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First trip in 9 year - What do I need to know?
- Thread starter mp2bill
- Start date
StarshipDisney
Well-Known Member
I hate to say it...but get ready for disappointment and go with low expectations. So many good things have gone south since 2013. Better read up on Disney Genie. Also, no package delivery back to resort, only trams are at Magic Kingdom, no Fantasmic yet...
I am afraid the "diminishment list" list is long. Best wishes on your trip. We are going in December with low expectations.
I am afraid the "diminishment list" list is long. Best wishes on your trip. We are going in December with low expectations.
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heatherhy01
Well-Known Member
Be sure to study, study, study up on all things park related. Reading through these threads have helped a lot! If you have questions, be sure to ask. Number one- Make sure you plan ahead and make park reservations for whatever park you plan on doing each day. Second-Genie+ or no Genie+.
Have fun planning. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip
Have fun planning. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip
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We love Edna Mode
Active Member
It’s going to be different…not better, not worse. It will still be FUN but you may have to do a bit more planning. Do your park reservations and have some kind of plan but don’t be tied to an itinerary. It’s still Disney and you will enjoy yourself! Go with an open mind and see what comes your way. One year we were upgraded to club level and one year we were upgraded to the Grand Floridian. We never saw that coming and just went with the flow. You will still have an amazing time!!
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1. there is a park reservation system. Make sure you plan ahead the parks you want to go to
2. 60 days for dining reservations instead of 180
3. can only park hop after 2 p.m. if you are park hopping
4. Magic bands are a convenient way to store tickets, room key, and credit card electronically. Magic band + is releasing soon and will have more interaction with items in the parks.
5. if staying on property you get to enter the parks 30 minutes before everyone else. it doesn't seem like a lot but you can get 2-3 attractions done in that time or 1 big headliner.
6. Mobile Ordering. Its best to order your food through the My Disney Experience App way ahead of when you want to eat. This ensures you get to eat when you want to. No need to queue up and wait 30-40 minutes at lunch time
7. Make sure you download the My Disney Experience App and get familiar with it. Bring a battery back up for your phone
8. Decide whether you want Genie + or not. do some research and see if it is right for you and your family.
9. Read the blogs and listen to the pod casts to ensure you are up to date on what is happening
10. No more magical express. look for other means to get to the hotel
11. Disney Springs was redone in the past 9 years. lots of restaurants, shopping, and snacks.
I'm sure there are more changes, but those are the ones that popped into my head right away.
Edit - changed the dining reservation time based on feedback. Thanks
2. 60 days for dining reservations instead of 180
3. can only park hop after 2 p.m. if you are park hopping
4. Magic bands are a convenient way to store tickets, room key, and credit card electronically. Magic band + is releasing soon and will have more interaction with items in the parks.
5. if staying on property you get to enter the parks 30 minutes before everyone else. it doesn't seem like a lot but you can get 2-3 attractions done in that time or 1 big headliner.
6. Mobile Ordering. Its best to order your food through the My Disney Experience App way ahead of when you want to eat. This ensures you get to eat when you want to. No need to queue up and wait 30-40 minutes at lunch time
7. Make sure you download the My Disney Experience App and get familiar with it. Bring a battery back up for your phone
8. Decide whether you want Genie + or not. do some research and see if it is right for you and your family.
9. Read the blogs and listen to the pod casts to ensure you are up to date on what is happening
10. No more magical express. look for other means to get to the hotel
11. Disney Springs was redone in the past 9 years. lots of restaurants, shopping, and snacks.
I'm sure there are more changes, but those are the ones that popped into my head right away.
Edit - changed the dining reservation time based on feedback. Thanks
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Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I am looking forward to your trip report as you will see many changes since 2013 (the good ol' days
)Here is my list:
Make sure you have the latest MDE app on your phone(s)
Make sure all your family is listed in the app.
Make park pass reservations for everyone in your family for each day you want to a park.
Learn about Genie, Genie+ and Individual Lighting Lane.
You will probably want to pay the $15 per person, per day for the Genie+
Be ready to make your Genie+ selections at 7AM everyday.
And probably the most significant change since 2013, PRICES FOR EVERYTHING have gone up a lot.
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Weather_Lady
Well-Known Member
All of what the previous posters said, plus:
- be aware of restrictions related to date-specific multi-day ticket use (e.g., how many days you have to use your ticket once you start)
- be aware of parkhopping restrictions (only permitted after 2pm, and only after you've tapped in to the park you reserved)
- you probably already know this, but be aware that Disney's Magical Express bus service (free ground transportation from the airport to Disney hotels) was discontinued as of January 1, 2022
- parking fees were imposed at Disney onsite hotels in 2018, and since 2020, full daily housekeeping has been replaced with periodic trash-and-towel service
- Extra Magic Hours at the parks were abolished, and eventually replaced with Early Entry, whereby onsite guests can enter their reserved park 30 minutes early every morning, and deluxe onsite guests get an extra couple of evening hours at Epcot one day per week, and MK one day per week
- policies have been introduced to discourage resort/pool "hopping," including fences around the hotel pools that need to be unlocked with your MagicBand or room key, and increased monitoring of parking lots at hotels like the Contemporary, to prohibit access by those who don't have a room or dining reservation
- mobile ordering of food and snacks from a host of dining locations is now available through the MDE app
- be aware of what attractions, if any (e.g., Guardians of the Galaxy), won't offer a standby line during your visit, and can only be accessed via a virtual line (reserved through the app at or after a designated time, until sold out) or an upcharged ILL purchase
- a walkway was constructed that runs from MK down to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, which can be very handy if you're staying at or visiting either of those resorts
- among many other dramatic events over the last 9 years, the 'Ohana dinner menu was savaged in 2021, the noodles were removed, Disney tried to force-feed people an abomination called "Island Shrimp Casserole," public backlash ensued, and the noodles came back: it was a whole thing
If your library carries any current (2022 edition) WDW guides, I'd check them out, or consider purchasing a new copy of the Unofficial Guide (or subscribing to touringplans.com -- which would allow you to create some personalized touring plans and get an idea of whether Genie+ will be helpful or not. In mid-August, crowds can take a little dip, and you may find that adding the extra layer of complication that Genie+ brings may not be necessary).
Basically, just prepare for this vacation as though you've never been to WDW before, and enjoy anticipating the attractions that will be new to you.
- be aware of restrictions related to date-specific multi-day ticket use (e.g., how many days you have to use your ticket once you start)
- be aware of parkhopping restrictions (only permitted after 2pm, and only after you've tapped in to the park you reserved)
- you probably already know this, but be aware that Disney's Magical Express bus service (free ground transportation from the airport to Disney hotels) was discontinued as of January 1, 2022
- parking fees were imposed at Disney onsite hotels in 2018, and since 2020, full daily housekeeping has been replaced with periodic trash-and-towel service
- Extra Magic Hours at the parks were abolished, and eventually replaced with Early Entry, whereby onsite guests can enter their reserved park 30 minutes early every morning, and deluxe onsite guests get an extra couple of evening hours at Epcot one day per week, and MK one day per week
- policies have been introduced to discourage resort/pool "hopping," including fences around the hotel pools that need to be unlocked with your MagicBand or room key, and increased monitoring of parking lots at hotels like the Contemporary, to prohibit access by those who don't have a room or dining reservation
- mobile ordering of food and snacks from a host of dining locations is now available through the MDE app
- be aware of what attractions, if any (e.g., Guardians of the Galaxy), won't offer a standby line during your visit, and can only be accessed via a virtual line (reserved through the app at or after a designated time, until sold out) or an upcharged ILL purchase
- a walkway was constructed that runs from MK down to the Grand Floridian and Polynesian, which can be very handy if you're staying at or visiting either of those resorts
- among many other dramatic events over the last 9 years, the 'Ohana dinner menu was savaged in 2021, the noodles were removed, Disney tried to force-feed people an abomination called "Island Shrimp Casserole," public backlash ensued, and the noodles came back: it was a whole thing
If your library carries any current (2022 edition) WDW guides, I'd check them out, or consider purchasing a new copy of the Unofficial Guide (or subscribing to touringplans.com -- which would allow you to create some personalized touring plans and get an idea of whether Genie+ will be helpful or not. In mid-August, crowds can take a little dip, and you may find that adding the extra layer of complication that Genie+ brings may not be necessary).
Basically, just prepare for this vacation as though you've never been to WDW before, and enjoy anticipating the attractions that will be new to you.
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Yeahhhhhh...I've been listening to some podcasts and have been noting some of these things that they've taken way that the hosts mention in passing. I am already kind of disappointed.
I did not know about the package delivery or trams (I had heard that they'd been pulled back on, but did not know they weren't at 75% of the parks). Is this something new since Covid, or did they already pull back on the trams and stop doing Fantasmic and package delivery before 2020?
Thanks for your reply.
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That's what I had heard.
I also heard that they increase early entry to an hour. Was that incorrect?
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Worldlover71
Well-Known Member
No, it is still only 30 minutes, but you should plan on being at the park an hour before the official opening time so you can take full advantage of that 30 minutes.
Trams are coming back to Animal Kingdom this month and there is a good chance the other two park will also get them back soon. Fantasmic! should also return before your visit.
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MoragL
Member
I am also hopefully going back in October after 5 years. A lot has changed and hoping there will be more threads on Genie+ and if people are finding it worth the money. Seems like most of your day will be staring at your phone - not thrilled with the changes but still excited to finally be going back.
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Truly helpful advice for the original poster.
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DryerLintFan
Premium Member
Not sure if you have kids in your party, but I haven't seen it mentioned that character meets and dining are still wonky.
You don't need a magic band for your trip, but if you can afford one they do make things easier, imo.
Genie plus seems to really suck in a few important ways, so be sure to read up on that so you're prepared. I know that's mentioned already I just wanted to double down on that so you were focused on it.
You don't need a magic band for your trip, but if you can afford one they do make things easier, imo.
Genie plus seems to really suck in a few important ways, so be sure to read up on that so you're prepared. I know that's mentioned already I just wanted to double down on that so you were focused on it.
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