*** Official August 2020 thread ***

[lynnfitz]

Hi Tohm-we're going Aug 9-21st. Royal Pacific, then a week at Bay Lake!

 

[mamamelody2]

I’m going to be REALLY sad if EPCOT isn’t open when we all go!! Just wanted to share!!

I do think if one of the parks is still closed come August, it will be Epcot. I would not be happy, but I could live with it if necessary!

 

[LoverDisney]

Hello everyone! I just rescheduled our June trip to August. We are staying 8/1-8/3 at Bay Lake and 8/3-8/9 at Old Key West. We are also visiting Universal prior to Disney. We are celebrating my son's graduation from High School.

 

[Tomh]

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Roll Call! We are just a "tad" excited!!
Saratoga Springs Aug 16-23. As long as the Can-US border is open for air travel with no 14 quarantine upon return, we WILL be there!

Your excitement is contagious

You have been added to the Roll Call. Fingers crossed that the border is open. Have fun planning!

it’s ok! We are all a little off these days!

In the interest of full disclosure, I am way more than at "little" off . . . . and sadly enough, I fear it has nothing to do with these days, my family would be more than happy to bear witness to the fact that this is a pre-existing condition for me lol.

Hi Tohm-we're going Aug 9-21st. Royal Pacific, then a week at Bay Lake!

Hi @lynnfitz

Well then, you are added to the Roll Call. Hope you have lots of fun planning, and even more fun visiting!

Hello everyone! I just rescheduled our June trip to August. We are staying 8/1-8/3 at Bay Lake and 8/3-8/9 at Old Key West. We are also visiting Universal prior to Disney. We are celebrating my son's graduation from High School.

Congratulations to your son!!!! You have been added to the Roll Call. Happy planning!

 

[Feberin]

I’m going to be REALLY sad if EPCOT isn’t open when we all go!! Just wanted to share!!

We probably won't go if Epcot isn't open. I'm not sure if we're going at all. Just hoping the virus doesn't like the heat. It's pur first trip in six years and it'll be a long time until we save up enough to go again. We'll probably reschedule for Spring 2022 so we should be good. I just would be sad my kids will grow so much in two years that they won't be as much into characters as they are right now. However I guess plus side would be everyone should be 40+ inches and able to sit for shows. Right now they're 10, 8, 5 and 2 when we go.

 

[KSL]

Happy Monday morning! How is everyone feeling about their August trips this week? I imagine most of you are like me -- constantly cycling through realism, pessimism, and optimism. The rollercoaster of emotions is exhausting so I am doing my best to "emotionally distance" (lol) from this trip but it stinks because it's taking most of the fun out of planning (which I usually really enjoy). And I'm reluctant to do anything special, since things are so tenuous. This trip is to celebrate my youngest DD's 16th birthday and also her BFF who is coming with us (birthdays are about a week apart), but I'm not planning any special cake or shirts or ears or anything. I know this is horribly whiny of me, and a first-world problem for sure. But still disappointing and I hope you won't judge me. Anyway, at this point I think we would all be thrilled just to be able to go.
One good thing: I was able to move my daughter's birthday dinner at 'Ohana to 4:40 (from 9:25 to 9:05 to 7:55), so it is possible to keep tweaking these ADRs and get what you want (though I realize this is almost certainly due to people canceling which is sad). This time is great for us to have plenty of time to enjoy dinner and still get over to MK for some night-time rides. Yay!
Generally speaking, my emotional-distance strategy is to try not to overanalyze and stick to facts as much as possible (nearly impossible, but I am trying!). This week, I'm watching for two things which I consider good indicators:

1. CM schedules. I gather these are usually released on Sundays and during this period have been saying "no shift". They never came out yesterday (as of the last time I looked; maybe they're out by now?). If they were going to keep with the "no shift" thing, I don't see why there would be a delay. So, I'm expecting them to say something, and what that is will be interesting. Could be just for some extra security/custodial in the DS area. Or could be more than that. I imagine bringing CM back itself will be a big undertaking because they're probably negotiating with unions, considering how to handle recommendation that 65+ remain at home, deciding how to replace international CM, etc. (I'm sure there are a million aspects I can't even imagine).
2. Continued resort reservation cancelations. I believe these have been happening on Wednesdays/Thursdays, to cancel Sun-Sat dates about three weeks ahead. I believe last week's cancellations actually finished off the month (so, Sun-Sun). That means this week's rolling cancelations would begin to eat into June. I really hope it doesn't happen but nothing to do except wait and see.

Anyway thanks anyone who read this whole long thing. Have a good start to the week!!

 

[Llama mama]

Happy Monday morning! How is everyone feeling about their August trips this week? I imagine most of you are like me -- constantly cycling through realism, pessimism, and optimism. The rollercoaster of emotions is exhausting so I am doing my best to "emotionally distance" (lol) from this trip but it stinks because it's taking most of the fun out of planning (which I usually really enjoy). And I'm reluctant to do anything special, since things are so tenuous. This trip is to celebrate my youngest DD's 16th birthday and also her BFF who is coming with us (birthdays are about a week apart), but I'm not planning any special cake or shirts or ears or anything. I know this is horribly whiny of me, and a first-world problem for sure. But still disappointing and I hope you won't judge me. Anyway, at this point I think we would all be thrilled just to be able to go.
One good thing: I was able to move my daughter's birthday dinner at 'Ohana to 4:40 (from 9:25 to 9:05 to 7:55), so it is possible to keep tweaking these ADRs and get what you want (though I realize this is almost certainly due to people canceling which is sad). This time is great for us to have plenty of time to enjoy dinner and still get over to MK for some night-time rides. Yay!
Generally speaking, my emotional-distance strategy is to try not to overanalyze and stick to facts as much as possible (nearly impossible, but I am trying!). This week, I'm watching for two things which I consider good indicators:

1. CM schedules. I gather these are usually released on Sundays and during this period have been saying "no shift". They never came out yesterday (as of the last time I looked; maybe they're out by now?). If they were going to keep with the "no shift" thing, I don't see why there would be a delay. So, I'm expecting them to say something, and what that is will be interesting. Could be just for some extra security/custodial in the DS area. Or could be more than that. I imagine bringing CM back itself will be a big undertaking because they're probably negotiating with unions, considering how to handle recommendation that 65+ remain at home, deciding how to replace international CM, etc. (I'm sure there are a million aspects I can't even imagine).
2. Continued resort reservation cancelations. I believe these have been happening on Wednesdays/Thursdays, to cancel Sun-Sat dates about three weeks ahead. I believe last week's cancellations actually finished off the month (so, Sun-Sun). That means this week's rolling cancelations would begin to eat into June. I really hope it doesn't happen but nothing to do except wait and see.

Anyway thanks anyone who read this whole long thing. Have a good start to the week!!

Great post
I feel the same . Hoping we can go and enjoy what is open .
We are also celebrating a 16 y/o birthday! This trip is just my two daughters and I .
We are staying at YC , if pools are open and Epcot is open we will be thrilled .
I try not to stalk the boards too much because it’s just such a mix of info.
Stay positive and safe all .

 

[Avery&Todd]

I'm trying to stay optimistic and realistic about our Aug trip! It's just DH and I as the family trip that we cancelled from June was pushed to December. I came up with this trip as a way to use some expiring DVC points instead of pushing them all to RCI. I do have to make a final decision on if we keep/cancel this trip by July 18th as that's my last date I could push ALL my expiring points to RCI and I'm hoping by then we know if the parks are already open or planning to open and how they'll be managing everything.

Since this Aug trip was literally decided over a 24 hr time period, and it's just the two of us, I am more willing to have some Disney experiences gone/closed than if it was the entire family and I had been planning this trip for years and I didn't already have the December and also a February trip booked.

*If I have to wear a mask in August I'll be hot as fire but I'll be OK - and maybe that means we leave the park after lunch and head back to the hotel...

*I've already planned our dinners anticipating that Epcot will be closed..it will be a bummer but I'm *fingers crossed* hoping that at least HS and MK are open...bonus if AK is open too..

*I've already accepted the fact that some rides will be closed and once again, I'm OK with that

*If there are no parades and fireworks to help control crowds and maintain social distancing I will survive as that's not the main reason I go to Disney even though they are extra sprinkles of greatness and if they don't allow "face character" meet and greets, maybe they'll be open again on a future trip.

*If they close my beloved Crystal Palace because it's a buffet I will be totally sad but it won't ruin my trip, and perhaps I'll give a different restaurant a try for breakfast instead of always going there!

I guess overall I'm just trying to stay positive and flexible and know that this next trip is not going to be like any other trip I've ever had at Disney nor will be the standard of my future trips and I'd rather be able to go and have a version of Disney and get a little bit of Disney joy than none.

 

[Jroceagles]

I'm trying to stay optimistic and realistic about our Aug trip! It's just DH and I as the family trip that we cancelled from June was pushed to December. I came up with this trip as a way to use some expiring DVC points instead of pushing them all to RCI. I do have to make a final decision on if we keep/cancel this trip by July 18th as that's my last date I could push ALL my expiring points to RCI and I'm hoping by then we know if the parks are already open or planning to open and how they'll be managing everything.

Since this Aug trip was literally decided over a 24 hr time period, and it's just the two of us, I am more willing to have some Disney experiences gone/closed than if it was the entire family and I had been planning this trip for years and I didn't already have the December and also a February trip booked.

*If I have to wear a mask in August I'll be hot as fire but I'll be OK - and maybe that means we leave the park after lunch and head back to the hotel...

*I've already planned our dinners anticipating that Epcot will be closed..it will be a bummer but I'm *fingers crossed* hoping that at least HS and MK are open...bonus if AK is open too..

*I've already accepted the fact that some rides will be closed and once again, I'm OK with that

*If there are no parades and fireworks to help control crowds and maintain social distancing I will survive as that's not the main reason I go to Disney even though they are extra sprinkles of greatness and if they don't allow "face character" meet and greets, maybe they'll be open again on a future trip.

*If they close my beloved Crystal Palace because it's a buffet I will be totally sad but it won't ruin my trip, and perhaps I'll give a different restaurant a try for breakfast instead of always going there!

I guess overall I'm just trying to stay positive and flexible and know that this next trip is not going to be like any other trip I've ever had at Disney nor will be the standard of my future trips and I'd rather be able to go and have a version of Disney and get a little bit of Disney joy than none.

If they open early July which I think is very possible...I think you will be surprised what is open and going on come August. I would expect all parks open and running!

 

[Avery&Todd]

If they open early July which I think is very possible...I think you will be surprised what is open and going on come August. I would expect all parks open and running!

I HOPE SO!! I'm going with *surprised it's open* then *disappointed it's closed*!

 

[j2thomason]

Hello everyone! My daughter and I had to reschedule our May WDW/Dream cruise trip to late August & early September. We will be staying at Pop Century 8/29 - 9/3 and then head over to Port Canaveral to board the Disney Dream for a 3-night cruise. I look forward to planning with all of you!

 

[Ptrejo85]

I HOPE SO!! I'm going with *surprised it's open* then *disappointed it's closed*!

I like your thinking!

 

[BeckyEsq]

I have a trip planned for mid August with just my 9 year old daughter. So far I have only paid the deposit, but paid for flights via Southwest. I don't have to pay the balance until July so hoping to know more by then. My main concern is the heat. Having gone in August several times before I know what we are in for and we handle it fine in normal circumstances. I am wondering if the pools at the resorts will be open. Also, wearing a mask. . . I just don't know if I can handle it all day in a theme park in that heat. How will they enforce it? If I feel faint and want to remove it for a moment will someone be on me with a scolding? Those are the kinds of things I'm concerned about. And as for rescheduling, I don't know that the odds of a better situation in fall or winter is likely . . . those times of year are risky with illness even in normal times. So I am optimistic and haven't cancelled and still hoping for good news on this front. A lot can happen in three months.

 

[Eventer98]

I agree.. I'm worried about wearing a mask in the humidity too. I'll have my 3 kids with me and I worry about them having one on in the heat. Hopefully in Aug masks are optional, not required, but that's wishful thinking!

 

[JenniJ]

After many discussions, we have canceled our August trip. This trip was to be a big one for us since we were not planning on visiting Disney for quite some time in the future. We just can justify paying so much and not get character meets, parades, fireworks, etc.
We are not upset or mad. even my 12 yr old is ok because he wants all the Disney Magic. We also don’t want to travel and wear a mask in Florida heat all day. We are pro-mask and wear one all the time outside. (It is actually unusual to see someone without a mask in our area.) But we only wear it for about an hour maybe 2. We know wearing one for hours in Florida heat will be hard. Especially for my two guys who can’t handle the summer heat in Chicago.

So we will either take our son out of school in January or February or do next August and make it my 50th b-day celebration!

To all who are going, we can’t wait to see all your pictures and trip reports! Have a magical time.

 

[disny_luvr]

We canceled our August trip today. We just couldn’t stomach paying all that money for a modified experience.

On a bright note, we rebooked for August 1-14, 2021 at the Beach Club and I’m super excited to start planning again. I look forward to joining the August 2021 thread!

 

[Feberin]

We're probably canceling. It costs nothing to wait and we're still debating when to reschedule. Either February/March 2021 or 2022. This trip was rescheduled from April. I'm sad to cancel a second time but this is our first visit in 6 years and it'll be similar amounts of time before we return once we go so not doing a modified visit. Telling our kids that we're probably not going AGAIN was rough but my 10 year old is going to save up for a lightsaber now and my younger kids can grow bigger and do more rides.

 

[KM82]

We just found out our son's school will start back on August 3, which was supposed to be the first day of our trip, so we will be moving to the October group. First time in 3 years that we won't be there for his birthday but we are excited to visit in the fall. I hope you all get to enjoy your trips!!!

 

[LaurenT]

We are booked at Old Key West from Aug 9 - 14. Just me and my teenage daughter. Hopefully the parks will be open and I’m thinking not too crowded? Maybe that’ll be the trade off? Face masks and social distancing for low crowds?

 

[jennyq87]

We're staying August 4-11 and as of now we're still planning on going as long as the resorts are open. We're doing a split stay between Gran Destino Tower and Animal Kingdom so we will have plenty to do around those resorts + Disney Springs. Our Gran Destino room is Club Level -- I'm definitely curious to see how that will look. Will everything have to be prepackaged? Maybe they won't have it at all?

But based on Universal's opening dates being announced, I'd be pretty surprised if the WDW resorts weren't open by/in July. I could see a scenario where the parks aren't open because it's quite a logistical nightmare. They have a lot of transportation issues that Universal doesn't have to deal with - social distancing buses, monorails, boats, etc. I think it could be fun to have a resort-focused trip -- and hopefully lower crowds!