by Military Diva
It’s a New Year and we’re ready to travel!
Several of our Divas have taken advantage of the warm weather and Holiday Season with a trip to Walt Disney World. They experienced the new Disney Genie service first hand and enjoyed the new treats and entertainment of the 50th Anniversary Celebration. We had a few Divas visiting Disneyland and experiencing the new Disney Genie service on the West Coast as well. We have also worked with a few guests that have returned to cruising with Disney Cruise Line.
It has been an exciting start to the New Year with an exciting uptrend in travel. We will be offering our first-hand experience with our resort stays, use of Disney Genie Services, tips for airport transfers, and more in the coming weeks. In the meantime, we invite you to read on below for a comprehensive list of News and Updates from the Disney Travel Company.
Walt Disney World
Beautiful view of Cinderella’s Castle from the Tomorrowland Bridge
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check Disney’s KNOW BEFORE YOU GO site before traveling for the most up-to-date policies, procedures, and closures.
Masks are currently required at all indoor locations and while on all Disney World transportation. Masks are not currently required while in the queue or outdoor theaters and attractions. This information could change at any time so be sure to check Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” before you travel. - Park Pass Reservations-be sure to check Park Pass Availability before purchasing any theme park tickets or packages. Reserve your Park as soon as your purchase is complete!
- Disney World’s Genie Service became available for purchase/use on October 19. Guests can mix and match the three options below, creating the best experience for their vacation needs. Take a look at our FAQ sheet for more tips and restrictions.
- Disney Genie-this complimentary service is available to all guests via the “My Disney Experience” app and offers personalized itineraries based on real-time wait times. Guests can select their favorite experiences, types of rides, and must-do experiences to create their best day. Disney Genie also offers mobile quick service ordering, restaurant wait times/restaurant check-in/reservation booking, real-time tips, up-to-date standby times, access to a virtual assistant, and the ability to try for virtual queues when necessary. Guests can also chat with Cast Members when needing assistance.
- Genie + is a paid service that offers access to Lightning Lanes (old Fast Pass) for over 50 Disney World attractions. With this $15/ticket/day purchase, guests can select one attraction at a time (available as the next available time slot) and skip the standard standby lines. Genie+ can be added as a length-of-ticket add-on in advance of travel. Guests choosing to add as a day-by-day option can purchase via the app after midnight on the day of use. Attraction scheduling begins at 7 am for all guests.
- Individual Attraction Selection offers Lightning Lane access to the top two attractions in each Disney World Park. The pricing for this access varies based on day, season, and crowd levels. On-site resort guests can purchase up to two Individual Attraction Selections beginning at 7 am on the day of use; off-site guests can purchase up to two IAS beginning at park opening on the day of use. These can be selected for different parks if using a Park Hopper, but the maximum Individual Attraction Selection still maxes out at 2 per day (not per park).
- Disney World Genie Updates-Character Sighting opportunities are now included as a Lightning Lane option with the purchase of Genie+
- See Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
- See Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall at Magic Kingdom Park
- See Mickey at Town Square Theater at Magic Kingdom Park
- See Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney World current discounts and offers
- Walt Disney World Fun in the Sun Offers (details from disneyworld.com)
- Guests can save up to $500 on a 5-night stay at select Disney Resort hotels most nights between Mar. 6-July 7, 2022.
- Florida Residents can save up to 20% on rooms this summer at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights Mar. 11-July 7, 2022.
- Florida Resident Disney Weekday Magic Ticket now available (details below from disneyworld.com)
- The ticket is valid on weekdays from January 11, 2022 through April 7, 2022, subject to block-out dates (March 14-18, 2022)
- Florida Residents can purchase a 2-, 3- or 4-day ticket with prices starting at $149 plus tax.
- All adult guests will need to show proof of Florida Residency
Courtesy of Dopey Diva.
- Resort Updates
- The Grand Floridian Spa was refreshed and reopened on January 26. Advanced reservations are recommended for this full-service salon and spa.
- Restaurant Openings- fan favorite locations are returning!
- Flying Fish at Disney’s Boardwalk reopened on January 27, 2022
- Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort will return on January 31, 2022
- The Turf Club Bar and Grille at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will reopen on February 3, 2022
- Jiko-The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will return on February 17, 2022
- Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort will return to an All-You-Care-To-Eat Buffet for breakfast and dinner. Snow Crab Legs and Whole Lobster will continue to be an add-on option and will not be included in the standard dinner buffet pricing.
- Attraction Updates
- Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure has transitioned from Virtual Boarding Group and Individual Attraction Selection to Stand By and Individual Attraction Selection lines. Guests no longer need to book a virtual boarding group to enjoy this new ride!
New updates coming to Toy Story Land!
- Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is receiving an exciting update in 2022!
- Jessie’s Trading Post, a highly themed toy and souvenir shop, will open later this year.
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant will finally open!
- Epcot Festival of the Arts Updates
- The 2022 Festival will run from January 14 through February 21.
- This year’s Festival will feature 15 new and returning Food Studios.
- Be sure to check out this year’s Foodie Guide before your visit to plan your journey and appetite appropriately!
- Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival Updates
- The 2022 Festival will return this March
- Garden Rocks Concert Series will return with an amazing lineup!
- March 4-5 – The Guess Who
- March 6-7 – Rick Springfield
- March 11-12 – Melina Leon – NEW to Garden Rocks
- March 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice, currently on tour with Billy Joel – NEW
- March 20-21 – Kool & The Gang – NEW to Garden Rocks
- March 25-28 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
- April 1-2 – The Spinners
- April 3-4 – The Pointer Sisters
- April 8-9 – Blue October – NEW to Garden Rocks
- April 15-16 – Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston – NEW
- April 17-18 – Don Felder, Formerly of The Eagles
- April 22-23 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
- April 24-25 – Claudia Leitte – NEW
- April 29-30 – Berlin
- May 1-2 – TobyMac
- May 6-7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
- May 8-9 – The Commodores – NEW to Garden Rocks
- May 13-14 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett – NEW
- May 20-21 – A Flock Of Seagulls
- May 22-23 – Collin Raye – NEW
- May 27-28 – Thelma Houston – NEW
- May 29-30 – Little River Band
- June 3-6 – Simple Plan
- June 10-13 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- June 17-20 – Plain White T’s
- Guests are encouraged to secure their concert spot with a Garden Rocks Dining Package that includes dinner and guaranteed concert entry.
Disneyland
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check Disney’s KNOW BEFORE YOU GO site before traveling for the most up-to-date policies, procedures, and closures.
Masks are currently required at all indoor locations and while on all Disney World transportation. Masks are not currently required while in the queue or outdoor theaters and attractions. This information could change at any time so be sure to check Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” before you travel. - Park Pass Reservations-be sure to check Park Pass Availability before purchasing any theme park tickets or packages. Reserve your Park as soon as your purchase is complete!
Genie+ Lightning Lane (photo by Disney)
- Disney World’s Genie Service became available for purchase/use on October 19. Guests can mix and match the three options below, creating the best experience for their vacation needs. Take a look at our FAQ sheet for more tips and restrictions.
- Disney Genie-this complimentary service is available to all guests via the “My Disney Experience” app and offers personalized itineraries based on real-time wait times. Guests can select their favorite experiences, types of rides, and must-do experiences to create their best day. Disney Genie also offers mobile quick service ordering, restaurant wait times/restaurant check-in/reservation booking, real-time tips, up-to-date standby times, access to a virtual assistant, and the ability to try for virtual queues when necessary. Guests can also chat with Cast Members when needing assistance.
- Genie + is a paid service that offers access to Lightning Lanes (old Fast Pass) for over 50 Disney World attractions. With this $15/ticket/day purchase, guests can select one attraction at a time (available as the next available time slot) and skip the standard standby lines. Genie+ can be added as a length-of-ticket add-on in advance of travel. Guests choosing to add as a day-by-day option can purchase via the app after midnight on the day of use. Attraction scheduling begins at 7 am for all guests.
- Individual Attraction Selection offers Lightning Lane access to the top two attractions in each Disney World Park. The pricing for this access varies based on day, season, and crowd levels. On-site resort guests can purchase up to two Individual Attraction Selections beginning at 7 am on the day of use; off-site guests can purchase up to two IAS beginning at park opening on the day of use. These can be selected for different parks if using a Park Hopper, but the maximum Individual Attraction Selection still maxes out at 2 per day (not per park).
Nightly entertainment
- Downtown Disney Updates-the following locations will be closing to make room for the new, updated spaces
- Sugarboo & Co. – Saturday, Jan. 15
- Earl of Sandwich – Thursday, Jan. 27
- Starbucks West – Saturday, Jan. 29
- Disneyland Monorail-temporary closure from February 14-March 6
- Disneyland Resort welcomes ESPN during Super Bowl LVI Week!
- ESPN will be recording from Disney California Adventure from February 9-February 13, 2022.
- Downtown Disney District will host a fan experience from February 10-13, 2022, from 1-7 pm PST.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line Updates, Photo Courtesy of Fairy Diva
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go site before booking your Disney Cruise, at least 30 days before your cruise, and as you move close to the sailing date. Requirements and policies are changing quickly! Also, be sure to have the Disney Cruise Line noted as a safe address in your email. Guests that are affected by policy changes are being contacted directly.
Disney Cruise Line guests must register for a Safe Passage account
- Complete all Steps Required before Sailing if sailing before January 13! These requirements have changed drastically this month. The Disney Cruise Line is constantly reminding guests that all steps are required or boarding will be denied. Check the Know Before You Go site, Disney Cruise Line Pre-Cruise Checklist, email correspondence, and your online account for specific requirements. The following steps are currently required on all Disney Cruise sailings…
- Safe Passage Website Account-all guests must have their own account; adults complete for children. Registration and test kit ordering opens 15 days before sailing.
- Schedule transfers from airport to cruise port (or determine parking location, if driving)
- Covid-19 Vaccine (required for all guests 5 and up beginning with January 13 sailings)
- Pre-sail rapid PCR or lab-based PCR Covid-19 Testing for all guests under the age of 5, must be administered between 3-days and 24 hours of sailing. (Valid on cruises before January 13, 2022). Testing options include
- Purchase and schedule test from Safe Passage Website to be administered onsite in FL 1-3 days before sailing ($98.33). Florida testing locations are available at Orlando International Airport and Cape Canaveral Radisson Resort
- Purchase an at-home test from the Safe Passage Website and return it via the included shipping instructions, exactly 3 days before sailing
- Take a test at an independent PCR testing site of choice
- Online Check-In
- Upload proof of vaccine and children’s negative covid tests to the Safe Passage website. Bring proof with you to port.
- Embarkation Covid-19 Testing for all guests at the port on the day of boarding.
- Pixar Day at Sea coming to the Disney Fantasy in 2023!
- Pixar Day at Sea will feature storylines and characters from “Toy Story”, “Monsters, Inc.”, “The Incredibles”, and “Finding Nemo”.
- The experience will include character encounters, new nighttime spectaculars, “Coco” theater experience, a dance party, and character breakfast/dinner opportunities
- Pixar Day at Sea will take place aboard select 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean Disney Fantasy sailings out of Port Canaveral, Florida.
- Sailings are scheduled between January and March 2022
As you can read, there is a lot happening in the World of Disney! We are grateful for their ability to adapt to this curios world we are living in. We appreciate the Cast Members that have held on and continued to provide our families with impeccable service. And we value the memories and experiences the Disney Travel Company provides our families.
In the words of Walt Disney himself, “Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious…and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Thank you for looking forward!
If you would like to experience any of the Disney Parks with your family, consider contacting Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel. She is an independent agent working with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She is experienced with Disney Destinations, Universal Parks, and many other locations. Her passion is to provide a worry-free trip, customized with tips for your family, at no extra charge to you. Contact Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel if you would like assistance planning your next trip!
