APRs no longer needed for 2024, Genie+ changes also coming

For once something worked in our favor. We opted not to buy APs at this time, for many reasons, one was the need for reservations, another was the 7am wake up to book ILLs and VQs, also because we had just paid Uncle Sam his due. And we usually only go once a year, and if we go more, it’s a resort only trip. We are here now and were discussing downsizing some points since all the planning is not our style. I am over it all and it’s only day 4 (I was over it on day two lol). A perfect example, we had paid for an ILL for RotR yesterday. Before we even left the room it was “temporarily closed”. it didn’t open until around 3pm. We had already went to GS and requested a refund and left the par before it opened.

Waiting for the bus to Epcot last night I read the news about reservations. I was literally dancing at the bus stop. We will stick with our date based hopper tickets at least for now, since they make sense for us. If they then allow us to plan ILL and VQ ahead of time, that will give us flexibility to change parks on the fly based on what we do/don’t get for ILL/VQ. We are excited. But I am surprised they didn’t just get rid of reservations all together. Maybe it’s coming and they are doing it in phases?

Also find it interesting they made this announcement after opening up AP sales. Not really cool Disney.

I am sorry this messes things up for many of you.

Dining plan I don’t care about. We never use it, I think it will be pricey and include less and there won’t be much value in it. But people will buy it.

Off the get ready, got VQ BG 42 for Tron today.

I am encouraged by the upcoming changes but requiring AP holders to still make reservations is crazy. I am hoping the required dates will be during Thanksgiving and Christmas only.

I am holding out hope that the need for APs to make park reservations will apply only to those not staying on site. They have a different "bucket" for park reservations for AP holders w/on-site reservations, so maybe?

And now if only they'd kill the "no hopping til 2" rule, I wouldn't have anything to complain about! Grin....

Still, it's getting better. Yes, it's getting better.

From Disney's announcements, it appears to me that they are removing the ticket "bucket" of AP holders staying on site. Which leaves only AP and non-AP guests. Very disheartening to learn that AP and DVC members are still considered to be undesirables.

From Disney's point of view, the reservation provided good data. They knew how many people were coming, and when.

With a date based ticket, they know you're coming to a park, just not which one. So, they still have some data, even if it's not complete.

But, with an AP, you could show up unannounced at any time. So they lose all data.


This, I think, is why AP folks still need reservations - but, I'm also hopeful that good to go days will be plentiful, and perhaps reservations will only be required during the busiest times.

Agreed!  Perhaps those with hotel reservations won't need park reservations in the near future. We can hope!

Do they have a different bucket? Honestly, I am not sure I ever saw proof of that.

And yes, the 2pm hopping rule is awful and needs to go!