Anyone nervous about how they will feel once they get to WDW in COVID-era

[TinkB278]

I keep booking trips to WDW on DVC points but I keep finding myself chickening out and canceling or postponing the trip, pushing it back to a later date. I think it’s because I have this underlying anxiety that once I get there I will feel uncomfortable regarding crowds and the virus, as well as just the way things are now. I work at home so I’m not used to wearing a mask for long bouts of time, and definitely not at a theme park in Florida. I want to go so bad, but I keep getting scared that once I’m already there I’ll feel like I’ve made a mistake.

Being a DVC member adds an extra layer of complexity with banking windows etc. My banking window closes 5/31 so as that approaches I keep finding myself going back and forth on “do I just go for it because things won’t be changing any time soon” or “just bank what you can and rent out what’s left of you are feeling nervous”? We aren’t in a high risk group for the virus so I wouldn’t say I’m super concerned about the virus itself (although that’s always in the back of my mind) but I’m just worried about spending money on plane and park tickets just to be stuck in an uncomfortable situation for several days.

I was just curious how others are feeling and handling thoughts like this?

 

[rocketriter]

We cancelled a trip planned for just-past January because we were alarmed by the holiday surge and the emergence of new strains of the virus. We were close to our use-year transition so that cost us a few points, but Member Services was good about helping us clean up the rest.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Watch this. I'm going to quietly click "DVC Mouscellaneous" again after I post something very general and very brief, and move on to another topic, even as badly as I so want to post a more complete answer.

Why? Because you've asked question that is impossible to openly discuss on this board (and most others, in all fairness).

We've been this past August for 9 nights and at Thanksgiving for 6 nights. Can't wait until our 7 night trip at Easter. I just wish we could have the full F&G experience we've become accustomed to. But it ain't gonna happen, so it is what it is. But it sure beats work.

You've only got one life to live. Nobody gets to do this again, and tomorrow is never guaranteed anyway.

 

[Marionnette]

I keep booking trips to WDW on DVC points but I keep finding myself chickening out and canceling or postponing the trip, pushing it back to a later date. I think it’s because I have this underlying anxiety that once I get there I will feel uncomfortable regarding crowds and the virus, as well as just the way things are now. I work at home so I’m not used to wearing a mask for long bouts of time, and definitely not at a theme park in Florida. I want to go so bad, but I keep getting scared that once I’m already there I’ll feel like I’ve made a mistake.

Being a DVC member adds an extra layer of complexity with banking windows etc. My banking window closes 5/31 so as that approaches I keep finding myself going back and forth on “do I just go for it because things won’t be changing any time soon” or “just bank what you can and rent out what’s left of you are feeling nervous”? We aren’t in a high risk group for the virus so I wouldn’t say I’m super concerned about the virus itself (although that’s always in the back of my mind) but I’m just worried about spending money on plane and park tickets just to be stuck in an uncomfortable situation for several days.

I was just curious how others are feeling and handling thoughts like this?

Ironically, I just agreed to take a quick April trip with my brother and sister.

We were there in October. Lines were long but people were pretty good about social distancing and mask compliance. I felt most uncomfortable in the airports and on the plane. Disney was doing a great job of keeping things sanitized. Not so much in the airports.

You really have to decide based on your own comfort level. I just got my second vaccine dose this morning, so I'm a lot less wary about traveling than I was in October. My misgivings about going to Disney have more to do with all the limitations (park hours, dining choices, etc). But if you feel that your anxiety over COVID will have a huge impact on your ability to enjoy your trip, then postponing is the best thing you can do.

 

[Chuck S]

Personally, I'm likely losing 45 points that expire May 31 (banked 2019 points) All of my 2020 and 2021 points plus 19 borrowed 2022 points are being used for a Thanksgiving week trip for an 11 person trip requiring a GV and a two bedroom for as many real beds as we need. As far as being concerned about COVID in November, hopefully everyone in my party will be fully vaccinated by then, even though I'm sure we'll still be under mask restrictions and other theme park restrictions...but as long as we're vaccinated, I think we'll have a good time. I get Moderna shot #2 next week. AS to the 45 points, if I had enough that had to be used that I could book a week at the end of May, I'd probably go. But it isn't worth it to me to fly down for just a day or two.

 

[Castillo Mom]

Everyone has their own comfort level and needs to do what's best for their personal situation but I can share mine.

I haven't gone to WDW post pandemic. I'm a California native who lives 15 minutes away from the happiest place on earth, one of my kids is a former CM at DLR and his wife a current CM who works at DTD. We've all followed CDC guidelines to a T, no gathering with anyone outside of our household, social distancing at work, double masking, staying indoors and almost exclusively have groceries or takeout delivered. Despite all of that, my son and DIL got COVID, but thank God their cases were mild. We all live under the same roof by the way, my two lovebirds returned to the nest at the start of the pandemic. My other two sons who also live with me didn't catch it, likely because we were fierce with social distancing and sanitizing in the home.

All that being said, we have a 15 might trip planned in September for F&W and to enjoy the 50th festivities. We've set our expectations low and know that it'll be a modified experience. The rules might be a bit more relaxed by then, but if not, that's ok with us. As for our fears, we don't really have any. As a manager in healthcare, I was one of the first to get vaccinated. My three kids are essential workers who will qualify to get the vaccine as of next week and my DIL has an underlying condition so will qualify then as well. For us, being immunized is a major factor in our comfort level in addition to what Disney has implemented in terms of safety precautions.

From a healthcare worker standpoint, I could say much more but don't want to cause any controversy or give the appearance that I'm trying to push a particular agenda, so I'll bite my tongue on that one.

EDITED TO ADD: I forgot to mention my thoughts on masking. In my household, based on our jobs, we mask up daily so having to do it in WDW isn't a big deal for us. In addition, when my two lovebirds contracted COVID, we all masked up in the home for 21 straight days. It really wasn't a big deal and was worth it.

 

[Brian Noble]

I was just curious how others are feeling and handling thoughts like this?

We have followed most of the advice: We've completely avoided indoor dining, cafes, gyms, etc. We shop in-person, but try to keep those trips to a minimum. We did do one short air trip for an important family gathering in November (not to WDW). It was incredibly stressful, and I'm not sure that we would have done it if we knew what it would feel like before we left.

We cancelled several other leisure trips. For our timeshares, we banked what we could and deposited the rest for exchange. We have two drive-to trips planned in late Spring/early Summer, and have our annual two weeks in Kauai scheduled for early August. We are not sure which, if any, will actually happen.

I am not sure how long it will take me to feel comfortable in an indoor crowd, even post-vaccination.

 

[dez1978]

I am not worried about the masks, social distancing etc at all. I am worried about the lines and the crowds and wait times that have been so high the last couple of weeks. For what it's worth though, I work in a mental health facility so I have been going to work everyday as usual thru all of this. We don't have any curbside pick up or delivery within 45 mins of where I live, so I've been grocery shopping as normal. My kids have been in school all year. So I guess I just quit stressing out about it several months ago because my risk was always there. But I was fortunate to get my vaccines last month as well.

 

[purrenh1]

My family is going in mid-March. Our biggest concern is the several variants of the virus floating around that are deadlier and more transmittable. We plan to mitigate our risk in a few ways: few or no rides with long indoor queuing areas (like Soarin'); only 1 meal in a location that does not offer outdoor seating; being willing to not do something (a ride, restaurant, or even an outdoor area) that seems unsafe because of, for example, how crowded that area is, or the prevalence of other guests not following masking and distance rules. But we are also going in with an attitude that it's OK to enjoy the resorts (AKL and Poly) more than ever given that we'll be in our room and in outdoor recreation areas more than ever. We feel like we need a getaway from being cooped up at home and Michigan weather. Everyone's tolerance for risk is different even though the level of threat is the same for all (obviously less so if you are vaccinated, which none of us will be). Good luck out there.

 

[mickeymom629]

We cancelled our large family trip for December, rebooked January and cancelled. All 2019 points expire 5/31 this year so I booked 5 nights for late April for just DH and me (2 bdrm OKW). DH will be fully vaccinated by then but I doubt I will even have one shot by then. We are driving from MD. DS25 may also come with us, as he will be vaccinated by then, too. They are both 'critical manufacturing'.

We have been fairly careful this past year. DH has been going to work and doing all the shopping and sleeping in a separate room since last March. We have been wearing masks when we are in the same room, sit at opposite ends of the dining room table to eat, and disinfecting. The only people I've been around are my sons, DILs and 3 small grandchildren (4, 4, 1), but we all wear masks. I did go to my office a few times but was as careful as possible.

I am mostly going to use the points and to get to Guest Services in DS to see what is on our really old tickets and to have all of our tickets put on my MDE. We are hoping for a day at HS and MK, using any old tickets (I would never pay the current prices for the current experience!), but don't care if we don't get to a park. We will not eat in restaurants and I plan to pack food for us. I will bring all PPE and try to be as safe as possible. BTW, DH and I were planning to go even if he wasn't vaccinated.

When I read peoples' trip reports, I feel pretty good about going. Then I hear about someone having Covid and dying from it and I think - "using my DVC points are not worth losing my life".

So, as of now, I'm excited, not looking forward to the long drive, and hoping for the best.

 

[TheMick424]

This is such an interesting topic, and one that definitely brings out many viewpoints. I think my feelings have evolved over time, but my day job is Risk Management so that is likely impacting my opinion. In the end everyone has to make their own determination on the level of risk they are willing to take vs. the reward. My DH and I are able to work from home so that has been a huge blessing. We mask and social distance when outside the house and limit our trips to stores, etc., but wouldn't say that we have eliminated them entirely. My kids attend school in-person which has been a big success in our community because of the strict protocols. We also have a "bubble" of sorts with my in-laws that live in our town. My in-laws and parents are scheduled to receive their vaccines within the next couple of weeks. No one in our family is immunocompromised. So, we have a trip planned for late April to use our DVC points (which we pushed out once) and I think we are going to keep it. I'm a little nervous, but I think we need the get-away for our mental health. As another poster said, nothing in life is guaranteed. We recently lost two family members within the span of a month to sudden illness that was not related to covid, and it really made me think. Good luck with whatever you decide, because that decision will be the right one for you.

 

[Jonfw2]

Selfishly, no. Because my wife and I will be fully vaccinated when we go (March 19) and I'm not worried at all about my 15 year old daughter.

 

[TinkB278]

.

When I read peoples' trip reports, I feel pretty good about going. Then I hear about someone having Covid and dying from it and I think - "using my DVC points are not worth losing my life".

This is exactly what happens to me. I get myself all worked up and excited about going thinking “see that Disney blogger is there every day and they are fine” but then I hear about someone dying of Covid and I wonder how I could even consider going. I’ve been going in nonstop circles on this.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

We are likely postponing our November trip to next November. Even though I work in a school (as does my DH) and mask up everyday, I have been shell-shocked by Covid. I just have no desire to be in large crowds, not so much because I'm scared of Covid but more because it's been so long since I've been in a crowd I get anxious thinking about it. We also don't want a partial experience. We are both fully vaccinated now, but we went to Hilton Head last October and had a wonderful time. Our plan this year is to go to Hilton Head once or twice to use up our points. Spending time enjoying the outdoors just causes less anxiety for me than being around the crowds at WDW.

 

[princesscinderella]

We have done resort only stays 4 times since COVID reopening. We have had a wonderful time, so if you aren’t comfortable going to the parks there’s still fun to be had with a resort only stay. We did mini golf, toured all the DVC rooms they are showcasing right now, pool time etc. We rode the gondolas which were fun. Just seeing a different set of walls and relaxing without the home to do list always in the background has been great thing for our family.

 

[mac_tlc]

We have a stay at OKW scheduled for the end of March, but unless we have at least our first shot, it won’t be happening. I’ll lose 126 points but it’s not worth any risk to save them. We are both in our 60s and wife has other risk factors.

The limited offerings are not a problem for us. What is however is the fact that others do not share our concerns and their actions can have an impact on us. We will wait patiently (we’ll, maybe not patiently) for our place in the vaccination line, which in CT will open up on Monday. A few days after the first shot we will head down to our house in Orlando and maybe a few days at OKW.

mac_tlc

 

[cvjw]

Visited disney for 6 nights in August, 11 nights in September and currently here for 9 more nights. If we were worried or anxious, we wouldn’t keep coming back. Keeping a mask on in the heat is the worst part for us.

 

[minniqt7]

Been 4 times since Covid. Hubby works in a hospital and has been working tirelessly every day since it all began. I am recently retired from retail. Hubby has both shots I am still ineligible. Going this weekend for 10 days. .We do own a second home also in Fla. so we spend time there and at Disney. We fly down and we do the parks and outdoor dining. We have practiced the same safety measures- masks ,distance, and hand washing/sanitizing since the beginning. . We sanitize the plane the DVC room and constantly use the hand sanitizer. DH wears a mask all day every day so he is used to it. I am fine with it even in the 90 degree heat. If we feel uncomfortable in a certain place we go in another direction or leave the area .We don't do Disney on the weekends as it is more crowded. I feel Disney has done a wonderful job in the area of safety. Other parts of Fla not so much but we only go to places that we feel comfortable ex Publix. Just keep being vigilant and have a good time.! I always pray that I will stay safe but I feel like you have to live your life the way YOU want to. If you are very afraid stay home and go at a later date. Disney will be there for you when you're ready. as for me I am ready to go every day. Stay safe!!!

 

[goofystitch]

We will be visiting WDW next month and cannot wait to go. There has been a lot of hype about this virus and it is indeed scary. Life is full of risks and everyone has their own risk tolerance. IMO, if you are fearful about the trip then you will not enjoy it so it might be better to wait. You could bank those points and then splurge on your next trip.

 

[Akck]

We visited in September 2020 as an impromptu trip to replace a Disneyland trip. We also had a December 2020 trip planned from the January before. We have an April trip scheduled for Flower & Garden. We’ve taken precautions to minimize the risks, including being willing to walk out of any place if we felt uncomfortable, which we didn’t, and limiting use of public transportation by renting cars for each trip.

In addition, we’ve visited our granddaughter and her parents twice during this period. A requirement for our state is to quarantine or get tested upon returning. We’ve tested negative 8 times (twice per trip). What we’ve learned from this is you can safely travel as long as you take precautions. While Covid was on our minds during our first trip, it never made us feel nervous or overly concerned, and even less so with each trip. That doesn’t mean we let our guard down, it just means taking precautions became second nature.

As for mask wearing, we’re retired, so we wear them mainly in stores. Our longest periods wearing them have been on flights. I’ve found that adding a silicone mask frame helps as it gives you a small pocket to breathe in. A car rental helps too as it is 20-40+ minute mask break in AC, compared to bus transportation.