Going back to wdw after 15 years

[lisalawless1979]

It’s been 15 years since my last full trip to wdw. Back then, I read disboards constantly and planned every detail of the trip. I’ve been three times in total. I haven’t kept up with it since my last trip.

I haven’t stayed up on news, as I’m close to Disneyland and have been there many times since then!

What are the changes you’ve seen in the last 15 years you’d highlight for me to research?

I’m traveling solo, planning for early March 2025. I’m a foodie and wine lover, can get up early for rope drop, enjoy staying club level for perks and ease, and at DL purchase genie+ and lighting lane when available.

Attractions, restaurants, lands, hotel changes, transportation changes, tips?

Do I need to make reservations for restaurants early? I like to stay around MK…are there other spots with easy transportation I should consider? I’ve stayed at Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom and loved them all but do prefer a monorail. I will hop parks, and I’ll travel for a good meal or experience! Trader Sam’s is a must.

Thanks in advance!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Please see the 'Planning Tips for Your Disney World Trip - Start Here!!!' thread. We created this thread for people just like you! There really are too many changes in the past 15 years to count.

 

[Disturbia]

It’s been 15 years since my last full trip to wdw. Back then, I read disboards constantly and planned every detail of the trip. I’ve been three times in total. I haven’t kept up with it since my last trip.

I haven’t stayed up on news, as I’m close to Disneyland and have been there many times since then!

What are the changes you’ve seen in the last 15 years you’d highlight for me to research?

I’m traveling solo, planning for early March 2025. I’m a foodie and wine lover, can get up early for rope drop, enjoy staying club level for perks and ease, and at DL purchase genie+ and lighting lane when available.

Attractions, restaurants, lands, hotel changes, transportation changes, tips?

Do I need to make reservations for restaurants early? I like to stay around MK…are there other spots with easy transportation I should consider? I’ve stayed at Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom and loved them all but do prefer a monorail. I will hop parks, and I’ll travel for a good meal or experience! Trader Sam’s is a must.

Thanks in advance!

If you like staying deluxe maybe try Riviera. You might like the Skyliner (easy transportation to Epcot and HS, shuts down if any rain is forecasted/nearby). The resort is quiet and serene (a lot like the GF I suppose), so opposite of the hustle and bustle of the Poly.

Watch recent reviews regarding club level. I believe AKL has the best club level offerings. Transportation is sorely lacking at AKL. Sanaa is not as good as it used to be although Boma is a must do for us.

 

[Tom_E_D]

It’s been 15 years since my last full trip to wdw. Back then, I read disboards constantly and planned every detail of the trip. I’ve been three times in total. I haven’t kept up with it since my last trip.

I haven’t stayed up on news, as I’m close to Disneyland and have been there many times since then!

What are the changes you’ve seen in the last 15 years you’d highlight for me to research?

I’m traveling solo, planning for early March 2025. I’m a foodie and wine lover, can get up early for rope drop, enjoy staying club level for perks and ease, and at DL purchase genie+ and lighting lane when available.

Attractions, restaurants, lands, hotel changes, transportation changes, tips?

Do I need to make reservations for restaurants early? I like to stay around MK…are there other spots with easy transportation I should consider? I’ve stayed at Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom and loved them all but do prefer a monorail. I will hop parks, and I’ll travel for a good meal or experience! Trader Sam’s is a must.

Thanks in advance!

Fifteen years is a long time as far as WDW goes. There have been lots of changes. Here are some of them.

Don't expect Disney to get you and your luggage to and from the airport any more. Disney's Magical Express bus service is no more. Disney no longer picks up your luggage at the airport and delivers it to your hotel. And they no longer let you drop off your luggage at your hotel for transport to the airport.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass at WDW do not work the same as at Disneyland. If you stay onsite(and I assume you will based on your post), you can buy LLMP/LLSPs at 7:00 AM seven days before your hotel check-in day. I suggest you research it and have a plan by then.

There are many new attractions and a few new lands (Pandora, Toy Story Land and Galaxy's Edge). There are a few new names for Epcot lands, but that is more renaming than really new lands.

Dining reservations can now be made 60 days before your hotel check-in date. (If it was still six months before, as it once was, you'd already be late.) Some restaurants do book up quickly, especially at busier times, and the first week of March should have above average crowds.

The Skyliner gondola system is a new mode of transportation. You can take it when you park hop from Epcot to Hollywood Studios or vice versa. There are a few resorts that use it as their primary mode of transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Most if not all of the resort hotels have been renovated in the past fifteen years. Some of the changes were significant. The monorail resorts are still a good location if you are emphasizing MK. If I was emphasizing Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and money was no object, I'd stay at a Crescent Lake resort. (But money does factor in for me, so I always stay at value resorts.)

Do your research. Enjoy your trip.

 

[francie57]

If you want convenience to getting to parks the Boardwalk and Yacht/Beach Club are great. You can walk, boat or skyline to the Studios and it’s a quick walk to International Gateway for Epcot. As others have said, you can purchase LL and the Individual Lightning Lane rides (Guardians, Rise if the Resistance, Flights of Passage, SevenDwarfs Mine Train and Tron) seven days ahead. Dining is 60 days out. Just remember the 7 time for purchasing lightning lanes is east coast time

 

[CVG]

Don't forget to check out https://dvcrequest.com/ (or other DVC rental stores) for good value rentals of fully equipped villas at Disney. Can't over-state how great it is to have your own kitchen and (clothes) washing facilities.

 

[lisalawless1979]

These are terrific notes, thanks all! That gondola looks rad