New things are being announced and existing things are changing literally every day at the Disney parks. It’s hard to keep up. Here’s a quick summary for you, at least of some of the big things as of mid June. There are too many to list every single thing.
- Disneyland Paris has finally reopened, so all Disney Parks around the world are now open.
- Disneyland California has reopened to out of state guests too.
- Most important: Park reservations are still needed in all parks, in addition to your park ticket, and they do run out fast! Check for availability before you buy your park tickets or lock in hotel or flights incase you need to adjust your dates based on availability.
- PhotoPass photographers are now allowed to use your phone/camera to take pictures for you again. Though, there is also a relatively new 1 day PhotoPass plan if you want a limited, cheaper plan.
- They are no longer providing free MagicBands for resort guests. You can still buy them for $10+, or use a previous one though.
- For Disney World FL, you can set up Mobile Pass on your phone now, like a digital version of your MagicBand, if you don’t want to wear a MagicBand. It can be stored in your digital wallet and tied to an Apple watch so you can scan that instead of your phone everywhere where you’d scan your magic band.
- Disney World FL advanced dining reservations now start booking at 60 days before your check-in date.
- Disney World FL nighttime shows are returning on July 1st at Magic Kingdom, “Happily Ever After”, and Epcot, “Epcot Forever”.
- Disney World FL announced the Boo Bash after party event, which replaces the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party this year. Tix on sale now.
- Disney World FL has announced events opening Oct 1st for the Magic Kingdom 50th Anniversary – Magic Kingdom “Disney Enchantment” nighttime show, Epcot “Harmonious” nighttime show and new Remy ride, Animal Kingdom “Kite Tails” daytime show.
- Many favorite restaurants and resorts are finally re-opening again.
- All previously buffet style restaurants are serving food platters to your table family style instead but still all-you-can-eat.
- Menu items at all restaurants may still be reduced, though starting to expand again, so check the posted menu on the actual Disney site or app for the latest n greatest to make sure your favorites are there.
- Masks are optional for guests and cast members in all park areas besides the Disney monorail, buses, and Skyliners.
- Social distancing restrictions and plexiglass dividers have been removed in most stores, queues, and ride cars.
- Ride pre-shows are returning.
- Disney rides and transportation are loading at full capacity, including multiple parties together.
- Single rider lines are returning on most rides also.
- Mobile ordering is strongly encouraged in most quick service restaurants. It’s great actually, cuts your wait time tremendously.
- FastPasses and dining plans are still not back, so plan your ride and food strategy accordingly.
- Rope drop is available at most parks again, where they are likely to let you in the parks almost an hour before park opening.
- Parking lots may not let you in as early if you’re not using Disney transportation though, so use Disney transportation if you’re rope dropping.
- Learn the strategies for getting boarding groups for rides with virtual queues beforehand – Rise of the Resistance in FL and CA and the new Spiderman ride in CA.
- The new Marvel land, Avengers Campus, has opened in CA.
- Disney World’s Magical Express will no longer mail you a confirmation letter for check-in. As long as you’ve added your flight info to your resort reservation, you can just use your magic band to scan into the Magical Express check-in at the airport. If you don’t have your magic band yet, they can look up your reservation there. If you have a magic band from a previous trip that you haven’t deactivated, then you can still use that.
- Magical Express is ending at the end of 2021, but there will likely be another transportation option to the resorts.
- Disney Cruise Lines has revealed more details about their newest ship, the Disney Wish. Inaugural sailings will start in June 2022 and sailings through Dec 2022 are open for booking now.
OK, this list got pretty long and there are more. See, there are just so many recent changes. Feel free to contact me if you want more info about any of these points, or anything else.
Adventures By Anne 