To ensure we are equipping our readers with all the information they need, we will continue to report on all travel, safety, and COVID-related news that could impact a Disney Parks visit.
The Omicron variant has been spreading across the country.
Disney World
We asked our readers if their plans have changed due to the Omicron variant to see how Disney World plans might be affected. 2,500 readers noted that their plans HAVE changed.
We asked the question on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and got a variety of responses. On Instagram, approximately 24% of readers said that yes, plans have changed. Here are some of the more in-depth responses.
Yes, we want to be cautious.
Some of our readers responded that yes, their plans are changing out of an abundance of caution. One reader noted, “Yes, especially after seeing it spread quickly where my husband works. We’ll wait to head back to Disney until our little one is old enough to get vaccinated.”
Tower of Terror
Some concerns are more about the flight to Disney World than the situation in the parks themselves. “Sooo sad,” one reader said, “We were supposed to go on 1/22 but with two under 4 that couldn’t be vaccinated it just doesn’t seem safe anymore to fly there.”
Spaceship Earth
And some are only changing plans a little bit. The whole trip might not be canceled, but they have upgraded their mask game, “Not really, except we ordered kn95 masks. We’ve always used cloth masks up until now.”
Yes, we can’t go now.
For some Disney fans, the trip plans have changed due to government changes. We saw several comments from Canadian readers who had to cancel due to Canadian government travel advisories.
Slinky Dog Dash
Several readers also had flights canceled or moved due to the Omicron variant’s effect on flight crews. This, of course, has involuntarily changed plans.
Yes, we got sick.
Unfortunately, some readers have also had to cancel due to contracting COVID-19. One reader said, “First day was supposed to be tomorrow and the whole family tested positive.”
Animal Kingdom
Additionally, some people have had to change their trips because they’ve already had the virus. One reader noted, “Possibly but that is cause we have it now and I haven’t worked in 2 weeks. My daughter just missed more days of school before the break…so it may not be a great idea for more financial and educational reasons for us to go.”
Yes, we’re nervous about precautions.
Some readers changed plans because they’re hesitant to travel when precautions are uncertain. Some guests, for instance, waited to plan a trip until mask mandates were at a lighter level more suited to their family. If those mandates return, it could change plans.
Cinderella Castle
One reader said, “I’m worried they’re going to bring masks back outside so we canceled but I am also about to rebook because I want to go!”
No, the precautions are enough.
For some guests, plans are staying solid even amid worries. For them, the precautions at Disney World are enough. One reader said, “We checked with our doctor and other medical practitioners and they all said if we stay masked and follow the other precautions we should be fine. So we will be there tomorrow with all of our armor and as much good sense as we can apply.”
Disney Springs
“I definitely paused before purchasing my tickets,” another noted, “But I’m vaccinated and boosted, am going during a quieter time of year, plan to wear a mask and wash my hands often, and am in desperate need of a vacation. I feel I’m being as responsible as possible.”
EPCOT!
Plenty of other responses echoed these sentiments. In fact, it was probably the most popular stance taken in written responses.
No, we’re tired of rescheduling.
And finally, some guests either don’t have new concerns due to Omicron or are just not willing to reschedule again. One reader noted, “We are still planning on being there at the end of January. I’ve never been away for this long and my heart misses Disney so bad. We’ve already canceled and rescheduled our trip 3 times.”
Pandora — The World of Avatar
If you want to weigh in on questions like this one, follow us on social media. And, as always, stay tuned to DFB so you’re in the loop about your Disney vacation.
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Has the Omicron variant changed your Disney plans? Let us know in the comments.
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My government has advised us not to travel ( im from Canada). My whole family is vaccinated, some has their 3rd shot too, masks don’t bother any of us and we al have sanitizer in our park bags.
We’re not changing plans and will be there on Jan 14th 😁
We just canceled for the second time since all of this began. The last time we went, our son was 2 (and free!) We’ve missed out on his last year of being free, all this time to go when it’s lower crowd seasons before he starts school, all this magical time when he’s obsessed with the characters, it’s hard, it’s hard as a parent to know when to be overly cautious and when to feel like you’re doing what you can but still living life. We are so grateful to be healthy, and to have a possible vaccine for our 4 year old son coming soon, but it’s still a bummer to have lost the opportunities and memories.
Good for them. More resort and park availability for me and my wife.
We were at Magic Kingdom on New Years Eve celebrating with the other 10,000 people in the Hub and neither of us got sick.
I totally understand the person that said she’s tired of rescheduling. We were initially supposed to go in September of 2020. We already had all our dining and special events reservations made when Covid hit. Since then we’ve rescheduled twice and are finally planning to go in May. I figured we were committed when we bought Cirque du Soleil tickets. I hope everything works out.
Brandon, I hope you had fun!
Kayt, have a fun trip!
Re: DFB Sarah,
It was Awesome! I told my wife that this weekend was probably my favorite trip to Disney in the past year. It was great! The Magic Kingdom was surprisingly NOT that busy (Comparatively Speaking). We were able to ride EVERYTHING on New Years Eve. Then we spent the next 3 nights finishing our day at MK.
Hollywood Studios was the only park where waits times were outrageous.
Brandon, I’m glad to hear you had a great time!
We were there on Christmas day. My wife was exposed to omicron that day at Disney. We were on an every other day at the park schedule. Wife came down with omicron at the end of the day at Animal Kingdom on Monday. This pretty well did her and my trip in. We had taken our children and grandchildren (4 additional adults and 2 kids). They continued on with their trip. Eventually, everyone except the two grandkids came down with omicron. Everyone except the grandkids had been fully vaccinated and two adults had also had their boosters and flu shots. Be prepared to get sick if you go. The good news is omicron is not any worse than an average cold and it appears everyone will probably eventually get omicron.