What all has changed in the past 2 years?

[MommytoaSweetie]

Wowzers! I'm so excited we're going back to Disney World in November... it'll have been 2.5 years since our last visit! Anything new I should know about? I'm learning about MagicBands (they hadn't quite started our last trip), and we're excited about the Mine Train! I'd love to hear anything else

 

[Doug M]

Elsa captured Cinderella's castle and banished her. Frozen has taken control.

 

[soniam]

Fastpass+
Seven Dwarf Mine Train - new ride
New Fantasyland at MK - Mine train is sort of part of that
Anna & Else meet & greet
Be Our Guest - new restaurant in Magic Kingdom
Some rides have permanently closed: Backlot Tour at DHS, Maelstrom at Epcot
New Haunted Mansion store - Memento Mori
Downtown Disney - Lots of changes. New restaurants & shops. Some old stuff is still there.
Polynesian - Waterfall has been removed. Bungalows were added over the water. New Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Pineapple Lanai now serves the Dole whip instead of Captain Cooks.
Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace swapped places
New Italian restaurant at Boardwalk (Trattoria al Forno) - It replaces Kouzina's.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Parades ended in DHS and AK
Festival of Fantasy parade in MK
FotLK is in a new theater but basically the same show
Frozen Sing Along in DHS
Starbucks in MK, DHS, and Epcot as well as two locations in DTD.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

Elsa captured Cinderella's castle and banished her. Frozen has taken control.

Haha! Sort of. My daughters currently still love Elsa & Anna, although their love has been renewed for Cinderella since her new movie came out... I suppose for them it's still win-win either way!

Fastpass+
Seven Dwarf Mine Train - new ride
New Fantasyland at MK - Mine train is sort of part of that
Anna & Else meet & greet
Be Our Guest - new restaurant in Magic Kingdom
Some rides have permanently closed: Backlot Tour at DHS, Maelstrom at Epcot
New Haunted Mansion store - Memento Mori
Downtown Disney - Lots of changes. New restaurants & shops. Some old stuff is still there.
Polynesian - Waterfall has been removed. Bungalows were added over the water. New Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Pineapple Lanai now serves the Dole whip instead of Captain Cooks.
Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace swapped places
New Italian restaurant at Boardwalk (Trattoria al Forno) - It replaces Kouzina's.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Thanks so much!! I should have mentioned that we did visit last when New Fantasyland and BOG were there, and we've been to Downtown Disney without going to the parks... but awesome info, I really appreciate it! BOG is still quick service for lunch and table service for dinner?

Parades ended in DHS and AK
Festival of Fantasy parade in MK
FotLK is in a new theater but basically the same show
Frozen Sing Along in DHS
Starbucks in MK, DHS, and Epcot as well as two locations in DTD.

Oh bummer about the parades! Maybe not a big deal, though. Is the Frozen Sing Along a show? And are the Starbucks' on the DDP at all?

 

[Shaden]

If you used to like Fastpass and made the most of it ... well you are out of luck. If you enjoy planning your trip down to the hour, rides etc, then you will like how things are. Just hope you don't get rained out or someone gets sick and messes with your plans, in which case you MAY be ok, but you may also be completely out of luck for getting on the rides you want, when you want, without increased SB lines ...

 

[Angel Ariel]

I highly recommend checking out mesaboy2's thread for up to date information on FP+

 

[pmama]

Returning in November after 3 years. We purposefully stay away 3 years now to build up excitement and be able to see new things each time!

I didn't see anyone mention the hat coming down in HS. We were lucky enough to visit during soft opening of new Fantasyland last time so rode all rides multiple times without wait and ate at BOG twice! Looking forward to 7DMT as well!

 

[Angel Ariel]

The backlot tour in DHS is gone, and Maelstrom in Norway is gone(they are using the space this was in for a new Frozen-themed ride instead). They're also planning to add a 3rd theatre to Soarin', and a 3rd track to TSMM - don't know when those will be open.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

BOG is still quick service for lunch and table service for dinner?

They're also testing breakfast.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Oh bummer about the parades! Maybe not a big deal, though. Is the Frozen Sing Along a show? And are the Starbucks' on the DDP at all?

Sing Along , with the main characters and two storytellers, is a show where you sing along!

All Starbucks beverages are considered a snack on the DDP - even Venti-sized drinks!

 

[soniam]

BOG takes reservations for all 3 meals, but lunch is still more QS than TS. It seems to be almost impossible to get in without an ADR.

 

[ZoZo]

I highly recommend checking out mesaboy2's thread for up to date information on FP+

Yep, the most important thing is to make sure you undersrand FP+ - it's very different than the legacy FP program. Mesaboy's thread is a great source of info.

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

If you used to like Fastpass and made the most of it ... well you are out of luck. If you enjoy planning your trip down to the hour, rides etc, then you will like how things are. Just hope you don't get rained out or someone gets sick and messes with your plans, in which case you MAY be ok, but you may also be completely out of luck for getting on the rides you want, when you want, without increased SB lines ...

Hmm, we questioned this on our last trip (near the end of old fastpasses when FP+ were being tested by some)... I guess we'll have to see how it is for our family

I highly recommend checking out mesaboy2's thread for up to date information on FP+

Awesome, I'll check it out. Thanks!

Returning in November after 3 years. We purposefully stay away 3 years now to build up excitement and be able to see new things each time!

I didn't see anyone mention the hat coming down in HS. We were lucky enough to visit during soft opening of new Fantasyland last time so rode all rides multiple times without wait and ate at BOG twice! Looking forward to 7DMT as well!

Oh, so the hat is gone now?! Is there something there in its place? I'm trying to remember if I remember before the hat but I don't think my memory is that good.

The backlot tour in DHS is gone, and Maelstrom in Norway is gone(they are using the space this was in for a new Frozen-themed ride instead). They're also planning to add a 3rd theatre to Soarin', and a 3rd track to TSMM - don't know when those will be open.

Great to know, thanks! Although we'll miss Maelstrom!

They're also testing breakfast.

Yum, that sounds good!

Sing Along , with the main characters and two storytellers, is a show where you sing along!

All Starbucks beverages are considered a snack on the DDP - even Venti-sized drinks!

Gotcha, I guess that was obvious. And YAY about the drinks!!

BOG takes reservations for all 3 meals, but lunch is still more QS than TS. It seems to be almost impossible to get in without an ADR.

Good to know! Our ADRs open this week

 

[cjparker0110]

Returning in November after 3 years. We purposefully stay away 3 years now to build up excitement and be able to see new things each time!

We went every 2-3 years growing up for basically that reason. Usually you see something being built and get excited to return. I went a few years back to back when my aunt worked there and I could afford to get out to FL. That was fun, too, but it definitely wasn't as magical as going when you have had a break. My next trip will be after a 10 year break! I'm very excited because it's been so long...but also because it will be my first time going as a parent!!! I'm looking forward to my kids experiencing what I did as a kid (and so much more).

 

[KEVD]

The frenzy level at MK rope drop has increased a bit with the addition of Mine Train.

 

[pmama]

We went every 2-3 years growing up for basically that reason. Usually you see something being built and get excited to return. I went a few years back to back when my aunt worked there and I could afford to get out to FL. That was fun, too, but it definitely wasn't as magical as going when you have had a break. My next trip will be after a 10 year break! I'm very excited because it's been so long...but also because it will be my first time going as a parent!!! I'm looking forward to my kids experiencing what I did as a kid (and so much more).

There is nothing more magical than seeing Disney through the eyes of your kids!

 

[MommytoaSweetie]

The frenzy level at MK rope drop has increased a bit with the addition of Mine Train.

Uh oh!