If you’re one of Disney World’s loyal Annual Passholders, brace yourself—your Magic Kingdom visits are about to get a little more complicated.
Starting July 20, Disney’s changing the game for how and when passholders can enter the park, and it’s all tied to the buzz around a brand-new parade.
New Parade Prompts Big Policy Shift
For years, Annual Passholders had it pretty good.
As long as it was a “good-to-go” day or after 2 p.m., you could stroll into any of Disney World’s parks without a reservation.
But now, that perk is disappearing—at least for the Magic Kingdom.
Beginning July 20, you’ll always need a reservation if you want to enter Magic Kingdom, no matter the day or time.
The change comes just as Disney gears up to unveil its new showstopper parade, Starlight: Dream the Night Away.
Unsurprisingly, it’s expected to draw huge crowds.
Disney Sends Out Warnings to Fans
To make sure fans aren’t caught off guard, Disney has already started alerting passholders through the Walt Disney World Resort website and the My Disney Experience app.
A clear message is now visible: starting July 20, no exceptions—reservations are mandatory to visit the Magic Kingdom.
Thankfully, the other three parks—Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios—aren’t affected by this change (at least for now).
You’ll still be able to visit them after 2 p.m. without a reservation.
How Much Are These Annual Passes Anyway?
Disney’s Annual Passes aren’t exactly pocket change.
Depending on the type of pass, prices currently range from $469 to $1,549 per year.
Some passes like the Pixie Dust, Pirate, and Sorcerer Passes are exclusive to Florida residents, while the top-tier Incredi-Pass is open to anyone.
The level of membership also determines how many park reservations you can hold at once and which blockout dates apply.
Ticket Prices Are Sneaking Up for 2026
If you’re planning a trip next year, get ready to pay a bit more.
Disney released its 2026 ticket pricing, and things are getting pricier across the board. One-day tickets have gone up by about $10 each compared to this year.
Here’s how some of the increases look:
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Animal Kingdom: from $169 to $179
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EPCOT: from $184 to $194
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Hollywood Studios: from $184 to $199 (the steepest jump)
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Magic Kingdom: still at $199 per day
So far, Magic Kingdom has held its price steady—but how long that lasts is anyone’s guess.
Is a Fifth Disney World Park on the Horizon?
Now here’s where things get really exciting.
Earlier this year, a 2045 Comprehensive Plan from the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District revealed that Disney might have big dreams for expansion.
Think: one major theme park and two smaller ones.
The potential new park could cover 400 to 500 acres—making it the biggest addition to Disney World in decades.
Meanwhile, the two “minor” parks (most likely water parks) would each span about 147 acres.
If this all comes together, it would mark Disney’s first brand-new gate since Animal Kingdom opened in 1998.
So far, there’s no official word from Disney about when or if this fifth park will become a reality, but the blueprints have certainly stirred up excitement.
Fans Are Watching Closely for What Comes Next
Between rising ticket prices, new parade hype, and whispers of a major expansion, Disney World’s shaping up to have a pretty wild couple of years ahead.
For Annual Passholders, the ride just got a bit more structured—but for Disney fans, it might just be the beginning of a whole new adventure.
