Welcome back, Kristian, to planDisney. I'm right next door in New Jersey, waving a very magical and Disney Prince-level royal hello!
My good friend Elaine
already told you about how the
EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will be running when you're at the resort this April. While I love all the festivals, this one has risen to the top as my favorite. While you're in
EPCOT, check to see if
the newly added Audio-Animatronics have been installed in Frozen Ever After, which is projected to open back up from its refurbishment in February. I keep talking about this in my answers because I'm so excited. And chances are, there will be a
Frozen-related
topiary for the festival that you can stare at in awe before or after your Nordic journey. Make sure to follow along with the
Disney Parks Blog for announcements as your trip gets closer.
As long as the
Florida Resident in your party has purchased their ticket, you are connected through the
My Family & Friends list, and you both have toggled on the option to allow each other to view and manage plans (done by clicking “Edit Settings” next to their name), you should be able to make
Theme Park Reservations for them. You should also be able to make
Lightning Lane reservations for them as well if you're planning to. While not a Florida Resident ticket, when I first got my
Annual Pass, I was in a similar situation. But I didn't have to worry. I could make my reservations ahead of my visit. I just had to show identification and have it activated when I got to the resort to use it. Just make sure your friend is well aware of the
proof of residency documents he'll need to use the ticket.
Now, in addition to the new updates to Frozen Ever After,
the Disney Parks Blog has hinted that
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin will be reopening after their refurbishments in spring 2026. While things can change, and "spring" doesn't necessarily mean they will be open when y
ou're there, I've got my fingers crossed for you that they will be. I'm a huge fan of the Disney Mountains, and I've really missed Big Thunder. And the updates to Buzz Lightyear sound fantastic. But no matter what, there will be no shortage of new and classic experiences to make your trip out of this world!
Kristian, have a wonderful springtime trip, and
keep those questions coming!
Wishing you sunshine, flowers, and lots of Disney magic,
Matt