The most magical place in the world is different. In the last two years, the Disney Parks in Orlando, went through a lot of changes due to the pandemic and also due to the change of the company’s CEO – the position, which was previously held by Bob Iger, is now by Bob Chapek.
When the complex reopened in June 2020, after nearly four months of closure, tourists could already feel the difference even before they passed through the colorful portals with Mickey welcoming them.
Since then, new attractions, shows and services have been launched and are now part of the Walt Disney World Resort news . Next, find out what has changed in recent years and check out tips on how to enjoy all the magic of the parks in the best possible way.
attractions
After the successes of pandora at Animal Kingdom, Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios, Disney continues to deliver innovative new attractions throughout the parks.
On October 1, 2021, on the complex’s 50th anniversary, the attraction Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened at Epcot. It’s an adventure with the characters from Pixar’s animation – which turns 15 in 2022.
Also at Epcot, on May 27th of this year, the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster has opened in the new World Discovery area . The ride is Disney’s first with a reverse launch and is already configured as one of the largest covered roller coasters in the world. In addition, the cars rotate 360º and the special effects are out of this world.
At the Magic Kingdom, another roller coaster is still under construction and has no opening date, but it promises to bring great emotions. attraction is a version of the existing Tron Lightcycle Power Run , at Disney Shanghai, based on the “Tron” franchise. The novelty will be in the Tomorrowland area and, according to Disney, will be a high-speed ride.
new shows
Also to celebrate 50 years of the Walt Disney World Resort, Epcot and Magic Kingdom parks received new nightly shows to end the day of fun.
At Magic Kingdom, the novelty is the Disney Enchantment which pays homage to the company’s classic and recent films, moving children and adults alike.
The show features not only fireworks but also projections not only at Cinderella’s Castle, but throughout Main Street USA – a totally immersive and thrilling experience.
At Epcot, the event Harmonious came to innovate the park’s closure with a show that, as the name says, focuses on the harmonies and soundtracks of Disney films. Thus, there are projections on the waters of the great lake that mix with a chilling soundtrack (and, of course, fireworks).
To watch, you need to position yourself in front of one of the park’s pavilions. The coolest thing is the tribute to different countries and cultures, a fact that speaks to the theme of Epcot, which is based on the union between nations.
services
Disney Park Pass Reservation
The first big change in the parks since the beginning of the pandemic was the reservation system , a total novelty for tourists. Here’s how it works: Guests buy tickets to the parks by appointment, preferably with a travel agency or Disney directly.
With the voucher in hand, it is possible to link the ticket to an account on My Disney Experience website and book the exact days you want to visit each park. But be aware: reservations can run out quickly. Tourists are subject to pay a fee to make the change if there is a price change.
The golden tip here is to buy and book your tickets as soon as possible, preferably as soon as you have the ticket in hand. Also remember to always check which day you will be visiting each park before making restaurant reservations.
Genie+ and Lightning Lane
If you’ve been to Disney, you’ve certainly used the fast pass system offered free of charge and which gave the right to “jump the line” at an attraction at a certain time.
A new system, however, was introduced after the parks reopened. And the Lightning Lane which is basically the Fast Pass but now paid for and sold within the package called Genie+ which, in addition to skipping the line, also includes a customizable itinerary for each day in the parks and exclusive filters in the application.
With Genie+, you can book a Lightning Lane from 7am on the same day you visit the park. Two hours after this first reservation or after using the first Lightning Lane, another reservation can be made.
However, in all parks there is always an attraction that is not included in the package, the so-called individual Lightning Lanes, which have separate fees. So prices for the service range from $8 to $15 per attraction, depending on demand on the day.
Currently, individually bookable attractions are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom; Flight of Passage at Animal Kingdom; Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot.
Until June 2022, visitors could purchase the package in advance, along with the ticket, but now it is only possible to purchase it on the same day as the park visit, starting at midnight. So, at midnight you can buy the package and at 7 am you can make the first reservation.
The recommendation is to check the internet before 7 am, open the app and keep refreshing the page to have more chances to book your favorite attraction as soon as the window opens. That way, at 9 am you will already have the possibility to make another reservation.
Another important tip is to always book the time as early as possible so you have more time to make other reservations.
End of Magical Express
In the past, Disney offered its guests a Free transportation from Orlando International Airport to hotels in the complex . The service was called Magical Express and was one of the biggest perks of staying at a Disney hotel.
However, the benefit was discontinued in 2021 and now tourists have to make their own way to the hotel or resort. There are still transports in partnership with Disney, but all are charged and need to be booked.
Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours
Another benefit for those staying at Disney hotels was the opportunity to entering or leaving the parks one hour before the official opening or one hour after they are closed . The benefit still exists, but with some changes.
Formerly called Extra Magical Hours, the service is now divided into two: Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours . The first is aimed at guests in the Economy and Moderate categories, and visitors can enter half an hour before the parks open.
The second is only for guests of the Deluxe category hotels, which allows tourists to stay one or even two hours longer in the parks after they are closed. This way it is possible to walk in attractions without queues and take pictures without the huge crowds in the background.
End of Dining Plan
Before the pandemic, Disney offered a meal package in which visitors could choose different categories and paid a fixed amount, which gave them the right to some meals and snacks during their days in the park.
It used to be a worthwhile plan, as well as being an exclusive service for hotel guests. Today the Dining Plan no longer exists and there is no return forecast.
New at other Disneys around the world
Innovations and novelties are not limited to the complex of disney in Orlando. Other company parks around the world are opening areas and attractions.
In 2021, the Disneyland in California received the area of the Avengers group of heroes, The Avengers Campus , a complex where visitors can be trained to join the franchise’s team of characters, such as Iron Man, Captain America and Spider-Man. In addition, superheroes and villains appear there to interact and take pictures with tourists.
Disneyland Paris also received its version of Avengers Campus in 2022, but with a few different attractions.
About Theresa Gallian
Theresa Gallian has a degree in film and works as social media at CNN Viagem & Gastronomia. One of her biggest passions is to explore the world and meet people from all over the world, but she confesses that she has an extra crush on the land of Mickey, so much so that she has already exchanged to work at Disney parks. She’s so tuned in to everything that goes on there that she keeps Instagram @mainstreetbloga profile that tells all the news about the parks.
Source: CNN Brasil
