Hiya, Megan! Welcome to planDisney!
Oh boy! I'm so happy to hear that you're headed to
The Most Magical Place on Earth in just a few days! I bet you're feeling a bit like
Cinderella waiting for the clock to strike midnight. To me, the only thing better than visiting Walt Disney World Resort is visiting with people I love. Here's a little secret: magic multiplies when it's shared, and your trip is sure to be an extra special one!
I think it's so kind of you to help your grandmother join your travel party for your upcoming trip! As my pal Olaf says, "Some people are worth melting for." In order to be able to visit your desired parks during your trip, you'll need to make
Theme Park Reservations with the Disney Park Pass System. When taking a peek at the
Theme Park Reservation Availability Calendar, it appears as though
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park is no longer available to reserve. But Hakuna Matata! No worries! I have a few next steps for you.
Megan, I'd recommend
calling a Cast Member as soon as you're able. A little like real-life fairy godparents, they will stretch their magic wands as far as they can reach. I'd suggest explaining your situation and seeing if there's anything they can do to help. While nothing is guaranteed, they'll be able to help you to understand what options are available. If you do call, I have two tips for you. First, try calling right as phone lines open at 7:00 AM EST to have the shortest wait times on the phone. Second, have a little extra patience! Cast Members work hard to make every Guest's day the BEST. DAY. EVER! I'm sure a friendly voice and some extra kindness will be warmly welcomed.
Next, keep checking back! As Guests' plans often shift and change, it's not unusual for Theme Park Reservations to pop up closer to your date. Try checking back throughout the day and be ready to grab a reservation for Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park if you see it pop up!
Last, you may want to consider upgrading your grandma's ticket to include the
Park Hopper Option. This way, she'll be able to make a Theme Park Reservation for the park that's available (at the time of this writing, that would be EPCOT) then she'll be able to hop to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park after 2:00 PM! This is also a great way to add some extra magic to an already special trip. If you'd like to do this, you should be able to through your
My Disney Experience app. Just tap the icon that looks like three stacked lines, tap Tickets and Passes, select the ticket you'd like to upgrade, and then proceed to follow the prompts to change your ticket!
Once you have your Theme Park Reservations secured, I'd suggest taking some time to explore the My Disney Experience app prior to your arrival. This app is a little like your own magic wand, unlocking everything that Walt Disney World Resort has to offer! You'll be able to check wait times for attractions, view park maps, and even
mobile order food. This is a great way to minimize waits and maximize the fun!
I hope I was able to help you today, Megan. If you have any other questions, please visit us again!
You've got a friend in me!
Michelle