Whether you’ve been to Walt Disney World one time or one hundred times, there’s always something new to do. And right now, there’s a ton! Besides the opening of Pandora, the World’s newest land located at Animal Kingdom, there are seven other fun and functional new experiences you’ve gotta try!
Mobile Ordering
has been offered since May 2017, and now it’s expanded to more locations! Mobile Ordering allows guests to use their My Disney Experience app to pre-order and pre-pay for meals at counter service locations.
Mobile Ordering lets participating guests bypass the ordering queue and go directly to the Order Pick-Up window. No more waiting in long lines to order your nuggets, y’all!
And since the current participating restaurants include crowd favorites like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Magic Kingdom, Flame Tree Barbecue in Animal Kingdom, and D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs, this is likely to save you copious amounts of time!
Mobile Order Pick Up
We’ve got some step-by-step instructions to help you navigate the app, so give it a go, and let us know how you like it!
Express Bus Transfers
Disney World is taking steps to ease many of the transportation woes that have befallen guests in recent years, and one exciting new option is the Express Transportation option. Express Transportation is a service you can add on to a Park Hopper (or Annual Passholder) ticket, with a single day costing $19 and a multi-day (up to seven days) for $29.
Express Transportation
Express Transportation allows you to hop on a bus that runs directly to one of the other parks. So if you want to travel from your day at the Magic Kingdom to your evening at Epcot, you no longer have to navigate Main Street, hop on the Monorail or Ferry, and then transfer to a second Monorail. In fact, you won’t have to wait in lines to re-enter the park either!
Express Transportation
Express Transportation picks you up in one park and drops you in the next one — letting you bypass the gates! This is perfect for when you’ve got to make an Advanced Dining Reservation or a Fastpass+ . And we kinda think it’s great if you’re traveling with kids and strollers too, since you won’t have to go through security a second time. :p
Express Transportation
Happily Ever After Dessert Party in Magic Kingdom
One fabulous way to treat yo’ self at the Disney Parks is by booking a special event, and no special event is quite as sweet as a dessert party. Dessert parties have been a thing for years, and we’re happy to report that Happily Ever After — the Magic Kingdom’s new projection and fireworks show — has a dessert party of its own!
Check In Desk
The Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party takes place on the Tomorrowland Terrace and offers two options for viewing: seated viewing on the Terrace and standing viewing in the Garden Plaza on the Hub. Both locations have terrific views of Cinderella Castle and all that surrounds (and covers) her during the show!
Happily Ever After Dessert Party Views
Even better: you can indulge in endless desserts and drinks during your party! The Dessert Party requires an Advance Dining Reservation, so you’ll want to start looking for opportunities at 180 days out (and keep checking even as close as 30 days out, as parties may be added without notice).
Dessert Spread
The Happily Ever After Dessert Party has two price points. Tomorrowland Terrace Priority Seating is $79 for 10 years and older, $47 for ages 3-9. The Plaza Gardens (standing) view is $59 for adults, $35 for ages 3-9. Remember that no matter which party you sign up for, you’ll be able to sit on the Terrace during the dessert party itself. The Plaza Gardens standing view is a great option for those who don’t mind standing for the show (but still love desserts!).
Savor the Savanna in Animal Kingdom
The Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience at Animal Kingdom lets you explore the World’s youngest park in a whole new way.
Tree of Life Awakening at Night
Savor the Savanna includes a stellar journey into the Harambe Wildlife Reserve and includes a prolonged stop in the heart of the savanna. Here, you have private viewing of the safari and a tapas-style meal. Plus, regional wine and beer are available!
Eats on the Savanna
If you or a loved one have always wanted to take your time and enjoy the safari a little more close up, this is a great way to do it! But you’ll definitely want to book early (call 407-WDW-Tour). Only guests 8 and older can participate in this experience, and the cost is $169 per person. But for a small-group tour of the safari and a one-of-a-kind experience, it might be worth the cost for you!
Frozen Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party in Epcot
Yea! More desserts! And this one comes with IllumiNations!
IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth
You might recall the IllumiNations Dessert Party (which we’ve thoroughly enjoyed) of yore, which ended just this month. The Frozen Ever After Sparkling Dessert Party has replaced it. But no worries! You still get loads of sweet treats and an epic view of arguably one of the best fireworks shows on the planet!
Illuminations, Reflections of Earth
But get this! After spending an hour or so munching on cupcakes and tarts and the like and watching the explosive show, you’ll get to take a spin (or, um, float) on Frozen Ever After! Talk about a great addition to an already fun night!
Frozen Ever After Entrance
If you or your traveling partners still have Frozen fever, this is a fun way to celebrate your love for the movie (and its beloved characters) and take in some sweet IllumiNations views! The cost is $79 for ages 10 and above, $47 for guests 3-9.
Cake Decorating at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs
There’s plenty of new to check out at Disney Springs, and it just keeps getting better! That’s because through August (with an extension we hope!!), you can take a cake decorating class at Amorette’s Patisserie! You can see our full review of this experience here.
Amorette’s Patisserie Sign
But this isn’t just any cake. Oh, no. It’s the Mickey Dome cake — by far the most Disney cake of all Disney cakes!
MICKEY CAKE!!!
You’ll be pouring sweet stuff and adding all the details, from foot to tail. And since it’s small group instruction (maxing out at 12 guests per class), you’ll get plenty of dedicated help. By the end of your 90-minute class, you’ll be a pro (or at least a skilled am!). And you’ll have a cake because you get to take yours home! Yea!
Cake Decorating at Amorette’s
This is lots of fun, and definitely worth trying — especially if you’ve got a budding artist or cake decorator in your group! The cost for cake decorating is $129 for 1-2 guests working on a single cake. A second cake can be purchased for $40.
Minnie Vans
The brand new Minnie Vans, operated by Lyft, are adorable new transportation options! Currently only serving guests of the Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts, we’re hoping these will expand services soon!
Minnie Van
Guests with a valid reservation at one of these resorts can open their Lyft app and choose the Minnie Van service. Trips are $20 anywhere on Walt Disney World property. This is a great option for early morning or late night travel, or if you need to get somewhere fast and don’t want to wait for the buses or other public transportation options. See more details in the video above!
One of the best things about the Disney Parks is that they are constantly evolving, offering new and interesting things for guests no matter how many times they’ve visited. And we know that even more mind-blowing things are coming in the future. But for now, these are six new experiences we think everyone’s gotta try!
Let us know if you’ve tried one or more of these new experiences! We want to hear all about it!
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I haven’t tried any yet because I haven’t been there, but I think the express buses are fantastic! Unless you want to go back to your resort to swim, it saves you so much time by skipping buses, gate lines and a second security stop!
I love if you could do a review of the Mobile ordering. I am interested in how it works not just the app but getting the food where to go etc.., is the food fresher than waiting in line, do they screw up the order etc… Well thank you for this great website. I enjoy it very much. Thanks,
Lisa — We’re so glad you’re enjoying our posts! We did do a review that included Mobile Ordering; you’ll find more about our experience in our Satu’li Canteen Breakfast Review.
We’ve done the Fireworks Dessert Party in the past and even though people say it’s too expensive for dessert and the fireworks are free to view. I have difficulty standing for a long time and being jostled by a crowd isn’t my cup of tea. So for me spending that extra money is well worth it. Being able to sit down, be comfortable and have some snacks while watching the fireworks is worth every penny to me. It is actually very relaxing and a good way to end a long day of fun.
HI! With the Express Bus Transfer, do they only pick you up from the parks? Would you still have to take the resort shuttles to the parks and then use the Express Bus Transfer?
Thanks!
Lorena — sadly the express bus transfer has been discontinued.