What do you think Christmas crowds will look like this year?

[Kleese]

Our May trip was cancelled so we moved it to Christmas week. Which is insane because I remember seeing pictures last Christmas and telling friends that will never be me that’s insane Never say never cause it will bite you in the butt . Unfortunately with our schedule that’s the only time we could reschedule. Any tips for dealing with that time of year. What restaurants would be good Christmas time reservations. What extras are worth paying for that will make life easier and merrier. Thank you

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Too much up in the air right now, but I'd make a wild guess that they at the very least be similar to last year's Christmas crowds, if not much worse. Seems like a lot of people will reschedule for Christmas.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Personally, I think this year is the year to do it. Next year will be intense with the 50th and all of the uncertainty this year.

 

[rpb718]

A guess? It could go 3 ways. It could be historically crowded, or it could be less than usual due to folks avoiding crowds and/or any crowd lessening measures instituted at WDW, or we could get a wave of COVID-19 in the Fall and WDW could be closed again.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

A guess? It could go 3 ways. It could be historically crowded, or it could be less than usual due to folks avoiding crowds and/or any crowd lessening measures instituted at WDW, or we could get a wave of COVID-19 in the Fall and WDW could be closed again.

Dr. Fauci said (yesterday?) there would probably be a fall wave but we’d be better equipped to handle it. Whatever that means.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Dr. Fauci said (yesterday?) there would probably be a fall wave but we’d be better equipped to handle it. Whatever that means.

Just that there will be less people that still can get it. Which equates to no shortage of ICU beds and medical workers. Which is pretty much the main reason we are isolating.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

My pessimist realist side says...still closed. My hopeful side thinks only resort guests will be allowed in the parks when they reopen that may be later this year. The optimist in me says back to normal (not going to happen). Other countries have to beat this for crowds to back to normal.

 

[lovethattink]

I think it will be less crowded this Christmas. Unless a cure or vaccine becomes available for Covid-19 before then.

 

[Disneylover99]

Less crowded then usual, even if there is a vaccine.
It’s the most expensive time to go. Lots of people won’t be able to afford to go.

 

[a1tinkfans]

I do not believe there will be an actual viable vaccine until mid 2021
I too believe that we ll likely see a resurgence in fall, winter flu season and hope that we ll be better prepared , learning as we are now.
I would not be surprised if Disney would again close for a period of time as a result.

I hope that’s not the case but I just don’t see it opening now till fall if it’s even possible.

 

[JaNelson38]

Dr. Fauci said (yesterday?) there would probably be a fall wave but we’d be better equipped to handle it. Whatever that means.

1) many people will have had it, so there is a bigger herd immunity to it, meaning that even if it did come back in the fall, the intensity is much lower. Fewer hosts = fewer infections = no real strain on the health care system. The budding theory right now in California as to why they haven't exploded with cases right now like NYC is because the virus passed largely undetected back in December/January and people just chalked it up to the normal flu, because they knew nothing about the virus.. My wife and I live in Wisconsin, and we are convinced we have both had it, as we were both sick in early January around the same time with a lot of the COVID-19 symptoms, but we also just chalked it up as the flu bug. When they develop a widespread antibody test, we may volunteer to take it. I think once people are tested for the antibodies, we will be astonished as to how many people were truly infected and either didn't know it or didn't have bad enough symptoms to really care. And it will go a long way in quelling people's fears over the disease.

2) even if there is no vaccine yet, there will almost certainly be multiple medicinal therapies available for those who experience symptoms. We have no "cure" for the regular flu or common cold, but we all know the type of medicines to take to treat it on our own. I suspect this virus will go the same route to where anyone who has it will be able to get an over-the-counter or prescription medication.

I'm still pessimistic that WDW opens this year simply due to the media and PR nightmare that will ensue, even if the 'experts' call it safe - the media will cry out, "How can you possibly open back up when there are cases of this stuff still floating around???" Until a vaccine is found, there will always be cases and deaths associated with this, just like any other infectious disease. We as a society need to learn to live with this and handle in the best we can, otherwise we're going to be locked in our basements until 12-18 months from now....which of course is unsustainable.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

I also think a lot more people will be going to WDW / DL versus DCL to get their fix. I just can't see as many people cruising in 2020. No one wants to be stuck on a ship with that going around on board.

 

[CastAStone]

Assuming the COVID is manageable in some way in time?

You ever see those pictures where they're shoving people into the subway car to make them fit?

 

[gharter]

A guess? It could go 3 ways. It could be historically crowded, or it could be less than usual due to folks avoiding crowds and/or any crowd lessening measures instituted at WDW, or we could get a wave of COVID-19 in the Fall and WDW could be closed again.

Would agree thats it up in the air. And all 3 are good possibilities.
If the concern of CoVid-19 is gone, I vote for super packed.

 

[sponica]

I'm considering r/s for christmas week....only because I'd be going with a 4 year old and a 4 month old and would need my school administrator mother to come with us.

 

[yankeesfan123]

A guess? It could go 3 ways. It could be historically crowded, or it could be less than usual due to folks avoiding crowds and/or any crowd lessening measures instituted at WDW, or we could get a wave of COVID-19 in the Fall and WDW could be closed again.

or, instead of getting a second wave, this wave never dissipates.

I predict everyone watching the Disney Christmas parade from home that was filmed in any empty park. Just like how we will be watching our NFL this season. I know I know, pessimism, but it’s just a prediction.

 

[mattpeto]

or, instead of getting a second wave, this wave never dissipates.

I predict everyone watching the Disney Christmas parade from home that was filmed in any empty park. Just like how we will be watching our NFL this season. I know I know, pessimism, but it’s just a prediction.

If your prediction is true, there won't be a parade to watch.

We'll get through this thing one way or another, this won't end civilization.

 

[Future_WorldPhonencian]

I too think there will be a 2nd, maybe even a third wave. Luckily, by the time that comes we will have the measures in place to get people the treatment they need. Right now people are dying because we are short ventilators, PPE, bedspace and are still learning how to treat this horrible virus. I think by the time the second wave comes around we will have everything we need and society won't miss a beat. That being said, if you or any of your traveling party have any respiratory conditions or are "at risk" I would postpone your trip at least until at least late 2021. If you and your group are not at risk, I would go right ahead, I expect the parks to be about average crowds for that time of year, maybe a 7-8/ out of 10.

 

[ilovetotravel1977]

II also think that many people won't be able to afford to travel for a while, especially to WDW. And, I do like the approach of only allowing onsite guests to be able to enter the parks. That would drastically reduce the amount of people in each park.

 

[Kleese]

I too think there will be a 2nd, maybe even a third wave. Luckily, by the time that comes we will have the measures in place to get people the treatment they need. Right now people are dying because we are short ventilators, PPE, bedspace and are still learning how to treat this horrible virus. I think by the time the second wave comes around we will have everything we need and society won't miss a beat. That being said, if you or any of your traveling party have any respiratory conditions or are "at risk" I would postpone your trip at least until at least late 2021. If you and your group are not at risk, I would go right ahead, I expect the parks to be about average crowds for that time of year, maybe a 7-8/ out of 10.

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I broke down yesterday. Everyday it gets worse. I am immune compromise and I am now thinking of canceling our makeup trip. Everyday our reality gets worse. The details of our knowledge of the virus gets worse. I was hoping this thread would get my mind off things for a second and I could look forward to something bright in the future to plan but we can’t even have that these days. God please be with us all and thank you everyone for responding to this thread.