A stay at Walt Disney World in Orlando has always been expensive. Today, you have to pay for just about everything that used to be offered for free, and the many changes in recent years have contributed to the price increase. Does the magic still work? Yes, but it is better to get up early to fully enjoy it. And take advantage of the application on his smart phone.
My daughter Alyssa and I have the same fever as we enter Walt Disney World (WDW). The hours of sleep count for little, since there is so much to see and do. This was our tenth stay together in this particular universe, the last dating back to January 2020. We had reserved our place in advance in each of the parks we wanted to visit each day. It was obvious that we would return first to Magic Kingdom, to taste again the unparalleled atmosphere that reigns there.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
We increased our visits to Epcot, easily accessible from the three other WDW parks.
For us, the Park Hopper option, which allows you to go to several parks on the same day, was worth the extra cost, which is quite high (around US$65 to US$85 depending on the number of days and the period of the trip). ‘year). We have multiplied visits to Epcot, rich in culinary experiences in the huge area dedicated to different countries of the world, World Showcase. Getting there was by monorail (from Magic Kingdom), bus (from Animal Kingdom) or Skyliner boat or gondola (from Hollywood Studios). In the latter case, we could also have walked there.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Epcot can be reached by boat or by air using the Skyliner. You can also get there by monorail or bus. For those who live in a nearby hotel, walking is also an option.
First observation: the employees, called cast members (cast members, like in the movies), are always so considerate. They smile and are extremely kind, whether they are in the parks, at the hotel or driving a bus. You really feel in a special place.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
That same day, we secured a reservation for the ever-popular Oga’s Cantina bar in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Second observation: we were right not to worry about restaurant reservations. Before leaving, we had made two for a five day stay, knowing that we would be eating mostly fast food type meals at the hotel and in the parks. Easy to use, the Genie system, integrated free of charge into the WDW application, proved to be very useful in managing our reservations. Unless you’re a fan of going to a particular place, like Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom, the choice of restaurants is varied at the last minute, since reservations can be canceled free of charge up to two hours before the scheduled time. fixed.
We have to talk about Genie+
In place of the old FastPass, three options allow you to bypass the queues. To take advantage of it, when you stay in a hotel in WDW, you have to be on the peak from 7 a.m., phone in hand, to make sure you do the rides that are important to you. Those who live elsewhere must wait until the parks open at 9 a.m. For buffs like us, who weren’t planning on sleeping in, this challenge was fun.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Every morning, Genie+ opens the way to Lightning lanes, which allow you to do most rides in just a few minutes, at an additional cost. Wait times for those who have not paid extra are listed on site and in the Walt Disney World app.
What is the famous Genie+ system, implemented in October 2021? This is accessible in the WDW app, for a fee, which ranges from US$15 to US$29 per person, per day, depending on the time of year. Every morning, Genie+ leads the way to Lightning lanes, which allow you to do most rides in just a few minutes, choosing them one at a time. The most popular rides, however, are beyond the reach of Genie+.
You have to pay an individual supplement (from $11 to $25 depending on the ride and the time of year, whether or not you opt for Genie+) in order to avoid the long lines, which can reach 200 minutes in the case the sensational Avatar Flight of Passage, at Animal Kingdom, and the spectacular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, at Hollywood Studios. Also, to do the all-new and exciting Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for free at Epcot, you have to sign up for a virtual “queue” to be part of a later-convened group. You have to do it at 7 a.m. sharp or at 1 p.m., if you have set foot in the park.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
We avoided the long queues by paying extra to get Genie+, among other things. This gave us quick access to one of the Tomorrowland Speedway ride cars in Magic Kingdom. We got a close look at the upcoming Tron Lightcycle/Run ride, which will welcome its first passengers on April 4.
Very helpful service
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ALYSSA EGIZIANO
The two rides in the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios park are hugely popular. It’s worth waiting until the very end of the day, when the crowds are less dense, to wait in line.
We did various tests to conclude that, for enthusiasts like us, it is worth buying Genie+ daily, which allowed us to do at least five super popular rides per day (in two different parks) without waiting for 45 hours each time. , 60 or 85 minutes. Every two hours, we could indeed select a new attraction. The $25 daily surcharge (while we were there) ended up being $5 per ride. But we were there from when the parks opened until they closed. The WDW website is more cautious, stating that Genie+ gives quick access to two or three rides per day.
By also checking the WDW app for ride wait times, we tweaked our strategy as we went along, to get as much done as possible.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
We each paid $16 USD to skip the very, very long line to the Avatar Flight of Passage ride at Animal Kingdom. Access to the carousel was so quick that we missed the fascinating route taken by those who patiently wait their turn. After a few minutes, we were paired with our avatar to temporarily become a Na’vi.
As for the individual bounty required to bypass the queues of the most popular rides, we changed our minds after doing Avatar Flight of Passage, at Animal Kingdom. We particularly like this carousel, where we flee the attack of a dragon by flying over Pandora on the back of a banshee. We were taken aback, since after a short detour, we ended up directly in the hallway leading to the room where we are paired with our avatar to temporarily become a Na’vi. It was…too fast.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
The wait is often pleasant. Along the way to the cars of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride, for example, interactive activities keep young and old busy.
We realized how the queues, arranged to distract us, prepare us mentally and enrich the experience. Afterwards, we patiently waited to do the hilarious Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure for the first time, at Epcot, and one of our favorite rides at Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Too bad if the wait exceeded 80 minutes. That, too, is part of the fun of being at Walt Disney World.
Transportation to Orlando was provided free of charge by Air Transat, which exercised no right of inspection over this report.
Our guide to a successful Walt Disney World experience
It’s more important than ever to prepare before setting foot in Walt Disney World. Here are some tips, which could prove very useful to make the most of the experience.
Mears Connect bus service has taken over from Disney’s Magical Express, which shuttled free of charge between the Orlando airport and WDW hotels. We ask US$16 per adult and US$13.50 per child from 3 to 9 years old for the round trip. Depending on the size of the group, a taxi or Lyft or Uber services may be advantageous. A car seat is not guaranteed.
If possible, go to WDW outside of school holidays and the American Holidays and Thanksgiving. The prices are lower and there are fewer people.
Check the opening hours of the parks, disclosed in advance on the WDW website, in order to make a wise choice. Special evenings are regularly organized at Magic Kingdom, decreasing the length of a usual day.
The hotels in the “Value” category, in WDW, are the least expensive. Watch for deals, which drastically reduce prices.
Bring your Magic Band from a previous trip, if it’s not a first trip. It is essential, since it allows you to enter the parks and make purchases without having any money on you, but it is no longer provided free of charge.
Do not take the Park Hopper option if it is a first stay. Each park has plenty to offer. Disney Springs, a fabulous hub of entertainment, dining and shopping, is also worth a visit after a busy day.
When the parks open, don’t walk in to the more popular rides, which are packed. Instead, wait about ten minutes before the parks close to get online. The wait will be much shorter.
Take advantage of the free transport system in WDW. There are plenty of options for getting to the parks, hotels and Disney Springs by bus, boat, by air on the Skyliner and on foot. You just need to be imaginative to get there.
No need to buy bottled water. Ask for glasses of water when ordering your meal or snack.
Pack sweaters featuring Mickey and Minnie. The cost will be much lower than if purchased locally. It’s also time to put the princess dresses bought on Halloween to good use.