Our Surreal Stay at Disney World: Sunset Funset
After a few months away, we return to Walt Disney World for the reopening of the Deluxe Villa Resorts, using our DVC points for a stay at the BoardWalk Villas plus meals at Topolino’s Terrace. In this quasi-trip report, we’ll share photos, what it was like to be back, and why we would not recommend planning a trip in the near future.
As the title suggests, it was surreal. That’s something we mostly cover in the other half of this post: Our Surreal Stay at Walt Disney World: Health Safety. The signage and protocol definitely give off a ‘trying to regain normalcy in a post-apocalyptic world’ surface level vibe. However, that quickly fades into the background.
Once all the signage becomes familiar, your brain begins to filter most of that out as white noise. At that point, the magic about being back at Walt Disney World takes center stage, and even the modified experience shines. It was reassuring and nostalgic, at once offering an escape from the daily barrage of depressing headlines and a return to some semblance of normal…
Originally, I planned on posting this the day after we returned from our stay.
While I could use the excuse that other news preempted this post, the reality is that I went a little wild taking photos. It turns out that capturing thousands of images means you have thousands of raw files to sort and process. Who could’ve known?
I still haven’t gotten through all of them, but wanted to at least edit and share some.
During our stay, we got really fortunate with some great weather (minus the 97 degree daytime highs).
Beautiful puffy clouds (a Florida summer trademark) during the day, plus spectacular sunsets, followed by an impressive lightning storm the first night. And virtually no rain!
Sarah captured a bunch of cool videos while I was taking photos–we’ll start sharing those on our Facebook page later today.
The lack of other guests probably should’ve added to the surreal quality of our stay.
Honestly, it didn’t too much for me. I’m used to staying out late and getting up at the crack of dawn for photos, and there are seldom more than a handful of joggers at those hours.
It was definitely odd for the daytime hours and sunset, but not incredibly jarring to me.
Your perspective here could differ dramatically, especially if you’re used to heavy crowds.
For us, it was like a ‘best of both worlds’ thing.
We had plenty of interactions with Cast Members inside the resorts where they outnumbered guests, and outside we were able to enjoy the ambiance and serenity of Crescent Lake without many other people around.
It was sort of like seeing an old friend from college–no matter how long it’s been or how much things have changed, you can pick up right where you left off.
And that’s exactly what we did. We walked around Crescent Lake, wandered through the lobbies, and enjoyed the peaceful promenade back at the Beach Club Villas.
We lounged in some of our favorite spots, decompressed, and simply enjoyed being there.
From what we heard, most of the resorts were operating at under 20% occupancy last week. That would certainly mesh with our observations.
We also did dinner at a nearly-empty Topolino’s Terrace.
We still haven’t reviewed this restaurant and are not really sure how to handle that. We’ll probably just review the modified menu at some point in the near future, and hold off on the full review since that does you no good at present.
It’s likely that resort occupancy will pick up on July 10, but we’re wondering to what extent that’ll actually occur.
Based upon what we’re seeing, every single Disney Vacation Club resort has availability for reopening weekend. Beyond that, there’s a ton of availability for July and August (way more than normal) and a lot of availability for September, too. (It’s a very different story in October and beyond.)
For both of these reasons–the low crowds now and the likelihood of it being more difficult to book DVC reservations October and throughout 2021–we’ve actually made more DVC resort reservations.
We don’t want to be in a position where we have a hard time using our points, and doing these quick escapes to resorts is a perfect way for us to rest and recharge.
We really cannot underscore how fun and decompressing this was after months of being stuck at home, only venturing out for groceries, doctor appointments, and late night walks around the empty streets in our neighborhood.
Being back at Crescent Lake had this detoxifying effect–we didn’t fixate on the news, social media, or any real world problems. Our cares melted away, replaced by the charm and allure of Walt Disney World.
Part of it is probably unique to us–as we’ve visited Walt Disney World more frequently, some of the “magic” has started to lose its luster. It’s really something how familiarity or over-exposure can result in taking pretty spectacular things for granted. We recognize that and realize we’re very fortunate.
For many people, four months is a short time to be away from Walt Disney World–and it really is not that long. But it being longer than normal for us–coupled with the trials and tribulations of the last few months–amplified how special it was to be back. Suffice to say, all of this gave us a new appreciation for Walt Disney World, and we won’t be taking it for granted ever again.
No matter how frequently or infrequently you visit, I’m pretty confident your next trip–whenever that might be–will similarly just feel different. More special. More cherished. And it won’t be about what Disney does or does not do–it’ll be about you.
It’s easy to be cynical about how Disney has been handling things, what’s being cut, temporary rules, reservations systems, etc. There are a lot of valid complaints. However, I’m confident most of that will melt away when you step foot back onto Walt Disney World property.
Perhaps I’m overly optimistic or still riding the high of this stay, but I think we–collectively as a society–are going through a transformative event that will change us for the better. That’s not totally evident yet as there is still a decent amount of conflict, angst, and fear. Understandably so.
I think this will crystalize in the coming months, and upcoming trips–or any sort of communal events with other people–will feel differently. They’ll feel better. People will be more grateful, less tense or standoffish, and with a renewed sense of togetherness and conviviality. At least, that’s my belief and strong hope.
Not to stifle the positivity by ending this on a sour note, but it’d be irresponsible to only highlight our fun while ignoring reality on the ground here in Florida. Frankly, we would caution anyone against traveling to Walt Disney World right now. With spiking cases in Florida, we simply would not visit from out of state for at least the next couple of months. We’d also be incredibly apprehensive about planning a trip for the fall, opting to wait and see how (or if) the state gets a handle on things.
Our circumstances as locals and regulars are very different from many reading this, and that bears reiterating. We can go in chunks of only a few hours, staying physically distanced and entirely outdoors where it’s objectively safer. (Attractions like Haunted Mansion are a non-starter for us.) If we were out of state visitors, the circumstances would be very different and we’d undoubtedly be pumping the brakes. As we’ve said before, if we were infrequent or once in a lifetime visitors to Walt Disney World, we would rule out the remainder of 2020. Florida is starting to make changes (closing bars, mask mandates, etc.) that will hopefully cause a decline in new case numbers. Until that actually happens, we wouldn’t book anything.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you eagerly awaiting your next vacation ‘escape’ to Walt Disney World, or still apprehensive about everything going on right now? Do you have any questions about the current resort experience at Walt Disney World? Will you be attempting to visit Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or are you waiting until 2021 or beyond? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Hi Tom –
Thanks for the useful perspective and details. Do you have any insight regarding park hours and how they’re adjusted? I head they may be reduced. But, how reduced?
I’m thinking (dreaming, wishing, hoping…) ahead to Disneyland, as a Disneyland/DCA AP.
Thank you! Be well!
My assumption is that the hours posted on Disneyworld.com are final through at least September.
Thank you for allowing us to live vicariously through you. We canceled our land/sea October 2020 trip and just rebooked for early June 2021. We were just there last December but it does feel like it’s been a lifetime ago with all that has transpired. My 4yo keeps asking when we will be going back since we typically visit every 8 -10 months. It pains me to think we have almost an entire year left to wait. But I can’t imagine taking my two boys without them being able to experience WDW with all that may be lacking. And it’s not a mask thing. They’re used to them now but perhaps not in the FL heat? lol. I just think we would all be disappointed and heart broken and my youngest wouldn’t understand (he’s been 5x now so certain expectations have been set). So for now…I will continue to read your posts and others, look at pictures and watch YouTube visits and hope that’s enough to tide us (ME!) over.
Tom,
We are hoping to feel the way you do in late December when we visit (fingers crossed). What I’m on the fence about it buying tickets. We are DVC members and currently the only tickets to buy are dated Jan 1st and beyond. Ideally, we would be in the parks on the 30th of December. My hesitation on a “wait and see” policy is that we don’t want to get shut out of the parks on Jan. 1-4 by waiting. I spoke to member services and the best guess is that they will sell 2020 tickets again in August. I’m also a little nervous about the climbing COVID rates and a park shut down in December.
Thoughts?
I’d just wait until August. I don’t think you’re in any danger of Park Pass reservations for December selling out anytime remotely soon. Wait and see is the right course of action.
Tom, Thanks so much for weighing in. My whole family appreciates the informative and entertaining posts from you and Sarah. Stay safe!
Thank you for a great, well-balanced report (as usual). I also appreciated your backing of the science in your first part.
Awesome pics! Very enticing.
Love the look of the Boardwalk Inn. We’ve been to Yacht Club twice and really like that (maybe even more than Poly and GF which we’ve also stayed) but when the Express drops folks off at Boardwalk my wife and I always say we need to try it sometime but never do. From your pics, it looks like there is a beach area similar to Poly (different lake of course). Need to search for your review of it and weigh it as an option for next visit.
Thank you so much for sharing and allowing us to live vicariously through you, Tom and Sarah! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I cannot wait to enjoy the magic (safely) with my family once again.
Its because of totally unnecessary throw away lines like this one that I obsessively read everything you write “other prophylactic devices (ahem)”, I never know when a good laugh is going to pop up.
I know, right?
Tom – thanks for so eloquently describing your experience. What you talked about is why we are looking to returning in late August – to get back to something familiar. And also thanks for your perspective on your hesitancy about making a full return. As we are going through all of the steps with making park reservations and dining, it’s been a great distraction, but still holding out on making a final decision about going.
Great shots again, Tom. I know the feeling; I still haven’t gone through thousands of DLP and Germany pictures from March yet. I love doing night shots at WDW, and was surprised at how Epcot is the opposite of the other parks in NOT pushing you out the door at closing time. And the neon in Tomorrowland is amazing. Do you use a tripod? I haven’t been carrying a real one, too big and bulky. But do sometimes carry a tiny 6″ folder. EasyHDR has some great features for combining bracketed exposures and ghost removal.
As for the inflated virus numbers, I ain’t scairt. Been saying they are BS for a long time, and now we know they have been combining antibody positives with active virus positives, AND double counting people who are tested more than once. So the allegedly ‘spiking’ numbers don’t mean anything until they separate the test results. I work in health care facilities across the nation, and I’m more concerned about hospitalization rates. And I can’t wait to go back home to WDW!
Tom – my wife and I did a stay at Boardwalk and Riviera last week. We had an absolute blast. Just to be back at the resorts felt really good. We had the chance to talk to many cast members who indicated they all felt the same way. It was a ghost town! It almost felt like we had the entire resorts to ourselves. My wife and I went on a scavenger hunt to find the other two nanny chairs to no avail!
I know you’re not the biggest fan of Riviera, but we really enjoyed the resort!
People said we were crazy for going when we couldn’t even visit the parks. But honestly, it was nice to just sit by the pool and relax. Especially with everything still going on in the world. It was a short but sweet escape from reality.
Thank you for the pictures of the Beach Club area. Like I said before we are from Canada, the border is closed….I think we will be living vicariously through you to get our Disney fill fir a while.
That was just so well said. There was a discomfort during the time that Disney was closed. Knowing it’s open is comforting in that we are looking forward to a great big beautiful tomorrow. I will also never take it for granted again. We moved during this pandemic to Florida to be closer to the entertainment and haven’t been able to get our Florida resident passes yet. Looking forward to that soon.
great photos, as always.
and thanks for this:
“Frankly, we would caution anyone against traveling to Walt Disney World right now. With spiking cases in Florida, we simply would not visit from out of state for at least the next couple of months. We’d also be incredibly apprehensive about planning a trip for the fall, opting to wait and see how (or if) the state gets a handle on things.”
Thanks for your thoughts and lovely pictures. We were supposed to go on a sister trip(just me and my sister) in early June and rebooked for Aug 8-16. We are still flying in from Michigan, but are ready with hand sanitizer, face masks, and thermometer. We just need to get away, so we are fine if things aren’t what they normally are and plan to go with the flow. We normally go every other year anyway, and plan on coming back with our mom for the 50th. So we are going to enjoy the low crowds and slower pace.
Because of the policies of the DVC Rental Store, and the timing of our reservation, we were caught in a show up or lose all your lodging expense situation, so…. we spent 4 nights at the Boulder Ridge Villas last week – opening day through Friday morning.
It was our grandkids (6 and 4) first visit; they didn’t know anything different, so, while the rest of us marveled at the emptiness, etc., they were enthralled with everything, even Topolino’s socially distant characters!
It was a wonderful trip, all in all, and we feel like we were part of history. We are now self-isolating at home in PA just in case, but we must say that the Disney CM’s did an awesome job of helping us to feel safe. We stayed on the property, except for the breakfast, one quick trip to the grocery store, and a golfing outing for our daughter and SIL to Celebration.
Our biggest disappointment was Whispering Canyon, NO (and I do mean NO), highjinks! Our grandson even asked for extra ketchup – nothing -very straight-laced, even serious, and well, disappointing. But these are unprecedented times.
Would completely agree with your observations, Tom, (as we typically do – your posts are wonderful!), if you don’t have to go, now is not the time to be in Disney or in Florida! Best wishes to all who are going – stay safe, please!
“It was a wonderful trip, all in all, and we feel like we were part of history.”
We had that same feeling. A lot of our trips now blur together, but this is one we’ll never forget. It’ll be something that comes up in conversation every time we’re at BoardWalk or Riviera for decades.
Wow, lovely description of your visit and how magical it felt. Awesome pictures!!!
Thanks for taking us along. I am out of state and will be waiting to 2021 or until things are normal again. When I called to cancel my September trip,” I said I wanted to rebook for 2021”. The cast member said that I should wait, that there would be some really good specials later. I hope he’s right. This is really hard right now it’s like when you need the magic the most, you can’t have it. The first time I went solo, I was sitting by the pool waiting for my room to be ready. All of a sudden my face was hurting, I put my hands on my face to find it was only from smiling.
Thank you for sharing your spectacular photos. BoardWalk is my home resort. Even though I was there in February, it seems much longer. I’m 25 days away from my next trip and hope to go forward with it. My state has imposed quarantine upon return from Florida.
Wishing you all good health.
First off, your photos here are absolutely incredible here, Tom! I really paused to look at each one, they are gorgeous. And thanks for all your updates. I’m local and have been giving a lot of thought to how my family is handling potentially going out and your posts are incredibly helpful. I read every one with anticipation. The point you made about the state changes hopefully decreasing cases, and then making another assessment….that really resonates. Thanks for that. PS we tried going to the boardwalk recently, after seeing both on the disney website and the app that boardwalk is open from 6:30am-2am, AND seeing that Ample Hills’ website said they were open. But gate guy wouldn’t let us in and said we have to wait until July 11. We had a feeling, but thought maybe there was a chance we could get ice cream since both companies independently said they were open. But I’m guessing they were not? Anyway, glad you could enjoy all the walks around the lake. We really love simply walking around here and enjoying the ambiance (with an Ample Hills sundae).
Thank you Tom and Sarah. I very much enjoy reading all your posts and seeing all your wonderful pictures. Being from NJ, our planned trips have been sadly (but understandably) cancelled. The style and topics that you write about allow me to enjoy the magic through your words and eyes. They are appreciated.
At about the three month mark of living in Florence, Italy I had a moment walking through the city where I felt “the extraordinary becomes the ordinary”. It stopped me in my tracks. So I made a point of trying to open my eyes newly each morning to the sites around me.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on how we as a society will feel and behave around one another in a few months. I agree with you – this whole thing will change us for the better.