If you haven't been to WDW since Summer 2013 read this!

Although my kids find this hard to believe, not everyone visits Disney every year! If you are planning a vacation to Orlando to visit the Walt Disney World Parks there are a couple of newish things you need to know before you go. There are changes to the FastPass system, AND the policies for disabilities.

In 2014 WDW introduced My Magic Plus. This program includes- 

• Magic Bands - The colorful wrist bands that are room keys, park passes, fast passes, and charge cards all in one. Any guest of a WDW resort  receives one of these either before they arrive or as they check into the resort. They also receive a lot of information about how the new system works.

• FastPass+ - The FastPass machines that used to be in the park are no longer there. Now FastPasses are completely digital. Using either the web site, or the phone app, you make FastPass+ reservations on your own. If you are NOT a resort guest, this can be done as early as 30 days ahead of time. You also do not need a Magic Band, your ticket will have all of the information synched with it.

Now, what do I need to do to be prepared? 

1. Order your tickets early- at least 70 days if you are a resort guest and 40 days if you will be staying off property. This allows shipping time, if you don't have a ticket you can't make a FastPass+. If you have the time try www.undercovertourist.com for a safe way to by slightly discounted tickets.
2. Open an account for My Disney Experience on the waltdisneyworld.com website.
3. When your tickets arrive link them into your My Disney Experience account.
4. At midnight 60 or 30 days (again, depending on where you will stay) before your park visit you need to be ready to make FastPass+ reservations. The Park guests had a 30 day head start, so it is important to be ready if you plan to visit rides such as Toy Story Mania, visit with Elsa and Anna, Soarin', Test Track, or any of the "Mountains". Tip- Don't forget about the new 7 Dwarves Mine Train, it is new and still very popular.
5. If you aren't a park guest you will need to repeat this process for each day you are planning to be there. Meaning- a 4 day trip = 4 nights of making FastPasses. Resort guests have their entire length of stay open to them from 60 days prior to the first night of their stay.

If you are traveling with someone with a disability- There are newish BIG changes for you too!

In October of 2013 The Disney Parks changed their policies concerning guests with disabilities. These changes effect ALL disabilities, visually impaired, mobility issues, non-visible (Autism etc) and the medically fragile. In short- everyone with a disability or even an unfortunately timed broken bone.

1. There is no longer an automatic FastPass. Even guests with mobility issues will be asked to wait in the queue or be given an access pass with a return time if there isn't accessibility. 
2. Guests with service animals, and non- visible disabilities, you now receive a reservation asking you to return at a certain time, the time given is based on current wait times. It does not have a closing window like a FastPass, and you can only have one open reservation at a time. You may have a DAS (Disability Access Service) pass AND a FastPass at the same time (for the same attraction or different ones). 
3. Parties of more than 6 can't all board the ride with the disabled person. For example, a grandma with 10 grandchildren using a wheelchair is no longer able to bring everyone on the ride with her.
4. Guests with non -visible disabilities still need to visit Guest Services to be registered, have the new policies explained to them, and have their picture taken. (The photo is the new part to this step- It's done quickly with an iPad- no posing or smiling required.) Guests with mobility issues, service animals etc. do not need to check in.
5. The new policies are meant to work WITH the FastPass+ system. So even if you have a person with a disability traveling with you, reserve FastPasses!!

The good news- 

• You no longer have to run to a FastPass Machine to get a FastPass. 
• You can sleep in if you choose to, and not worry that there won't be a FastPass.
• You can make adjustments from your phone.
• There aren't as many wheelchairs and electric carts in the way being driven by people that don't know how. Only people that actually need them are using them...
• Many people have learned that having a disability isn't easy. Without the instant ride access a wheelchair isn't much fun.- I just wish that lesson hadn't cost the rest of us!

I will be posting a detailed blog the first week of May 2015 about the latest "tweeks" to the policies for people with non-visible disabilities. The basics of the system are staying, you will still need to make reservations for the attractions. Ben and I are going on a quick trip to test them out!