More Park availability in June just released! HS available!

[irazabul]

There were never any guarantees regarding capacity, and I'm happy for those who will now have the opportunity to visit. That said, it really is not unreasonable to expect that the increase in capacity would be offset by bringing back fp's and entertainment, along with greater dining options. The fact that these things, as of right now, haven't been announced to coincide with the increase is rightfully disappointing.

That's a fair point on dining and entertainment. Just like I was hoping (expecting) capacity to increase, I also think that dining and entertainment options will be increased as well. We shall see.

As for FP's, although I took advantage of these, I always felt it benefitted those in the know or the regulars more than your average tourist. That's just life, I know, but unfortunate for the average tourist.

 

[Bobb_o]

That's a fair point on dining and entertainment. Just like I was hoping (expecting) capacity to increase, I also think that dining and entertainment options will be increased as well. We shall see.

As for FP's, although I took advantage of these, I always felt it benefitted those in the know or the regulars more than your average tourist. That's just life, I know, but unfortunate for the average tourist.

You're are absolutely correct. Back when they still had those FP kiosks it was amazing to see how many people would be using them at 10am.

No FP+ is actually better in general because wait times are more consistent. When I get in a standby line at 2:20pm I have no idea how many FP+ riders are gonna skip me. If I get in a standby line today I basically know how long I'm going to wait depending on how many are currently in front of me. I understand for the planners (most people here) it's a negative but I'm going to enjoy the freedom not having scheduled ride times will give me.

 

[irazabul]

You're are absolutely correct. Back when they still had those FP kiosks it was amazing to see how many people would be using them at 10am.

No FP+ is actually better in general because wait times are more consistent. When I get in a standby line at 2:20pm I have no idea how many FP+ riders are gonna skip me. If I get in a standby line today I basically know how long I'm going to wait depending on how many are currently in front of me. I understand for the planners (most people here) it's a negative but I'm going to enjoy the freedom not having scheduled ride times will give me.

Agree that FP+ is a better system than before. I remember there was a period in the days of the kiosk, old resort room keys would still work to get a FP. I would sometimes see people with a stack of room keys they saved from prior trips feeding the kiosk and collecting many, many FP tickets.

 

[Bobb_o]

Haha I was still talking about FP+, there were (and probably still are) people who didn't know you could book them ahead of time.

 

[arihillfarm]

Let me ask you something, did you just not consider that capacity would be back up in June?

I consider a lot of things and have been a Disney TA for over a decade. Without shows and other options for putting people places, capacity should not have been increased. If they open everything up again, I would be better with it, with the exception that I am also taking children who are not eligible to be vaccinated yet (one just turned 13 so he'll have his first shot, but not the second, the other one is 10), so increased crowds is definitely a concern for visitors with unvaccinated children. I booked this trip specifically for the reduced capacity and masks being required, to keep my kids safe. If there weren't a pandemic, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

 

[arihillfarm]

Right. DVC suspended the Covid rules for canceling reservations without penalty 2 weeks ago. I too am stuck with my reservation because I cannot cancel.

It's too bad it takes the equivalent of a part-time job to even get through to Member Services. Hopefully, enough people will complain about this and they'll make exceptions for cancellations for trips with arrival dates less than 31 days away.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

... I’ll def “Karen it up” if the parks are packed.

 

[AZMermaid]

Right. DVC suspended the Covid rules for canceling reservations without penalty 2 weeks ago. I too am stuck with my reservation because I cannot cancel.

Why not make it resort only? we are headed to Grand CA in two weeks for a resort only trip because we aren’t even allowed in the parks and our points are going to expire. We have old tickets too.... but our AZ vaccinated germs are only welcome in the pools, not inside the gates.

 

[Harmacist]

I'm used to going in summer busy season due to family members working for school systems, and also family not wanting to take children out of school, I booked a late June trip the first week she was done for summer as soon as both myself and girlfriend were vaccinated. We were really hoping that they wouldn't increase capacity but expected it to go to 50% (which is essentially 50% more than the 35% previously). Without the shows and dining to eat up crowds I'm not sure how much more than can safely increase capacity over that (though I'm sure they'll find a way). I once went a nearly packed Indiana Jones show and was shocked at how many people that thing holds, Beauty and the Beast, Nemo also held a bunch. I still expect this to be less crowded than I'm used to. Booked my hotel through a non-refundable Priceline express deal (Waldorf Astoria for like $200 a night) so we are going either way.

I just hope they keep the indoor mask requirements, you cannot trust people's honesty to follow the rules when it will give them a slight inconvenience, working healthcare during all this has unfortunately shown this to me countless times.

 

[Bobb_o]

I consider a lot of things and have been a Disney TA for over a decade. Without shows and other options for putting people places, capacity should not have been increased. If they open everything up again, I would be better with it, with the exception that I am also taking children who are not eligible to be vaccinated yet (one just turned 13 so he'll have his first shot, but not the second, the other one is 10), so increased crowds is definitely a concern for visitors with unvaccinated children. I booked this trip specifically for the reduced capacity and masks being required, to keep my kids safe. If there weren't a pandemic, this wouldn't even be a discussion.

I guess I just don't understand this mindset, if I was worried about being around people and mask compliance I wouldn't be going to Disney World. I delayed my trip twice until I was going at a time where I felt comfortable. WDW is a luxury that's not necessary and certainly not more important than keeping me and my loved ones safe.

And let's not forgot the reason why capacity is increasing and why masks are going away, because the experts are telling us that's ok. The same people who we trusted to tell us to wear masks is now telling us that if we're vaccinated we can stop wearing them and those aren't should continue to wear them. I'm sure there are some scientist and doctors on the boards but the majority of us are out of our area of expertise. It's unfortunate for those who can't get vaccinated but this is the reality, everyone has to make the right personal decision for themselves.

 

[Joy70]

We always used fastpass. Now it’s not an option. I’m booked June 5-12 and am very upset also. We booked specifically because of the reduced capacity otherwise we would not have booked at all without FP. Now it’s too late for me to cancel without losing our points.

We are booked this same week. Between increased capacity and no masks outdoors I am really worried about how busy it will be. I figure we will try to hit up the parks early and get our favorites in and hope for the best!

 

[brockash]

Or, you can be happy for those who have booked vacations and were stuck with 5 straight days of Epcot!

I think ppl. would be happy if Disney opened everything back up first to absorb the crowds, because right now and at their "35%" capacity there weren't enough entertainment, restaurants, shops open. Disney opening the flood gates without going back to all shows, fireworks, restaurants, shops etc., just means a more frustrating trip for the customers.

 

[BarbLynnM]

I just rechecked park availability and if I'm not mistaken, they've opened up reservations for May and June.

 

[BarbLynnM]

I see this has already been noted. Typed before coffee hit the brain.

 

[Dave006]

Direct result of reduced social distancing rule and Orange County changing outdoor masking rules really opened up availability by increasing capacity from 35% to 50-75%.

Some Guests will be happy that they can now get missing days but crowds will be much bigger. Another step to return to normal.

Dave

 

[Viking7641]

I kinda don’t want to go now and get on 2 rides early and spend the rest of the day in line with no fast passes

 

[mamaofsix]

It sounds as though Disney is hiring back a lot more staff, bringing back the college program in June, opening more restaurants, etc. I imagine shows are not far behind.

I must say . . . sitting here in locked down Ontario under a stay at home order (for the THIRD TIME) where we cannot leave our homes except for essential purposes . . . it is slightly off-putting to read so many complaints about Disney increasing capacity. I would give my left arm to be able to cross our closed border and be at Disney right now, crowds or not.

I'm extremely happy for all those who now get to go to the parks because capacity has increased.

 

[lauritagoddess]

They need to open more attractions and dining, or bring back FP , or both. We’ll be here mid June and without opening more or brining back FP, it’s going to be hard. I don’t even care if they charge for FP like they used to do with MaxPass in Disneyland. But they need to something to offset the increase in people.

 

[holden]

I think many are assuming that Disney won't open more venues. We don't know that to be the case. With increased capacity, I'm expecting they WILL open more restaurants, shows, etc. Those extra people have to go somewhere. Disney knows that adding more people will create more crowds and more unhappy guests. They will address that, maybe not today, but very soon.

 

[Viking7641]

I think many are assuming that Disney won't open more venues. We don't know that to be the case. With increased capacity, I'm expecting they WILL open more restaurants, shows, etc. Those extra people have to go somewhere. Disney knows that adding more people will create more crowds and more unhappy guests. They will address that, maybe not today, but very soon.

Yeah, they’ll go in lines. They already paid