food IS a theme park
Disney recently announced that a new system was coming to Disney World called Disney Genie.
Genie+ ©Disney
This system includes three different parts: the Genie, Genie+, and Pay-Per-Ride. Disney Genie is a free addition to the Disney World app that can help you plan your day and more in Disney World. Genie+ and Pay-Per-Ride are both paid ways to get onto rides and attractions without waiting in line. So what does this have to do with the new Swan Reserve hotel? We’re here to tell ya.
There’s a lot of construction going on at the Disney World hotels right now.
Construction at the Swan Reserve
Several lobby updates are happening, some new Moana-themed rooms were recently opened at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is getting all kinds of updates, and now a brand new Disney World hotel is opening soon. Here’s everything you need to know about the new Swan Reserve, opening soon in Disney World. [Read more…]
When the Monorail resumed operations in Disney World last summer, it was running limited service with some trains, stations, and loops not available right away.
The Monorail is a great way to get to Magic Kingdom!
Since then, we’ve seen more Monorails return to service, as well as the reopening of the EPCOT Monorail loop. And with construction making good progress at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s Monorail station, we’re closer than ever to the Disney World Monorail service being back 100%.
We’ve been seeing more and more locations and guest offerings return to Disney World over the past few weeks, including some of our favorite dining spots like Casey’s Corner as well as the announcement that the remaining closed Disney World Resort hotels would be open by the end of this year, including Port Orleans and the two remaining All Star Resorts.
Welcome to EPCOT!
When it comes to traveling around Disney World, most transportation options have been available for some time now, but we have been waiting for news on when the EPCOT Monorail line would resume services!
It’s often said that planning a Disney World vacation is just as much fun as the vacation itself. While that might be the case for some, there are plenty of opportunities for stress to creep into both the planning of the vacation, and the actual Disney World vacation.
Cinderella Castle
Trust us, it does NOT have to be this way! While there are a few key things that you should always keep in mind when planning and executing your Disney World vacation, there are MANY things that you have no reason to worry about! Today, we’re going to discuss seven things you should absolutely not be scared of, and three things that you probably should be scared of (or at least mindful of).
When Disney World reopened in July of 2020, there were some pretty MAJOR changes in place. These include mask mandates, physical distancing guidelines, the cancelation of fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets, and the temporary suspension of FastPass+ and the Disney Dining Plan, just to name a few (not to mention the parks reopened with a freshly-painted pink castle!).
Magic Kingdom
Since then, however, there have only been MORE big changes that could have major impacts on your upcoming Disney World vacation. Some of the guidelines that were in effect last summer are no longer the case in 2021 while others have changed since inception! Let’s take a look at some of the biggest changes in Disney World SINCE July 11th, 2020!
Park hopping returns to Disney World this week and that’s a pretty big step back towards a more normal Disney experience.
Monorail
With guests being able to go between parks again starting January 1st, Disney also announced that park-to-park transportation will return as well. BUT, one very big staple of park transportation is not set to return at the start of 2021.
There’s really no way around it: a vacation to Disney World is pricey when you include flights, theme park tickets, accommodations, and of course all the spending that happens in the parks and resorts.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Luckily, there are still a select amount of things that are still absolutely FREE in Disney World. And if you know about these things and use them strategically, you CAN end up saving a few valuable bucks.
We’ve always loved traveling on the Friendship Boats on Crescent Lake that stop at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. There’s just something so leisurely and relaxing about riding a boat around Disney World.
Cresent Lake Friendship Boat
After Disney World’s reopening, the Friendship Boats were supposed to resume running again on July 29th. However, that didn’t happen, and until recently, the boats have not been seen at all.
As the Disney World Resort hotels and theme parks continue their phased reopening, Disney’s many transportation systems have reopened generally in-step with the locations they serve.
Friendship Boat
We originally anticipated the Friendship Boats to reopen today, July 29. But when we checked the boat launches, however, we noticed that they are NOT operating!
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