*** Official August 2021 thread ***

[Mr. X]

Any word on if Space 220 restaurant in Epcot will be open the end of August?

 

[The13thLetter]

Any word on if Space 220 restaurant in Epcot will be open the end of August?

Last i saw was Fall 2021, so it sounds like probably not.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Any word on if Space 220 restaurant in Epcot will be open the end of August?

Last i saw was Fall 2021, so it sounds like probably not.

No official opening date has been announced. Many have guessed over the years (there is an entire thread with over 2,000 posts!) for a restaurant that hasn't announced it's menu or opening date!

Personally, I'm waiting to believe a date until I see an official announcement from Disney.

 

[luckybelle33]

My husband and I are currently booked at the Boulder Ridge Villas the week of September 19th but we are considering changing our stay to the week of August 30th. There seems to be a lot more hotel availability that week making me think the crowds will be lower. I'm wondering if the weather is really all that different. We live in Texas, so we are used to heat and humidity. Can anyone who has been in late August and September share their opinion or offer any advice?

 

[suse66]

Our trip is later in August and I've decided to dream big and hope (although not expect) that the DDP may be back by then. I'm going to book our ADRs as if we have the dining plan and if it's still gone cancel what we won't be using. I'm hoping with the return of the College Program that it might offer them the opportunity to open more dining.

While I'm dreaming I'm also going to dream that they bring back some sort of bounceback offer. Until the DDP was cancelled last year, we had a 10 year run of returning during free dining. Would love to see that offer come back again!

I find I save money not using the DDP. Whether I am on a family trip, couples trip or flying solo, I always save at least $200 over using the DDP. We eat at least one TS a day, snack as much as we feel like and enjoy some adult beverages. One trip with all three of my boys (then 16, 14 and 14) we saved $568 by paying OOP. I don't find the DDP to be worth it for us. After all. Disney wouldn't offer it if it didn't make money for them.

 

[anneboleyn]

I find I save money not using the DDP. Whether I am on a family trip, couples trip or flying solo, I always save at least $200 over using the DDP. We eat at least one TS a day, snack as much as we feel like and enjoy some adult beverages. One trip with all three of my boys (then 16, 14 and 14) we saved $568 by paying OOP. I don't find the DDP to be worth it for us. After all. Disney wouldn't offer it if it didn't make money for them.

I found out the same thing...I definitely save money when paying OOP as opposed to paying for the dining plan.
The only way DDP works for me is if it’s Free Dining. I will never pay for it again.

 

[MomOTwins]

Wondering how starting fireworks "after the park closes" will work. Assuming they will allow people who are in line for a ride before closing to stay and then at closing the line will be closed to new people.

Same way it has always worked. "Park close" has never meant you are shooed away by Disney. It means that the rides stop admitting new guests, but anyone who is in a line can ride it. Quick service restaurants stop admitting new guests, but you can finish eating if you are in one. Table service restaurants accept ADRs up to 5 minutes before "park close" so you could remain in them for hours. Some shops stay open after closing for an hour or more, and even then, they won't kick you out--you'll be allowed to say as long as you need to complete your purchase. And you can of course, stay in the park and watch the fireworks show if it is scheduled at park close time, which at Epcot, it often was pre-closing.

My husband and I are currently booked at the Boulder Ridge Villas the week of September 19th but we are considering changing our stay to the week of August 30th. There seems to be a lot more hotel availability that week making me think the crowds will be lower. I'm wondering if the weather is really all that different. We live in Texas, so we are used to heat and humidity. Can anyone who has been in late August and September share their opinion or offer any advice?

The weather difference between end of August and later in September is minimal. We're talking about a 3 week difference here. I do think you will see lower crowds in late August. Late September this year is probably going to be a bit busier than usual because (1) people are hoping for a "soft open" on the October 1 anniversary, or arriving early for a long stay that includes the anniversary on the tail end; (2) Disney ticket and resort prices have been really high this year due to all the demand/supply issues, and September is a good time for bargain hunters looking for lower variable pricing on tickets, and (3) DVC is sold out pretty much every day in Oct-Dec, so people with expiring points are filling up September.

I find I save money not using the DDP. Whether I am on a family trip, couples trip or flying solo, I always save at least $200 over using the DDP. We eat at least one TS a day, snack as much as we feel like and enjoy some adult beverages. One trip with all three of my boys (then 16, 14 and 14) we saved $568 by paying OOP. I don't find the DDP to be worth it for us. After all. Disney wouldn't offer it if it didn't make money for them.

This is really so family-specific. We have saved quite a bit of money, particularly when we'd use the DxDP. DH and I like an alcoholic drink with each meal, we like signature meals and character meals, love getting appetizers and dessert on vacation since we don't eat it at home, so the savings add up fast! We also have three kids 9 and under for whom the plan cost is basically the cost of one character meal or buffet and every other meal or snack was "free." I doubt it'll be a good value for us when DDP comes back because by then my twins will probably hit 10 and be disney "adults."

The problem I find myself in is I now find it hard to switch habits to have less extravagant meals that what I've been spoiled with at Disney (and on Disney Cruise Line for that matter). I tried to be more budget conscious on our 2020 trip now that the DDP is gone and use it as an opportunity to try new things, but to be honest DH and I were both pretty miserable--we didn't enjoy our meals as much, and I missed not having to look prices when buying snacks (why are Mickey Pretzels so expensive!!!). So now I'm back to planning our preferred style of Disney Dining for our August trip, and I cringe a little when I think how much I'd save on the DxDP instead of out of pocket. This is our ADR lineup:
Day 1, Topolino's dinner
Day 2, Hollywood Brown Derby lunch; Chefs de France dinner
Day 3, Tony's lunch, CRT dinner
Day 4, Hollywood Brown Derby lunch; Via Napoli dinner.
Day 5, Topolino's breakfast.

*sigh* I basically, without even trying, have the perfect ADRs for maximizing value on the DxDP (amounting to one signature meal and one regular TS meal per day, with snack credits for breakfast and the occasional treat) if only it were available!

 

[The13thLetter]

My husband and I are currently booked at the Boulder Ridge Villas the week of September 19th but we are considering changing our stay to the week of August 30th. There seems to be a lot more hotel availability that week making me think the crowds will be lower. I'm wondering if the weather is really all that different. We live in Texas, so we are used to heat and humidity. Can anyone who has been in late August and September share their opinion or offer any advice?

MomOfTwins is right. We have gone mid september and end of august and the weather is pretty much the same.

 

[suse66]

This is really so family-specific. We have saved quite a bit of money, particularly when we'd use the DxDP. DH and I like an alcoholic drink with each meal, we like signature meals and character meals, love getting appetizers and dessert on vacation since we don't eat it at home, so the savings add up fast! We also have three kids 9 and under for whom the plan cost is basically the cost of one character meal or buffet and every other meal or snack was "free." I doubt it'll be a good value for us when DDP comes back because by then my twins will probably hit 10 and be disney "adults."

We did DxDP on our first trip in 2009 with our three boys. They were also all under 9 at the time (now 19, 19 and 21). We were SO full all the time. We ended up leaving 43 snacks and 11 meals on the table because we just could not eat another thing! We are Canadian and find American serving really big. Plus we often like to order two appies as a meal or share dessert. We also love the lounges rather than always being scheduled with an ADR. The great thing is there are lots of options. I do tend to put the value of the DDP on several Disney gift cards, then treat myself to a fun souvenir with what I have left over.

 

[scrappinginontario]

My husband and I are currently booked at the Boulder Ridge Villas the week of September 19th but we are considering changing our stay to the week of August 30th. There seems to be a lot more hotel availability that week making me think the crowds will be lower. I'm wondering if the weather is really all that different. We live in Texas, so we are used to heat and humidity. Can anyone who has been in late August and September share their opinion or offer any advice?

We've done both a few times and the only change we tend to see is that in September it's a little cooler in the evenings than it is in August. In August it doesn't seem to go down at night at all but in September we found it dropped the slightest bit to make it a bit more comfortable.

I find I save money not using the DDP. Whether I am on a family trip, couples trip or flying solo, I always save at least $200 over using the DDP. We eat at least one TS a day, snack as much as we feel like and enjoy some adult beverages. One trip with all three of my boys (then 16, 14 and 14) we saved $568 by paying OOP. I don't find the DDP to be worth it for us. After all. Disney wouldn't offer it if it didn't make money for them.

I understand that this is what many people say but we have gone during free dining for the past 10 years so it's only cost me the upgrade from QS to DDP for the majority of our trips.

The other challenge I have is that I live my entire life on a budget. Every single day I need to think about what I'm spending and how much it costs. If you don't have to live this way you are blessed but for me, it's reality. The odd time we've gone for a short trip without the DDP or added a night to the start/end without the dining plan, I can't turn my budget brain off. Trust me, I've tried!!! I'll go through a menu and see what I want to eat but then almost always choose a lesser priced item that I don't want as much, just because it is less money. I've experienced this many times so know it's just the way I function when every penny of my life is accounted for. I'll want a Mickey bar but my brain can't help but calculate I can buy 2 gallons of ice cream for the same price so suddenly I don't want it any longer.

For me, budgeting to pay for the DDP in advance of our trip and not needing to look at prices while there is worth the cost of the plan. I don't disagree that paying OOP might save me a bit of money but it's not worth the stress I will put on myself each time we want a snack or meal.

 

[123SA]

We've done both a few times and the only change we tend to see is that in September it's a little cooler in the evenings than it is in August. In August it doesn't seem to go down at night at all but in September we found it dropped the slightest bit to make it a bit more comfortable.

I understand that this is what many people say but we have gone during free dining for the past 10 years so it's only cost me the upgrade from QS to DDP for the majority of our trips.

The other challenge I have is that I live my entire life on a budget. Every single day I need to think about what I'm spending and how much it costs. If you don't have to live this way you are blessed but for me, it's reality. The odd time we've gone for a short trip without the DDP or added a night to the start/end without the dining plan, I can't turn my budget brain off. Trust me, I've tried!!! I'll go through a menu and see what I want to eat but then almost always choose a lesser priced item that I don't want as much, just because it is less money. I've experienced this many times so know it's just the way I function when every penny of my life is accounted for. I'll want a Mickey bar but my brain can't help but calculate I can buy 2 gallons of ice cream for the same price so suddenly I don't want it any longer.

For me, budgeting to pay for the DDP in advance of our trip and not needing to look at prices while there is worth the cost of the plan. I don't disagree that paying OOP might save me a bit of money but it's not worth the stress I will put on myself each time we want a snack or meal.

Same. Everything. I'm having a hard time with this. I'd much rather pay and be done with it. I know I will be stressing over the constant credit card charges

 

[suse66]

For me, budgeting to pay for the DDP in advance of our trip and not needing to look at prices while there is worth the cost of the plan. I don't disagree that paying OOP might save me a bit of money but it's not worth the stress I will put on myself each time we want a snack or meal.

Then it sounds like the DDP is a perfect fit for you and your family. ♥

 

[hsmamainva]

I miss the DDP just for the sheer convenience of it! Our ADR day is one week from today. Wish me luck & pixie dust!

Day 1 - Homecoming lunch
Day 2 - Rose & Crown lunch
Day 3 - Hollywood & Vine breakfast & 50‘s Prime Time dinner
Day 4 - Rainforest Cafe dinner
Day 5 - Ohana breakfast
Day 6 - San Angel Inn dinner
Day 7 - Tusker House breakfast
Day 8 - Skipper’s Canteen dinner
Day 9 - Mama Melrose dinner
Day 10 - Chef Mickey’s breakfast

 

[hsmamainva]

I totally just caved and bought Boo Bash tickets for August 31st!

Dropped BOG dinner from our ADR list — which was truthfully going to cost half as much as our party tickets & my youngest will enjoy the party a lot more.

 

[jbrinkm]

Today was my ADR morning - the first time ever, because we booked our trip last time at 4 months out when ADRs were made at 180 days so I just ended up stalking for any workable meals during those 4 months. I was happy to get an Oga's AND at a time I was really happy with - although not my first choice day (we have two days at HS). Also a Sanaa lunch at the perfect time. Then my luck ran out - no T-Rex for arrival day dinner and although I did get Yak & Yeti, I got it for lunch but I wanted dinner. I can call on Monday to see if I can reserve dinner with my Landry's card. I called T-Rex today and they said that they do NOT do direct Landry's reservations any more; you have to book all times through Disney's system. I also just made my Droid reservations for the kids.

 

[hsmamainva]

With a Landry card you don’t need a reservation! Just show up at the restaurant and show them your Landry card. They must seat you within 15 minutes. I just did this at Rainforest Cafe & Bubba Gump (at Universal) Memorial Day weekend.

 

[emily nicole]

Joining in ~ booked a short trip Aug 30-Sept 2 (Not sure if I belong in Aug or Sept group haha). We're flying down pretty much just for Boo Bash. Just my fiance and me. My son (he's 17) refuses to got to WDW in any season but winter lol.

Plans:
Monday Aug 30: Fly in, late arrival as we won't land til about 8PM. Check in to Movies.
Tuesday Aug 31: MK morning/pool afternoon/Boo Bash
Wednesday Sept 1: Epcot
Thursday Sept 2: DHS morning with likely 1:30PM DME pickup time

I have nothing against Animal Kingdom but we're on a budget haha. We have a longer family trip coming up in December.

 

[weather_lady]

I find I save money not using the DDP. Whether I am on a family trip, couples trip or flying solo, I always save at least $200 over using the DDP. We eat at least one TS a day, snack as much as we feel like and enjoy some adult beverages. One trip with all three of my boys (then 16, 14 and 14) we saved $568 by paying OOP. I don't find the DDP to be worth it for us. After all. Disney wouldn't offer it if it didn't make money for them.

We do, too. We're a family of 4 Disney "adults" (2 adults, 2 kids over age 9), and on our last trip in February 2020, we saved over 33% -- a whopping third of our dining costs -- by _not_ using the DDP, and that was with 1 TS (including a signature restaurant that would have cost 2 DDP "credits") and 1 CS per day, plus snacks, some alcoholic beverages and a couple visits to lounges for drinks and appetizers. Nor were we ordering the cheapest stuff: we ordered whatever we wanted, and for two in our party, that's usually an expensive seafood or steak dish. We would never get any value out of the DDP unless it was given to us for free. (I know others report different experiences.)

 

[suse66]

We do, too. We're a family of 4 Disney "adults" (2 adults, 2 kids over age 9), and on our last trip in February 2020, we saved over 33% -- a whopping third of our dining costs -- by _not_ using the DDP, and that was with 1 TS (including a signature restaurant that would have cost 2 DDP "credits") and 1 CS per day, plus snacks, some alcoholic beverages and a couple visits to lounges for drinks and appetizers. Nor were we ordering the cheapest stuff: we ordered whatever we wanted, and for two in our party, that's usually an expensive seafood or steak dish. We would never get any value out of the DDP unless it was given to us for free. (I know others report different experiences.)

Our experience 100%!

 

[weather_lady]

I totally just caved and bought Boo Bash tickets for August 31st!

Dropped BOG dinner from our ADR list — which was truthfully going to cost half as much as our party tickets & my youngest will enjoy the party a lot more.

We did something similar! Bought Boo Bash tickets for 8/24 (we've never done any kind of special event at WDW before, and an After Hours event sounds much more "up our alley" than a party, as we're more about rides than characters or parades), and dropped our parkhopper ticket upgrade and one of our TS meals, which almost fully recouped the cost of the Boo Bash tickets. Between having to pre-reserve a park each day and not being able to hop until after 2pm, the value of parkhopping had gone way down for us, anyway. Plus, the TS meal was going to be a Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen, which has cut its menu in half and dropped all our favorite dishes in doing so, so I don't think we'll miss it a bit.