
Planning a vacay to the “happiest place on earth” can be as exciting as it is overwhelming. Whether you’ve been to the magical theme parks many times or are taking your first trip, there’s lots to consider as you plan your itinerary.
SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE PARKS
Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” is extended through March 31, meaning you have a few more months to see special shows like The Beacons of Magic lights display at Animal Kingdom, Disney Enchantment nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious fireworks at EPCOT. Don’t miss the 50th anniversary statues at all four major parks and the Electrical Water Pageant Parade: Shimmer Edition that has beautiful lighted sea creatures on barges floating outside of Magic Kingdom on the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. And of course, a big draw for foodies is the 50th anniversary snacks, which range from a lemon chiffon cupcake to a larger-than-life Mickey cinnamon bun to a corn chip pie with Walt’s chili to a Firefly Margarita.
If you caught the D23 expo, the ultimate Disney fan event, either in person or virtually last fall, you already know the popular “Happily Ever After” nighttime show at Magic Kingdom will return this year. Fans have missed this show of almost 20 minutes of lasers, lights and projections onto Cinderella’s Castle, and of course, fireworks, since it’s been on hiatus since September 2021.
NEW RIDES IN THE WORKS
Longtime favorite ride Splash Mountain will be closed starting on Jan. 23 but return in 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure rethemed with characters from “The Princess and the Frog.”
The most highly anticipated ride in recent Disney history is TRON Lightcycle / Run in the Magic Kingdom. With a planned opening this spring, the movie-based high-speed adventure will have visitors climb aboard their own Lightcycle for a ride on one of the fastest roller coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.
Journey of Water, inspired by “Moana,” was supposed to open at EPCOT last year but that’s been pushed back to late 2023. This walk-through interactive experience is “where water comes to life” and visitors will stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail. That’s just part of the reconstruction of two of the four neighborhoods of EPCOT, including World Celebration and Dreamers Point.
Also in EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is creating lots of buzz, as it’s the first coaster to ever start backwards and is an “omnicoaster” meaning each car in the train can move by itself.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Galaxy’s Edge is probably the biggest draw second to Toy Story Land. On Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, you’re at the controls of the famous ship, acting as a pilot, a gunner or an engineer. Nearby, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a 20-minute experience that brings the movie to life through the ride—but be sure to book your launch well in advance.
Hollywood Studios also has Minnie & Mickey’s New Runaway Railroad, the first time the couple stars in their own attraction. Board the train with Goofy as the conductor and go on an adventure before the love-mice get to their picnic.
Cool down at the new “Frozen” kids area in the recently reopened Blizzard Beach. Tike’s Peak has miniature slides and attractions, Anna and Elsa’s igloo castle is now in the area, and Olaf and his Snowgie pals hang out in the warm wading pool. Typhoon Lagoon is currently closed for refurbishment.
NEW EATERIES
For a sit-down meal, La Creperie de Paris in the France pavilion at EPCOT, Space 220 in EPCOT and Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary Resort will be well worth time off the rides. The kids will love Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a new table-service restaurant in Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios, where Woody and Jessie make appearances. If you’re heading to Disney’s Boardwalk area, there will be a table service restaurant and a bakery opening, The Cake Bake Shop, where beloved baker Gwendolyn Rogers serves up beautiful cakes.
TICKET CHANGES AND PRICE INCREASES
The different theme parks require tickets and reservations because of changes made during the pandemic, but the process changed slightly in December. There is now park-specific pricing on 1-day, 1-park tickets. That means you’ll have to select a date and theme park before buying your ticket and your reservation will be made automatically at the time of purchase. That also means ticket prices increase depending on park popularity (with Magic Kingdom being the most popular park).
The cost for Park Hopper add-ons also increased, as did the cost for annual passes. Along with this, the My Disney Experience app has a Disney Genie option where a virtual itinerary can be created based on your park location, preferences and wait times to create a virtual itinerary. You can book dining reservations and activities, too.
The FastPass system has been replaced by Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. For a fee, you can select two to three attractions per day using a separate entrance (similar to the old FastPass) if your first selection is made early in the day. Some Lightning Lane rides can be purchased a la carte if you don’t have Genie+.
Make sure you have your MagicBand so you can link everything to your wrist: entrance tickets, Lightning Lane access, hotel room key, credit cards, etc. MagicBand+ features color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition, plus two interactive mini-games including the Disney Fab 50 Quest.