January 9 Is a BIG Day For Disney World Guests! Here’s Why

It is safe to say that visiting Walt Disney World Resort is not the same experience it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Granted, there are no longer mask mandates and social distancing requirements, but there are still some major rules in place. Guests are still required to make theme park reservations for the park they wish to start at. They are also not allowed to Park Hop before 2 p.m. every day.

However, come January 9, there will be some BIG changes taking place that will affect all guests visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth.

Let’s take a look!

End of Park Hopping Restrictions

As of right now, Walt Disney World Resort guests cannot go from one theme park to another until 2 p.m. This is very frustrating for guests when it comes to things like joining a virtual queue, booking a Lightning Lane, or making a dining reservation. However, beginning January 9, all-day park hopping will return, so book those reservations, since you will no longer have to worry!

End of Theme Park Reservations (Sort of)

This is probably the biggest complaint that guests have — and they have had it for years. Guests must pick which theme park they wish to start their day at — Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, EPCOT, or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s not just the reservation system that has guests upset, but the fact that they will be allowed to buy theme park tickets, but then their chosen park may not be available.

Related: Disney Takes Confusing Stance on Theme Park Reservations

On January 9, guests who purchase date-based tickets (like a 1 to 10-day Park Hopper) will no longer have to make a theme park reservation. Just like before COVID, they will be able to wake up and choose which theme park they want to start at.

Now, the reason this gets a “sort of” is because Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will still be required to make reservations. However, they will be given more days that Disney is calling “Good to Go” days. That means that, on those days, Annual Passholders will not have to make a park reservation.

Return of the Disney Dining Plan

That’s right, the Disney Dining Plan is FINALLY returning. The Disney Dining Plan was an incredibly popular option for guests, as it basically allowed them to pre-pay for the meals that they would have on their vacation. So, when they got there, they would only have to worry about paying for tips and alcoholic beverages.

There will be two dining plans available for guests — the Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan.

The Quick Service Dining Plan will cost $57 per day for adults and $23.83 for children aged three to nine. The Quick Service Dining Plan will include two quick-service meals per day, one snack (or non-alcoholic drink) per day, plus a refillable Resort mug.

The Disney Dining Plan will cost $94.28 per adult and $29.69 per child. The plan will include one quick service meal per day, one sit-down meal per day, one snack (or non-alcoholic drink) per day, as well as the refillable Resort mug.

Related: Disney Announces HUGE Dining Plan Discounts!

It should be noted that meals can be rolled over to the next day. Guests are given all of their dining credits at the beginning of their stay, and they can use them as they see fit.

There are so many big changes on the horizon at Walt Disney World Resort. So keep January 9 marked on your calendars!

Which change are you looking forward to most? 

This post originally appeared on Disney Fanatic.