Impromptu trip for March...questions

[acarsme123]

So we have been to Disney 3 times in the last 6 years. We feel decently seasoned. We were there last March just before they started shutting everything down. Well we are going stir crazy after being cooped up for almost a year now. The prices for art of animation don’t seem too bad for mid March. I’m just curious what it’s been like since Covid? I’m afraid of spending so much money for what I’ll perceive to be a diminished experience compared to what I’m used to. I’m nervous about how I’ll handle wearing a mask all day, especially in heat. I have a hard enough time sometimes at my work, unless I have a fan blowing on me. I just start to feel nauseous with them lots of times. I also don’t understand the reservation system. Wonder if we book a trip and then we can’t make a reservation for a park? Is that even a concern? I heard from a friend you can still park hop after a certain time. Is this true? I know we wouldn’t probably get on rise of resistance, but it would still be cool to see the land and also hit up toy story land. What have waits been like since there is no fast pass right now? What about restaurants? Have most been open and how hard is it to get into them? Thanks.

 

[JFDIS]

https://www.disboards.com/threads/h...riences-including-park-hopping.3807247/unread

 

[JFDIS]

If you go about 5-6 pages from the end and start reading you will probably have a lot of your questions answered.
There are an array of opinions on wearing masks in the park and whether or not the cost is worth it right now. It’s a great forum to read other’s experiences.

 

[FCDub]

I also don’t understand the reservation system. Wonder if we book a trip and then we can’t make a reservation for a park? Is that even a concern? I heard from a friend you can still park hop after a certain time. Is this true? I know we wouldn’t probably get on rise of resistance, but it would still be cool to see the land and also hit up toy story land. What have waits been like since there is no fast pass right now? What about restaurants? Have most been open and how hard is it to get into them? Thanks.

1. You can go right here and look at what's available, reservation-wise: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/availability-calendar/
2. You can book ROTR virtual queue at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily if you get your HS days scheduled. HS is the first park to fill up, reservation wise.
3. You can check out the app for current wait times.
4. You can also check out the app for dining reservations and to see what's open.

 

[auntlynne]

Sounds like your biggest issue is the Mask. Can you conceivably have a good time wearing it whenever you are not in your room or eating? If not, it is not time to go to WDW. If YES, then

can you enjoy WDW without the shows, parades, fireworks and some of the food options? If YES, then

can you tolerate waiting in lines (sometimes long, but can also be moving)?

RoTR - maybe you get a BG, maybe not. A poll on this site showed 78% getting it with early morning attempt. If you don’t ride it, will it ruin the trip?

You can change your park reservation the day of if there’s another park available. You can also just cancel it if you have vacation days with no park plans (and time left on your ticket).

I don’t spend a lot to go to WDW. And don’t usually go for lots of days. I have driven 12 hours to get to a two day stay. when I go to Disney, I just enjoy being there. And actually have enjoyed visiting during COVID and not trying to spend every available minute in the parks. I’ve ridden rides that were too cheesy to stand in long lines - Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh - because a 15-30 minute moving line is bearable.

You can hop after 2 pm if there’s availability. No one has reported not being able yet. (So far, not a lot of holidays nor Spring Break increased crowd events to show what will happen)

Restaurants - well, good luck. You are within the 60-day booking window, so many places are booked. Consider off-site, QS... Mobile Ordering is now required for many QS places; you can’t just decide you are hungry and order. Sometimes the time window for pickup is too long too wait and you may have to learn to adjust.

I had wonderful trips in September and November - better than January 2020 with Princess Marathon Crowds and a FP system I wasn’t used to. But it still was Disney World to me, whenever I have visited. i miss the fireworks, it enjoy not having to stay late to see them.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[acarsme123]

I think we are going to skip going for spring break. I just can't bring myself around to spending that kind of money for an experience that is greatly reduced....no fast passes....limited hotel options....greatly reduced park hours....yet no real discount on pricing from what I can tell.....I think we will just wait until things get more back to normal. We have always wanted to go during Christmas time, which we haven't done before. So maybe more things will be back to normal by then.

Sounds like your biggest issue is the Mask. Can you conceivably have a good time wearing it whenever you are not in your room or eating? If not, it is not time to go to WDW. If YES, then

can you enjoy WDW without the shows, parades, fireworks and some of the food options? If YES, then

can you tolerate waiting in lines (sometimes long, but can also be moving)?

RoTR - maybe you get a BG, maybe not. A poll on this site showed 78% getting it with early morning attempt. If you don’t ride it, will it ruin the trip?

You can change your park reservation the day of if there’s another park available. You can also just cancel it if you have vacation days with no park plans (and time left on your ticket).

I don’t spend a lot to go to WDW. And don’t usually go for lots of days. I have driven 12 hours to get to a two day stay. when I go to Disney, I just enjoy being there. And actually have enjoyed visiting during COVID and not trying to spend every available minute in the parks. I’ve ridden rides that were too cheesy to stand in long lines - Peter Pan, Winnie the Pooh - because a 15-30 minute moving line is bearable.

You can hop after 2 pm if there’s availability. No one has reported not being able yet. (So far, not a lot of holidays nor Spring Break increased crowd events to show what will happen)

Restaurants - well, good luck. You are within the 60-day booking window, so many places are booked. Consider off-site, QS... Mobile Ordering is now required for many QS places; you can’t just decide you are hungry and order. Sometimes the time window for pickup is too long too wait and you may have to learn to adjust.

I had wonderful trips in September and November - better than January 2020 with Princess Marathon Crowds and a FP system I wasn’t used to. But it still was Disney World to me, whenever I have visited. i miss the fireworks, it enjoy not having to stay late to see them.

Best of luck with your decision.

 

[SWDisfan]

So we have been to Disney 3 times in the last 6 years. We feel decently seasoned. We were there last March just before they started shutting everything down. Well we are going stir crazy after being cooped up for almost a year now. The prices for art of animation don’t seem too bad for mid March. I’m just curious what it’s been like since Covid? I’m afraid of spending so much money for what I’ll perceive to be a diminished experience compared to what I’m used to. I’m nervous about how I’ll handle wearing a mask all day, especially in heat. I have a hard enough time sometimes at my work, unless I have a fan blowing on me. I just start to feel nauseous with them lots of times. I also don’t understand the reservation system. Wonder if we book a trip and then we can’t make a reservation for a park? Is that even a concern? I heard from a friend you can still park hop after a certain time. Is this true? I know we wouldn’t probably get on rise of resistance, but it would still be cool to see the land and also hit up toy story land. What have waits been like since there is no fast pass right now? What about restaurants? Have most been open and how hard is it to get into them? Thanks.

I honestly would nit go right now. If you don’t have reservations booked it can be nearly impossible to find food, or at least good food. The no fast pass system means waits are on average an hour per ride. Some ques in shade some in full sun. The busses (and boats) are disastrous. With groups of seats blocked off and minimum capacity you could be waiting a very long time to catch a ride. With all the extras not being around (fireworks, shows...) it’s like a way over priced amusement park. And I’m a huge Disney fan so it pains me to say it. Definitely wait! Go to a beach instead and enjoy some mask free sun!

 

[Blondie58]

So we have been to Disney 3 times in the last 6 years. We feel decently seasoned. We were there last March just before they started shutting everything down. Well we are going stir crazy after being cooped up for almost a year now. The prices for art of animation don’t seem too bad for mid March. I’m just curious what it’s been like since Covid? I’m afraid of spending so much money for what I’ll perceive to be a diminished experience compared to what I’m used to. I’m nervous about how I’ll handle wearing a mask all day, especially in heat. I have a hard enough time sometimes at my work, unless I have a fan blowing on me. I just start to feel nauseous with them lots of times. I also don’t understand the reservation system. Wonder if we book a trip and then we can’t make a reservation for a park? Is that even a concern? I heard from a friend you can still park hop after a certain time. Is this true? I know we wouldn’t probably get on rise of resistance, but it would still be cool to see the land and also hit up toy story land. What have waits been like since there is no fast pass right now? What about restaurants? Have most been open and how hard is it to get into them? Thanks.

Not sure I would go if the mask has this type of impact. I think you will be miserable. It is no fun feeling sick to your stomach all the time.

 

[Amyshubby]

it’s like a way over priced amusement park.

Some non-Disney fans felt that way pre-Covid!

We are going end of March. Will DEFINITELY miss the fireworks but since we've been there more than a half dozen times we know that we will still enjoy walking around and spending time together in warmer weather.

 

[SWDisfan]

Those that felt it was a ”over priced amusement park” prior to COVID were not truly seeing the value. Our first trip in 2010 with kids we felt like we underpaid. We went to every show, which if you go to shows you know they run about $100/person/show. We saw every parade and fireworks show. We used all the Transportation available, bus, boat, monorail. If added all this up separately it was like a steal of deal! People who say it’s an over priced amusement park only look at it as rides. But us true Disney fans know it’s much much more. Here’s my wallet!