Like it or not, Disney World is constantly changing.
From little changes like menu updates at restaurants to bigger changes like completely retheming an attraction, Disney is always working on something and whether the changes are for better or worse is up for debate. But, if you haven’t visited Disney World in the past 5 years or so, you might be surprised by just how much is different!
Park Pass Reservations
When Disney World first reopened after the unprecedented closure of the parks at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot was different. There were mask mandates, temperature checks, capacity limits, and a new requirement to make Park Pass Reservations in addition to purchasing a park ticket.
The Park Pass Reservation system started out as a way to ensure that capacity limits weren’t surpassed — each guest needed to reserve their spot at the park that they planned to visit before arriving. But, as park capacity limits have increased, the requirement still hasn’t gone away. In fact, it’s likely here to stay.
Needing to make Park Pass Reservations has in turn changed the way that guests plan their Disney World vacation — gone are the days when you could wake up and decide what park you want to head to day of. Now, you’ll need to make a reservation for each park you plan to visit months in advance. Oh, and they can “sell out” now, meaning that you have even less control over which parks you can visit when.
Annual Passholder Program
The COVID-19 pandemic brought on another huge initial change — Disney World Annual Pass sales were temporarily suspended. And, while guests can once again purchase an annual pass (for the most part), the program is VERY different (and pricier) compared to what it once was.
Previously, guests could select from seven different “tiered” pass options including Platinum Plus, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Theme Park Select, Weekday Select, and EPCOT After 4. But, now there are only FOUR — the Disney Incredi-Pass, the Disney Sorcerer Pass, the Disney Pirate Pass, and the Disney Pixie Dust Pass.
And, the perks are pretty different too.
While PhotoPass Downloads and admission to the water parks and sports activities were previously included with the purchase of several different pass options, none of the new tiers include the options. Instead, annual passholders can opt to purchase the add-ons for $99 each.
Disney also is more closely monitoring the sale of annual passes, meaning that they can essentially “sell out,” as the number of passes is limited. And, we’re currently seeing this in action, as three of the four tiers have been unavailable for purchase since November 2021.
Genie+ is the New FastPass+
Along with the suspension of Annual Pass sales, Disney suspended FastPass+ in the parks for well over a year when they reopened in 2020. And, in 2021, they announced that the service would officially be retired and replaced with something new — Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection.
Both services still provide guests with access to “skip the line” at popular Disney World attractions, but there’s one catch — it’ll cost ya.
Disney Genie+ enables guests to bypass the standby line at 40+ attractions in Disney World for the cost of $15 per person, per day. Individual Attraction Selections on the other hand are separate from Genie+ and are a different cost (between $7 to $15 per person, per ride) to the most popular rides in each park (like Rise of the Resistance in Disney’s Hollywood Studios).
The new systems replace FastPasses in Disney for the first time since 1999 so there’s a lot to learn before you make your purchase! Luckily, we’ve been in the parks testing them out since Genie+ began, so you can check out some our tips and tricks below:
- Disney Genie and Genie Plus: The Ultimate Guide
- Answering Your BIGGEST Questions About Disney Genie+
- The Most Confusing Parts of Disney Genie Explained
- 6 Walt Disney World Disney Genie Tips You Probably Haven’t Heard
- How Does Disney Genie+ Work With Multiple Guests in One Party?
- 14 Times You Should Consider Buying Genie+ in Disney World
Hotel Theming
As Disney has built more hotels and renovated the ones that already exist, there’s been a trend — they’re being themed after Disney movies. For example, Disney recently overhauled the rooms at both Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort removing its more generic theming and replacing it with Disney movies.
And, perhaps the biggest change to Disney Resorts can be found at the new Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel. The concept of the hotel is completely new and is less of a “hotel” and more of a mix between a cruise, an escape room, and a murder mystery game.
Here guests visit for an immersive 2-night stay where they create and participate in their own Star Wars story interacting with characters and completing missions that directly impact the outcome of the bigger storyline.
So, while some Disney hotels still have their original theming that doesn’t entirely scream “you’re in Disney World,” we’re continuing to see more and more incorporate Disney-owned brands and characters.
Major Park Transformations
And, much like the retheming of Disney Resorts, we’ve started to see more and more IP attractions and lands make their way to Disney World over the past few years.
It began with the creation of the two immersive lands in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land — and since we’ve seen fan-favorite attractions changed to include Disney characters (like The Great Movie Ride) and more are coming.
Right now, Disney is in the middle of a huge park transformation at EPCOT which will bring new attractions that are themed after Marvel and Disney movies, along with other updates.
So, all in all, if you haven’t been to Disney World in a little while, you’ll find A LOT of new things to explore and whether you’re a fan of the changes is up for debate. Of course, we’re always keeping an eye out for major updates from Disney and breaking down everything that you need to know, so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest!
Check out 5 Things You’re Getting WRONG About Disney World’s Recent Changes
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What things do you wish Disney World DIDN’T change? Let us know in the comments!
Out of all these changes, I hate what they’ve done to EPCOT the most and it used to be my favorite park. There are many ways they could have kept the theme and essene of the park while adding thrill rides. Also, with the hotels, they might be adding more IP, but is it just me or do all the new renovations look a little plain and samey. They seem to be going with white walls, white sheets, light floors, and just a few touches to make it so they aren’t carbon copies of one another. If they continue to streamline the lobbies and rooms and make them all look like HGTV projects rather than transport you into another place, it gets a lot harder to justify the money when you could stay at another resort in the area for half the price.
Honestly after reading this article I really feel like Walt Disney World is no longer worth it. I don’t know who Bob Chapek is trying to cater too exactly but it isn’t Disney loyalists. I feel like this article should have more than 5 items. I think for one you should have covered them doing away with Disney Magical Express and forcing guests to pay for hotel parking. These are two things that effect the majority of Disney guests. I have been to Disney around 27 times which is significant because I live in the North East of the US. My average vacation to Disney costs me around 4k – 6k based on my preferences. Pre-pandemic I tried to go almost every year. However the changes in this article and the ones I mentioned all contribute to the distaste I am starting to feel for Disney Parks. I guess Mr. Chapek no longer feels that he needs my families money which is fine. There will always be someone to replace me but I imagine that the people who are replacing me are not going to provide earnings to Disney Parks and Resorts on a yearly basis like I do. I wish the Disney community was more organized and that we could punish Disney with effective boycotts when they change things that hurt the average fan. I feel like we need to start getting serious about sending messages to the Walt Disney Company
I totally agree. But….as a DVC member, Disney likely thinks they have me where they want me. As Jason notes he spent $4-$6,000 on his WDW vacations. But there are options. I just got back from Disney’s Vero Beach resort for a week’s vacation. Had a wonderful time. I live in the northeast and went to several nature centers such as Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge ( the very first national park). Saw many amazing birds you don’t see in the northeast. Also took many long walks on the beach and hung out by the pool. Enjoyed the weather a great deal. You can play tennis, rent a bike, and reny beach chairs and umbrellas for a reasonable price. Disney got like $250. of my money at the resort. Also went to several nice non Disney restaurants in the area and cooked right at our resort home. And there were NO LINES. No 2-4 hours wait for a two minute ride. No crowds to navigate. No buses to wait for. The ocean was 78 degrees and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore was peaceful and relaxing. WDW will always be there. You can go there and relax by the pool. Go to a couple parks and check out other stuff in the area. And eat at other places or have groceries shipped in (It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if Disney stopped holding groceries at bell services) And those souvenirs and shops in all the parks and after every ride? Skip them. You really don’t need that stuff. Make Disney as anry as they have made you.