A little pep talk from a Disneylander if you're feeling discouraged

[VandVsmama]

I'm betting that by now, a lot of you with upcoming trips have read the latest announcements from WDW, which include:

• cancellation of any ADRs made 180 days ahead of time
• no ADRs available for booking until 60 days before hand
• cancellation of all FP+
• no EMH at any park even if you're staying on site

You might be thinking, "Why bother? Without FP+ or 180 day ADRs, I don't even want to go!" You might also be thinking, "No EMH? Then forget it! I'm not going back until they go back to how it was before!"

Consider this...perhaps all is not lost.

But but! But what about the dessert parties that your family always does every trip? But what about fireworks? And Fantasmic! And the Epcot night time show?! No character meet & greets?! NO FP+?!

All is not lost. Here's why...

• Maybe you've felt frustrated over the past few years about how much more pre-planning and strategizing you have to do before your WDW trip.
• 6 months before you even get there, you have to know what park you are going to be in each day so you can pick THE right restaurants.
• And 2 months before you even show up, you need to actually SCHEDULE rides.
• And maybe you were getting a little tired of that, but you continued on with it anyway because, well, it's a Disney vacation so it's worth it.
• Maybe you've felt frustrated with the crowds of people, with every ride at MK being an hour long just 2 hours after the park opens.

You know what I thought of when I read today's announcements? "This feels more like a Disneyland trip." I know, I know. They're completely different flavors of ice cream and it's not fair to compare them.

But maybe...just maybe...if you're feeling ready to not have to plan the heck out of your Disney trip in order to squeeze every drop of magic out of running the WDW gauntlet, consider that you'll now have opportunities that were hard to take advantage of before. For example:

• your family changes its mind and you want to go on It's A Small World next instead of Splash Mtn (which you have a FP+ for and the 1-hr return window ends in 5 min and you're all the way over in Tomorrowland).
• because there's no FP+ and because park capacity is lower, lines are shorter. Shorter wait times.
• this, in turn, makes it easier to shift and change course during your day.
• you no longer have to have a strict itinerary.
• Have you ever experienced going on 5 Fantasyland rides in the 1st hour? That's achievable at Disneyland. Maybe something like that just might be possible at MK with hardly anybody there and no FP+.
• Remember the days of regular FP before FP+? Go on the Disneyland board and read some people's reports on using Fast Pass with Max Pass (which has an extra cost). All the benefits of FP but you do it all from your phone. No FPs available to you until you've had your tickets scanned in the park that day. Just think of the flexibility available if they do that at WDW when they start FP up again.
• Have all of your Disney vacations lately felt frantic, busy, etc., like you need a couple extra days off in order to recuperate from your vacation just from navigating the crowds? Well, now you won't have to do that.

You can basically alter course a little bit. Take a little more time to smell the roses like you've always wanted to. Ok, so you won't be able to eat at Chef Mickey's and take photos with characters at meet & greets. But the money you would have spent on that...instead, you could take your entire family horse back riding at Fort Wilderness.

Or do a carriage ride at FQ or Fort Wilderness.
Or rent a boat for an hour and take it out on one of the lakes.
Or have that fancy dinner at California Grill like you've always talked about.
Or rent a kayak.
Or spend a couple of hours exploring Tom Sawyer's Island.
Ride the train all around the park and marvel at how great it is.
Do a day trip to Cape Canaveral.
Spend a day just at your resort. Play in the pool and make tie-dye Mickey t-shirts to take home with you.
After a long day all day at the park, watch a movie outside with other families at your resort.

You might find that you'll still have a lovely time. There's something pretty special about walking through a Disney park either really early in the day or late at night after closing and walking through the empty thoroughfares. Riding on Dumbo and looking out over the park before you and not seeing throngs of people 'walking with purpose' in a giant human stampede. It's lovely and magical, so wonderful and relaxing with the Disney music playing in the background.

When your child says to you, "Can we do that again?" and you're able to say "YES! How about we do it again RIGHT NOW?!" THAT is a pretty magical thing. That's hard to do in pre-corona virus WDW. It's achievable at Disneyland early in the day...yes, you totally could go on Dumbo 3 times in a row easily in under an hour in the first hour the park is open and not have to wait more than 10 min each time.

Everything's going to work out. Everything will be ok. Look at the glass as half full instead of half empty.

 

[DisneyMommy77]

Yes, to all of this!! I just posted a similar thread.
I am an original Disneylander myself.
We think alike!
Disney always finds a way to make it magical, and I have complete faith they will continue to do so!

 

[DisneyandBeerLover]

I’m sorry but this isn’t didn’t work for me as a pep talk, this just reminds me of DLR people trying to convince me their way is better. It’s apples and oranges. I’m a DL AP and a WDW AP, I know and like both systems and I believe each system works best for their respective park.
I appreciate the effort to make it better though!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Nothing like sugary syrup ... on mashed potatoes. Just doesn’t work, but A for effort, lol.
AP holder and we won’t be going anytime soon. Too many reasons to list.

 

[brockash]

I'm betting that by now, a lot of you with upcoming trips have read the latest announcements from WDW, which include:

• cancellation of any ADRs made 180 days ahead of time
• no ADRs available for booking until 60 days before hand
• cancellation of all FP+
• no EMH at any park even if you're staying on site

You might be thinking, "Why bother? Without FP+ or 180 day ADRs, I don't even want to go!" You might also be thinking, "No EMH? Then forget it! I'm not going back until they go back to how it was before!"

Consider this...perhaps all is not lost.

But but! But what about the dessert parties that your family always does every trip? But what about fireworks? And Fantasmic! And the Epcot night time show?! No character meet & greets?! NO FP+?!

All is not lost. Here's why...

• Maybe you've felt frustrated over the past few years about how much more pre-planning and strategizing you have to do before your WDW trip.
• 6 months before you even get there, you have to know what park you are going to be in each day so you can pick THE right restaurants.
• And 2 months before you even show up, you need to actually SCHEDULE rides.
• And maybe you were getting a little tired of that, but you continued on with it anyway because, well, it's a Disney vacation so it's worth it.
• Maybe you've felt frustrated with the crowds of people, with every ride at MK being an hour long just 2 hours after the park opens.

You know what I thought of when I read today's announcements? "This feels more like a Disneyland trip." I know, I know. They're completely different flavors of ice cream and it's not fair to compare them.

But maybe...just maybe...if you're feeling ready to not have to plan the heck out of your Disney trip in order to squeeze every drop of magic out of running the WDW gauntlet, consider that you'll now have opportunities that were hard to take advantage of before. For example:

• your family changes its mind and you want to go on It's A Small World next instead of Splash Mtn (which you have a FP+ for and the 1-hr return window ends in 5 min and you're all the way over in Tomorrowland).
• because there's no FP+ and because park capacity is lower, lines are shorter. Shorter wait times.
• this, in turn, makes it easier to shift and change course during your day.
• you no longer have to have a strict itinerary.
• Have you ever experienced going on 5 Fantasyland rides in the 1st hour? That's achievable at Disneyland. Maybe something like that just might be possible at MK with hardly anybody there and no FP+.
• Remember the days of regular FP before FP+? Go on the Disneyland board and read some people's reports on using Fast Pass with Max Pass (which has an extra cost). All the benefits of FP but you do it all from your phone. No FPs available to you until you've had your tickets scanned in the park that day. Just think of the flexibility available if they do that at WDW when they start FP up again.
• Have all of your Disney vacations lately felt frantic, busy, etc., like you need a couple extra days off in order to recuperate from your vacation just from navigating the crowds? Well, now you won't have to do that.

You can basically alter course a little bit. Take a little more time to smell the roses like you've always wanted to. Ok, so you won't be able to eat at Chef Mickey's and take photos with characters at meet & greets. But the money you would have spent on that...instead, you could take your entire family horse back riding at Fort Wilderness.

Or do a carriage ride at FQ or Fort Wilderness.
Or rent a boat for an hour and take it out on one of the lakes.
Or have that fancy dinner at California Grill like you've always talked about.
Or rent a kayak.
Or spend a couple of hours exploring Tom Sawyer's Island.
Ride the train all around the park and marvel at how great it is.
Do a day trip to Cape Canaveral.
Spend a day just at your resort. Play in the pool and make tie-dye Mickey t-shirts to take home with you.
After a long day all day at the park, watch a movie outside with other families at your resort.

You might find that you'll still have a lovely time. There's something pretty special about walking through a Disney park either really early in the day or late at night after closing and walking through the empty thoroughfares. Riding on Dumbo and looking out over the park before you and not seeing throngs of people 'walking with purpose' in a giant human stampede. It's lovely and magical, so wonderful and relaxing with the Disney music playing in the background.

When your child says to you, "Can we do that again?" and you're able to say "YES! How about we do it again RIGHT NOW?!" THAT is a pretty magical thing. That's hard to do in pre-corona virus WDW. It's achievable at Disneyland early in the day...yes, you totally could go on Dumbo 3 times in a row easily in under an hour in the first hour the park is open and not have to wait more than 10 min each time.

Everything's going to work out. Everything will be ok. Look at the glass as half full instead of half empty.

And how will your rose-colored glasses tell me to feel about the fact that Disney has now decided to go back on an offer they made me (and many others) 9 months ago that I accepted and agreed to; in which I paid more for (rack rate for hotel. more expensive tix than what I wanted or will even be able to use now,) and that they will no longer honor the "free dining", but I also will not be able to modify or use any kind of discount that I would have otherwise. My options are to suck it up and pay way more or to cancel. - you know when they make us lucky enough to be allowed to cancel and return our money they're currently holding hostage???

WDW has made a complete disaster out of this whole situation which is pretty sad considering the whole world is dealing with it and their competitors have had a much better handle on it from the beginning. What they're doing at this point is plain dishonest and really despicable.

Also, you have no idea what wait times will be like, especially with the obliterated park hrs. They're great at only cutting staff/cost as much as they can. Wait times will most likely be very similar to what they usually are if not worse.

I'm guessing you haven't actually been keeping up with the info. There will be no walking through a park early or late at night. Nope, cram them all in during the hottest part of the day...talk about magical

I understand you're trying to be helpful, but you're not with the right audience right now. Hopefully DL handles their reopening leaps and bounds above WDW.

 

[cakebaker]

A vast majority of the things you list to do because we can’t do the things we actually paid money to do and want to do- won’t be available either.

I don’t want DLR’s system, thanks. It’s great for locals If only they could get in, but there’s just no way to pixie dust yourself into thinking this is good for resort guests.

 

[upbeatred]

I totally agree with brockhash, this latest decision is just totally flies in the face of good customer service. Why in the world would I pay in essence full rack rate for a room and lose all the free dining. I don't understand why you can't at least keep your dates and get the discounted room rate that was available. Just WOW! And to try to act like it is all wonderful and Disney is doing us a favor.

 

[smallworldnh]

I'm sorry, I'm in the minority, but I did find this post a bit comforting. I'm one of those who doesn't like all the effort going into planning a trip I'm paying thousands for to not even get a guarantee of getting a FP for a ride I really want to do or visiting a restaurant I would like to try. Not a fan of trying to plan around visiting international groups or competition dates. I've run into too many awful people who think they're the only ones entitled to a successful trip, who walk into parades or fireworks and step in front of people who have been in their chosen spot for over an hour. I've been to DL and I like the calm, relaxed atmosphere there. I'm sorry I will probably be losing my hard to get reservations and probably my free dining as well, but it is what it is. We'll work around it. Aggravated? Yes. Disappointed? Absolutely. Will I get anywhere staying upset? Nope. I hate this as much as anyone, but I will probably keep my September reservation. This has been a hard and harrowing year, I've had to go to work while 95% of my colleagues worked from home. I need this get away. i'm grateful none of my family got sick and hope it continues. I pray they find a way to get rid of this awful virus. This trip is a family reunion with my son and wife from California. My mom is 86 and wants to do this trip so badly one more time. No fireworks, parades, or shows. it stinks, but we'll be together enjoying what there is to enjoy. Best wishes to everyone, I hope it works out for you all. Hopefully, the next time we all book our vacations, things will be much, much better.

 

[Amy&Dan]

So to the OP I have a question. Do you have a trip planned to WDW that has been cancelled? Changed? Have you been to WDW recently or at all?

Here's my thoughts. No waterparks in summer in Orlando is a deal breaker for many. Not applicable to Disneyland

Losing discounts you were promised is a big deal. I mean come on OP, if you booked a trip to Disneyland under a discount that would have had you eating at Goofy's Kitchen, Blue Bayou etc for free and had that taken away would you be so upbeat? Yeah let's pay to go to California Grill but oh wait we already had that booked for free until this.

Wearing a mask all day in Florida heat and humidity is not going to be fun. Its not going to be fun at DL either but there's no comparison to summer heat and humidity in Florida vs So. California. None.

Walking through empty parks late at night or early in the morning. Hmmmm. You don't actually think that's going to happen do you? With reduced hours and no fastpass people will be going at opening and staying until closing in droves. And WDW reduced hours quite a bit over the past few years. So those late night empty parks were gone before this. So anyone reading the OP's take on that happening better think twice before believing that. Reduced hours mean more crowds during available hours. Period.

Day trip to Cape Canaveral? You do realize many people, especially onsite guests don't rent cars at WDW. The cost of renting and parking it at your resort is expensive.

Your post is well meant. But looking at the glass for what it is, isn't being pessimistic its being realistic. My strategy for being positive is to cancel, take a beach vacation here in Texas I can drive to and go back to WDW when I can not be suffocating under a sopping wet mask, doing the things I love at WDW for the price I was originally quoted.

 

[elle21]

And you can do it with a mask!! Which will be amazing and convenient. You don’t have to see your kids sad faces when they realize they don’t get to meet characters, see parades, watch fireworks, or go to BBB!!! Ahhh, glass half full.

 

[nllmncsu]

Well I have to say to each their own. I have a mother/daughter trip scheduled for October which we did in January. I have Behind the scenes with the Rhinos and the Halloween Party tickets which will be canceled. Am I disappointed on this yes but we are still going. I not going to have that ruin our trip. Sure shorter hours at night and later morning hours and no fast passes but I really don't think that is going to bother us much. We can sleep in later, which we rarely do and with the shorter hours its no big deal for us. For the fast passes we have done this a lot way before fast pass plus so it will be like the olden days. Standing in line for a ride we have done a lot and it really doesn't bother us at all. Yes we will have to reschedule our dining but that's no big deal for us either. What we can't get we will eat counter service. The mask wearing will be different due to it always hot in Florida but will take breaks with water and slowing down with not rushing. Also dining will help some with the heat and mask. I much rather wear a mask even though it will be hot than not be at my favorite place no matter what they throw at us.

 

[sharonabe]

Ride the train all around the park and marvel at how great it is

Well, the train is not currently running at WDW due to the Tron construction, BUT

other than that, I appreciate your post. I agree with you that there is an opportunity here to see and do WDW differently. Some of us are old enough to remember WDW without FP and without ADRs. I like both ways, but I do miss the freedom of the old days.

Now, would I be so optimistic if I was paying rack rate? No, if that were the case, I'd probably cancel my trip and wait for later.
Do I want to wear a mask all day? No, so I would, again, cancel my trip and wait for later.

Thankfully, we all still have choices here and we can choose to go or not go, but if I'm choosing to go, I'm choosing to go with your attitude of opportunity.

 

[yulilin3]

yeah, the WDW experience will be fine for repeat guests, locals and ap. I would not recommend anyone visiting for the first time or a once in a lifetime trip to come now

 

[Rory607]

We go to WDW more often due to travel time, but I absolutely I love DL. It feels so much more carefree. I really hope WDW could be more similar moving forward, as far as the planning aspect. But it’s such a different beast that I don’t know. It’s just so much bigger and has many more moving parts. I think DL is going to have a much easier time reopening when the time comes.

 

[Eastern]

I would not recommend anyone visiting for the first time or a once in a lifetime trip to come now

Absolutely.

 

[Robertfam08]

I would have been completely on board with this 24 hours ago! I wouldn't have even cared if they got rid of my dining reservations and wiped my plans clean to start over again once we know which restaurants and attractions would be open for sure. But to take way free dining? That changes everything. For the first time ever, I am very disappointed in Disney.

 

[VandVsmama]

So to the OP I have a question. Do you have a trip planned to WDW that has been cancelled? Changed? Have you been to WDW recently or at all?

Here's my thoughts. No waterparks in summer in Orlando is a deal breaker for many. Not applicable to Disneyland

Losing discounts you were promised is a big deal. I mean come on OP, if you booked a trip to Disneyland under a discount that would have had you eating at Goofy's Kitchen, Blue Bayou etc for free and had that taken away would you be so upbeat? Yeah let's pay to go to California Grill but oh wait we already had that booked for free until this.

Wearing a mask all day in Florida heat and humidity is not going to be fun. Its not going to be fun at DL either but there's no comparison to summer heat and humidity in Florida vs So. California. None.

Walking through empty parks late at night or early in the morning. Hmmmm. You don't actually think that's going to happen do you? With reduced hours and no fastpass people will be going at opening and staying until closing in droves. And WDW reduced hours quite a bit over the past few years. So those late night empty parks were gone before this. So anyone reading the OP's take on that happening better think twice before believing that. Reduced hours mean more crowds during available hours. Period.

Day trip to Cape Canaveral? You do realize many people, especially onsite guests don't rent cars at WDW. The cost of renting and parking it at your resort is expensive.

Your post is well meant. But looking at the glass for what it is, isn't being pessimistic its being realistic. My strategy for being positive is to cancel, take a beach vacation here in Texas I can drive to and go back to WDW when I can not be suffocating under a sopping wet mask, doing the things I love at WDW for the price I was originally quoted.

I HAVE been to WDW in the summer. And we DO have a WDW booked.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I HAVE been to WDW in the summer. And we DO have a WDW booked.

That's great that you HAVE been and DO have a trip booked.

You posted a well meaning, well written post based on your take on this. Understand that some of us have a different take and are extremely disappointed that our trips won't be happening.

 

[VandVsmama]

I did NOT mean to minimize anyone's anger and frustration. I totally get it. Taking away the free dining for all of those visitors who were given the free dining deal as compensation for having their March-June trips cancelled...that is SO frustrating. If I were in those individuals' shoes, you bet I would be frustrated.

And I did NOT mean to communicate a vibe of "DL is better." It's not. DL vs WDW is like different flavors of ice cream. So let's say that DL is vanilla and WDW is chocolate.

Right now, you're used to getting chocolate ice cream every time. But the kitchen changed the recipe on you overnight and now you can't get chocolate...only fudge ripple. On a temporary basis.

My point of my post was to say something like "Hey, consider that fudge ripple might taste good, too, if you're willing to give it a try."

I agree that if this is your once in a lifetime trip, right now with the restrictions is probably not the best time to go.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I appreciate the OP. This is the way I see it too - hoping for much smaller crowds BUT watching for the reports coming back from people visiting in July. If it's a zoo, well, let's hope it's not, but will explore our options then. I can't see how it would be since there are so few resorts scheduled to be open.

We are scheduled in Aug, travelling on Jet Blue points, staying DVC, purchased tickets in Feb (no Disney e-mail yet). My wife is the most difficult sell. She "doesn't want to spend all that money and not have a NORMAL WDW trip". OK, but at this point our only option would be to cancel, likely lose the JB points, reschedule the DVC to Aug 2021 in a larger unit and HOPE things are back to "normal" (no guarantee there), where we WOULD then likely lose points if we had to cancel. Meanwhile...what? Sit around the house and cancel yet another vacation? Been there, done that, every day, over and over again. I'm up for the adventure of a very different, hopefully MUCH less crowded WDW trip, masks and social distancing and all. I'm really hoping this will be like the people that stayed put during the hurricane last year, only to emerge to empty parks and happy CM's.