Summary
All-Day Park Hopping Access
Starting January 9, 2024, visitors to Walt Disney World will be able to “hop” from park to park without any time restrictions. This all-day park hopping access will enable any guest with a valid park hopping ticket or annual pass to freely visit any of its four theme parks during normal operation hours. The current system, which was implemented when the theme parks reopened during the COVID-19 pandemic, limited guests from park hopping until after 2 p.m.
Increased Flexibility and Convenience
Disney announced that “Guests with Park Hopper benefits will now have more flexibility to explore the Disney World theme parks the way they want and enjoy even more during their visits.” However, if a visit occurs on a day when park reservations are required, the ticket holder must first scan into the reserved park before hopping to other parks.
This eagerly awaited change adds notable flexibility and convenience to the overall vacation experience. January 9, 2024, will also see other operational changes that will positively impact park goers, including the removal of theme park reservations for date-based tickets. Consequently, visitors will have the freedom to decide on a whim which park to visit without needing to pre-plan. Additionally, the popular Disney dining plan will return that day, exclusively for guests staying on-site at a Walt Disney World hotel.
New Perks for Annual Passholders
Moreover, January will introduce “good-to-go” days for annual passholders, allowing them to visit the parks without needing reservations. This new incentive will be offered on select days at varying theme parks.
Updated Parking Fees
In conjunction with these announcements, Walt Disney World has increase standard theme park parking from $25 to $30, effective Wednesday. Disney Resort Hotel parking remains complimentary for overnight guests and those looking to enjoy on-site dining, shopping, and entertainment. Furthermore, all levels of Disney World’s annual passes have seen a price increase ranging from $30 to $50, depending on the specific pass type.
Planning a 2024 Walt Disney World Vacation
Families and individuals planning a Walt Disney World vacation in 2024 can take advantage of a variety of new park deals, which include dining discounts, half-off hotel and ticket packages, and much more.
This recent announcement also coincides with adjustments at Disneyland Resort, which include price increases for its annual passes, known as Magic Key, as well as multi-day and single-day theme park tickets and Genie+ services.
