With the news of FastPass+ being retired and the new Disney Genie, Lightning Lane, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections (did your eyes just glaze over there?). There’s a lot new going on at Disney World to plan for! 

This post will be focused on Disney World in Florida, but there are similar things happening at Disneyland in California as well.

First, let’s break down the terminology: 

Disney Genie= Free planning tool within the already existing My Disney Experience

Lightning Lane= the ride entrance that you use for Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections (the old FastPass+ entrance)

Genie+ = Ability to reserve times on certain rides (similar to the old FastPass+ system) for a cost of $15 per ticket per day.

Individual Attraction Selections= schedule a time to ride some of the most in demand attractions. Pay per selection, and price varies depending on the attraction/time of year. 

Is it incredibly confusing that Disney Genie is a free tool and Genie+ is a paid service? Yes. Also the name Individual Attraction Selections doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but here we are!

Let’s break down what you need to know about each, and how to make the most out of your time in the park.

Genie+

Genie+ is basically an evolution of FastPass+ with 3 key differences: 1. It costs money, 2. You make your selections day-of instead of 30-60 days in advance, and 3. You can only make one selection at a time (kinda).

It’s worth noting that you do not have to purchase Genie+ for your whole trip! You have to purchase Genie+ after 12am on the day you wish to use it, you cannot add it in advance!

How Does It Work?

Before you get to Disney, you should have made your Park Pass Reservations for the day (if you are not using date based tickets). This is key because not only do you need them to get into the park, you also need them to make Genie+ reservations as well. 

You will be able to reserve your first ride at 7am on the app. You will be able to make your next selection either after you’ve checked in for your first selection, or 120 minutes after you’ve made your first selection. For example:

If you go on the app at 7am and reserve Jungle Cruise for 11am, you can make another selection at 9am for a second ride.

When you go to make your selection for the ride, you’ll only see the next available slot for that ride, unlike the old FastPass+ system where you could select from multiple times.

There’s no limit to how many Genie+ selections you can make in a day, but you can only select each ride once (for now, this may change in the future).

Attractions Available On Genie+

Magic Kingdom:

• Peter Pan’s Flight
• “It’s a small world”
• Mickey’s PhilarMagic
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Haunted Mansion
• Space Mountain
• Meet Princess Tiana & other visiting princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Cinderella & other visiting princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theatre
• Meet Ariel in her Grotto
•  
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

EPCOT:

• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• Soarin’
• Living with the Land
• Journey into Imagination With Figment
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Mission: SPACE
• Test Track
• Frozen Ever After
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios:

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Dance Party!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Toy Story Mania!
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Animal Kingdom:

• Na’vi River Journey
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Festival of the Lion King
• Feathered Friends in Flight
• Kali River Rapids
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost

As with FastPass+, you don’t NEED a Genie+ pass to ride most of these within reasonable wait time. Grab my Genie+ Priority Guide FREE download so you can decide which rides to proritize

Other Genie+ Perks

Besides the ride selection, there are some other (minor) perks available in the Disney app:

• Special audio experiences
• Augmented reality photo lenses

Individual Attraction Selections

This is an additional paid option, either on top of or instead of the Genie+ service. The price will vary depending on the day and the ride, but they seem to cost between $7-$15.

(I’ll be calling it IAS for short now… until Disney gives this a better name!)

How Does It Work?

If you are staying in a Disney World Resort hotel, you can make your selections at 7am. If you are staying off property, you will have to wait until the park is open.

The limit is 2 per day, and there are only 2 rides available in each park for purchase. That being said you can’t purchase a ride twice in the same day. 

You do not have to decide in advance, you could buy spur of the moment!

Attractions Available For Individual Attraction Selection

Magic Kingdom:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• TRON Lightcycle / Run

EPCOT:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Hollywood Studios:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom:

• Avatar Flight of Passage

Thanks to our friends at Rope Drop Radio for this photo

How Will Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections Work With Park Hopping?

Park hopping is visiting more than one Disney park per day, and to use Genie+ you will have to purchase the “multiple parks” option in order to use it when you park hop. The rules still apply to both Genie+ and IAS (one at a time for Genie+ and only 2 rides per day with IAS).

Read more about Park Hopping at Disney World to decide if it’s right for you!

Will Disney Still Use Virtual Queues?

Yes, definitely! Disney is currently using Virtual Queues on TRON Lightcycle/Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. As of now the only way to ride these rides is to buy the IAS or use the free virtual queue option as there are no stand by lines.

What If I Don’t Have A Smart Phone/Data?

We don’t know! There is (spotty) free wifi at the parks so you can use that if data is a concern, but if you plan on traveling without a smartphone all together, it may be difficult or impossible to use these new systems. 

Final Thoughts

While using Genie+ and buying individual attraction selections can help you ride more rides during your trip, it can be costly! If you are trying to do Disney on a budget, you can skip it! 

A lot of things will be different though. I will go through the changes so that you can decide if you will be heading to Disney this year or waiting for restrictions to ease. 

We do think most of these changes are temporary, although I hope they keep the handwashing stations and regular disinfecting! 

Everything is subject to change, and the Disney website will have the most up to date official information.

Safety Measures

As we enter our “new normal”, Disney will be checking your temperature through a contactless thermometer at the main gates before you enter the park.

You will also be required to wear a mask while on property, including on rides for guests 2 years old and older except while dining and swimming. There are designated spots (called relaxation stations) throughout the parks where you will be able to remove masks for a break while being physically distanced.

Rides, restaurants, buses, and other modes of transportation will be running on reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing.

Disney has put up plexiglass barriers at retail and food & beverage locations where physically distancing isn’t possible. 

Hand washing / sanitizing stations are located throughout the parks. 

Hotels

Not all hotels will be reopening right away! Currently open are:

• Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary 
• Beach Club Villas
• Boardwalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
• Animal Kingdom Villas at Kidani Village
• Caribbean Beach
• Contemporary Resort
• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Old Key West
• Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
• Pop Century
• Riviera Resort
• Saratoga Springs
• Grand Floridian Villas

We currently have opening dates announced for a few other hotels:

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – August 24 2020
• Grand Floridian – September 21 2020
• Polynesian – October 4 2020
• Coronado Springs – October 14 2020
• Art of Animation – November 1 2020

All other hotels not listed at TBD. If you have a stay booked at a hotel that is not scheduled to open within your trip, Disney will move you to an open resort, however you may not get to choose.

 You’ll have to wear a mask in public spaces at the hotels, except in the pool.

Park Hours & Attractions

Park hours will be reduced from the normal we have been used to. In July/August the schedule is currently listed as:

• Animal Kingdom 8am-6pm
• Magic Kingdom 9am-7pm
• Hollywood Studios 10am-8pm
• Epcot 11am-9pm
• Disney Springs 10am-10pm

These hours remain the same for September and October. There are no opening dates for Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

Disney is famous for changing park hours last minute so keep checking!

Extra Magic Hours will not be available at this time. 

Most rides will be available, but some will not, check out Disney’s website for a list of open attractions. 

Park Reservations

Possibly the biggest change is Disney instituting a park reservation system. You will have to book a spot in advance to enter the parks. Being booked at a Disney hotel does not guarantee you a park reservation. Also having park tickets is not a park reservation. You’ll need to purchase tickets and then make a Park Pass Reservation

You will be required to select one park per day, and reserve a spot. Capacity will be limited for each park.

Reservations are made online (not on the My Disney Experience phone app as of right now). The process is similar to making Fast Pass+ reservations, you will make sure your tickets are linked to your account, select your party and select a date and then the theme park you wish to enter that day. You will agree to the terms and conditions as well as a Covid-19 waiver before confirming. You can make reservations for each day of your vacation. 

Park Hopping

Park hopping will not be available at this time. No one knows when you’ll be able to park hop again, so for now you’ll need to stick to one park per day. 

Dining

There are no Disney Dining Plans available during this time, and they won’t be available until late 2021. Existing dining reservations were cancelled by Disney and you must rebook your dining. Dining reservations are now open 60 days in advance for all on and off property guests.

Not all restaurants will open when the parks reopen. Also Dinner shows and Character Dining will not be available, with the exception of a modified experience at Topolino’s Terrace. 

This list will tell you which restaurants are open in each park.

PhotoPass

Currently you can still buy the Memory Maker package to take advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass Photographers, however they will no longer take photos with your phone or camera.

FastPass+

FastPass+ is another casualty of the “new normal”. You will not be able to make any FastPass+ reservations for your trip and existing FastPasses have been cancelled. We aren’t sure when this will return. 

Character Meet & Greets

Character Meet and Greets will be changing as well. You won’t be able to line up and meet characters as before, but they will be wandering the park for physically distant interactions. 

Parades & Shows

Parades and Nighttime Spectaculars will be suspended until further notice to avoid gathering crowds, however according to the Disney World Website:

“From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park to processions along World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!”

Events & Tours

Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Good News! They’ve come up with a modified plan for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and it will start right away and continue to run through the Fall. There will still be over 20 food booths, however the Eat To The Beat concert series is cancelled this year.

Also good news if you missed the Flower and Garden Festival before the parks closed, the topiaries will remain up for the time being! 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party & Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled. There hasn’t been an announcement about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so check back in the future for updates.

Tours & Special Experiences

Special tours like The Keys To The Kingdom and Caring For Giants are unavailable right now.

You are also not able to book VIP tours at this time.

Spas, The Harmony Barber Shop, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Dessert parties, Pirate cruises, and miniature golf remain closed at this time.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs reopened on May 20th. As of right now, most stores and restaurants have reopened. They are doing temperature screening upon arrival and you must wear a mask except while eating and drinking. Capacity at Disney Springs is also limited. 

Final Thoughts

Disney is going to look and feel different when it reopens. Of course we have no idea how long some of these changes might last. I’m certain that things will be modified in the weeks following reopening. 

I know someday I’ll be back, looking at the castle, wearing Minnie Mouse ears and eating a Dole Whip.

The real star of the cupcake is The Grey Stuff – it’s delicious, don’t believe me? Ask the dishes! At Be Our Guest, you can find The Grey Stuff as The Master’s Cupcake at breakfast and lunch, and as part of the dessert trio at dinner in a white chocolate “Chip” cup.

At Disneyland you can find it at the Red Rose Taverne; it coats a red velvet cake on top of a sugar cookie!

Disney released their official grey stuff recipe, but we tweaked it a little bit. This recipe is perfect for a Beauty and the Beast themed party. My husband also thinks it would make an amazing cake filling, and I have to agree with him there!

Once again we have the wrong piping bag tip (I swear I’m picking up the right one very soon!!) But the recipe tasted delicious both on it’s own, and just as pudding!

Check out our other Disney recipes:

• Disney Churros
• Pão de Queijo from Epcot Food & Wine Festival

[mv_create title=”The Grey Stuff” type=”recipe” thumbnail=”https://willsavefortravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/masters_cupcake_copycat.jpg” key=”14″]

Final Thoughts

Another sort of fail Disney recipe! What we’ve learned is that they may not look amazing, they taste pretty good and that’s what counts

We have been having fun trying to make Disney treats at home! I polled you on Instagram & Facebook on what we should make next, and we decided it should be pão de queijo – Brazilian cheese bread that you can find at the Brazil booth of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

I’ll be honest, I have made these a few times – and they are always yummy! I love the gooey cheesy centres of these. I have also had them at the Food & Wine Festival.

These delicious little pillows of cheese are gluten free because they are made with tapioca flour! Finding tapioca flour might be difficult depending on where you live – I always find it at my local bulk food store, which is great because you can buy just the right amount. Bobs Red Mills also makes it. Sometimes it is called tapioca starch; it’s the same thing! You can not substitute the tapioca flour for anything else, the texture will not be the same. 

Check out the best gluten-free snacks you can find at Disney World!

Disney hasn’t released their “official” recipe for these, but I have consulted many food blogs, including those written by Brazilians. The recipes found online can vary since each family tends to put their own spin on the recipe by adding different cheeses or spices. The recipe I used is pretty simple; only 8 ingredients! 

Note: pão de queijo is best when eaten fresh & hot. This recipe makes about 30 rolls. If you can’t eat that many right away you can form the balls and freeze them, then cook them fresh whenever you have that craving!

[mv_create title=”Brazilian Cheese Bread – Pão de Queijo” type=”recipe” thumbnail=”https://willsavefortravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Brazillian_Cheese_bread.png” key=”12″]

Final Thoughts

It’s definitely fun to re-create your favourite theme park food at home! Don’t forget to check out our Disney churros recipe! 
What Disney snack should we try to make next? Let us know!

Tips For Making Churros

1. Make sure you have the right piping tip. You’ll need Wilton tip 8B. The 1M tip will work too. We didn’t have the right tip, so the shape was a little funky, which made the texture not quite right.
2. Be careful heating up your oil. You want the oil to be hot enough that the churros cook, but not too hot that the oil explodes… You’ll want the temperature to be at 350F
3. Roll in cinnamon sugar right away so that it sticks!
4. Have fun! Even if you don’t have the right tip, and oil splatters all over the place, you can still have fun doing it

[mv_create title=”Disney Churros” type=”recipe” thumbnail=”https://willsavefortravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Homemade_disney_churros.jpg” key=”8″]Recipe from Disney Parks Blog.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this recipe! Watch the video to see how badly we screwed up Disney churros. What other Disney treats should we make?

If you’ve been around this blog for a while, you’ve definitely read some Disney World posts. Some friends ask me why I love visiting Disney so much…. If you’re a “Disney person” then you know. But if you haven’t been to the most magical place on earth, or if you have but you don’t get the obsession… Here’s my attempt at an explanation.

Fundamentally, I love Walt. My husband can attest that just hearing Walt’s voice can make me cry. Walt came from nothing. He was not rich. He came from a small town, and he struggled financially for a long time. But Walt always dreamed big, not letting the financial struggles hold him back from the things he wanted to accomplish.

The Partners Statue at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris

He, partnered with his brother Roy, created moving pictures, with sound. And then he set his sights on a place where families could be together, in a safe place that is clean and offers something for the children and adults.

I have always loved the movies. We had an extensive VHS collection (that I still have and still add to when I uncover hidden gems while thrifting). I also love the story behind the movies, how they came up with them, and how they are animated.

I was 13 when I finally got to visit Disney World. Even as a moody teenager I loved it. We had an amazing family trip. My husband and I went to Disney on our first vacation in 2011. It was so great to be back after 8 years, and as an adult.

2003, My first trip! Meeting Mickey in now demolished Toon Town

As I got older I started to appreciate the details instead of just the rides. The sounds that change when you move between “lands”, the smells that are piped in, the entire sensory experience. 

To me, that is how Disney is different from other theme parks. I also need to mention the Cast Members, because they are the ones who bring the magic to life. Everyone from the janitors and housekeepers to the servers and the parade performers, Imagineers and executives. They make magic everyday. 

Chatting with Mickey, December 2019

That’s why I love Disney, and will keep going back.

Read More about visiting Disney with food allergies

How To Identify Plant Based Options

Disney has released a new symbol to help you identify which items on their menus are plant based. You can find a green leaf next to the description on the menu. The symbol is used at quick service and table service restaurants, as well as snack kiosks.
On menus where you can’t find a plant based option, chefs are usually able to accommodate you by adjusting an item on the menu.

Plant Based vs Vegetarian

Disney defines plant based as “made with plant foods like grains, nuts, vegetables and fruit—and no animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey.”. Vegetarians usually still consume dairy, eggs and honey, so vegetarian options on the menu may not be marked with the plant based symbol.

If you’re concerned about any item on the menu you always have the option to speak with a chef, especially if you are eating plant based because of an allergy. I have asked chefs to leave meat off menu items like pizzas in the past and it is no problem, since everything is made to order.

Plant Based and Vegetarian Meals At Disney

Hey! It’s Ryan, Jenn’s husband, while I’m not a vegetarian, we eat a mostly plant-based diet and I thought it would be interesting to experience some of the meatless choices that are available.

One of my favourite aspects of the whole Disney experience is the number of dining options available. At all of the Disney Parks and at Disney Springs, there are plenty of choices where food is concerned. Some of the Disney resorts also have excellent dining options! With that in mind, I’d like to share some of my highlights in plant-based and vegetarian dining at Disney.

Animal Kingdom

If you’re looking to keep it vegetarian or vegan at Animal Kingdom, make your way over to Satu’li Canteen in Pandora: World of Avatar. They offer the opportunity to build-your-own bowl in which you choose a protein, base, and a sauce. I chose the crispy fried tofu with a rice and black bean base, topped with the charred green onion vinaigrette. Confession: back when I had more hair on my head I considered tofu a disgusting, rubbery brick of sadness. This meal couldn’t have been further from that! The crispy pieces of tofu were hot, lightly spicy and delicious. The rice and black beans were a nice neutral base to support the green onion vinaigrette, which had plenty of flavour. Build-your-own bowls also come topped with a tangy slaw and boba balls, which are little tapioca pearls that burst easily. There’s actually a ton of flavour going on here, and I’ll very likely order this again.

Epcot

Back at Epcot’s World Showcase, the France Pavilion is home to Chefs de France, a restaurant we never miss during a Disney trip. I ordered the Vegetable Lasagna. First of all, this was definitely the best presentation of any meal I ordered during our trip. Secondly, I was worried the vegetables would be soggy and bland, but that wasn’t the case at all! Everything was baked to perfection, and there was just enough seasoning to be full of flavour without overpowering the meal. While lasagna isn’t usually a top menu choice for me, I’d order this again.

With so many different festivals going on at Epcot throughout the year, if you are looking for vegetarian options at the festival booths they will be marked with a green V on the menus, just note that those items are not always vegan or plant based.

Read more about Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Magic Kingdom

So far I haven’t mentioned anything at the Magic Kingdom. Because many people make it the main or only stop on their Disney trip, I feel the need to give it a mention here. If you’re eating vegetarian, for dinner try the plant-based Bangers and Mash at The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, USA. While it didn’t make my list of favourites, I also wouldn’t mind eating it again. The plant-based sausages were alright, and the broccolini was nice and tender.

If you’re having lunch or a light dinner, try the Plant-Based Burger at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, in Frontierland. The burger itself is surprisingly tasty, and while it doesn’t come with many toppings there’s a whole toppings bar for you to choose from!

Alternatively, make your way to lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Fantasyland and try the Cannellini Bean Cassoulet. It’s a hearty, plant-based casserole with plenty of crostini (fancy toast!) for dipping. If you’re not afraid of the dark and your vision is good, request to be seated in the West Wing.

Hollywood Studios

I should touch on Hollywood Studios. I’ll admit I’ve felt like this park suffered from a lack of great dining in the past. But if you’re committed to Hollywood Studios (or don’t want to walk to the Boardwalk or Epcot) there are vegetarian options available. I really enjoyed the Penne in a Four Cheese Smoked Tomato Sauce, available for dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. It was simple, yet satisfying and very filling. Jenn had the vegetarian falafel burger which was also delicious! If you haven’t been there, be advised this restaurant is very dark (they’re showing drive-in movies, after all!).

The Boardwalk

We love the boardwalk area between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Sometimes a walk there can be a welcome escape from the congestion of a busy park day, and it’s also home to one of our favourite Disney restaurants: Trattoria al Forno. We found ourselves there at dinner time, and I ordered the Lentil Risotto (without the pistachio gremolata, as I’m allergic). While the appearance of this dish won’t cause any double-takes, the flavour straight-up blew me away. I have no idea what seasonings are used, but this risotto was creamy and deliciously savoury. It’s also very filling; perfect for a cooler, rainy day. If you’re in the area, I highly suggest giving this one a try.

Read more about what to do on a no park day at Disney!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you have time during your visit, I seriously recommend visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge. There you can get a close look at giraffes, zebras and other animals grazing in the savannah behind the main building of Kidani Village. Better yet, check out the animals (and the spectacular theming) before or after a meal at Sanaa. We LOVE this restaurant, and ordering the bread service appetizer is a foregone conclusion. For us, the bread service is large enough to share between 2 or 3 people, especially knowing there are other delicious eats to follow.

My entrée was the Potjie (from Afrikaans “small-pot food”) Inspired, which normally comes with 2 selections from the list. For those on the Disney Dining Plan, you’ll be offered a 3rd selection. I tried the Chickpea Wat, Aloo Masala, and Paneer Tikka (which is vegetarian, but not vegan). With so many options it was hard knowing where to start! The Aloo Masala (potatoes and other vegetables in a traditional masala spice) was the least spicy of the three. I’ve had Aloo Masala before, and I enjoyed this a lot. The Paneer Tikka (a firm type of cheese, also served in a kind of masala spice) was moderately spicy and the paneer was chewy without being rubbery. The Chickpea Wat (chickpeas and veggies in a spicy tomato base) was the spiciest, and also my least favourite. If I ordered this again I might substitute the Chickpea Wat for a different option.

Final Thoughts

Of course there are many more options than those listed here, since almost every table service and quick service now has at least one option!

Thanks for reading about my experience eating vegetarian at Disney World! Have you tried the veggie options there? Any great ones I’m missing? I’d love to hear what you think!

Anyone who has a food allergy or dietary restrictions know how difficult it can be to eat while on vacation. Disney does a great job at accommodating many different diets, and gluten free is no exception! While table service and quick service meals are easy to find, sometimes snacks can be a little bit harder. Here are our favourite gluten free snacks at Disney World!

Not gluten free and love snacks? Here are the best Disney snacks according to Disney bloggers!

Know Before You Go

Before ordering you should always check with a chef or cast member if an item is gluten free. Sometimes ingredients change and what was once safe is not anymore. 

Gluten Free/ Dairy Free WDW is my favourite resource and you can find allergy menus that are updated regularly.

If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, some of these snacks will be 1 snack credit. They are noted with a *DDP. 

Read about going to Disney with food allergies!

The Best Gluten Free Snacks At Disney

Dole Whip *DDP

Can you even write a Disney snack list without including the famous Dole Whip? This frozen pineapple concoction is all gluten free, you can even get it as a float with pineapple juice. It is so refreshing on a hot day, one of my favorite snacks of all time! You can find it at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, at Tamu Tamu refreshments at Animal Kingdom and Pineapple Lanai & Trader Sam’s Grotto at the Polynesian Resort.

Churros

Gluten free churros sounds like a fantasy doesn’t it? Dreams come true at the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom, where you can find gluten free churros that come with vanilla cream and strawberry dipping sauces. The lounge is attached to Tiffins but you do not need a dining reservation to eat there.

Popcorn *DDP

Disney popcorn magically tastes better than any other popcorn I’ve ever had, and it’s gluten free! There are multiple popcorn stands at every park so you’re never too far away when you get a snack attack! You can buy a refillable popcorn bucket, which they will refill for $2 instead of the usual price of $6.25. The price of the bucket can vary, but usually ranges $10-$20 and you get a souvenir to bring home!

Beignets *DDP

Venture over to Port Orleans French Quarter and you’ll find gluten free beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. They’re also vegan! Delicious fried dough covered in powdered sugar, what isn’t to love?! 
A snack credit will get you 3 beignets, the 6 pack is not a snack credit.

Peter Pan Float *DDP

Similar to the Dole Whip, you can get a lime soft serve float over at Storybook treats at the Magic Kingdom. Just make sure to leave off the chocolate feather, which is not gluten free. 

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

Erin Mckenna’s bakery can be found in Disney Springs, and everything in the bakery is gluten free! They are also able to deliver gluten free cakes to Disney table service restaurants if you are celebrating an occasion! Popular items include cupcakes, donuts, and cinnamon rolls!

Mickey Bars *DDP

This classic Disney treat is also gluten free and you can find it at many carts throughout all the parks. 

Turkey Legs

I’ll admit that these are not my favorite, but I must tell you that the turkey legs, which are available at multiple locations throughout Magic Kingdom (there’s a dedicated cart just for them in Frontierland) are gluten free if you’re into that sort of snack.

Coffee at Joffrey’s *DDP

All of the coffee beverages at Joffrey’s carts are gluten free! I especially enjoy their chai latte. There are multiple carts in each park so you can always get your caffeine fix. 

Rice Cream *DDP

You can find this traditional treat at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. It is a creamy rice pudding topped with strawberry sauce. 

Seasonal Offerings

With 4 different festivals going on at Epcot throughout the year, there are some treats that can only be found seasonally. The menu boards will have gluten free items noted. Here are some highlights! Be sure to pick up a festival passport no matter which event you are attending. 

*DDP – most items at festivals count as a snack credit, although not drinks!

Festival Of The Arts

Artist’s Table: 

• Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp

Cuisine Classique: 

• Seared Corvina with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc

Pop Eats: 

• Sous Vide Chicken Roulade with Apples and Sage served with Warm Brie Fondue, Blueberry and Beet Gel and garnished with Beet Chip Crumbles
• Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam

Flower And Garden Festival

Arbour At The Gardeners Terrace:

• Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake, served with Apple Cider Sorbet 

Flavor Full Kitchen:

• Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Citrus Greens 
• From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese and Micro Herbs with Lemon-oil Dressing

The Citrus Blossom:

• Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon
• Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens

Northern Bloom:

• Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon

The Honey Bee-stro

• Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle and Coriander Flowers

Trowel & Trellis:

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread 
• Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate and Baby Herbs

Fleur de Lys:

• Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Soup
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop

Food And Wine Festival

Active Eats: 

• Spice-crusted Verlasso® Salmon with UNCLE BEN’S® Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, Crushed Avocado and Sherry Vinegar
• Fruit and Nut Energy Snack: House-made mixture of Apricots, Almonds, Pecans, Coconut, Puffed Rice and Chocolate Chips

Australia: 

• Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion and Snap Peas
• Roasted Lamb Chop with Sweet Potato Purée, Bush Berry Pea Salad and Pistachio-Pomegranate Gremolata
• Deconstructed Pavlova with Pastry Cream, Citrus-macerated Berries and Lemon Myrtle Meringue

Brazil:

• Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions
• Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread

Make Pão de Queijo at home with this recipe!

Canada:

• Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce 

Chocolate Studio:

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel

Hawai’i:

• Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts

India:

• Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas and Uncle Ben’s® Basmati Rice

Islands Of The Caribbean:

• Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt 

Spain:

• Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar and Smoked Paprika

Festival Of The Holidays

American Holiday Table:

• Hand-carved Smoked Ham with Green Beans and Sweet Potato Casserole

Feast Of The Three Kings:

• Pastelón: Sofrito-marinated Beef with Sweet Plantains and Olives
• Queso Fresco-stuffed Arepa topped with Shrimp, Crushed Avocado Aji and Tomato Sauce
• Arepas topped with Melted Queso Fresco
• Tres Leches Rice Pudding with Pumpkin Seeds

Holiday Sweets and Treats:

• Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream and Peppermint Candy

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen:

• Giant Tostada de Puerco: Braised Pork served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Spread, Guajillo Sauce, Queso Fresco, Crema Mexicana, Pickled Onion and topped with Chicharron Dust
• Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa with Yellow Mole and topped with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Queso Cotija and Crema Mexicana

After Hours Boo Bash

Trick or Treating at Boo Bash (Similar to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party) can seem a little scary with food allergies! But no fear, grab a teal bag and you’ll be able to get gluten free treats. Here is our guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

There are also party exclusive treats for purchase. The Headless Horseman Cheesecake found at Sleepy Hollow is gluten free.

The Pumpkin Spice Milkshake is gluten free and available all day during the Halloween season at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies.

Merriest After Hours Event

Like the Halloween Party, the Christmas party also has gluten free treats available for purchase. This year you can find Olaf’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake at Main St Bakery.

Final Thoughts

Even if you have a gluten allergy, there is no shortage of snacks available to you! As I’ve said in the past, Disney is amazing with dietary restrictions! 

What are your favourite gluten free snacks at Disney?

What Is The Park Hopper?

The Park Hopper is an additional add-on to your ticket at Walt Disney World (Also at Disneyland California but this article will focus on Disney World in Florida, although they are basically the same). This add-on allows you to go to multiple parks per day, instead of only going to one park per day. Essentially it allows you to “hop” from one park to another. There are two options: Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus. 

Park Hopper Plus

If you choose to add the Park Hopper Plus you’ll get the benefit of park hopping, as well as entrance to the water parks; Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, both mini-golf courses, the ESPN Wide World of Sports and The Oak Trail Golf Course.

Mini Golf is a great thing to do on a No Park Day!

How Much Does The Park Hopper Cost?

The cost depends on how many days you’re buying tickets for and your dates. The park hopper is a one time cost (not per day). See the Disney Website for more details.

Park Hopper
1 day ticket price + $65 to $85 
2-3 day ticket price + $85
4-10 day ticket price + $95

Park Hopper Plus
1 day ticket price + $88 to $108
2-3 day ticket price + $105
4-10 day ticket price + $115

A lot of people choose not to add the park hopper option because of the cost, but I think it can be a valuable tool to make the most out of your vacation. 

Looking to save money? Check out these free things at Disney!

Note: You can NOT buy a 2 day ticket and then enter 2 parks on the same day. Disney’s system will stop you from entering the second park. You can however re-enter the same park as many times as you want in the same day. If you want to go to 2 parks in the same day then you need the Park Hopper option.

When Is The Park Hopper Worth It?

There are several situations in which the Park Hopper makes sense:

Party Season (August through December)

During the end of August, all of September and October at Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party happens on select nights, and during November and December Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also takes place several nights a week. This means that on party nights Magic Kingdom will close to regular guests at 6pm. Most people with a base ticket avoid Magic Kingdom on party days because the park closes early and Happily Ever After fireworks aren’t shown. This means that Magic Kingdom is usually less busy during the day. You can certainly get a lot done at Magic Kingdom from open until after lunch or even 6pm and then head to another park for dinner and an evening show! 

You Like To Eat

Who doesn’t love to eat? Most of my favorite restaurants happen to be at Epcot, so this is the #1 reason we love the Park Hopper. You can spend the day at any of the other parks and then head to another park for dinner, or have breakfast reservations in one park and then head out to another after eating. 

Promotions

Sometimes promotions dictate if you buy a Park Hopper or not. For example the very popular free dining promotion, where you get a free Disney Dining Plan stipulates that you buy a Park Hopper ticket. The Bounce Back Offer we booked last year also required us to buy park hoppers.

Weekend Trips

Of course if you’re only in Orlando for 2 or 3 days, to see all 4 parks then you will need the Park Hopper option. 

When Is The Park Hopper A Waste Of Money?

Short Trips Or Really Long Trips

If your trip is 4 days long, or 8+ days long then it might not be worth it to add the park hopper (unless you really want to eat at all those delicious World Showcase restaurants!). A 4 day trip gets you one each at each park, and if you’re there for 8 days or longer then you will get at least 2 days in each park. 

Little Kids

Although I don’t travel with kids, I have heard from parents of little ones that park hopping can just be too much. You will have to go back to your car or take a Disney bus, boat, monorail or skyliner which means folding up the stroller and then re-entering another park.

Final Thoughts

Although we love the park hopper and always get it, it isn’t for everyone! Ultimately the Park Hopper gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want on property. You can even visit all 4 parks in one day if you’re feeling ambitious. But every trip is different and you’ll want to consider if it’s worth the extra money to your family. 

Do you get the park hopper? Let me know why or why not in the comments!

Disney is magical any time of year, but I feel like it’s especially magical at Christmas. With special shows, decorations, food and a Christmas Party where it snows on Main Street USA, it is pretty fun! Without proper planning you’ll be stuck in lines, and wondering what to do next! Here I’m going to break down all the Christmas shows, attractions and advice on when to go so you can make plans for your magical Christmas vacation!

When To Go

Christmas kicks off right after Halloween. In fact Christmas decorations and merchandise start popping up at some parks before Halloween!

We visited from December 7-14th 2019 and the crowds were not too bad. It was quite busy on the weekends but then slower during the week, however the closer you get to Christmas the busier it will be.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom will be the busiest. The park can reach capacity early in the day and may not let any more guests enter, depending on the stage of closure. A dining reservation could help you enter the park. WDW Prep School has a helpful article about it! 

Planning Ahead

Making Park reservations and dining reservations in advance is important for any Disney vacation, but especially at this time of year. The parks are busier and it will be difficult to get last minute dinner reservations.

You’ll need to choose which parks you’ll visit on which days by making a Park Pass reservation. This is done on your My Disney Experience account, and it grants you entry to the park on that day.

Characters

**Character meet and greets are currently not happening. You will be able to see some of your favourite characters during the random Cavalcades in each park! It seems they will be using the floats from the Christmas parade for these cavalcades! Including the Toy Soldiers!

Meeting characters is fun, especially around the holidays. Some characters dress up, but some don’t, so don’t expect everyone to be in different outfits! Here are some places you can meet festive characters:

Animal Kingdom:

• Mickey & Minnie at Adventurers Outpost 
• Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy and Chip & Dale in DinoLand U.S.A
• Russell and Dug on Discovery Island

Epcot:

• Belle in the France Pavilion
• Santa Claus at the American Adventure

Hollywood Studios:

• Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story Land
• Chip & Dale on Hollywood Boulevard
• Santa Claus on Sunset Boulevard
• Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy at Hollywood & Vine (dining reservations required)

Magic Kingdom (regular park hours):

• Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theatre
• Santa Claus at Town Square Courtyard

Decorations

Disney goes all out for decorations! Would you expect anything less? All the parks have a giant Christmas tree with themed ornaments and you can usually find a photopass photographer nearby to take your picture.

Animal Kingdom:

For the first time Animal Kingdom has decorated for the holidays! First on Discovery Island puppets from arctic animals come out to play. Africa is beautifully decorated with ornaments that look handmade. Asia is decorated for Diwali – the festival of lights. Even Pandora gets in on the fun with decorations made with items indigious to Pandora.

Epcot:

Each country in Epcot is decorated according to their traditions. France and Germany are especially beautiful so spend some time in each countries nooks and crannies! There are sporadic decorations through the rest of the park.

Hollywood Studios:

Tinseltown really comes to life at Hollywood Studios. The park is beautifully decorated in vintage inspired decor throughout most of the park. Make sure to check out the window displays on Hollywood Boulevard. Toy Story Land gets some cute Christmas decor – my fav is the Hamm cookie! Sadly they don’t celebrate Christmas on Batuu so no decorations in Galaxy’s Edge.

Magic Kingdom:

I might have saved the best for last. Magic Kingdom at Christmas is iconic! First you’ll want a photo in front of the train station before you even enter the park! Then you’ll see the giant Christmas Tree after you enter the park. As you walk along Main Street USA, make sure to check out the window displays! The Jungle Cruise gets Christmas decor and becomes the Jingle cruise – complete with holiday jokes. There are some sporadic decorations throughout the rest of the park.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

**Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is changed to Disney Merriest After Hours Event!

2021: The Disney Merriest After Hours Event will take place from 9pm to 1am on select nights in November and December 2021. It will be similar to the Very Merry Christmas Party featuring:

• Character sightings
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
• After-hours access to Magic Kingdom park and less time waiting in line for popular attractions
• Holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections
• Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission
• Themed food and beverages available for purchase
• Holiday-themed Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities (photos available for purchase)
• Special lighting, music and more!

Going at Halloween? Learn about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Festival Of The Holidays

Over at Epcot you’ll find the Festival Of The Holidays in the World Showcase from November 26th to December 30th 2021.

Similar to the Food & Wine Festival you’ll find different food booths called Holiday Kitchens with traditional food and drinks from regions around the world. In each country you can learn about their holiday traditions through storytellers at certain times throughout the day. Don’t forget to grab your Festival Of The Holidays passport so you don’t miss any of the fun!

Candlelight Processional

**Candlelight Processional MAY BE cancelled for 2021: no announcement yet!

Technically the Candlelight Processional is part of the Festival Of The Holidays at Epcot. Every night at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 a celebrity narrator will tell the biblical Christmas story with a choir and 50 piece orchestra. It is a beautiful show. Some of the nights will be more popular than others depending on the celebrity that is narrating. You can get guaranteed seats by booking a dining package at table service restaurants in Epcot. The dining package is priced depending on the restaurant and includes an appetizer, entree and dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage or one full buffet, and you’ll get a ticket for a certain show that evening.

Special Shows

** Shows have not yet been announced for 2021

Who doesn’t love some nighttime fireworks? At Hollywood Studios they play Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! every night from November 8th to January 5th on the Chinese Theatre. Also at Hollywood Studios Sunset Season’s Greetings projection show plays on the Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard throughout the evening. 

Over at Animal Kingdom the Tree of Life Awakening gets a winter theme, which plays continuously through the evening. 

At Magic Kingdom Else lights up the castle every night with 200,000 lights during a Frozen Holiday Wish around 6pm (check your times guide at the parks). Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade is usually only during the Christmas Party but a week before Christmas it comes out during the day for regular guests. 

Outside Of The Parks

** Nothing has been announced for 2021 yet! Stay tuned!

There is always lots to do outside the parks, and Christmastime is no exception. Of course you can shop at Disney Springs, but they also have a Christmas Tree Trail, with trees themed to different Disney movies along the way. It even “snows” along the trail and you can meet Santa! 

One of my favorite things to do outside of the parks is to check out the deluxe resorts. They are all beautifully decorated for Christmas. The Grand Floridian has been building a giant gingerbread house for 20 years in the lobby. You can also find a gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club, and a gingerbread replica of the boardwalk at The Boardwalk Inn! I loved the tree at the Wilderness Lodge, don’t miss checking it out. 

Each resort will likely have holiday themed activities as well. Check out each resort’s activity guides for details.

Learn more about what to do with a no park day!

Cost

All of these below are 2019 prices

Disney prices their park tickets based on the time of year, so Christmas time will cost you a little bit more. November will be a little cheaper than December. For example a standard one-day ticket for the week of December 22nd will cost $139-$159 . In November a one-day ticket ranges from $128-$139 (the higher price is over Thanksgiving).

We booked a Magic Your Way package which included 7 nights at All Star Sports and a 7 day Park Hopper ticket for 4 adults: $4203.28

We had booked a bounce back offer on our previous trip so we got the Quick Service Dining Plan included, but we paid to upgrade to the regular Disney Dining Plan. It would have cost us $2113.72 to buy the Disney Dining Plan without the promotion. 

We opted to buy the Memory Maker and I couldn’t be happier with the photos: $169

We spent about $160USD on tips and some appetizers not included on our meal plan.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a specially ticketed event, and not included in regular park admission. For the date we picked we paid $464.36 for 4 adult tickets.

All in all our week long Disney trip for 4 adults cost about $4997.00USD

Final Thoughts

I loved visiting Disney World at Christmas! Seeing my favorite place all dressed up for the holidays was such an amazing way to kick off the holiday season. In general it was busier than when we’ve visited at other times of the year, but not enough to ruin our experience. 

Have you been to Disney at Christmas? Let me know what you thought!