Will changes come for the Disney World park pass system?

After hearing some good news for park passes yesterday, Disney discusses what the future of park passes may look like.

Park Pass Reservations

When Disney implemented park passes and park hopping restrictions, the original reasoning was that it would help manage attendance due to the pandemic. Despite Disney removing every other health and safety measure, park passes and hopping restrictions remain.

This led many to believe it was never about the pandemic but instead controlling attendance and managing Cast Member schedules. Especially for passholders who used to have complete freedom in the theme parks, these two things have been the biggest grievance for many Disney fans.

At the end of last year, we shared that the unpopular park pass system is rumored to undergo a major overhaul at the start of the new year. Yesterday, we saw a positive change for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. They will not need a Park Pass if visiting the park after 2:00 with a few exceptions.

Future of Park Passes

This led to guests wondering if even bigger changes may be on the horizon. Theme Park Insider recently interviewed Disney Parks Experiences and Products Chairman, Josh D’Amaro. In the interview, many questions surrounded the continued need for the Park Pass Reservation system.

Many guests are concerned with not just the added step to making a Park Pass reservation, but also these passes being available. Earlier today we shared that Park Passes are now unavailable for a select group of guests for the opening of TRON. D’Amaro shares, “It’s a guest experience issue.” He goes on to say, “We know that there are certain attendance thresholds that can potentially deteriorate the experience.”

D’Amaro does listen to the concerns of guests in the parks. He shares, “So anytime we step into one of these areas, we know that there’s going to be input, and we’re going to take that input and listen, and we’re going to react and adjust. But we will never sacrifice guest experience.”

“The moment I sit down and talk to them about the guest experience, and how we’re continually trying to make that easier and more flexible, they completely get it and understand it. So we’re going to keep pushing on that. If we’re going to be pioneers, we’re going to keep being pioneers to make that experience as great as it possibly can be.”

“So anytime we step into one of these areas, we know that there’s going to be input, and we’re going to take that input and listen, and we’re going to react and adjust. But we will never sacrifice guest experience. “

Josh D’Amaro

From this interview, it appears that the Park Pass reservation system will be with us for a while longer while tweaks may continue to be made.

What do you think of the Park Pass reservation system? Do you think that this actually improves the overall guest experience? What changes would you make to the current Park Passes? Share your comments below.