Disney Annual Passholders Face New Restrictions as Starlight Parade Debuts!

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Similarly to enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the revival of a nocturnal procession, “Starlight,” at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Disney has unveiled a significant change in their policies. This alteration might have substantial implications for Annual Passholders who wish to witness the premiere.

Beginning July 20, 2025, the same day Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away opens, Annual Passholders will encounter new restrictions on their visits to Magic Kingdom. It seems that Disney is making this move to control crowd sizes for the eagerly awaited parade, and so they are temporarily re-implementing a reservation system for all Passholder trips to Magic Kingdom, regardless of the time of day.

Although Disney’s current reservation system, implemented during lockdown times, continues, this latest policy essentially tightens restrictions that previously enabled guests to visit the Magic Kingdom on weekdays past 2 PM without a reservation, as the previous setup had been more relaxed.

As I sit here on May 29th at 9:30 a.m., I can’t help but share some exciting news for fellow Disney enthusiasts! If you’ve been waiting to plan your next magical adventure, listen up! Guess what? As I check the calendar, it looks like there are still Magic Kingdom reservations available for July 20th (and every other day in July, including July 4th)! Isn’t that fantastic news? So grab those Mickey ears and let’s head to the Happiest Place on Earth!

What’s Changing for Disney Annual Passholders?

Effective July 20, 2025:

  • Disney World Annual Passholders will need a theme park reservation to enter Magic Kingdom at any time, even after 2:00 p.m. on weekdays
  • This overrides the typical post-2:00 p.m. freedom that Passholders have enjoyed since the easing of restrictions earlier this year.
  • Park hopping remains available, but Passholders must first scan into their reserved starting park (EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom) before hopping to Magic Kingdom.
  • Capacity limits will apply at Magic Kingdom, meaning Passholders attempting to hop over in the evening may be turned away if the park reaches its limit.

In the meantime, the remaining three Disney parks (EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom) continue as usual. Passholders are still able to visit these parks after 2:0m without a reservation, assuming there are no blockout dates. However, it is currently uncertain whether passholders who enter another park after 2 pm without a reservation can then proceed to Magic Kingdom via park hopping.

Why Now?

It’s not just happenstance – Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away signals a fresh start for nighttime spectacles at Magic Kingdom, as it’s been since Main Street Electrical Parade wrapped up in 2016. The anticipation is running high, with both devoted fans and locals buzzing about this revival, lots of them being Annual Passholders who can’t wait to rekindle the enchantment they felt during iconic parades like SpectroMagic.

To restrict entry to Magic Kingdom, Disney is evidently trying to alleviate overcrowding problems, particularly in the early stages of the parade’s debut. However, this move has sparked concern among long-standing Disney Passholders who perceive these restrictions as a recurring trend that curtails their access during popular events such as the Starlight rollout.

What Passholders Should Know

For those holding an annual pass at Walt Disney World, it’s important to note that booking for Starlight events can be tricky due to limited spots available. Availability might change rapidly, particularly during evenings and weekends when demand is higher.

For lower-tier Annual Passes, the blockout dates will continue to be in effect, as they have not been altered under the latest policy change.

If you don’t have a reservation for Magic Kingdom on July 20 or any dates following, it might be wise to book another park and try park-hopping as an alternative. Keep in mind that this doesn’t guarantee entry, but it’s extremely unusual for Magic Kingdom to reach capacity, especially considering it hasn’t happened in a long time. In the past, such capacity was common on special days like July 4th or New Year’s Eve; however, attendance for these holidays has been significantly lower over the last few years.

It’s still quite plausible that Disney might reduce capacity on certain days, but it appears rather unusual.

Up until July 20th, passholders can access the parks after 2 p.m. without a reservation, with the exception of Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom where a reservation is still needed. Good-to-Go days (days without any park reservations) continue to be valid until July 20th as per the regular reservation schedule. It’s currently uncertain how Good-to-Go days will operate after July 20th or if Disney might temporarily halt them during the rollout of Starlight.

Bottom Line

Disney anticipates a large turnout for Starlight, urging annual passholders to make preparations in advance to avoid disappointment. This strategic decision highlights the significant importance Disney places on reintroducing their popular nighttime parade tradition.

For any Disney annual passholder eagerly waiting to see Starlight’s debut, don’t forget to secure your reservation promptly.

Keep an eye on That Park Place for further developments, as we closely monitor the evolutions within Disney’s booking system and park activities.

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2025-05-29 16:56