Pictured above: (From left to right) Managing Editor Aubrey Carr and Arts and Life Editor Sophia George took a trip to Walt Disney World.
Courtesy of Aubrey Carr | The Crow’s Nest
By Aubrey Carr
Last week, I went to Walt Disney World for my 21st birthday. I’ve been lucky enough to visit the theme park several times throughout my life, but this was my first time going as a full-fledged adult.
The trip was wonderful –– I went on some of my favorite rides, like Space Mountain, and got to try out some classics, like Pirates of The Caribbean, for the first time.
The food was by far the highlight though and I highly recommend the sweet cream cheese stuffed pretzel from Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland.
Beyond all the fun I had, what really struck me was that I was responsible for the trajectory of the visit for the first time. No longer were my parents there to plan out my day or buy my tickets, as it was now my responsibility to figure out how to make the most of my time at “the happiest place on earth.”
Here are some tips I picked up along the way:
Make reservations
To manage attendance, Disney has required guests to make theme park reservations in advance since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Sorry, but that means no spur-of-the-moment trips to Disney World.
Depending on when you are looking to visit the parks is when you should make your reservation — the busier the park, the earlier you should reserve. If you dream of going to Disney World for the holidays, make sure you plan before you go.
Annual pass vs. ticket
On the surface, you might think a one-day ticket to Disney World would be cheaper than an annual pass — and it is, but that doesn’t mean it is the best deal.
A one-day pass will set you back $109, with an additional $85 if you want to park hop. The Pixie Dust pass costs $399. If you are planning to go to the park at least four times a year, the annual pass will be your cheaper option.
Right now, Disney only offers the Pixie Dust annual pass, which is the lowest level.
The pass allows you to visit any Disney World park Monday through Friday but features black-out dates throughout the year.
The Pixie Dust pass is only available to Florida residents, so if you are from out-of-state, this will unfortunately not be available for you.
Park hopping
Depending on what you enjoy at Disney World, you might want to split your day between more than one park.
Each park has its own distinct features –– if you are into pop culture, you may want to head to Hollywood Studios, if you want to live in a real-life fairytale for a day, head to Magic Kingdom, if you are dying to go hang out with some critters, Animal Kingdom is your perfect destination and if you have all the desire to travel but none of the money, Epcot can give you the international experience right here in Florida.
While exploring everything each park has to offer sounds amazing, that’s going to take a while. If you’re in a time crunch, the best way to see the most you can is by jumping from park to park.
Under the current reservation system, you can start park hopping at 2 p.m.
Genie+
Unfortunately, Disney got rid of complimentary FastPasses for rides last year. That means skipping the long wait times comes at a price.
In place of FastPasses, the park introduced Disney Genie+, a $15 per person per day add-on experience that unlocks the ability to select “Lightning Lane” reservations for many of Disney World’s rides.
The service works similarly to the late FastPass, except visitors can hold only one Lightning Lane reservation at a time and reservations can only be made starting at 7 a.m. the same day.
Disney World’s newer rides –– Epcot’s Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios –– come at an added $9 and $15 for Lightning Lane reservations.
While the added price tag is annoying, if going on all the rides is important to you, Genie+ might be something to look into.
Get there at opening
Disney World is expensive and if you are anything like me, you’re going to want to get the absolute most for your money –– getting to the park early is the easiest way to ensure you do everything you want.
There’s nothing like “rope dropping” Disney and rushing to your favorite ride before the crowds flood the park.
Entering at opening not only gives you a rare glimpse at short lines, but also provides you with extra park time, ensuring you can do whatever is on your Disney to-do list.
Skip the lines, order on your phone
If Disney World is known for anything, it’s the large assortment of delicious snacks and obscure treats. After walking for miles around the park (and melting in the Florida heat), who wouldn’t want a Dole Whip or Mickey Mouse-shaped ice cream bar? The only issue is one all too familiar for Disney frequenters: the lines.
Luckily, there is a simple solution to beat the lines at food service locations: mobile ordering.
The My Disney Experience app is filled with all sorts of features fit for getting the most out of your trip. One of these features is the mobile ordering section. You can choose almost any quick service location at the park, pick a timeslot and prepay for your meal. Instead of waiting around in line, just pick up your snack at your selected time.
Utilize the Single Rider Line
If you’re willing to split up from your party in the pursuit of thrills, the Single Rider Line is a must.
Located at the entrance to most of Disney’s more exciting rides, the line allows solo riders to skip ahead of the crowd. It’s a perfect time saver for a packed day at the parks, but don’t expect to ride with a friend.
