Disney World is still magical — but it’s also jam-packed with people, has incredibly long lines for rides and food, is more difficult to get to, and is now pay-to-play in many instances. Park Pass Reservations are required — you have to pick where you want to go early enough for it to still be available.
Disney is no longer offering transportation services from the airport to onsite properties — that’s gone. They’ve also resorted to hiring outside bus companies with non-Disney drivers to supplement their driver shortage and it’s still standing room only to get to the parks from resort hotels. Good luck getting a good driver AND a seat.
If you’re lucky enough to reserve the park you want to go to, be prepared. The only time I’ve seen Magic Kingdom busier than last week was after Christmas and New Year’s Eve a few years back. Even our spring break trip pre-pandemic seemed to have fewer people crammed into Main Street.
In case you don’t already know, in addition to reserving the park you want to visit, there are also a ton of other changes that all mean LESS service and MORE money. Ticket prices have gone up and Fast passes have been eliminated — replaced with Genie+ and Lightning Lane options. To bypass the standby line, some rides require you to purchase both Genie+ AND a Lightning Lane pass.
The castle is gorgeous during the day and at night…
If you purchase a Photopass, a Disney photographer scans your magic band, takes your photo (after you stand in a loooong line) and you can download the digital version from the My Disney Experience app. For more money, you can buy prints. These are my two favorites of Ben and Coco from Photopass session one:
And now for the Photopass fail! Below are two photos taken at the same time — same day — same people…
In a matter of 5 seconds, I grew huge breasts — like Dolly Parton even. Coco is totally convinced that someone edited all the front facing photos of me taken during that session. I’m convinced I made the right decision when I didn’t have implants back when I once considered it.
More on the Magic Kingdom park, rides and food tomorrow.