Were you scared to go back after reopening?

[DisneyMama811]

those who have gone to WDW since July, were you scared at all to go? did you go back and forth in your mind whether it was the right thing to do? once you got there did you feel safe?

I struggle with anxiety to begin with, I'm a healthcare worker and the pandemic has taken a toll on me mentally, I want to take the kids to Disney so badly, we've been saving hard for a long time & I want to take them while they're still at that fun magical age but I'm so nervous though, it's hard to feel like the world will ever be "normal" again, we are Canadian so we can't even go right now anyways but the thought of going to another country ever again feels scary! I don't want my fears to get in the way of amazing memories

 

[Stratman50th]

First, I had reservations at Destin FL in May. They ended up closing but opened back up in June and were offering new reservations. We didn't go, not because of the Rona but because other things were still closed. Now to Disney. We had reservations at Fort Wilderness in October and went without giving it a second thought. At least from the Covid standpoint. My issues were with the reduced activities, restaurants and other things related to the experience. Again, we went without even thinking about it. Truth in advertising, we are locals and have been living our lives here in Florida as normal. You have do do what's right for you.

 

[lovethattink]

I’m a local. Are there any fears in particular you have questions about? I can answer questions about driving (We did two 1000+ mile road trips) or Disney World. But I haven’t flown since before the pandemic.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

I was not scared. I was apprehensive.

I said over and over how I wasn't going back until x y and z and then late DEC a sudden little spark took over and I had a WDW reservation for 10 days later.
Imho, I think WDW is doing everything they can to keep guests as safe and comfortable as they can. On the flip side, I feel guests are also responsible for doing their part and adhering to all guidelines.

My biggest anxiety moments were at the airport in Orlando during check in to fly home. Not sure any guidelines were being followed. It was a holiday weekend and busy.

 

[Stratman50th]

I never thought about the flying. My daughter has visited us twice from Tacoma Washington. Once in August, again in Dec. She wasn't crazy about flying but did it since it was the only way. We did things you would normally do and while she was kind of in awe coming from a locked down state to one that wasn't, we had a good time. We went to a couple restaurants where masks weren't required and she was a little freaked out. She got over it quickly, actually kind of enjoying the freedom. Both times when she returned home she had to take the test to go back to work. Negative both times.

 

[auntlynne]

To answer your two questions:

Not scared. Decided to go in September after seeing the low crowds over the summer. Went September and November. Would have been there in January, but had car problems (accident on way to FL). Now have plans for May.

I don’t plan on going back if/when it ever goes back to the normal crowds of pre-COVID. It was just too crowded, overall, not from a health and safety issue. I would do a special party with limited crowds. All mainly from a queue wait situation. I hate the long lines.

I did not have go/no go issues.

But I did not fly. I don’t like the reports of safety at MCO.

 

[runjulesrun]

I didn't think twice about going. I flew enough in 2020 to become an A-Lister with Southwest (3 of those trips were to Disney) and am still traveling. I take the required precautions but have felt safe and have stayed healthy. I would go again in a heartbeat if I could.

 

[VandVsmama]

those who have gone to WDW since July, were you scared at all to go? did you go back and forth in your mind whether it was the right thing to do? once you got there did you feel safe?

I struggle with anxiety to begin with, I'm a healthcare worker and the pandemic has taken a toll on me mentally, I want to take the kids to Disney so badly, we've been saving hard for a long time & I want to take them while they're still at that fun magical age but I'm so nervous though, it's hard to feel like the world will ever be "normal" again, we are Canadian so we can't even go right now anyways but the thought of going to another country ever again feels scary! I don't want my fears to get in the way of amazing memories

We went to WDW for 6 days in late January. DH was nervous & apprehensive, whereas I was not. I'd read up a lot about all of the stuff Disney was/is doing to manage things and was VERY satisfied with all of that. After our first evening at Epcot on arrival day, DH said, "Wow, this really isn't a big deal like I thought it would be. They've really got their act together. I'm impressed." And then he relaxed.

Was it a different type of trip than Disney trips we've done in the past? Yes. But we still had a really really great time. I have photos of the hub in front of the castle being practically empty at 12:30 pm. It was pretty awesome.

We did not miss the night time shows. We did not miss the expensive dessert parties and add-ons and all of that. We did not miss FP+ and the stress of juggling a FP+ reservation and an ADR. It was a leisurely vacation. We're going back in early June for a week.

 

[DisneyMama811]

I’m a local. Are there any fears in particular you have questions about? I can answer questions about driving (We did two 1000+ mile road trips) or Disney World. But I haven’t flown since before the pandemic.

I think the majority of my fears come from spending the last year being told - don't leave your house if you don't have to, wear a mask everywhere you go, don't go near people you don't live with. that's the message we get drilled into us constantly in Ontario. the thought of being confided to an airplane with 100 strangers scares me.

and then I get into the thought process of how long do we wait and put off the trip until "normal" comes back? we have to live our lives, so do we go and just enjoy the experience for what it is OR do we wait years for the effects of this pandemic to fade away, the downside being that the kids will be older and it might feel less magical? I'm an adult, I can live without character meet and greets, I've experienced the fireworks after a long day touring Magic Kingdom, I've had breakfast with Mickey, I can go and enjoy the rides without all the extras, but the thought of taking my girls to Disney and them NOT being able to get a hug from Mickey Mouse, or not being able to show Cinderella their beautiful gown, makes me very sad.

 

[lovethattink]

I think the majority of my fears come from spending the last year being told - don't leave your house if you don't have to, wear a mask everywhere you go, don't go near people you don't live with. that's the message we get drilled into us constantly in Ontario. the thought of being confided to an airplane with 100 strangers scares me.

and then I get into the thought process of how long do we wait and put off the trip until "normal" comes back? we have to live our lives, so do we go and just enjoy the experience for what it is OR do we wait years for the effects of this pandemic to fade away, the downside being that the kids will be older and it might feel less magical? I'm an adult, I can live without character meet and greets, I've experienced the fireworks after a long day touring Magic Kingdom, I've had breakfast with Mickey, I can go and enjoy the rides without all the extras, but the thought of taking my girls to Disney and them NOT being able to get a hug from Mickey Mouse, or not being able to show Cinderella their beautiful gown, makes me very sad.

I feel the same about being on a plane. However, I have two friends who work for airlines and neither has come down with covid yet.

There still are interactions with the characters. Yesterday my son had a nice chat with Alice!

Just be aware that there will be times during a visit to a park where social distancing is impossible. If that thought scares you, now is probably not a good time to go.

You will also encounter a few people not abiding by the no eating or drinking while walking. Last night a whole family walked by us with masks down and eating. But that was the only incident we saw, and we were at Epcot where it was busy and lots of people were eating outside at the festival. Disney added lots of tables.

I went live briefly with @scrappinginontario yesterday afternoon to show her how busy World Showcase was. There were times when the crowd was pretty thick and then it would quickly thin out.

 

[TCRAIG]

Not scared or nervous at all - we went for a week in Oct and again Dec 2020. We drive so we didn’t have to worry about airport/airline contact. We’d go to the parks in the morning, ride a few things and then go back to our Villa (we’re DVC) for a snooze and some pool time - then go back to the parks til closing. We don’t usually do many TS at Disney and it was just the 2 of us (no kids) - they ended up being 2 of our most relaxing vacations to WDW in a long time.

 

[wilbret]

those who have gone to WDW since July, were you scared at all to go? did you go back and forth in your mind whether it was the right thing to do? once you got there did you feel safe?

I struggle with anxiety to begin with, I'm a healthcare worker and the pandemic has taken a toll on me mentally, I want to take the kids to Disney so badly, we've been saving hard for a long time & I want to take them while they're still at that fun magical age but I'm so nervous though, it's hard to feel like the world will ever be "normal" again, we are Canadian so we can't even go right now anyways but the thought of going to another country ever again feels scary! I don't want my fears to get in the way of amazing memories

Nope, but I'm in the crowd resumed normal life in May of last year. I don't have anxiety, so I can't fully understand what you are feeling, just want to let you know that there are folks like us that have literally been doing this safely for a year. Good luck out there!!

 

[samsonjs]

I feel anxious but it’s more my anxiety bc I haven’t been around people much this year. I’m also worried when I see people say Disney magic is gone and I’m scared I will go and hate it like they do, but I remind myself people always said that Disney magic was gone before covid and I still loved it. My husbands not nervous at all. We have been so careful and got vaccinated so now we feel comfortable. Ours kids aren’t vaxed though I’m not worried about them as much. I feel good thinking about the fact that it’s pretty safe to be outside. I never worried about outside activities before. I go to the crowded grocery store and I’m fine, that’s not much different than an indoor line. Even in crowded pathways you’re still outside, and never around the same person for long. We will be using our car. We are flying but my husband has flown twice for work already and was fine. We usually eat quick service and love lunches by the pool so will stick to that. Dinners in a restaurant I’m nervous about because I haven’t eaten in a restaurant in over a year.