Visiting Disneyland WithOUT a Reservation

[Dogswater]

I see a lot about changing and cancelling reservation on this board, but haven't seen anything about wait lists or showing up without a res.
Does Disney release reservations during the day as people cancel? What is the best strategy for a spur of the moment visit? Are any places saved for walk-ups?
Anyone have luck, just refreshing the browser on the Disney website?
Thanks,

 

[Robo]

Are you asking about Disneyland in California?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Are you asking about California or Florida? Disneyland is in California. Walt Disney World is in Florida. If you’re asking about California I will move your question.

 

[Dogswater]

Sorry I wasn't more specific. Disneyland California.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks. Moving your post to the Disneyland board.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

You need a reservation to enter. There are no wait lists. You can look at the reservation calendar on the website to check if there are any same day reservations available (usually not on weekends).

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Assuming that the day you want to go is sold out, your only option is to try to score someone's cancellation by refreshing the reservation page frequently. There is no point to showing up on DL property without a reservation.

If you don't have a ticket yet, sometimes one-park availability differs from park-hopper availability, so be sure to check both.

Yesterday morning, my husband decided he wanted to use his final parkhopper at DL if possible, and we were able to see a cancellation pop up around 7:20am and grabbed it. But that's not guaranteed, and we'd been refreshing every few minutes since 7 when we got it...

 

[Dogswater]

Thanks guys. Not the answer I was hoping for, but at least now I know.

Safe travels

 

[lalasmama]

Just got back from the parks. I saw probably 6 groups sent away from the gates for no reservations. It doesn't appear there's any pixie dust happening regarding ressies.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Just got back from the parks. I saw probably 6 groups sent away from the gates for no reservations. It doesn't appear there's any pixie dust happening regarding ressies.

It's almost/sort of jaw dropping that people will make the trek all the way to the parks not knowing about reservations. I really want to pick their brains about the thought process... is it that people see "Disneyland open" and are assuming the procedures pre-2020 are in place? Is it like when I sort of mindlessly drive to work by accident because it's next to Costco (my intended destination)?

Like, I am genuinely curious. Language barriers, even? Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

 

[BadPinkTink]

It's almost/sort of jaw dropping that people will make the trek all the way to the parks not knowing about reservations. I really want to pick their brains about the thought process... is it that people see "Disneyland open" and are assuming the procedures pre-2020 are in place? Is it like when I sort of mindlessly drive to work by accident because it's next to Costco (my intended destination)?

Like, I am genuinely curious. Language barriers, even? Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

this would be so epic to do, set ourselves up with clipboards at the esplanade and just role play as Disney market research and try to keep a straight face

 

[sjmac42]

Like, I am genuinely curious. Language barriers, even? Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

Yep it seems unbelievable to those of us in the know. But it’s probably similar to the many people I’ve encountered over the years hiking in flip flops or without enough water, no hat. There are some things that are obvious to some but not so much to others despite plenty of information out there.

 

[dieumeye]

It's almost/sort of jaw dropping that people will make the trek all the way to the parks not knowing about reservations. I really want to pick their brains about the thought process... is it that people see "Disneyland open" and are assuming the procedures pre-2020 are in place? Is it like when I sort of mindlessly drive to work by accident because it's next to Costco (my intended destination)?

Like, I am genuinely curious. Language barriers, even? Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

Some people just don’t look into anything for whatever reason.

In the before times there were people who didn’t use FastPass because they thought it cost money, and even people who didn’t even know it existed. How!?

I swear I was once in line behind people at the park gates who did not purchase tickets. A large group of about 10 people trying to enter the park, who apparently did not realize they needed to purchase tickets. What!?

Can you imagine these same people with park reservations also involved? Trying to navigate virtual queues? Placing mobile orders?

And just recently I heard from an acquaintance who was complaining about their DL trip due to restaurants and other things being closed. I was like, yeah it does suck… BUT all that info was clear on the website when you booked, so…

Their answer? “I just assumed…” And that’s why this stuff happens.

 

[SherylLC]

I've had luck getting reservations late the night before.

 

[Karin1984]

It's almost/sort of jaw dropping that people will make the trek all the way to the parks not knowing about reservations. I really want to pick their brains about the thought process... is it that people see "Disneyland open" and are assuming the procedures pre-2020 are in place? Is it like when I sort of mindlessly drive to work by accident because it's next to Costco (my intended destination)?

Like, I am genuinely curious. Language barriers, even? Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

Probably the same people who travel to Spain and then are surprised they speak Spanish, go to India to find out they serve mainly Indian food. It's people who think the world revolves around them and the rest has to adjust to them.
You don't have to be an A-type planner, but with any new thing you do, you need to do a little research.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

Well, I think it's two main things:

1. Since it's widely known that capacity restrictions were lifted by the state on June 15, a lot of people assumed reservations ended at that time. (It was a big thing on that actual day, with giant lines of people waiting to go through Harbor security... due to the misconception that reservations were gone.) Also, Knotts and many local museums/aquariums/etc. that did have reservations have done away with them. So, if you're really not paying attention (and especially if you had tickets leftover from The Before Times), it might not be something on your radar.

I think people underestimate the subset of locals whose sole Disney experience is - "Hey, let's go to Disneyland - hop in the car!" Those people never know anything. Park hours? Special events? Refurbs? This information does not exist. There's an app? Now that's just crazy talk.

2. There are reports out there of Disney "helping" people get reservations on site. Importantly, this was (mostly?) happening on days where reservations weren't entirely booked across all categories, as they are now - I mean, August had some EMPTY days, so it was literally just a CM helping you log on and grab a widely available reservation. But those stories have given people a sense that you can show up (especially with kids) and "Disney won't actually turn you away once you're at the gates."

 

[fly girl]

Probably the same people who travel to Spain and then are surprised they speak Spanish, go to India to find out they serve mainly Indian food. It's people who think the world revolves around them and the rest has to adjust to them.
You don't have to be an A-type planner, but with any new thing you do, you need to do a little research.

I get your intention, and as a proclaimed mega type A who wants to immerse myself wherever I am and not be considered that “typical American,” this scenario is not quite the same.

Most people go in thinking, been to one amusement park, you know the drill. Disney is different in that regard. And yes, an hour online would be of great benefit to them. But I don’t think all of them go in thinking the world has to adjust to them. I think many thought Disney would be like Six Flags or Cedar Point. Naive, yes. Entitled, not necessarily.

 

[Kit Jackson]

Even if you're a local and it was a casual stopping by, you most likely had to pay for gas/parking(!) and walk at least half a mile from somewhere. Not to mention you had to wait in line and pass through security.

They should have signs before you enter the parking garage or before security reminding people about reservations. Having security do a quick pleasant reminder about, have your reservation confirmation available when you go to buy tickets or enter the park has the potential to create chaos in line and some potentily nasty situations.

this would be so epic to do, set ourselves up with clipboards at the esplanade and just role play as Disney market research and try to keep a straight face

I like the idea, but I think pretending to be students or saying you are helping your children or a friend with a research project sounds better.

 

[Wesley815]

Working in hospitality you would be shocked the number of guests who show up to wrong hotel trying to check in (not even same city or hotel/brand name).

Many also claim they have no photo ID yet successfully made it through TSA and international customs check(?).... never ends. As others have said, I can see how guests show up to Disney with no idea that it costs money, or you need tickets, or you need reservation, or that Disney is a theme park.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Working in hospitality you would be shocked the number of guests who show up to wrong hotel trying to check in (not even same city or hotel/brand name).

Many also claim they have no photo ID yet successfully made it through TSA and international customs check(?).... never ends. As others have said, I can see how guests show up to Disney with no idea that it costs money, or you need tickets, or you need reservation, or that Disney is a theme park.

Haha. I just saw a guest try to check into the wrong hotel last month near Disneyland. She booked a different Hilton property. Given how all the big hotel chains have multiple properties in the same brand in the area, I get how it could be confusing. Wrong city and hotel brand is a bit worse though.

I have a friend who used a credit card to go through TSA when he didn't have a valid drivers license. TSA actually accepts a lot of different IDs from a photocopy of your drivers license to a Costco membership card although the bigger the airport, the more scrutiny you'll get for using non-standard ID. If you have CLEAR, you also don't need ID to go through TSA as biometrics are your ID. I have family member who got their passport stolen at the airport after checking in and was able to return to the US but with a bit of hassle. With online check in and passports no longer being required to use global entry kiosks, you can take an international flight from some destinations to the US without any ID at all.