You now need a reservation to visit Disney World — here’s how the system works
Editor's Note
After being closed since mid-March, the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is set to reopen in just 22 days on July 11 with capped attendance capacity and a plethora of changes related to how the park operates. These changes are being made to reduce the risks surrounding the novel coronavirus.
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With just more than three weeks to go until reopening day, we now have greater insight into how you'll be able to secure a spot to enter the park and when ticket and hotel bookings will go back on sale.
Related: How Disney theme parks will change when they reopen
New Disney Park Pass system will manage park reservations
Book your entry into the theme park beginning June 22
According to the official Disney Parks Blog, if you currently hold both a Disney resort hotel booking and a valid theme park ticket, you will be able to make a reservation to enter the Disney theme parks beginning on June 22.
At first, you'll be limited to booking one theme park per day, as park hopping will be temporarily paused upon reopening. If you have a multiday ticket, you'll need to make a park reservation for each day you want to visit. Families and friends can link tickets together to arrange theme park entry bookings at the same time.
Related: 9 changes to expect when Disney hotel resorts reopen
Annual passholders without hotel bookings can make reservation beginning June 26
Those with a Disney World annual pass, but without a hotel booking, can make a reservation to enter the Disney World theme parks beginning on June 26.
If you're a passholder, you're invited to preview days at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 9 and 10.
Existing ticket holders can make entry reservations beginning on June 28
Those holding Disney World tickets without resort hotel bookings can make reservations to enter the park beginning on June 28.
Related: How to use points for Disney theme park tickets
Free MagicBands end on Jan. 1
For many years now, those staying at a Disney resort hotel have received free MagicBands for each stay. These MagicBands are used to open hotel room doors, charge purchases to the room, act as your theme park ticket, etc. While MagicBands will continue to work and be available for purchase (at a discount for resort guests), Disney is going to cease the free distribution of these brightly colored MagicBands and lean into the functionality of the My Disney Experience app, building on the app's existing digital key feature.
Related: These are the best Disney resort hotels
When will Disney tickets and hotels be available for new bookings?
Right now, only those with Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points at the ready can make a new Disney resort booking at a DVC property. However, by June 28, Disney will put new resort hotel packages and theme park tickets back on sale for arrivals beginning in 2021. You will be able to view theme park reservation availability before purchasing tickets.
We don't yet know for sure when Disney will put resorts and tickets on sale for 2020 visits, though Disney released a statement that said, "later this summer."
Related: How to stay at Disney resorts for less by renting DVC points
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween is out, modified Food and Wine is in
Yesterday, Disney World announced that the annual Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party won't happen this year. This is no surprise since Disney is pausing shows, parades and character meet-and-greets as we knew them upon reopening, and those are the things that make the Halloween party special.
However, Disney will operate a modified Food and Wine Festival at Epcot, beginning when the park reopens on July 15. Details are light, but there will be "over 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii, Hops & Barley and Islands of the Caribbean spaced out around the park."
Disney said that decisions about the annual Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and other seasonal holiday offerings in the parks have not been made yet.
There are things we still don't know
While Disney is now making progress releasing information about what will -- and won't be available -- when the parks reopen, how the reservation system will work, and more, big questions remain.
For example, we don't know when those with existing Disney hotel bookings, but who don't yet have theme park tickets, will be able to add those onto their package.
We also don't know how hard it will be to make a booking to enter the theme parks. Will it be as hard as it used to be to snag a Flight of Passage FastPass+ (extremely hard) or more of a formality you just need to take care of in advance? We simply don't know what the intersection of demand and availability will look like.
Another key detail is how a potential expanded virtual queuing ride pass system will work. Disney has used a virtual line system for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance since that attraction opened in December 2019, but using it for one ride is very different than potentially using it across the parks in a new way. At Universal Orlando's reopening, this expanded virtual ride system was not clearly announced ahead of time and led to some day-of confusion and disappointment.
Related: I was at Universal Orlando's reopening day -- here's how it went
Bottom line
If you want to walk down Main Street U.S.A. as soon as it reopens, now is the time to be sure that your resort reservations, annual pass or tickets are all properly linked to your My Disney Experience account for your whole party. For those with existing Disney hotel reservations and valid tickets, the day to start reserving your slot to enter the parks is Monday, June 22.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.