2021 is a weird year at Walt Disney World. Many of our posts on Modern Life is Good currently are not relevant due to the temporary postponement of services. We have been looking back at some of our old posts and discovered this one originally published in 2018. We think this tip is probably more relevant than ever before in 2021 and have given the post a cleanup to make it fit for 2021. So what is Our Number 1 Walt Disney World Tip? It probably isn’t what you are expecting.
Many Walt Disney World Tips we provide here on Modern Life is Good are fairly obvious. However, it is still surprising how many people don’t bring a hat, have plenty of breaks, drink plenty, or pace themselves. Our Number 1 Walt Disney World Tip is perhaps not as obvious if you are a first-time visitor or have not visited the parks for several years. However, in 2021 it is essential.
Be able to access Wi-Fi while in the parks
Yes, our number 1 Walt Disney World Tip is having access to the park Wi-Fi!
It does not matter if it is a phone or tablet, but the biggest mistake you could make is not using park Wi-Fi when in Walt Disney World. 10 years ago, this wouldn’t even have reached my Top 100 Tips, but things have changed in Walt Disney World.
Online access is essential in Walt Disney World, and you must have the My Disney Experience App downloaded on your mobile device. This is even more important in 2021.
Why is having access to Wi-Fi essential in 2021?
Walt Disney World encourages all guests to have downloaded the latest version of My Disney Experience on their mobile device before entering parks during the reopening period. My Disney Experience is a Live App, and therefore having WiFi is essential. Also, they recommend having location services, and notifications enabled.
My Disney Experience is a free online guide to Walt Disney World that allows guests to plan their vacation. Through this free service, you can:
- Keep track of your plans & reservations, including those of your family & friends.
- Make FastPass+, Dining & Ticket Reservations (depending on availability)
- Preview your Disney PhotoPass photos
- Order in advance your food at select Quick Service Locations
- Access maps, wait times, showtimes, park hours, and much more essential information via the app.
- Manage your Disney Resort reservations, tickets, MagicBands, and cards. You can even unlock your resort room using the App!
During the reopening of Walt Disney World, My Disney Experience will be providing several new enhancements to promote social distancing and reduced contact.
Also, My Disney Experience will provide you with all the latest resort information. It seems almost inevitable that changes will happen throughout 2021. Make sure you don’t miss out if suddenly FastPass, Fireworks, or Parades restart.
Make sure you also download the Play Disney Parks Mobile App before you visit. The App provides unique experiences and activities when you visit. In Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the App becomes the Star Wars: Datapad, which brings new immersive adventures.
Plus, there is one more reason why you must have access to WiFi while in the park…..
Grab a spot in the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance.
FastPass+ might be suspended, but you still need a reservation to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. To grab a reservation, you must have access to My Disney Experience. The rules on how virtual queue reservations are distributed have changed several times, but the current rules are:
Guests with a valid ticket or Annual Pass and a Disney Park Pass Reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to request access to the virtual queue starting at 7:00 AM on the day of their reservation. This can be done before you leave your Disney Resort hotel or on your way to the park. Beginning on Sunday, December 20, the virtual queue will reopen daily at 1:00 PM for anyone inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios who wasn’t already able to join a boarding group earlier in the day.
Ensure you are logged on to My Disney Experience before these times and be quick reservations go quick! Only Guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and guests who Park Hopping will be excluded.
If you have no Wi-Fi, you will wander around the park, searching for essential information. At the same time, other guests will be having fun. My Disney Experience is a necessary part of all Walt Disney World vacations, and you will be lost without it.
Perhaps this isn’t as important a tip as drinking plenty of water or remembering to put on sunscreen. However, for first-time visitors who might have intended to escape their mobile phone for a week, it is essential advice.
Our Number 1 Walt Disney World Tip is to have access to the park Wi-Fi. To have a great vacation, don’t forget!
Do you think there is something else that should be Our Number 1 Walt Disney World Tip for 2021? Leave a comment below.
Read More
Visit our Guide to Walt Disney World to learn more. Our guide includes all the latest information on the reopening of Walt Disney World.
This post is part of our “Road to 2021 at Walt Disney World” series. Check out the rest of the guides for the latest information.
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