Are you still holding onto hope for July/August Vacation Plans?

As of today, I'm ready to cancel our August trip, simply because the anticipation of a trip is supposed to be fun, and right now waiting to see if we an go or if we will want to go isn't fun. But DH is still holding on to the dream. ;)
I like the way your DH is thinking. I also know that this "wait and see" process seems to be taking away the fun of looking forward to vacation. Are you flying or driving? If you are flying, did you buy airfare yet? Is it refundable upon cancellation? If you are planning August like me, I think our window of going or cancelling will be mid June. I have decided that Monday, June 15th is my deadline to make a decision. Right now, my plans are to be in the Central Florida area(Orlando, LBV, Kissimmee, Tampa) from Aug 12th - Sept 5th. My DH doesn't think we are going. So it's a wait and see for us too. I refuse to give up hope YET but I still haven't booked airfare yet. We missed going last year for the first time in 12 years and I can't imagine not going this year either. I guess that is why I am not ready to give up yet. Hang in there....set a date to make the ultimate decision and TRY to stick to it.

Firmly believe they will be open by July.

If they are wide open you'll regret canceling we are just waiting to see for ours...if their open we go they close we will reschedule.
I completely agree with you that I will regret cancelling if they are open by July. Personally, we don't need to go to theme parks to have a GREAT time!! As long as the timeshare resort/condos are fully operational, that is all we need. So where we stay will be important. If we are relying on the activity center and activity teams to keep us entertained, then WHERE we stay is important. DD13 has already added her two-cents and insist we stay at Orange Lake for a week then Westgate Vacation Villas for two weeks. These resorts have EXCELLENT on-site activity staff and schedules to keep you well entertained without having to leave the resort. I've been watching my favorite Vlogs on YouTube, and gift shops, restaurants, Orlando Icon park and other stuff are starting to have "soft" openings, and it's only May. So, I am going to hang in there and make a decision on June 15th. Who knows, when June 15th approaches, I may extend my DECISION DAY into July. :laughing:
 
Are you flying or driving? If you are flying, did you buy airfare yet? Is it refundable upon cancellation?

We're taking the train and our fare is refundable. The bummer is that we got a really killer deal on this train fare and we'll be paying a lot more if we go next summer. But we'll see!
 
Oh, I do hope you get to go. It sounds like a great time with 5 boys! I have a teenage DS, only child, we love bringing a friend along when we travel.

Fingers crossed for all of us!
This is a first for us bringing the whole group of kids. We love our neighbor boys and they are great kids. I worry about entertaining everyone in Clearwater. We thought they would have had a blast at Bonnet Creek and the waterparks we wouldn't really need to do anything to entertain them. We could have waited (and still might have to) but the boys were all so excited we figured we would try a beach vacation. I am sure it will all work out and we will have a great time. I think i might end up cooking more than i had planned but that's fine, it beats being at home and working!
 
This is a first for us bringing the whole group of kids. We love our neighbor boys and they are great kids. I worry about entertaining everyone in Clearwater. We thought they would have had a blast at Bonnet Creek and the waterparks we wouldn't really need to do anything to entertain them. We could have waited (and still might have to) but the boys were all so excited we figured we would try a beach vacation. I am sure it will all work out and we will have a great time. I think i might end up cooking more than i had planned but that's fine, it beats being at home and working!

I know what its like trying to keep young teen boys entertained. When DS27 was 14, we went to Disney. He enjoyed and appreciated the experience, but as a teen, he would have rather went to Universal Studios or SeaWorld because of the thrill rides. Young teen boys don't seem to have much interest in the "MAGIC" of Disney.

I agree that Clearwater may be a safe bet at this point since you know for sure that beaches will be open. Based on your signature, you were planning to visit Disney waterparks. There is a possibility that theme parks will be open by July, But since you are planning Clearwater instead, will you consider going to Busch Gardens Tampa and/or Busch Gardens waterpark if they are open? They should be less crowded than Disney. Or, is Clearwater your plan to substitute instead of going to any parks? We went to Busch Gardens and all the SeaWorld parks in August 2018 and we enjoyed it. It wasn't crowded to the point of long obnoxious lines to get on rides. Also, have you considered still going to Orlando and maybe visiting SeaWorld/Aquatica instead of Disney. With boys in that age group, I think they would enjoy it. It's also more budget friendly. In 2018 I paid $140 per person for a 14 day unlimited ticket that included SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island. Also the tickets include general parking. We always rent a car, so driving to Tampa a few days was a nice change of pace. We used to go to Clearwater beach too, but we did Busch Gardens instead of Clearwater that year. My family had a GREAT time. The rollercoasters in SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are truly phenomenal !!! My DD and my niece are huge coaster fans and I think SeaWorld and Busch Gardens coasters are FAR BETTER than what is offered in Universal Studios or Disney. Go on YouTube and see some of the rides. It's just a suggestion of something to consider. By then, they should be open and I think social distancing will be far more easier at SeaWorld Parks than any Disney or Universal park. The boys will be well entertained and its something there for everyone. The shows at SeaWorld Parks are great too. Plenty of room to social distance and still be entertained. It's just something for you to think about. I promise you, the boys will have a BLAST.
 


I know what its like trying to keep young teen boys entertained. When DS27 was 14, we went to Disney. He enjoyed and appreciated the experience, but as a teen, he would have rather went to Universal Studios or SeaWorld because of the thrill rides. Young teen boys don't seem to have much interest in the "MAGIC" of Disney.

I agree that Clearwater may be a safe bet at this point since you know for sure that beaches will be open. Based on your signature, you were planning to visit Disney waterparks. There is a possibility that theme parks will be open by July, But since you are planning Clearwater instead, will you consider going to Busch Gardens Tampa and/or Busch Gardens waterpark if they are open? They should be less crowded than Disney. Or, is Clearwater your plan to substitute instead of going to any parks? We went to Busch Gardens and all the SeaWorld parks in August 2018 and we enjoyed it. It wasn't crowded to the point of long obnoxious lines to get on rides. Also, have you considered still going to Orlando and maybe visiting SeaWorld/Aquatica instead of Disney. With boys in that age group, I think they would enjoy it. It's also more budget friendly. In 2018 I paid $140 per person for a 14 day unlimited ticket that included SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Adventure Island. Also the tickets include general parking. We always rent a car, so driving to Tampa a few days was a nice change of pace. We used to go to Clearwater beach too, but we did Busch Gardens instead of Clearwater that year. My family had a GREAT time. The rollercoasters in SeaWorld and Busch Gardens are truly phenomenal !!! My DD and my niece are huge coaster fans and I think SeaWorld and Busch Gardens coasters are FAR BETTER than what is offered in Universal Studios or Disney. Go on YouTube and see some of the rides. It's just a suggestion of something to consider. By then, they should be open and I think social distancing will be far more easier at SeaWorld Parks than any Disney or Universal park. The boys will be well entertained and its something there for everyone. The shows at SeaWorld Parks are great too. Plenty of room to social distance and still be entertained. It's just something for you to think about. I promise you, the boys will have a BLAST.

I actually told my husband Busch Garden's might be something to consider. We have been hesitant to make too many plans but we are feeling more optimistic everyday. I worry about the heat. I love the heat when I am in water. But not so much standing in it. I think the boys would love it and it looks like a beautiful park.
 


I actually told my husband Busch Garden's might be something to consider. We have been hesitant to make too many plans but we are feeling more optimistic everyday. I worry about the heat. I love the heat when I am in water. But not so much standing in it. I think the boys would love it and it looks like a beautiful park.

Yeah, I hear you about that heat in July/August. We went in August, and although it was HOT & HUMID, I don't remember being bothered by the heat so much. For one, Busch Gardens is smaller in comparison to Disney. Finding somewhere to sit and rest a moment isn't as difficult. I don't ride coasters so when my family was off enjoying, I was browsing a gift shop or relaxing on a bench. The crowd level isn't as massive as Disney. I hope your DH considers it. Good Luck and have fun planning. No matter what you decide, I hope you have a FABULOUS vacation.
 
We cancelled our late July but as I was cancellingn the Hoop Dee Doo, I realized we could reschedule to late August so we are discussing that option now. One of the children in our group has asthma - it's an impossible situation. The Northeast is discussing not opening schools in the fall.
 
I have a 6-day PH starting August 16 for a solo trip, but that's the extent of my booking thus far. Sadly I think it's no better than 50-50 that the theme parks will have reopened by then. Also, even if they have reopened, not sure what they will do with me under "limited capacity" operations. Maybe they'll bump my ticket dates further down the road and say they won't be valid during certain time periods.

Still, I recognize that Disney needs to do this right and whatever will be, will be. Any modified regime that lets me into ROTR will be perfectly fine. 👍
 
I have a 6-day PH starting August 16 for a solo trip, but that's the extent of my booking thus far. Sadly I think it's no better than 50-50 that the theme parks will have reopened by then. Also, even if they have reopened, not sure what they will do with me under "limited capacity" operations. Maybe they'll bump my ticket dates further down the road and say they won't be valid during certain time periods.

Still, I recognize that Disney needs to do this right and whatever will be, will be. Any modified regime that lets me into ROTR will be perfectly fine. 👍

Not too long ago, my late July seemed like 90% and now, you're right, late August feels 50/50,
 
Not too long ago, my late July seemed like 90% and now, you're right, late August feels 50/50,
did i miss something? WDW UO and SW all proposing plans to open with dates today or tomorrow. SW wants to open by end of June. most speculate UO and WDW will be open by July to mid July if not earlier. 50/50 for August?
 
did i miss something? WDW UO and SW all proposing plans to open with dates today or tomorrow. SW wants to open by end of June. most speculate UO and WDW will be open by July to mid July if not earlier. 50/50 for August?
Disney Springs and Universal Walk opened some restaurants/stores. Very hard to say if July 1 is a realistic date for park and hotel openings or just another placeholder to deal with cancellations in smaller groups (as they did when they first said May 15, June 1, etc). We live one hour from WDW and know employees that have yet to hear anything more re call back dates and would think they would need at least a week lead before opening. They furloughed 100,000 employees so getting them back will take a bit. So hard to say at this point.
 
Disney Springs and Universal Walk opened some restaurants/stores. Very hard to say if July 1 is a realistic date for park and hotel openings or just another placeholder to deal with cancellations in smaller groups (as they did when they first said May 15, June 1, etc). We live one hour from WDW and know employees that have yet to hear anything more re call back dates and would think they would need at least a week lead before opening. They furloughed 100,000 employees so getting them back will take a bit. So hard to say at this point.
 
CNBC later reported that Disney will not be submitting reopening plans at that time (see further down in post) Sorry, I was only referring to Disney not the other parks.
yes they will submit tomorrow or Monday. UO will go today with a plan and date. Sea World has made it know they want end of June. WDW will quickly follow...competitive urgency!
 
yes they will submit tomorrow or Monday. UO will go today with a plan and date. Sea World has made it know they want end of June. WDW will quickly follow...competitive urgency!
Fingers crossed!! We had a trip to DC for Spring Break cancelled, a trip to DL Paris & Italy cancelled for summer, and a WDW trip for this weekend (Memorial Day) cancelled. Certainly counting our blessings we are not sick but it has been very sad as we have planned some for quite some time with friends, etc. Even to salvage a quick WDW getaway this summer would be welcomed!!!
 
No offense intended to the poster at all from the heart but still a big nothing burger. A giant stall. A we'll see. Smoke and mirrors again. Nothing of substance. More of the same. People's time and money dangling. If it's all about the safety, then close already. Close for the year. Just SAY IT! If it's union issues, spell it out. But stop playing the games. Give people a minimum date so they can move on and plan!
 

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