Is it worth it to visit Disney World in 2020?
At the time of writing this post, Disney World is currently closed and there is slated to open in about a month on July 11th.
So, it’s worth considering if it’s worth visiting when the parks do, in fact, reopen.
This is ultimately going to be a personal choice, and there will likely be several factors in your decision that we won’t know the specifics of until we have more details.
But your plans have likely been (or are being) made, so I think it’s worth considering what some pros and cons might to visiting Disney World in 2020 based on the information we have at the moment.
Pros
Smaller crowds are likely
Based on Disney’s Reopening information, which you can read more about for yourself here, it looks like the parks will open at limited capacity in order to allow for social distancing.
And while there are aspects of this that are a con (which we’ll talk about in a moment) it can also be a pro.
You’ll likely experience reduced wait times and get to experience a park you can comfortably walk around in, which is something very few guests can say.
In fact, wait times are likely to be so significantly reduced that Disney has disabled fast pass for the time being because you simply won’t need it.
You might get a good deal
Given that there are likely going to be limits and restrictions, it’s possible you’ll get some kind of significant deal or discount.
Disney is known for going above and beyond to make their guests happy and to compensate them for any inconvenience.
It might be a bit of a downer to have some rides and attractions closed or operating at a reduced capacity, but odds are, Disney will do something to make up for that.
Nothing has currently been announced, so it’s hard to speculate about pricing and deals. But knowing Disney, this is something that’s worth looking out for.
Disney has always been very focused on guest safety
Disney has a well-established history of doing what’s necessary to keep their guests safe.
If there’s something Disney can do to enhance your safety in their parks during this time, it’s incredibly likely that Disney is going to rise to the occasion.
Additionally, it’s pretty bad for business if they were to be the cause of another major outbreak. As much as I do believe Disney values its guests on a human level, they also value their business.
Doing less than the maximum to keep guests and employees safe is bad for them on every level.
There’s going to be some risk being in a space like Disney World, but Disney’s history suggests this won’t be something they take lightly, and they’ll do everything they can to keep guests as safe as possible.
And again, you can read all about the safety measures Disney is taking here.
It’s still Disney World
If the parks can open safely, you better believe Disney will do everything it can to create magical memories for you despite the circumstances.
It’s still Disney World, and there’s still magic and joy to be found there, even if it’s not quite at the level it’s usually at.
Cons
Uncertainty and risk
We have absolutely no idea what’s going to happen. There could very well be another outbreak that might result in park closures.
Making plans and booking a trip under these circumstances can be less than ideal.
It also makes any kind of countdown a lot less fun because you simply have no idea if you’ll actually get to the park when you hit zero.
And more importantly, if the parks are open for your trip, it likely won’t be without some risk.
Experts are saying we’ll likely be living with this virus and these conditions for the foreseeable future. While Disney will likely do everything it can, it’s also there will still be some risk being in a space like Disney World.
If you or someone you live with is in a high-risk group, this might carry some extra weight.
Even if you’re not in a high risk group or in contact with someone who is, you simply may not want to take on this kind of risk for yourself.
If you find the level of risk and uncertainty is going to put a damper on your vacation, it might be best to hold off for now.
There will be added safety measures
Visiting Disney World in 2020 will mean more added safety measures in order to get in and stay in the parks.
According to Disney’s reopening guidelines, this includes temperature checks, masks, and more enforced social distancing.
If you see these things as an invasion of privacy or more hoops than you want to jump through, then 2020 may not be the best time for your to visit.
You also won’t be able to interact with characters the way you used to. So if that was going to be an important part of your trip, you may want to reconsider a 2020 vacation.
Limited Park capacities
Limited park capacities may mean less crowds, but it can also mean getting into the Parks is less guaranteed.
Disney says that initially, you’ll be required to have both a park ticket and a park reservations to get in. This is in an effort to keep the crowds low so everyone can practice social distancing.
It’s hard to say how long “initially” will last and what will happen when that period has passed.
All of this means you may not be able to get into the park you planning to visit on the day you wanted to go.
If these limitations are going to make for difficult planning and a more frustrating trip, it might be best to go at a later time.
Likely reduced or eliminated events
It’s likely Disney will reduce the number of people allowed in a theater or similar experience, which may make it harder for you to enjoy these types of events.
Or it’s possible they may close these types of attractions all together.
Disney has said that they will eliminate events that draw a large crowd, such as fireworks and parades for the time being.
If you go to Disney a lot and see these events all the time, this might not be a deal breaker for you.
But if this is a trip you’ve been saving up for, odds are, you’ll want to experience these events. (I get it. They’re personal favorites of mine!)
If that’s the case, saving your trip for a time when you can say for sure parades and fireworks will happen might be in your best interest.
Final Thoughts
I can’t tell you what the best decision is for you and your group.
Assess your on interests, risks, and priorities, and do what makes the most sense for you.
For more Disney World tips and tricks, check out the other Disney World Posts!
Sound off: What are your thoughts about visiting Disney World in 2020? Tell us about it in the comments!