All-day Park Hopping is Returning (Yay!) and Prices are Up (Boo!)

Walt Disney World has slowly but surely rolled back many of the pandemic era rules about park access. Previously announced updates have included news that, as of January 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for guests with date-based tickets and that Disney Dining Plans are returning in early 2024.

Today’s big news is that all-day Park Hopping is coming back for all guests with Hopping-enabled tickets. This update will also take place on January 9. You’ll recall that since the post-pandemic return of Park Hopping, guests had to wait until 2:00 p.m. to hop from one park to another. This return to pre-pandemic practice will greatly increase vacation flexibility for guests. For example, if you’re at the outdoor-intensive Animal Kingdom theme park and a severe rainstorm sets in during the late morning, you now have the ability to immediately hop to a park such as Epcot with more indoor activities rather than having to wait until 2:00.

But in addition to this good news, Disney has quietly raised prices in some areas. Basic theme park parking rates have increased from $25 to $30 per vehicle, per day.

Annual pass rates are up. Disney World’s most comprehensive AP, the Incredi-Pass previously cost $1,399 is now up to $1,499 (a 3.6% bump). The Sorcerer Pass, available for some Disney Vacation Club Members and Florida residents is up 3.1%, from $969 to $999. The Sorcerer Pass includes blackout dates around the winter holidays. The Pirate Pass, with additional blackout dates, is up $6.7%, from $749 to $799. And the most restrictive pass, the Pixie Pass, is up 10% from $399 to $439.

Another price increase, effective today, is the Memory Maker photo package. If purchased three days prior to travel, the Memory Maker now costs $185, up from the previous price of $169. Memory Marker packages purchased during or after your WDW visit now cost $210.

Dining increases have appeared in a number of locations, including many fixed-price character meals. And a number of special events such as tours and fireworks parties have also gone up.

One-day water park rates have increased by $5, up from $69 to a new price of $74.

How do you feel about today’s news? Let us know in the comments.