Annual Disney World passholders are set for a major change to the reservation system, which will limit access to the Magic Kingdom.
The famous Orlando theme park has begun sending out warnings regarding upcoming restrictions for its most dedicated guests, starting July 20.
Previously, Annual Passholders were allowed to visit the parks without having a reservation on a good-to-go day or on any day after 2 pm.
But starting July 20, they will need a valid reservation if they want to visit the Magic Kingdom at any time.
The changes have reportedly been made due to the high demand of the new Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade, which debuts on July 20.
As per Inside The Magic, notifications have been added to the Walt Disney World Resort website as well as the My Disney Experience app, reminding passholders that they’ll soon need to make a theme park reservation if they want to enter the Magic Kingdom.
Guests will still be able to visit Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios after 2 pm without making a reservation.
The website reads: ‘For dates starting July 20th, for a limited time, Annual Passholders will need to make park pass reservations for Magic Kingdom no matter the day of the week OR the time of day.’
Annual Disney World passholders are set for a major change to the reservation system, which will limit access to the Magic Kingdom
As per the Disney World website, prices range from $469 to $1,549 per year for annual passes, depending on the package.
The Disney Pixie Dust Pass, Disney Pirate Pass, and Disney Sorcerer Pass are only available to Florida residents, while the most expensive option, the Disney Incredi-Pass, is available to anyone.
The tier of membership chosen affects how many park reservation they can make per visit and what blockout dates (pass type is not valid for park admission) affect them.
In April, Walt Disney World released its 2026 tickets, any eagle-eyed observers noticed the costs have increased.
Prices for one-day tickets to Disney World in Florida have increased by roughly $10 for January to October 2026, depending on which package visitors choose.
For example, the maximum price for a one-day ticket to Disney’s Animal Kingdom rose from $169 in 2025 to $179 in 2026.
Similarly a one-day visit to EPCOT will soon cost $194, up from $184 for tickets for January to October this year.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios currently costs up to $184 but will rise to $199 next year – the highest increase of any ticket so far. A one-day ticket to Magic Kingdom remained constant at $199.
Previously, Passholders were allowed to visit the parks without having a reservationafter 2 pm. But starting July 20, they will need a valid reservation if they want to visit the Magic Kingdom
Passholders will continue to be able to enter EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park after 2 pm without a theme park reservation. Pictured is EPCOT
Earlier this year, a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District showed potential plans for Disney to build a fifth sprawling theme park
Earlier this year, Disney fans could hardly contain their excitement after a new Comprehensive Plan 2045 from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District showed potential plans for Disney to build a fifth sprawling theme park.
The plans detailed a reserved development capacity for another ‘major theme park’ and two ‘minor theme parks’ that could be built over the next few decades.
The expansion at the Orlando resort could be expansive – mirroring the scale of other popular parks such as Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The documents allotted 400 to 500 acres for the new park which would be Disney’s first all-new gate in over 25 years.
It is thought that the two smaller parks will be water parks, spanning an estimated 147 acres each.
Disney fans have been eager for a new park since the last grand opening was Animal Kingdom way back in 1998.
Walt Disney World has not officially confirmed a fifth Florida theme park – but DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.
