Disney World’s Park Pass Reservations: We’re In Orbit!
If you’ve followed the Walt Disney World news roller coaster the last few days, you know Disney Park Pass debuted this morning, allowing guests with resort reservations and tickets to book theme park entry. Anyone familiar with Disney ‘drop days’ knew to expect the unexpected, and that has been doubly so here.
Walt Disney World has released no shortage of details, but it has felt very nebulous. Getting up this morning, even knowing the ins and outs of what’s been announced, I was anxious. It’s like we’ve been studying for the final exam about American History knowing it might cover some overlapping European History–but then it ends up being a test exclusively about the French Revolution.
Of course, that’s assuming we even are able to take the test. The test was scheduled to start at 7 am, but surprise! It could actually start at 4:36 am without you, and the door to the exam room might end up breaking at 6:55 am. Once the door is repaired at 8:48 am, you may or may not be able to take the test. Tough luck. That’s the story of Walt Disney World IT and drop days in nutshell, or tortured analogy, as the case may be.
To continue that tortured analogy, this morning it turned out that we didn’t even know where the exam was being held. Maybe it was behind the gates of a very pink castle. Perhaps it was in orbit with Space Mountain, in the mines where the Seven Dwarfs work, or even inside Stitch’s belly. WHO KNOWS?!
Any one of those could be the hidden entrance, you just need to know the secret knock to enter the testing location.
Also, the exam did not start early. It started at least an hour and a half late–and has not even started yet for some people!
In any case, here’s the story of our experience, plus the “secret knock” that worked to gain us access to the Disney Park Pass system so we could book reservations for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot…
Not trusting that the Disney Park Pass system would go live at 7 am (we are all too familiar with the surprise 4:37 am drops of Free Dining), we were up bright and early this morning at 5 am, checking off and on periodically.
Depending upon what we tried, we were greeted by a (very pink) Cinderella Castle with a “just a moment” message, Seven Dwarfs with “we’re working on it,” or the classic Stitch Ate the Page.
We had Advance Dining Reservations for the modified character dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace this morning at 7:30 am, so we continued this process while on the drive over to Disney’s Riviera Resort, and then in the parking lot while waiting for our ADR time.
At 7:10 am, we still had zero success–and it was becoming clear we were in for a ‘long haul’ with the process, so we updated our How to Make Park Pass Reservations for Disney World guide and headed up to the rooftop restaurant.
Throughout breakfast, we periodically checked our phones and social media to see how things were going and it was clear the consensus was “NOT GOOD, BOB.”
We finished breakfast at around 8:45 am, headed down to Voyageurs’ Lounge (where I’m still sitting as I type this), and began trying all of our best hacks to get the process to work.
I’ll spare you a full run-down of our failures, and instead go through what worked in case you’re still experiencing similar frustrations.
To start, use private browsing or incognito mode on your desktop browser. Instead of going directly to DisneyWorld.com, click here. This will, hopefully, take you to the DisneyWorld.com page for Frontera Cocina (and not Space Mountain).
If that works, go through the motions of searching for availability and click a time. You’re not actually booking anything, so the dates/party size don’t really matter. You’re just doing this to get the My Disney Experience login pop-up without a redirect to that page.
Think of Frontera Cocina (or any Disney Springs restaurant, for that matter) as the “secret entrance” to Magic Kingdom reservations.
Once you get logged in, open a new tab and check here.
This is the link for creating your party, which bypasses the first step (and another phase of waiting). You’ll probably have a wait at this screen, but it should work after the countdown finishes. Very strong emphasis on should.
For what it’s worth, we never had luck on anything loading after the pink castle screen–but have had success with the Space Mountain screen. If you’ve been stuck on the Cinderella Castle screen for more than a few minutes, you might want to try again–or try in another browser.
From there, the process should be pretty self-explanatory and smooth. Here are step by step screenshots of what you should see:
Additionally, we would strong recommend that you go into My Plans after completing this process and double-checking that all of your reservations appear there.
As always, taking screenshots is a good course of action, just in case My Disney Experience “poofs” any of your reservations. We’ve heard reports of that happening already, so it’s best to be safe. Even though Disney IT is a shining exemplar of reliability and beacon of–HAHAHAHA, sorry couldn’t finish that sentence.
Ultimately, that’s the process and how it worked for us. Right now, I’m feeling a bit like I’ve just completed Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Temple, but for adult Walt Disney World vacation planners. (In other words, Jedi Training Academy: Trials of the Tourist!) Your mileage may vary and you might experience success (or many failures) via this route or others. Judging by the 575+ comments on our How to Book Disney Park Pass Reservations Guide, a lot of you have already had success. We’ll be back later today to report on more of our experiences being back at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you had success booking Disney Park Pass reservations? What worked/didn’t work for you? What do you think about the Disney Park Pass reservation system? Still having any troubles? Will you be attempting to visit Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or are you waiting until after September 2021 when this (presumably) goes away? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Debbie
So what happens if you have a large party going? I had to cancel my trip in March for my family . There are 9 of us trying to rebook. I think it will be your basic nightmare
I’m a Platinum AP holder with two separate resort stays booked for September and December. However, I’ve only been able to reserve 3 total days for my September trip before it tells me my park allowance is met. All phone numbers are jammed and I’m not sure how to work around this. Has anyone else experienced this? All resorts and APs are linked through MDE. Thanks!
Exact same issue for me. 12 nights booked over 2 trips in September and December and we can only book three days total (also Platinum AP that doesn’t expire until 2021). Everything was linked properly. It took us 3.5+ hours to log-in just to end up with that result. We can’t get through via phone either. I am beyond frustrated.
I was able to book 4 nights and my girlfriend 8 nights before we were shut out due our park ‘allowance’ being met. We both have the exact same passes (Expire March 2021) and DVC reservations.
Do you know what site allows you to see the park availability for park reservations. Thank you for all the input.
Thank you so much for all of your tips — i got it right away, got all 8 days of my park reservations completed, took a screenshot of the page and re-affirmed my reservations.
Tom you are life saver, your back door trick worked, although it threw me out several times as long as i kept your page, and a log in page open in private viewing i was able to click your link and eventually it took off. also once i got two days of reservations confirmed i was able to stay in and book the rest of the week. We are Staying Nov 22-28. This is our fourth trip and I have been relying on you for every time we go , this is why your blog is the best. Thanks again
Looks like we’ll be at the parks the same day as you 7/11. If I see you, I promise not to “fangirl” out and make it awkward! 🙂
After figuring out the secret knock, I was FINALLY able to book a park for the first 8 days of an October trip, but the last 2 days indicate no parks available….just like that, all availability gone. I have been rechecking consistently and it looks like all days are now booked. Hoping it’s a glitch but not optimistic at this point. Very grateful for what I have, and might have to end the trip a day early if I can’t book at least one more park day.
Happened to me. Keep trying. I am booked.
It’s just a glitch. At 10:24am Central time, here is the availability for the parks in October. All parks are available all days for people who have resort reservations and tickets (or APs).
Link to screen shot: https://imgur.com/djmaIVL
Keep trying. I got 3 out of 6 rightaway. 2 mre got on rd try, last one got on 4th try.
Does the Disney system keep shaking anyone else to reset their password? I did it, thinking it would help, but it’s asking me to do it again. It also can’t seem to find my tickets, which were linked when I checked this morning. This is a stupid system!!!
Beyond frustrated! Used the dining tip and made it to the park reservation system only to have it tell me there are no available parks for 2 annual pass holders, Vacation Club members since 1994 with a 10 day reservation at Old Key West! The availability calendar shows no available parks for any days through September 2021 Any suggestions?
I think I got reservations for three days, but couldn’t get any more. Said there were problems with the two guests (husband and me) that we had reached our max already. I have five DVC reservations between Oct 2020 and May 2021. I got three days in Oct for my first reservation only. And now I can’t see any of them online.
This is another Disney Royal Mess.
When you’re looking at availability at the parks, make sure you’ve clicked “Disney Resort Guests” in the middle to see availability. There is none right now for people who only have tickets, no resort.
When I look, I see availability at all parks for all days except for July 11 – 14. Those days have SOME parks available, but not all.
I hope that helps!
4 1/2 hours later and I finally got to a sign in page but when enter my password (email saved), it says signing in, then goes back to empty password cell. Aargh. This is on the screens that don’t have castles. Any advice?
Okay, Tom, I followed your instructions, and I think I did it – “think” because my Plans are updating it or miss – but when I try to book on those days not updated, it says I already it. Most important- YOUR SECRET ENTRANCE WORKED!! Whoohoohoo!
It’s funny, I couldn’t get in so I waited for you post! I knew you would have something to say!
I did not see any place that said Disney Resort Guests. It only asked me who is traveling. Then I did get to the choose the park page, finaly it showed all the parks available but, when, I clicked on a park nothing happens, Any suggestions????
So done with Disney! It shouldn’t have to be this hard to plan a vacation! Trying since 7am and still no luck at 11am. I’ve been counted down multiple times only to result in blank pages.
Me too. Tried multiple tabs, got to a blank page only to have another countdown, then back to the castle. Disney sure doesn’t want us coming to the parks. Frustrating after 4 hours. This isn’t how planning a Disney vacation should feel.
Ok, I followed your instructions, but I still have the same problem – I’ve actually been able to get in numerous times this morning, and managed to get 2 (days) park reservations, and that was around 8:45 this morning. But since then, when I get in, it shows no availability for any park for the rest of my 11 park day tickets! That can’t be right. If it is, what am I supposed to do – only go for 2 of my 11 day tickets?! I know it’s not your fault, and thank you for posting these detailed instructions, but I don’t understand how some people who apparently got in after I did got all their tickets. But I (and several other people) could only get a couple of days’ worth of passes. I know Disney IT is notoriously problematic on drop days, but come on Disney! This is beyond stressful!!!
We have a November Art of Animation reservation. I was able to get a park reservation for the first day of our trip, then it just keeps saying no parks are available on any other day that week. I don’t believe it’s at capacity, I think it’s a glitch. Sometimes it says “we couldn’t retrieve park details.” so I think, and hope it’s a server issue and later I can get on and get reservations on our other days! Good news, is that I can keep accessing the reservation site, select my party and dates, but just can’t pick a park!
I got in about 8:20 central time. Everything good for my October trip. December trip only let me book 2 days for myself, said I had used all my spots, I have a 6 day park hopper for December trip. Different guest traveling with me on both trips. I booked my guest for December trip for every day with no problem. Tried calling the 407-939-7917 on bottom of page if you have problems, of course busy, said to call back later. Which I will. Not too worried about the December trip. Also staying at All Star Music both trips, which may or may not be open. I’m ok with being moved to Pop if that is a choice. It did say on Disney site other hotels may open in future based on situations in the future. Not going to stress about it. Will just be happy to get to Disney. Thanks for all your info. Tom. You’re the best!
So frustrating. Still trying to get in. Tried all the tricks and no go.
Just go in after waiting from 7:00am and NO PARKS available for our travel dates in December. I’m hoping that by then they will increase the capacity and we can get a Park reservation for our travel dares. If not, I guess we will be having a Resort only vacation! 🙁
Grace
Its a setting in Google Chrome browser..Upper right corner..open new incognito tab.
Wow – that was definitely a test of patience and persistence. I have 4 browsers (all in incognito) open – two on MAC and 2 on PC. One browser each on an iPad and iPhone. So yes – 6 pink castles to peer at in my home office. Finally – after several minutes – the two PC browser windows changed into the MDE login screen.
I had to look around a little bit to find the right place to reserve park passes, but once I figured that out, the rest of the process was pretty straight forward.
For reference – I’m a DVC renter with a 7-day ticket for a family of 4. Just double checked my iPhone to ensure all the reservations took – looks like we are good to go.
Good luck all – hope the experience gets less quickly as the day goes on!
I mean less QUIRKY – not quickly.
What is incognito? I’ve read several people’s comments ref that, but I’ve no idea what that means?
If you use Chrome for your browser – go to the three vertical dots in the upper right-hand corner of the window. If you click on it – you should see ‘New Incognito Window’ as an option.
Click that and a new window will open up. Use that window to try and log in.
Safari browser its called New Private Window – not sure about Microsoft Edge.
Good luck!
Tom – Supposing Disney does not open a particular resort that you currently have reservations for (for example New Orleans French Quarter does not appear on the soon to re-open list) how do you think Disney will handle that? Do you think they will honor the reservation price and move guests to a similar or above resort, or do you think they will make the guest pay the difference if the only available resort is higher? Thanks.
They’ll make you pay the difference…. We had to move from French Quarter to Old Key West Resort (Deluxe Villa) and had to pay the higher price. At that time they said only DVC villas would be available, and you had to pay the difference. Of course, they have now announced that Pop Century will be open. If you downgrade to that resort (which is still a very nice resort), then I would think you’d actually get a refund.
From what I understand, if it doesn’t open Disney will say to you “we will move you to X resort”. That would be free. If however YOU want to stay at Y resort, then you have to pay the difference. But I could be wrong
Matt- I think that’s only for dates from June 22-July 10, before the parks re-open. During that time, they will move you with no upgrade charge. After that, you have to pay the difference.
Geoff, I truly don’t think they’d make you pay the difference if they didn’t open the resort. There are many times Disney runs out of particular rooms, and what they do is give people an upgrade. If someone moves from All-Star Sports to Pop Century, they are happy. If someone moves from Pop Century to Caribbean Beach, they are happy. I can’t imagine Disney saying to someone, “Hey, I know you had booked All-Star Music, but we didn’t open it. We’ve got you at the Polynesian now, so you owe us $5,000.”
I’m booked at All-Star Movies for October. At this point, I fully expect to be “upgraded” to Pop or AoA. Getting moved up won’t bother me, but if I’m told to pay the difference, I’ll be annoyed. I paid for a premium room at All-Star Movies in order to be close to the pool and lobby, as well as to be part of Toy Story. The cost for a premium room was about the same as Pop (a little less, but not much). I chose All-Star Movies because I prefer it, and I prefer the preferred room. I won’t be angry if I get moved to Pop or something, but I will be annoyed if they move me and then tell me I owe $200 or whatever.
Becky-
That is exactly what they did! We had a reservation for POFQ for early July. When they announced the park re-opening dates, we called to change our reservation to after the parks open- early August. We were told that our resort would not be available during that time, and that the only properties that would be open until the end of the year, at that time, would be DVC Deluxe Villas. So we moved to Old Key West Resort- asked if we would keep our same rate since they closed our resort and we were told no- we would have to pay the difference, and there would be no discounts. Many people were told the exact same thing, and many cancelled because they refused to pay the difference. It was also confirmed on several Disney blogs that that was they way they were handling modified reservations for after the parks re-opened. Of course, they have no come out and announced the re-opening dates of a few resorts. But yes- if your resort is closed, initially you had to move to a DVC Villa and pay the difference- just ask my credit card!
Mark, Tom addresses this in “BREAKING: Disney World Resort Hotel Reopening Dates.” Read that, but basically he says they will move you free of charge if you don’t initiate contact with Disney, select confirm you are coming, and don’t *choose* the resort you want to be in. If you actively choose which resort to move to, you will pay the difference. Lots of confusion but best action seems to be wait and see. His post mentions best guesses he has for where they will move you based on what you had previously.
I know this doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, but I checked my browser history to see when I got through and was able to select my party and choose our dates and parks. It was at 7:25am Central (8:25am Eastern), so it wasn’t QUITE an hour and a half late… but almost!
When I clicked the button to make my reservation, it said I had a 1:30 wait time (minute and a half), so I think I was one of the early ones, but not the earliest!
Thank you for the incognito window advice! Was finally able to book! 🙂
The incognito trick worked to get me in and I was able to reserve three days, but – I assume because I’m an Annual Passholder – it wouldn’t let me reserve park passes for my entire trip; it stopped at three days. I thought that resort guests, regardless of ticket type, could book for their entire stay. The number they listed for this error (407-939-7917) just rang busy, so I guess I’m SOL?
Had the same experience exactly–we should’ve been able to book the whole stay!
Maybe it’s just another launch glitch. I’m gonna to try again tomorrow or the next day–we got three of four days and our trip is not until November.
We had a similar experience as well! I’m not sure how to get this resolved considering all of the lines are jammed.