Visiting Disneyland WithOUT a Reservation

[Cal-Pie]

They should have signs before you enter the parking garage or before security reminding people about reservations.

I'm surprised they don't. At WDW, we were asked about our reservation everyday before the parking attendant would even take our money. Definitely saw a few cars get diverted out of the parking lot when they didn't have a reservation.

 

[Skyegirl1999]

They do have reminder signs at the parking lots. However, people don’t all park in those lots, and even if they do, they don’t pay attention.

 

[avalon451]

They also have big reminder placards as you walk in from Harbor: “Attention: you must have reservations, a ticket alone doesn’t guarantee entrance to the parks…” etc.

At CA adventure on the 15th, we saw a guy at the turnstiles arguing with the CMs about not having reservations. A lead had already been called in and was listening patiently as he ranted on about his tickets, his rights, blah blah blah… His kids were sitting on the ground looking bored.

 

[RadarTechnician]

I can attest that same day reservation slots can pop up randomly. It happened on our last trip this last June 2021. We were at DTD and I started looking for same day reservations about 3PM. I went to a ticket booth and the CM said none were available. I then started checking the app and after checking for 15-20min the calendar showed reservations were available for that date. I quickly booked 3 tickets and my kids and I were able to enter with same day reservations!

 

[PirateBrigade]

They do have reminder signs at the parking lots. However, people don’t all park in those lots, and even if they do, they don’t pay attention.

lol maybe they need to hijack the freeway signs along the 5 like they do over Christmas/New Year…or hire one of those planes that carry banners behind them

or hire those car warranty people that keep calling me on the phone

 

[Pluto468]

Well, I think it's two main things:

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.

I think you're right about this. When I had an AP and lived near Santa Monica, pretty much every trip was : "Looks nice out today. Want to go to Disneyland?" and we would drive over. We never planned in advance, except after a while it was just assumed we would go there every Sunday. Sometimes we would just go for dinner on a Wednesday or other random day.

You would think in this day and age people would at least glance at the website before heading over and they would see that you need reservations. Maybe they should have big signs up outside the parking areas reminding people they need a reservation.

 

[Wesley815]

You would think in this day and age people would at least glance at the website before heading over and they would see that you need reservations. Maybe they should have big signs up outside the parking areas reminding people they need a reservation.

Very true.

....and no one learned anything after over a year closure due to global pandemic? Nearly all businesses have changed some type of policies or services offered, especially in entertainment/tourist locations.

 

[RadarTechnician]

You would think in this day and age people would at least glance at the website before heading over and they would see that you need reservations. Maybe they should have big signs up outside the parking areas reminding people they need a reservation.

I think there is also a category of customer that plan to just visit Downtown Disney but once there are tempted to see if they can also get into Disneyland. Yes, impulsive and spontaneous, and if you have luck & magic on your side you can score a same day reservation.

 

[StormyCA]

I also think there are certain members of the public who are used to Disney's sometimes laissez-faire attitude towards their own rules. They're the ones who think if they keep complaining long enough or get loud enough they'll 'get their way'.

 

[RadarTechnician]

I also think there are certain members of the public who are used to Disney's sometimes laissez-faire attitude towards their own rules. They're the ones who think if they keep complaining long enough or get loud enough they'll 'get their way'.

I wonder if the complaining approach works for reservations now that the app calendar governs reservations. The CM I first asked about reservations said "No" and advised that I check the app. It's virtually out of the hands of individual CMs.

I also would like to hear if anyone has observed the brute force approach working. Was that guy avalon451 mentioned "at CA adventure on the 15th" successful in complaining at the turnstiles? I hope not.

 

[DLgal]

They do have signs saying you need your reservation confirmation email (which isn't actually true, but it gets the point across that you can't just show up without a reservation.)

I saw someone get turned away at DCA yesterday because he didn't have a reservation. He was advised to "go to the other side and see if they have any reservations there." I don't know what he was referring to there.

 

[StormyCA]

I wonder if the complaining approach works for reservations now that the app calendar governs reservations. The CM I first asked about reservations said "No" and advised that I check the app. It's virtually out of the hands of individual CMs.

I also would like to hear if anyone has observed the brute force approach working. Was that guy avalon451 mentioned "at CA adventure on the 15th" successful in complaining at the turnstiles? I hope not.

I certainly hope not. I'm sure if it did work we'd hear about it at some point. That kind of antics normally 'filters out' eventually.

 

[jordan13402]

They do have signs saying you need your reservation confirmation email (which isn't actually true, but it gets the point across that you can't just show up without a reservation.)

I saw someone get turned away at DCA yesterday because he didn't have a reservation. He was advised to "go to the other side and see if they have any reservations there." I don't know what he was referring to there.

I would assume they meant Disneyland

 

[DLgal]

I would assume they meant Disneyland

The front gate CMs can't do anything for you with regards to this, though. Maybe he meant the Guest Services window?

 

[avalon451]

I wonder if the complaining approach works for reservations now that the app calendar governs reservations. The CM I first asked about reservations said "No" and advised that I check the app. It's virtually out of the hands of individual CMs.

I also would like to hear if anyone has observed the brute force approach working. Was that guy avalon451 mentioned "at CA adventure on the 15th" successful in complaining at the turnstiles? I hope not.

We didn't hang around to find out if he made it in. From the look on the CMs face, I'd guess he wasn't getting anywhere.

 

[Chickinvic]

At CA adventure on the 15th, we saw a guy at the turnstiles arguing with the CMs about not having reservations. A lead had already been called in and was listening patiently as he ranted on about his tickets, his rights, blah blah blah… His kids were sitting on the ground looking bored.

They were likely embarrassed (I would have been in that situation). If whoever I'm with is making a stink about something stupid like that, I'd be mortified. I'd probably be trying to pretend I didn't know them.