After a year stuck indoors, a lot of people are ready to travel again. If your plans take you to central Florida to visit Walt Disney World, you are in for a real treat. When Disney said that the 50th anniversary would be the Most Magical Celebration on Earth, they meant it! There are some exciting changes to planning for a Disney World trip that will make your time extra magical, as long as you know how to prepare for them. If you are a seasoned Disney pro or this is your first trip to visit the mouse, you’ll want to pay attention to the newest additions to planning a magical trip.
If reading the information below makes your head spin like you’ve just been riding the Mad Tea Party, I would love to help you. My concierge level planning services are completely complimentary when you book your trip with me and you will pay the same price that you would pay if you book your Walt Disney World vacation online.
Walt Disney World park reservations
In addition to a park ticket, you must have a park reservation for each day you want to use your ticket. When making your plans to visit the most magical place on earth, always check the Park Reservation Availability Calendar first. Every time I have visited Walt Disney World in the last 16 months, I see guests either at the turnstile or at the entrance to the parking area who are being turned away because they don’t have a park reservation. Many of these situations can be fixed quickly by making a reservation on their app, but there are days when one or more parks do not have availability. Plan early and make those park reservations!
Genie, Genie+, Lightning Lane
These are new services that are designed to maximize your time {and FUN!} at WDW. Disney Genie is a complimentary service, while Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane selections are a paid feature. Genie+ is basically the new and improved version of Fastpass+.
Dining reservations and mobile ordering
You can now make dining reservations 60 days prior to check-in. Many of the most popular restaurants fill up within minutes of opening their reservation windows. Learning how to mobile order in the My Disney Experience app is also a great tool to maximize your time while in the theme parks.
New for 2022
Disney’s complimentary Magical Express transportation from the airport to your Disney resort hotel has ended. There are several options for transportation to and from the Disney resort area including ride share, rental cars, and Mears Connect shuttles. Talk with your travel agent about what option is best for you!
Magic Band+
Magic Bands are no longer complimentary with your Disney resort package. In 2022, Disney will release the Magic Band+ which will allow guests more fun and interactive opportunities throughout the parks. Do you need a Magic Band? No. You can always store your tickets in your digital wallet or even get printed park tickets. Magic Bands just make it easier to open your Disney resort room door, pay for a purchase anywhere on Disney property, check into a Lightning Lane, and connect Disney photopass images to your account.
Galactic Starcruiser
The force will be strong with this experience! Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser is ready for launch March 1, 2022. Thinking of taking a trip to “a galaxy far, far away?” Reservations are open now for this fully immersive experience.
A vacation is the perfect gift
We started doing this a few years ago when I realized that my kids didn’t remember any of the material gifts they got for Christmas and birthdays, but they could remember and still laugh about all of the silliest little details of our vacations together. Who needs more stuff in your house? Trust me when I say, remembering when my sister got spit on by the camel at Disney is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
Use a travel agent
When you book a trip online, you are already paying for a travel agent, even if you do not use one. Why pay for services you are not getting? I am a Certified Travel Agent with extensive experience and training on all things Disney and would love to help you plan your trip. The amazing agency I work with, Magical Moments Vacations, is a DIAMOND earmarked agency- the highest distinction Disney awards to travel agencies! My concierge level services are no additional cost to you. I monitor prices and destination updates to make sure that you are getting the best experience for your hard earned money. I specialize in all Disney destinations, Universal Orlando Resort, all-inclusive vacations, Mexico and Caribbean trips, Europe, and Las Vegas. Even if you are not ready to travel, a like, share or follow on my Facebook page, would greatly help support my small business.
Connect with Shelly Martin, Magical Moments Vacations
About Shelly Martin
Shelly is a Houston mom who has been lucky enough to call Texas home for the last 15 years. She is a Certified Travel Agent who works with an amazing team at Magical Moments Vacations, a Disney Diamond earmarked agency. She has always loved traveling with her husband and adult children and making new memories with them, so she decided to pursue this career to share her love of travel with her clients and friends. Shelly is always very inspired and honored to be able to help her clients to turn their travel dreams into memories that will last a lifetime. Her hope is that the travel they plan together will allow her clients and their families to deepen their family bonds through sharing unique travel experiences that are carefully planned, stress free and designed to their unique needs, all without adding any extra costs!
Pin this post and be sure to follow
Houston Moms
on Pinterest!
