*** Official August 2021 thread ***

[ThereYouSeeHer]

We are a party of 5 so I am thinking that might be an issue since we are a large party. I find it hard to believe every restaurant at the resort is booked for the times I am entering. I tried a smaller aize party and got the same response. Both app and browser.

Decided to call and there’s a 2 hour hold.

I've already seen additional times pop up on my app and desktop. However, both times after grabbing the reservation, it said they were unable to complete my request. I even got as far as entering my credit card on the computer, and it still didn't let me complete the transaction. So frustrating!

 

[Mr. X]

I was able to speak to a cast member this morning. They are experience a multitude of issues with the MDE app right now.

 

[jbrinkm]

One more day until we can say we are going next month!!!

I thought this too except related to my ADR stalking - I thought, "soon I'll only have to swipe over once to see my dates"

 

[Mr. X]

Got all my ADRs for the times I wanted finally. I had to do some via the app and some via the browser.

I found the trick is to just got to the restaurant and then check availability. Don't go by the full restaurant list where is keeps saying no availability.

 

[aldeanarmyangel]

Got all my ADRs for the times I wanted finally. I had to do some via the app and some via the browser.

I found the trick is to just got to the restaurant and then check availability. Don't go by the full restaurant list where is keeps saying no availability.

agreed, i found that this worked well when i booked mine two weeks ago it was very frustrating to start.

 

[jbrinkm]

Looks like a bunch of new Oga's just dropped for 8/18, if anyone is interested. Does NOT look like the extended hours yet, maybe just increased park capacity?

 

[Marvin1968]

Looks like a bunch of new Oga's just dropped for 8/18, if anyone is interested. Does NOT look like the extended hours yet, maybe just increased park capacity?

You beat me too it. My alerts were going off left and right for my week 7-13. Got my late night ones.

 

[jbrinkm]

You beat me too it. My alerts were going off left and right for my week 7-13. Got my late night ones.

Yeah, that was fun, ALL the alerts coming in, back to back. I had DH pause the show we were watching so I could deal with choosing a time!

 

[CoachMJ]

Just wondering if anyone else is still on the fence about their August 2021 WDW trips?

In May, We booked 11 nights during mid August at the YC. When my reservations were made, WDW was a very different place. Most importantly, parks were at low capacities; thus, I had some belief that wait times for rides would be “lowish”, and our trip would not be dominated by long waits on hot /humid days. Unfortunately, Hollywood studios has had massive wait times lately (60-100 minutes) on many rides, and most other headliner attractions at MK, AK, and EP show similarly long waits.

If there are no resort guest perks reinstituted prior to our trip, we will definitely be cancelling (I am “ok” with losing my $200 deposit).
We love the Disney resorts; however, With all of the reductions in theme park experiences in Disney World, I cannot for the life of me see how staying onsite without any benefits (early fastpast+ reservations, EMH, etc.) would be of value to our family as Disney resort guests.

If I were a single day ticket holder or AP holder visiting MK from the Orlando area, I would probably be "ok” with the longer lines. However, paying $500/night to stay on property and dealing with this is not acceptable considering prices are higher now than they were pre-covid. Just my thoughts!

 

[123SA]

Looks like a bunch of new Oga's just dropped for 8/18, if anyone is interested. Does NOT look like the extended hours yet, maybe just increased park capacity?

Thanks for posting. I was able to get Aug 9th, a date that had been previously unavailable. I had multiple times to choose from.

 

[123SA]

Just wondering if anyone else is still on the fence about their August 2021 WDW trips?

In May, We booked 11 nights during mid August at the YC. When my reservations were made, WDW was a very different place. Most importantly, parks were at low capacities; thus, I had some belief that wait times for rides would be “lowish”, and our trip would not be dominated by long waits on hot /humid days. Unfortunately, Hollywood studios has had massive wait times lately (60-100 minutes) on many rides, and most other headliner attractions at MK, AK, and EP show similarly long waits.

If there are no resort guest perks reinstituted prior to our trip, we will definitely be cancelling (I am “ok” with losing my $200 deposit).
We love the Disney resorts; however, With all of the reductions in theme park experiences in Disney World, I cannot for the life of me see how staying onsite without any benefits (early fastpast+ reservations, EMH, etc.) would be of value to our family as Disney resort guests.

If I were a single day ticket holder or AP holder visiting MK from the Orlando area, I would probably be "ok” with the longer lines. However, paying $500/night to stay on property and dealing with this is not acceptable considering prices are higher now than they were pre-covid. Just my thoughts!

I agree with you. I accepted the lack of perks when these were changes due to COVID...but now that they have increased capacity, and with the recent info about future perks, I don't feel happy about my current plans.

I can't figure out why they can't have EMH in July, August and September, but they can have them in October. (And I'm not accepting staffing as the answer...if staffing is an issue, then why did they increase capacity?) Early in June, the ride wait times with no FP seemed acceptable, but with the increase in wait times, they are not quite as acceptable. I don't think I agree with opening FP right now, not unless they open up all of the fillers to spread people out -- the shows, parades, characters, shops fully open -- so people have an option instead of getting in a too long standby line.

I don't book trips during the most crowded times because I don't want to deal with those wait times...I'm starting to think that August will be like pre-COVID Christmas wait times. I feel boxed in. I already bought Boo Bash tickets for Aug 10 & 17, which are non-refundable, and my oldest graduates from college this spring. I think this is the last major vacation opportunity for my family. I'm not likely to cancel, but I feel like I have to really watch wait times so I can adjust our expectations.

I want to feel excited about my upcoming vacation. Not apprehensive.

 

[Marvin1968]

Thanks for posting. I was able to get Aug 9th, a date that had been previously unavailable. I had multiple times to choose from.

Me too August 9th is our first HS day. Although, we may park hop Sunday from Epcot to see Galaxy’s Edge.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Just wondering if anyone else is still on the fence about their August 2021 WDW trips?

If I were a single day ticket holder or AP holder visiting MK from the Orlando area, I would probably be "ok” with the longer lines. However, paying $500/night to stay on property and dealing with this is not acceptable considering prices are higher now than they were pre-covid. Just my thoughts!

Have you considered a split stay between a deluxe and a cheaper resort to lessen the impact a little? We are paying about $125+ a night to stay at All Star Movies, plus we did the previous promotion for getting two park days free. We couldn't do any better at a Marriott, so we're committed to going! I understand, though, that it's hard to pay a premium price and not feel like you're getting a premium experience!

 

[Mr. X]

Have you considered a split stay between a deluxe and a cheaper resort to lessen the impact a little? We are paying about $125+ a night to stay at All Star Movies, plus we did the previous promotion for getting two park days free. We couldn't do any better at a Marriott, so we're committed to going! I understand, though, that it's hard to pay a premium price and not feel like you're getting a premium experience!

I think its pretty sad that they are waiting until Oct. to introduce a lot of things. We are getting screwed.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I think its pretty sad that they are waiting until Oct. to introduce a lot of things. We are getting screwed.

The one that hurt the most was saving early park entry until October 1st, if that's truly what they end up doing. For everything else, I'm mostly glad that we are seeing WDW before everything changes over (Epcot Forever, Happily Ever After, etc.). We are expecting to come back towards the end of the 18-month celebration, so we should be able to catch what we miss. It still feels wrong, though, every time we hear of something else they are holding back for no reason, other than to say it's part of the celebration.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

We did DxDP on our first trip in 2009 with our three boys. They were also all under 9 at the time (now 19, 19 and 21). We were SO full all the time. We ended up leaving 43 snacks and 11 meals on the table because we just could not eat another thing! We are Canadian and find American serving really big. Plus we often like to order two appies as a meal or share dessert. We also love the lounges rather than always being scheduled with an ADR. The great thing is there are lots of options. I do tend to put the value of the DDP on several Disney gift cards, then treat myself to a fun souvenir with what I have left over.

I feel the same way about it. It's challenging for us to eat all the food, and we also don't like to eat multiple TS in a day. I understand why it works for others though, and when my daughter turns 3 and we have to start paying for her at character meals, the dining plan might very well be worth it.

 

[Sargeant Tibbs]

I agree with you. I accepted the lack of perks when these were changes due to COVID...but now that they have increased capacity, and with the recent info about future perks, I don't feel happy about my current plans.

I can't figure out why they can't have EMH in July, August and September, but they can have them in October. (And I'm not accepting staffing as the answer...if staffing is an issue, then why did they increase capacity?) Early in June, the ride wait times with no FP seemed acceptable, but with the increase in wait times, they are not quite as acceptable. I don't think I agree with opening FP right now, not unless they open up all of the fillers to spread people out -- the shows, parades, characters, shops fully open -- so people have an option instead of getting in a too long standby line.

I don't book trips during the most crowded times because I don't want to deal with those wait times...I'm starting to think that August will be like pre-COVID Christmas wait times. I feel boxed in. I already bought Boo Bash tickets for Aug 10 & 17, which are non-refundable, and my oldest graduates from college this spring. I think this is the last major vacation opportunity for my family. I'm not likely to cancel, but I feel like I have to really watch wait times so I can adjust our expectations.

I want to feel excited about my upcoming vacation. Not apprehensive.

We're definitely going, but I feel apprehensive for all the same reasons. I've never been more excited for the College Program to return (I generally have an unpopular opinion about it). I'm hoping that is the reason we're seeing an increase in capacity, and that the parks will now be able to handle it.

 

[disny_luvr]

We can finally say we are going to Disney next month!

 

[Gary Stocker]

Yeah I agree with some of the recent sentiments above that yesterday's news bummed me out a bit. Throw some of us not going to the 50th a bone already!
Already over it mostly but would have liked to be able to have some extra time in some parks as someone who is 1. onsite and 2. staying at a Deluxe Resort. Oh well, will try to stick to my planned rope drop strategy which I will be gung-ho...my family TBD.

 

[disny_luvr]

Just wondering if anyone else is still on the fence about their August 2021 WDW trips?

In May, We booked 11 nights during mid August at the YC. When my reservations were made, WDW was a very different place. Most importantly, parks were at low capacities; thus, I had some belief that wait times for rides would be “lowish”, and our trip would not be dominated by long waits on hot /humid days. Unfortunately, Hollywood studios has had massive wait times lately (60-100 minutes) on many rides, and most other headliner attractions at MK, AK, and EP show similarly long waits.

If there are no resort guest perks reinstituted prior to our trip, we will definitely be cancelling (I am “ok” with losing my $200 deposit).
We love the Disney resorts; however, With all of the reductions in theme park experiences in Disney World, I cannot for the life of me see how staying onsite without any benefits (early fastpast+ reservations, EMH, etc.) would be of value to our family as Disney resort guests.

If I were a single day ticket holder or AP holder visiting MK from the Orlando area, I would probably be "ok” with the longer lines. However, paying $500/night to stay on property and dealing with this is not acceptable considering prices are higher now than they were pre-covid. Just my thoughts!

I totally understand where you are coming from. It would be nice if they gave those of us going before the 50th some perks. That said, we aren’t canceling. We haven’t been since June of 2018 and we really, really miss it. Plus, we already have a trip planned for next summer to visit some national parks out west, so if we don’t go in August, it will be at least two more years, and we just can’t wait that long.

I’m trying to look at the bright side of things - we don’t have to wear masks, I can see HEA one (or two) more times, more restaurants are opening up, and I’m kind of looking forward to a more laid-back approach. I’m one that does not want FP+ to return before our trip, but will be fine if it does. Lastly, I can’t imagine how mobbed Disney will be once the 50th celebration starts and for the following 18 months. I don’t think I want to be near Disney in the months to come.