***Official March 2021 Thread***

[Bama Mom]

I love snow an am glad we got a little but hate the ice we normally get here in North Alabama. Round 3 is happening this afternoon/evening and they say we could get almost 4 inches of snow. I'll be happy as long as its all snow and no more ice. But on a happier note...32 days until I am in Disney! WOOHOO! I guess I really should have been using these snow days to finish up the ears. Maybe I'll do that today. Hubby's/ Son's college cancelled for today so we are all home again. Good thing because we live in the country and our road is a complete sheet of ice. Some of the main roads are cleared for now but most of the country roads aren't. It may start to melt before the next round comes in so we will see.

 

[Bama Mom]

We all have some reservations in my house (outside of my "naive" 18 year old). I think people streaming live the past week or so helped calm me some as outside of the choke points it didn't seem that bad. The weekends for sure seem worse than the weekdays, so we scheduled our park days Mon-Thu and are hoping for the best.

I don't really have any reservations other than worrying about bringing something home to my grand daughter and my pregnant DIL. However our park days fall Monday through Friday with the Sunday before and saturday after being travel days. We have considered doing DS Sunday but if it's too crowded we will just resort hop instead.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

The walking through the outside areas, even when crowded don't bother me too much. I figure with masks on and just walking past people for a few minutes, the risk of anything is pretty low.

This! I’m not worried at all about walking through a crowd, especially outdoors and with masks on. Unless someone sneezes or coughs right on your face, the risk of being infected in that situation are incredibly low.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Same for us.. we're there Tuesday through Saturday. We do have a HS reservation for Saturday but it's our second day so it's going to be more for an additional chance at RoTR and to take in the GE atmosphere since we're all big Star Wars nerds. We will be leaving and starting home later that day so it may just be a bit of shopping and wandering around which will be fine.

The walking through the outside areas, even when crowded don't bother me too much. I figure with masks on and just walking past people for a few minutes, the risk of anything is pretty low. So hopefully I can relax and just enjoy what we do get to experience.

You don't hear very many reports around here about people getting sick. But of course it makes you wonder how many people would even share it. I am with you though, although it makes me a bit naive I don't feel very panicked over the crowd situation. You come across some sporadic photo's of masses of people but then others are quick to point out that either A. it was during the weekend / holiday or B. it's in a few of the various choke points that can be avoided. I think two big ones being near Smallworld and another in tomorrow land. MK seems to be the worse for these.

Anyways hopefully you can enjoy things anxiety free. I have convinced myself that things will be OK and this thread (as well as trip reports) have helped.

 

[Orion Nebula]

I don't really have any reservations other than worrying about bringing something home to my grand daughter and my pregnant DIL. However our park days fall Monday through Friday with the Sunday before and saturday after being travel days. We have considered doing DS Sunday but if it's too crowded we will just resort hop instead.

Ya I think it will help trying to get the majority of the parks in during the week. It seems via the photo's and resort reports Saturdays especially have been a little sketchy in some places.

 

[dez1978]

I used Disney math and got to add an extra day to our trip! We had a ton of points to use so I was able to extend our stay at Riv one more day, flights ended up being cheaper to leave of Sat vs Friday, and we got the 4+2 ticket offer. So we have tickets for all 6 days of our trip. planning 2 Mk days. One full day and one partial, and 2 HS days. One as a back up if we don't get ROTR bg. I thought maybe we'd plan to RD most mornings then chill out at the pool in the afternoons a couple days. the 2 other trips we've gone we've had BOG ppo reservations so had to be there at 730 and last time had to be at HS at 5 am for the BG insanity, so I'm really looking forward to a little later, less rushed starts this trip. I know it's still a big help to get there early but with the parks mostly not opening until 9, it won't seem as bad. My family are not morning ppl lol. While my kids still wake up at 630 every dang morning, they are still crabby as heck until about 730-8. Bama Mom, which days are you doing what parks? Just curious since we are there the same days.

 

[DisneyFanJenn]

I think they might be getting ready to extend hours for the 2nd week. I just got Mouse Dining alerts for later meal times for that week.

 

[Justrose]

I think they might be getting ready to extend hours for the 2nd week. I just got Mouse Dining alerts for later meal times for that week.

Same! I was just coming here to post... my dates are 3/21-3/28. I got BOG at 6:45 on 3/25.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Well, family and I talked about it again last night and I'm the only one that has any reservations about going and the crowds so I'm just going to try and put that aside and take this trip as it comes. My 16-year-old had experienced some pretty significant anxiety in response to covid when things first started to reopen so she is who I was most worried about and she's totally fine. So we will go with our plan to be there early, do what we can, and then chill at the resorts when it starts to get crowded.

I know a lot of people are posting about how bad it is this week but I have a couple of friends who are locals and they have said that yes, it's crowded but it's no where near what it would usually be so I'm taking that for what it's worth.

Just to share this, I went in November with my wife and mother just to kind of gauge how it felt to be back in the parks before bringing my whole family unit. My wife and I were both a lot more apprehensive about how people in a different area than our own home bubble would be with regards to COVID requirements. After that trip we had a discussion with our full family unit and moved our trip from Summer 21 to Easter Week 21 back in December.

We had instances where we felt uncomfortable but if you know where you are going in the parks you can find ways to navigate away from the problem areas. Also as you've stated later while there's congestion, as long as people are wearing masks and you aren't in that level of congestion for a continuous length of time your exposure risk is still low.

Full disclosure i'm more comfortable at this point doing my trip over Easter week because unfortunately a majority of my family including myself got COVID a month ago, and almost all of my family members (outside of the kids obviously) will also have gotten their 2 doses of the vaccine by the time we go.

 

[kathi]

Well, family and I talked about it again last night and I'm the only one that has any reservations about going and the crowds so I'm just going to try and put that aside and take this trip as it comes. My 16-year-old had experienced some pretty significant anxiety in response to covid when things first started to reopen so she is who I was most worried about and she's totally fine. So we will go with our plan to be there early, do what we can, and then chill at the resorts when it starts to get crowded.

I know a lot of people are posting about how bad it is this week but I have a couple of friends who are locals and they have said that yes, it's crowded but it's no where near what it would usually be so I'm taking that for what it's worth.

Just found this thread - we are having the same discussions. I am concerned that the wait times are just too long. We are not people who wait in long lines for rides, we fast pass or skip it. My husband is very concerned about the absence of social distancing we are seeing in photos. My daughter is just worried it will be too crowded to be any fun (she is 16 and has also experienced significant anxiety/depression since last March). I think getting away will be good for all of us, but not if we are unhappy about crowds and lines. Just can't decide what to do. We are booked 3/27 - 3/31 at BWV.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

I would love to join your thread. My dates are 3/28 to 4/4. We are staying at All Star Movies.

Just decided on this trip about 3 weeks ago, so I was behind the eight ball on getting ADR's.

 

[skeettafic]

Just found this thread - we are having the same discussions. I am concerned that the wait times are just too long. We are not people who wait in long lines for rides, we fast pass or skip it. My husband is very concerned about the absence of social distancing we are seeing in photos. My daughter is just worried it will be too crowded to be any fun (she is 16 and has also experienced significant anxiety/depression since last March). I think getting away will be good for all of us, but not if we are unhappy about crowds and lines. Just can't decide what to do. We are booked 3/27 - 3/31 at BWV.

My husband is an essential worker and has been out in the thick of it since the beginning so his tolerance for crowds/people is generally way higher than mine. He's not unsafe... wears his mask, hand washes and sanitizes frequently, etc.. but he generally thinks that with those precautions it's quite possible to be out and about and be safe. We've thankfully been able to avoid getting sick this entire time.

I'm sorry to hear about your kiddos anxiety and depression as well. It's been a rough road here. Mine started therapy in September and it's been really helpful for her. We just really need to get away. And if we spend all this money and end up mostly at the pool/in the hotel room, at least it's a change from these four walls! lol

 

[MomOTwins]

Hi everyone--joining in as we are booked to stay March 20-26. Split stay Boulder Ridge 20-24 and OKW 24-26. We're in the midwest watching the snow come down with 0 degrees temps so Florida sounds heavenly right about now. Also had a rough last year (more on that below) so this is a much needed cheer-us-up trip!

You don't hear very many reports around here about people getting sick. But of course it makes you wonder how many people would even share it. I am with you though, although it makes me a bit naive I don't feel very panicked over the crowd situation. You come across some sporadic photo's of masses of people but then others are quick to point out that either A. it was during the weekend / holiday or B. it's in a few of the various choke points that can be avoided. I think two big ones being near Smallworld and another in tomorrow land. MK seems to be the worse for these.

Anyways hopefully you can enjoy things anxiety free. I have convinced myself that things will be OK and this thread (as well as trip reports) have helped.

Felt compelled to respond to this directly as I'm one of the few people on these boards who has posted about our family getting Covid-19 at Disney World last August. Obviously, we are going back (and we actually went back for a short stay in October too) so don't blame Disney or anything, but I do wish I could go back and kick myself for the rose-tinted goggles I had on, thinking we'd all be masked and use sanitizer and be safe.

The main reason I talk about it on these boards is I think it is worth remembering that all the safety measures in the world only work if people follow them--we were very disappointed in the number of people not wearing masks properly (i.e., chin slings or nose peekers) and coming up close to us in indoor line queues or buses/monorail/elevators. I hope some of that is better now as I think last summer there were a lot more people who thought it was all a "hoax"--and hopefully that is not as common any more, or at least people are now more resigned/used to mask wearing. We also did eat indoors, so that risk was on us, but it is hard to find only outdoor meals at WDW (really wish they'd install more patios--we're going to focus on outdoor dining this trip). I'm not saying don't go--obviously I'm going again, but I do sometimes feel it is important to speak up and give both sides of the story because I feel these boards can be a bit of a positivity echo chamber sometimes. Nothing wrong with that--it's fun to be excited about a disney trip; I just don't want people to not take the risk seriously.

On the positive side, we made a ton of happy memories that trip, and definitely feel the magic is still there at WDW. Hope everyone here has an an equally amazing time (and stays healthy)! The increased wait times do give me some pause, but we're planning to spend less time this trip in the parks, and more just relaxing at the resort. We are interested in buying DVC, so we're trying out a couple of DVC resorts we are interested in to see if that is something that would work for our family.

 

[Jessrobian]

Joining this thread as well (our DD's first Disney trip 3/7 - 3/11 @AKL) after finding you all trying to figure out these after park hour dining reservations. Does this mean there is a likelihood park hours will be extended?

 

[MomOTwins]

Joining this thread as well (our DD's first Disney trip 3/7 - 3/11 @AKL) after finding you all trying to figure out these after park hour dining reservations. Does this mean there is a likelihood park hours will be extended?

Yes and no. Yes, in that it is likely that park hours will be extended roughly 2-3 weeks in advance, because that is what Disney has been doing consistently for the past several months. No, in that regardless of extended hours, some in-park restaurants have been staying open an hour or so after "official" park close.

 

[skeettafic]

Hi everyone--joining in as we are booked to stay March 20-26. Split stay Boulder Ridge 20-24 and OKW 24-26. We're in the midwest watching the snow come down with 0 degrees temps so Florida sounds heavenly right about now. Also had a rough last year (more on that below) so this is a much needed cheer-us-up trip!



Felt compelled to respond to this directly as I'm one of the few people on these boards who has posted about our family getting Covid-19 at Disney World last August. Obviously, we are going back (and we actually went back for a short stay in October too) so don't blame Disney or anything, but I do wish I could go back and kick myself for the rose-tinted goggles I had on, thinking we'd all be masked and use sanitizer and be safe.

The main reason I talk about it on these boards is I think it is worth remembering that all the safety measures in the world only work if people follow them--we were very disappointed in the number of people not wearing masks properly (i.e., chin slings or nose peekers) and coming up close to us in indoor line queues or buses/monorail/elevators. I hope some of that is better now as I think last summer there were a lot more people who thought it was all a "hoax"--and hopefully that is not as common any more, or at least people are now more resigned/used to mask wearing. We also did eat indoors, so that risk was on us, but it is hard to find only outdoor meals at WDW (really wish they'd install more patios--we're going to focus on outdoor dining this trip). I'm not saying don't go--obviously I'm going again, but I do sometimes feel it is important to speak up and give both sides of the story because I feel these boards can be a bit of a positivity echo chamber sometimes. Nothing wrong with that--it's fun to be excited about a disney trip; I just don't want people to not take the risk seriously.

On the positive side, we made a ton of happy memories that trip, and definitely feel the magic is still there at WDW. Hope everyone here has an an equally amazing time (and stays healthy)! The increased wait times do give me some pause, but we're planning to spend less time this trip in the parks, and more just relaxing at the resort. We are interested in buying DVC, so we're trying out a couple of DVC resorts we are interested in to see if that is something that would work for our family.

Thank you for sharing! Indoor dining is a big hesitation of mine as well. We have a few reservations made but I might back those down some and just deal with what QS we can get.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Yes and no. Yes, in that it is likely that park hours will be extended roughly 2-3 weeks in advance, because that is what Disney has been doing consistently for the past several months. No, in that regardless of extended hours, some in-park restaurants have been staying open an hour or so after "official" park close.

What were the park hours for March prior to the times listed now? It looks like there has been a one hour extension to both MK & EP. MK now closes at 7, and Ep closes at 8. I know the dining reservation times just got bumped up and we had to modify them. Am I missing something?

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

The yellow days around Easter have all turned back to green
Either they moved availability between categories or increased capacity. Interesting...

 

[TikiRob]

The yellow days around Easter have all turned back to green
Either they moved availability between categories or increased capacity. Interesting...

Or people have cancelled.

 

[dez1978]

Idk if anyone uses Touringplans for the crowd calendar. But I've been watching and comparing last years Presidents day with this year. So last year, every park was a 10 with 164 min wait for 7DMT and 91 mins for BTM (just using these as a comparison). This year the parks were 4-5's. 7dmt had an avg wait of around 90 min and BTM was about 70. I think if more shows were open, the waits would have been less. my days in march are all predicted as 2-4's so I'm optimistic it won't be too bad.