outside of the fact that the border is closed, this is exactly why we aren't going until things are more "normal" (hopefully next year) I've been before but my kids have not and this will probably be the only time we can go while they y are at that age that they still believe in magic, so I want them to get as much of a full experience as possible
 
outside of the fact that the border is closed, this is exactly why we aren't going until things are more "normal" (hopefully next year) I've been before but my kids have not and this will probably be the only time we can go while they y are at that age that they still believe in magic, so I want them to get as much of a full experience as possible

You and I have become pretty good friends or aquaintances. You mentioned border closings. Are you from outside the US?
 
So, I haven’t been back to Disney yet since covid, but have a trip planned for DH’s and my 20th anniversary in May! Here is how I arrived at that decision and why I am SO excited!!

I felt much like you. I did not feel the desire to go back to Disney while the experience seemed so much less for the same price. We have done some other traveling over the past year and it was all great. Then, earlier this month we took a short trip to St. Augustine. Just being at MCO was like...I can’t really explain it! But it made my heart ache for Disney sooooo bad! The whole time we were in St. Aug I wished I was in Orlando. It was like being so close yet so far away, if that makes sense.

Meanwhile, DH and I were trying to plan our 20th anniversary trip. I weighed a lot of different options (Sedona, FL Keys, etc) but my heart wasn’t in it. As soon as I set foot on Florida soil I knew we had to go to Disney! Even if it’s not the same, it’s still our happy place! I booked our trip that week and have felt so excited ever since then and can’t wait for May!

So anyway, I hope you have a great trip and find that the magic is still there!!
 

So, I haven’t been back to Disney yet since covid, but have a trip planned for DH’s and my 20th anniversary in May! Here is how I arrived at that decision and why I am SO excited!!

I felt much like you. I did not feel the desire to go back to Disney while the experience seemed so much less for the same price. We have done some other traveling over the past year and it was all great. Then, earlier this month we took a short trip to St. Augustine. Just being at MCO was like...I can’t really explain it! But it made my heart ache for Disney sooooo bad! The whole time we were in St. Aug I wished I was in Orlando. It was like being so close yet so far away, if that makes sense.

Meanwhile, DH and I were trying to plan our 20th anniversary trip. I weighed a lot of different options (Sedona, FL Keys, etc) but my heart wasn’t in it. As soon as I set foot on Florida soil I knew we had to go to Disney! Even if it’s not the same, it’s still our happy place! I booked our trip that week and have felt so excited ever since then and can’t wait for May!

So anyway, I hope you have a great trip and find that the magic is still there!!

Nobody truly wished he or she were in Orlando. But get in while you enjoy it and get out before you lose that feeling :)
 
You are going way too frequently. I say this as someone who went almost every other year as a kid. I got burnt out on the Disney experience. I did one last trip as a kid for university graduation in 1999, but then I didn’t return back until 2009. Too much of a good thing makes it less so.

My last theme park trip was a universal only one in 2019. Far cheaper and easier to plan.

I’d wait for at least fireworks to be back before going again
I really appreciate this perspective, I went twice as a child and once as an adult pre kids, we are in the early stages of planning our first trip with kids and I struggle with guilt around the fact that we will probably only make to Disney once in their childhood but this really puts into perspective that at the end of the day it IS just a theme park (don't shoot me anyone haha)
 
So, I haven’t been back to Disney yet since covid, but have a trip planned for DH’s and my 20th anniversary in May! Here is how I arrived at that decision and why I am SO excited!!

I felt much like you. I did not feel the desire to go back to Disney while the experience seemed so much less for the same price. We have done some other traveling over the past year and it was all great. Then, earlier this month we took a short trip to St. Augustine. Just being at MCO was like...I can’t really explain it! But it made my heart ache for Disney sooooo bad! The whole time we were in St. Aug I wished I was in Orlando. It was like being so close yet so far away, if that makes sense.

Meanwhile, DH and I were trying to plan our 20th anniversary trip. I weighed a lot of different options (Sedona, FL Keys, etc) but my heart wasn’t in it. As soon as I set foot on Florida soil I knew we had to go to Disney! Even if it’s not the same, it’s still our happy place! I booked our trip that week and have felt so excited ever since then and can’t wait for May!

So anyway, I hope you have a great trip and find that the magic is still there!!

I still feel like we are getting less bang for our buck but I feel even better about OUR decision now than I did last week. Our daughter is keeping us up to date on wait times, our son mentions it each time we talk to him (college) and it has kept me occupied catching up on everything that’s changed since we were there four years ago. It has definitely become the carrot at the end of our stick which is sorely need after the last 10 months! We realize it’s not going to be the same as our previous trips but with our son likely starting an internship next year, we are excited to have a family vacation not to far off and it’s to a place all four of us enjoy.

Cheers!
 
I really appreciate this perspective, I went twice as a child and once as an adult pre kids, we are in the early stages of planning our first trip with kids and I struggle with guilt around the fact that we will probably only make to Disney once in their childhood but this really puts into perspective that at the end of the day it IS just a theme park (don't shoot me anyone haha)

If you're going that infrequently, then Disneyland might be a better bang for your buck. Universal is also a good alternative for teenage and older kids. Personally, I go when new attractions open up that I want to see, so I was planning to go to DL for GE last year. But then they closed down before I had a chance to go. We also like how Disney decorates the Haunted Mansion for Halloween, so we tend to go during seasonal holidays.

I'd make sure all of the attractions to want to see are open too. Some will go down for refurb. For example, my significant other loves the swings at DCA, but they were down for refurb the last time we went.
 
These threads are always pretty fun, I'm bringing my friend to Disney for the first time next weekend. We have two days, staying at CR, park reservations for MK, and HS, she's vegetarian, and a coaster fan. What are the must do's?
 
I am in FL and suddenly have an extra day so thinking about going to MK or Epcot on Friday. I have no Magic Band or card with me. If I purchase a one day ticket through the app, do I need to go to a ticket booth to pick up a physical card or just show my confirmation, ID, and credit card at the gate? I’ve searched Disney’s site repeatedly and can’t find a clear answer. Thanks!
 
I am hoping to do my first ever only "girlfriends trip" in Feb. 2022. Two have never been, two have been once before and I am considered the expert. :wave2:. I am going in knowing that it's going to be different but we have a whole year for thing to come back and it looks like bit by bit things are. I think I will be ok with slowing down for a change and taking everything in as opposed to hitting the ground running as I usually did in the past with my family. Being Canadian, I am thankful that the exchange rate is slowly dropping to our favour. Our last trip we paid in excess of 40% more due to the higher rate. That was a hard one to take. But It's one I am so thankful we took.
 
You are going way too frequently. I say this as someone who went almost every other year as a kid. I got burnt out on the Disney experience. I did one last trip as a kid for university graduation in 1999, but then I didn’t return back until 2009. Too much of a good thing makes it less so.

My last theme park trip was a universal only one in 2019. Far cheaper and easier to plan.

I’d wait for at least fireworks to be back before going again
I guess it depends on your perspective. My 11yo has been over 20 times and is aching to go back (as am I!) as soon as the borders open and we feel comfortable going. It's been 18 months since our last trip and for us that's forever! We talk about Disney almost every single day and it's often her who brings it up!
 
I'll break it up so you can decide what is most important based on yours and your friends priorities. I'll touch on quick service dining in the parks but if you need table service suggestions let me know. Any restaraunts you have questions about, I HIGHLY suggest heading to The DIS' Disney Dining YouTube page and watching their review. Some are a couple years old but the crew usually gets different items and usually one of them gets a vegetarian or plant based option so that can help your friend find something she'd like.


Magic Kingdom


Classic MK Rides that everyone should experience at least once in my opinion:
-Haunted Mansion
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Space Mountain (my advice on this is to this at rope drop, the wait fluctuates through the day but it can get pretty bad and it sometimes doesn't go down much until late at night)
-Splash Mountain (maybe not "classic" but wildly popular and leaving soon so your friend should experience it at least once)
-Jungle Cruise
-Carousel of Progress
-Tea Cups
-Peter Pan
-Small World
-Dumbo
-Tiki Room
-Country Bears Jamboree


Thrill Rides at MK:
-Splash Mountain
-Space Mountain
-Big Thunder Mountain
-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (my advice on this is to do this as your last ride at the end of the night. This ride even with the reduced park capacity and social distancing still easily pushed 1.5-2 hour waits. My family went around Christmas and we would get in line for this around 20 minutes before park close and would wait 30-50 minutes depending on the night)
-The Barnstormer (this one is a kiddie coaster but she may still enjoy)


I realize that I just named nearly every attraction at the park, but MK is so full of historic and great attractions that it's hard to exclude a lot of them. I would try to rope drop and stay in the park as long as you guys can to maximize your chances of seeing everything. Aside from Magic Carpets of Aladdin, there is nothing else I would say is worth skipping on purpose, but the ones mentioned above are ones I feel should be prioritized.


MK QS Dining:
-Peco's Bill is probably the best QS, and it does have some vegetarian options (Southwest salad or you can order one of the rice and bean bowls with no meat) for your friend.
-Your friend won't find anything to eat there, but if you're willing to pick up food from different spots, Sleepy Hollow has a great Spicy Chicken Sandwich and corn dogs.
-Cosmic Rays is not something I'd recommend. It's just burgers and hot dogs and I've gotten cold/non-fresh food from them before



Hollywood Studios


HS Must Do attractions:
-Tower of Terror
-Mickey and Minnie Runaway Railway
-Star Wars Rise of the Resistance
-Toy Story Mania
-Slinky Dog Dash
-Rock 'N Rollercoaster


HS Thrill Rides:
-Tower of Terror
-Rock N Rollercoaster
-Slinky Dog Dash


HS Dining:
-Docking Bay 7 in Galaxy's Edge is definitely somewhere you guys need to go. The Felucian Kefta and Hummus Garden Spread is one of the most popular plant based meals on properties. The rest of the food seems to be pretty well liked as well.
-Ronto's Roasters is another non vegetarian friendly place that is really good that I'd suggest for you. It's basically a sausage/hot dog on a pita but the sauce and slaw makes it really good.
-Woody's Lunch Box is just sandwiches and grilled cheese but is still pretty good, however it closes at 5 so you'd have to do that for lunch/early dinner
-ABC Commisary has a diverse menu and some plant based options so check out their menu this may be a good option for you guys.
 
I’m surprised you are finding it more expensive. We booked for the same week in 2020 and 2021. The last week of May/first of June. We have 1 extra person and are doing CBR instead of ASMu and are paying about the same price. Of course the 2020 trip was cancelled during covid, so we went in August instead.
you can look at this several ways. Yes, there is less available right now because of covid. But the alternative is nothing available and waiting another year to vacation. there’s lots of people making that decision to postpone again until masks are gone and things are back to normal. And that’s a really personal decision. So if you can’t get excited about it, maybe you should postpone.
 
We're DVC and often stay at Bay Lake Tower. CR has two terrific TS restaurants (also Chef Mickey's, but our last experience there was less than stellar). The Wave is on the ground floor, no view but reasonable prices, good food, and IMHO the best chocolate dessert on property, Chocolate Flight. California Grill is on top of the CR; also good food and a terrific view, but more expensive and harder to get reservations. If you can, get a late (after park closing) dinner reservation at either.
 
Here is the question.

Do you miss the Disney experience you had in the past?

If so, its nothing like that right now
 
I have an e-ticket purchased through a third party vendor that is a 5 day base ticket that starts next Monday. Yesterday WDW updated the hours and we are considering park hopping. Will I be able to upgrade at either the Downtown Disney help desk or at park guest relations? Do I need to bring a print out of the ticket? Any help would be appreciated.
 
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We are long time APholders, but did receive the refund when it was clear we wouldn't be going back until things got better. We really want to purchase APs again, but I know that isn't an option right now. So, we have a trip planned for June that we need to still purchase tickets for. We are not 100% if we will be comfortable going then. I know we couldn't get a refund on our tickets (not doing a package), but what are our options? How long would we have to use them?

Thank you in advance!
 












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