Disney’s Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR) rules have changed again! Ever since the pandemic, Walt Disney World has tweaked dining reservations little by little until no one is really quite sure what the rules are. Even seasoned Disney World vets have trouble navigating all of the rules.
Pre-Pandemic, you could make an ADR for your favorite table service restaurant 180 days in advance, now it’s 60. You also had to cancel your reservation 24 hours in advance or pay a fee (usually $10/guest). Disney has since relaxed that rule and you may cancel up to 2 hours in advance without penalty. Now it seems the rules have been changed again. (Somewhere in the distance we hear Darth Vadar’s voice: “I’m altering the deal, pray I do not alter it further”).
Previously there was a handy loophole to avoid paying a fee for reservations that you needed to cancel within the “penalty window.” You could simply modify your reservation to a different day and then cancel without incurring any fees. Modifications were allowed up to 30 minutes before your reservation which essentially meant the savvy guest could utilize this loophole at any time.
Disney has now closed that loophole. Modifications cannot be made online within two hours of your reservation. Disney’s website was updated today to say:
“Restaurants offering advance reservations do not allow modifications within 2 hours of the reservation time, and most charge a $10 per-person fee to cancel within 2 hours of the reservation time, or if you don’t show up for your reservation. Each restaurant’s policies are provided when you make your reservation. If you’ve already booked, the policies can be found in your email confirmation.”
This change is most likely due to the increased crowds in the theme parks. A higher volume of guests means greater demand for those precious ADRs. Closing the loophole ensures guests will actually show up to their reservation, otherwise, restaurants end up with empty seats that could otherwise be filled (and making money).
Disneyland Guests are outraged over the treatment for Guests using Disney Genie+ and Lighting Lane.
Disneyland Resort, known as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” is a popular tourist location seeing thousands of Guests daily. Disneyland is home to two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Each Disney Park includes something for Guests of all ages and sizes to experience. Being this popular, Disneyland has made it where Guests can purchase Genie + or Lighting Lanes for attractions.
At Disneyland, there are two main ways to experience an attraction: the “Lightning Lane” and the “Standby Line.” The Lightning Lane is a new paid service that allows Guests to bypass the traditional standby line and access rides more quickly. Disney Guests can either purchase Genie +, which includes Lightning Lane or Guests can just purchase Individual Lighting Lane for certain Disneyland attractions.
The Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane services work by allowing Disney Park Guests to make reservations for certain attractions in advance. These reservations can be made using the Disneyland app or at kiosks located throughout the theme park. Guests who have made a reservation for an attraction using Lightning Lane can bypass the standby line and use a separate entrance to access the attraction. Prices for the service vary based on the time of day and the popularity of the attraction. It should also be noted that you’re not guaranteed to be able to book a time to ride your favorite attractions as reservations can go quickly, especially for popular rides.
While Guests who chose to use the Standby Line, which is the traditional queue, may wait longer than those who are going through the Lightning Lane, there are no extra fees. But, it seems that Disney is facing some pressure from Guests who are upset with the service.
In a social media post, many have started to get angry with the treatment of Guests using the Lighting Lane instead of the regular Standby Line. In this post, Guests were waiting for a popular Disneyland attraction and they say the line was moving slowly. Though the regular wait time said 105 minutes, this Guest waited over two hours. When they got to the front, the Disney Cast Member was reportedly only allowing four Standby Line Guests to go at a time, filling the rest of the space with Lightning Lane Guests.
“Yesterday I noticed when we were in line for Guardians at DCA the line was moving rather slowly. Estimate was 105 min but it ended up being over 2 hours. As we made it into the front before preshow I saw the CM could only let 4 standby guests at a time MAX into the room, the rest was full of LL. Does anyone know why? (I get LL has priority) Preferably a CM explain it. I am honestly just curious because I never noticed it to be like that?”
While Lighting Lane or Genie + does not mean you will be at the front of the line ,Guests who purchase will have an advantage over Standby Line, allowing them to pick a certain time and get on the attractions faster. Though many Guests have called for Genie+ to come to an end, it would seem that the controversial system is here to stay.
Adventures by Disney has unveiled an exciting lineup of new destinations for 2024, including Colombia, Eastern Canada’s Maritime Provinces, and an enhanced New Zealand itinerary brimming with action and adventure.
Of particular note is the inclusion of Colombia, whose vibrant culture and stunning landscapes inspired the Oscar-winning Disney film “Encanto.” In keeping with the movie’s theme, Disney’s travel experts have curated a one-of-a-kind journey that promises to bring the film to life and offer families an unforgettable set-jetting experience.
Bookings for the 2024 Land Adventures will open to the public on Friday, May 12th. Early access is available for previous Adventures by Disney guests who have traveled on three or more adventures May 9th. On May 10th, all previous Adventures by Disney guests will have the chance to book, while Disney Vacation Club Members, Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Members, and Golden Oak Members can book starting May 11th.
Take advantage of the chance to embark on these incredible adventures!
Save on Select 2024 & 2025 Land Adventures
Plan now, book early and save up to $500 per person on select 2024 & 2025 Adventures by Disney Land Adventure departures.
Offer must be booked by August 5, 2023 for travel on select departures from March 6, 2024 through March 31, 2025. Availability is limited.
Book Early and Save on Select 2024 & 2025 Land Adventures
Save $400 per person on select North America & Central America departures.
Book Early and Save on Select 2024 & 2025 Land Adventures
Save $400 per person on select North America & Central America departures.
NORTH AMERICA
Alaska Arizona & Utah Canadian Rockies Disneyland Resort & Southern California Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island Wyoming
CENTRAL AMERICA
Costa Rica
Offer must be booked by August 5, 2023 for travel on select 2024 & 2025 departures from March 6, 2024 through March 31, 2025. Availability is limited.
Save on Select International Adventures by Disney Land Adventure Departures
Save $500 per person on select Adventures by Disney International Land Adventure Departures.
AFRICA
Egypt Morocco South Africa
ASIA PACIFIC
Australia China Japan New Zealand Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia
SOUTH AMERICA
Colombia Peru
EUROPE
British Isles England & France Germany Grand Europe: England, France & Italy Greece Iceland Ireland Italy Italy & Amalfi Coast Italy & Switzerland Norway Poland, Czech Republic & Austria Portugal Scotland Sicily
From the magical mountains of Colombia to the bustling streets of New York City, the colorful worlds of two fan-favorite Disney films – Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” and Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” – have come to life for the first time on the high seas with the debut of new family-friendly experiences aboard the Disney Magic. In addition to “Encanto”-themed entertainment and a “Soul”-inspired lounge, the ship’s concierge accommodations were enhanced with new theming and spacious refurbishments during a three-week dry dock project in Freeport, The Bahamas.
“An Encanto Celebration” Brings the Family Madrigal to the High Seas for the First Time
Guests can join the fantastical family Madrigal during an all-new immersive experience, “An Encanto Celebration,” designed to engage families through music, crafts and storytelling. The interactive experience gives guests an opportunity to meet and take photos with Mirabel and the family member we don’t talk about, Bruno, during their Disney Cruise Line debut. Families can also join a spirited sing-along of beloved “Encanto” songs and create butterfly and flower crafts inspired by the film. During the show, guests can experience a true taste of South America thanks to a selection of local Colombian beers, cocktails and sodas along with film-inspired mocktails.
New Soul Cat Lounge Hits the Right Note for Evening Entertainment
The heartfelt story of “Soul” was the inspiration for the brand-new Soul Cat Lounge designed to look like Joe Gardner’s favorite music spot from the film, the Half Note Lounge. The space, located on deck three near Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, instantly transports guests to a classic New York jazz club appointed with decorative details like brick walls, wood accents and plenty of rich leather seating around a stage set for live music, so guests can grab their partner and head to the dance floor for a swinging good time each evening.
The Soul Cat Lounge is adorned with custom artwork from Pixar featuring nods to the film including record labels, concert posters and portraits of jazz legend Dorothea Williams and her bandmates. Thoughtful “Soul”-inspired details are subtly layered throughout the design including record players, instruments and Joe’s hat.
Adults can enhance their big city experience with table-side Manhattans and martinis or choose from a selection of native brews and cocktails made with New York spirits. A fun collection of mocktails, specialty coffees and sodas are also on the menu. In addition to new drink options, guests can take a bite of Little Italy with an order of zeppoles, the classic Italian pastry similar to a fried doughnut, while enjoying the live music.
Redesigned Concierge Retreats Provide an Elevated Experience
For guests seeking the ultimate comfort and service at sea, the concierge spaces aboard the Disney Magic have been elevated and enhanced. The concierge lounge was reimagined and expanded to feature a sophisticated new theme and tropical color palate inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Moana” and an additional outdoor covered seating area on deck 10 where guests can relax with a refreshing beverage while enjoying the ocean breeze. All concierge suites, including one- and two-bedroom accommodations and the two signature royal suites, have been completely refurbished with fresh fixtures, furniture and elegant artwork, further elevating the premium experience for concierge guests.
Shore power technology was also installed as part of the ship’s dry dock project, continuing Disney Cruise Line’s longtime dedication to minimizing its impact on the environment. When available at the port, this will allow the Disney Magic to “plug in” to the port’s electrical grid, reducing the ship’s emissions.
It’s time to face the music! In celebration of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in theaters now, and our favorite batch of misfits are taking over at select Disney parks around the world.
Check out all the new additions inspired by the third installment of this franchise that will be making a limited-time appearance at select Disney parks!
Disneyland Resort – Disney California Adventure Park
For a limited time at Disneyland Resort, Mantis is joining Star-Lord at Avengers Campus for “Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!” The celestial siblings will get their groove on in front of the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! attraction, as they recruit guests with the right skills to join their band of heroes.
Walt Disney World Resort – EPCOT
EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort is joining in on the yummy treats of the Guardians of the Galaxy as well! Connections Café now has the Perfect Sovereign Waffle Bites that are topped with a red berry dipping sauce! Guests can also grab a Guardians of the Galaxy Cookie right next to the out-of-this-world Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction at the Mission: SPACE Popcorn Cart.
Don’t miss the kickoff of these new additions to select Disney parks, available for a limited time.
