Like Starting Over Again.

[goofy4prez]

For the most part, I have been off the DIS for two years ( mistake). I have not followed any of my old Disney sites as well. I have had no interest in going to Disney with so many things shut down, masks on everywhere (yes I'm vaccinated), social distancing, no FP+'s no events, no parades, no fireworks, virtually no shows, and all at a premium price. Not trying to stir the pot, I just was not interested.

Fast forward to today. I am ready to return to WDW regardless as to how I may find it. I booked a week at the Polynesian Resort for Feb 2022 and then a Disney Cruise on the Fantasy. Now I am lost and have no idea how to do things. I have to teach this old dog new tricks. I just realized I have to book a park each day. I still have no idea how to secure Rise of the Resistance. I see there are new restaurants. There are new attractions. I'm now going to have to have my smartphone glued to my hand at all times unless I fork over the money for a Magic Band. And there is going to be no Magical Express. Wow, I am so lost. It feels like the first time. Advice is much appreciated.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Not much advice to offer you other than park pass info, see below for more info. I'm sure by the time your trip comes around, any info you have today will have changed 10 more times LOL! Current tips- yes you need a park pass in addition to your ticket. If you already have your tickets, secure your park passes now as they do fill up closer to your travel dates.

Also, if you can't get a certain park that you are really hoping to get, if you have a hopper, you can hop to other parks after 2pm....but this may be changed by February.

There are a ton of tips on how to get a boarding group for ROTR and that may or may not change again by the time you travel but just do some google searches on that subject and make sure you're reading the most current data as the boarding group process has changed a few times.

Familiarize yourself with the parks you plan to visit if there are new attractions you want to see and be sure you have the most current MDE app on your phone prior to departure. You should do online check in for your room and there's no stopping at the front desk at check in, really unless you have a problem. You go directly to your room and you can unlock it with your smart phone if you don't spring for the magic band. As of now, there is no daily mousekeeping. I believe you get mousekeeping after your 4th night, can't recall. You can phone for more towels, trash service but they don't make your beds.

We've been a handful of times since the parks re-opened and every time we go, something changes so don't count on what's going on today to be the same way in February. Good luck and just be patient!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/park-reservations/

 

[gharter]

Read through the stickies here, lots of good current information.
Watch some of the VLOGS, again can be good current information.
As noted things continue to change quickly, so what may be correct today is wrong next week.
For us, even with the changes and some restaurants, attractions that were not open, it was worth going.
If this was the only time I was going, I would wait until more things are open.
I would expect by the time you go next year, most everything, if not all will be open and had multiple rule changes between now and then.

 

[goofy4prez]

Also, if you can't get a certain park that you are really hoping to get, if you have a hopper, you can hop to other parks after 2pm....but this may be changed by February.



https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/park-reservations/

One thing I have already learned. I can already book a park of choice for February. I've got all six booked a little while ago. One less thing to worry about.

 

[JCornell]

We haven't really been reading the boards much for a while... until recently, anyway, since we're going in July. What we have been doing, and might work for you, is watching some of our favorite vlogs. That's been really good at keeping us informed on: what it's like to go to a park, procedures for entry, lines, etc., how dining has been and what's new/different about the various dining locations (in addition to new restaurants, some are still closed and some have altered their menus), what rides are open/closed and what that's been like, how transportation is, etc. etc.
The ones we probably watch the most are Paging Mr. Morrow, Superenthused, Prince Charming Dev, and Tim Tracker but there are a bunch out there including some we watch but a little less frequently. I think watching some recent ones from each would bring you up to speed fairly quickly or at least focus some of the questions you might have for Disboards.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I honestly don't feel like there is much you can plan right now. I took a break for a bit and feel like all that was new was no outdoor masks. I mean that's huge but that was going on all over the country.

Park reservations you got, wait until 60 days for dining and hope FP+ makes an appearance. I lurk around here during the day hoping for breaking news.

There is a rise thread on how to secure a BG.

Other than that it's just hurry up and wait IMO.

 

[JohnR5101]

One thing I have already learned. I can already book a park of choice for February. I've got all six booked a little while ago. One less thing to worry about.

Just got back from 7 days in the parks (May 23-29) and I will confirm that getting park res is probably the most important thing now (could change by Feb, but no harm in having it done now). We booked 3 days at HS (Tuesday, Fri, Sat) so that we had 3 opportunities to try for ROTR boarding group (my first time trying it). I was successful all 3 times by using my iPad to watch time.gov and clicked the Join button on my iPhone at exactly 7:00:00. It seemed that the groups were gone in about 4-5 seconds so if you are not using a very accurate time you can miss it. And time.gov is what ROTR is using for the precise time it starts.

 

[Tri-Delta4Life]

I feel you. I've been out of the loop for awhile and it was overwhelming to "come back." We're also a family with 2 young kids now and all of my previous traveling was as DINKS.

 

[whiporee]

ROTR is probably the only think you have to figure out. Everything else will be back to normal my February. And to be honest, ROTR isn't that hard -- just get on your phone first thing in the morning and pray like heck.

 

[bethbuchall]

I feel the same way, though we made a last minute decision and want to go in October or November. I just haven’t been paying any attention to any of it because I thought we wouldn’t go for another 2 years.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

For what it’s worth, I brought 20 old magic bands with me down to Disney because I had absolutely no idea which ones were the newest. All were from 2018 or prior. I stopped by the customer welcome center in Disney springs and they tested every single band for me, and they all worked! So at least you may not have to buy new magic bands. They certainly were handy to have.

I also felt a bit lost this last trip (last week) after completing disconnecting for nearly two years. But the excitement and planning fun comes back quickly. Have fun planning your trip.

Tip for Rise of the Resistance: don’t read any of the questions just click like hell as fast as possible!! First day I was too slow because I read everything, no boarding pass for me. Second try I just flew through as fast as possible and got a group.