So I decided to go to Disney, now what?

One of the biggest obstacles you can face before your big Disney vacation? Deciding to go! It involves traveling, planning, budgeting, researching, and lots and lots of patience! All that before you even step foot in a park. With all that being the case - there are many people who hesitate pulling the trigger and it's so relatable!

Why you SHOULD go

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World - you are in luck! Since October 1st 2021 all four parks have undergone a 50th Anniversary makeover! You will experience new treats, merchandise, cavalcades (mini parades), nighttime entertainment, and new outfits for our favorite characters! The Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration is continuing now until early 2023. So if you are having serious FOMO from seeing your friends and family celebrating, then it is time to go!

Other than the 50th celebration there are many other reasons to be visiting Disney World right now. Before 2020 there were several new things that opened around the resort, and since the parks' reopening there have been even more new rides, shows and experiences to enjoy! Here are just a few:

• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (opened late 2019) - Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (opened late 2019) - Hollywood Studios

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (opened late 2019) - Hollywood Studios

• Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway (opened in 2020) - Hollywood Studios

• Harmonious - Nighttime Spectacular (opened September 30, 2021) - EPCOT

• Space 220 - Restaurant (opened September 2021) - EPCOT

• Remy's Ratatoullie Adventure (opened October 1, 2021) - EPCOT

• Steakhouse 71 - Restaurant (opened October 1, 2021) - Disney's Contemporary Resort

• Disney's Enchantment - Nighttime Spectacular (opened October 1, 2021) - Magic Kingdom

• Disney's Kite Tails - Daytime show (opened October 1, 2021) - Animal Kingdom

• Disney's Adventure Friends Cavalcade (opened February 11, 2022) - Magic Kingdom

• Disney's Festival of Fantasy - Parade (Re-opening March 9, 2022)

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Opening May 30, 2022)

There was a TON more between new experiences and snacks that have appeared and more it ALWAYS coming! THIS is the time to visit Walt Disney World to celebrate and experience everything that is new.

Why you should NOT go

This is a bold statement. The reality is - if you want to go, you should definitely go! There will never be a perfect time but here are a few things to consider.

• The crowds are unpredictable right now. This might be a turn off for some people, the relentless crowds which means more waiting for attractions! If you are waiting for the "perfect down time" I caution you: we don't know when that will be and unfortunately peak calendars are not as accurate as they were pre-closure.

• Some attractions are not open yet! While the list I provided above is large, and I didn't even begin to cover everything, there are still some things that haven't opened yet. While Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to open on Memorial Day - that is the only set date we have for a new attraction. TRON: Lightcycle Run was set to open last year in the Magic Kingdom, but due to the closure the construction was delayed and we still do not have an opening date for the land's newest coaster. In EPCOT there were talks of an interactive walk-through water attraction inspired by Moana, that also does not have an opening date. Splash Mountain was announced to have a re-theme to Princess and the Frog pre-closure, but we haven't heard anything since!

• Character interactions and dining experiences are still modified. While health and safety standards have begun to decline around the parks, we are still seeing modifications to the way we are allowed to interact with characters. There is still not touching, no hugs and no autographs. Dining, specifically character dining, is modified as well. Characters will dance by your table, wave and then stop to take a picture with you but the interactions are smaller, again no autographs, and they leave. The good news is they will come around plenty of times while you eat so there is no chance you will miss them!

To sum it up - there will never be a perfect time to go. There will also never be a perfect trip! The best place to start when planning a Disney World vacation is to weigh the pros and cons, make a list of your "must-dos" and if something that has been modified against your liking or isn't even open yet is on that list, maybe you can wait it out. The other obvious piece of advice I can give is use a Travel Planner like me! I can do all that boring research for you, answer all of your questions about what experiences are/ are not offered, and best of all plan as much or as little of your trip as you want!

I hope this helps you make a decision on booking your next trip to Walt Disney World.

Do you have Disneyland on the brain? Don't worry - check back for a post on The Happiest Place on Earth and what new and exciting adventures you can have on the West Coast!