To Go or Not To Go

[manicstreet]

Not everyone who goes to Disney stays on property. It could be an issue for some.

yes, it could be, but I think causing fear is not a good thing either. Everyone just needs to be careful.

 

[manicstreet]

With that previous post said. I have been here for 1 day so far. Mask compliance at the hotel (Jambo house) is about 75%. I try not to worry about what others do as I have no control over them but I am surprised at the amount of younger kids (5 and under) where the parents don’t even try to put a mask on. To each their own I guess. My 7 year old son (obviously unvaccinated) is great about wearing his mask. Thank goodness. Anyways, having a good time so far. Cast members and guests here seem to be happy.

 

[kathy884]

Plan a picnic somewhere that it's a "trip". Go to a nice park somewhere with a lunch and make a big deal out of it. Even a state park with a picnic area and take a like "hike". Stop for ice cream on the way home.





If it's any consolation, my kids went many times as pre-schoolers and elementary school kids. They have almost no specific memories of those trips. One of my son's got to go as a young HSer as part of trip related to a soccer tournament and that's really the only distinct memories he has of being there.

Also -- someone who went recently and mentioned mask-wearing, etc now says they tested positive for covid (they are vaxxed). It's on the "just back" thread. It's so very hard to make these decisions, but I almost feel stupid for having made one recently in Sept. (fully cancelable).

lol -- My son's favorite activity when he was young on a WDW vacation was playing at the hotel swimming pool.

 

[Sarahslay]

I am not sure. I haven't ever looked into it.

But it will impact people at WDW, one way or another.

Water filtration is water filtration as one of my husbands friends said (who works at a water filtration site on the Savannah river very near my house), what you flush down the toilet will end up in a glass eventually. WDW has their own water filtration plant, it supplies water for the whole of the resort, what goes to the toilets and the sinks is the same, as what goes down the toilets and the sinks goes to the same place as well. It all gets filtered and sent back in to the system for us to use in many different ways: showers, drinking, brushing our teeth, cooking in restaurants around property....

This will have an impact on some CM, not all CMs live in Orange county though, and a lot of the restrictions being asked are ones that are easy to achieve if people just listen and follow them (watering lawns less, waiting to have a full dishwasher and load of laundry, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers).They should honestly be doing these things anyway. Hopefully this is short lived and they don't have to resort to these measures for too long.

 

[blistex]

After agonizing over every single page of this thread, I decided to cancel our trip for mid-September. I'm pretty disappointed, we were supposed to be celebrating my son's adoption, but he is isn't eligible for the vaccine yet, it just didn't seem safe. I have some DVC points I need to use by March 31, so here's hoping that the vaccine will be approved for the 5-12 age group by then......

I'm so sorry, it's such a bummer. I had also hoped when we planned mid-september that ages 5-12 could be vaccinated by then, but, alas. We canceled our trip too and I haven't once regretted the decision though we all sure do miss Disney.

 

[Christina78]

With that previous post said. I have been here for 1 day so far. Mask compliance at the hotel (Jambo house) is about 75%. I try not to worry about what others do as I have no control over them but I am surprised at the amount of younger kids (5 and under) where the parents don’t even try to put a mask on. To each their own I guess. My 7 year old son (obviously unvaccinated) is great about wearing his mask. Thank goodness. Anyways, having a good time so far. Cast members and guests here seem to be happy.

I'm with you, it's too hot to worry about how other people are handling COVID, so long as I am able to keep 6 feet of distance between my family and the unmasked. But my 9-year-old, who has a lot of anxiety about COVID, is horrified by the number of kids running around indoors without masks. His little mind is boggled by the very idea of it. So far, for the most part, crowds are low enough that we can keep our distance and we're having a different but happy time.

 

[kathy884]

I wish everyone well in making travel decisions. We were all hoping we'd be in much better shape by now. I'm still planning a trip in March 2022 with my 85 year old dad (We've always wanted to do Epcot Flower and Garden together and have never gotten around to it.) Dad would really like to do the trip. Thinks this might be one of the last times he really would really be up for travel (Life is good, but energy level and mobility are on a downward vs. upward trend with aging for him. When a beloved parent is 85, you just don't know how long you'll have them around and have them around in good shape.) Others will be joining us too. We have a condo reserved (timeshare points that expire at the end of March, so it's use or loose, but that's just life and if we cancel we cancel.) I'm going to do air with Southwest points for a lot of the fights (flights open up for booking mid September), so for what I book with points I can just get the points back - -what I don't book with points would be credits too redeem - not as flexible. This is seven months away, so I'm hoping things are better with both COVID and hospital occupancy, but you can't count on that these days. We will evaluate the situation right before the trip and make a go/no go decision then, and we'll go with the flow. We already reserved/booked Disney tickets too, but those can go toward future tickets if we don't use them. I even already have a rental car reserved with a major rental car company at a reasonable price too. That can be canceled with no issue. I believe if we cancel the only thing we are out of luck on is the condo. Those points are use or loose and at the end of a three year window, but that's just the way it goes (less travel for our family due to COVID-19).

All in our party are vaccinated adults with no underlying health conditions, but some of us like dad in particular are older (just higher medical risks when you are older. Hey I'm over 60 too). We should all be getting booster shots before the trip I would think. Hear those are going to be available eight months or so after being fully vaccinated. With our condo we can do lots of meals in if we want to. We'll be doing mostly looking around, but would want to do a few rides. We'd go to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens also. We'll have to see if these seem like prudent activities to do in March or not. (I'm hopeful and planning, but setting myself up to realize it might not happen.) // First world problems of course, but boy would I love to do this trip.

 

[firstwdw]

We ended up cancelling our trip for next week. We are all vaccinated but the situation in FL and flying just didn't feel right. We were anxious and not excited for our trip. Plus we are not used to FL heat and so staying mostly outdoors and eating outdoors in that kind of heat would be tough. Just so sad-this is the 5th cancelled vacation since March 2020. I just can't believe how fast things changed as we booked this the end of June when things were looking good. Everyone who still goes I hope you have a safe and amazing vacation.

 

[Turksmom]

Again, this is could cause problems for the restaurants off site. Soda fountains require water hookups; can't cook if you can't wash your hands or clean your cooking equipment.

The hotels off site. Showers, flushing, washing linens....water water water.

The airports (no more free water...gonna have to buy that $10 bottle).


The CMs, who actually don't live at WDW, contrary to the belief that they only exist to serve guests.

THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN TOURISTS AT WDW.

THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE ONE. THIS IS ABOUT SAVING THE COLLECTIVE.

Just to be clear- they aren't currently asking residents to cut back water usage for cooking, showering, etc. Only unnecessary usage like watering, car washing, pressure washing

 

[blistex]

Just adding this here for people who are still deciding what to do and are traveling with kids too young to be vaccinated - our kids have been back in school for three weeks now and the school numbers clearly show that unlike last year this Delta variant absolutely can and is spreading, easily and quickly, through young kids. I don't want to post the school stats here in case that is breaking thread rules but we are seeing entire classrooms catching it, multiple elementary schools are at or over 5% of students currently having an active case of Covid most of which were clearly contracted in school. (Happy to discuss privately if you're a data person, it's all public info.)

Two reasons this is relevant to everyone - first of all, this is a large Atlanta area school system and it's not an anomaly in this metro. We have fall break mid-September and I can guarantee you these same people will be in attendance at WDW. You will be in a line or on a ride with one of them at some point during this time, there is almost no question.

Second though is I know for me I really thought my younger kids were unlikely to get covid or get sick and that made me feel better about potentially going even though they are unvaccinated. These few weeks have proven that is unfortunately no longer the case. Personally I would not take kids this age right now unless they were able to be extremely diligent about mask wearing and I would stay entirely out of indoor dining with them. Stay safe, y'all.

 

[manicstreet]

Again, this is could cause problems for the restaurants off site. Soda fountains require water hookups; can't cook if you can't wash your hands or clean your cooking equipment.

The hotels off site. Showers, flushing, washing linens....water water water.

The airports (no more free water...gonna have to buy that $10 bottle).


The CMs, who actually don't live at WDW, contrary to the belief that they only exist to serve guests.

THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN TOURISTS AT WDW.

THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE ONE. THIS IS ABOUT SAVING THE COLLECTIVE.

this is straight up fear mongering. This does not do any good. I am just curious, have you canceled a trip or have a trip in the books?

 

[Cliffside]

Trying to decide what to do with our 25th Anniversary trip that is 9/5-9/12..it is not to Disney World but to Aulani…I never thought this would be an issue when our Greek cruise got cancelled and we thought this would be perfect ..there cases had been so low and we would still be in the US.

Fast forward to now and they are experiencing the worst of it...there are talks of lockdowns again there …I certainly don’t want to travel from the east coast for that…we booked first class tickets with Chase ultimate rewards..I think I can get a voucher that would need to be redeemed by June but can travel after..but my DVC points will go into holding and then expire at the end of July…I also have the luau booked not sure of cancellation policy there..all the other activities I booked looked like a liberal policy..

I keep changing my mind..our past couple of anniversaries have been tough..so I was really looking forward to this one and hadn’t been back to Hawaii since our honeymoon..but I am also grateful we got two vacations this year including Disney World in April when masks were required and there was distancing and ever a cruise in July when the country was doing so much better against the virus.

 

[Farro]

Again, this is could cause problems for the restaurants off site. Soda fountains require water hookups; can't cook if you can't wash your hands or clean your cooking equipment.

The hotels off site. Showers, flushing, washing linens....water water water.

The airports (no more free water...gonna have to buy that $10 bottle).


The CMs, who actually don't live at WDW, contrary to the belief that they only exist to serve guests.

THIS AFFECTS MORE THAN TOURISTS AT WDW.

THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN THE ONE. THIS IS ABOUT SAVING THE COLLECTIVE.

Okay - relax.

I wasn't making a social commentary, I speaking specifically to someone staying at a Disney resort, as in you should be able to use the washroom.

Nothing else, so don't try and project something on me I didn't do. Not everything has to be contentious.

 

[Chime]

My husband and I decided to continue with our short 2 day trip in September. We are going to see Happily Ever After before it is gone.
We are not taking our elementary aged children. I have been back and forth on this for awhile, mostly concerned with bringing covid home to the kids, but a few things that factored into our decision

- He and I are are vaccinated and will be wearing masks.
- The fireworks are our only must do. Yes that will be crowded, but we decided not to do any other rides or attractions and will minimize theme park time. We're going for 2 days. Going to enjoy a deluxe room for once and just enjoy the atmosphere. Eat at nice restaurants. See the fireworks. Go home. Yes we can still get covid, but I feel we are taking steps to mitigate the risk.
- The kids are in school now and feel whether DH and I go to Florida or not, the variant is out there and exposure risk is high. We live in a state where schools are not allowed to implement mask mandates.


If we did not have the option to leave our kids at home, we would not go.
If we were planning a typical Disney trip and spending our days at the parks, we would not go.

 

[Grasshopper2016]

I have been delaying making a decision on our Labor Day trip for weeks. Denial is easier than openly confronting reality.

Indoor dining is a huge part of the fun of a Disney trip for my family. I woke up early at 60+5 days with a spreadsheet ready and got every single ADR that I wanted. I don't see spending the money for a Disney trip and not going to all of our favorite restaurants. For my family, it just wouldn't be Disney, and it wouldn't be worth it. But I also don't see packing into Ogas or Le Cellier without masks right now.

We are all vaccinated, so I'm not (all that) scared of hospitalization or worse. But my kids are in high school, and will be starting a new school this year right after we get back, and I am a teacher. If one of us should test positive, we would all have to quarantine, and that would be a disaster at the very start of the school year.

I guess I've basically talked myself into cancelling. So why can't I pull the trigger and actually do it?!

 

[Linkura]

I have been delaying making a decision on our Labor Day trip for weeks. Denial is easier than openly confronting reality.

Indoor dining is a huge part of the fun of a Disney trip for my family. I woke up early at 60+5 days with a spreadsheet ready and got every single ADR that I wanted. I don't see spending the money for a Disney trip and not going to all of our favorite restaurants. For my family, it just wouldn't be Disney, and it wouldn't be worth it. But I also don't see packing into Ogas or Le Cellier without masks right now.

We are all vaccinated, so I'm not (all that) scared of hospitalization or worse. But my kids are in high school, and will starting a new school this year right after we get back, and I am a teacher. If one of us should test positive, we would all have to quarantine, and that would be a disaster at the very start of the school year.

I guess I've basically talked myself into cancelling. So why can't I pull the trigger and actually do it?!

Just rip the bandaid off. You'll feel better. Did it a couple of days ago for my Universal HHN trip in late October and it feels great that there is no longer any uncertainty about it.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It is often good advice if you see a thread or post which your are unhappy with to walk away and give yourself a time out. Alternatively use the report post button which will alert all the moderators and the webmasters to any post, where appropriate action if necessary will be taken. If you add a comment yourself you may also face infractions as per the guidelines.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

this is straight up fear mongering. This does not do any good. I am just curious, have you canceled a trip or have a trip in the books?

I live in Florida. I have more on this situation than just trips. But yes, I have cancelled multiple trips over the last 2 years.

I cancelled a family reunion at DL last March, just as the news started getting dark. I cancelled a trip to WDW/Busch/Universal last fall. My spouse cancelled his road trip plans with our son last summer; and have had to stop planning a similar trip twice now. This year alone, I've had to cancel a trip to Japan to see my daughter and a grandson; another trip to Omaha to see my soon to be born newest grandson and my other 2 grandsons; and our family traditional trip to WDW to celebrate our child's senior year.

So, yes, I've cancelled trips.

I also have friends that have children or grandchildren in school (at all levels) and several have children who have caught Covid at school. Two were hospitalized, though luckily they didn't ahve to go to the ICU. I have 2 siblings and their spouses who have had Covid and have been hospitalized for it; one in ICU. And I have a spouse who is immunocompromised, thanks to a kidney transplant.

Tell me again, how am I fear mongering? Because I said "hey, this is a bad situation."

 

[robinb]

I have been delaying making a decision on our Labor Day trip for weeks. Denial is easier than openly confronting reality.

Indoor dining is a huge part of the fun of a Disney trip for my family. I woke up early at 60+5 days with a spreadsheet ready and got every single ADR that I wanted. I don't see spending the money for a Disney trip and not going to all of our favorite restaurants. For my family, it just wouldn't be Disney, and it wouldn't be worth it. But I also don't see packing into Ogas or Le Cellier without masks right now.

We are all vaccinated, so I'm not (all that) scared of hospitalization or worse. But my kids are in high school, and will be starting a new school this year right after we get back, and I am a teacher. If one of us should test positive, we would all have to quarantine, and that would be a disaster at the very start of the school year.

I guess I've basically talked myself into cancelling. So why can't I pull the trigger and actually do it?!

The same reason I can’t pull the trigger on my Oct 1st trip which has been planned for 11 months. Denial, not just a river in Egypt.

 

[ginadv]

With that previous post said. I have been here for 1 day so far. Mask compliance at the hotel (Jambo house) is about 75%. I try not to worry about what others do as I have no control over them but I am surprised at the amount of younger kids (5 and under) where the parents don’t even try to put a mask on. To each their own I guess. My 7 year old son (obviously unvaccinated) is great about wearing his mask. Thank goodness. Anyways, having a good time so far. Cast members and guests here seem to be happy.

That, I think, might be my main concern - mask compliance. I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to pick up some things for my college sophomore and on the way out I said to her, "If I feel this skeeved-out at BBB, how am I going to feel at Disney World?" I'm on the fence about cancelling a trip my 15-year old daughter and I have 8/31-9/4. We're both vaxxed and will do the whole N/KN95 mask thing indoors and likely medical masks outdoors, but the fact that the concept of, "your mask protects me, my mask protects you" may not be subscribed to by the masses is frustrating. We'd both love to go and she is pretty much continuously stalking wait times as an indicator of crowds, which appear to be VERY low - something that certainly works in our favor in terms of social distancing and time spent in lines with others. I'm going to have to pull the plug on this trip soon if I'm going to pull it...