Best Strategy for a trip in 2022? Lower Your Expectations

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Not with me. I can't be bought that easy. It's going to take a whole lot more than open a couple of attractions to get me to fork over my $$$$. Way to many other options out there in this world than WDW. It's taken me a while to learn that, but that is where I am today. The crazy thing is my first vacation love, Disney, is the one that pushed me in another direction.

Same here. I love Star Wars. I love the Millennium Falcon. I’m not even bought by the chance to see that. A couple new rides doesn’t overcome everything else.

 

[2vets]

Also here now and leaving today. I’m a WDW veteran, have been coming here regularly since the early 1970’s as a kid - and as an adult have been here dozens of times, almost always on adult-only trips and often staying deluxe (accustomed to using extra-charge methods to boost enjoyment/lower my waits, including the now-defunct CL extra fastpasses). The last few days have blown my mind a bit. Even using early entry, $LL, and G+, it’s tough. In part - and no one’s mentioned this yet - that the few strategies that CAN be applied during regular park days (i.e., not evening hours for deluxe guests - currently the best way to throw money at the “crowds” problem) go out the window when there are constant ride breakdowns - and I’m not just talking about trackless rides, I’m talking about traditional rides. Extended breakdowns (in 3 cases on multiple rides) have impacted 4 of 5 days of my visit, and that is a first for me. It will be very tough in the coming months, even for those who strategize, if WDW can’t get maintenance/mechanical issues ironed out.

ETA -I’m in a $LL for SM - I’m leaving in an hour and a half so don’t have any time wiggle room - and in addition to pan, dwarves, hm, btmrr, and pooh going down at various points today, sm has now gone down. Imagine if this were your first time here?

 

[conniehar90]

Couldn't agree more. We just moved to FL and now have an AP. We enjoyed virtually no lines in Sept and even the first week of Oct. Now you can't get away from the lines and I feel like it relates a lot to Genie+.

 

[jknc]

Couldn't agree more. We just moved to FL and now have an AP. We enjoyed virtually no lines in Sept and even the first week of Oct. Now you can't get away from the lines and I feel like it relates a lot to Genie+.

Have you used G+?

 

[otterpop]

Oh Mr. Bridget!

 

[2vets]

Have you used G+?

I have to say, I don’t mind G+, other than it does require constant phone use, and I also prefer to be long gone from the parks in the afternoon, when G+ stacking is most effective. But for $LL and G+ to provide the advantage we’re paying for, especially when parks are crowded with people making up for 2 years of lost travel, the attractions have to be operational.

I love WDW, always will. I had a great time on my trip. It’s wonderful to see so many characters and entertainers back! But I do think the OP is correct about people going in with a lower set of expectations.

 

[kc51570]

Couldn't agree more. We just moved to FL and now have an AP. We enjoyed virtually no lines in Sept and even the first week of Oct. Now you can't get away from the lines and I feel like it relates a lot to Genie+.

September is also a slower time of year in general and travel wasn’t open to international visitors yet. I was there in July and lines were crazy and we were rope dropping every day. But as someone mentioned above, that strategy goes out the window when multiple rides break down every single day in every single park. I haven’t used genie + yet and am annoyed at the whole concept, but I don’t think lines can be solely based on its creation.

 

[Donna M]

WDW is very different now, like most places. Taking a break is a great idea, but it doesn´t look like Disney will even notice when the long timers are no longer there. Have you seen the crowds? Why would they change anything when they have plenty of people forking over all the extra nickles and dimes? First timers don´t know what they are missing.

Those of us who have been loyal fans don´t matter anymore. And the sad part is they don´t care enough to do anything about it.

But, I have to add, we were at the MK at the end of October with our little grandkids and had a wonderful time. It worked for us because: did only 2 park days, used old non-expiring tickets, are DVC members and ate most meals in our place, and don´t buy souvenirs.


Update: We are here now and the theme park was a pain. We bought Genie+ and couldn´t get Slinky Dog or Rise. We rope dropped Rise and it broke down right as we should have entered a room, we got a LL for it which was good. At Epcot we had to be evacuated from Spaceship Earth after waiting 28 minutes for them to try to get it to work, got a limited use LL. Frozen was down all day along with Tower of Terror. The food at the Epcot booths were nothing to write home about.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

WDW is very different now, like most places. Taking a break is a great idea, but it doesn´t look like Disney will even notice when the long timers are no longer there. Have you seen the crowds? Why would they change anything when they have plenty of people forking over all the extra nickles and dimes? First timers don´t know what they are missing.

Those of us who have been loyal fans don´t matter anymore. And the sad part is they don´t care enough to do anything about it.

But, I have to add, we were at the MK at the end of October with our little grandkids and had a wonderful time. It worked for us because: did only 2 park days, used old non-expiring tickets, are DVC members and ate most meals in our place, and don´t buy souvenirs.

Tonight in my town’s FB group someone posted asking for help with Disney and G+. She said she’d never been before and needed help because she heard that G+ is complicated, a huge hassle, and makes Disney ‘not worth it.’ How long are they going to have huge crowds when that’s the narrative?

 

[g-dad66]

Keep in mind that current crowds are partially a function of pent-up demand, and re-dos from cancelled trips in 2020. I suspect that many of them were planned before we got hit with G+ and ILL$ in October (our November 2021 and March 2022 re-do trips were planned long before October).

I've noticed that park availability calendars which had many yellow and gray days into October (and also for a good part of December) are now entirely green going forward.

Have friends whose extended family got cancelled out of a June 2020 trip, and they had been planning a re-do since then. They told me last week that ticket price increases and G+/ILL$ have priced them out. They are going to the beach instead.

Will be interesting to see what future crowd levels are like.

 

[nicksinger8]

Being in the UK I haven't been since 2004! I went with my then girlfriend (now wife) and it was perfect. Armed with the unofficial guide, I didn't wait for anything. No need to use phones. Going mid August this year for 10 days with my wife and two girls (aged 8 and 10). I am a Disney planner, but feels like the same energy I spent last time needs to go into planning, just to plan the basics - like choosing which day to the theme park which I now have to book months in advance. Maybe it is my age and the fact I have a million things to juggle and the added complexity of Covid, but it does feel a lot to do. Also, would love to leave my phone in the room. But it is what it is. Just have to remind myself - be realistic, be realistic, be realistic. Everything we do is a bonus. Of course having not been for 20 years and it is my kids first experience - so I think that makes it easier to lower expectations.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It's 4AM where I'm at and I'm on the disboards for the first time in months because yesterday my husband and I booked a trip to WDW in June. We had "free" airfare from a trip canceled due to Covid that will expire. We are longtime Disney lovers who have logged over 45 trips spread over 19 years. And I'm waiting for my husband to wake up so I can tell him maybe we should cancel this upcoming trip.

For us the magic began to ebb away several years ago. The crowds, prices, planning that became wearisome (in spite of years of planning that was always half the fun) and one thing after another that disappeared that had been huge parts of the reason we went.

During Disneyland's 50th we went to DL and WDW probably 8 times during that celebration. We had AP's at both parks. I think those memories, the "free" airfare and an okay rate at Pop Century ($198 at Pop is sadly ok these days) just created a desire to go back again.

My daughter and I went in May because of more free airfare and three free nights at AoA (due to a miserable experience dh and I had in 2020 that Disney actually made right with those complimentary nights for a future trip) and even with that it was very disappointing. Pre Genie (still don't know what that is lol and I have zero intentions of buying it if we do actually go). Now just a year later there's more changes I have to deal with and I just realize that this trip might be a mistake.

 

[100AcreWood]

I'll also throw on the pile that waking up at 7 AM each morning to add Genie+ and then engaging in a "rat race" of booking ILL and G+ rides that early in the morning was not fun and not vacation-like. A lot falls on the planner of these trips. It's crappy.

And, yes, I was that person throughout the day scrolling through G+ for our next "find."

I've gambled a few times in my life when I happened to be at a casino, but I'm by no means a gambler. My perception of all these changes between the ADR hustle and G+ rat race is it arouses a feeling similar to gambling. Perhaps they are purposely triggering that part of our minds to get some people to spend more. IDK... It just felt at a very physiological level like I was at a casino between the low level anxiety of clicking clicking clicking and racing against other people and against the clock to "win."

It doesn't equate with relaxation. One of the best parts of the trip for me was the pool day and trying all the restaurants on property (we stayed at Coronado Springs)."

This summarizes how I feel exactly.

 

[LA Poolboy]

It's 4AM where I'm at and I'm on the disboards for the first time in months because yesterday my husband and I booked a trip to WDW in June. We had "free" airfare from a trip canceled due to Covid that will expire. We are longtime Disney lovers who have logged over 45 trips spread over 19 years. And I'm waiting for my husband to wake up so I can tell him maybe we should cancel this upcoming trip.

For us the magic began to ebb away several years ago. The crowds, prices, planning that became wearisome (in spite of years of planning that was always half the fun) and one thing after another that disappeared that had been huge parts of the reason we went.

During Disneyland's 50th we went to DL and WDW probably 8 times during that celebration. We had AP's at both parks. I think those memories, the "free" airfare and an okay rate at Pop Century ($198 at Pop is sadly ok these days) just created a desire to go back again.

My daughter and I went in May because of more free airfare and three free nights at AoA (due to a miserable experience dh and I had in 2020 that Disney actually made right with those complimentary nights for a future trip) and even with that it was very disappointing. Pre Genie (still don't know what that is lol and I have zero intentions of buying it if we do actually go). Now just a year later there's more changes I have to deal with and I just realize that this trip might be a mistake.

My completely unsolicited opinion is that you and your husband should go! See for yourself what the situation is at this time. It's not every day that you get transportation for free. DW and I just returned from a WDW trip last week, stayed at Pop Century, didn't use Genie, nor Genie+, nor ILL. We made it just fine but we did do rope drop as early as they would let us in, which some days was 45 minutes before park opening while some were 30 minutes on the button. Granted we were prepared for a lesser experience as we watch Pete and the Dis crew regularly. We had a good time. Not a GREAT time, but a good time. Prices are higher, things break down, not many bands are playing at EPCOT, lots of crowds and lines, yet we still had a good time. For me just being there and experiencing the atmosphere is an attraction unto itself. I don't do any of the "thrill rides." Just my opinion but I would go and see for myself.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My completely unsolicited opinion is that you and your husband should go! See for yourself what the situation is at this time. It's not every day that you get transportation for free. DW and I just returned from a WDW trip last week, stayed at Pop Century, didn't use Genie, nor Genie+, nor ILL. We made it just fine but we did do rope drop as early as they would let us in, which some days was 45 minutes before park opening while some were 30 minutes on the button. Granted we were prepared for a lesser experience as we watch Pete and the Dis crew regularly. We had a good time. Not a GREAT time, but a good time. Prices are higher, things break down, not many bands are playing at EPCOT, lots of crowds and lines, yet we still had a good time. For me just being there and experiencing the atmosphere is an attraction unto itself. I don't do any of the "thrill rides." Just my opinion but I would go and see for myself.

I just read your post to my husband and he said listen to that person! It's our 30th anniversary and we just need to go with it. Our package for 5 nights at Pop with 2 day base tickets is $1600. Not bad all things considered. Thank you for your positive perspective. We truly are going because wasting that airfare stinks, going somewhere that requires a rental car is undesirable and we truly want to see the 50th fireworks and soak up the atmosphere.

 

[KittyKitty]

It's 4AM where I'm at and I'm on the disboards for the first time in months because yesterday my husband and I booked a trip to WDW in June. We had "free" airfare from a trip canceled due to Covid that will expire. We are longtime Disney lovers who have logged over 45 trips spread over 19 years. And I'm waiting for my husband to wake up so I can tell him maybe we should cancel this upcoming trip.

So glad you decided to go. Make the decision yourself. I find that for 10 ppl who don't like change and post, there are 1000's that go with the changes, and don't post. (How do I know?, they were at WDW when I was in Nov. ! )

 

[LA Poolboy]

I just read your post to my husband and he said listen to that person! It's our 30th anniversary and we just need to go with it. Our package for 5 nights at Pop with 2 day base tickets is $1600. Not bad all things considered. Thank you for your positive perspective. We truly are going because wasting that airfare stinks, going somewhere that requires a rental car is undesirable and we truly want to see the 50th fireworks and soak up the atmosphere.

Since it's your 30th Anniversary (Happy Anniversary!!) may I recommend a special evening at Steakhouse 71 at the Contemporary? It is a little pricey but how often do you have a 30th anniversary!

 

[TheBigErn]

You can see in my signature that I have been to Disney many times.

I even made my second trip on my current Annual Pass and was at Bay Lake Tower and then Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jambo House just a few days ago.

If you are going in 2022 you need to lower your expectations a lot.

I have used Touring Plans and been a rope dropper for many, many years.

I was often able to get 90 percent of my rides/shows done by lunchtime .....and wrapped up each day with a feeling of joy and happiness.

I was able to ride some rides more than once each day and sometimes would hop to a second or third park if I wanted to........I felt free as a bird.

This is not the case anymore.

For the moment, let's put aside the huge cost of resorts, food/beverage, Genie+, and ILL.

Even if G+ were free, it is an inferior product to FP+.

I can even accept the Park Pass requirement for the first park of the day, but park hopping at 2pm it like hitting my kneecaps with a baseball bat.

In the old days, I would often rope drop park number 1 and then hop to park number 2 sometime in the morning.

The present system makes each day feel like we have a national speed limit of 55 again and I am driving around with my parking brake engaged.

If we had little ones in our group, the focus of a typical day would be very different.....even only doing 3 or 4 rides with a child/grandchild, the day's enjoyment is derived from seeing the little ones have a wonderful day.

For years, I tried to maximize the number of days I could be at WDW with my AP.

I would stay off site and on site.

These days, it is not so much that the on site folks have a huge advantage compared to the past.......it is that the off site people barely get adequate leftovers by the time they can enter the park and/or buy ILL rides.

I have trips planned for April/May/Sept/Oct on this AP. (I do not like the super hot months)

I am not going to focus on max days at Disney this year.

I went in Dec 2021, Jan 2022 and have a trip with our daughter (a teacher) over the President's Day weekend.

I will have been 3 times on this AP.......I feel I have broken even on the cost.

I will be cancelling the rest of the trips I had on the books for later this year.

That money and time will be spent elsewhere.

Although some of the environment has been impacted by Covid...... a large part of the reduced experience is due to decisions made by management.

Now......I have not said much about the nickel and diming that really adds up now.

At a value resort, a couple on a trip has to pay an extra $47 each day just to park and use Genie+.

When you add the impact of a diminished experience with the very high cost, the value of the experience has been greatly reduced.

Look......I am a Disney fan.

Disney, Coke, a Big Mac, are all part of a truly American experience. I can not imagine life as we know it if they were to all disappear.

Disney has very good customer service.....if the IT situation was not so mediocre, I would say Disney has some of the best customer service of any company.

However, at this time, the overall experience requires a lot of money, a lot a planning, and each day has a lot of chaos caused by the unpredictability of getting a LL or ILL,........and to be under the gun to compete at 7am for a seat on a ride is not relaxing or enjoyable.
And having my face buried in the phone a good part of the day does not add to my enjoyment either.

I composed this because I saw some small headlines about Disney guests not being really thrilled right now.....I thought I may have been the only one that felt this way.......but there is now a bit of rumbling going on........and social media has the ability to provide us to look at the good and the bad comments.

The experience has changed for the worse.

They better improve it substantially and quickly.

I think many of the 2022 visitors may be so unhappy, they may not return or postpone future trips.

In a way, Disney has messed up my Happy Place................and I am a bit sad about that.

Right on brother. Couldn't agree more.

 

[GrumpySue]

I am saddened to say I also feel Disney is not what it used to be. I LOVED my trips there every year (you can see below) but this year I just cannot see paying ridiculous prices for hotels with no real benefit to staying on property. I can rent a 5 bedroom house with a pool 3 miles away for less that one hotel room, that is ridiculous, and probably what me and my family will do if we ever decide to come back. We were long term Annual Passholders, Tables in Wonderland Card holders (total foodies), and came every year, sometimes twice. It was our place to meet and hang out with our family and have nonstop fun. I was the planner in the family and loved doing it, but the park reservation system just makes it incredibly difficult with so many people in the family wanting to do things together. I was always able to do it before with ease, before the vacation began so that when I got there it was all set up and we were ready to rock, no more. And Disney Genie is stupid, sorry but I do not want to spend my entire vacation on my phone, and if I am up at 7:00 am I do not want to have to jump on it and start planning. That really ruins it for me, bad idea Disney. It has made me very depressed to think that my Happy Place is no more.

 

[RamieGee]

I was buzzing with excitement planning our 3rd big trip that happened this past Nov ‘21. We had the most amazing time on our previous 2 trips and Disney was truly my “Happy Place” (and although I’m usually frugal, the high price never fazed me). After our November trip, I agree with much of what was said here. It’s no where near the same (most of the reasons why have been covered ad nauseum here). For the exorbitant prices, we should NOT have to “lower our expectations.” Or, rather, personally I will not. I think some people have lost perspective of proportionately just how expensive this experience is - I think the FOMO and social media hype have distorted people’s perspectives.

This year we’re doing a 4 night couples getaway to an all-inclusive in Jamaica and then a 7 night east coast Beach House (3 bed, 2 bath) vacation in the summer for all 5 of us. All in - accommodations, airfare to Jamaica (driving to Beach House), food, entertainment/activities, etc. those 2 trips combined will still cost us approx 40% LESS than what our 6 night Disney Trip (all in) cost us. I mean, come on, enough is enough.

I was a HUGE advocate for Disney trips when it was what it was, but I just cannot recommend it to anyone anymore without huge caveats/disclaimers. We don’t currently have any plan to return on our radar, but are brainstorming other adventures to make memories as a family. I’m most sad for my littlest, since it was her first trip (she’s about to turn 6). I always imagined going again before she was a “Disney adult” at 10, but I have my doubts that will happen.

I HATE that I have to write this, trust me. I was a huge fan. But I can’t keep making excuses for all the ways the experience let us down.