It’s no surprise that life isn’t what it used to be. We aren’t spending time with people the same way, we aren’t shopping how we used to, a lot of us now work in an entirely new office (a.k.a. the living room couch), so it should come as no shock that we aren’t vacationing the same either.
Most of my vacations have been to Disney World.
I’ve been vacationing at Disney World my whole life. It started as a magical place full of princesses and rides and happy people. My experience with the parks has shifted over the years as I learned more about the people behind the magic, and I even spent a little time as one of those people.
Disney has changed since my first visit at 4 years old. It’s changed since I was there last week, I’m sure. You can’t ride in the front of the monorail anymore, you can’t walk through Mickey and Minnie’s houses, they keep changing the recipes for my favorite foods, and there’s no longer a Main Street Electrical Parade show at nighttime.
More than ever, Disney isn’t what it used to be.
COVID has changed even more than the normal guest demand, or park updates might’ve. There are no more meet and greets with characters, lines are spaced out, and Fast Passes aren’t available. You don’t get to watch the fireworks at the end of the day at Magic Kingdom, and there’s no midday parade to cause a swell of guests to leave the park. It’s simply not the same.
Some of my favorite things about the parks: the street actors at Hollywood Studios, the stage shows, and getting to watch thousands of faces in awe and wonder as Tinker Bell flies across the sky every night, are gone.
Despite all the changes and policies, a trip to Disney is a trip worth taking. Because the best thing about Disney can’t be taken away. The carefree memories made with loved ones to remember for years to come.
The most magical piece of Disney lives on.
I’ve been fortunate enough to make a few trips to the parks since the reopening after COVID. I can tell you first hand that it’s not the same. But I can also tell you that I’ve been able to experience things I haven’t had time to before.
Limited capacity at the parks means that lines are shorter, so you can go on more rides. Not having to rush around to make FastPass times or get somewhere before a show starts lets you have a more relaxed park day.
But more important than going on rides, less stress to get to the next thing means more time to enjoy the people you’re with. Your head isn’t down in your phone trying to book a reservation or refreshing to find the best FastPass. You aren’t concerned with wait times (none of them seemed too accurate while we were there anyway).
So, if you feel safe to, take a trip!
Obviously, safety is the most important thing right now. Don’t do anything that you don’t feel comfortable with. But, if you’re just on the fence about whether on not a trip is worth it right now, I’m here to tell you that it absolutely is.
Even if you don’t feel safe to go anywhere right now, it’s never bad to have something to look forward to. You can book your vacation and move the dates back farther if when the time comes you aren’t ready.
Whether it’s now or later, the best way to plan your vacation is with a travel agent. Travel agents can help you navigate moving reservations around, secure popular dining reservations before they’re all booked, and can offer the most up-to-date travel information.
Contact us today to get a quote on your next trip!
For more information on the updates at Walt Disney World, visit their Know Before You Go site.
*Disclaimer: Even though I totally think a trip right now is worth it, Visit the Magic and I do not take responsibility for the safety of anyone choosing to travel. Choosing to travel is at your own risk or potential reward. *
