WWYD? September

[Calee]

We have a trip planned for September-weekdays after Labor Day.
3 adult sisters who have never travelled together
2 of us have been to WDW several times with our families. 1 has not.
Birthday trip for 1 that we have been planning and anticipating for over a year.

I am not considering cancelling due to COVID fears. We will follow all rules and feel good about WDW's efforts in this regard.

I am struggling with the reduced experience. I had come to accept a lot of it, but the reduced hours meaning no nights in the parks might be my last straw.

If crowds are truly low, it may still be worth it and fun. It's been a heck of a year and getting away would be nice. But will we regret going under these circumstances? On the other hand would we regret cancelling? We are hesitant to go next year as we fear crowds will be through the roof.

WWYD?

 

[Disneylover99]

I’d cancel. Short hours and too many things not available at the moment. Seems like there are more transportation issues if you rely on buses.

I‘d rather deal with the crowds in the next few years then all of this right now.

 

[Cinders1]

We are due to vacation around the same time. We discussed canceling many times over the last few months. Our grown children did decide to cancel as neither of our DIL's had ever been to Disney. They did not want to miss the full experience which we agreed with. We decided to go unless something changes. My DH and I just want to get out of the house and have a vacation! We have been several times so we plan to do what we can and enjoy the hotels (split stay). That being said, we are going with no expectations and that's not usual for a trip to Disney! Best wishes whatever you decide.

 

[Jre1206]

To be honest, as a first time trip I would cancel. Going to disney is a magical experience when it is "normal" and what usually makes us lifelong fans. But if your family can go understanding that this isnt the full experience then it may be worth it. Like cinders said, best wishes whatever you decide.

 

[ucf_knight]

We have a trip planned for September-weekdays after Labor Day.
3 adult sisters who have never travelled together
2 of us have been to WDW several times with our families. 1 has not.
Birthday trip for 1 that we have been planning and anticipating for over a year.

I am not considering cancelling due to COVID fears. We will follow all rules and feel good about WDW's efforts in this regard.

I am struggling with the reduced experience. I had come to accept a lot of it, but the reduced hours meaning no nights in the parks might be my last straw.

If crowds are truly low, it may still be worth it and fun. It's been a heck of a year and getting away would be nice. But will we regret going under these circumstances? On the other hand would we regret cancelling? We are hesitant to go next year as we fear crowds will be through the roof.

WWYD?

The experience in the parks with reduced crowds is fantastic. The reduction in hours would be an issue depending on how you tour the parks (i.e. If you rope drop and stay till park close) I would still go

 

[PamNC]

I plan on going at some point in September - but I've been TONS of times. If it were a first trip or if I took a trip every 3 years or so, I would cancel. it depends on your situation. It sounds like you and your husband are the same... been several times. I say follow your gut - go!

 

[JM23457]

We have a trip planned for September-weekdays after Labor Day.
3 adult sisters who have never travelled together
2 of us have been to WDW several times with our families. 1 has not.
Birthday trip for 1 that we have been planning and anticipating for over a year.

I am not considering cancelling due to COVID fears. We will follow all rules and feel good about WDW's efforts in this regard.

I am struggling with the reduced experience. I had come to accept a lot of it, but the reduced hours meaning no nights in the parks might be my last straw.

If crowds are truly low, it may still be worth it and fun. It's been a heck of a year and getting away would be nice. But will we regret going under these circumstances? On the other hand would we regret cancelling? We are hesitant to go next year as we fear crowds will be through the roof.

WWYD?

I would go. We went to WDW this July and are glad we did. Travel is an excellent antidote to the misery of lockdown. Ride waits were very short at MK, AK & EP.

That said, if you're on a tight budget & will be at a very basic resort or hotel with an unimpressive pool and can't afford much table service, additional activities, or a rental car, then it might not be worth it. If you go with the expectation that Disney will effortlessly transport you everywhere & the parks will be your sole entertainment all day with plenty of quick service meals to grab anywhere anytime, you'll probably be disappointed.

But if you can afford to spend more to stay at a very nice resort or hotel & add onto your experience, you can have a great time.

I recommend having a lot of good table service dining booked, especially for the evenings after the parks close (you can book dinner at a park restaurant for right before closing time, & spend your dinner hour eating there mostly after the park has closed). I also recommend you come ready to enjoy other activities besides the parks, such as swimming at your resort, playing evening miniature golf at Fantasia mini-golf, and maybe even doing an early morning trail ride at Tri Circle D ranch. Don't rely 100% on the parks for food & entertainment, and you're more likely to have a rewarding trip. That's good advice in general for WDW, but especially now.

If you can rent a car, rather than rely on WDW transportation at this time , that will probably make your trip more enjoyable, as well. No masks required in your car, and no long waits to get in your car. Win win.

 

[lisaburnsmiles]

I would go -- we never know what is around the corner and I think the time together trumps whether there will be the "full" experience. The magic is still there night, day, fireworks or not. Be together, laugh and experience it all with each other. It's unlikely that you'll regret going and making those memories! Best to you and what you all decide.

 

[rwdavis2]

I would cancel. There is no way I would pay full price for a reduced experience. The possible lower crowds is a plus but they don’t always translate into lower wait times. WDW reduces staffing with some lower crowds. So instead of both Space Mtn tracks running they run 1.

 

[MarkS2112]

I would cancel. There is just too much missing and no break on pricing. For a first timer I don’t think it will be as fun to go. I get the point about getting out; however, Disney is allot of money and to have short park hours and many things not operating or very reduced does not seem worth the dollars to me. I have been many times and you can find your way around crowds when the parks are open late. Missing nights at the parks would be a big deal. Imagine that you don’t get to see Pandora or Galaxies Edge at night.

 

[soniam]

I wouldn't go on the weekend. It sounds like crowds are much worse then. We didn't mind missing nights, but I was having health issues (not Covid) and needed some rest and my son likes to swim anyway. Plus, we always get to park opening. We didn't regret our mid-July trip. Have you ever regretted a vacation? Will spending the money be financially risky for you?

 

[IluvMGM]

We are going. Honestly, last year we were there same time, during the hurricane. It was great, super low crowds. And, most of the time we were fine leaving the park around 6 or so, we were tired and got a good night's sleep to get up early the next day for the parks.

 

[MATTERHORN]

First time trip, I would cancel! If you didn't have a first timer, I'd be all for it. But I just wouldn't want someone to have this experience first. Night hours are the BEST ones!

 

[monkeydawn]

I dont understand what this means: September-weekdays after Labor Day.

If you mean the week of Labor Day Tuesday-Thursday, Id say crowds will still be higher. Now if you are thinking the week after Labor Day Monday-Thursday then crowds might be a little more reasonable. But if you look at the Here Now thread and read people's experiences I'd say skip the weekend (and any holiday/ holiday adjacent days) as the experience seems miserable. But maybe you will read the accounts and be ok with what is being posted?

I do agree with renting a car and if one of you can get a suite/ bigger room with an area you can all watch TV, a firestick and Disney+ seems to be a favorite night time activity for some.

 

[brockash]

We have a trip planned for September-weekdays after Labor Day.
3 adult sisters who have never travelled together
2 of us have been to WDW several times with our families. 1 has not.
Birthday trip for 1 that we have been planning and anticipating for over a year.

I am not considering cancelling due to COVID fears. We will follow all rules and feel good about WDW's efforts in this regard.

I am struggling with the reduced experience. I had come to accept a lot of it, but the reduced hours meaning no nights in the parks might be my last straw.

If crowds are truly low, it may still be worth it and fun. It's been a heck of a year and getting away would be nice. But will we regret going under these circumstances? On the other hand would we regret cancelling? We are hesitant to go next year as we fear crowds will be through the roof.

WWYD?

If you'd be happy enough just to be there and you're ok with missing out on things and dealing with what seems like really ridiculous transportation at times; then I'd say go. If you feel that you'd really miss many of the things not currently offered, stores closed, limited restaurants and limited menus, limited hrs etc. then I'd wait. I'll also say from many more recent accounts; the low crowds are nothing like they were the first few weeks. It sounds luke you wouldn't be going on the weekend, which is good, but I do feel like the payoff of low crowds in place of all the things npt offered is really not paying off a lot anymore.

 

[DWillowBay]

We have a trip planned for September-weekdays after Labor Day.
3 adult sisters who have never travelled together
2 of us have been to WDW several times with our families. 1 has not.
Birthday trip for 1 that we have been planning and anticipating for over a year.

I am not considering cancelling due to COVID fears. We will follow all rules and feel good about WDW's efforts in this regard.

I am struggling with the reduced experience. I had come to accept a lot of it, but the reduced hours meaning no nights in the parks might be my last straw.

If crowds are truly low, it may still be worth it and fun. It's been a heck of a year and getting away would be nice. But will we regret going under these circumstances? On the other hand would we regret cancelling? We are hesitant to go next year as we fear crowds will be through the roof.

WWYD?

Just my opinion, but...ANY day at WDW is better than a day at work/ home/ school, etc. Every trip is what you make it. It sounds like fun to me! I'd do it!

 

[Calee]

I dont understand what this means: September-weekdays after Labor Day.

If you mean the week of Labor Day Tuesday-Thursday, Id say crowds will still be higher. Now if you are thinking the week after Labor Day Monday-Thursday then crowds might be a little more reasonable. But if you look at the Here Now thread and read people's experiences I'd say skip the weekend (and any holiday/ holiday adjacent days) as the experience seems miserable. But maybe you will read the accounts and be ok with what is being posted?

I do agree with renting a car and if one of you can get a suite/ bigger room with an area you can all watch TV, a firestick and Disney+ seems to be a favorite night time activity for some.

I mean September 8-11. The Tuesday-Friday after labor day weekend.

 

[Miffy]

You're going to be traveling with people you've never traveled with before? This is not a good time to be doing that, for many reasons, including one that you said isn't a consideration for you. And for the 1 of you who's never been, this isn't a good introduction to Disney.

Of course it doesn't matter what any of us, strangers to you, say here on the DIS. It's up to you and your traveling party.

 

[Calee]

You're going to be traveling with people you've never traveled with before? This is not a good time to be doing that, for many reasons, including one that you said isn't a consideration for you. And for the 1 of you who's never been, this isn't a good introduction to Disney.

Of course it doesn't matter what any of us, strangers to you, say here on the DIS. It's up to you and your traveling party.

We have traveled together before, just not to Disney.

And yes of course I realize that. But part of the point of a message board is to gain insight from other people experiences.

 

[chicagoshannon]

To me it depends on how old you are. IF you are older I'd go. You never know what could happen and you might never get that chance again. If you're young I'd probably put it off since not everyone has been before.

We will be there around the same time and can not wait to go.