Anxiety Levels Rising

[Porsche4]

Coming from Australia and for the first time ever in my life I am feeling soooo anxious about our trip to DL rather than feeling excited. I could only snag two sit down restaurant reservations for an eight day trip because they were the only places that was available. I am so stressed about being able to cope with the new G+ & LL system and the fact that we are going to be glued to our phones for so much of this trip. I know what I am feeling is crazy and I should just embrace the fact that finally after two and a half years we get to travel again but for some reason I am not feeling the love for this trip. All I keep hearing about is the crazy crowds, the ridiculous lines and the lack of eating options. Just needing a bit of reassurance that it will all be okay and that things are not as bad as I read. Sorry for being so needy.

 

[Lisa24jks]

It will be fine! I think the fact that you are braced for worst case scenarios means you'll actually be surprised at how much better it is than what you expect. It won't be perfect. No trip ever is. But, it's honestly not been as bad as a lot of posts make it out to be. (Complaints seem to get amplified far more often than praise when it comes to the internet.) My trips to the park since re-opening have been really great, and any bumps in the road were easily dealt with. Things definitely aren't as bad as all that, especially when you've put as much prep into it as you surely have. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and hope that you do! Have a fun trip and don't sweat the small stuff!

 

[Porsche4]

It will be fine! I think the fact that you are braced for worst case scenarios means you'll actually be surprised at how much better it is than what you expect. It won't be perfect. No trip ever is. But, it's honestly not been as bad as a lot of posts make it out to be. (Complaints seem to get amplified far more often than praise when it comes to the internet.) My trips to the park since re-opening have been really great, and any bumps in the road were easily dealt with. Things definitely aren't as bad as all that, especially when you've put as much prep into it as you surely have. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time and hope that you do! Have a fun trip and don't sweat the small stuff!

Thanks for the reassurance. Yes I keep telling myself that I have to think of this trip as a "unique" one rather than a familiar return to an old, well known and comfortable friend. I have to embrace the new and remember I am travelling with my best friend in the world, my adult daughter who I am sure will keep me laughing and on the straight and narrow.

 

[Federalist45]

First, it will be 100% fine. The FOMO for sit down dining reservations is real, but most people I know don’t engage in the reservation process and it always works out for them.

Second, if Dining Packages are coming back for World of Color and Electrical Parade, then Disney must be sitting on a large batch of reservations.

Third, what are your dates/party size? Did you check Ballast Point through their website?

 

[duckboyone]

Coming from Australia and for the first time ever in my life I am feeling soooo anxious about our trip to DL rather than feeling excited. I could only snag two sit down restaurant reservations for an eight day trip because they were the only places that was available. I am so stressed about being able to cope with the new G+ & LL system and the fact that we are going to be glued to our phones for so much of this trip. I know what I am feeling is crazy and I should just embrace the fact that finally after two and a half years we get to travel again but for some reason I am not feeling the love for this trip. All I keep hearing about is the crazy crowds, the ridiculous lines and the lack of eating options. Just needing a bit of reassurance that it will all be okay and that things are not as bad as I read. Sorry for being so needy.

We are going in June and we rarely do the sit-down dining anyway. We always do Rancho del Zocalo in DL at least once (doesn't require a reservation), and the "food court" wharf at DCA, but other than that we subsist on turkey legs, corn dogs, beignets and bring our own snacks in like beef jerky and granola bars. We actually don't plan on doing any dining reservations. Plus there is so much right across the street to just walk to, I wouldn't worry too much about that part.

Seems like you'll definitely be using your phone more, but that should speed things up more than anything else, with LL and mobile food ordering.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

You can easily pick up reservations for many restaurants the day before (as people cancel to avoid no show fees). But even if you don't, you can also walk up to many places. I wouldn't stress about dining too much. Additionally, the counter service options are excellent (if not better in many cases).

Not sure when you're coming, but it may be crowded. I find that as long as I know and expect that going into it, I can handle the crowds easily. Get up early and arrive for rope drop every day and take advantage of the golden first two hours of the day. No matter how crowded it gets later, the early mornings will always be wonderful!

 

[tink89]

Are you doing all 8 days at DL/DCA? If so you should be fine. We did two days after not going since the shutdown as I was also a bit worried about how our quick trip would go. We decided to just wing it the first day without LL and we were able to do MH, IJ, PotC, HM, BTMR, and have a quick breakfast at Jolly Holiday Cafe all before 10 am. The next day we bought LL towards the middle of the day only because we had not done Soaring and it's a must-do for me. Then used LL to do all the other rides once again. Plus we went during mid-winter break so it was crowded.

We were coming back not being AP anymore, Not having MP, Not having EMH and we just were not sure how it would go. But in two days we did about 80% of what we normally do mostly because we usually go for 3. Plus we only had one dining reservation at GK a must for DD the rest we just ate when we were hungry and whatever was available. It was great to just be back.

I always have everyone in my party give me their top 3 must-do rides, Must eat snacks and food, and focus on that. Have a plan but be prepared to throw it out or change it and be ok with it.

 

[Porsche4]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. To clarify we have eight days in the parks the last week of April so that we can take our time and enjoy the experience more. We plan on rope dropping, taking a mid day break back at the hotel and return to the parks about five for another few hours of fun. We don't like to stay late in the parks, we are early to bedders and early risers.

 

[JohnR5101]

In a similar way I always feel this bit of anxiety before any trip that I do (not just to Disney). There is this feeling like "packing is so much work", "transportation, airports, rushing, etc". But then when I actually do it I'm fine. I keep telling myself that the anxiety is just in my mind, not real.
We just completed a recent trip to Maui and the restaurant situation there was identical - no reservations available at any of the nice places for months (seems to be a general problem). Well, we decided to just go to the places at the beginning of meal times and do walk up. It worked every time. One evening we were later and well into prime dining time. We put our name in at 2 high end places in Lahaina and we did have to wait, but one opened up in 45 min and the other in about 1 hr even though they both had no availability.
So, my conclusion is just go with it and enjoy. It will work out fine.

 

[Porsche4]

In a similar way I always feel this bit of anxiety before any trip that I do (not just to Disney). There is this feeling like "packing is so much work", "transportation, airports, rushing, etc". But then when I actually do it I'm fine. I keep telling myself that the anxiety is just in my mind, not real.
We just completed a recent trip to Maui and the restaurant situation there was identical - no reservations available at any of the nice places for months (seems to be a general problem). Well, we decided to just go to the places at the beginning of meal times and do walk up. It worked every time. One evening we were later and well into prime dining time. We put our name in at 2 high end places in Lahaina and we did have to wait, but one opened up in 45 min and the other in about 1 hr even though they both had no availability.
So, my conclusion is just go with it and enjoy. It will work out fine.

Thanks so much for the input. Yes I thought that perhaps Disney might be erring on the side of caution and just not releasing all their tables onto the reservation platform. I will try and stop stressing, I'm sure we won't go hungry and if worst comes to worst we can leave the park and try DTD. Thanks

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

Thanks so much for the input. Yes I thought that perhaps Disney might be erring on the side of caution and just not releasing all their tables onto the reservation platform. I will try and stop stressing, I'm sure we won't go hungry and if worst comes to worst we can leave the park and try DTD. Thanks

You definitely will not go hungry! Mobile ordering is easy, especially if you place your order ahead of time and try to eat slightly earlier or later than peak times. You will have no problem eating or finding seats.

 

[Obi-J Kenobi]

Don't sweat the reservations, crowds, lines, Genie+, Covid-19, travel restrictions, rude guests, mobile ordering, Bob Chapek, street traffic, Stars Wars toxic fandom, or our plethora of US micro brew options, you'll have a great time during your 8-days at DLR.

 

[Apiary]

Dining reservations pop up all the time. Check by the time of day and not the type of meal. Sometimes nothing shows up under lunch, but there's availability if you select 12:30.

 

[tink89]

Thanks so much for the input. Yes I thought that perhaps Disney might be erring on the side of caution and just not releasing all their tables onto the reservation platform. I will try and stop stressing, I'm sure we won't go hungry and if worst comes to worst we can leave the park and try DTD. Thanks

We were also worried because ppl kept complaining about food ordering but we were able to walk up to the quick service and were also able to order some for pick up right away others for pick up within 30 min. If you want sit-down reservations just keep checking back as they pop up all the time. The DtD restaurants are great options. We always go into GCH Craftsman grill and grab some nachos to share when we want some semi quiet downtime.

 

[Czardas]

I hear you, as a fellow Aussie I’m also stressing about our PCR Covid tests, before the flight there and home. I plan to book the tests to come to our hotel on the last day and pray we are all negative.
As far as restaurant bookings, I was successful with all I wanted but boy hated getting up at 1am all week. Now I am watching the website like a hawk hoping WOC dessert buffet comes back in time.

 

[TeamRiley]

Don't worry about dining. Good food is easy to get. Walk up is available all over the parks, and even when the lines there are long, you can use mobile ordering and if you plan it well, just stroll up and pick up your food.

If you are dead set on a specific sit down experience, go early in your trip and let the staff know what is up. Especially at Napa Rose and Storytellers, they will let you know what day and time is best to come back and get a last minute reservation.

 

[Porsche4]

I hear you, as a fellow Aussie I’m also stressing about our PCR Covid tests, before the flight there and home. I plan to book the tests to come to our hotel on the last day and pray we are all negative.
As far as restaurant bookings, I was successful with all I wanted but boy hated getting up at 1am all week. Now I am watching the website like a hawk hoping WOC dessert buffet comes back in time.

I know right. I realise I could cancel my trip and try later in the year hoping the Covid situation might be more stable but I am so sick of putting my life on hold and particularly after Warney's heart attack I just keep thinking, no you have to live for the moment because you never know what is around the corner. I too am concerned about the Covid testing. I think you can get tested at Melbourne airport before you leave but the website is so useless it doesn't give clear instructions. I am just waiting at the moment till the last minute and hoping rules are relaxed even more by the end of April.

 

[Version 6]

I know right. I realise I could cancel my trip and try later in the year hoping the Covid situation might be more stable but I am so sick of putting my life on hold and particularly after Warney's heart attack I just keep thinking, no you have to live for the moment because you never know what is around the corner. I too am concerned about the Covid testing. I think you can get tested at Melbourne airport before you leave but the website is so useless it doesn't give clear instructions. I am just waiting at the moment till the last minute and hoping rules are relaxed even more by the end of April.

Well Warney wouldn't worry about dining reservations... He'd just bring a suitcase packed full of baked beans.

 

[Porsche4]

Well Warney wouldn't worry about dining reservations... He'd just bring a suitcase packed full of baked beans.

May the great man rest in peace, he will be soooo missed. Aussie cricket commentary will never be the same again.

 

[Czardas]

I know right. I realise I could cancel my trip and try later in the year hoping the Covid situation might be more stable but I am so sick of putting my life on hold and particularly after Warney's heart attack I just keep thinking, no you have to live for the moment because you never know what is around the corner. I too am concerned about the Covid testing. I think you can get tested at Melbourne airport before you leave but the website is so useless it doesn't give clear instructions. I am just waiting at the moment till the last minute and hoping rules are relaxed even more by the end of April.

I think we just need to start to take it all in our stride and once we are there, we will have an absolute ball, whether we got the reservations or not.
Yes I totally agree that we’ve been through enough (262 day in lock down Melbourne) and it’s time we just go for it and take a chance but yes stress levels are taking a beating. Fingers crossed we won’t have to test. I agree with the website for testing at the airport, it was useless for information. I’ll make sure to do the travel PCR closer to home and have it done in time and not have to add to to stress about getting to the airport and testing there.
P.S I’ve currently been on hold for over 2 hours with Qantas. It’s going to be a long day