Y’all might not know this, but we’re involved in a very serious relationship. We’ve been in it for a LONG time. And guess what — a lot of you have been in the same relationship too.
Matching Shirts!
Of course, we’re not actually talking about another person here. We’re talking about Disney World! Like other relationships, your experience with Disney World probably involves lots of happy memories, some exciting moments, and maybe even a little tension occasionally. But we wanted to know — what are your Disney World DEALBREAKERS? We asked on our readers on social media, and we got a LOT of responses.
As much as we (and a lot of you) love Disney World, there are some things that have us saying, “Um, NOPE.” It might be bad weather, massive crowds, or ride closures, but everyone has their limits — even when it comes to The Most Magical Place on Earth.
Rainy day
In addition, Disney World has been going through a lot of changes recently, and it has prompted some people to reconsider their relationship status with the theme parks. Here’s what our readers said were their Disney World dealbreakers:
Crowds
One reader said “Crowds. We don’t go during crowd peak times.” The crowds in Disney World are no joke! Especially during the busy seasons (like summer and holidays), the parks can get very “people-y.”
Crowds
Maybe you don’t like being surrounded by lots of people, or maybe you just don’t want to deal with the long lines. Another reader mentioned high wait times, which can result from the bigger crowds: “3-hour wait for Rise of the Resistance. It’s a great ride, but not worth the 180-minute wait.”
Rise of the Resistance
Most people don’t want to pay for a vacation just to stand in lines all day long, like one reader said: “I’m not going [during peak time] and standing in line for twelve hours to ride only six rides. The off-season for me!” And those crowds don’t just impact the attractions. Higher crowd levels mean guests will also be waiting longer for meals, transportation, getting through security, and having less elbow room at the pools. If you’re visiting during a popular time, you’ll need to pack your patience pants or maybe see if there’s wiggle room in your schedule to rebook during a less people-y time.
Click Here to Find Over 15 Secret Walkways to Beat the Crowds in Disney World
Heat
Heat is one thing. But Orlando humidity is a whole other monster in itself. Combined, the warm weather and humidity can make summer vacations in Disney World almost unbearable.
That Florida sun can be brutal!
One reader said their dealbreaker was the heat: “We don’t go during the hottest part of summer.”
Sunny day
Another agreed, saying, “Summer is way way way way too hot and miserable.”
Misters in Magic Kingdom
So if you’re sensitive to the heat, you may want to avoid Disney World during the summer months. Set your sights on the months between November and April, that’s when the weather is its mildest in Orlando, but beware of crowds around those holidays! Extra bonus, if you travel during the winter, you can escape the cold, and the crowds are (usually) a little bit lower around late January/February. We have seen higher crowds during these months this year though.
See Some Tips for Surviving the Heat in Disney World
Closures
Disney World is consistently updating and maintaining attractions, which often means certain rides will be closed at various times.
Walt Disney World Railroad is closed
One reader mentioned these refurbishments as their dealbreaker: “Certain ride refurbishments. If any of the mountains are scheduled for refurb or Pirates is down for refurb we will change the dates.”
Splash Mountain is closed right now
Double-check Disney World’s schedule before you head out on your vacation — you don’t want to get all the way there and then realize your favorite ride will be unavailable.
Expedition Everest is closed
Conversely, one reader mentioned that certain attractions being OPEN was their dealbreaker. They said they refuse to go to Disney World “with anybody who wants to ride A Journey Into Imagination with Figment.”
Click Here to See Everything That Will Be Closed in Disney World This Month
No EPCOT Festival
EPCOT often has festivals going on, like the Food & Wine Festival or Festival of the Arts. These events have extra entertainment, merchandise, and food booths around the park.
We’re at the EPCOT Festival of the Arts!
Some guests love these festivals so much that they won’t go to Disney World without them! One reader said they wouldn’t go “if there isn’t an active festival at Epcot.”
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
Luckily, there are only a few time during the year that DON’T have EPCOT festivals, so odds are good that one will be happening during your trip. And if you want to scope out all of the EPCOT Festivals and what they have to offer, we’ve got you covered!!
Click Here to See Our Favorite Snacks at This Year’s Festival of the Arts
Fewer Perks and Systemic Cancelations
Disney has been changing a lot over the last couple of years, and some of those changes have involved taking away certain perks. FastPass+, free PhotoPass for Annual Passholders, and Magical Express are a few of the perks that are no longer available in Disney World.
Magical Express is gone
These changes were some of the most frequently mentioned as our readers’ dealbreakers. One reader said, “No fast passes and fewer perks. Also no magical express. Disney used to be the only vacation I want, now I’m not even sure I want to go.”
Why You’ll Pay MORE to Get LESS Now in Disney World
No Dining Plan
The Disney Dining Plan has not yet returned to the parks, but it’s possible that it will return at some point. We don’t have a return date for it right now.
Disney Dining Plan Shirt
One reader said their dealbreaker was “no more dining plans….it kind of makes the magic disappear.”
Lots of food at Cosmic Ray’s
Another shared their sentiments: “One thing that has stopped us [from going back to Disney World] has been the dining plan. It helped us so much! Super bummed no ETA or specifics on if it’ll ever come back.” You can “make your own dining plan” by buying up Disney Gift Cards in advance to pay for your meals, but we get it, that Dining Plan is super convenient!
Could the Disney Dining Plan Be a Better Deal When It Comes Back?
Genie+
Another highly controversial change was removing free FastPass+ in exchange for the paid Genie+. This service costs $15 per person, per day and allows you to reserve your spot in the Lightning Lanes (previously called FastPass lanes) of certain attractions.
Lightning Lane
One reader said, “Genie + just makes me angry. Not only do we have to pay for something that was free, but I have to get up extra early to reserve attractions or we won’t be able to go on them easily. With 4 people, it’s a huge extra expense.” $15 per person, per day, does add up, so guests now have to add that extra expense into their budget, or make the most of their time in the standby line. You don’t need Genie+ to ride attractions (standby lines are always available), but that expedited lane sure does make it convenient!
Click Here to Learn All About Genie+ In Disney World
Annual Pass Sales Paused
At the time of writing, Annual Pass sales have been paused. They’ve been unavailable for a few months now, and that’s turning into a dealbreaker for some guests.
Annual Pass
One reader said, “not being able to get annual passes” was the reason they’re not visiting Disney World right now. Frequent visitors can use an Annual Pass to get into the parks and take advantage of discounts on some merchandise and dining. Without those deals, a trip might not be worth it to some people.
Click Here to Learn All About the Disney World Annual Pass Program
Magical Express
Recently, Disney canceled the Magical Express program, this service shuttled guests from the Orlando International Airport to their Disney World hotel (and back) as part of their vacation package.
Magical Express bus
Now, you can choose from a few different options to get between the airport and your hotel, but all of them cost extra now. One reader said, “Honestly for my family, it was the [end of] magical express. We’ve been going for years and years. When they announced the magical express was ending that was enough for us to look at other vacation options.” When factoring in the extra cost for a rental car (plus parking fees!), a ride-share, or the replacement airport shuttle services, that just adds to the bottom line increasing the overall cost of a Disney vacation. These little extra charges here and there add up, and are now impacting guest decisions on if Disney World is their desired destination anymore.
Click Here to Learn About the Magical Express Replacement Options
Park Hop Limits
Park hopping in Disney World means visiting more than one park in a day. This option is available right now, but it has some new limits. Guests can’t park hop before 2PM each day.
Park hopping has its own set of rules
One of our readers said the “limited ability to park hop” was their dealbreaker for Disney World.
Learn About a Potential Park Hopping Problem
Phone Requirements
With the new Genie, Genie+, Mobile Order, Online Check-In, and other systems in place, it’s very difficult to navigate Disney World without a smartphone. Some people don’t like that you’ve got to use your phone so much during a vacation.
Make sure you bring your phone!
One reader said, “[I’m] irritated at everything being on a cell phone. I go on vacation to escape normal life. I want to enjoy my $5000 vacation and not be looking at a phone all the time.”
Click Here to Learn About Another Use for Your Smartphone in Disney World
Masks and COVID
Currently, guests are still required to wear a mask while indoors in Disney World. Some guests say that this mandate is the reason they haven’t returned to the parks.
Mask Sign
Others cite the pandemic in general as their Disney World dealbreaker.
COVID-19 Health and Safety Sign
One guest said, “If we can’t get this Covid thing behind us, I may never get to come back to my favorite vacation spot.” Whether it’s the mask mandates and not wanting to be required to wear a mask in the Orlando heat and humidity, or the health concerns of contracting or being exposed to such a communicable disease, COVID is still impacting traveling decisions.
Learn About the Current Situation with COVID-19 and Disney World
None
Yup, unconditional love does still exist, and some guests still feel that way about Disney Parks. Some guests said that their Disney World dealbreaker was…nothing! One guest said, “There are none. I would go to Disneyworld anytime any day”
Cinderella Castle
Another responded with, “I’ll let you know when I find one.”
Hollywood Studios
Those were our readers’ Disney World dealbreakers! Like any complex, long-term relationship, there are highs and lows, expectations, compromises, and sometimes ultimatums! Keep following DFB for more news and updates from Disney World.
5 Times Disney World Made Guests Mad Last Year
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Oh my goodness…yes, yes, and yes to the deal breakers of Magical Express, doing everything on phone and no fast passes! We are coming in April to see if we can adjust (haven’t been in 2 yrs and was previously coming yearly). We’ll see if we need to find another magical place! We have never minded the heat or the crowds. In fact we like that!
All of those mentioned are deal breakers for me. I’m tired of Disney charging more for less, out of control crowds (probably because everyone is looking at their smartphones), mediocre food (for the most part), and limits on park hopping (we used to be able to do all 4 in one day if we wanted; that’s gone now with not being able to hop until 2 PM), and paying through the nose for the “privilege” of being at Disney (the hot weather doesn’t really bother me — we’ve gone in August and just take the afternoons to swim in the pool). With the cost of a week long Disney vacation, you can go to Hawaii or Europe for comparable (if not cheaper) prices. Plus, the stress of all the pre-planning, getting up early (you’re supposed to be on vacation) to maybe get a reservation for a ride and/or to make dining reservations before you even leave, most of us will need a vacation after our Disney vacation. I’m looking forward to a CA vacation later this year as well as a Mediterranean cruise on Ritz-Carlton Cruise Line next year (similar Disney cruise to Mediterranean, concierge service, is $28K more!).
Just put things back the way they were before COVID, we loved free fast pass, magical express, free hotel parking, spontaneous eating, not having to carry our phones etc. etc. why change things, don’t fix things that aren’t broken.
I have always been a HUGE Disney parks fan. We usually go every year or two. Out last trip was December of 2018 and we planned to go back in 2020, but because of Covid we have not made it back yet. Even though I am still looking forward to my next trip, I am very disappointed with all of the changes that have taken place since my last visit. They have removed almost everything that I enjoyed about the parks in the past, and most of the perks of staying on property! The Magical Express always made me feel like my vacation began as soon as I got off the plane! The fact that you have to pay such an astronomical price for tickets and then they took away fast pass and now have the nerve to charge for Genie + is disgusting. Also, no more Magic Hours, but some reduced extra hours, no more dining plan, the list goes on and on… I am afraid that when I do go back, it will be nothing like I have been used to from all of my many previous trips.
Another thing that really annoys me (and this is not since Covid but started years before) is the reduced park hours! I remember as a child we would get to the parks early in the morning and staying all day until late at night, and them watching the fireworks or show. When I went in 2015 I noticed that some of the parks were closing a little early some nights. We went in December so Magic Kingdom closed early several nights for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas. When I went back in 2018, all the parks closed early for special ticketed events. So now you are still paying the same price for your daily ticket and if you want to stay later you need to purchase a special ticket. They are slowly removing all of the “Magic” from the most Magical place in the world!
The deal breaker was when Disney stopped being Disney.
I’m a DVC owner, and honestly don’t worry too much about those “deal breakers.” If I happen upon a crowded time of year I just spend time at resorts rather than parks, or come early/stay late/use genie/make ADRs to avoid lines. Of course, I also do try to pick lower-crowd times of year as they’re also lower cost for DVC@
Those are some of the ones that I would strongly consider but the ultimate one lately is the price (middle class family or used to be). We live in Canada and used to go once every couple of years. The price of the total package and cuts to the “experience” (is it even one anymore) has gotten to the point where our hard earned money usually can go much further for better value in other vacations. It is sad because we have many fond memories of our child and the parks growing up but alas, as the saying goes, all good things come to an end.
Comment is true. If you price compare you can travel to interesting place around the world for the same or less than a Bob Chapek World vacation with the perks. Crowds are ALWAYS there now. It’s more of a timing thing. There is no real down time any longer at BCW(Bob Chapek World). We are annual Passholders, have been for many many years and we go frequently at all times of the year. Our advice is do t try planning around supposed “down times” at BCW, it doesn’t exist and chances are you’ll be disappointed. It’s more of timing your arrival at the park and taking advantage of early hours. We’ve gone many many times on the supposed “down/slow times” and Chapek is just a crazy busy. All the other “dealbreakers” is what you’ll experience daily at Bob Chapek World. If you can deal with those mentioned then by all means go. Otherwise, take your family on a real magical adventure and see the world one vacation at a time. Trust me, your family will remember the beauty of this planet and the cultural experience far more than they will BCW.
So much has been taken away, but nothing seems to have been given in return. Oh, Disney gave us Genie+, which is a minus if you ask me. $15 per day for the FastPass replacement; I don’t ever see my buying that. Magical Express was a great perk. Hey Disney! Did you ever consider just charging for it? I’m sure something nominal, say $5/person, would be acceptable for a service that took care of one’s luggage on both arrival and departure, as well as issuing one’s boarding pass on departure. Removing the cost and need for a car rental, would make the Magical Express fee more acceptable, and give you a captive audience that can’t jump into their rental and go to Universal Studios or elsewhere. This also includes a captive audience in terms of dining and shopping. As a DVC member, I will still visit WDW, but I’m resigned to the likelihood of riding rides might be curtailed unless the line is short. But that’s okay! Of late, I have found “people watching” to be quite enjoyable.
I don’t really care so much about the Magical Express, and I thought the new Genie+ worked great (better than FastPass) in our visit last October. What bothers me the most is the masking policy and the party situation. We attended last year’s after-hours Halloween party and it was a joke. It’s NO replacement for MNSSHP. I hope the real party returns this year. Otherwise, we’re not attending. Hopefully, the mask mandates will be gone for air travel and indoors by then, too.
Yes To so many of these. But I think taking away the freedom to go to any park at anytime you want to during the day and then park hopping if you make that selection at anytime you want to park hop is a dealbreaker. I think Disney has lost the magic by forcing people to make reservations for certain parks and taking away the spontaneity of going where you want to go when you want to go. We’ve already canceled one trip last year. We have reservations for December 2022 but not sure how that’s gonna work out either. We’re just sad because it’s not the Disney we remember and fell in love with. 😔
We went to WDW in December 2021 and refused to buy the Genie+. I’m not spending even more money to get what used to be free. I talked to a lady with three kids at HS and she said she was only able to book 3 lightening lanes the whole day. That is absolutely not worth it.
I also noticed that the overall feeling in the parks has changed a lot. It just doesn’t feel as magical. People are looking at their phones and not what’s going on around them. We’re heading to Florida again next month and have decided to skip Disney all together. We’re going to check out the new coasters at Sea World and Busch Gardens. And we will probably leave our phones in the locker.
I was a Dvc member, Disney fan that would travel to WDW two time a year plus. We are in the process of selling our last points from DVC and for the first time planning a trip to universal studios. Those are words I never thought I would say. We have been back to WDW 3 times now during the pandemic and it is 100% not the same. The cast member are not the same. The guest are angry. Lines are horrible. The lack of cast members is atrocious. My breaking point was Bob paycheck and his bragging about how much he is taking from us. He is making it where your average income household cannot afford to go. Yet he seems okay with this. Disney is supposed to be for everyone. Not an elite place to vacation. Fire Bob and I’ll be back tomorrow.
Our first trip to Walt Disney World was in the fall of 1972, the time selected for low crowds and cooler weather. We had a Lagoon view room at the Poly for less than $40/night, with free parking. My daughter has been back over 100 times, mostly via air travel, each stay being at a Disney hotel. The golden era at WDW had the Magical Express and Main Street Electrical Parade, both history now. Prices have gotten crazy, perks are disappearing, and the carefree Dis vacation has morphed into a smartphone-driven, over-planned race involving more details than a military invasion. There’s a lot less “magic” now, an opinion echoed by a friend who’s retired from a key management role at WDW. I have a ton of fond memories (especially of the fantastic bicentennial extravaganza July 3-5, 1976) and really miss the Disney World we knew for decades. But my next vacation will be an awesome week touring Iceland, for a lot less than 4 days at WDW. Sorry, Mickey.
I agree that the “magic” of Disney is gone. We celebrated many of our anniversaries from the 25th to the 50th at Disney because it was always a VACATION, once we got to the airport until we got back we didn’t have to handle any luggage or make plans. We would make reservations before we left home since we wanted to eat at many of the deluxe restaurants and also take many of the tours and shows ( Wanyama, Hoop-de-do, etc.). We would also park hop many times going to all 4 parks in one day, for example- eating in one, a show in another, ride in another, or just enjoying the boat rides or monorail between them. Now that is gone There is no need to go there, we will travel other places, we loved Africa and Japan.
I would say Masks are my Deal Breakers. That is why I will not return to the Parks until those restrictions are over
The phone and added costs and less perks! Had to cancel 4 times during pandemic and now at 70+ years old, may never go because of cost and navigating on the phone. So sad.
Hi, it’s me again. Since my last post in February we are definitely reevaluating our trip in early December. I have read other posts from other sources sharing their heartfelt disappointment in the way things are at Walt Disney World. Saw a post of a dissatisfied customer At Columbia Harbor House on their skimpy lobster roll. Higher prices for less product all the way around. My wife and I have been going to WDW since our oldest son‘s marriage 15 years ago. That was our first trip and we been going back ever since at least once a year. We are spry 70–year-olds are who adore Walt Disney World.our minds are 35 but our bodies are 70. Another deal-breaker is the over crowding which makes it difficult to navigate the parks. Last deal-breaker is the added $$$$. WDW trips have killed our frequent visits. And at 70+ We may not have many opportunities for those trips. There I’m done