In an attempt to help balance out crowd levels on its busiest days, Disneyland is adding a new style of annual pass to its lineup. The Disney Flex Passport offers many of the same benefits as a regular AP (no parking though) at a lower price, but during the parks busiest times, Flex pass holders will be required to obtain a reservation to visit the park that day.
With Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge predicted to increase attendance at Disneyland starting in late June when it opens to guests without those reservations that sold out in two hours earlier in May.
The pass includes ‘Good to go’ days when no reservation is required, ‘reservation required’ days, and blackout days. When a reservation is required, just head online or on the Disneyland app up to 30 days ahead and try to secure your date. You can hold 2 reservations during any 30-day window.
On reservation required days, Disneyland will limit the number of slots available to Flex Pass holders each day, but they won’t tell you how many are open. So plan your two reservation days well.
To discourage no shows, you’re only allowed to miss two before you’re banned from making new reservations for 30 days. If you make a two-park reservation (both DCA and DL on the same day) you only need to visit one to avoid being a no-show.
This pass isn’t for everyone. Disneyland has designed it for those families who visit once a month of so but buy the annual pass because it’s a price saving over buying regular admission. Disney hopes these families will now pick less busy days to attend the park.
‘Good to go’ dates are mostly week days Monday through Thursday with a few Fridays in winter. Reservations are required for all Saturdays and Sundays, most Fridays and popular summer weekdays. The blackout period starts before Christmas (Dec 21) and runs through Jan 4. Calendars for Disneyland and DCA differ slightly.
Learn about the new Disney Flex Passport in this video:
Accordingly the price for the new Flex pass is less than the Deluxe AP ($799). It sort of takes the place of the old Southern California pass. The Flex pass is a good value at $599 as it will pay for itself in less than 6 visits. If you go once per month that’s a great savings.