It’s time to dust off your Minnie ears and start planning that next fun and sun-filled trip to a Disney park. Spring and summer are wildly popular times to go to the happiest place on earth, be it Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida. But this year will be particularly crazy on both coasts thanks to the much-anticipated opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and as always there are also some new rules to be mindful of. So as you start planning all the particulars of your next Disney fix, keep these 10 new tips in mind.
1. Don’t bring your cigarettes to the park. If you happen to smoke, vape, or otherwise ingest any sort of smokiness into your lungs, you won’t be able to do that inside Disney parks anymore. Beginning May 1, 2019, there will be a park-wide ban on smoking in Disneyland, Disney World, their water parks, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and Downtown Disney in Anaheim. Those who imbibe will need to search out the designated smoking areas located outside the entrances or the smoking areas available at Disney Resort hotels.
2. Think small when bringing a stroller. Don’t bring your bulky stroller or gigantic wagon to the parks. For your next trip, you’ll need to think smaller: Starting of May 1, strollers must be no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. (It is a small world, after all.)
3. You can get your drink on at Disneyland. While one vice is saying goodbye, a new one is being introduced (think of it as a trade of sorts). Disneyland has notoriously been a dry land, but that will change when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens this May. While you won’t see booze served up on Main Street USA or in the lobby of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, you will be able to sip on themed alcoholic beverages like the Outer Rim, Bespin Fizz, Yub Nub, and Fuzzy Tauntaun in Galaxy’s Edge.
4. Leave the ice at home. It’s pretty sweet of Disney parks to allow you to bring in your own foods and drinks, but they are now drawing the line at ice. Yes, ice. Apparently, some visitors were lugging loose ice and even dry ice into the parks to keep their drinks and snacks nicely chilled, and the disposal was becoming problematic. Reusable ice packs, on the other hand, are still fine. (They’re better for the environment too.)
5. Book a room to get into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. If you’re like most, you’re itching to visit the brand new Star Wars-themed land. But if you think you can just waltz right in with Jedi-like tenacity, you’d be wrong: The Force doesn’t work that way. To get an early peek at the most anticipated Disneyland addition ever, you’ll need to book a room at one of the Disney Resort hotels; you’ll then be given an assigned time to get your Star Wars fill. Almost all the hotel rooms have already been booked for the launch time frame — but plans do change, so it could be worthwhile to keep an eye out for any cancellation openings.
6. Grab a bathroom pass if you’re headed to Galaxy’s Edge. This may give you flashbacks to grade school, but bathroom passes will be a “thing” when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens. Disney is anticipating record-breaking lines for the attractions, so to help those with busy bladders, they’re introducing a system where people who need to leave the line for a bathroom break can snag a pass. On their return, they can meet up with their pals at the FastPass merge location.
7. Book a breakfast with a princess. When the Pixar-themed Lamplight Lounge opened in the space that was once Ariel’s Grotto in Disney California Adventure, the princesses who would hold court there were suddenly displaced. But don’t fret: The lovely ladies of Disney have a new place to meet and entertain their loyal fans. Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at the Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel features a three-course breakfast, story time, kid-friendly activities, and princess photo ops. Since everyone loves princesses (and breakfast), be sure to reserve this dining experience way ahead of time. (Photo via Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
8. Enjoy Disney After Dark. These specially ticketed after-hours events let visitors hang out in the park with smaller crowds, unique experiences, dance parties, and rare character photo ops. These events pop up from time to time, and there are two new ones on the horizon. For Disneyland After Dark, there will be Heroes Assemble at Disney California Adventure Park on April 30 and May 1. And along with a variety of Disney After Hours events at all the parks in Disney World, there’s one in particular that’s a must for those who love Disney baddies — Disney Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park. These mayhem-filled evenings run on select dates from June 6 to August 8.
9. Celebrate your favorite mouse. The year of Mickey is in full swing with a new immersive experience: Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration. Opening April 26, 2019 in Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort, this pop-up photo-op pays homage to Mickey Mouse for a limited time. It’s your chance to take a selfie on the super-sized bow sofa or go Plane Crazy with Mickey, and who could resist that?
10. Snag a discount on park tickets. Getting a deal on tickets at Disneyland or Disney World tickets has been notoriously hard… until now. Sam’s Club recently announced their new Travel and Entertainment service, which allows members to score discounted tickets to various destinations, including Disneyland and Disney World. Additionally, Disney is offering discounted tickets to Florida residents heading to Disney World, and Southern Californian locals can get a deal on Disneyland. aRes also offers discounts on multi-day and Park Hopper tickets at both Disneyland and Disney World.
RELATED: 7 Places Every Disney Fan Needs to Visit (Besides Disneyland)
(Photos via Disney Parks)
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.