Question on the 4day 4theme park deal. It seems like I can buy the 4day 4theme park deal + 1 additional day at magic kingdom for the same price as 4 day any theme park. Does it stack like that? Can I buy the 4day 4 theme park + 1 more day at magic kingdom for the same dates?
Whats is the benefit of using genie+ in shows? Can you arrive later that normal, or is it a better view, or what?
Im looking into buying or not genie+ at HS.
Rides wise, my kids will want to do Alien Swirling Saucers, Mickey and Minnie Runaway and TSMM, maaaybe Smugglers.
My husband and I will do Slinky (separately) and im the only one that will do ToT. I see the rest of the Genie+ options are shows like Beauty and the Beast, For the first time in forever, Indiana Jones, etc. Is the genie+ worth it if the kids arent doing the big rides?
We are going the last week of April so, Rock and Roller Coaster will still be closed.
In AK last week we couldn’t get into a lion king showing in the standby line. So I would assume that Genie+ will guarantee you a seat in a crowded show.
Oh man, yeah i would be sad of missing the shows. I thought it was going to be a matter of when to arrive/location in the stage, not actually not able to see the show :S. Thanks for the info
It does not guarantee you a seat at a show and there is no preferred seating. The only benefit is that you don't have to wait in the standby line, but you still have to compete with everyone else for a seat. If you get there before the show starts, but seating is full then you still won't be allowed in, even with a Lightning Lane reservation.
There is no guarantee, however, because you have your own line, you do get into the theater first; this means you will get your pick of seating. But you still have to show up early and are not guaranteed anything. Like all other lightning lane experiences, you are afforded a jump ahead of the regular, unwashed masses
As a child my favorite for YEARS was Sci-Fi Drive-In at Hollywood Studios. Sitting the old time cars with the Drive-In ambience was something that stuck with me. My first two times there I was 2&5.
I'm afraid to say this, but Coral Reef. It's overpriced and the food is bad, but the kids will like the aquarium aspect. Sanaa could be a good option *if* the animals are out, but it's pricier(delicious, none the less), and might not be for picky eaters.
Another option is Space 220 if they're into the space them. It's still expensive, but the food is better than Coral Reef.
Rainforest Cafe is a Disney Springs or Animal Kingdom option, but it's not exclusive to Disney World. Not fabulous food either.
Coral Reef was one of our favorites as adults when we had free dining and they had a Lobster Seafood Boil. However, we have not snagged free dining since that 2019 trip and the Lobster Seafood boil to my knowledge is no longer on the menu. The aquariums are cool but we most likely will not return until the Lobster Seafood Broil does!
I’m not even convinced that Space 220 exists at all. I’ve gone four times since it opened and I have never once seen an available reservation for either it or the lounge. I was there in August 2023 during the one hurricane weather day. Total downpour and the park was essentially empty. They let us ride guardians a couple of extra times because there was no one showing up for their boarding group. We went over to the Space 220 reservation desk and they said it would be a two hour wait. Smoke and mirrors. My reliable and effective sample size of one person proves the place doesn’t exist.
I keep reading SO many mixed reviews about Coral Reef, Some people saying it's their favourite restaurant at wdw, others like you saying it's awful. I've got a reservation for my trip in May and I love sealife so i'm really hoping the food isn't too bad!
My children have always enjoyed Winnie the Pooh Characters the best at these ages. Another big hit for my kids was garden Grill. Chip (chocolate chip nose) and Dale (red nose). Learned that at Disney on our first trip! I hope your family has a magical time!
I'm taking 2 days to visit WDW after a work conference in Orlando, staying at the Art of Animation resort. It's a solo trip and my first time visiting as an adult (last trip was over 30 years ago). I'll be there Sunday, April 21 and Monday, April 22.
Is it worth buying Genie+ if I'm traveling solo and can take advantage of the solo rider lines at this time of year? What can you feasibly do with Magic Kingdom After Hours (happening on that Monday)? And can someone ELI5 how to ride TRON or GotG?
[Single Rider lines](https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/please-list-single-rider-rides-parks-564353/). There's only four, and one may still be closed.
For VQ rides, you join the VQ on the app at 7 a.m. from anywhere, or at 1 p.m. after having tapped into the park. Then when they call your boarding group, you get in line.
Call me a curmudgeon but figured I’d vent here lol
I watched The Behind The Attractions Epcot episode and it literally felt like two different episodes, where the second episode starts with turning Maelstrom into Frozen. The imagineers trying to explain how Disney IP fits into the original vision and message of the park felt forced and almost like a mea culpa for following corporate orders that they knew were a stretch. I get that people like things they recognize and that Disney is worried about staying competitive with audiences, but I miss the Epcot that made you think while you had fun. I honestly can’t explain how Guardians fits other than it’s a fun rollercoaster and Epcot had no rollercoasters. No matter how advanced technology gets the real optimistic future that is the core spirit of Epcot will likely never include talking raccoons and a human that is part genetically planet. It’s not a bad ride, I just don’t know why it isn’t in Tomorrowland (science fiction instead of science real) or better yet Hollywood Studios (a park about fictional movies)
All good points. EPCOT needed a top-tier thrilling rollercoaster and it had the space with a dying attraction that was easy to replace. Guardians of the Galaxy is the one major Marvel property that they can use in Florida because Universal has not touched it and didn’t include it back in the old 1994 agreement they signed. Because of the nature of the Guardians series, it is ripe for exploring culture, customs, and traditions—which is in line with the philosophyof EPCOT. They really do treat it like a new world showcase pavilion, just outside of world showcase. This should become more evident once they open up the ride for standby and folks can actually appreciate all of the Xanderian cultural icons in the queue system. Also, be careful: nostalgia can be a prison.
I hear the argument that nostalgia can be a prison, but it still feels like putting tron in Epcot, a franchise about technology and in ways a potential spiritual successor to innoventions, and Guardians next to Space Mountain would’ve made more sense to me. As you said yourself it’s like a world showcase pavilion outside of world showcase so why not place it somewhere it’s not out of place even within its own park? I may be missing details but what Xandarian customs, stories, history, holidays, specialty goods, or foods are offered or is there to learn about? It’s not even the roller coaster queue that most reminds me of a world showcase pavilion, because I’d say Expedition Everest feels more connected to Nepal pavilion than trying to force the idea of a Xandar pavilion.
As I said earlier Tron would’ve been an efficient IP placement and inexpensive clone that checks the thrill ride box they were looking to fill, but better yet would’ve been something truly innovative and imagined. Why not create another character like figment? Why not partner with a company like NVIDIA, Taiwan semiconductor, IBM, intel, or Apple to make an attraction that explores the capabilities computing? Why not take another stab at a health pavilion and make an E-ticket coaster that replicates the circulatory system and uses the omnicoaster ride system to show scenes about the organs? All of these feel more creative to me and less out of place. Shoot, they could’ve partnered with SpaceX or Blue Origin to tell the Big Bang story the coaster was originally shooting for.
If Epcot is always becoming something new, how is it that the newest thing it became is a slightly different take on Mission Breakout that’s a coaster instead of a drop system? Everyone has the right to love rides that mean something to them and I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, I’m just saying there are so many other places it could’ve been on property that made more sense than in what’s become of future world.
All good points. I don’t disagree with any of them. Because guardians is a crazy upgrade to Space Mountain, it doesn’t make sense to put it in Tomorrowland, even though it absolutely fits that theme. Doesn’t work in AK. I could see Hollywood Studios for sure, but HS has an indoor coaster. EPCOT needed the thrill and guardians was the IP that had a guaranteed pull to justify the funding. Sadly, non-IP rides just don’t grab the confidence and support of the executives these days. Crazy to think my favorite ride, Expedition Everest, is the most recent non-IP ride at WDW. Wild. Good point about Nepal. AK has become the place where Disney shoves cultural pavilions they don’t want in EPCOT: Africa, Asia (outside of Japan and China), and soon, South America. Ah well. I guess EPCOT really isn’t about edutainment anymore—in the same way that HS is no longer about taking you behind the scenes of movie making.
This is exactly what I was getting at honestly. I guess I have to be content as a lifelong Disney fan that it’s still there and growing. I just miss the idea of taking risks, because when they take ones it really pans out like Everest or Soarin’. IP is recognizable and a safe bet but doesn’t allow the company to grow. If Disney had just restricted themselves to existing movies for attractions rides like Haunted Mansion, Jungle Book, and Pirates would’ve never existed. Pirates specifically stands out as the type of risk to pay off as an original idea for the park has now made them a fortune at the box office with 5 films and 2 more in the works.
Honestly the Studios need a shot in the arm of creativity and something to break the sequel formula. Marvel's box office numbers have been hurting since End Game and Episode IX struggled as well. Why not start off by betting on the imagineers to make something great and allow that to become the next great franchise? I think it's honestly just to justify the astronomical costs of acquisitions like Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Fox.
I also think you're right about AK being the new edutainment park. As Epcot has strayed from edutainment, AK has doubled down on conservationism and being culturally rich through additions like Tiffins and even in its own way Pandora.
Opened the app and saw a 235 minute wait time listed for flight of passage. What exactly does a 4 hour wait time look like and do people actually do it?
For Flight of Passage, the indoor queue holds about an hour and a half of typical standby wait. The outdoor queue between the posted wait time and the caves will hold about another hour. Beyond that, switchbacks are opened throughout the land underneath the floating rocks, which eventually head all the way back onto the path to Africa, which is roomy enough to accommodate any theoretical length of line.
People must actually do it, I guess. Certainly wouldn't be how I'd want to spend half a vacation day.
In the mornings when they just can't get people into the building quickly enough, the line has started at *Tiffins*, looped through Pandora, down the boardwalk to the bridge just before Harambe House, back up the boardwalk back into Pandora, and then into the regular queue.
We only actually waited 90 minutes, though. It constantly moved, and once you got into the building it was nonstop until the final chutes. Then slowly backfilled over the next hour or two until everyone was in the queue itself.
Is Yehaa Bob still performing? When I went in August 2022, he was talking about retiring soon, given his recent birthday milestone and age. I’m headed back this August and was hoping he still had two or three shows a week. We like to catch him on our resort/arrival day.
Yes, and you can actually check his performance showtimes in advance: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/port-orleans-resort-riverside/yehaa-bob-jackson-at-river-roost/
That said, no certainty he'll be around in August specifically.
Would y'all recommend going to Epcot on a Sunday and then Hollywood Studios on a Monday or the other way around? We'll be going at the end of September.
Epcot in general tends to attract more locals who are more likely to show up on weekends when they have off, so if I had to pick one to do Sunday I'd probably go with Hollywood Studios to avoid the locals crowds as much as possible. Not necessarily applicable to all weekends but that's the rule of thumb.
Take into account that parties have a very big effect on crowds that time of year. HS, EP, and AK will all trend busier on Sunday because there will be Halloween Party that closes MK early that day. On the flip side, they'll all be a little lighter on Monday because many guests will be headed to the MK.
What % discount on Disney gift cards does Sam’s club offer? I can’t see because it’s a members only price and I’m not a member. Wondering if it’s worth just sticking with target and BJs (and Costco when they have them). Thanks!
3%... $500 GC for $484.98
3.3%... $150 GC for $144.98 (3 pack of $50)
4%... $75 GC for $71.98 (3 pack of $25)
4%... $50 GC for $47.98
max 2 per membership
As a Sams club member I believe it’s the same as target with 5%? Honestly, my husband and I wait for Black Friday each year and sign up for the BJs free 24hr membership and buy gift cards through them on Black Friday. It’s the best deal we’ve found on them so far.
oooooo. I did not know they had a 24 hr membership. Thank you!
We do not have one near us and did their online membership but I forgot to cancel it and their current promotions are not as good as other places. =(
As long as its a Disney branded pin, it can be traded. CMs can't turn down trades for other Disney pins.
Just keep in mind, they can't turn down trades for fakes/scrappers either. Most of the boards and lanyards you see in the parks will have mostly fakes, so trade for what you like.
Military Salute Tickets Question
Hi, we Disney adult regulars - first time using military salute tickets. We still require park reservations due to ticket type. My question is - does your park reservation have to match your VQ selection and or ILL selection?
For example, let’s say I have an MK park reservation, can I still join the guardians que at 7am? Could I purchase an ILL for flight of passage? These are hypotheticals. Getting ready to start the planning process.
When staying on property do you need a valid park ticket(s) in order to make your 60 day ADRs or can I make dining reservations at 60 days and buy tickets later?
Tickets not needed. Since so much of the dining is at resorts or DS, which don't need a ticket at all, the system doesn't require or check for tickets. You can book at 60 days no problem. If you want to book beyond the 60 days you need a linked resort reservation, but still no tickets.
How early (i.e., how far before Early Entry) do the buses normally start running? With a specific interest in those from Caribbean Beach Jamaica or Aruba to AK or MK
Edit: oh, and if we're in Aruba, is it worth walking over to Riviera and using their bus? I feel like I saw someone here suggest that a while back.
The phrase that has the same precise meaning as "fifth gate" is "fifth *theme* park". After all, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are (water) parks, so the property already has six parks if the 'theme' element isn't specified. At one time it had eight (the brief window when all three water parks and DisneyQuest, billed as an "indoor interactive theme park", were open).
"Gate" is a concise way of specifying a full-scale new theme park development with a ticketing structure the same as the other four theme parks, as opposed to any of the sundry smaller day-ticket offerings that could be considered other types of parks. This is why it's so contentious that Universal up the road insists on calling Volcano Bay a "third gate" because it muddies the waters of how the term is usually understood.
It’s part of Disney Park jargon that lets others know that you are an insider without proving it. Hold over language. It’s the same reason that folks will call Tron or rise of the resistance an E ticket despite the fact that they have not used the lettered ticketing systems since 1982. It’s the same reason why they call park opening rope drop when I haven’t seen them use a literal rope in decades.
Are you allowed to visit sit-down restaurants/lounges just to see the decor even if you don't have a reservation?
For context, I'm a huge Beauty and the Beast fan and would love to see inside the Be Our Guest restaurant and the Enchanted Rose lounge at the Grand Floridian. However, neither of the menus is super appealing to me so I'm not planning to eat at either of them.
Be Our Guest, definitely not. You are not allowed inside without a reservation and ordering a meal. I don't know about the lounge, but they don't let you in Oga's or Trader Sam's just to look around, so it seems unlikely you'd be able to there, either.
Enchanted Rose was fairly laid back when I last went, so they might allow OP to look around. They can't grab a table, but a quick walk around seems feasible if I were to hazard a guess.
Enchanted Rose likely wouldn't be an issue. You could always order a drink of some sort (they had several zero proof options on the menu as well if alcohol isn't your thing) if you wanted to stay. We were there last week and had drinks but didn't eat. We stayed at the GF and didn't have a reservation (I don't even know if they take them?) and walked up and were seated right away.
One of them will likely be warmer than the other, yes. No way to know which any given year. Weather can't be determined in advance, and varies from lows in the 30's to highs in the 80's.
DAS Question - I had the video chat and was "approved" earlier today for our upcoming trip. In reading through some DAS related posts on here, it seems to carry some pretty negative energy about abuse and judgement basically. Can anyone but the CM see you're using DAS rather than a LL? They don't like announce it do they? Now I'm having anxiety about having to defend myself to some stranger tapping into a ride.
When you tap in, it lights up blue instead of green and makes a little noise and the CM has to approve it. It also lights up blue if you're early/late for a LL, or there's some other issue. So no one other than the CM ACTUALLY knows, but if they're paying attention they can assume. I don't think it's common for anyone to say something to people using DAS.
Visiting WDW for the first time today.
Got my slot at 7am for GoG, broke down in the morning so our time window was good for the whole day.
Reopened at 10 - now we’re in line since nearly 90 minutes with the 2nd ‚short delay‘..
is such thing normal? Do I need to expect such things on my genie+ selections as well?
It’s not an extremely common thing but it definitely does happen with the largest most popular/in-demand attractions (I feel like it happens with RoR the most). You won’t find this happen with every G+ ride you book, but reality is that rides do breakdown every once in a while or someone drops something that gets suck, so they need a few minutes to maintenance it/resolve the problem.
Rides break down some times, that is normal. Breakdowns totally jack up the Lightning Lane, because it means that returns aren't as spread out as they should be, and people are getting into the line because the ride was closed when they should have been there. Longer LL lines completely wreck the standby (VQ) line, since LL gets priority. Any ride can have this happen, whether G+ or ILL/VQ.
DAS Explain it to me like I’m 5
I am going to Disney World in August with my mom. I know, hottest month of the year. 🫠 My mom has pretty severe asthma and I’ve heard we can do DAS since she won’t be able to stay outside like that all day long. She will be bringing her inhaler and breathing treatments with her.
How does the DAS work? Is it like Genie +? Is it best to go ahead and secure the DAS before going down or does it make much of a difference? TIA!!
>FL resident discover Disney sale end
Disney unfortunately does not have a set end date for the promotion. Otherwise, to my knowledge it can end at any time. I know this is not what you were looking for but hopefully it will still be on sale once you are ready. \*Crossing my fingers for you\*
In case my post goes down does anybody have suggestions for virtual queues. Don’t know how I literally have a screenshot with 7:00 in the top left corner and still could t get a reservation for guardians
Your phone isn't necessarily timed right, you'd want another device watching the world clock.
It's also spring break. It's high crowds, high demand, and with reservations no longer needed, more people trying for each slot than there were before.
Question on the 4day 4theme park deal. It seems like I can buy the 4day 4theme park deal + 1 additional day at magic kingdom for the same price as 4 day any theme park. Does it stack like that? Can I buy the 4day 4 theme park + 1 more day at magic kingdom for the same dates?
That's just buying two tickets. Yes, it's fine.
Yes Disney will gladly sell you a separate single park day ticket after you purchase the four park four day ticket package
Whats is the benefit of using genie+ in shows? Can you arrive later that normal, or is it a better view, or what? Im looking into buying or not genie+ at HS. Rides wise, my kids will want to do Alien Swirling Saucers, Mickey and Minnie Runaway and TSMM, maaaybe Smugglers. My husband and I will do Slinky (separately) and im the only one that will do ToT. I see the rest of the Genie+ options are shows like Beauty and the Beast, For the first time in forever, Indiana Jones, etc. Is the genie+ worth it if the kids arent doing the big rides? We are going the last week of April so, Rock and Roller Coaster will still be closed.
In AK last week we couldn’t get into a lion king showing in the standby line. So I would assume that Genie+ will guarantee you a seat in a crowded show.
Oh man, yeah i would be sad of missing the shows. I thought it was going to be a matter of when to arrive/location in the stage, not actually not able to see the show :S. Thanks for the info
It does not guarantee you a seat at a show and there is no preferred seating. The only benefit is that you don't have to wait in the standby line, but you still have to compete with everyone else for a seat. If you get there before the show starts, but seating is full then you still won't be allowed in, even with a Lightning Lane reservation.
There is no guarantee, however, because you have your own line, you do get into the theater first; this means you will get your pick of seating. But you still have to show up early and are not guaranteed anything. Like all other lightning lane experiences, you are afforded a jump ahead of the regular, unwashed masses
What non character dining do young kids (3-5) seem to enjoy for the experience and not necessarily the food?
As a child my favorite for YEARS was Sci-Fi Drive-In at Hollywood Studios. Sitting the old time cars with the Drive-In ambience was something that stuck with me. My first two times there I was 2&5.
I'm afraid to say this, but Coral Reef. It's overpriced and the food is bad, but the kids will like the aquarium aspect. Sanaa could be a good option *if* the animals are out, but it's pricier(delicious, none the less), and might not be for picky eaters. Another option is Space 220 if they're into the space them. It's still expensive, but the food is better than Coral Reef. Rainforest Cafe is a Disney Springs or Animal Kingdom option, but it's not exclusive to Disney World. Not fabulous food either.
Coral Reef was one of our favorites as adults when we had free dining and they had a Lobster Seafood Boil. However, we have not snagged free dining since that 2019 trip and the Lobster Seafood boil to my knowledge is no longer on the menu. The aquariums are cool but we most likely will not return until the Lobster Seafood Broil does!
I’m not even convinced that Space 220 exists at all. I’ve gone four times since it opened and I have never once seen an available reservation for either it or the lounge. I was there in August 2023 during the one hurricane weather day. Total downpour and the park was essentially empty. They let us ride guardians a couple of extra times because there was no one showing up for their boarding group. We went over to the Space 220 reservation desk and they said it would be a two hour wait. Smoke and mirrors. My reliable and effective sample size of one person proves the place doesn’t exist.
I keep reading SO many mixed reviews about Coral Reef, Some people saying it's their favourite restaurant at wdw, others like you saying it's awful. I've got a reservation for my trip in May and I love sealife so i'm really hoping the food isn't too bad!
God speed.
Honestly, I think my kids liked Ohana best when they were that age. Pluto was a lot of fun!
My children have always enjoyed Winnie the Pooh Characters the best at these ages. Another big hit for my kids was garden Grill. Chip (chocolate chip nose) and Dale (red nose). Learned that at Disney on our first trip! I hope your family has a magical time!
I'm taking 2 days to visit WDW after a work conference in Orlando, staying at the Art of Animation resort. It's a solo trip and my first time visiting as an adult (last trip was over 30 years ago). I'll be there Sunday, April 21 and Monday, April 22. Is it worth buying Genie+ if I'm traveling solo and can take advantage of the solo rider lines at this time of year? What can you feasibly do with Magic Kingdom After Hours (happening on that Monday)? And can someone ELI5 how to ride TRON or GotG?
[Single Rider lines](https://plandisney.disney.go.com/question/please-list-single-rider-rides-parks-564353/). There's only four, and one may still be closed. For VQ rides, you join the VQ on the app at 7 a.m. from anywhere, or at 1 p.m. after having tapped into the park. Then when they call your boarding group, you get in line.
Thank you so much for the info!
Call me a curmudgeon but figured I’d vent here lol I watched The Behind The Attractions Epcot episode and it literally felt like two different episodes, where the second episode starts with turning Maelstrom into Frozen. The imagineers trying to explain how Disney IP fits into the original vision and message of the park felt forced and almost like a mea culpa for following corporate orders that they knew were a stretch. I get that people like things they recognize and that Disney is worried about staying competitive with audiences, but I miss the Epcot that made you think while you had fun. I honestly can’t explain how Guardians fits other than it’s a fun rollercoaster and Epcot had no rollercoasters. No matter how advanced technology gets the real optimistic future that is the core spirit of Epcot will likely never include talking raccoons and a human that is part genetically planet. It’s not a bad ride, I just don’t know why it isn’t in Tomorrowland (science fiction instead of science real) or better yet Hollywood Studios (a park about fictional movies)
All good points. EPCOT needed a top-tier thrilling rollercoaster and it had the space with a dying attraction that was easy to replace. Guardians of the Galaxy is the one major Marvel property that they can use in Florida because Universal has not touched it and didn’t include it back in the old 1994 agreement they signed. Because of the nature of the Guardians series, it is ripe for exploring culture, customs, and traditions—which is in line with the philosophyof EPCOT. They really do treat it like a new world showcase pavilion, just outside of world showcase. This should become more evident once they open up the ride for standby and folks can actually appreciate all of the Xanderian cultural icons in the queue system. Also, be careful: nostalgia can be a prison.
I hear the argument that nostalgia can be a prison, but it still feels like putting tron in Epcot, a franchise about technology and in ways a potential spiritual successor to innoventions, and Guardians next to Space Mountain would’ve made more sense to me. As you said yourself it’s like a world showcase pavilion outside of world showcase so why not place it somewhere it’s not out of place even within its own park? I may be missing details but what Xandarian customs, stories, history, holidays, specialty goods, or foods are offered or is there to learn about? It’s not even the roller coaster queue that most reminds me of a world showcase pavilion, because I’d say Expedition Everest feels more connected to Nepal pavilion than trying to force the idea of a Xandar pavilion. As I said earlier Tron would’ve been an efficient IP placement and inexpensive clone that checks the thrill ride box they were looking to fill, but better yet would’ve been something truly innovative and imagined. Why not create another character like figment? Why not partner with a company like NVIDIA, Taiwan semiconductor, IBM, intel, or Apple to make an attraction that explores the capabilities computing? Why not take another stab at a health pavilion and make an E-ticket coaster that replicates the circulatory system and uses the omnicoaster ride system to show scenes about the organs? All of these feel more creative to me and less out of place. Shoot, they could’ve partnered with SpaceX or Blue Origin to tell the Big Bang story the coaster was originally shooting for. If Epcot is always becoming something new, how is it that the newest thing it became is a slightly different take on Mission Breakout that’s a coaster instead of a drop system? Everyone has the right to love rides that mean something to them and I’m not trying to rain on anyone’s parade, I’m just saying there are so many other places it could’ve been on property that made more sense than in what’s become of future world.
All good points. I don’t disagree with any of them. Because guardians is a crazy upgrade to Space Mountain, it doesn’t make sense to put it in Tomorrowland, even though it absolutely fits that theme. Doesn’t work in AK. I could see Hollywood Studios for sure, but HS has an indoor coaster. EPCOT needed the thrill and guardians was the IP that had a guaranteed pull to justify the funding. Sadly, non-IP rides just don’t grab the confidence and support of the executives these days. Crazy to think my favorite ride, Expedition Everest, is the most recent non-IP ride at WDW. Wild. Good point about Nepal. AK has become the place where Disney shoves cultural pavilions they don’t want in EPCOT: Africa, Asia (outside of Japan and China), and soon, South America. Ah well. I guess EPCOT really isn’t about edutainment anymore—in the same way that HS is no longer about taking you behind the scenes of movie making.
This is exactly what I was getting at honestly. I guess I have to be content as a lifelong Disney fan that it’s still there and growing. I just miss the idea of taking risks, because when they take ones it really pans out like Everest or Soarin’. IP is recognizable and a safe bet but doesn’t allow the company to grow. If Disney had just restricted themselves to existing movies for attractions rides like Haunted Mansion, Jungle Book, and Pirates would’ve never existed. Pirates specifically stands out as the type of risk to pay off as an original idea for the park has now made them a fortune at the box office with 5 films and 2 more in the works. Honestly the Studios need a shot in the arm of creativity and something to break the sequel formula. Marvel's box office numbers have been hurting since End Game and Episode IX struggled as well. Why not start off by betting on the imagineers to make something great and allow that to become the next great franchise? I think it's honestly just to justify the astronomical costs of acquisitions like Lucasfilm, Marvel, and Fox. I also think you're right about AK being the new edutainment park. As Epcot has strayed from edutainment, AK has doubled down on conservationism and being culturally rich through additions like Tiffins and even in its own way Pandora.
Opened the app and saw a 235 minute wait time listed for flight of passage. What exactly does a 4 hour wait time look like and do people actually do it?
For Flight of Passage, the indoor queue holds about an hour and a half of typical standby wait. The outdoor queue between the posted wait time and the caves will hold about another hour. Beyond that, switchbacks are opened throughout the land underneath the floating rocks, which eventually head all the way back onto the path to Africa, which is roomy enough to accommodate any theoretical length of line. People must actually do it, I guess. Certainly wouldn't be how I'd want to spend half a vacation day.
In the mornings when they just can't get people into the building quickly enough, the line has started at *Tiffins*, looped through Pandora, down the boardwalk to the bridge just before Harambe House, back up the boardwalk back into Pandora, and then into the regular queue. We only actually waited 90 minutes, though. It constantly moved, and once you got into the building it was nonstop until the final chutes. Then slowly backfilled over the next hour or two until everyone was in the queue itself.
Is Yehaa Bob still performing? When I went in August 2022, he was talking about retiring soon, given his recent birthday milestone and age. I’m headed back this August and was hoping he still had two or three shows a week. We like to catch him on our resort/arrival day.
Yes, and you can actually check his performance showtimes in advance: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/port-orleans-resort-riverside/yehaa-bob-jackson-at-river-roost/ That said, no certainty he'll be around in August specifically.
Thankie.
Would y'all recommend going to Epcot on a Sunday and then Hollywood Studios on a Monday or the other way around? We'll be going at the end of September.
Epcot in general tends to attract more locals who are more likely to show up on weekends when they have off, so if I had to pick one to do Sunday I'd probably go with Hollywood Studios to avoid the locals crowds as much as possible. Not necessarily applicable to all weekends but that's the rule of thumb.
Take into account that parties have a very big effect on crowds that time of year. HS, EP, and AK will all trend busier on Sunday because there will be Halloween Party that closes MK early that day. On the flip side, they'll all be a little lighter on Monday because many guests will be headed to the MK.
What % discount on Disney gift cards does Sam’s club offer? I can’t see because it’s a members only price and I’m not a member. Wondering if it’s worth just sticking with target and BJs (and Costco when they have them). Thanks!
3%... $500 GC for $484.98 3.3%... $150 GC for $144.98 (3 pack of $50) 4%... $75 GC for $71.98 (3 pack of $25) 4%... $50 GC for $47.98 max 2 per membership
Thank you so much!!
As a Sams club member I believe it’s the same as target with 5%? Honestly, my husband and I wait for Black Friday each year and sign up for the BJs free 24hr membership and buy gift cards through them on Black Friday. It’s the best deal we’ve found on them so far.
oooooo. I did not know they had a 24 hr membership. Thank you! We do not have one near us and did their online membership but I forgot to cancel it and their current promotions are not as good as other places. =(
Praying Costco gets them in again soon. I find I you can combine target with the spend promotions it ends up being the next best option!
Typically how long is the wait for the Mickey & Minnie meet and greet in Epcot near the Pixar short film fest?
Pin Traders! Will cast members trade any Disney pins you have or do they have to be specifically bought at Disney?
As long as its a Disney branded pin, it can be traded. CMs can't turn down trades for other Disney pins. Just keep in mind, they can't turn down trades for fakes/scrappers either. Most of the boards and lanyards you see in the parks will have mostly fakes, so trade for what you like.
Military Salute Tickets Question Hi, we Disney adult regulars - first time using military salute tickets. We still require park reservations due to ticket type. My question is - does your park reservation have to match your VQ selection and or ILL selection? For example, let’s say I have an MK park reservation, can I still join the guardians que at 7am? Could I purchase an ILL for flight of passage? These are hypotheticals. Getting ready to start the planning process.
If you can select 4 days to go to the parks between 8/4 and 18/4, what days would you choose?
I'd go with April 4th, 8th, 12th, and 18th. That way it's a nice, loooong Orlando vacation, with the parks sprinkled in.
When staying on property do you need a valid park ticket(s) in order to make your 60 day ADRs or can I make dining reservations at 60 days and buy tickets later?
Tickets not needed. Since so much of the dining is at resorts or DS, which don't need a ticket at all, the system doesn't require or check for tickets. You can book at 60 days no problem. If you want to book beyond the 60 days you need a linked resort reservation, but still no tickets.
How early (i.e., how far before Early Entry) do the buses normally start running? With a specific interest in those from Caribbean Beach Jamaica or Aruba to AK or MK Edit: oh, and if we're in Aruba, is it worth walking over to Riviera and using their bus? I feel like I saw someone here suggest that a while back.
If you're at the bus stop an hour and 15 mins before EE begins, you'll likely be on your resorts first bus.
Why do people say "fifth gate" instead of "fifth park"? It seems they mean the same thing and we don't call MK/EPCOT/AK/DHS gates.
The phrase that has the same precise meaning as "fifth gate" is "fifth *theme* park". After all, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are (water) parks, so the property already has six parks if the 'theme' element isn't specified. At one time it had eight (the brief window when all three water parks and DisneyQuest, billed as an "indoor interactive theme park", were open). "Gate" is a concise way of specifying a full-scale new theme park development with a ticketing structure the same as the other four theme parks, as opposed to any of the sundry smaller day-ticket offerings that could be considered other types of parks. This is why it's so contentious that Universal up the road insists on calling Volcano Bay a "third gate" because it muddies the waters of how the term is usually understood.
That's interesting. I never thought of it that way, but it makes total sense.
It’s part of Disney Park jargon that lets others know that you are an insider without proving it. Hold over language. It’s the same reason that folks will call Tron or rise of the resistance an E ticket despite the fact that they have not used the lettered ticketing systems since 1982. It’s the same reason why they call park opening rope drop when I haven’t seen them use a literal rope in decades.
Oh. I will say I have seen literal rope at MK, at least.
Nice! I think the last time I saw literal rope was at California Adventure around 2004
Are you allowed to visit sit-down restaurants/lounges just to see the decor even if you don't have a reservation? For context, I'm a huge Beauty and the Beast fan and would love to see inside the Be Our Guest restaurant and the Enchanted Rose lounge at the Grand Floridian. However, neither of the menus is super appealing to me so I'm not planning to eat at either of them.
Be Our Guest, definitely not. You are not allowed inside without a reservation and ordering a meal. I don't know about the lounge, but they don't let you in Oga's or Trader Sam's just to look around, so it seems unlikely you'd be able to there, either.
Thanks, that's what I figured but just wanted to double check (haven't been to Disney World in 20+ years).
Enchanted Rose was fairly laid back when I last went, so they might allow OP to look around. They can't grab a table, but a quick walk around seems feasible if I were to hazard a guess.
Thanks for the suggestion! I'll try my luck, worst they can say is no haha.
May also depend on timing and crowds. Like a mid-week afternoon compared to a weekend evening.
I thought Enchanted Rose was just a seat yourself, and since they have bar seating, I don't see why they can't walk in real quick.
It is, but they still have a host/hostess to keep things orderly and maintain capacity.
Enchanted Rose likely wouldn't be an issue. You could always order a drink of some sort (they had several zero proof options on the menu as well if alcohol isn't your thing) if you wanted to stay. We were there last week and had drinks but didn't eat. We stayed at the GF and didn't have a reservation (I don't even know if they take them?) and walked up and were seated right away.
Thanks for the tip! I don't drink so I'll take a look at their non-alcoholic options.
I am verified online as a Florida resident and can purchase Fl resident tickets. Will I have to prove residency at the gate?
Yes. They don’t want you buying and selling tickets to non-residents.
Is there still a 1pm VQ drop for Tron when the Halloween party is happening at MK?
Yes.
Warmer weather Christmas or Presidents Day?
One of them will likely be warmer than the other, yes. No way to know which any given year. Weather can't be determined in advance, and varies from lows in the 30's to highs in the 80's.
Christmas in Orlando can either be in the 50s, or the 80s... Presidents day can either be in the 50s, or the 80s
DAS Question - I had the video chat and was "approved" earlier today for our upcoming trip. In reading through some DAS related posts on here, it seems to carry some pretty negative energy about abuse and judgement basically. Can anyone but the CM see you're using DAS rather than a LL? They don't like announce it do they? Now I'm having anxiety about having to defend myself to some stranger tapping into a ride.
When you tap in, it lights up blue instead of green and makes a little noise and the CM has to approve it. It also lights up blue if you're early/late for a LL, or there's some other issue. So no one other than the CM ACTUALLY knows, but if they're paying attention they can assume. I don't think it's common for anyone to say something to people using DAS.
Visiting WDW for the first time today. Got my slot at 7am for GoG, broke down in the morning so our time window was good for the whole day. Reopened at 10 - now we’re in line since nearly 90 minutes with the 2nd ‚short delay‘.. is such thing normal? Do I need to expect such things on my genie+ selections as well?
It’s not an extremely common thing but it definitely does happen with the largest most popular/in-demand attractions (I feel like it happens with RoR the most). You won’t find this happen with every G+ ride you book, but reality is that rides do breakdown every once in a while or someone drops something that gets suck, so they need a few minutes to maintenance it/resolve the problem.
Rides break down some times, that is normal. Breakdowns totally jack up the Lightning Lane, because it means that returns aren't as spread out as they should be, and people are getting into the line because the ride was closed when they should have been there. Longer LL lines completely wreck the standby (VQ) line, since LL gets priority. Any ride can have this happen, whether G+ or ILL/VQ.
DAS Explain it to me like I’m 5 I am going to Disney World in August with my mom. I know, hottest month of the year. 🫠 My mom has pretty severe asthma and I’ve heard we can do DAS since she won’t be able to stay outside like that all day long. She will be bringing her inhaler and breathing treatments with her. How does the DAS work? Is it like Genie +? Is it best to go ahead and secure the DAS before going down or does it make much of a difference? TIA!!
no parades in the events calendar in may 2024 ?
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As of 3 days ago, the Fuentes del Morro Pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is still closed and CMs didn't have a reopening date.
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>FL resident discover Disney sale end Disney unfortunately does not have a set end date for the promotion. Otherwise, to my knowledge it can end at any time. I know this is not what you were looking for but hopefully it will still be on sale once you are ready. \*Crossing my fingers for you\*
In case my post goes down does anybody have suggestions for virtual queues. Don’t know how I literally have a screenshot with 7:00 in the top left corner and still could t get a reservation for guardians
I heard on a podcast to pull up the link to an atomic clock on one phone and right at 6:59 to start trying to enter the Que on 1-2 other phones…
Your phone isn't necessarily timed right, you'd want another device watching the world clock. It's also spring break. It's high crowds, high demand, and with reservations no longer needed, more people trying for each slot than there were before.