Curious as to why.I am a hair’s breadth from cancelling our September trip. It’s just not turning out to be the trip we had envisioned.
Curious as to why.I am a hair’s breadth from cancelling our September trip. It’s just not turning out to be the trip we had envisioned.
I have been at the most crowded times, and possibly the least crowded times. While I definitely prefer less crowds, it is not impossible to get around during busy times. First of all (positive thinking here) I would imagine the early days of the opening to be busy. But, 3 or 4 weeks in? Disney is way too expensive to plan a trip based on an attraction being half finished. I just wouldn't do it. We had already planned to go in September, so I'm going to make the most of it. My son, OTOH, wants to wait until it's fully open. Plus, with little ones, you will end up in some of the less popular areas. It may also be easier to get Slinky Dog. We went last year,, and for the first time, we braved MNSSHP on Halloween. It was a blast, and we did everything we wanted. I would do it again, and I am this year, but in September. Just get there early (doesn't have to be 6 am) and take a mid day break. Let the kids swim, rest, recharge, then go back in the evening. It works. Another of my mottos: Rain is my friend. Throw on that poncho and head out. It usually doesn't last long and it clears the park. We had reservations for EMM Toy Story, and while at dinner the night before, we had a downpour. After it dried up, we had a 20 minute wait for SDD and walked on AS, and TSMM twice. I canceled the EMM and saved us over 500.00. Go, and have fun! There's plenty to do, and places to go that aren't crowded.With these very early openings, it sets the expectation that you need to get to the parks at a similarly early time or else risk difficult crowds/lines. Adds an extra layer of stress, especially when trying to provide as good an experience as possible for kids.
This trip is just the 2 of us as our children are grown. We were last at Disney 30 yrs ago. My DH has some health issues that make long lines unmanageable especially in the morning. He also works a more or less 2nd shift schedule so usually goes to bed about 3:00 am and gets up about 10:00am to head to work by 2:00ish then home about 1:00 am. 6:00 am is in the middle of his “night”. Even if I wake him to go get in line I doubt he will feel very good or enjoy the experience. Disney was always going to be a challenge though a traditional September crowd level felt doable especially if we could purchase some after hours events.Curious as to why.
Understandable. I would say though that even without SWGE crowds would still have been pretty decent. September isn’t what it used to be at WDW.This trip is just the 2 of us as our children are grown. We were last at Disney 30 yrs ago. My DH has some health issues that make long lines unmanageable especially in the morning. He also works a more or less 2nd shift schedule so usually goes to bed about 3:00 am and gets up about 10:00am to head to work by 2:00ish then home about 1:00 am. 6:00 am is in the middle of his “night”. Even if I wake him to go get in line I doubt he will feel very good or enjoy the experience. Disney was always going to be a challenge though a traditional September crowd level felt doable especially if we could purchase some after hours events.
Then GE happened and I am afraid crowd levels will be undoable and that the early morning crowds will make lines terribly long unless one can be there amongst the earliest.
Agree with all of this, especially the part about setting the bar at perfection!I have been at the most crowded times, and possibly the least crowded times. While I definitely prefer less crowds, it is not impossible to get around during busy times. First of all (positive thinking here) I would imagine the early days of the opening to be busy. But, 3 or 4 weeks in? Disney is way too expensive to plan a trip based on an attraction being half finished. I just wouldn't do it. We had already planned to go in September, so I'm going to make the most of it. My son, OTOH, wants to wait until it's fully open. Plus, with little ones, you will end up in some of the less popular areas. It may also be easier to get Slinky Dog. We went last year,, and for the first time, we braved MNSSHP on Halloween. It was a blast, and we did everything we wanted. I would do it again, and I am this year, but in September. Just get there early (doesn't have to be 6 am) and take a mid day break. Let the kids swim, rest, recharge, then go back in the evening. It works. Another of my mottos: Rain is my friend. Throw on that poncho and head out. It usually doesn't last long and it clears the park. We had reservations for EMM Toy Story, and while at dinner the night before, we had a downpour. After it dried up, we had a 20 minute wait for SDD and walked on AS, and TSMM twice. I canceled the EMM and saved us over 500.00. Go, and have fun! There's plenty to do, and places to go that aren't crowded.
Edit to add: I know with a trip such as this, you want everything to be perfect, but just don't stress. Some of our best moments last trip weren't planned, and the ones I planned and stressed over just weren't what I had hoped. You can't force fun. I asked the kids (ages 6 and 8) what their favorite thing was last year, and they said driving the car on the speedway at MK. Huh! Not even the Cinderella dinner. That probably came in 10th place, lol.
Maybe you could move it up a bit? Before SWGE opens? This trip is just me and the husband as well. We are both 65, and he has had neck and knee surgery. We just go our speed and do what we like. Since I have been primary sitter for the 2 little ones, I have sat out many a ride for the little one to sleep or just because she couldn't go on it. I just enjoy being there although our last trip without the kids I did so much enjoy Space Mountain again. Also looking forward to ToT. We are doing a party night, too. We will see what happens.This trip is just the 2 of us as our children are grown. We were last at Disney 30 yrs ago. My DH has some health issues that make long lines unmanageable especially in the morning. He also works a more or less 2nd shift schedule so usually goes to bed about 3:00 am and gets up about 10:00am to head to work by 2:00ish then home about 1:00 am. 6:00 am is in the middle of his “night”. Even if I wake him to go get in line I doubt he will feel very good or enjoy the experience. Disney was always going to be a challenge though a traditional September crowd level felt doable especially if we could purchase some after hours events.
Then GE happened and I am afraid crowd levels will be undoable and that the early morning crowds will make lines terribly long unless one can be there amongst the earliest.
Last year when we decided to cancel EMM the next morning, we decided to go to MK. While waiting for them to ride SDD I got fps for the next day for both SDMT and Peter Pan. We also only have 1 dining reservation going into this trip. It's always fun to check the day/night before and the next morning to see what's available. We are never disappointed. Truth be known, I really only want 1 fp this trip, for FOP. I'd love to get DH the new SW ride, but not counting on it. I'll probably get ToT but it's not necessary.Agree with all of this, especially the part about setting the bar at perfection!
I have been looking at this though it comes at a substantial cost. Loss of free dining and $200 per airline ticket to make a change to different dates.Maybe you could move it up a bit? Before SWGE opens? This trip is just me and the husband as well. We are both 65, and he has had neck and knee surgery. We just go our speed and do what we like. Since I have been primary sitter for the 2 little ones, I have sat out many a ride for the little one to sleep or just because she couldn't go on it. I just enjoy being there although our last trip without the kids I did so much enjoy Space Mountain again. Also looking forward to ToT. We are doing a party night, too. We will see what happens.
Stay at universal and go to the parks with Express passSo DH and I are considering ditching Disney and flying into Orlando so we don’t have to change the flights and seeing other sights in Florida. We could rent a car and explore. We haven’t really spent time in Fla since childhood aside from the week at Disney in 1988. What would you do if you had a week and enough $ to pay for a week at the Yacht Club but were leaving Disney out of the equation?
We booked a week long trip for the last full week in September, purposely hoping to visit before SWGE opened. With the addition of Extra Extra Magic Hours to handle the park attendance, I'm thinking we should cancel and re-book in early 2020. I don't want to feel compelled to be at the park at 6 am with a 7 and 4 yr old in order to get a few rides to work around the crowds.
Is this an overreaction or are others thinking about changing plans as well ?
I am a hair’s breadth from cancelling our September trip. It’s just not turning out to be the trip we had envisioned.
DH can’t change his week of vacation to earlier so September 16-23 is our vacation week. We booked our Disney trip in September specifically because SWGE was to open in late 2019 and we would not have to deal with those crowds. There is so much that we haven’t seen at Disney that SWGE wasn’t really something we felt we would even have time for so we decided to book before it opened. Now we are right in the middle of the first few weeks of SWGE. Disney’s expanding park hours as much as they have causes me to be even more concerned about crowds than if they had done nothing. The cost of personnel hours, extra ride maintenance due to longer hours of operation, extra food, security, etc. are business expenses that impact the bottom line and no business is going to spend that money unless they feel like they absolutely have to.You don't have to feel compelled about being at the park at 6am. If that's too hard to do with a 4 and 7 year old, then don't do it. Like I said to others, I will say to you...if you think you should cancel, then do so, but is it really necessary? Isn't modifying your plans MUCH easier than booking a whole new vacation and then more than likely having to pay more than what you are now? Understand in early 2020, DHS could still be nuts because of SWGE. I'm told this land opening is going to be even beyond what it was when Pandora opened in AK. Star Wars fans are a whole different ball game and they will continue to come until one, they get bored, or two something better happens someplace else. In the end the decision is yours no matter what the wonderful DISers say here. I just hope you don't cancel. As another poster said, if you have the means and time to go in September, then go.
Why? The Star Wars opening? The extra, extra magic hours? I'm not trying to be rude. I suppose because I'm locked into certain times I can travel, when I decide to go...no matter what happens on Disney's end...I'm going. The ONLY thing stopping me from going to Disney is an emergency with my family. Help me to understand your situation a little better please?
DH can’t change his week of vacation to earlier so September 16-23 is our vacation week. We booked our Disney trip in September specifically because SWGE was to open in late 2019 and we would not have to deal with those crowds. There is so much that we haven’t seen at Disney that SWGE wasn’t really something we felt we would even have time for so we decided to book before it opened. Now we are right in the middle of the first few weeks of SWGE. Disney’s expanding park hours as much as they have causes me to be even more concerned about crowds than if they had done nothing. The cost of personnel hours, extra ride maintenance due to longer hours of operation, extra food, security, etc. are business expenses that impact the bottom line and no business is going to spend that money unless they feel like they absolutely have to.
I’m still trying to figure out why so many people are upset at swge impacting there trip. I’ve seen people complain about every aspect of it and I don’t understand. If you don’t want to deal with the crowds then don’t go. Pretty sure disney made decisions knowing they won’t make everyone happy but trying to make the best out of a new land that will be popular for years to come.
I would stay at a Universal resort instead and take advantage of the Skip the Lines pass (with certain hotels) I can find enough to spend 3 days there. I would go to Sea World, which I love but rarely have time for, and probably go over to Tampa to Busch Gardens.So DH and I are considering ditching Disney and flying into Orlando so we don’t have to change the flights and seeing other sights in Florida. We could rent a car and explore. We haven’t really spent time in Fla since childhood aside from the week at Disney in 1988. What would you do if you had a week and enough $ to pay for a week at the Yacht Club but were leaving Disney out of the equation?