Is anyone cancelling a WDW trip or moving it up because of the early SWGE opening?

[Kbosch]

Ok so I slept on it, woke up hoping it was a nightmare but no such luck.

Our trip is booked 9/28 - 10/3 at CBR. My husband is a teacher and our only other option to go would be this April (Easter break recess.) Which option is better? Going in April with no ADRs or FPs yet and dealing with crowds that week, or keeping our Sept reservation and dealing with the SWGE crowds? I know no one "knows" what the SW crowds will be like so just wanted to see anyone else's thoughts?

 

[AuntJamelle]

Does anyone have information or recall how other areas of AK were affected in Pandora's first weeks or info on how the other park crowds were affected? I know Star Wars is a whole other universe compared to Pandora but it might give us at least something to go by. Our trip is late Sept. and I have mixed feelings but we'll adjust as needed and just feel fortunate even if all we do is wander around and experience the sites!

My mind went this same direction - although I don't know if Pandora or even Toy Story land are an apples to apples comparison given the intensity of SW fandom. I reached out to my travel agent and got the following:

1. It's ONE park out of four (six if you count the water parks). It's easy to avoid that park and the crazies and you'll still have PLENTY to keep you entertained.
2. Galaxy's Edge is tucked all the way in the back of Hollywood Studios. If you don't want to be anywhere near that section, you won't need to. You can still enjoy other areas of the park without stepping foot in Galaxy's Edge. (Fingers crossed it lowers the crowd in Toy Story Land!)
3. Pandora and Toy Story Land did not add huge increases to the rest of the parks. Those particular sections were crowded - especially Pandora - but it didn't have much effect on Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
4. When Pandora opened, Disney quietly opened Animal Kingdom early most days, as early as 7:30am on a 9am scheduled opening day! By doing this, the crowds flooded Pandora and the rest of the park was empty until around 10:30am or so. You could walk on just about anything else even though you couldn't get close to Pandora without crowds.
5. The whole land isn't going to be open yet. This is just phase 1 with the second phase opening "later this year." There will be a lot of people holding out to go when the entire land is open and not just half of it. It's a smart move on Disney's part to get the interest there, but not all at once.

Now - I totally get that she doesn't want me to cancel our trip but I'm hoping there is at least some truth to this.

I am really, really hoping it won't be so bad. I think it could go either way.

Plan A - Keep our Sept 17-24 trip as is including MNSSHP on 9/20
Plan B - Keep trip but add Park Hopper and/or pay for Early Morning Magic Hours
Plan C - Keep our travel dates (plane tickets already booked) but cancel Disney and go to Universal instead

I'm eagerly awaiting Touring Plans updates.

I also want to see how bad booking ADRs goes - our window opens 3/21. If that goes badly - and despite repeated checking back to get the ADRs we want we still aren't looking good. That will be a red flag for me. If we get to FP booking window and THAT goes badly - another red flag.

If we're approaching deadline for canceling trip and still haven't gotten majority of ADRs and FPs we want then we could pull the plug and go somewhere else in Florida.

I'm going to breathe into my paper bag (have had it with me since yesterday morning - lol) and give it a couple of weeks. I've already begun researching Universal just in case.

 

[RMulieri]

My mind went this same direction - although I don't know if Pandora or even Toy Story land are an apples to apples comparison given the intensity of SW fandom. I reached out to my travel agent and got the following:

1. It's ONE park out of four (six if you count the water parks). It's easy to avoid that park and the crazies and you'll still have PLENTY to keep you entertained.
2. Galaxy's Edge is tucked all the way in the back of Hollywood Studios. If you don't want to be anywhere near that section, you won't need to. You can still enjoy other areas of the park without stepping foot in Galaxy's Edge. (Fingers crossed it lowers the crowd in Toy Story Land!)
3. Pandora and Toy Story Land did not add huge increases to the rest of the parks. Those particular sections were crowded - especially Pandora - but it didn't have much effect on Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
4. When Pandora opened, Disney quietly opened Animal Kingdom early most days, as early as 7:30am on a 9am scheduled opening day! By doing this, the crowds flooded Pandora and the rest of the park was empty until around 10:30am or so. You could walk on just about anything else even though you couldn't get close to Pandora without crowds.
5. The whole land isn't going to be open yet. This is just phase 1 with the second phase opening "later this year." There will be a lot of people holding out to go when the entire land is open and not just half of it. It's a smart move on Disney's part to get the interest there, but not all at once.

Now - I totally get that she doesn't want me to cancel our trip but I'm hoping there is at least some truth to this.

I am really, really hoping it won't be so bad. I think it could go either way.

Plan A - Keep our Sept 17-24 trip as is including MNSSHP on 9/20
Plan B - Keep trip but add Park Hopper and/or pay for Early Morning Magic Hours
Plan C - Keep our travel dates (plane tickets already booked) but cancel Disney and go to Universal instead

I'm eagerly awaiting Touring Plans updates.

I also want to see how bad booking ADRs goes - our window opens 3/21. If that goes badly - and despite repeated checking back to get the ADRs we want we still aren't looking good. That will be a red flag for me. If we get to FP booking window and THAT goes badly - another red flag.

If we're approaching deadline for canceling trip and still haven't gotten majority of ADRs and FPs we want then we could pull the plug and go somewhere else in Florida.

I'm going to breathe into my paper bag (have had it with me since yesterday morning - lol) and give it a couple of weeks. I've already begun researching Universal just in case.

I dont know if it helps you feel better, but my ADR window was yestrday and I didn't book until AFTER the news was announced and I had zero trouble getting what I wanted, granted most of my adrs were in Epcot and MK

 

[LSUmiss]

Because they are trying to control crowds, make people happy, and pad their bottom line on a multi-million dollar project?

Because it's almost impossible to say when you plan to open something that far in advance?

You act like Disney is sitting there evil laughing like "mwahahaha, I got them now!!!!"

I don’t disagree (except the make ppl happy part). But I think those are all the reasons ppl resent it. I get not knowing an exact date, but I’m sure they have known for some time this would be the plan. There was someone for Disney who said “this fiscal” yr it would open & then Iger retracted it & said she meant to say next fiscal yr. I say playing games b/c it is all about padding bottom line & we know it’s a business blah blah. But, some ppl who also contribute to that bottom line are understandably upset with their business practices at this time.

 

[LSUmiss]

Let's see........
The first week of September, hot as Hades, an extra 20 to 40 thousand people in the parks, many of them honked off because they aren't going to get exactly the experience that they want due to the inflated crowds that they themselves have caused.
Naaahhhh...............
I'll wait a year for the dust to settle.

And how many ppl won’t do their research & will be extra mad to find out it’s only a partial opening & there are no FPs.

 

[Heffalump12]

Thinking about the demographics of super SW fans, it seems like they would be more inclined to visit Universal Studios than say MK or AK. Of course I could be totally wrong, though I hope I’m not lol.

I’m just going to roll with the punches but my biggest concern now is park hopping. I was hoping to spend most of our last day at Epcot then stroll over to HS for Fantasmic to end our trip. However, I’m thinking that’s out the window since HS will probably be at capacity and we will won’t be able to get in to see Fantasmic.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Thinking about the demographics of super SW fans, it seems like they would be more inclined to visit Universal Studios than say MK or AK. Of course I could be totally wrong, though I hope I’m not lol.

I’m just going to roll with the punches but my biggest concern now is park hopping. I was hoping to spend most of our last day at Epcot then stroll over to HS for Fantasmic to end our trip. However, I’m thinking that’s out the window since HS will probably be at capacity and we will won’t be able to get in to see Fantasmic.

We were just discussing this last night. I bet Universal gets busy, too.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

And how many ppl won’t do their research & will be extra mad to find out it’s only a partial opening & there are no FPs.

JMHO, and this goes for any vacation, not just Disney, but if people don't research what they are spending their hard earned money on, well, that's on them. Heck, I won't book a single night hotel stay for business before I've checked reviews on trip advisor.

Disney has put the information out there. I called last night to add a night onto my reservation, I didn't get the normal greeting -it was immediately an announcement about SWGE opening date. While on hold I heard multiple times about no FPs being available, the limitations of access, etc. When going on to their site, it pops up at the top.

The information is there, they have released it, I'm guessing, as soon as they were able to as a service to their customers. I'm not a Disney defender, they have done plenty that has pi$$ed me off over the last few years, but I think they have done the best they could with this announcement and getting people ready. It was going to come at some time right? I'm glad I have the notice now so that I have time to make decisions and changes if I choose to.

 

[StacyStrong]

I don’t disagree (except the make ppl happy part). But I think those are all the reasons ppl resent it. I get not knowing an exact date, but I’m sure they have known for some time this would be the plan. There was someone for Disney who said “this fiscal” yr it would open & then Iger retracted it & said she meant to say next fiscal yr. I say playing games b/c it is all about padding bottom line & we know it’s a business blah blah. But, some ppl who also contribute to that bottom line are understandably upset with their business practices at this time.

Hm. I would suggest just not going if you truly believe they have shady and unethical business practices. Said without snark. I personally avoid companies that I believe are trying to pull a fast one on their customers. I personally don't think it of Disney, but understand people who are frustrated and would suggest they take a break and visit other parks.

I don't think it's worth spending thousands of dollars on anything if you're going to be unhappy and no one should tell you what you should be happy with! If this is the line for a lot of people, I get it.

 

[FutureDisneyEventPlanner]

1. It's ONE park out of four (six if you count the water parks). It's easy to avoid that park and the crazies and you'll still have PLENTY to keep you entertained.
2. Galaxy's Edge is tucked all the way in the back of Hollywood Studios. If you don't want to be anywhere near that section, you won't need to. You can still enjoy other areas of the park without stepping foot in Galaxy's Edge. (Fingers crossed it lowers the crowd in Toy Story Land!)
3. Pandora and Toy Story Land did not add huge increases to the rest of the parks. Those particular sections were crowded - especially Pandora - but it didn't have much effect on Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
4. When Pandora opened, Disney quietly opened Animal Kingdom early most days, as early as 7:30am on a 9am scheduled opening day! By doing this, the crowds flooded Pandora and the rest of the park was empty until around 10:30am or so. You could walk on just about anything else even though you couldn't get close to Pandora without crowds.
5. The whole land isn't going to be open yet. This is just phase 1 with the second phase opening "later this year." There will be a lot of people holding out to go when the entire land is open and not just half of it. It's a smart move on Disney's part to get the interest there, but not all at once.

This actually made me feel a lot better. I've decided I'm still going to go, and even attempt to go to DHS because I REALLY want to see TSL.

 

[LSUmiss]

Hm. I would suggest just not going if you truly believe they have shady and unethical business practices. Said without snark. I personally avoid companies that I believe are trying to pull a fast one on their customers. I personally don't think it of Disney, but understand people who are frustrated and would suggest they take a break and visit other parks.

I don't think it's worth spending thousands of dollars on anything if you're going to be unhappy and no one should tell you what you should be happy with! If this is the line for a lot of people, I get it.

I think that’s my point. Some ppl feel it is. I have trip booked for July & we purposely tried to get ahead of it & it seems we did. But I completely understand how ppl feel who chose Sept & feel they got screwed.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I think that’s my point. Some ppl feel it is. I have trip booked for July & we purposely tried to get ahead of it & it seems we did. But I completely understand how ppl feel who chose Sept & feel they got screwed.

Right ESPECIALLY when they went out of their way to say LATE FALL.

 

[JenniferYoung44]

My mind went this same direction - although I don't know if Pandora or even Toy Story land are an apples to apples comparison given the intensity of SW fandom. I reached out to my travel agent and got the following:

1. It's ONE park out of four (six if you count the water parks). It's easy to avoid that park and the crazies and you'll still have PLENTY to keep you entertained.
2. Galaxy's Edge is tucked all the way in the back of Hollywood Studios. If you don't want to be anywhere near that section, you won't need to. You can still enjoy other areas of the park without stepping foot in Galaxy's Edge. (Fingers crossed it lowers the crowd in Toy Story Land!)
3. Pandora and Toy Story Land did not add huge increases to the rest of the parks. Those particular sections were crowded - especially Pandora - but it didn't have much effect on Magic Kingdom and Epcot.
4. When Pandora opened, Disney quietly opened Animal Kingdom early most days, as early as 7:30am on a 9am scheduled opening day! By doing this, the crowds flooded Pandora and the rest of the park was empty until around 10:30am or so. You could walk on just about anything else even though you couldn't get close to Pandora without crowds.
5. The whole land isn't going to be open yet. This is just phase 1 with the second phase opening "later this year." There will be a lot of people holding out to go when the entire land is open and not just half of it. It's a smart move on Disney's part to get the interest there, but not all at once.

Now - I totally get that she doesn't want me to cancel our trip but I'm hoping there is at least some truth to this.

I am really, really hoping it won't be so bad. I think it could go either way.

Plan A - Keep our Sept 17-24 trip as is including MNSSHP on 9/20
Plan B - Keep trip but add Park Hopper and/or pay for Early Morning Magic Hours
Plan C - Keep our travel dates (plane tickets already booked) but cancel Disney and go to Universal instead

I'm eagerly awaiting Touring Plans updates.

I also want to see how bad booking ADRs goes - our window opens 3/21. If that goes badly - and despite repeated checking back to get the ADRs we want we still aren't looking good. That will be a red flag for me. If we get to FP booking window and THAT goes badly - another red flag.

If we're approaching deadline for canceling trip and still haven't gotten majority of ADRs and FPs we want then we could pull the plug and go somewhere else in Florida.

I'm going to breathe into my paper bag (have had it with me since yesterday morning - lol) and give it a couple of weeks. I've already begun researching Universal just in case.

Bwahahaha, this literally made me laugh out loud. I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell this TA

 

[StacyStrong]

I think that’s my point. Some ppl feel it is. I have trip booked for July & we purposely tried to get ahead of it & it seems we did. But I completely understand how ppl feel who chose Sept & feel they got screwed.

Yes, but they are also acting like it’s a life ruining event when it’s just additional crowds at a theme park. I’m only so sympathetic.

 

[mckenk]

FWIW, I just got off the phone with Disney because I wanted to modify my reservations for next week. The agent I spoke with mentioned GE. Said she has gotten more calls from people wanting to rebook their trips to before opening than she has for people wanting to book after it opens.

 

[Wishfuiiy]

Yes, but they are also acting like it’s a life ruining event when it’s just additional crowds at a theme park. I’m only so sympathetic.

OMG this! I understand that when we spend stupid amounts of money on these vacations that we want them to be perfect, and up to snuff because let's all face it - it's a lot of money. However, this isn't the end of the world... It's more people, we aren't even looking at Christmas time Disney crowds here. I'd rather be a little crowded, which is par for course with Disney nowadays with no "slow" days tbh, than have no Disney at all. If you guys want to cancel tho, I'll happily take those awesome ADRs and FPs for all the things then.

 

[LSUmiss]

JMHO, and this goes for any vacation, not just Disney, but if people don't research what they are spending their hard earned money on, well, that's on them. Heck, I won't book a single night hotel stay for business before I've checked reviews on trip advisor.

Disney has put the information out there. I called last night to add a night onto my reservation, I didn't get the normal greeting -it was immediately an announcement about SWGE opening date. While on hold I heard multiple times about no FPs being available, the limitations of access, etc. When going on to their site, it pops up at the top.

The information is there, they have released it, I'm guessing, as soon as they were able to as a service to their customers. I'm not a Disney defender, they have done plenty that has pi$$ed me off over the last few years, but I think they have done the best they could with this announcement and getting people ready. It was going to come at some time right? I'm glad I have the notice now so that I have time to make decisions and changes if I choose to.

I agree. I was responding to a pp who said “no thanks” to being around the crowd & crowds of ppl angry b/c they didn’t get the experience they “paid for”.

 

[tlmadden73]

... Disney has been crowded .. been getting more crowded every year. There really is no avoiding it despite what you plan or what the best crowd calendar says. If it isn't SWGE -- it will be all the other things they are doing to entice more guests to come to the parks -- Guardians, Tron, 50th anniversary, etc.

Just go when you want to go .. plan for crowds and set your expectations accordingly. If you you've been before, crowds aren't going to ruin your trip. If you haven't been before, you just don't know how bad it will be until you get there.

 

[LSUmiss]

Yes, but they are also acting like it’s a life ruining event when it’s just additional crowds at a theme park. I’m only so sympathetic.

I don’t think they are. I think they’re feeling very disappointed & I can understand that.

 

[Kbosch]

OMG this! I understand that when we spend stupid amounts of money on these vacations that we want them to be perfect, and up to snuff because let's all face it - it's a lot of money. However, this isn't the end of the world... It's more people, we aren't even looking at Christmas time Disney crowds here. I'd rather be a little crowded, which is par for course with Disney nowadays with no "slow" days tbh, than have no Disney at all. If you guys want to cancel tho, I'll happily take those awesome ADRs and FPs for all the things then.

Ok but this is my question. We will be going late September and all I’ve heard all along is how Star Wars crowds will be like nothing anyone has ever seen before. So if my other choice is to go this year Easter week, when I know parks are at 8 and 9, will those crowds still be worse than in late September after SW opens? (I realize no one actually knows the answer for this; just asking for opinions.)