My Slow Divorce from Walt Disney World

[DCLMP]

My DISer friends that have moved down here said the same as far as touring without FP.

It was great. I think the most I ever waited was an hour for flight of passage. We went three times from August 2020 to April 2021. The August trip was weird, but Im glad I I experienced it. It was a time in history that hopefully will never be repeated.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Its too bad you didn’t experience it. You missed out.

I'm happy you and others enjoyed it.

 

[longboard55]

Went to Disneyland last night, it was packed, it is pretty much booked solid for the next month. DVC reservation in July will cost me about $150 in maintenance points for a room that would cost $900 without DVC not a bad deal. Disney is looking at overcrowding, and indicates they will reduce capacity, but that just means people will be upset when they can not get a park reservation. Disney is just very popular now with a large population. It will only get worse with international travel picking up when all the Japanese, Canadians and Britains return

 

[fly girl]

From reading the FP stuff in this thread, I get the feeling many don't go to other parks other then Universal or Disney much.

I only say that cause I visit different amusement parks a lot. I would say Cedar Fair is the best at it. While it costs a lot it is also very limited. The wait times I have encountered are usually 15-20 minute waits while Standby is sometimes 90 minutes if not more. I would love that to come to Disney.

I mentioned Fast Lane!! Post #293. We use it every time we go to Cedar Fair parks.

I’m down the road from Kings Island and CP is a 4 hour drive away (albeit a very boring and tedious ride.)

I haven’t been back to CP since Covid because when they reopened I heard it was a nightmare with staffing and it wasn’t a smooth operation like KI. Not worth the drive. (Did I mention I highly dislike that drive )

 

[Jrb1979]

I mentioned Fast Lane!! Post #293. We use it every time we go to Cedar Fair parks.

I’m down the road from Kings Island and CP is a 4 hour drive away (albeit a very boring and tedious ride.)

I haven’t been back to CP since Covid because when they reopened I heard it was a nightmare with staffing and it wasn’t a smooth operation like KI. Not worth the drive. (Did I mention I highly dislike that drive )

I live 5 hours away from CP in Canada. Heading down in 2 weeks for the first time since Covid. Can't wait to get back.

As far as Fastlane goes, IMO out of all the skip the line systems it's the best. Yes it costs a lot but it's also limited enough that those who do buy it get good value from it.

 

[Ms.Minnie]

Ha! Our last family trip was 2014 and then I went on a girl’s trip in 2017. DH and I would never choose Disney for a trip for us. Too much in the big wide world. However, just yesterday, I said to DH that when our soon to arrive first grandchild is 3 or 4, I’d like to take him and our adult kids to Disneyland. I really think that I’m completely over WDW, though. The Florida weather is too much for me and the size and planning is too overwhelming.

I can’t imagine going to Orlando and not visiting the parks. Without the parks there are just so many better cities to visit. Cities with more to do with less hassle.

To each his own? We don't go to Orlando, we go to WDW, there's a difference. We have been going to WDW for a very long time, basically since WDW opened so the parks don't hold the same appeal that they once did. If you look around WDW there is plenty to do without going to the parks. I'm not saying I wouldn't go into the parks if the cost to enter is what I would consider a fair value but at current pricing the parks are a no go for me. As far as visiting other cities, at this time I don't know that I would feel safe visiting many US cities after see what has been happening over the last few years and seems to continue to this day. Prior to CV-19 we considered doing another cross country trip but that all changed due to CV-19.

 

[Jrb1979]

I can’t imagine going to Orlando and not visiting the parks. Without the parks there are just so many better cities to visit. Cities with more to do with less hassle.

WDW is not the only parks in Orlando. For me the only reason I visit different cities is if they have an amusement park near them.

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

Was I debating that?

lol, no idea!

 

[Tink-osophy]

I loved visiting WDW the last two years without fast passes. I know attendance was limited, but it was such a great experience. Totally freedom. I feel bad for people that put off their trips and now have to return to this mess.

Crowd levels aside, I'm thinking that the level playing field was more relaxing for everyone. All these hierarchies and varying levels of entitlement make it very competitive -- with the money all guests are spending they're, understandably, stressed to enjoy the parks.

My DISer friends that have moved down here said the same as far as touring without FP.

Relax and enjoy Disney! Maybe, they could make that a mission statement again!

Now...if only they could do that without a global pandemic .

Yes! Make Disney great again!


P.S. From this side of the pond I'm hearing about far more ride breakdowns than ever. Why didn't they work on all that while they had no/fewer guests around?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

P.S. From this side of the pond I'm hearing about far more ride breakdowns than ever. Why didn't they work on all that while they had no/fewer guests around?

We're here now in Epcot got here at park opening and Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth and Journey into Imagination all down. Living with the Land is back up the other two still down. Granted those aren't the headliners. Remy did go down briefly while we were in line though

 

[Tink-osophy]

We're here now in Epcot got here at park opening and Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth and Journey into Imagination all down. Living with the Land is back up the other two still down. Granted those aren't the headliners. Remy did go down briefly while we were in line though

That's not good!

I hope you have a fantastic time at WDW regardless of the challenges Disney like to set guests at the moment!

...Seriously, I really do hope you have a fantastic time!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

That's not good!

I hope you have a fantastic time at WDW regardless of the challenges Disney like to set guests at the moment!

...Seriously, I really do hope you have a fantastic time!

Tnank you and we are despite other things that are annoyances. We're here for a Disney wedding and its a DISer reunion of sorts with our other DISer friends here also for the wedding so we're able to spend time at the parks with them and then split off and do our own thing. Some live in our metro though, but others relocated to Orlando including the bride and groom. So if nothing else it's a good time for us to all spend together again since the pandemic has sorta messed with that. This group of friends though we talk almost daily and do a weekly movie night virtually but it's the first time we're all in the parks together. For that reason alone it's a fantastic time

 

[robinb]

I loved visiting WDW the last two years without fast passes. I know attendance was limited, but it was such a great experience. Totally freedom. I feel bad for people that put off their trips and now have to return to this mess.

I went to WDW twice without FPs and it was *wonderful*.

 

[Tink-osophy]

Tnank you and we are despite other things that are annoyances. We're here for a Disney wedding and its a DISer reunion of sorts with our other DISer friends here also for the wedding so we're able to spend time at the parks with them and then split off and do our own thing. Some live in our metro though, but others relocated to Orlando including the bride and groom. So if nothing else it's a good time for us to all spend together again since the pandemic has sorta messed with that. This group of friends though we talk almost daily and do a weekly movie night virtually but it's the first time we're all in the parks together. For that reason alone it's a fantastic time

Finally seeing friends that important more than makes up for any Disney shortcomings. With good people almost anywhere is a good place to spend time.

 

[kymom99]

I love to plan trips. I was looking at the cost of a universal trip. Not cheap by any means but if I look at a similar Disney trip, I just can’t get beyond the complexity of it. I’m liking the idea of unlimited front of the line with staying at a deluxe universal resort. Nothing to schedule, just go and enjoy.

 

[GreatLakes]

From reading the FP stuff in this thread, I get the feeling many don't go to other parks other then Universal or Disney much.

I only say that cause I visit different amusement parks a lot. I would say Cedar Fair is the best at it. While it costs a lot it is also very limited. The wait times I have encountered are usually 15-20 minute waits while Standby is sometimes 90 minutes if not more. I would love that to come to Disney.

I had never used those passes before but won two one day cut the line passes at Cedar Point in a race and it was fantastic. My wife and I went, never waited more than 10 minutes, and were done by 2pm. At that point we had ridden everything we wanted to multiple times and just ran out of stuff to do. It was great and I don't even think it is a lot when you pay out of pocked for it. I think at the time it was about $100 so well worth it.

 

[Tink-osophy]

...just go and enjoy.

Now there's an idea!

I hope Disney can find their way back to this once the backlog of trips are done and when Americans feel happier travelling internationally again --- and (fingers crossed) crowds settle down.

 

[MillauFr]

Now there's an idea!

I hope Disney can find their way back to this once the backlog of trips are done and when Americans feel happier travelling internationally again --- and (fingers crossed) crowds settle down.

Disneyland has already found its way back.

 

[leebee]

I mentioned Fast Lane!! Post #293. We use it every time we go to Cedar Fair parks.
I’m down the road from Kings Island and CP is a 4 hour drive away (albeit a very boring and tedious ride.)
I haven’t been back to CP since Covid because when they reopened I heard it was a nightmare with staffing and it wasn’t a smooth operation like KI. Not worth the drive. (Did I mention I highly dislike that drive )

Oh dear, I have relatives in the Louisville area and in Sandusky, I know the drive. You are so right!

 

[Tink-osophy]

Disneyland has already found its way back.

Has it?