Ways Disney World Has Changed For the Better

Something that is always consistent with Disney World is that it is constantly changing.  Updates and adjustments are always in place when it comes to Disney resorts as well as the theme park rides and attractions.  The goal is always to help Guests have the best vacation possible when they visit Walt Disney World together.  We have a few big ways that Disney World has changed over the last few years.

My Disney Experience

Back in 2013 we were introduced to MyMagic+ which transitioned into My Disney Experience.  This free planning app has brought so much to a Walt Disney World vacation.  Guests can link their resort reservations, park tickets and dining reservations all in one place.  MDE provides Guests with wait times in a theme park, interactive maps, bus times and so much more.  This app has become essential to a Disney World vacation giving Guests so much important information and access to important features such as mobile ordering.  This was a big change for Disney and it has proven to be a fantastic way for Guests to feel connected with the magic while in Disney World.

Disney’s Skyliner

On September 29th, 2019 Disney opened its newest mode of transportation the Disney Skyliner.  The skyliner takes Guests high into the sky about Disney property as they travel between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios as well as Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation.  With a longest ride time of ten minutes, this mode of transportation is truly fantastic.  As it is a constant loader, the skyliner quickly moves Guests throughout Disney property with limited wait time.  It has become a Disney fan favorite as many enjoy taking a ride just for fun where others use it as a way to access different dining locations throughout Disney.  This was a huge change for Disney and one that has paid off drastically.  We hope that the skyliner will expand in the future because it really is a wonderful mode of transportation.

Outstanding Well Themed Lands

Disney has always done an outstanding job at bringing Guests into the movies or shows with their rides, but with the opening of Pandora, Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we have seen Disney take this to a new level.  Pandora was the first time we really saw Disney take their theming to a whole new level.  Every detail in Pandora helps bring the story to life from floating mountains to the flowers, Guests are transported to this mystical land.   In Toy Story Land, Guests truly feel like they have been shrunk to the size of a toy as they enter Andy’s Backyard.  From the unique use of toys throughout the land to decorate, to the details such as a large footprint in the pavement, Disney really thought through every detail of this land and it is fantastic.  The same love and detail went into the theming of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.  When Guests enter Batuu, they are truly immersed into a new land like we have never seen before in Disney.  From the language used by the cast members to the writing on the buildings, every aspect and detail fits the story.  No Diet Coke or cell phones in Batuu- they don’t exist there.  These three lands truly show how Disney continued to work to bring magic to the Guests.

New Updated Rooms

We are loving how Disney is making changes to some of their resort rooms.  The major change has come in the value resorts as Disney has taken a great effort to update Pop Century and the All Stars.  These resorts had started to seem run down and the new updates are fantastic.  The updated furniture, flooring, storage and overall theming is wonderful.  We don’t feel like these resorts have been forgotten about anymore.  We also like the updates we are seeing in Disney’s Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort as Disney is bringing some of our favorite movies into the resorts in a slight but fun way.  We appreciate that Disney is changing rooms to meet the needs of families so they can continue to feel at home in Disney resorts.

New Ride Technology

One of the great things about Disney is they are constantly pushing themselves to change and grow when it comes to their rides.  We have seen that consistently over the years.  Avatar: Flight of Passage brought a whole new experience to Guests and Disney hasn’t slowed down since.  Rise of the Resistance is an attraction like we have never seen before.  Guests become a part of the story in ways that are hard to even imagine.  Mickey and Minnie’s Runway Railway brought a fun, family-friend ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios using a creative, new 2 ½ D technology.  In the next year, we look forward to seeing what Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind brings with the story coaster and reverse launch.  We are so glad that Disney is constantly changing their goals and pushing their attractions to be the best they can be.

Outstanding Evening Shows

Disney World has always been known for their nighttime spectaculars, but recently they have brought these evening shows to a whole new experience with addition of projections.  Starting with Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom, we have seen how Disney has changed their evening shows to add in projections that help tell a magical story like never before.  We continue to see Disney use projection technology in Disney’s Enchantment and the Beacons of Magic in all four theme parks.  This new projection technology is a fantastic way to bring in the magic in a unique and special way.

These are just a few of the big changes we have seen recently from Disney.  We know with the release of Genie+, we will continue to see many changes in the future as well, but that is what makes Disney special.  Walt Disney World is constantly changing and looking at how to make the Guests experience the most magical.