It’s been a year since Disney closed its theme parks due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was no small feat – until 2016, Disney parks accounted for 40% of its annual revenue, so the company was understandably eager to reopen as soon as possible, especially considering that the closures occurred shortly after the 2019 bi-coastal openings of its new major Star Wars attraction, Galaxy’s Edge, which was designed to attract thousands of additional participants to California and Florida parks.
In June 2020 Disney reopened two of its four Florida-based theme parks for tens of thousands of visitors, with the latest two parks opening not long after. At a time when Florida was seeing registration numbers of the COVID-19 cases, guests were still willing to risk everything for a piece of Disney magic. And now, with vaccine distribution increasing and park capacity restrictions easing, park tickets are once again selling. Even if you’re not ready to face the crowds yet, it’s time to start planning ahead if a trip is on your post-COVID wish list: Now is the time to book your trip to Disney for 2022, before the inevitable travel boom.
Plan a more distant visit to have better chances of a dream vacation
Before you are able to do anything in the Disney World website, you receive a notice at the top of the page: “Certain parks, hotels, restaurants and other offers may be modified or unavailable, limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, and admission to the park and offers is not guaranteed. ”In February 2021, Disney World was operating only 35% of capacity. Some resorts, restaurant options and park attractions are still not opening up to mitigate crowds and promote a safer park experience – not exactly what you’re looking for after dragging the whole family to Florida and spending hundreds on tickets and hotels.
So, wait a minute: Disney CEO Bob Chapek believes that collective immunity will greatly reduces the need for masks and social detachment in the parks in 2022. Chapek’s feeling does not mean that park operations will be back to pre-pandemic “normal”, but some of the advantages and comforts you remember from previous visits may return, from certain dining options to increase the availability of the resort.
Use the site booking calendar to see the park’s availability for your travel date. While there are still a few openings in the coming summer, you can make reservations until January 2023 – and if things haven’t improved by then, booking a preferred room at the Grand Floridian will be the least of our worries.
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Know before you go
Before making concrete plans, explore the “Know before you go”Website, which offers detailed information on parks’ COVID-19 policies and tools to help you plan a safe trip. THE “My Disney ExperienceThe app has built-in features to personalize your trip to Disney, including up-to-date information about the regulations and procedures you need to follow as a guest. Download this tool as you make your plans to be fully informed about how your trip can be, even with months of travel.
Take advantage of all of Disney’s planning resources. THE “planDisneyThe website has a ton of information about activities, special attractions, events and more and can connect you to a “planDisney panelist” to answer any questions that come up along the way.
Make ticket reservations
To regulate the number of parks and ensure social distance, all ticket buyers must also have pre-existing reservations. The website states, “Given the limited availability of park reservations, it is recommended that you make your theme park reservations immediately after purchasing your admission. After purchasing a ticket, use the Disney Park Pass reservation system to secure your place. Again, given the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, it is unclear when these restrictions can be loosened further – so it is best to go in with your eyes open.
Disney offers a variety of ticket options. You can buy single-day tickets, multi-day tickets and park tickets, along with a multitude of packages that include dinners and special services. But even if you have a park ticket, you will still need to make a reservation for the park you will be visiting, which means that planning your trip will need a certain level of attention to detail. Disney’s reservation restrictions state: “The ability to visit a park is subject to the park’s capacity limitations. At this time, park reservation is not required after the first park, however, reservation requirements are subject to change. ”Make sure you have a backup plan for your second or third park, if your first choice is full.
Choose an available resort
If you are looking forward to staying at one of Disney World’s many resorts, please be aware that currently only select resorts are available for reservation. (It looks like my dream of waking up to a luxurious view of giraffes grazing in Animal Kingdom is on hold for now.) You can wait and see when your favorite room will be available again, but you risk losing out amid the oncoming travel boom.
Disney offered booking flexibility until April 30, waiving all cancellation and alteration fees. If this offer is extended, you can change your reservation to the room of your choice as the resorts continue to open.