially now that they are forced to pay. Disney only needs "locals, APs or other non-hotel guests" to visit to fill the resort restaurants and bars, and they are not needed at this point in time. And there is the Disney Springs bus option or park at at theme park with your free parking. I parked at TTC and walked to Poly to do some shopping, no big deal.

You're right, it's not about limiting attendance or making it better for the guest. It's all about labour control. With the reservation system they know how much labor needed at each park each day. It's all about maximizing profits.

As far as your 2nd point goes as a guy who loves all amusement parks, it's nice people giving other parks a chance.

 

[soniam]

1) I agree it is all so frustrating - especially when I do not believe at all that Disney is limiting attendance, just spreading everyone out as they see fit each day. It has done nothing to improve operations from a line, guest experience POV. It seems quite common among places I follow that people have opted to split their days between Disney, Universal and other parks to avoid the whole reservation system so in the end will it cause folks to explore the other options more fully. Local APs usually have Universal & SeaWorld as well, so I would guess they are spending more time and money at those parks. Disney better be thinking forward to when Epic Universe opens because it will impact Disney.

2) I would not be surprised if Disney continues the restrictions going forward - only enter with hotel or dining reservation. For years guests have complained about parking issues at about half the resorts especially now that they are forced to pay. Disney only needs "locals, APs or other non-hotel guests" to visit to fill the resort restaurants and bars, and they are not needed at this point in time. And there is the Disney Springs bus option or park at at theme park with your free parking. I parked at TTC and walked to Poly to do some shopping, no big deal.

You're right, it's not about limiting attendance or making it better for the guest. It's all about labour control. With the reservation system they know how much labor needed at each park each day. It's all about maximizing profits.

As far as your 2nd point goes as a guy who loves all amusement parks, it's nice people giving other parks a chance.

We almost always go to Universal. However, to park at a hotel, even as a guest, or at the main theme park garage, you have to pay. So, if you want to eat at a hotel, you have to pay to park. If you aren't staying at the hotel, I think you have to do valet or pay to park at the Citywalk garage and walk, boat, or bus to the hotel. It's just the nature of the beast now. At least at Disney, you can park for free at Disney Springs or at a theme park with an AP/as a hotel guest. With an AP at Universal, I think you can only park at Citywalk for free after 4pm.

 

[loves to dive]

I agree it is a pain and limiting the number of days an AP member can reserve if they aren't staying at a Disney resort is a pain. I always stay on property but I could see where I might some day stay off property for longer than 5 days. But, as others have said, the reservation system is most likely here to stay so it is what it is.

I also understand the whole limiting not being able to park at the theme park resorts. Lots of people used to park at BW to either go visit the BW or get into Epcot through the IG. I've stayed at BWI with a car and it's hard sometimes to find a place to park. Forget, getting in your car during your stay and driving somewhere and trying to find a parking space in the afternoon. YC/BC has a little bigger parking lot but I've often had to park way out in the filler lots of both of them as a guest. As much as you pay to stay there, having to drag your luggage from a far away space because a non-guest is using the closer space is not fun.

 

[HopperFan]

We almost always go to Universal. However, to park at a hotel, even as a guest, or at the main theme park garage, you have to pay. So, if you want to eat at a hotel, you have to pay to park. If you aren't staying at the hotel, I think you have to do valet or pay to park at the Citywalk garage and walk, boat, or bus to the hotel. It's just the nature of the beast now. At least at Disney, you can park for free at Disney Springs or at a theme park with an AP/as a hotel guest. With an AP at Universal, I think you can only park at Citywalk for free after 4pm.

I have a Universal AP - I park for free all the time in the park/Citywalk garages.

 

[soniam]

I have a Universal AP - I park for free all the time in the park/Citywalk garages.

Which one? I thought it was only after 4pm.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

Which one? I thought it was only after 4pm.

Parking is free - for the parking garages not at the resorts - with our Preferred passes & also for Premier. It's 50% off for Power passes. Seasonal pass holder still pay for parking.

Premier pass comes with Express Pass after 4 p.m.

 

[soniam]

Parking is free - for the parking garages not at the resorts - with our Preferred passes & also for Premier. It's 50% off for Power passes. Seasonal pass holder still pay for parking.

Premier pass comes with Express Pass after 4 p.m.

We always stay at the hotel, so we always pay.

 

[HopperFan]

Which one? I thought it was only after 4pm.

Parking is free - for the parking garages not at the resorts - with our Preferred passes & also for Premier. It's 50% off for Power passes. Seasonal pass holder still pay for parking.

Premier pass comes with Express Pass after 4 p.m.

AND parking in garages is free for everyone (except during HHN) after 6 pm. So as long as you eat after that you don't have to pay.

 

[lovethattink]

AND parking in garages is free for everyone (except during HHN) after 6 pm. So as long as you eat after that you don't have to pay.

Is it free during Mardi Gras after 6?

 

[HopperFan]

Is it free during Mardi Gras after 6?

Everything I see says the "after 6 pm free parking" is only blocked out during HHN. I think because that is a pay event that is very popular, it would be a huge loss to not charge for parking.

Mardi Gras is not extra, happens during regular park hours.

 

[Westerner]

Annual Pass should be a "pass" to go whenever you want. As a local passholder I would love to go to a park today but can't make a reservation. I seriously doubt they have reached capacity at all 4 parks.

1. Please eliminate having to Book Park Reservations now that COVID-19 is not minimizing attendance. A " Pass" should be a "Pass" to go whenever we want, like before the Pandemic. It's just silly and inconvenient now.

Park reservations are a pain for all guests, both regular tickets and AP. There have been reports of people having bought cash tickets and being unable to use them because they couldn't get a reservation. That's even worse than the AP situation bc at least AP can come back another day. Imagine having come a long way and not even being able to enter. I don't think reservations should be lifted for AP's without lifting them for regular guests.