December 2020 - keep or cancel?

[RalphRR]

I canceled my December trip and moved it to January because of the park hopping change not the virus.

Ralph RR

 

[Sandisw]

Pretty sad but ended up having to cancel my trip in 2 weeks. Just was not the right time to go with some things going on in the family.

Now hoping for January.

 

[discott71]

Pretty sad but ended up having to cancel my trip in 2 weeks. Just was not the right time to go with some things going on in the family.

Now hoping for January.

I’m so sorry. Everything happens for a reason. Fingers crossed for January.

 

[discott71]

I canceled my December trip and moved it to January because of the park hopping change not the virus.

Ralph RR

This is something to look forward to for sure!!

 

[Judique]

Pretty sad but ended up having to cancel my trip in 2 weeks. Just was not the right time to go with some things going on in the family.

Now hoping for January.

Sorry you had to cancel! I still have a late January trip planned for just me. Watching the numbers closely and it's no worse there than it is here but that obviously doesn't make it good. Had to adjust this statement as I just checked and it is far worse than when I last looked maybe a week ago. I guess Thanksgiving got in the way of my monitoring. Wow, just wow! Sure hope it gets better! I'll not cancel yet, but it's looking much more likely. Now will have to go to possible plan B. I have no park plans, just want a warmer getaway.

I always drive so was interested to read about rest stops along I-95 being sanitized. That's one of my fears as well as staying overnight on the way there. It's a 12 hour drive so I could do it in one shot but I'm older and alone driving so that means traveling when it's dark out. I prefer to do day light hours and stop for safety.

I did cancel my November trip, which wasn't as traumatic, as food and wine had been abbreviated and that was my biggest draw, plus it was still nice weather here. January and February are a different story. So right now I'm planning to go, even if my trip consists of sanitizing my BCV room, walks around the lake and a couple of trips to the beaches. Maybe part of a day in Epcot.

I won't be doing any dining in. That can wait for safer times. I will do takeout and my kitchen will be well stocked. This time I may prepare some heartier meals to bring as well as the usual drinks, snacks and breakfast items.

Someone said can't wait for 2020 to be over. I'm more like can't wait until we are past 2021, as I see that as being more in the almost all clear for some of us more mature (age) folks. I also see my more independent days passing by quickly and I resent sitting home as I know a time is coming quickly where I can't take solo trips to WDW and the warmer weather.

 

[Judique]

Had a Dec. 2020 large family trip planned, switched to Jan. 2021 and hoped one DS and his wife and 4 year old would join (I had a OKW GV and hated to give it up!). Just cancelled that today after DS said he doesn't feel it's safe for us (coming from MD) - though I tried to entice him by saying we'd drive the 15 1/2 hours, have a pop-up tent and porta potty in the car, not have to go to the parks every day or wake up early, wear masks and clear ponchos, use the hand sanitizing stations they have and so much more!... I don't know why that didn't sound appealing! . Booked for April now in a 2 bdrm for "just" 5 nights to use just the 2019 points we have banked (June UY). Hoping that, at least, DH and I will drive to use the reservation. I plan to bank my 2020 points and hope for the best next year. If DH and I decide not to go, I will probably gift the reservation to family in FL - I assume that's possible, though I would never usually do that!!!

Okay, I couldn't just leave this alone. Can you give me details on how you were/are planning to make this work? I own both items having been a camper, well, still a camper if I ever get to go again.

 

[mickeymom629]

Okay, I couldn't just leave this alone. Can you give me details on how you were/are planning to make this work? I own both items having been a camper, well, still a camper if I ever get to go again.

Well, the pop-up tent is just the kind that look like a stall. It would be used on our drive down and the camper potty (with bags, tp, hand sanitizer) would go in it at a rest stop. My neighbor used the set-up for her family a few months ago to visit her parents and they used it by the car at a truck stop. To be clear, I meant for the long drive to WDW, not when we are actually there. True or not, I feel that WDW restrooms are "cleaner" than stops at gas stations. At stops along the route, there's no guarantee of what we will find.

 

[iheartglaciers]

Okay, I couldn't just leave this alone. Can you give me details on how you were/are planning to make this work? I own both items having been a camper, well, still a camper if I ever get to go again.

I recently bought one of the camping toilets to use in my car to avoid public rest rooms. I got the plastic toilet seat on Amazon and it fits on a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot.

I line the bucket with a garbage bag and put some Eco Gel powder at the bottom (turns liquid into gel and deodorizes).

They do sell little one person pop up tents made specifically for these types of toilets, but I just use mine in the back seat of the car (I put the bucket toilet where passengers feet would go). My backseat windows are a little tinted, but you can put sun shades up for more privacy.

 

[Judique]

I recently bought one of the camping toilets to use in my car to avoid public rest rooms. I got the plastic toilet seat on Amazon and it fits on a 5 gallon bucket from Home Depot.

I line the bucket with a garbage bag and put some Eco Gel powder at the bottom (turns liquid into gel and deodorizes).

They do sell little one person pop up tents made specifically for these types of toilets, but I just use mine in the back seat of the car (I put the bucket toilet where passengers feet would go). My backseat windows are a little tinted, but you can put sun shades up for more privacy.

This would work in my conversion van, but not in my Hybrid. I mean the potty, not the tent. I already have both items. I was really wondering if it would attract unwanted attention at a rest stop on 95? Using the tent, I mean? When the grands were younger, we used a potty in the van all the time pre Covid because we didn't want to take them to possibly messy public facilities. The tent is a whole other ball game.

 

[FinallyFL]

I always drive so was interested to read about rest stops along I-95 being sanitized. That's one of my fears as well as staying overnight on the way there. It's a 12 hour drive so I could do it in one shot but I'm older and alone driving so that means traveling when it's dark out. I prefer to do day light hours and stop for safety.

I have made multiple trips betwee D.C. and Orlando since March. I am a solo older female and split the trip into 2 days. I have not noticed any extra sanitizing at the rest stops but I do find them to be cleaner than the truck stop bathrooms. I just sanitize my hands before I get back in my car, you could also use disposable gloves. The mask usuage at rest stops has been pretty good. I do bring my own food so I have not eaten in any restuarants on the road.

The hotels have installed plexiglass at the front desk. Some Hilton and Marriott hotels have mobile checkin so that you can go to your room without seeing anyone. I wipe the touch surfaces down with Clorox wipes as soon as I enter the room. Most of the free breakfasts I've encountered have been lunch sacks containing packaged items, e.g. muffins, granola bars, cereal and bottled juice. I don't drink coffee but I think it was still available at the hotels I've used.

I'm heading to Orlando this afternoon so I'll keep an eye out for any I-95 rest stop sanitization information.

 

[Judique]

I have made multiple trips betwee D.C. and Orlando since March. I am a solo older female and split the trip into 2 days. I have not noticed any extra sanitizing at the rest stops but I do find them to be cleaner than the truck stop bathrooms. I just sanitize my hands before I get back in my car, you could also use disposable gloves. The mask usuage at rest stops has been pretty good. I do bring my own food so I have not eaten in any restuarants on the road.

The hotels have installed plexiglass at the front desk. Some Hilton and Marriott hotels have mobile checkin so that you can go to your room without seeing anyone. I wipe the touch surfaces down with Clorox wipes as soon as I enter the room. Most of the free breakfasts I've encountered have been lunch sacks containing packaged items, e.g. muffins, granola bars, cereal and bottled juice. I don't drink coffee but I think it was still available at the hotels I've used.

I'm heading to Orlando this afternoon so I'll keep an eye out for any I-95 rest stop sanitization information.

Excellent! Just the type of information I was looking for.

I might occasionally gas up at a truck stop, but don't usually go inside. And if I drive the Hybrid, I would only need 1-2 gas stops. Mostly I do one to two rest stops, to use the restroom and to walk a bit. My usual stops for overnight vary: Florence, SC most recently The Fairfield Inn at exit 160, or sometimes 1-2 nights on Hilton Head, and most recently south of Jacksonville at Residence Inn.

I drive 3-5 times per year - usually 2-3 Disney trips and some other South Carolina/Georgia/Florida visits, but I haven't been south of Virginia since March.

That said, the only trip I've missed so far was my November trip as I hadn't planned any summer Hilton Head trip this year, so I really want to go in January.

 

[4luv2cdisney]

Joining in on the hesitation.

We are scheduled for early January. I was feeling really good about this trip over the summer. Now, I can't believe how fast the covid situation is escalating.

The reality of how complicated / time consuming exposure, testing and quarantine is has hit home for me when I was recently exposed myself. Friend of mine had it and by the time it made its way thru the household, her hubby lost about 5 weeks of work.

Really having to soul search and see how much we want to risk for our vacation. Of course, it's true, we take risk every day, but reality is we can minimize risks easier here at home.

 

[Tink Fans]

Joining in on the hesitation.

We are scheduled for early January. I was feeling really good about this trip over the summer. Now, I can't believe how fast the covid situation is escalating.

The reality of how complicated / time consuming exposure, testing and quarantine is has hit home for me when I was recently exposed myself. Friend of mine had it and by the time it made its way thru the household, her hubby lost about 5 weeks of work.

Really having to soul search and see how much we want to risk for our vacation. Of course, it's true, we take risk every day, but reality is we can minimize risks easier here at home.

Right there with you on this concern. Our plans are just for resort, no parks and limited restaurants — in 18 days. Sounds easy, right. Happy to just walk every day in different surroundings and be outside in warmer weather. I must have been delusional thinking this could go off without a hitch. Have lots 2019 points in this res. With NO interest in renting (exp. 8/31/21). My 20 years olds and husband are on fence about going and one was shamed by friend (ha, who is now on trip out West). At this point if we cancel, it will really be as the doom and gloom sets in. Stay safe all.

 

[Eric Smith]

Joining in on the hesitation.

We are scheduled for early January. I was feeling really good about this trip over the summer. Now, I can't believe how fast the covid situation is escalating.

The reality of how complicated / time consuming exposure, testing and quarantine is has hit home for me when I was recently exposed myself. Friend of mine had it and by the time it made its way thru the household, her hubby lost about 5 weeks of work.

Really having to soul search and see how much we want to risk for our vacation. Of course, it's true, we take risk every day, but reality is we can minimize risks easier here at home.

We're heading to Disney World in two weeks and also had some hesitation in light of the COVID situation. Here's what we did:
1) We're not eating indoors. We cancelled all of our ADRs and just made new ADRs at Rose & Crown and Cityworks.
2) We're driving down instead of flying.
3) We shortened the trip from 9 nights to 5 nights and moved to Beach Club so that we can walk in to EPCOT (3 of our 6 park days)
4) We're going to avoid taking the monorail and buses.

It'll be a different trip for us for sure and should be much slower paced than our usual trips.

It doesn't eliminate the risks, but it seems that being masked and eating outside should reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have made multiple trips betwee D.C. and Orlando since March. I am a solo older female and split the trip into 2 days. I have not noticed any extra sanitizing at the rest stops but I do find them to be cleaner than the truck stop bathrooms. I just sanitize my hands before I get back in my car, you could also use disposable gloves. The mask usuage at rest stops has been pretty good. I do bring my own food so I have not eaten in any restuarants on the road.

The hotels have installed plexiglass at the front desk. Some Hilton and Marriott hotels have mobile checkin so that you can go to your room without seeing anyone. I wipe the touch surfaces down with Clorox wipes as soon as I enter the room. Most of the free breakfasts I've encountered have been lunch sacks containing packaged items, e.g. muffins, granola bars, cereal and bottled juice. I don't drink coffee but I think it was still available at the hotels I've used.

I'm heading to Orlando this afternoon so I'll keep an eye out for any I-95 rest stop sanitization information.

Thank you so much for this information. We cancelled December, but booked for February and will drive.

 

[dulyon]

We just came back from a trip. I would recommend waiting until everything is back to normal unless you are losing points. We have something booked and intend to go down for a 10 days in December. But we are going with knowledge that our focus is to rest and relax. going to the parks is a bonus. This trip 11/19, when we went to the parks, it was way too crowded for COVID-19 environment, we walked in, saw the crowd, took the shortest ride and left. It's lower than what a normal day typically it look like at Disney park. Since you have older kids though, if you are ok with just going later in the day, it could work out better for your family. We have 5 & 10 yo. While my 10 yo and I might go it at night for a couple of hours just to walk the park (we are not waiting given the wait times, ha-ha). Also, this year we are annual passholder, so we feel like we need to go before it expires. But if I had to pay it on a normal ticket, I don't think I would have gone. I regretted not outright cancelling the AP then.

 

[Avery&Todd]

We are still a Go-for-Go for our Dec. 9th trip!! DH was on the fence for a while but he's ok with it now - I told him that he stays as safe as he can while he's at work in the hospitals and I stay as safe as I can when I'm out shopping (I telework full time at home now) and we'll stay as safe as we can while we're there in 9 days!

We went as an adult-only trip in Oct and it was great and DH was completely pleased with how Disney was handling things but he was most concerned with our flights but was OK after we took them. This trip we have direct flights and we'll be sporting our N95 masks and touching nothing that I haven't wiped down with a chlorox wipe first! We hand sanitized all over the parks and kept away from folks as we could and felt that the mask wearing compliance was pretty good, especially better than my local Wal-Mart!

This trip is our DS's makeup graduation trip that was cancelled from June and he's ready to go too - and I mean, this kid never leaves the house....it's like quarantine was right up his alley!

We chose to have a socially distanced Thanksgiving this year and saw no family or friends and we know we're safe and since Thanksgiving is 14 days from when we leave, my thoughts are some people who weren't as safe during the holidays might end up sick (and would have to cancel their own trips) ... ..but we didn't want to chance it.

This is our first time at Christmas in Disney and we're super excited!!

 

[kniquy]

I was wondering what my fellow DVC friends are doing?

I am very much like you - I have pretty much every minute of our whole trip planned out. We just came back from being at WDW for thanksgiving week. We were expecting the worst for crowds but were pleasantly surprised with wait times. We had some ADR's planned. We were unsure of how we would feel dining indoors, but overall we felt fairly safe, but we did feel more comfortable eating outdoors.

We took things a little slower, we would watch the app and use our touring plans app to watch wait times. More often than not the posted wait times were inflated. If it said 60 minutes it was usually 40. May times wait times were listed as 25 minutes but the rides were walk ons. I am guessing they inflate the times incase you get caught with a cleaning cycle.

The buses were great. The drivers were good about assigning seating for parties. Most people complied with waiting for the driver to tell them their seats but we did see some people try and sneak in the side door that also opens. Wait times for buses weren't bad either (both coming and going to the parks. Maybe once we must have missed it and waited 20 minutes. They weren't crowded either, but we typically headed out to the parks and hour or 2 after opening and then would linger at the parks after close or would leave earlier than closing time.

If you are able I would go. With limited crowds you will never get another Christmas week like it ever. It felt very magical and the CM's were great. Like you we are not parade goers but we actually enjoyed the pop up calvicades. They are quick, you get to see the characters and then we can go about our plans. We did miss the fireworks but the castle projections are nice. Honestly i think without the fireworks it helps clear out the crowds in the last few hours of the parks being open. This is when we would just ride hop and get on many rides later in the evening vs the 60+ min waits during the day.

Coming from working in healthcare it was so nice to be in the disney bubble, to feel pretty safe and to see how much the CM's care about everyone complying. There were the few a-holes who were not complying but most people were. The CM's were great about correcting people - kids and adults alike. I'm sure they get sick of saying it all day long but it is what will keep that resort open.

 

[Dean Marino]

DW and I just cancelled APR 2021.
We will go back, once vaccinated - and when there are staff, and attractions, to go back TO.

Booking NOV 2021, in a few days.... which we can also cancel, if there are no parks.

 

[keishashadow]

DW and I just cancelled APR 2021.

For 2021, we have 4th of July week & end of September/early Oct in place. Working on securing the annual after Thanksgiving trip.

to replace this week’s cancelled trip, we booked the first week in May. Thought long on exactly how early was too early to rebook next year.

factoring in that some vaccines should start within weeks (we should fall in one of the earlier groups) & most people should be able to receive one by late spring/early summer; feeling pretty good about the trip happening (knock on wood).

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.