Best Strategy for a trip in 2022? Lower Your Expectations

[TinkB278]

Have a trip planned for this May and I’m already getting stressed out trying to figure out airport transportation without DME. Sure, for adults or older kids it’s no problem, but when you have kids in car seats this becomes a much more complex situation.

 

[Turksmom]

Have a trip planned for this May and I’m already getting stressed out trying to figure out airport transportation without DME. Sure, for adults or older kids it’s no problem, but when you have kids in car seats this becomes a much more complex situation.

We're 2 adults and 2 teens and this morning I was trying to figure out the easiest/ cheapest way to do it. Luggage is the complicating factor for us.

 

[Shellyred8]

Pre-50th anniversary, I was that person that people would go to and ask for help planning their WDW trips. I would enthusiastically help them and love every minute of it. I looked forward to being able to help my friends and family with their WDW trips. We've been to WDW about 5 times since they opened up after the covid shut down. Then we went down for the kickoff of the 50th anniversary celebration (Oct 1), and that was pretty much the beginning of the end for us. We were there Sept 27 - Oct 5. The Sept days were great. But starting Oct 1st, things went down hill fast. The debacle of Oct 1st at MK was such a horrible experience and we had never experienced something like that at WDW and it was just really hard to process. Something that we have loved so much for so many years had turned sour for us. We went down one more time in Dec and stayed off-site. We didn't get G+ or use $LL for this trip. We went with the approach that we would just do whatever we could and be content with that. That's not the way I want to ever approach a vacation: "just be content with whatever we can get". I want to do the things I enjoy without having to totally stress out over them. We did enjoy the story tellers at EP that trip, so that was one bright spot for that trip.

I'm also frustrated with the "get less for more" experience with staying on site and most all of the other frustrations that everyone else here has expressed.

So, for now, we are taking a break from WDW. We have not renewed our AP's and we will be taking at least a year off from the parks. We might go down for a non-park trip since we are DVC, but I just can't get excited about going to the parks right now. I'm bummed that I don't get that spark of joy when people ask me for their help with planning a WDW vacation. Hopefully someday things will change with WDW and I'll be able to enjoy that again.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

I have to agree with the OP. I still love Disney, but it's not as fun anymore. We went in June and December last year, so once without any fastpasses and once with Genie+. I don't mind spending a bit more for a better experience, but we got less done with paid Genie+ and ILL than we did with free FP+ (or with no fastpasses at all in June, but that doesn't seem like a fair comparison). It's just a hassle now. During our December trip, Genie+ was meh. The dessert party was meh. Even Animal Kingdom Lodge, which I love, was basically meh. During our four nights at AKL, our group of three people got two clean towels and no trash service (I assume they checked the room while we were gone to the parks, but no towels and trash service?). I did call for extra towels - I don't even mind that they don't clean or make the beds, but with three people, the little trash can fills quickly, and the towels don't dry very well on the hooks in the bathroom. It was still a fun time, but it was a lot more work and cost to achieve less of an experience. I have been trying to convince a friend to go to Disney for years, but I've stopped trying - I don't want to recommend an average experience at such a high cost. And we'll be back, but I'm not really in a hurry to plan the next trip. I get that Disney will monetize everything possible and I don't even blame them, but the guest experience is lacking right now. It just makes me sad.

 

[MomOTwins]

I understand OP completely. I remember my first trip to Disney World with my family, expecting (1) a stressful travel experience herding suitcases and car seats and pre-schoolers through two airports, (2) second-rate hotels, (3) terrible food, and (4) waiting in line all day. But I could not have been more wrong, and from the moment we started planning I felt like I'd found the holy grail of family vacations:

1. Travel: I got my luggage tags and complimentary magic bands with the letter explaining my suitcase would magically appear in my hotel room after I checked in at my local airport, and I'd have transportation without required car seats from and back to MCO.
   • Now travel with kids is just as unpleasant for Disney as any other destination.
2. Hotels: The hotel was gorgeous and rooms were immaculate, but what stunned me was the SERVICE. Our flight arrived a bit late leaving us cutting it super close for our dinner reservation at the Contemporary, and when I asked the front desk what was the fastest way to get there, she walked me out front and handed me a voucher for a taxi to take me and my family directly there. The "pixie dust" and exemplary service continued to surprise us in many ways. Housekeeping with towel animals and a cute scene for our kids stuffies just added to the magic.
   • Mousekeeping needs to come back. Kids are messy. It's work, not very vacation-like to be on "mom duty" constantly cleaning up after them. And while a lot of the hotel stuff is still great (beautiful resorts, pools etc.), I did find CMs to be a little bit grumpier/more harried this past year. It's not not DISNEY when the parking lot gateman treats you like a trespasser when your magic band won't scan, or when it feels like you're the subject of a police murder interrogation when trying to get a DAS pass for your autistic kid.
3. Food: On our first trip, I couldn't believe that the entirely reasonable price we paid for the dining plan got us character meals with lavish buffets and food even our very picky eater would enjoy, and more snacks than we could eat.
   • Now the dining plan feels like a distant memory, and it feels pretty clear the quality of food has diminished while price has skyrocketed. At tusker house, I tried my best to enjoy the meal but it was soured a bit by the fact that when I asked to try a little portion of the vegan curry, I was told I had to pick meat or vegan, not both, and it also stung how much we were paying for my son to eat nothing but white rice. I also really miss those early PPO breakfasts in the parks that came with a "bonus" ride or two ahead of the rope droppers (remember when you could get a PPO ADR at BOG for a quick service credit on the dining plan?).
4. Lines: I'm not even going to bother comparing fastpass with Genie/ILL in detail, but suffice it to say, I am not impressed. The expense I could live with, but the 7am finger race each day is a big fat no thanks. I despised the 7am race when it was only ROTR. To do that every day for every park.... all I can say is if you are up for it, good for you, but I will do it because I love my kids but hate it every. single. time.

I feel like I've posted some variation of this a dozen times. I guess it's a form of inexpensive therapy for me. Thanks for letting me vent a bit y'all. An OP--I totally hear you. It's just not the same.

 

[Jennasis]

We just did WDW early December 2021. Had not visited since Dec 2019. We own DVC and have been loyal WDW goers since 1977. Our most recent trip was like having a cold bucket of ice water dumped on me. It was not the Disney I knew. I didn't recognize it at all. I know things change. We've been going multiple times a year since before Epcot was even a thing. I honestly had a straight up anxiety attack on our second to last day.

We already have more trips booked this year (MAY, SEPT and DEC) so we are going, but the only way I can get right with it in my head is to lower my expectations to the point of EXPECTING absolute mediocrity, hassles and disappointment. Whether we even keep our DVC at this point is debatable.

 

[fdecker]

My wife begged me never to go again after last trip, but she agreed for this one last trip. She went over in detail how many luxury vacations to tropical islands we could have for one trip to Disney.

 

[wdhinn89]

I have to say, after reading what everyone has said, I'm not looking forward to going to Disney in August. If a discount does not come through for the Contemporary, I may just switch and go to Hilton Head instead.

 

[Miffy]

We went with the approach that we would just do whatever we could and be content with that. That's not the way I want to ever approach a vacation: "just be content with whatever we can get". I want to do the things I enjoy without having to totally stress out over them.

I highlighted this part of your post, because it's how I feel as well. We were there in December and have trips in late February and early May planned. I'm not sure if we're going to do the February trip but we always look forward to going in May.

The main saving grace for us is that we stay in a savanna-view room at AKL, so even if other things don't seem up to par, at least sitting on the balcony and watching the animals is still as good as ever. Housekeeping, though . . . not so good, and that's putting it very mildly.

 

[JakeAZ]

The OP is right on the money.

I will add that, in addition to lowering your expectations, you will also need to increase your budget just to get the bare minimum experience.

 

[gregskellington]

I have to say, after reading what everyone has said, I'm not looking forward to going to Disney in August. If a discount does not come through for the Contemporary, I may just switch and go to Hilton Head instead.

This is the sad result of these threads. Very few users are posting about how fun Disney trips still are right now, but lots of people are still having fun! This forum is filled with old school fans with specific visions for what Disney vacations are to them. Maybe that's you and you'll have the same experience, but all my covid trips have been wonderful.

The same? Of course not. Wonderful? Yes. I mean I didn't come home, cry, sell my DVC, and burn a mickey shaped voodoo doll in retaliation like some posters will have you believe.

If you don't want to go, don't. But if you want to go, just go in with an open mind! Worrying about a vacation because some negative nellys online said so is so disheartening to hear about when we've all been through so much.

 

[Jennasis]

This is the sad result of these threads. Very few users are posting about how fun Disney trips still are right now, but lots of people are still having fun! This forum is filled with old school fans with specific visions for what Disney vacations are to them. Maybe that's you and you'll have the same experience, but all my covid trips have been wonderful.

The same? Of course not. Wonderful? Yes. I mean I didn't come home, cry, sell my DVC, and burn a mickey shaped voodoo doll in retaliation like some posters will have you believe.

If you don't want to go, don't. But if you want to go, just go in with an open mind! Worrying about a vacation because some negative nellys online said so is so disheartening to hear about when we've all been through so much.

I went on our December trip so incredibly enthusiastic. It had been 2 years since our last trip and I was needing my Disney fix badly. I was just happy to BE there. But getting my butt kicked every single day by some new Disney reality began to get to me, no matter how hard I tried to stay positive. It just wore me down. Of course we had fun. Of course it was better than a day at home, busting my butt on our farm. But everyone has their breaking point. I just didn't think mine was where it was.

 

[JakeAZ]

This is the sad result of these threads. Very few users are posting about how fun Disney trips still are right now, but lots of people are still having fun! This forum is filled with old school fans with specific visions for what Disney vacations are to them. Maybe that's you and you'll have the same experience, but all my covid trips have been wonderful.

The same? Of course not. Wonderful? Yes. I mean I didn't come home, cry, sell my DVC, and burn a mickey shaped voodoo doll in retaliation like some posters will have you believe.

If you don't want to go, don't. But if you want to go, just go in with an open mind! Worrying about a vacation because some negative nellys online said so is so disheartening to hear about when we've all been through so much.

While I agree with the OP 100%, I don't doubt you can still have fun there. I was there over Thanksgiving and we had fun. It just took so much effort / money to make it happen.

But it's also still valid to point out there has been so much taken away, while at the same time, the pricing has just continued to climb.

Everyone has a breaking point. You haven't reached yours. Many others have. I've never seen so many "down on Disney" posts on these boards.

 

[Turksmom]

I highlighted this part of your post, because it's how I feel as well. We were there in December and have trips in late February and early May planned. I'm not sure if we're going to do the February trip but we always look forward to going in May.

The main saving grace for us is that we stay in a savanna-view room at AKL, so even if other things don't seem up to par, at least sitting on the balcony and watching the animals is still as good as ever. Housekeeping, though . . . not so good, and that's putting it very mildly.

I think this is part of the evil plan- I find myself booking deluxe more often (especially AKL) because if the rest isn't working out, I can sit on the balcony/ by the pool/ visit the lounge

 

[gregskellington]

While I agree with the OP 100%, I don't doubt you can still have fun there. I was there over Thanksgiving and we had fun. It just took so much effort / money to make it happen.

But it's also still valid to point out there has been so much taken away, while at the same time, the pricing has just continued to climb.

Everyone has a breaking point. You haven't reached yours. Many others have. I've never seen so many "down on Disney" posts on these boards.

Sure. I haven't taken any vacations since covid that weren't more expensive with less offerings than before, though. Disney is held to a strange standard on these boards. Hope everyone using their Disney money elsewhere doesn't have a covid-impacted experience, but I don't see how that isn't going to happen.

 

[Jennasis]

Sure. I haven't taken any vacations since covid that weren't more expensive with less offerings than before, though. Disney is held to a strange standard on these boards. Hope everyone using their Disney money elsewhere doesn't have a covid-impacted experience, but I don't see how that isn't going to happen.

Disney created that standard. They used to be the gold standard for the service industry. Heck, they taught classes on it to others. Does nobody remember the "Disney Difference"??? How about the Year of a Million Dreams? Disney created the standard.

 

[JakeAZ]

Sure. I haven't taken any vacations since covid that weren't more expensive with less offerings than before, though. Disney is held to a strange standard on these boards. Hope everyone using their Disney money elsewhere doesn't have a covid-impacted experience, but I don't see how that isn't going to happen.

Disney used Covid as the excuse to cut, but now is dragging their feet to bring things back. But really, I don't blame them. People keep showing up and paying the mouse whatever. However, places like Universal have ramped up their offerings. It's a business decision, at this point, for Disney. They realized their guests are more than happy to pay more for less. Or pay extra for things that used to be "included".

We also went to Maui last year and our room at the Grand Wailea overlooking the ocean was cheaper than our BLT room overlooking MK. Yes, there were Covid restrictions and cutbacks there, but we left the island wanting to come back ASAP. Not so with WDW.

Again, to each their own. I have no problem paying a premium price for what I feel is a premium experience. IMO, I don't feel like WDW is a premium experience anymore. I know many people disagree with me.

 

[hildarumpole]

I highlighted this part of your post, because it's how I feel as well. We were there in December and have trips in late February and early May planned. I'm not sure if we're going to do the February trip but we always look forward to going in May.

The main saving grace for us is that we stay in a savanna-view room at AKL, so even if other things don't seem up to par, at least sitting on the balcony and watching the animals is still as good as ever. Housekeeping, though . . . not so good, and that's putting it very mildly.

This is us. We canceled February trip and are only going in May with the hope that service and offerings improve. Also chose AKL savanna-view in case everything else is not so great. Animal watching after a hectic day in a park is always relaxing, so no matter what happens, we'll have that to look forward to.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Disney used Covid as the excuse to cut, but now is dragging their feet to bring things back. But really, I don't blame them. People keep showing up and paying the mouse whatever. However, places like Universal have ramped up their offerings. It's a business decision, at this point, for Disney. They realized their guests are more than happy to pay more for less. Or pay extra for things that used to be "included".

We also went to Maui last year and our room at the Grand Wailea overlooking the ocean was cheaper than our BLT room overlooking MK. Yes, there were Covid restrictions and cutbacks there, but we left the island wanting to come back ASAP. Not so with WDW.

Again, to each their own. I have no problem paying a premium price for what I feel is a premium experience. IMO, I don't feel like WDW is a premium experience anymore. I know many people disagree with me.

Yes. We just got back from Universal and it was not that much more expensive than our trip in 2019, had all the same perks, and no real noticeable cuts in service (unless you count having to wear a mask which some people would - we didn’t). Admittedly their resorts prices are going up in the short term but we booked Nov for the same price we got it in 2019 so you just have to book ahead.

We also got an Airbnb for a very good price in Daytona beach and went to the Kennedy Space Center. It was more expensive than its ever been but they added things - they have Discovery on display and a beautiful new building with exhibits around it. They more than earned the increase in price.

Other places seem to be handling covid times without as much negative impact as Disney.

 

[JakeAZ]

Yes. We just got back from Universal and it was not that much more expensive than our trip in 2019, had all the same perks, and no real noticeable cuts in service (unless you count having to wear a mask which some people would - we didn’t). Admittedly their resorts prices are going up in the short term but we booked Nov for the same price we got it in 2019 so you just have to book ahead.

Universal is playing the long game. They have their pricing below market right now so they can entice as many people away from Disney or at least get people to spend 1-3 days of their Disney time with them. Once Epic Universe opens, I expect them to go up quite a bit, especially if a rumored 3rd HP World is built in there. But IMO, with that kind of investment, a price increase is justified. They are investing $$$ back into the parks. They are looking forward. Not relying on rides that have been in existence since the 70s and the nostalgia that comes with them. Disney will eventually have to counter what they are doing. But it will be a reaction not a proactive process.