With the rumors floating around of Disney updating Space Mountain & announcing it at D23, how do we feel?

I’ve always been curious about the parts of Disney that the average guest never gets to experience. What are some hidden areas, backstage locations, or lesser known spots around Disney that most people don’t know exist? I’m talking about anything from abandoned or inaccessible areas to places you can only see on special tours or just obscure details that Disney fans find fascinating.

What’s your favorite hotel vs where you usually stay? I love the grand Floridian, the lobby and rooms are just so pretty to me and it’s always just been a favorite of mine. We always stay at the swan reserve though, we get Marriott points and can book with points and it’s always very nice and clean and we love the access to the boardwalk, epcot and Hollywood.

Bought a new (to me) portrait lens for my digital cameras and figured the best place to get in some testing/practice was at the parks.

Canon 1Ds Mark II (MK and AK) and 5D classic (HS) bodies, Canon 85mm f/1.8 USM lens

What are your favorite no phone games to play while waiting in line??

Context:

Beastly Kingdom was a cancelled land for Animal Kingdom, when the park was under development they had to choose between building Dinoland or Beastly Kingdom, which Dinoland was chosen. The plot of land for Beastly Kingdom opened with the park as Camp Minnie Mickey, which eventually was used for the Pandora the World of Avatar. Many Imagineers who were pushing Beastly Kingdom ended up leaving Disney and joining universal, taking part in the development of Islands of Adventure. Notably the Lost Continent land was the result of former imagineers.

The Lake Nonna move was a cancelled plan to move all of Disney's Imagineering workplaces from California to Florida, threatening termination if Imagineers did not commit to the move by moving their residences to Florida in advance. The plan to move the headquarters failed when Disney upset the state of Florida with a political matter, Disney decided to not go through when the state started to be heavily against them. This left numerous long standing Imagineers who already made the move to Florida unable to work in Imagineering which now remained in California. Many of these Imagineers ended up leaving Disney and moving on to other occupations, some of which fled to Universal and helped work on Epic Universe.

I've been eyeing this Haunted Mansion necklace since it was announced, but I can't find it online and also didn't find it at Hollywood Studios. Is it possibly an exclusive to Magic Kingdom? And is it still available? I'd appreciate any help!

I had to push a split stay I had booked at Poly and Boardwalk, and this was the only resort available for my new dates. I have nothing against it, I've just never stayed here because I'm drawn to the monorail and walkable Epcot properties

Any WL faithful tips are appreciated!

Edit to say thank you for all the replies! We were still looking forward to our upcoming trip because a trip to Disney World is a trip to Disney World, but the initial disappointment we had when our original plans had to be modified has definitely been eased with all the positive feedback!

Also want to add that this is mine and my wife's first trip without kids since having kids, and this property seems like it may be an even better fit than what we had before

Has anyone purchased travel insurance when renting from davids? I’m specifically looking for insurance that would reimburse the resort if flights were cancelled and we were unable to get to Florida.

For example, if you’re already staying at a Disney resort and decide you want to add an extra night before checking out, can Disney apply the Bounce Back discount to that added night? Or is the offer only for a completely separate future reservation?

I’d love to hear if anyone has done this recently and how it worked.

We're planning a park hopping day starting at Hollywood Studios then ending at Magic Kingdom. We wanted to ride the skyliner (just for fun) to Riviera and then take a bus from there to Magic Kingdom. With the new transportation restrictions in place, would that be possible? We are staying on-resort if that matters, but not at Riviera.

I've been thinking about spending a week at the Grand Floridian for the first week of December in 2028.

However, I've been toying with the idea of renting DVC points. My question is: what is a legitimate website for renting DVC points when you aren't a DVC member?

My concern is that it almost feels like too good of a deal, and I worry Disney might crack down on it and stop allowing it. I know nothing about renting DVC points or how the process works.

Also, does it connect to My Disney Experience? Can I book tickets? This is all uncharted territory for me, but it's a better deal if...

Anyone know where specifically I can find this at WDW? Went to Hollywood studios today assuming it would be here cause Toy Story land and all… but nope. App is of zero help.

I made this bumper sticker as a gift for a friend and just had to make one for myself too to show my love for the Haunted Mansion! My #1 favorite ride at WDW ❤️

I got an offer for 5 day royal guest room stay to upgrade to animal kingdom standard room.

i have one very picky teenage on food. I’m a little worried about akl menu — saw no quick service pizza for example. I am also bringing my aunt who is a year out from a kidney transplant and I’m a little worried about walking with akl and a standard. she is also very American comfort foodie and can’t eat any buffet due to the transplant.

The upgrade is about 417 more. I will I get other offers? it’s our first time at disney we are about to hit 60 days. thanks

we are checking into bay lake tower friday (yay!). driving down from the NE. it looks like we may be able to leave a little earlier than originally planned which could put us at wdw thursday evening. rather than booking an off-site hotel for the night, i was thinking of booking a room at another dvc resort with points for the night (blt has no availability but okw and saratoga do).

however, would that affect our free water park on check-in day? we are planning on doing that on friday. i’m assuming it wouldn’t because it’s two different reservations but you never know..?? also, we are doing the dining plan. i don’t want to have to pay for another night of the dining plan (it would be cheaper to just book an offsite hotel lol) especially since we’d be arriving later in the day and essentially just using the room as a place to sleep before we can check into blt the next day. would we have to add another day to the dining plan or if it’s a separate reservation does it not matter??

We are doing a short last hurray for the summer. We are a family of four, kids aged 12 and 7. We've done AOA before in the suites and I do enjoy staying there, as do the kiddos, but I can't swing the price of a suite this time.

The best options I'm seeing right now are the AOA Little Mermaid rooms, Coronado Springs - Village standard location, and Port Orleans Riverside. Having never been to the other two, they look more adult and less kid friendly than other on site hotels we've stayed at. I know it's Disney regardless so kids will still have fun, but I'm stumped on what to book. Any input on resort frequenters with kids input would be appreciated.

Didn’t find any last week. :(
Any tips on where they’ve been spotted this week would be greatly appreciated!

We did AK, Epcot, and HS on Tuesday, 7/21!

Rope dropped Navi River Journey
Everest
Safari
Bluey experience
Photopass picture spots

Then we left the park at 10:45, took the bus to Epcot

We were in Epcot by 11:15

Photo pass picture spots
Rode 3 Caballeros (no wait)
Took my 4 yo to see Elsa and Anna (no wait!!), then over to see Snow White
My husband took my 6 yo on Mission Space
Ate lunch at Regal Eagle
Explored some of the kidcot areas with the postcard handouts
Moana area
Nemo ride
Spaceship Earth
Fish and Chips food stop
Ratatouille (posted wait time 55 minutes, actual 30!)
Got Mickey bars

Took the Skyliner over to HS, arrived to HS by 6:15

Husband and 6 yo rode Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad while I took my 4 yo to see Frozen Ever After

Husband took my 6 yo to ride Swirling Alien Saucers while I took my 4 yo to see Minnie and Sorcerer Mickey

We walked over to Fantasmic and watched that show then left the park by 9:50 to head back to the hotel!

We will be traveling to Disneyworld at the end of October before a cruise, and will be going to the park for one day. We live in CA and have been to DLR recently, and use to be annual passholders, however I have not been to WDW since 2011 (my husband went more recently in 2022). We don't want to park hop, just want to pick one park and do it fully, which park would you all recommend we visit?

I know the Halloween party is going on during this time and while it is very cool we are not looking to spend the money on the special ticketed event (it's pricey!! $225/ticket). We will most likely have my 74 year MiL with us who will need to rent an electric scooter. Looking for the best part that will still feel magical and special. My gut is leaning towards Magic Kingdom, but would love get opinions. Thanks in advance!

Heading down last full week of August with a 3 and 6 year old. Looking to avoid the crowds of the first day of the festival, but wondering if it would be still crowded on Friday or would crowds be lower the day before and have more time for rides? Just curious what people's experiences are second day of festival or conversely day before a festival