It's been 5 years - What are the major changes?

[amscherm]

So it's been about 5 years since our last visit - and we are starting to plan (finally) our next trip... I've pretty much stayed off the boards but am getting back to it all now... So.. What have been the biggest changes I should know have happened in the last 5 years? I see you can now reserve fast passes before your trip... what else?

Thanks everyone!!!

 

[smbowtie]

Useful Info.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3326057

 

[hakepb]

The New Fantasyland expansion in MK is basically it in terms of new rides... It does include the very popular Be Our Guest restaurant.(TS at dinner and "QS" lunch (but you may need a "fast pass")

Several attractions now have interactive queues. (PP is the newest)

Go to EasyWDW.com for great, free crowd calendars.

For resorts, there are now family suites in Music and the new Art of Animation resorts. And DVC additions at AKL (Kidani), Contemporary (BLT), Grand Floridian, and Poly (under construction)

 

[btk2333]

Test track got a refurb
La cava, tutto gusto, via Napoli, l'artisan des glaces, la hacienda de San angel, Monsieur Paul, and spice road table opened around the world

Backlot tour, the honey I shrunk the kids play set and american idol closed at dhs
The hat is coming down at dhs
refurbished star tours opened

Enchanted tales with belle, 7 dwarfs mine train, princess fairy tale hall, under the sea journey of the little mermaid opened at mk
Sorcerers of the magic kingdom collectable card game opened
Be our guest restaurant opened
Toon town closed, replaced with meet and greets, refurbished barnstormer, and dueling dumbos
I think there was a space mountain refurb? It's more or less the same though
They opened some rapunzel themed bathrooms

I don't know the timeline as well about DAK Cuz we don't spend much time there

Various other little things- resort things etc

Oh yeah and fp+

 

[Number Six]

Test track got a refurb
La cava, tutto gusto, via Napoli, l'artisan des glaces, la hacienda de San angel, Monsieur Paul, and spice road table opened around the world

Backlot tour, the honey I shrunk the kids play set and american idol closed at dhs
The hat is coming down at dhs
refurbished star tours opened

Enchanted tales with belle, 7 dwarfs mine train, princess fairy tale hall, under the sea journey of the little mermaid opened at mk
Sorcerers of the magic kingdom collectable card game opened
Be our guest restaurant opened
Toon town closed, replaced with meet and greets, refurbished barnstormer, and dueling dumbos
I think there was a space mountain refurb? It's more or less the same though
They opened some rapunzel themed bathrooms

I don't know the timeline as well about DAK Cuz we don't spend much time there

Various other little things- resort things etc

Oh yeah and fp+

HISTK closed? I didn't know that.

 

[figment_jii]

I highly recommend taking a look at mesaboy2's FP+ thread (link provided by smbowtie). FP+ (and MagicBands, to a lesser extent) is a major change from how touring may have been in the past, so it's worth knowing as much as possible before you start making your plans.

 

[DisneyCrazyX5]

We just went in June - our last trip was in 2007. Things I noticed
Fantasyland is always crowded
Fast passes can be great, but also cause stress as you try to make it to a ride or schedule new one
Many ride that have fastpasses should not need them - but are available as a 3rd choice
Loved evening extra magic hours
Still is a magical place to be

 

[hakepb]

HISTK closed? I didn't know that.

My SIL said it was open 2 weeks ago and the giant puppy nose freaked out My nephew.
Maelstrom closed and Perry the Platypus replaced the Kim ? Game at EPCOT.


And the biggest change:

Dole Whip with Rum!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=264

 

[TeamEvansGo]

the honey I shrunk the kids play set and american idol closed at dhs

No. It didn't

The honey I shrunk the kids play area is still open. Not sure where you got that info.

 

[amscherm]

And the biggest change:

Dole Whip with Rum!
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=264

Dole Whips with Rum?!?! Oh My!!

 

[amscherm]

Thanks everyone - I can see I have a lot of reading and researching to do to get caught up on everything!! Looking forward to it though!!

 

[Gabriel&Nana]

the honey I shrunk the kids play set and american idol closed at dhs

No. It didn't

The honey I shrunk the kids play area is still open. Not sure where you got that info.

The "Honey I shrunk the kids" that closed some time ago was the Epcot 3D show.
The "Honey I shrunk the kids playground" in HS is still there...

 

[btk2333]

the honey I shrunk the kids play set and american idol closed at dhs

No. It didn't

The honey I shrunk the kids play area is still open. Not sure where you got that info.

The "Honey I shrunk the kids" that closed some time ago was the Epcot 3D show.
The "Honey I shrunk the kids playground" in HS is still there...

My apologies- I did get these two mixed up- I'm unfortunately too tall for the playground now (for 20 years or so ) and misread another thread!