We are always up for a trip to Walt Disney World! Whether it’s been planned for over a year or a spontaneous, last-minute idea. Last-minute Disney World trips are easier than ever! Here’s how to plan a spontaneous Disney World vacation.
Related – 5 Reasons Why You Should Take a SOLO Trip to Disney World
First, know what you need!
Park essentials such as sunscreen and water bottles are still on the list of must-haves. In addition to these things, you will also want to grab several comfortable face masks. Make sure you take enough to change your mask at least a couple of times each day (yes, you’ll want to change it multiple times). It’s also a good idea to pack some hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Lastly, make sure to download the Disney World app (search for “My Disney Experience”) and bring a way to charge your phone in the parks. As usual, you will want to use this app to check ride times, but you’ll also need it to place mobile orders at quick-service restaurants, a step that is required in many locations now.
Be Flexible
Gone are the days where you need to make FastPass+ reservations and dining reservations months in advance. When planning a last-minute trip, it’s good to be flexible! Don’t make any firm plans and instead let things happen spontaneously. You might just find that you enjoy this more relaxed type of Disney visit more than the super planned out trips you might be used to. It certainly makes putting a last-minute trip together a less stressful experience. It will also help ensure you aren’t overly disappointed if something you wanted to do happens to be closed or modified due to the virus.
Related – Disney World to Relax Face Mask Policy for outdoor photos
Make Park Pass Reservations
New to the Walt Disney World Resort is the Park Pass Reservation system. All guests wanting to visit the parks will need to make a reservation along with having valid admission. What does this mean for your last-minute trip? It means you’ll need to make reservations as soon as you know you’re going and have your tickets purchased, keeping in mind you may not get the park you want on any given day. This is where that flexibility comes into play. If you don’t see the park you want, get what you can and keep checking back. Sometimes park availability does open back up, especially the morning of. You could also purchase a park-hopper ticket, reserve a park that isn’t your number one choice, then visit your number one after park hours start (if that park has availability).
Do Waitlist Dining
Dining reservations can now be made 60 days in advance rather than the 180 days before the pandemic. But if your trip is even more last-minute than 60 days, you might not get that dining reservation you really want. That’s ok though! it’s now possible to eat at some of the more popular restaurants at Disney World without making a reservation months in advance! On the day you’re wanting to dine, open the Disney World app and click “Check Dining Availability”. From there, you’ll select your party size and today’s date. On the next page, click “Now” under the “search by time” section. This will pull up a list of available waitlist restaurants near you at the top, and a full list of all available waitlist restaurants at the bottom. If your favorite restaurant has a waitlist available, it will provide an estimated wait time. You must be near the restaurant in order to join the waitlist. This option is not available at all restaurants, but it does give last-minute travelers more options.
Some other things you no longer need to plan for during your last-minute trip include parades and character meet & greets. Now, Disney World theme parks treat guests to short-and-sweet spontaneous “Character Cavalcades” throughout the day, as well as other surprise character appearances.
It’s always helpful to use a travel agent when planning your Disney vacation but especially if it’s a last-minute trip! If you are thinking of hopping on a plane and heading to Disney World, contact me today! I can help you plan a magical vacation at no extra cost to you.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
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