Welcome to planDisney, Jennifer.
Can you believe that your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation is fast approaching? I'm sure you're heart is singing with Princess Tiana, "I'm almost there!"
One of the amazing
benefits of staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel is the extra time in the Theme Parks. Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels or Disney Deluxe Villas have the extra benefit of enjoying
extended evening hours in select theme parks on select nights. Just make sure you check out the
calendar for extended Theme Park hours and dates. This is actually my favorite time of the day to be in the parks. There's a romantic and relaxing ambiance that's like extra pixie dust for the soul. Also, since this perk is only available for select Guests, this means that there are also fewer people in the parks. Therefore, wait times for attractions tend to be much shorter. I have some young kids of my own, Jennifer. So trying to decide if it's worth keeping them up late is a dilemma I'm all too familiar with. What many families do is head back to the hotel room mid-afternoon (when crowds tend to be highest) for a nap/break. Once everyone is energized, they then head back to the Theme Park for some late-night fun.
If you're hoping to ride more attractions, then the ever-impressive, the long contained, often imitated, but never duplicated Genie of the lamp can make that wish come true. By purchasing
Disney Genie+ and/or
Individual Lightning Lane entrances, Guests can enjoy "phenomenal cosmic powers" to ride attractions or see shows without having to wait in the regular standby line. Although policies are subject to change, as of now, you can make selections up to regular park closing. Therefore, selections are
not available during those extended evening hours. In my experience, Jennifer, since the crowds are lower during those hours, I think you should be fine using the regular standby lines.
I hope that's helpful, Jennifer. As I said, the evening is my favorite time to experience the Theme Parks. I love riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in the dark, or holding hands with my wife as we stroll through Fantasyland, or sitting on a bench around World Showcase in EPCOT. I'd certainly recommend it!
As Genie once said, today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. I hope you make a ton of special memories on your trip, Jennifer. Have a magical time!
Mike