Over the past five years, Disney World has not only opened new lands and attractions, but also raised prices and eliminated perks that were previously free or included. Disney launched this pricing structure in 2018 when it began charging resort hotel guests for self-parking. The once-free Magical Express Bus to and from the airport for Disney Resort Guests will be discontinued at the end of 2020. There’s also a free FastPass for Disney history books when Disney Genie+ comes out in late 2020.
But today, Disney surprised guests by eliminating not one but two charges. This is by no means a return to ‘the way it used to be’, but it is a positive start with some additional lights for the future.
For free help planning and booking your next Disney vacation, visit Mouse Counselors, TPG’s Disney Reservations Partner.
Free parking at Disney resort hotels again
Beginning January 10, Disney World Hotel Guests will no longer have to pay overnight self-parking fees. Disney World hotel guests will continue to enjoy free parking at Disney’s four theme parks.
Previously, guests were required to pay a different nightly rate based on the resort’s designation. Self parking was previously $15 per vehicle per night at value resorts, $20 at mid-range resorts, and $25 at deluxe resorts.
The list of reasons to stay at a Disney property is growing again. You can purchase Lightning Lane at (not when the park is open) and stay late on certain nights (only for Deluxe Resort guests),
Attraction photos are now free with Disney Genie+
With over 10 park attractions, including Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Slinky Dog Dash, and Frozen Ever After, you’ll have fun photo opportunities during your ride. Unfortunately, the only way to access your photos from your ride is to purchase them individually or purchase a memory maker that allows unlimited photo downloads while on vacation.
Of course, both options come at a cost, which can add upwards of $100 to the cost of your Disney World vacation.
For example, Memory Maker has a flat rate of $169 when purchased up front and $199 when purchased during or after vacation. However, photos taken during the ride and throughout the park by Disney PhotoPass photographers are included.
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However, all of this is set to change in the coming months (exact date not yet announced). Coming soon, Guests who purchase the Disney Genie+ service to skip the queue during their Disney World trip will have access to a free digital download of all in-ride photos taken on each day of Genie+ purchase. .
This means you can take home a free digital download of Tron Lightcycle / Run’s screaming face when it launches on April 4th.
Disney World Annual Passholders will soon be able to enter the parks without a reservation
Disney also said that in the coming months, Walt Disney World annual passholders will be able to enter any of Disney’s four theme parks without having to make a theme park reservation. announced (except Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom).
The exact date should be announced soon.
Disneyland changed
Disney World isn’t the only place making changes that can save you money and improve your visit.
The ability to visit multiple parks per day with a Park Hopper ticket is unfortunately not yet back to pre-pandemic status, but it’s only a step west.
Starting February 4, Disneyland visitors with eligible tickets will be allowed the park hop starting at 11am instead of 1pm.
Additionally, Disneyland now includes a photopass for all visitors as part of the park’s Disney 100 celebrations. This means that no No end date has been set for the Disney 100 celebration and this promotion, but it’s speculated that at least he’ll last until 2023.
Disney also announced that annual passes to Disneyland, known as Magic Keys, will go on sale at various times of the year, subject to availability. The park is also increasing the number of days available per year with a minimum ticket price of $104.
Related: Where to stay at Disneyland
‘Bibbidi Bobbidi’ Blip or Change of Course?
The elimination of parking fees at Disney Resort hotels is good news, as are other elements of today’s announcement. For example, a two-hour trip park-hopping at Disneyland is at least a sign of hope for a more normal future.
However, reservations are usually required to enter the parks, and Disney World does not allow park changes until 2:00 PM. Needless to say, Genie+ has only increased in price in the last few weeks. Even if resort hotel parking rates were cut by $15-$25 a night for him, it would be nearly impossible to offset all of the surcharges and price increases in recent years.
Is today’s storm of good news just “Bibbidi Bobbidi” on the roadmap for the larger Disney parks? Is it a moment?
We certainly want the latter star.
Read on for more tips to help you plan your next Disney vacation.
