Hi Stephanie, welcome to planDisney!
You've found the right place to bring all of your questions about planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Right now it probably feels like you're up to your Minnie ears in Disney details, but I can assure you that all of your research and advance planning will pay off the moment you lay eyes on Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park.
To quote Julie Andrews as Maria in "The Sound of Music," let's start from the very beginning. Each Guest over the age of three currently requires valid admission, a
theme park reservation for each park day, and a method of entry (MagicBand, MagicBand+,
Disney MagicMobile pass, or admission card) to enter each of the four theme parks. MagicBands are not required but are a magical hands-free option for accessing touchpoints at the entrance to the theme parks, with Disney PhotoPass photographers, and at Lightning Lane entrances (more on that in a minute). Using the My Disney Experience mobile app, Disney MagicMobile passes can be downloaded to eligible iPhones, Apple Watches, and Google Pay enabled Android phones. My family mixes and matches our methods of entry. I enjoy the convenience of wearing a MagicBand, I download Disney MagicMobile passes for my kids, and my in-laws like to use the admission cards they get at Guest Relations. When determining which method of entry is best for you, scroll down on the
MagicBand+ page to view a helpful "Compare Features" table.
Valid admission and a theme park reservation grant Guests complimentary access to
hundreds of attractions and entertainment possibilities throughout Walt Disney World Resort. All attractions can be accessed by the standby or virtual queue. Currently, Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT is the only theme park attraction that uses the virtual queue system.
Disney Genie+ service allows Guests to spend less time waiting in standby lines and more time experiencing attractions by granting them access to Lightning Lane entrances with a minimal wait time at over 40 attractions throughout the four theme parks. Genie+ and Lightning Lanes replaced the old FastPass system. You can purchase Genie+ anytime after midnight on each park day via the Tip Board of the My Disney Experience mobile app (three small lines at the bottom right of the home page --> Tip Board). I recommend purchasing by 6:45 a.m. so you can book your first Genie+ Lightning Lane attraction at 7:00 a.m. With Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations, you are given the next available arrival window and can book multiple attractions over the course of a park day. For the most popular attraction at each park, an Individual Lightning Lane can be purchased à la carte.
Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom Park is an EARidescent feast for the eyes. If you'd like to enjoy a literal feast inside the castle, consider making a reservation at
Cinderella's Royal Table. To walk through the center of Cinderella Castle and view the gorgeous mosaics that tell the story of Cinderella's happily ever after journey, do so at a time when the walkway is not closed for a stage show.
Thanks for stopping by planDisney today, Stephanie. We're hEAR all yEAR!
Choose magic,
Jennifer