What Has Changed?

[BrightMorningStar]

What has changed since 2019? I am aware of...

No more fastpasses.
No more annual passes.
Limited pin trading.
Limited photographers.
Limited character interactions.
No more magical express.

Am I missing anything that would be a shocker from my previous experience?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Masks on at all indoor locations

 

[SteveH]

Limited Menus, increased costs
Limited House Cleaning, Full price
Pay to ride option
Paid Disney Genie
Disney IT systems having issues, ongoing
Disney Call Center Wait times

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Technically, there are fast passes, you just have to pay a bit extra for them.
There have been plenty of photographers around the parks - not an issue.
Some shows are still limited or not running yet.
Not all restaurants are open yet, but most are.
Many menus are limited from before Covid shutdowns.
Mobile ordering and mobile shopping are around at many CS restaurants and Disney Stores - can be a plus if you are comfortable utilizing the tech.

Hope you can focus on the positives upon your return trip. It's still a place we've enjoyed the magic with trips in Dec and Jan. Hope you have a great time even with some of the changes.

 

[lockets]

The limited housekeeping might be a shocker

 

[holden]

Not a shocker, but no more free magic bands

 

[MsVanderquack]

- No more slow seasons
- More frequent and wider spread unexpected ride closures
- Fewer checkouts available at quick service locations (heavier reliance on mobile orders, and more frequent advance scheduling of mobile orders).
- Reduced ability for CMs to respond to issues or to spread pixie dust (e.g. light saber building not having parts or cases, and the poor CMs forced to tell people nothing can be done here’s a plastic bag until top down responses came days later)

 

[dledger]

If this applies to you - no more stroller drop offs to bell services unless using the Disney approved vendor.

 

[KimWDW]

If you bring or rent a car it now costs $15 - $25 per night to park at your own hotel.
No more Magical Express.

 

[RoseGold]

The characters frequently show up at the Main Street entrance. That was as big plus for us.

Mobile ordering is much improved and available places it wasn't before.

 

[lockets]

The “no low crowds” comment. That was a shocker. Went on a very cold January week and it was packed.

 

[lockets]

- No more sending merchant purchases back to your hotel (some Epcot festivals may be an exception - they can mail to home)

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Staggered opening hours (EP is usually last)

30 minute early access for resort guests at all parks instead of 60 min at select parks

Disney controls park access much more closely than they did before (when they fire up the Skyliner and when they start running busses)

Late 2019 Skyliner and Riviera opened (check them both out)

No park hopping until 2pm

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Masks on at all indoor locations

Which is everything other than outside according the CMs on the phone. If you walk under an awning, you are indoors. So much insanity.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

The limited housekeeping might be a shocker

Can I still get clean towels every day by asking? It would be a medical necessity.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

Not a shocker, but no more free magic bands

No worries We have about 20 per person.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

- No more slow seasons
- More frequent and wider spread unexpected ride closures
- Fewer checkouts available at quick service locations (heavier reliance on mobile orders, and more frequent advance scheduling of mobile orders).
- Reduced ability for CMs to respond to issues or to spread pixie dust (e.g. light saber building not having parts or cases, and the poor CMs forced to tell people nothing can be done here’s a plastic bag until top down responses came days later)

That limitation at Savi's may be a deal breaker for me. Seriously. We were planning a few days in Disney particularly for this reason. No parts = no build = unhappy me.

 

[BrightMorningStar]

If you bring or rent a car it now costs $15 - $25 per night to park at your own hotel.
No more Magical Express.

Or stay offsite and pay $25 a day to park at a park, correct?

 

[BrightMorningStar]

The “no low crowds” comment. That was a shocker. Went on a very cold January week and it was packed.

SO when you say packed, does that also mean everything is a 2-3 hour wait?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

Can I still get clean towels every day by asking? It would be a medical necessity.

yes....they will give you whatever towels.......TP....tissues......and/or toiletries you ask for.