food IS a theme park
When it comes to giving you all the best tips, tricks, and hacks for Disney World, we do our best to keep you as informed as possible!
Edeline just over here making magic for everyone!
But we recently reached out on social media to Cast Members to get some feedback on the one thing they wished guests knew before they came to Disney World. And we got a LOT of responses!
Going to Disney World requires quite a bit of planning. That means knowing where you’re staying, how long you’ll be there, and for many of us, where you want to eat! And we always stress the importance of planning ahead when it comes to food, which means making Advance Dining Reservations for those restaurants that are on your must-do lists!
The Crystal Palace
And here’s the deal — you’ll need to make some of those reservations, particularly the hard-to-get ones, 60 days out! But that gives you nearly two months before those reservations, meaning that your plans might change. Well, what do you do then?
Most guests who visit Disney World are pretty well-informed and come prepared, and if you’re reading this, you’ve probably already seen many of our tips and tricks on how to make your Disney World vacation less stressful and more magical!
Donald and Daisy
And we’re coming in hot now with a few tips of things you should NEVER say at Disney World, and trust us — these may seem like no-brainers to you, but we’ve totally heard these at the parks! So pay attention!
Note that this post has been updated to reflect what to expect at Disney World in the summer of 2022.
So, hey, we hear you might be planning a trip to Disney World this summer!
Cinderella Castle
But before you start planning, we’ve got some tips, tricks, and information you’re going to want to know about! Whether this is your first trip or your 100th, things are still pretty different in Disney World. So hang on to your Minnie ears, because we’re going to tell you what you need to plan your trip and do our best to guarantee you have a GREAT time!
Things at Disney World have definitely changed following the park closures.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
We’re constantly watching for Park Pass Reservation availability, ordering a LOT more on Mobile Order, and dealing with a whole new world where FastPass+ is suspended. On top of all that, there’s limited capacity at the parks.
We’re always looking for ways to “cut a few corners” on our Disney World trips without cutting out any of the FUN and excitement!
Splash Mountain Lightning Lane
And if you’re trying to be a savvy spender when it comes to your vacation budget, we’ve got a few tips to share with you!
Planning your Disney World vacation is about to change—big time. While making your Advance Dining Reservations 180 days in advance will still be important, MyMagic+ is going to make it easier to pre-plan your trip and maybe even save your Disney dollars at the same time!
We’ve outlined the basics of the new Walt Disney World Resort technology below, followed by a healthy dose of Disney dining tips for making the most of the new system — including how it will change your Disney Dining planning, and how you might save money using MyMagic+!!
This past week, MyMagic+ — a new, tech-savvy planning process for your Disney vacation — officially rolled out across the Walt Disney World resort. Relying on RFID technology, this will create a “more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience” for guests, according to Disney Parks Blog.
A major piece of the MyMagic+ puzzle is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app, which help guests plan their trip. The interactive tools allow guests to log in to book advanced dining reservations and ride times for popular attractions as well as parade and fireworks viewing locations with FastPass+. They’ll also make it easy to change those plans on the fly from any smartphone or Guest Relations kiosk.
All of that MyMagic+ data—including ride and meals times—will be encoded onto the new must-have Disney accessory: the MagicBand. These high-tech bracelets will replace the Key to the World card, becoming a room key, theme park ticket, PhotoPass card, FastPass and charge account in one.
MyMagic+ MagicBand in action
Right now, guests saying at WDW resort hotels, Annual Passholders, and those who purchase PhotoPass will automatically receive a complimentary standard MagicBand. Upgraded wristbands, decorated with characters, will also be available for an additional fee.
Guests who stay off property will receive an RFID-enabled card, which will act as a park ticket, charge account and FastPass+ ticket, but they will have to purchase a MagicBand separately.
Don’t Forget Your MagicBand!
The new technologies will likely have a significant impact on your dining strategy, so we’ve put together a quick primer on how to make the most of MyMagic+:
The most immediate and obvious impact of the MagicBand will be the ability to pay for snacks and quick service meals with the flick of a wrist.
Literally tap the RFID bracelet (or card for non-resort guests) against the sensor at the register to settle the bill on purchases of $50 or less quickly and efficiently. No more digging around for the Key to the World!
With the current system, FastPass dictates your return window based on how many FastPasses have already been distributed. On some days, it’s possible to arrive at Soarin’ at 9:30 a.m. only to be locked into a 6:35-7:35 p.m. return time. That presents a problem for those [Read more…]
We freely admit that our first “You Know You’re Eating in Disney World When…” post amused us so much that we had to do a Part 2! After all, where else can we dine with a beloved mouse in the kitchen!
Our “You know you’re eating in Disney World when…” thoughts were bountiful, and we’d love to hear yours too! Who knows…there may just have to be a third post in the series!
Leave us a comment with your personal “You know you’re eating in Disney World or Disneyland when…” experience! 😉
Your beverage glows in the dark!
Disney's Blue Glow-Tini
You find it appropriate to have your server correct your manners (and, frankly, get kind of annoyed when they don’t!).
Take your elbows off the table!
You order ketchup and have multiple bottles delivered to your table by a dozen patrons seated near you.
Whispering Canyon Cafe Ketchup Delivery
There’s a train [Read more…]
THANK GOODNESS! The Disney Restaurant Reservations system is now available in an easy-to-use mobile format for your smartphones (iphone and droid versions are currently working; blackberry is coming soon).
iPhone Screen Shot of Moblie Reservations System
Note: this is not an App that you have to download. Disney’s just made it easier to navigate the reservations system on your phone by creating a mobile version of the current system.
What does this mean for you? Now you can search for an available restaurant reservation by date, time, restaurant, theme park, cuisine, hotel, and more quickly and easily from your phone — no matter where you are. Standing in line at the [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
