Canceling Trip for Early March 2022

[EyePlumber]

We have decided that we are going to cancel our planned 1 week vacation at WDW the first week in March of this year. Is my reasoning flawed?

First off, we stay on property (Bay Lake x2, and booked at Riviera for this year) and like to enjoy all that we can at the parks, especially on-site dining experiences, character dining, bippidy boppidy boutique etc. We did so twice in the past, in '17 and' 19. Both trips were amazing and memorable. We were supposed to go spring of '21had the pandemic not hit. We decided to schedule this March about a year ago, thinking that by now things would be normalizing more and we could enjoy a similar experience to what we had back in the good old days.

I can't justify spending the kind of money that we usually spend for a sub-par experience. We always got the dining plan, enjoyed letting our kids do the craft and activity rooms at the resorts, took pictures of our kids hugging their favorite characters, the whole bit. We also go to Disney because it's a place where as a family of 6, you can truly relax and enjoy things because they make life so easy. The service is a huge part of the experience.

I've heard that many restaurants still aren't back to normal, that there's no plan to bring back the dining plan, that the service at resorts isn't at full capacity (room cleaning, etc), and there's no access to characters. Also the masking policies are very strict, and I don't want to have to keep myself or my kids in masks every time I queue up in a line or ride a ride that isn't completely outdoors. And on top of that, the initial idea was that all of the new 50th anniversary attractions might be up and running, but many are still not ready (Tron, GotG).

So for this reason we're canceling the trip and finding something else to do in March. As for when we'll get around to doing this next trip, I'm not sure when it will be safe to assume things will be more normal. Fall? March 2023?

It makes me sad, as my kids are growing and the older they get the less magical the experience, or so I assume. But they've luckily had two very magical experiences in their lives so far and I don't want to ruin it with the product that WDW is currently putting out there.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Sounds like you have answered your own question even before you posted. Since it's your reasoning for you and your family, it's not flawed!! If you don't wish to do Disney with some of the restrictions right now, you should wait a year or so when we all hope things might/will be back to a more normal experience.

 

[Jrb1979]

We have decided that we are going to cancel our planned 1 week vacation at WDW the first week in March of this year. Is my reasoning flawed?

First off, we stay on property (Bay Lake x2, and booked at Riviera for this year) and like to enjoy all that we can at the parks, especially on-site dining experiences, character dining, bippidy boppidy boutique etc. We did so twice in the past, in '17 and' 19. Both trips were amazing and memorable. We were supposed to go spring of '21had the pandemic not hit. We decided to schedule this March about a year ago, thinking that by now things would be normalizing more and we could enjoy a similar experience to what we had back in the good old days.

I can't justify spending the kind of money that we usually spend for a sub-par experience. We always got the dining plan, enjoyed letting our kids do the craft and activity rooms at the resorts, took pictures of our kids hugging their favorite characters, the whole bit. We also go to Disney because it's a place where as a family of 6, you can truly relax and enjoy things because they make life so easy. The service is a huge part of the experience.

I've heard that many restaurants still aren't back to normal, that there's no plan to bring back the dining plan, that the service at resorts isn't at full capacity (room cleaning, etc), and there's no access to characters. Also the masking policies are very strict, and I don't want to have to keep myself or my kids in masks every time I queue up in a line or ride a ride that isn't completely outdoors. And on top of that, the initial idea was that all of the new 50th anniversary attractions might be up and running, but many are still not ready (Tron, GotG).

So for this reason we're canceling the trip and finding something else to do in March. As for when we'll get around to doing this next trip, I'm not sure when it will be safe to assume things will be more normal. Fall? March 2023?

It makes me sad, as my kids are growing and the older they get the less magical the experience, or so I assume. But they've luckily had two very magical experiences in their lives so far and I don't want to ruin it with the product that WDW is currently putting out there.

Why not give Universal a chance. They are pretty much back to normal.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Why not give Universal a chance. They are pretty much back to normal.

I'm not clear what is 'back to normal' at Universal. They're in pretty much the same boat as Disney right now - food more expensive, a slightly reduced availability of dining with staffing issues, and the same indoor mask requirements. That's not very normal - at least not the normal I'm looking forward to!

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm not clear what is 'back to normal' at Universal. They're in pretty much the same boat as Disney right now - food more expensive, a slightly reduced availability of dining with staffing issues, and the same indoor mask requirements. That's not very normal - at least not the normal I'm looking forward to!

Outside of masks, but that's part of life right now, they are back to operating like they did ore Covid. Food is going to continue to rise in price unless you go off property.

 

[Missingmypooh]

We have decided that we are going to cancel our planned 1 week vacation at WDW the first week in March of this year. Is my reasoning flawed?

First off, we stay on property (Bay Lake x2, and booked at Riviera for this year) and like to enjoy all that we can at the parks, especially on-site dining experiences, character dining, bippidy boppidy boutique etc. We did so twice in the past, in '17 and' 19. Both trips were amazing and memorable. We were supposed to go spring of '21had the pandemic not hit. We decided to schedule this March about a year ago, thinking that by now things would be normalizing more and we could enjoy a similar experience to what we had back in the good old days.

I can't justify spending the kind of money that we usually spend for a sub-par experience. We always got the dining plan, enjoyed letting our kids do the craft and activity rooms at the resorts, took pictures of our kids hugging their favorite characters, the whole bit. We also go to Disney because it's a place where as a family of 6, you can truly relax and enjoy things because they make life so easy. The service is a huge part of the experience.

I've heard that many restaurants still aren't back to normal, that there's no plan to bring back the dining plan, that the service at resorts isn't at full capacity (room cleaning, etc), and there's no access to characters. Also the masking policies are very strict, and I don't want to have to keep myself or my kids in masks every time I queue up in a line or ride a ride that isn't completely outdoors. And on top of that, the initial idea was that all of the new 50th anniversary attractions might be up and running, but many are still not ready (Tron, GotG).

So for this reason we're canceling the trip and finding something else to do in March. As for when we'll get around to doing this next trip, I'm not sure when it will be safe to assume things will be more normal. Fall? March 2023?

It makes me sad, as my kids are growing and the older they get the less magical the experience, or so I assume. But they've luckily had two very magical experiences in their lives so far and I don't want to ruin it with the product that WDW is currently putting out there.

Not sure how old your kids are, but LEGOLAND is a great option. They are pretty much back to normal (minus hugging characters). It’s not the same as Disney, but it is a wonderful all inclusive theme park vacation with lots of activities, dining plan, and clean rooms!

 

[KittyKitty]

Your thinking is not flawed, if those experiences you mentioned are top priorities when at WDW.
Disney is different now, in order to keep guests and cast members safe.

I doubt WDW will ever go back to way it was. Kind of like my 72 yr old body!


I have been back 3 times since Oct,2020. Another trip in Nov. 2022. I still have more to see, or redo.

 

[Selket]

I went back early December for the first time since Oct. 2019. My kids are young adults now so clearly I don't have problems keeping their masks on (lol) and where we live now there has been an indoor mask mandate for about the whole year so we are used to that aspect...

That being said - we usually planned trips around free dinning so I missed that - certainly missed the lower cost. We stayed at a value and it was super quiet (ASMovies) - weirdly quiet. That was nice actually. In the end I actually enjoyed spending more time thinking about my QS meals and enjoying my favorites. Also the QS meals weren't an "afterthought" - usually I am trying to eat light since I have a TS lined up. There wasn't the usual problem of getting seating in QS places because more people mobile ordered so it was mostly people eating. I thought everyone did a good job of masking and I felt safe enough that way if that's a concern (my trip was before Omicron became a factor).

You mention the kids are young so... if you love Disney and thinking if my kids were young.... I'd probably consider taking them. Perhaps stay in a value or moderate (something new - maybe a royal room at POR?!) - plan to hit the pool or water park if you don't usually or if the kids need a mask break. Or keep the deluxe resort and enjoy the resort more. I think your kids will understand or be able to adapt (easier than us) to the changes. I still see they can meet characters, etc. Or perhaps stay offsite some place like the Gaylord where there is a water park - spend less time at the parks (of course BC/YC has a great water park area as I'm sure you know - my kids LOVED that). I also don't blame you for waiting...some of it depends on your financial situation as well.

Also my kids...as mentioned...are young adults and it's still a magical experience! I really enjoyed hanging out with my oldest doing all the festival booths at Epcot. My younger one will ride it all - and we all get into great discussions about Disney theming or what not (love this... hate that... etc). You have a lot to look forward to!

 

[PinkPixel]

We have decided that we are going to cancel our planned 1 week vacation at WDW the first week in March of this year. Is my reasoning flawed?

First off, we stay on property (Bay Lake x2, and booked at Riviera for this year) and like to enjoy all that we can at the parks, especially on-site dining experiences, character dining, bippidy boppidy boutique etc. We did so twice in the past, in '17 and' 19. Both trips were amazing and memorable. We were supposed to go spring of '21had the pandemic not hit. We decided to schedule this March about a year ago, thinking that by now things would be normalizing more and we could enjoy a similar experience to what we had back in the good old days.

I can't justify spending the kind of money that we usually spend for a sub-par experience. We always got the dining plan, enjoyed letting our kids do the craft and activity rooms at the resorts, took pictures of our kids hugging their favorite characters, the whole bit. We also go to Disney because it's a place where as a family of 6, you can truly relax and enjoy things because they make life so easy. The service is a huge part of the experience.

I've heard that many restaurants still aren't back to normal, that there's no plan to bring back the dining plan, that the service at resorts isn't at full capacity (room cleaning, etc), and there's no access to characters. Also the masking policies are very strict, and I don't want to have to keep myself or my kids in masks every time I queue up in a line or ride a ride that isn't completely outdoors. And on top of that, the initial idea was that all of the new 50th anniversary attractions might be up and running, but many are still not ready (Tron, GotG).

So for this reason we're canceling the trip and finding something else to do in March. As for when we'll get around to doing this next trip, I'm not sure when it will be safe to assume things will be more normal. Fall? March 2023?

It makes me sad, as my kids are growing and the older they get the less magical the experience, or so I assume. But they've luckily had two very magical experiences in their lives so far and I don't want to ruin it with the product that WDW is currently putting out there.

1)We had awesome trips pre Covid and never did bippity boutique. I didn’t know what it was and then considered we would do next time we stayed at GF but I wasn’t let down it was closed. My girls wanted to swim a lot in our downtime which was good because we rescheduled for June 2021 and it was hot but pools were great in heat even 8pm.
2)I never purchased the dining plan or considered it in all my pre Covid trips. Never really thought about it, is the value that great to be a make or break? I never crunched the numbers.
3) I don’t think about masks, I just put it on when I’m asked or private business requests it. My kids don’t have an issue with them and wear the kind that hang around your neck when not in use.

the things that are deal breakers for me have now returned or will be back soon, fireworks, parades and the option to purchase some kind of ugly step sister of fast pass. After visiting without fast pass or fireworks I realized those were non negotiable for my family to truly feel a normal trip. We still had a great time though and tried restaurants we hadn’t been to before etc. But I missed the fireworks every night from our theme park view room. Still was able to wave and see characters, but I just accept that hugging and talking to them has changed. My girls were able to talk to characters at Garden Grill in Epcot. Which is my favorite character meal and was better than chef mickeys. (It’s not everyone’s fav but my kids had a great time at the lunch and was great break from the heat).

other changes I made that I never thought to do before Covid, rented an SUV and valeted it, drove it to preferred parking at HS, AK and Epcot (before monorail reopened). This was a significant added expense and I decided it was worth it to me. My husband enjoyed it as the “driver”. It wasn’t the “bubble” but it gave us control over our transpiration and I found it worth it.

 

[EyePlumber]

We officially canceled the trip. We are considering rebooking for October, or waiting until March 2023. I am hoping that with how things are starting to change (people coming to grips with the reality of what covid is right now) we will see Disney return to what we remember it to be. Not sure if October is going to be too soon. Also if we go that route it involves purchasing from a DVC member which carries more risk in terms of canceling again, but saves a lot of money.