Been years since last trip (also, when to book?)

[jdyer]

My (ex)wife and I used to be frequent visitors to WDW, going most years, normally staying in POFQ. Things in life change, and as a result, I haven't been over for quite a few years.

When I last went, there were none of these wristband things, Downtown Disney was still Downtown Disney, and I'm sure prices were an awful lot lower!

After a little bit of persuasion, my wife has agreed that it'd be good to go over next year. I've always liked going at Christmas (though I'm told the Osborne lights are no more sadly), so probably looking at sometime around the first 2 weeks of December, likely staying at POFQ again I think for a week or two, then a week or two offsite (for a total of between 2 and 3 weeks probably).

So, onto my reason for this post...! With free dining now on, I was hoping to jump on that bandwagon, but turns out that's not running for Nov/Dec next year, so that's out. Still keen to go then though, so I'm now wondering when to book - is there any advantage to waiting out the queue I'm currently in to book (3284 in front of me right now), or should I wait a while?

I know things are always changing in WDW, but anything else (other than Star Wars!) big happened over the last perhaps 10 years or so that I should be aware of??!

 

[Jennisney]

Currently Nov/Dec is 10% off, and you can buy the dining plan too if you wanted to (think its about £1700) Depending if you eat alot. Personally we are going next year in Nov/Dec and we bought it because its nice knowing all your food is paid for so dont need to think about money!

In the last 10 years:

Hollywood Studios

• Great Movie Ride Closed, its being replaced by Mickey and Minnies Runaway railway, which will be opening Spring 2020.
• The animation building in Hollywood Studios is now Star Wars Launch Bay, has a bunch of star wars props in it, you can meet kylo ren/chewbacca and has a star wars shop. Also has some films about making the movies I think. Im not sure if theyre going to be changing this are once Galaxies edge opens.
• Galaxies edge is the big one opening this year.
• A new night time show is also coming to Hollywood Studios called "wonderful world of animation"
• EDIT: Forgot a huge thing, Toy story land!!! new area with a few new attractions and eateries, and the entrance to Toy Story midway mania has moved to be in the TS area! They also added a third track to the attraction

Epcot

• Sadly spaceship earth is closing early 2020 for a long refurb and won't be reopening for 2 years
• Dont think itll be open by next year, but they closed Ellens energy and are building a Guardians of the Galaxy ride, I think its supposed to open by WDW 50th.
• They are also redoing the whole future world of epcot, not sure when that construction will be starting.
• A Ratatouille ride is opening in France in Epcot, the same as the one in Disneyland Paris I believe, i think it will be open by December 2020 (maybe).
• Soarin has a new film !
• Theyre replacing illuminations soon with a new firework show.
• Theres a new space themed restaurant coming to epcot too which sounds awesome!
• Edit: Another epcot one i remembered! MAelstrom is no more and is now a Frozen ride, theres also an area in Norway where you can meet Anna and Elsa!

Downtown Disney/Disney Springs:

• Big thing is that its now disney springs
• Huge new shopping area, which is really beautiful
• bunch of new restaurants!
• Disney quest has closed and i think its being replaced by an NBA experience or something

They have installed a gondola system that goes from some Resorts to Hollywood Studios, it opens this year I believe.

Magic Kingdom

• Not sure if you have been before end of 2012, but they have opened New Fantasyland in magic kingdom, its a new area with a circus themed area, it has the dumbo ride, a big top tent with a shop in and you can meet goofy, donald, daisy (i think) and minnie in cute circus outfits. It has a goofy ride too! A splash area for kids too. Theres also a little mermaid area where you can meet ariel and there is a little mermaid dark ride. Beauty and the Beast area with a shop, gastons tavern, you can meet gaston, be our guest restaurant (which is amazing inside) and enchanted tales with Belle. And then theres the mine train ride, which is a rollercoaster themed around snow white.
• Theres also the princess fairytale hall in fantasyland which I believe replaced snow whites scary adventures (i have never been when that ride was open so may be wrong) where you can meet select princesses.
• Theres a new fireworks show called Happily Ever after that replaced wishes.
• Theres a new Jungle Cruise themed restaurant called skippers canteen which is awesome!
• Theyre building a tron coaster, like the one in shanghai Disneyland in Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, thats set to open in 2021 i believe.

Animal Kingdom

• In Animal Kingdom there is Pandora, which is a land themed around Avatar! Theres 2 attractions, a boat ride and flight of passage which is kinda like soarin. And theres a quick service restaurant.
• Theres a new nighttime show called Rivers of Light

Thats everything I can remember off the top of my head