Help I used to be an expert...

[BRC6C]

Hoping for some help... in the past I knew it all and was the go to person to answer all questions Disney World. We went for a month at a time a couple different years and then we stopped. We were last in Walt Disney World in July of 2017

We are now, suddenly, planning a last minute trip and I'm overwhelmed! Group of 3 adults a week off-site likely followed by a few days on property. I have questions I know and ones I don't even know to ask so please point me in all the right directions!

1) What's a good way to get up to speed on ligning lane and virtual queues?

2) Park reservations?

3) We are considering one annual pass, are there still advantages? Disadvantages?

4) Magic band+? We have a drawer full of the old ones, I guess the batteries are likely long past their prime...

What else do I need to know? Such a weird feeling to have so many questions!

 

[Disturbia]

The good news is virtual queues are gone.

Park reservations are not required for date based tickets (APs still need park reservations).

Bad news onsite guests get to book lightening lane single passes (max 2 per day) and lightening lane multi passes 7 days in advance. Offsite guests have slim pickings and get to book only 3 days in advance, although crowds have been better lately (better chances).

https://www.thrill-data.com/lightning-lane/

APs will have blackout dates and they still require park reservations.

More rides are opening up soon like Test track and 2 rides at HS.

I believe the bands will work but photos can be finicky. They new MB+ require charging for interactive elements (think multi charging USB ports) but will still work for scanning in.

 

[robinb]

Hoping for some help... in the past I knew it all and was the go to person to answer all questions Disney World. We went for a month at a time a couple different years and then we stopped. We were last in Walt Disney World in July of 2017

We are now, suddenly, planning a last minute trip and I'm overwhelmed! Group of 3 adults a week off-site likely followed by a few days on property. I have questions I know and ones I don't even know to ask so please point me in all the right directions!

1) What's a good way to get up to speed on ligning lane and virtual queues?

I love the videos by Rob on the Ear Scouts channel on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@EarScouts

2) Park reservations?

You will need park reservations for the AP.

3) We are considering one annual pass, are there still advantages? Disadvantages?

There are discounts for merch, some restaurants, free park parking and sometimes resorts.

4) Magic band+? We have a drawer full of the old ones, I guess the batteries are likely long past their prime...

They probably are. Perhaps you can bring some anyway and see if they'll work. You can also use your phone or an apple watch.

 

[jeankeri]

When are you going? July advice is far different than September advice.

 

[BRC6C]

When are you going? July advice is far different than September advice.

June! I said last minute, right? Eek! What were we thinking?? Any advice is appreciated!

 

[Disturbia]

I would second earscouts. His videos are to the point and concise. Make sure it’s the video that is most recent as WDW is continually changing things.

If it’s early June you might get same day availability. After that the holiday crowds are going to make getting top tier LLs difficult. I would spend this weekend (Memorial Day) periodically checking wait times to taper expectations and plan on long waits.

https://allears.net/disney-genie-lightning-lane-multi-pass/