Just Booked for Christmas 2021...Hope I didn't make a mistake

[PlutoTheDog89]

We just booked for Christmas, 2021. We've gone to Disney during Christmas week every year from 2008-2018, so we know what to expect in terms of crowds.

I was excited about booking, but now I'm kind of nervous. I know there's no crystal ball, but are we thinking that things like fireworks, FP+, etc. will be back by Christmas?

I think if COVID is still an issue by December, 2021, then we've got bigger problems than FastPass+. But I'm wondering if things go as planned and numbers start to drop by summer, will they start slowly bringing things back? I saw that Iger said reserving a park will be a thing through 2022. I bought a park hopper as part of my package. Was this a mistake?

 

[Turk February]

We don’t know anything but no it wasn’t a mistake to book because you have plenty of time to cancel without penalty if things aren’t looking good in your opinion.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

Good for you! We all need to keep happy thoughts AND do our best to be part of the pandemic resolution. Wear your masks in your day-to-day life, wash, wash, wash your hands, and get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible to do so.

If everyone would do this, we could be happily munching our popcorn, or enjoying a dessert party as the fireworks explode overhead for Christmas 2021!

Hopefully, better guidance is ahead and 2021 will see the country working together so everyone’s own kind of “magic” will again be possible.

You were smart to make your reservations. I promise I will do my part to make sure we can both enjoy WDW this December!

 

[OKWDVCMagic]

I have booked for mid December 2021 in hopes of lower crowd levels and most of the country getting COVID vaccine. With 2021 being the start of the WDW 50th year celebration, Disney would plan for everything be to be up and running for the celebration. IMHO, the only reason I see that Disney would limit events and attendance is if the US COVID vaccinations are not at the level expected and there are still outbreaks. I would think that Disney would make the final determination sometime in July or August.

 

[RanDIZ]

We went this past Dec and had one of the best vacations ever. I have a feeling we will be further along with recovering from this mess but that means a more busier WDW. With that in mind, we’re already booked for Dec, but will be utilizing the resorts a whole lot more. I don’t want to be anywhere near the parks anymore than we have to. We were able to hit all 4 parks, some twice, and enjoyed the limited capacity. The main goal was to go to HS and be able to experience MMRR and ROTR which we accomplished both. HS will remain the busiest park for the next couple years.

I don’t think you’re wrong to book next Dec. You seem to be well aware of the crowd levels. As far as fireworks, FP, etc returning, I have no idea, but wouldn’t let that stop me from all that WDW has to offer.

 

[Sbunit81]

I've booked for the beginning of Dec. 2021 with similar hopes as many of you: hopefully lower crowds but more importantly a return to normalcy at Disney World and really around the country/world. I'm hoping for a return of fireworks and nightly entertainment, all resorts and restaurants back and no more mask requirements.

I'm still optimistic that all of this will occur by the end of the summer since by then the vast majority of the population will be vaccinated and covid spikes should be a thing of the past. For the sake of their profitability of economic well being, Disney can't stand to delay a return to normalcy past this point

 

[tehSAC]

We had booked our first trip in 4 years last year for the beginning of December 2020. Ended up canceling in June. Just re-booked yesterday for the beginning of December of this year. I'm hoping that things will be a bit more normal. We have never been in December, hoping to attend a Christmas party, and enjoy our time in the Parks. From my research the first week of december is usually lower crowds, and I hope that stays this way this year. However knowing that a lot of people missed out on a trip last year might be booking this year. Either way trying to stay optimistic.

 

[sethschroeder]

I think if COVID is still an issue by December, 2021, then we've got bigger problems than FastPass+.

Dont expect anything to be back to normal. Maybe more capacity but expect masks, expect social distancing, and possibly even expect certain states to have specific requirements around quarantine (or have had previous positive test/vaccine).

Dont expect the dining plan and as far as FP+ we will have to see.

I would not expect fireworks or anything else that purposely drew crowds together like larger parades either I am thinking January 2022 at the earliest after we get through the holiday rush.

 

[yulilin3]

Dont expect anything to be back to normal. Maybe more capacity but expect masks, expect social distancing, and possibly even expect certain states to have specific requirements around quarantine (or have had previous positive test/vaccine).

Dont expect the dining plan and as far as FP+ we will have to see.

I would not expect fireworks or anything else that purposely drew crowds together like larger parades either I am thinking January 2022 at the earliest after we get through the holiday rush.

they're already hiring high level people for the return on the DP. I can see it returning by Christmas

 

[sethschroeder]

they're already hiring high level people for the return on the DP. I can see it returning by Christmas

A job posting doesn't mean much regarding timing except that it will come back at some point possibly. I don't see how it points to Christmas really at all? The analyst(s) likely won't be in place until early February?

Once they are back in if that department has been shutdown all of their data is going to be outdated. Also they have the potential to redesign the backend and frontend of DP from the ground up there is no need to rush to put out a half baked offering and give away money.

In addition Disney possibly is going to be fighting with various dining locations to show value as to why restaurants want to give up 30% of their revenue on top of paying for rent on their location especially with limited seating capacity (which I don't see being removed until 2022 either).

The person/people that comes back in to that role is going to have tons of data to unpack. Things like capacity expectations (park/restaurant), how spending occurred without dining plan, how non-disney owned restaurants have faired, and how much money Disney can extract from the system.

Could it return by Christmas sure but I don't see it and I think people should temper their expectations for 2021. I would rather be pleasantly surprised though and if someone needs "normal" I think its smart to suggest to wait as to not be disappointed.

 

[MomOTwins]

It's all a guess as to what will happen by Christmas, but I don't think park hopper is a mistake. MK and HS are seeing the highest crowds on average, so park hopping gives you the ability to rope drop those and do Epcot and AK in the afternoons.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

A job posting doesn't mean much regarding timing except that it will come back at some point possibly. I don't see how it points to Christmas really at all? The analyst(s) likely won't be in place until early February?

Once they are back in if that department has been shutdown all of their data is going to be outdated. Also they have the potential to redesign the backend and frontend of DP from the ground up there is no need to rush to put out a half baked offering and give away money.

In addition Disney possibly is going to be fighting with various dining locations to show value as to why restaurants want to give up 30% of their revenue on top of paying for rent on their location especially with limited seating capacity (which I don't see being removed until 2022 either).

The person/people that comes back in to that role is going to have tons of data to unpack. Things like capacity expectations (park/restaurant), how spending occurred without dining plan, how non-disney owned restaurants have faired, and how much money Disney can extract from the system.

Could it return by Christmas sure but I don't see it and I think people should temper their expectations for 2021. I would rather be pleasantly surprised though and if someone needs "normal" I think its smart to suggest to wait as to not be disappointed.

I mean we're all just guessing at this point, right? We're basing our opinions on a very bad spike that's happening right now. What I know is that Fauci and many others believe we'll be wearing masks until late 2021, possibly early 2022. I could see masks being a thing in Disney, unless the vaccine really ramps up and numbers plummet and stay down through summer. But given the current rollout, I'm not sure we're on pace.

Fireworks are nice. I'd love to see them, but no fireworks isn't gonna ruin my trip. At this point we're so hungry for a vacation that staying at a Disney resort alone would make us happy.

The dining plan is an interesting callout. I'm not sure when or even if it comes back. On one hand, it's a moneymaker and a lot of people enjoy it. On the other, is it really necessary? We used to always like the dining plan, and frankly, in planning this trip we're almost excited about the potential of not having it. We're gonna get groceries for breakfast, maybe try a restaurant in the Swan and Dolphin... we don't eat as much as we used to, so we'll share desserts. IMO the only reason they'd rush the dining plan back is for free dining and to bring people back to the parks, but I can't see that returning until 2022 after the've assessed the damage - especially being that late 2021 will see more crowds due to the anniversary.

I do think the "don't expect anything to be back to normal" is a hyperbole. I mean, I don't think we'll see 2019 normal for a while. but I do think restrictions will be eased by the end of 2021. Whether that means masks, but 50% capacity; whether that means masks in the parks, but not in dining locations... or maybe masks can come off when you take photos, idk. Some days I wake up optimistic. Others I'm not sure this is ever gonna end. Today I'm optimistic and holding onto hope that by Christmas restrictions are at least eased up.

 

[sethschroeder]

We're basing our opinions on a very bad spike that's happening right now.

Not really I predicted Summer 2021 back in March (moved my prediction out to 2022 based on timing of vaccines back in early November)

I stated 2022 until things are any what normal for cruising back in March as well.

So no I am not talking about the current spike. Not trying to make this in to a COVID19 thread there are plenty of those but people continually have their hopes way to high instead of being realistic IMO.

think restrictions will be eased by the end of 2021

Your local diner might remove restrictions on seating capacity but Disney has shown to be more cautious than most. You need wide adoption of the vaccine before large venues like Disney can really remove their restrictions (and I don't see them doing any special treatment or requirement for a vaccine). Which brings up the push back of timelines on the vaccine for the general public from April to Summer to even Fall I know in one state.

I do think the "don't expect anything to be back to normal" is a hyperbole.

I am specifically talking about the return of actual firework shows, actual parades, FP+, dining plan, and all restaurants reopened. Not saying everything back to 2019 levels just that things are actually running and not stripped down like parades and fireworks.

I sure hope for everyone's sake though that FP+ does come back much sooner and is the most likely thing to return I think first off my list and this year.

50% capacity

Just to point out as well they are already over 50% of normal daily attendance for capacity. When they announce an increase to 50% capacity its basically like having the parks attendance back to normal outside of spikes like Easter week, Christmas week, Thanksgiving, and 4th of July. So it will be telling when they make that change.

35% is not actually 35% though

The 35% Capacity Represented by Normal % of Capacity
AK - 63%, MK - 55%, HS - 51%, Epcot - 30%

Math: Park Capacity (Average Crowd)
MK - 100k (55k avg crowd)
AK - 60k (38k)
HS - 60k (31k)
Epcot - 110k (34k)

Current crowds if at capacity for 35% would be X% of normal crowds:
AK - 56%, MK - 63%, HS - 65%, Epcot - 116%

 

[kevind2112]

We are booked Christmas week 2021 (Dec 23 - Jan 1) and are just watching, waiting, and keeping our fingers crossed. Hoping FP and Fireworks are back by then, but we'll see. If things don't look good, we have plenty of time to cancel and reschedule for Xmas 2022.

 

[PlutoTheDog89]

So no I am not talking about the current spike. Not trying to make this in to a COVID19 thread there are plenty of those but people continually have their hopes way to high instead of being realistic IMO.

That's fair. I think staying realistic is important. As for now we're working on what we can control - that being getting our park reservations, and by the time we can make dining reservations, we'll make an educated call. I appreciate your opinion and response.

 

[wdw&sonny]

Some days I wake up optimistic. Others I'm not sure this is ever gonna end.

I like this. I agree. I've analyzed the data and experts opinions.
I think by Christmas this will either be better or it won't.

 

[Cheburashka]

We just booked for Christmas, 2021. We've gone to Disney during Christmas week every year from 2008-2018, so we know what to expect in terms of crowds.

I was excited about booking, but now I'm kind of nervous. I know there's no crystal ball, but are we thinking that things like fireworks, FP+, etc. will be back by Christmas?

I think if COVID is still an issue by December, 2021, then we've got bigger problems than FastPass+. But I'm wondering if things go as planned and numbers start to drop by summer, will they start slowly bringing things back? I saw that Iger said reserving a park will be a thing through 2022. I bought a park hopper as part of my package. Was this a mistake?

Modified park hopping has already resumed. It's hard to imagine a 50th WDW anniversary celebration without fireworks, and other places have already managed to do fireworks, so yes, by next December I think fireworks will have returned.

I don't like the dining plan or FP, so I'm just going to hope that those don't return before our November trip.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

We just booked for Christmas, 2021. We've gone to Disney during Christmas week every year from 2008-2018, so we know what to expect in terms of crowds.

I was excited about booking, but now I'm kind of nervous. I know there's no crystal ball, but are we thinking that things like fireworks, FP+, etc. will be back by Christmas?

I think if COVID is still an issue by December, 2021, then we've got bigger problems than FastPass+. But I'm wondering if things go as planned and numbers start to drop by summer, will they start slowly bringing things back? I saw that Iger said reserving a park will be a thing through 2022. I bought a park hopper as part of my package. Was this a mistake?

I don't think you made a mistake at all. We have been to WDW since COVID and it's been wonderful and in some ways, better than pre -Covid. Yes, things may still be different but you have a lot of time until Dec 2021. Park hopping is happening now albeit it's a little funky and not as spontaneous as it was before. You may not be able to hop if crowds are too heavy. I know many don't like the idea of being in Disney without the "extras" but we still love it. Even if you decide you don't want to go, you have lots of time to cancel.

 

[sethschroeder]

It's hard to imagine a 50th WDW anniversary celebration without fireworks, and other places have already managed to do fireworks, so yes, by next December I think fireworks will have returned.

Not really I think its hard to imagine the 50th with fireworks during park hours. When I say fireworks I mean legit firework show not just a couple random bursts.

They do not have room for 10k-20k people all trying to cram in around the castle. Every single person going for the 50th anniversary is there specifically for the 50th so its also completely unlike really what anyone else is doing. Disney is also more cautious.

Now I could see fireworks returning to Hollywood Studios Fantasmic since its very well segmented from the park and can easily be controlled. Does it make sense though based on capacity for that firework show vs the cost of putting it on?

Flip side there is little they can do when the hub at MK which is really a main artery to the park for traffic flow.

Now Epcot maybe they could do something because its a huge expansive viewing area but even that is likely asking for some trouble if Disney really wants to try and enforce distancing. Plus when will their new show be ready and would they want to debut it during capacity restrictions or hold off as a attendance draw?

 

[maryj11]

We are booked for the 1st week in December and I can’t wait!
Even if fireworks, parades, etc. do not return by then it’s fine.
I will just be excited about being back to Disney!
We go every year except for this past year. We had to cancel because of COVID and I really miss it.
I have only gone one other time during the Christmas season and that was 10 years ago. I will just enjoy looking at the Christmas decorations and will enjoy the atmosphere.