Disney Limits Access for Annual Passholders Due to Demand for New Entertainment

Walt Disney World’s highly anticipated new nighttime parade debuts July 20 at Magic Kingdom and Disney is already preparing for the upcoming demand.

Walt Disney World released information today that limits access to Magic Kingdom for Annual Passholders temporarily due to the expected crowds that will turn out to see Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away.

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Annual Passholders Must Have Magic Kingdom Reservation

Due to anticipated high demand for the debut of the Disney Starlight parade on July 20, 2025, Annual Passholders will be required to secure a theme park reservation for Magic Kingdom.

This includes after 2:00 PM which previously did not require a reservation to visit. Passholders will continue to be able to enter EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park after 2:00 PM without a theme park reservation.

Before the start date of Disney Starlight on July 20, Annual Passholders may continue to visit the theme parks without a theme park reservation on a good-to-go day or after 2:00 PM (except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom park).

There was nothing shared in the update regarding park hopping changes. It’s likely that Annual Passholders can still hop to Magic Kingdom as long as they scanned into the park they held a reservation for first.

Disney Starlight is one of the most highly anticipated summer events and news of its opening was shared along with the debut of Cool Kid Summer character interactions and the start of the updated Little Mermaid and Disney Villains shows at Hollywood Studios.

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Disney Starlight will feature a finale float inspired by the iconic Main Street Electrical Parade along with new merchandise coming to Walt Disney World.

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