Help me plan! What's changed that will make us plan differently?

[cman]

We’re returning to WDW for our first trip since 2018. We are a group of 26 family members staying at BWV in April.

I’ve been reading a LOT of threads about what changes to expect and it’s a bit overwhelming to understand all the new things in place.

I’m not trying to be lazy with this request but I wonder if people could give some feedback on the following items. I know some of the responses could include strong opinions. I’m not looking for that but instead I’m looking to understand what the changes are and how they change the planning we all use to do.

Hopefully the responses will help others in my situation to better plan their trips.

Some of the things on my list may not have changed but I want to cover all the items that go into planning my trip. I’ve asked some specific questions for some topics but if you have any other information about a specific topic then please share.

If there are any items I left off please feel free to add them.

Thanks in advance!

• ADR – Change from 180 day to 60 day window. Have you found it any harder to get reservations now?
• Buying passes now for a trip in April – What if I have to postpone my trip?
• Park Reservation – When do I need to make them for a trip in April? Can you change your mind at the last minute and go to another park?
• Genie+ and Lightning Lane – how early can I add G+ for each day of my trip?
• Rope Drop/Break midday /Hop to another park later – how does planning change with G+?
• Virtual Queues – How do they work and what rides have them?
• Rope Drop – is it still an effective strategy with the 30 minute early entry benefit for on-site guests?
• Extended Evening Hours - are the crowds the same as EEH in the past?
• New attractions\restaurants scheduled to open by April 2022
• Magic Bands -
• Magical Express \ Mears replacement - Is it worth the price and will they handle luggage like ME did?
• Crowd Calendar services – are they as effective with all the changes?
• What hasn't returned dues to changes caused by pandemic? Parades, fireworks, shows....
• What has returned but still isn't the same - i.e. Festival of the Lion King show has some differences.

 

[Lydia S]

Going at the end of the month, and found out on another board that the Disney buses no longer go to Disney Springs from any of the Parks. You have to go to a Resort first, then take a bus from there.

 

[RoseGold]

If your trip is in April, I'd relax. The Genie/rules/park reservations might all change by then.

I would bet ticket prices will go up though, so I would be buying tickets now.

If you have to cancel the trip, that's a very expensive problem. The tickets have always been non-refundable. People have had some success with Disney moving them around or applying them to other tickets, but there's no promises.

Right now, there are late extra hours for deluxe, which were AMAZING. Epcot Monday night, MK Weds night. Hopefully, they keep those for your trip. They are definitely worth planning around.

Rope drop is even more effective now that its limited to onsite. People have reports of getting in an hour or more early. That's a big jump.

But any of this could change. WDW is in a period of big change right now.

 

[coolbrook]

I am sorry to say this but your questions run the gamut of everything talked about on these boards. It would take a book to answer everything and some things don't really have answers yet for April. Just keep reading people's experiences in the Just Back thread and the Rumors and New, Resorts, Attractions and Strategy, etc.

 

[cman]

If your trip is in April, I'd relax. The Genie/rules/park reservations might all change by then.

I would bet ticket prices will go up though, so I would be buying tickets now.

If you have to cancel the trip, that's a very expensive problem. The tickets have always been non-refundable. People have had some success with Disney moving them around or applying them to other tickets, but there's no promises.

Right now, there are late extra hours for deluxe, which were AMAZING. Epcot Monday night, MK Weds night. Hopefully, they keep those for your trip. They are definitely worth planning around.

Rope drop is even more effective now that its limited to onsite. People have reports of getting in an hour or more early. That's a big jump.

But any of this could change. WDW is in a period of big change right now.

Thanks for the insight. This is exactly the type of response that's helpful!

 

[coolbrook]

Oh, I also will add that we are going next week in a group of 13 and I read a helpful tip on here to tell your group you will be their travel agent before the trip but not their tour guide during the trip. You will stress yourself out if you try. It's good to split up some and meet back together for a meal or something. You will have lots to talk about. Happy planning and I wish you the best!

 

[CBMom01]

Oh, I also will add that we are going next week in a group of 13 and I read a helpful tip on here to tell your group you will be their travel agent before the trip but not their tour guide during the trip. You will stress yourself out if you try. It's good to split up some and meet back together for a meal or something. You will have lots to talk about. Happy planning and I wish you the best!

I read that same advice and loved it so that’s what I told the family: I’ll plan everything if you want (or not) but once we get there you had your chance to speak up and it’s my time to relax.

And I added a little bit about day-of changes: if you decide on a last minute change or no-show fine. I won’t tell adults (even our adult kids) what to do but everyone is responsible for their own cancellation costs.

 

[cman]

Oh, I also will add that we are going next week in a group of 13 and I read a helpful tip on here to tell your group you will be their travel agent before the trip but not their tour guide during the trip. You will stress yourself out if you try. It's good to split up some and meet back together for a meal or something. You will have lots to talk about. Happy planning and I wish you the best!

Thanks coolbrook. This group fully understands I'm not the tour guide. This is our 5 trip of 20+ people over the last 10 years and they've been trained! The only reason I agree to plan these is that they know my rules.

 

[cman]

Bump