New to Disney after 10 years...quick trip what do I need to know now? Passes ect?

[Krischaser]

Hello its been 10 years since I have been to Disney and I know a lot has changed. What do I need to know? Are there still Magic Hours that aren't another ticket? What are Lightening passes or reserving rides? Do I need Magic Bands? Any tips. Only there 3 days.

Thanks!

 

[Skippyboo]

If you’re on site , you can do early entry 1/2 hr before park opening at all 4 parks. MK only opens Fantasy and Tomorrowland.

There’s are evening extended hours if you stay deluxe. Normally one park on Monday- typically Epcot and another park on Wednesday- normally MK.

There are paid Lighting Lanes that you can book 7 days in advance. Probably want to watch a YouTube video on that. Mammoth Club with Molly does a pretty good job explaining.

Dining reservations open 60 days out instead of 180. You don’t really need a Magic Band. You can use your phone instead. If you don’t have it already download Magical Disney Experience (MDE) app. It will have your plans, wait times, character appearances times, park hours etc.

 

[hardcorestitch]

If you’re on site , you can do early entry 1/2 hr before park opening at all 4 parks. MK only opens Fantasy and Tomorrowland.

There’s are evening extended hours if you stay deluxe. Normally one park on Monday- typically Epcot and another park on Wednesday- normally MK.

There are paid Lighting Lanes that you can book 7 days in advance. Probably want to watch a YouTube video on that. Mammoth Club with Molly does a pretty good job explaining.

Dining reservations open 60 days out instead of 180. You don’t really need a Magic Band. You can use your phone instead. If you don’t have it already download Magical Disney Experience (MDE) app. It will have your plans, wait times, character appearances times, park hours etc.

Quick note on that Lightning Lane though... there are two different tiers of it. Some attractions may have Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which you pay one price and you can pick which one of the eligible attractions you want to use the Multi Pass on, within reason of course. The Lightning Lane Single Pass, however, is almost like a boxing Pay-Per-View. You can't use Multi Pass on it, and you can only pay per use if available.

 

[Krischaser]

Thanks . Is Lighting Lane a must have? Thanks again

 

[hardcorestitch]

Thanks . Is Lighting Lane a must have? Thanks again

If you go on a day and date holiday like New Year’s Eve or July 4, definitely get one.

 

[Minnie1222]

What are Lightening passes or reserving rides?

There are 3 types of Lightning Lane (LL) passes. You can buy 7 days in advance (if stay on site), or 3 days (off site).

LL Multi Pass: reserve 3 rides in advance, choose more on the day of. Similar to FastPass+.

LL Single Pass: reserve a single use for certain rides. You can only buy two per day.

LL Premier Pass: immediate entry to the fast lane of any ride. No reservations required. One park per day. One ride each, no re-ride.

Do I need Magic Bands?

I do! I use LL passes a lot and it's easier to tap the band than take out my old phone. I also use it to make purchases.

 

[Minnie1222]

Thanks . Is Lighting Lane a must have? Thanks again

Was FastPass a must have for you?

If you liked FP, you will like LL even more. The designated lines are shorter.

 

[Lewisc]

$$$$ Everthing is a lot more expensive.

 

[Miffy]

OP, When are you going? If you're going to be there during a very busy time, then you will want to purchase LLs, assuming you can afford them.

And where are you staying? If you're staying on-site, you can book your LLs 7 days before check-in. If off-site (and you have tickets) you can purchase them 3 days before check-in.

Unlike FP and FP+ the LLs are not free (to put it mildly). Also, there's no more Magical Express, so you'd be taking either Mears Connect from the airport or doing a rideshare.

If you're on-site, no matter where you're staying, there's Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE), which is 1/2 hour before official park opening time. This is great to get a head start on the day and, especially if you're not going to purchase LLs, it may be your best chance of riding the headliners in each park.

So . . . 10 years . . . unless you despise Star Wars, you're going to want to see Galaxy's Edge in DHS and ride Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. Even as someone who doesn't really care about Star Wars at all, RotR is an amazing experience. Not to be missed.

And, gosh, you haven't seen Pandora at DAK either. Another not-to-be-missed ride is Avatar Flight of Passage. It's amazing.

The biggest change you're going to notice is that everything costs way way WAY more than it did 10 years ago. Even more than it cost 5 years ago. Read menus and be prepared.

 

[Krischaser]

OP, When are you going? If you're going to be there during a very busy time, then you will want to purchase LLs, assuming you can afford them.

And where are you staying? If you're staying on-site, you can book your LLs 7 days before check-in. If off-site (and you have tickets) you can purchase them 3 days before check-in.

Unlike FP and FP+ the LLs are not free (to put it mildly). Also, there's no more Magical Express, so you'd be taking either Mears Connect from the airport or doing a rideshare.

If you're on-site, no matter where you're staying, there's Early Theme Park Entry (ETPE), which is 1/2 hour before official park opening time. This is great to get a head start on the day and, especially if you're not going to purchase LLs, it may be your best chance of riding the headliners in each park.

So . . . 10 years . . . unless you despise Star Wars, you're going to want to see Galaxy's Edge in DHS and ride Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. Even as someone who doesn't really care about Star Wars at all, RotR is an amazing experience. Not to be missed.

And, gosh, you haven't seen Pandora at DAK either. Another not-to-be-missed ride is Avatar Flight of Passage. It's amazing.

The biggest change you're going to notice is that everything costs way way WAY more than it did 10 years ago. Even more than it cost 5 years ago. Read menus and be prepared.

Thanks for the information. We are going a couple of days during March 26-28 week. Its our spring break but not sure if its everyone elses too. We will be staying onsite.

 

[Miffy]

Thanks for the information. We are going a couple of days during March 26-28 week. Its our spring break but not sure if its everyone elses too. We will be staying onsite.

I think it's going to be pretty busy during your stay. If you can afford it, consider purchasing LLMPs and LLSPs. Since you're staying on-site you can purchase them 7 days in advance, which gives you the best odds of getting the rides you want.

Study up on the tiers at each park (really, it's not complicated) and decide ahead of time what you want to purchase. I keep a spreadsheet and it really helps on booking day.

Enjoy!

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

If you want any table service dining, reservations have been open quite a while and high-demand restaurants are likely already booked but some open up as people change their plans.

 

[Krischaser]

I think it's going to be pretty busy during your stay. If you can afford it, consider purchasing LLMPs and LLSPs. Since you're staying on-site you can purchase them 7 days in advance, which gives you the best odds of getting the rides you want.

Study up on the tiers at each park (really, it's not complicated) and decide ahead of time what you want to purchase. I keep a spreadsheet and it really helps on booking day.

Enjoy!

Hello again . Where can I find the tiers and if I am looking at the right thing it seems that the LLSP choice is different then the choices that you can make in tier one of the LLMPs. Like at Hollywood the LLSP choice is star wars but that is not a choice in the tier one choices of the LLMP. Am I understanding this correctly?