The future point overload just got MUCH worse

Nappy1380

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jan 23, 2020
In addition to adding the new use years to the point extension period, they have now given most members who are not locals very little reason to use their points this year:

No DDP
All dining reservations cancelled
All Experiences cancelled
No extra magic hours and decreased operating hours

It's going to be a dog fight to plan your vacations for the next few years as the latest update appears to do nothing but discourage members from using any points in 2020.
 

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Yeah, A WDW trip will not be the same experience for the rest of 2020.

I am hopeful though that by Fall, things will be back to normal but the change to 60 day window for ADR will change the planning of many.
 
My hope? That this actually ends the 6 month reservation bookings. It's ridiculous. We've found we do fine just seeing what's available. I'll usually end up booking a couple things and almost always cancel because we're more go with the flow and find it's too stressful or just not working with what we're actually doing to stick with the reservations.

I'm also much more of a fan of day of FP's. That's what they still do at DL and it works just fine. Some FP lines are getting as long as the standby lines used to be. Actually, in looking at it there's nothing about those changes that would deter me.
 
My hope? That this actually ends the 6 month reservation bookings. It's ridiculous. We've found we do fine just seeing what's available. I'll usually end up booking a couple things and almost always cancel because we're more go with the flow and find it's too stressful or just not working with what we're actually doing to stick with the reservations.

I'm also much more of a fan of day of FP's. That's what they still do at DL and it works just fine. Some FP lines are getting as long as the standby lines used to be. Actually, in looking at it there's nothing about those changes that would deter me.
We would always end up changing our dining reservations because they conflicted with our fast passes. I’m not terribly sad to see fast passes go. The after-hours gone is going to be disappointing. I assume they will shortly announce cancellation of the Halloween party and the F&W festival.
 


I really would have no problem if 6 month ADRs never come back. Doing the DVC reservation at 11 months, then trying to grab BCV or something at 7 months, then ADRs at 6 months, then find with 3 months to go park hours changed and the ADRs don't make sense, then making fast passes and finding on our first day the best rides are already gone so having to rearrange days and ADRs so HS or AK (or whatever has the newest ride) is only later in the trip when there are actually FPs....

Let's face it, there are tons of ways planning a WDW vacation could be easier and more enjoyable, even for those of us who actually knew all the tricks/dates/etc.

Bruce
 
I really would have no problem if 6 month ADRs never come back. Doing the DVC reservation at 11 months, then trying to grab BCV or something at 7 months, then ADRs at 6 months, then find with 3 months to go park hours changed and the ADRs don't make sense, then making fast passes and finding on our first day the best rides are already gone so having to rearrange days and ADRs so HS or AK (or whatever has the newest ride) is only later in the trip when there are actually FPs....

Let's face it, there are tons of ways planning a WDW vacation could be easier and more enjoyable, even for those of us who actually knew all the tricks/dates/etc.

Bruce
For the past few years I felt bad for those who were taking their once in a lifetime trip. They would not know how to plan to get the right fastpasses or get into the best restaurants. It had gotten so complicated that it took experience to put it all together. As frustrating as this is I would welcome a simpler process in the long run.
 
I can go either way, I liked the 180 day ADR s, but as long as everyone has the same chances, 60 days os OK. I do hope they continue to give the "+10" advantage to onsite guests for ADRs.
 


My hope? That this actually ends the 6 month reservation bookings. It's ridiculous. We've found we do fine just seeing what's available. I'll usually end up booking a couple things and almost always cancel because we're more go with the flow and find it's too stressful or just not working with what we're actually doing to stick with the reservations.

I'm also much more of a fan of day of FP's. That's what they still do at DL and it works just fine. Some FP lines are getting as long as the standby lines used to be. Actually, in looking at it there's nothing about those changes that would deter me.
Agree. That said, I've gotten very casual with ADRs, so not sure I care all that much. I can almost always get what we want after we arrive. I only book things like California Grill and CP packages within a few days of window opening.
 
I went to Universal last year..... It was amazing. I got there and without having planned every minute of my vacation in advance I could ride the rides I wanted to and eat where I wanted too. So... I bought their AP and let my Disney one lapse!

I went to Universal and my daughter had a grand time! We stayed at Royal Pacific and had front of the line, early entry and a lovely room.

However, there was little to nothing for me to do. I'm older and don't do intense motion rides. I did enjoy some things but other than the Harry Potter theming, it wasn't my cup of tea.

We ate at many of the food venues and they were all okay. Nothing I'm dying to repeat.

I did find that the team members at Universal were all very nice and accommodating. Other than Harry Potter, it wasn't crowded.

Since we stayed longer than our original ticket, we upgraded to an AP. I went back on my own on a subsequent trip and had very few experiences - a few shows, a few character meet and greets - sort of and I happened upon the Blues Bros doing their show in the street, and loved it.

Will I go back? Not unless it is part of a trip with others - family or friends - where otherwise I would have to separate from my group. I would go and hang out and hold peoples stuff while they rode the rides....
 
It's important to know there will be ADRs, especially with reduced restaurant capacity. Cancelling all of it was the only way to provide any equitable solution to the reduction in capacity vs. what had been allowed to be booked in January and February for July and August, though, and even into fall. Restart the timer, rather than randomly pick who gets bumped.
 
It's important to know there will be ADRs, especially with reduced restaurant capacity. Cancelling all of it was the only way to provide any equitable solution to the reduction in capacity vs. what had been allowed to be booked in January and February for July and August, though, and even into fall. Restart the timer, rather than randomly pick who gets bumped.
They have put this new reservation system together very quickly. As a software engineer I can attest it’s oftentimes the easiest and safest route to simply clear the database and start over rather than putting together all the conversion routines to preserve the existing data. This may be technological prudence rather than concerns around restaurant capacities.
 
They have put this new reservation system together very quickly. As a software engineer I can attest it’s oftentimes the easiest and safest route to simply clear the database and start over rather than putting together all the conversion routines to preserve the existing data. This may be technological prudence rather than concerns around restaurant capacities.
Or both!

Reduced capacities are going to be a factor. I keep using Le Cellier as my example for REASONS and everyone who has ever been there nods when I say it.
 
I like booking FPs ahead of time because we don't do commando trips anymore, but I'd be very happy if they shortened the FP/ADR windows to 90, 60, or even 30 days.

We've given up on a trip this year and are aiming for either Easter or late June next year. My only hope is that the face mask requirement is gone by then. Otherwise I can deal with the other restrictions.
 
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A WDW trip will not be the same experience for the rest of 2020.

I am hopeful though that by Fall, things will be back to normal
I do not see much of a chance that things are going to be "normal" anytime soon---and I think Fall is "soon." Even then, some things are going to be different until and unless (a) R0 is driven below 1 behaviorally, nationwide, for a substantial period; (b) there are effective treatments; or (c) there is an effective vaccine.

(I don't expect any of those things to be true between now and the end of the year, and. maybe for much longer.)
 
I do not see much of a chance that things are going to be "normal" anytime soon---and I think Fall is "soon." Even then, some things are going to be different until and unless (a) R0 is driven below 1 behaviorally, nationwide, for a substantial period; (b) there are effective treatments; or (c) there is an effective vaccine.

(I don't expect any of those things to be true between now and the end of the year, and. maybe for much longer.)

I guess normal wasn’t the right word, I meant capacity back and no reserving of parks,

The elimination of the dining plans and the removal of free dining as a promo...which I don’t see returning anytime soon..is going to impact attendance the next year or so,
 
For inte
What do you mean? They are cancelling them at international parks, or at WDW for international guests? (sorry if I'm being really dense)

International guests have been able to book 2021 packages for months, with dining. Their dining plans for 2021 are being cancelled.
 

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