It’s been a rough 16 months since our last visit to Walt Disney World for the 2020 Dopey Challenge. It’s time for a much needed vacation. While the main components of our upcoming getaway are familiar, there are quite a few factors that have made planning this trip vastly different from our usual modus operandi.

First and most importantly, we are taking our granddaughter, Violet, for her first visit! She may only be two, but she already loves Disney. She’s a big fan of princesses in general and Buzz Lightyear in particular. I know I’m partial, but Violet happens to have an exceptionally sunny disposition which makes her an absolute joy to be around. I cannot wait to see her reaction to all the magic she’s about to experience.

Planning Differently

The combination of COVID measures and travelling with a toddler has given us an opportunity to plan more creatively. We’ll also be spending differently while we’re at Walt Disney World. Having done quite a bit of research, we know the parks, resorts, and restaurants on this trip will be very different than in the past. While COVID restrictions are starting to be reduced, those still in place will have an effect on our overall experience. We are committed to being as positive as possible and determined to have a great vacation. We are incredibly grateful to not have to wear masks outdoors!

Dining

In the past, we have faithfully made our dining reservations at the 180-day mark. Usually securing our priority restaurants for dinner first, then tend to go back and add a few lunches and breakfasts to round out our plans. Now we have a couple of things to work around: no Tables in Wonderland card and Violet’s naptime.

Right now many (or most) of our favorite restaurants have limited menus. Not a problem! I booked only three dinners (out of 7 nights): The Wave on arrival day, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ during our one and only planned visit to Disney Springs, and California Grill for Raymond’s birthday celebration. The rest of the time Violet can nap as long as she likes and we can figure out what we want to eat more-or-less on the spur of the moment. Several table service places are offering carry out right now and we think it might be fun to take advantage of that. We can always eat quick service at our resort or hit the Flower and Garden booths at Epcot for dinner.

I might be flexibly planning meals, but I’m still me – a borderline obsessive vacation planner. I’ve scored a lunch reservation in each park I think we’ll enjoy: Skipper Canteen, Biergarten, Yak & Yeti, and Hollywood Brown Derby. We won’t be getting that Tables in Wonderland discount, but I’m doing my best to keep the food budget the same. Normally, we may eat 10-15 table service meals in a week. It’s a miracle I’m not hyperventilating over having only 7.

Transportation

We haven’t rented a car on a Disney vacation since sometime around 2004. We usually take advantage of Magical Express or we hire a car to get us to our resort from the airport and back. I started thinking about the effect of COVID measures on Disney Transportation and how that might slow things down. For sure, Violet needs to experience the Skyliner and Monorail, but we’d like the option to get to and from the parks without waiting for busses. We’ll likely be spending a good bit more time at our resort than we ordinarily do with naptime and early-ish park closings, so having our own ride for grocery shopping and food pick-up would be extra convenient.

Renting a large SUV & car seat is taking a big chunk of our vacation budget. By not eating out for every meal and stocking our own supply of snacks and adult beverages in our resort, I’m hoping to offset some of the costs of car rental. Yes, that means Disney is getting a good bit less of our money than usual. It’ll be good practice for when Magical Express is gone for good in 2022.

Grandparenting

The last time we visited Walt Disney World with a toddler was in 1996. Yeesh, I feel absolutely ancient. A good cure for that feeling is spending time with Violet! Some of our friends are surprised we think two is the perfect age for a first trip to WDW because Violet likely won’t remember a bit of it. But we will. We’re healthy, fully vaccinated and enjoy all the rides and experiences Disney has to offer. What better time to share our favorite vacation spot with the next generation? Violet will get this one trip on her own before she becomes a big sister in a few months and we are all about it!

If you want to follow along with our adventures, we’ll be sharing tips, reviews, and our general excitement over on Facebook and Twitter. Hope to see you there!