Is Disney World’s Travel Protection Plan Worth it?

Darren Wittko 5/25/22 Darren Wittko 5/25/22

Will Older MagicBands Still Work When MagicBand+ is Released?

MagicBand+ will be arriving at Walt Disney World this summer. Soon you’ll be able to engage with Disney moments like never before as it reacts to nighttime spectaculars with lighting effects and gesture recognition.

Features of MagicBand+

Customizable color-changing lights

Haptic vibrations let you feel the magic with light vibrations that bring experiences to life
Gesture recognition—your movement enables magical surprises!

Will Older MagicBands Still Work When MagicBand+ is Released?

Yes! If you have a MagicBand from a previous trip to Walt Disney World, you will be able to use it even after the newer model has been released.

You’ll be able to use older MagicBands to enter the theme parks, pay for merchandise and dining, and for Disney PhotoPass.

Disney says there’s a tiny battery inside the MagicBand that is designed to last for two years.

Some of my clients have reported that MagicBands from several years ago still worked.

I have one from 2019 that I use on a regular basis and it works just fine.

It’s also important to make sure that any older MagicBands are listed as “active” in your My Disney Experience account.

In the My Disney Experience app, to My Profile > MagicBands & Cards to see a list of active and inactive bands.

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Guide to Riding Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

It’s almost time for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to launch into EPCOT on May 27, 2022. Here are some important things you need to know as Disney introduces this new attraction to guests.

How to experience Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at Epcot plus tips — Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot

Will Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind go upside down?

No, there are no loops or inversions.

Is Cosmic Rewind a roller coaster?

Yes, it is Disney World’s newest coaster and considered to be one of longest indoor coaster in the world.

What is a reverse launch coaster?

This means riders are seated in a forward-facing position as the train is launched in a backward direction.

How do I get on Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind?

This attraction will open with a virtual queue system via the Disney World mobile app.

You may also have the opportunity to purchase an individual Lightning Lane entry to Guardians of the Galaxy.

At this time, there will not be a standby queue option. This means you will not be able to walk up and get in line without a boarding group or Lightning Lane pass. This will likely be temporary and eventually stand by will become available.

How do I enter the virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind?

Beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of your Epcot park reservation, you will be able to check for an available boarding group via the My Disney Experience app and request access to the virtual queue. This can be done before you leave your Resort hotel or on the way to the park.

At 1 p.m., there will be another opportunity to join the virtual queue for anyone who wasn’t able to join a boarding group earlier in the day. For this, you must be inside EPCOT to access this second virtual queue opportunity.

Tips for Joining the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Virtual Queue

I recommend that everyone in your party with the My Disney Experience mobile app have their phones out and ready go about 10 minutes prior to the virtual queue opening time.

Have one person on Disney’s wifi network, another on their data plan, just in case the park wifi network isn’t strong enough or becomes overloaded. There will be thousands of people doing the same thing, at the same time.

If you’re with a large group, be sure you are all linked together by using the Family and Friends tool located inside the Disney World app. This will allow one person to snag a boardgroup for the entire party.

If you make it into the queue, work as fast as you can to register. Boarding groups are filling up even while you’re registering and you could still lose out. You won’t know for sure if you got in until you complete the registration process. An error message means you didn’t get in.

Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. If the ride goes offline or the queue is longer than anticipated, you may not be able to ride.

Will a Virtual queue be offered during extended evening hours?

If you’re staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels you will have an additional opportunity to request to join the virtual queue at 6 p.m. on select dates during extended evening theme park hours.

When making park reservations, check the Disney World Park Hours page to see when extended evening theme park hours are being offered.

If you are staying at a Deluxe or Deluxe Villa, you do not need to be inside EPCOT to request to join at 6 p.m.

You will need a theme park reservation for EPCOT to experience extended evening hours — or, you may hop to EPCOT if you have the Park Hopper option on your ticket.

How do I purchase individual Lightning Lane entry to Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind?

You can purchase individual Lightning Lane entry in the My Disney Experience mobile app via Disney Genie service on the same day of your visit, subject to availability.

Based on other popular attractions like Star Wars Rise of the Resistance, you can expect individual Lightning Lane availability to sell out quickly each morning.

If you have questions or need assistance registering for virtual queue or purchasing an individual Lightning Lane entry, look for one of the Guest Experience Team Cast Members throughout the park, who will be happy to assist.

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4th of July Fireworks Return to Walt Disney World

The Magic Kingdom 4th of July fireworks show can be seen on July 3rd and July 4th, 2022 at 9:20 pm.

“Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” has been added to the Magic Kingdom calendar on the Disney World website.

4th of July Fireworks Return to Magic Kingdom in 2022

What time are the Magic Kingdom fireworks 2022?

This special fireworks show can be seen on July 3rd and July 4th, 2022 at 9:20 pm.

Theme Park reservations are required for all Walt DIsney World theme parks.

This is the first time 4th of July fireworks will be seen over Cinderella Castle since 2019. While there were fireworks last year, it was the regular show, Happily Ever After.

Here’s a fun fact, did you know that everyday is 4th of July on Main Street USA? That’s why you see so many American flags, a daytime parade and fireworks at night.

I will be there on the 4th of July with photos and video from the show. Follow me on Facebook.

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New "Walt Disney World Store" coming to Orlando

If you’re driving on I-4 in Orlando this summer you can expect to see some extra magic a new, dynamic art display will feature Disney characters, celebrations and more over time.

Disney World. Store in Orlando — Disney World Store, art dynamic display

The Disney World Store will be located on I-Drive in Orlando, short or International Drive.

This area is considered Universal Orlando territory which is only a few blocks away. I-Drive in Orlando is made up of third-party hotels, attractions and restaurants including Icon Park. Disney has not had a strong presence in this area until now.

New Disney Art Display & Store Coming to Orlando — Walt Disney World Store coming to I-Drive in Orlando

Inside the building is a new Walt Disney World Store that combines merchandise, ticket sales and the first-ever interactive Disney Vacation Club Virtual Discovery Station.

Opening May 31, 2022 this one-stop will give visitors to Orlando, a convenient way to purchase commemorative souvenirs, park tickets and explore Disney Vacation Club membership.

With floor-to-ceiling screens, The Disney Vacation Club Virtual Discovery Station can transport guests to our theme parks, resorts and cruise destinations around the world via first-person virtual tours, photo galleries and videos.

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Harmony Barber Shop Reopening Summer 2022

A mainstay of Magic Kingdom Park since opening day, Harmony Barber Shop is opening its doors once again on July 31 for the world’s most magical haircut.

Considered by many to be a rite-of-passage, the cherished “My First Haircut” experience is making its return.

There will be extra special pixie dust for the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration to commemorate this special milestone at the barbershop as well.

Guests of all ages are welcome.

To ensure service is a cut above the rest, a limited number of reservations for this experience will be bookable in the My Disney Experience app beginning June 28.

Walk-in appointments will be accepted based on availability but reservations are highly recommended.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will also begin reopening its doors for royal transformations later this year around Walt Disney World Resort.

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2023 Disney World Vacation Packages Open June 8, 2022

Disney World will release 2023 Vacation Packages on June 8, 2022

Walt Disney World vacation packages will become available on June 8, 2022. Additional details about the 2023 packages and ticket products will be coming soon.

2023 Disney World Vacation Packages — 2023 Vacation Packages for Walt Disney World open June 8, 2022

To be added to my 2023 waitlist, you can fill out my Quote Request Form now and I'll reply with your quote as soon as we're good to go!

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What can we do with our luggage if we have a late departing flight?

How to store luggage at Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World

Your departure day at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando can still be a day in the parks, so book that later flight! Especially if your coming down for a long weekend.

On your departure day, you’ll need to check out of your hotel room by 11 am. Both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando hotels will gladly store your luggage for you.

Simply call Bell Services from your room and let them know you would like your bags stored.

Alternatively you can bring your bags down to the bell desk if you prefer not to wait for a bellhop to arrive at your room.

A gratuity of about $2 per bag is customary when dropping your bags off and when picking them up again.

If you have any items that need to be refrigerated, just let them know which bags need to be kept cold.

You can also store your luggage the at the theme parks. Visit the area where they rent strollers and scooters.

By the way, this also works on your arrival day. If you’re room is not ready by the time you arrive, just store your bags at the bell desk and start your vacation right away!

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How Epcot is Becoming the 'Festival Park' at Walt Disney World

Epcot will officially become as the “Festival Park” at Walt Disney World. Here’s why.

Disney World recently shared plans about the transformation of EPCOT. While a timeline hasn’t been provided, we now know that Disney is officially making EPCOT its “festival park” by creating new spaces for these events to take place.

Construction Plans Revealed for Epcot at Walt Disney World

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has really grown in popularity and now runs from July 14 through November 19, 2022. Remember when it used to run for just a few weeks? I wouldn’t mind if it ran all year!

Festival of Arts, EPCOT’s winter event has become one of my personal favorites with so many interactive displays and events like the giant Paint by Numbers wall.

And of course the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival with the amazing Disney topiaries and of course the concerts.

As festivals continue to become more of an integral part of the EPCOT experience, Disney Imagineers are creating new spaces that will bring these events into the heart of the park in the new World Celebration neighborhood.

In several new artist concept renderings recently released, you can see how the transformation of EPCOT will take shape as you walk past Spaceship Earth and begin your journey through the park.

World Celebration will offer a beautiful hub divided into several different gardens, with a central planter based on the five-ring EPCOT logo. Filled with ample seating and shade.

Each of these gardens will have their own identities, and they’ll change along with the festivals throughout the year.

At night, the gardens will take on a whole new life, as you can see here.

They’re designed to be enjoyed in the round, where lighting immerses you in the nighttime experience that will evolve through the seasons.

This all surrounds CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, a multi-use facility and outdoor event space, respectively, that bring the park’s international festivals to the center of EPCOT.

CommuniCore Plaza will have the flexibility to host intimate musical performances that extend out into the nearby gardens, as you can see in the rendering above, as well as large-scale concerts.

This new facility, which you can see in the upper-right side of this rendering, is inspired by the original EPCOT aesthetic apparent throughout the park’s transformation, including the timeless triangular geometry most prominently featured in Spaceship Earth.

Even the CommuniCore name reaches back to the origins of EPCOT while also emphasizing the park’s central idea of community.

If you have been to EPCOT recently or if you have passed by on the monorail and got a look over the construction walls, you know that work is far from complete and they seem to be working at a snail’s pace.

While no opening date has been provided, my guess is that we are at least a year out from completion, unless this new area is opened in phases.

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Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience Now Opened at Disney Springs

Star Wars fans can enjoy a new limited time experience at Walt Disney World: Meta Quest 2 Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge.

Star Wars fans can enjoy a new limited time experience at Walt Disney World: Meta Quest 2 Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge. This new venue is located at Disney Springs West Side in the former NBA Experience building.

This limited time venue runs from May 2 through July 21, 2022. There is no cost to play but reservations are highly recommended.

You can make an appointment for Meta Quest 2 upon arriving at Disney Springs by scanning a QR code.

Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring ILMxLAB’s Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge — Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring ILMxLAB’s *Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge*

Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge is located in Disney Springs West Side, near House of Blues.

There is no cost and admission is first come, first served. Children must be age 13 or older to participate.

Appointments were still available when we arrived at 5 pm. We booked 8:30 pm which was the first available appointment we could select.

Standby is available during the day. By 6 pm, they had stopped taking standby guests for the evening.

Only those with appointments were able to go in.

You can make an appointment to go inside by scanning a QR code at the entrance. You should do this as soon as you arrive at Disney Springs.

You’ll be asked for the number of people who want to try it out. If you have 2 people that want do it, be sure you make an appointment for 2. Do not include people who just want to observe.

You’ll need to fill out a waiver before you can begin. It takes only a minute to complete.

There’s a few minutes of set up and a brief tutorial on how it works. You are free to stop at any time.

The mission takes about 15 minutes to complete. You can trade off with other people in your party if others want to try it out.

In my son’s mission, we had to go on an galactic adventure through a forest in search of a crate of ingredients. There’s more to the quest, but no spoilers here, sorry!

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