Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.You can use your Twitter or Facebook account to sign up, or register directly.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="brifraz" data-source="post: 9380659" data-attributes="member: 62491">Alright. We've been home for a week. Time for some reflecting on all the things of this trip.Thing #1 - There was quite a bit of splurging for us on this trip. We had more 'nice' dinners than usual, bought more stuff than usual, and tried not to worry about cost on things that we usually do worry about. Since we are still employed, have saved quite a bit of money with no eating out or driving to work in the preceding 4 months, and got the COVID stimulus check (which, not to get too political, really should be going to those who need it, not people like us), we went a little beyond normal two teacher spending. And we definitely enjoyed it. Makes us hope that at some point we find a long-lost random rich relative to be our benefactor.Thing #2 - COVID precautions were very well done inside the WDW bubble. We were all quite impressed with the things in place at WDW and the enforcement of those precautions was quite good in the parks (not quite as good at Disney Springs). Was wearing a mask uncomfortable at times? Certainly. The heat index almost every day we were there was over 100. But we are used to summer traveling and the masks really didn't add to it in any kind of exponential way. For the most part, everyone seemed to be working together to make sure we were all being good.Thing #3 - CMs were awesome. The level of positive energy from the vast majority of cast members we experienced was palpable. A number chatted with us about how genuinely happy they were to be back at work and have guests there. Most (at least many) CMs work there because they love working there and that was quite obvious. We made a point of tipping at a significantly higher rate than we usual can as our small way of saying thanks to those in the food service areas at least! And we made sure to thank every CM we encountered (even those who maybe weren't quite as positive).Thing #4 - Empty parks isn't entirely a positive. Yes, it was nice not to have too many lines, but the atmosphere is a bit weird. I can't begin to count the number of times we've struck up conversations with people while in lines for rides, food, whatever. None of that on this trip. And hand in hand with less crowds comes shorter hours and less dining options open, which both aren't quite as optimal.Thing #5 - And empty bars/lounges sucks. If you've followed us before you know we like a visit or 3 to the Rose and Crown pub and the Gurgling Suitcase at Old Key West. Why? We love the people. The CMs who work there, the clientele who hang out for a while with us, the people who just pass through but chat while waiting for their drinks. And there was none of that on this trip. And it was definitely missed. Honestly, the random human interactions that we have in life is one of the things that we have missed the most overall the last 5 months (yup, we're at 5 months now).Thing #6 - We will definitely be back. Maybe even before all the restrictions are lifted. It was a great escape from the house that had been our only sights since mid-March. Yes, we get out and walk and hike quite a bit, but we still ended up in the same place every night and it gets pretty old (as I'm sure most of you know just as well as we do). And it did feel safe. Far more precautions and enforcement of said precautions than I saw today on a trip to Home Depot and the liquor store (and we are in a state which has far stricter rules than Florida).Thing #7 - I actually don't have a seventh thing, but I feel strongly that 7 is a far better number to end with that 6, so I'm just typing to fill up a couple lines and make it feel like I had a seventh thing.Hope you have enjoyed traveling along - until the next one!</blockquote>

Verification