Updated :: Latest Disney World Tips, Lingo & Tricks

February 7, 2022

I am a huge Disney fan, and I have traveled all over the world to visit Disney parks. I love to plan these trips, but since COVID, a lot has changed about planning said trips. It can be complicated, but this can also be a great time to visit Walt Disney World with the right precautions. The 50th anniversary, new rides, and new experiences will make all the planning worth it.

Here is a breakdown of new Disney lingo and some 2022 Disney World tips to help make this one the most magical trip ever!

New Disney World Lingo

My Disney Experience App

This is the must-have app for everything WDW. Park reservations, maps, dining reservations, show times, and so much more appear in this one app.

Disney Genie

A FREE planning guide in the My Disney Experience app that helps you plan your perfect Disney day. Disney Genie will send you a survey to discover your preferences at each park (favorite rides, characters, restaurants). It will then update itself throughout the day and give you a personalized itinerary.

Disney Genie+

A PAID service in the My Disney Experience app that allows you to bypass the standby line and head for the Lightning Lane. $15 per day, per person to use Genie+, and if you purchase a Park Hopper, that $15 covers all day at any park. Genie+ allows you to select one available attraction at a time throughout your day. You can select another after you have completed that attraction or after 2 hours. Each park has a list of the attractions that are included attractions for Genie+.

Lightning Lane

This is the physical queue line at participating attractions that you get to use if you purchase Genie+. To redeem your Genie+ selection, scan your MagicBand or Park Pass at the beginning of the Lightning Lane queue.

Individual Lightning Lanes (for popular rides)

A PAID service independent of Genie+. Each park has 1–2 high-demand attractions you can purchase Lightning Lane for exclusively. Unlike Genie+, Lightning Lane entrance for these rides is à la carte; you can purchase them individually and it will assign you a return time for the attraction using the Lightning Lane queue. The prices for these attractions will vary depending on date, attraction, and park. This is the PAID option for these rides, but the standby queue is still available for you to use.

My Disney World Mom Tips

Disney is a mental and physical workout for any family planning this epic trip. As the Disney planner in my family, I have found some great ways to save money, time, and sanity when it comes to visiting Disney World as a family. Here are my 2022 Disney World tips:

RESEARCH IN ADVANCE

I love planning and learning the tricks and tips about Disney World. I learn everything I can from social media and YouTube. These are my favorite accounts to follow when I want to learn more about WDW:

1. Disney Food Blog gives a detailed look at the new food and treats at Disney.
2. WDWN provides the latest news and gossip from Disney parks all over the world.
3. Allears.net is my go-to YouTube channel when I want to find out about the latest news at Disney World. They show detailed videos on how to maximize your time and money at Disney.
4. Brbgoingtodisney is a mom of two young kids who visits WDW weekly and gives her tips and tricks when traveling and planning trips to Disney World.

Rent a Stroller

If you have little kids or kids that you know won’t want to walk all day, rent a premium stroller for the parks. Forget about packing and hauling your own personal stroller from home. I have used this service every time I have gone with my kids to Disney World, and it’s the best. I use Kingdom Strollers, and you can select pickup and drop off at either the Orlando airport or any nearby Walt Disney World hotel.

Order Groceries for your Hotel Room

I’m an over-packer when it comes to any trip, but with Disney I make sure to pack light, so we have room for souvenirs. By ordering groceries from Instacart or Amazon, I am able to have what I need for our Disney trip delivered straight to my hotel. I usually order bottled water, snacks, and fruit. Instead of paying $4 for a banana or $7 for a bottle of water, save yourself some money and order groceries ahead.

Disney Gift Cards

My kids love to get souvenirs, and the best way for mama to save money and budget how much they spend is with Disney gift cards. Birthdays and Christmas are the best time to ask for these gift cards. Also, if you have a Target credit card, you can get these gift cards on sale a few times a year. Double win: shopping at Target and scoring some Disney gift cards.

Take a Break

Most Disney trips are planned months or years in advance, and families pack it in to get their money’s worth. But don’t forget to add in some rest periods. Spend a day at the pool, go shopping at Disney Springs, or just resort hop.