To follow up on my post yesterday about Annual Pass Price Increases, here are some other changes for park access:

• Starting Jan 9, 2024, most ticket holders, including annual pass holders and cast members, will no longer need to make park reservations on certain “good-to-go” dates. No details yet but I imagine they will be the projected lower crowd days.
• At the same time, guests with Park Hopper tickets or Annual Passes can start hopping at any time. You no longer have to wait until after 2pm to hop. If it’s a day that requires a park reservation, you still have to scan into your reserved park first before hopping.

Here are some additional price increases that occurred:

• Standard theme park parking increased from $25 to $30 ($35 for oversized vehicles), which actually matches the parking at other Florida theme parks. Preferred parking ranges from $45-$55 depending on dynamic pricing. It is still free for Disney resort guests and annual pass holders.
• The Memory Maker photo downloads increased from $69 to $75 for one-day access and $169 to $185 for length of trip access, if you buy it before your trip. If you buy it during or after your trip, it goes up from $199 to $210.
• Water park tickets increased to $74 for adults and $68 for children.
• Mini golf tickets increased to $19 for adults but still $12 for children.
• Prices for various snacks, restaurants, and dessert parties have also increased ranging from several cents to several dollars. There are way too many to list them all here but the menus on the Disney World official site and app have been updated to reflect the new prices. Each individual item increase is not too significant but they could add up so plan your food budget accordingly. Note: the Disney Dining Plan also returns in January so this could affect your calculation on whether that plan is worthwhile to you now.

Similar increases were made at Disneyland in California as well. I’ll have a post about those changes coming up next. Stay tuned…

As of today, October 11, 2023, prices for the Disney World Annual Passes have increased about $50 each.

The price for standard tickets have not changed yet but who knows if they’re coming next. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up if you’re considering buying tickets for an upcoming trip. Buy them ASAP!

Here are the new prices for annual passes. Do the math and see if they could be worth buying if you have more than two or three trips planned for a given 12 month period. They start when you make your first entry into a park with them and good for 365 days after that. There are discounts for merchandise and dining, as well as other passholder benefits too, that could all add up to make it worthwhile.

We have been passholders for many years now. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat about becoming a passholder or would like me to help you book your standard tickets.

Pics ©Disney

Not to be outdone by EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, this year’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World will take place on select nights from November 9, 2023 to December 22, 2023. It goes from 7pm – midnight ET, though you can get into the park after 4pm with the party ticket. No park reservations are necessary for the party.

Throughout the evening, you can:

• Delight in the amazingly festive Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show!
• Gather to watch Disney Characters give a yuletide nod to the season during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
• Head over to Cinderella Castle for a yuletide stage show, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration!
• Get the perfect picture and Magic Shots with Disney pals dressed in their Christmas best!
• Make your night extra sweet when you explore the park searching for cookies and cocoa, plus many other holiday treats and merch. 
• Dance the night away at several dance parties with your favorite characters.
• Take in the elaborate decorations that bring the spirit of the season to life!
• Enjoy lower crowds on rides and shows, some with holiday overlays and decor.
• Meet Santa!

Tickets range from $149 – $199. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket.
Tickets are on sale now and the first two days are already sold out. If this is a must-do and you’re limited to certain days, you may want to buy your tickets ASAP.

If you’re not going to the party and you only have one Magic Kingdom day, you may want to go to a different park on a party day since Magic Kingdom will close early to non-party guests. If you do have multiple Magic Kingdom days, then you may actually want to go to Magic Kingdom on a party day since crowds may be lower from other non-party-goers avoiding a short day there.

For more details on the party and to buy tickets, go to:

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

We’ve been to this party in the past and it was pretty fun. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about this or to help book your party tickets.

©Disney

Disney World has announced the 2023 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays! It will be held this year from November 24, 2023 to December 30, 2023, with additional holiday foods, activities, and merch.

Storytellers around the World Showcase will share the holiday traditions celebrated by diverse cultures around the world. The JOYFUL! ensemble will sing uplifting Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs of Christmas and Kwanzaa. Many food pavilions will feature holiday favorites. Of course, the park will also be decked out in its holiday finest.

One of the most popular events of the festival is the Candlelight Processional. You can see “a celebrity narrator tell the story of Christmas, recounting the biblical tale of a savior born in Bethlehem. Woven into the production are stirring songs of hope and joy performed by the orchestra and massed choir.” It is a very beautiful production!

Shows take place at 5:15 PM, 7:00 PM, or 8:30 PM at the America Gardens Theatre at EPCOT at no additional cost besides your park ticket. However, if you want to guarantee seats, you can also purchase a Candlelight Processional Dining Package that provides a meal and seating entry for that day. Tickets go on sale October 17, 2023.

The schedule of celebrity narrators is subject to change, but here are the ones that have been revealed so far. Certain ones can get very popular so plan to line up very early or book a dining package that includes tickets to the show.

Note: narrators can change. Check the official Disney festival page for the most recent updates on the schedule and additional details about the festival.

• EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

This is another fun EPCOT festival that we love. Feel free to contact me if you want to chat more about this or if you want me to help plan your trip.

Happy Holidays!

©Disney

Disney World announced some policy changes due to the impending Hurricane Idalia approaching Florida.

As of August 28, 2023, change and cancellation fees imposed by Disney will be waived for check-in dates of August 28, 2023 through September 5, 2023. Guests already staying at Disney Resort hotels whose travel plans have been impacted by the storm may receive a discounted rate to extend their stay through the evening of August 31, if needed, by visiting the front desk. Fort Wilderness guests are asked to remove and stow all outside items, including décor, and take in camper awnings.

Florida residents evacuating from the storm and first responders assisting in storm-related recovery efforts may also receive 50% off Disney Resort hotel stays on the evenings of August 29-31, 2023. For evacuees, please call (407) W-DISNEY for details. For first responders, please call (407) 828-3200 (Option 3). This applies to new bookings only and is based on availability.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, and Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will be closed on August 30.

Walt Disney World resorts and parks are currently operating under normal conditions with normal park hours.

Of course, any of this could change as they monitor the storm. For the latest updates, visit the Disney Weather Updates page.

If you’re in the path of the storm, I hope you stay safe. Crossing my fingers for you!

@Disney