We live in Georgia and bought annual passes this year, the renewal price just went up again (out of state has to buy the highest tier) and another $100 per pass, only 10 percent at sit down restaurants (that keep going up in price), no campground discount (we have a RV), only offer 30 minute early entry for someone staying on their property (not counting deluxe hotels, they get extended park hours too). We prefer to go more, not break the bank on the hotel (plus we really enjoy our RV, and spend most of our time spending money in their parks), do several sit down meals, we purchase the fast pass (won't be purchasing that ridiculously priced one, but its only offered if you stay Deluxe). Enjoy the Epcot festivals that they have shortened?, and several of our favorite rides are closing, and will be replaced with construction walls. I still love Disney, but we gonna make a change for 2025.
To explain....We were passholders, years ago when the kids were young. I am just disappointed in all the changes, still remember all the love the passholders got! One year Universal ran a buy one year, get another year free for Georgia residents...I jumped on that!! It was fabulous....I don't know, we might do Universal Annual passes (I know it doesn't include Epic, but it's been a while since we have been...LOL)
I certainly don't blame you for looking elsewhere in 2025. The only place you may find me in Florida in 2025 is at the Cruise Port getting on a boat. Maybe I should organize a Disney Protest cruise in 2025 lol.
Just got back from Disney two days ago, we had a fantastic time, did the halloween party and wild African Trek stayed at the Animal kingdom lodge. We got on every ride we wanted to and had some great meals. Next year we are doing Disneyland and doing the oogie boogie bash.
Was planning to go to Universal next year for Epic Universe & horror nights, but don’t want to be frustrated with the crowds. Just got back from Disney & it got overwhelming fast. I’d rather put our money towards a peaceful trip to a tropical destination out the country. There’s a whole world to explore.
Our family has been looking forward to Epic ever since they announced it! I am nervous about the crowds, and now that we have a chance to buy our tickets, I keep going back and forth with should we or shouldn't we? I am not the person to wait 2+ hours in line for a ride and the lines at Epic will be even longer than that. Our family will stay at a premier hotel for a night or two just to get express on a normal visit. So, at this point, I will probably not go before Fall 2025 to Epic. I really hope they open it before the 22nd for passholders. I would consider doing that! Before May, we will definitely be going to the OG parks before they get crazy. As for Disney, I don't have any interest in going there anymore except for a random Epcot day during food and wine. Thanks for your video!
It sounds like we have the same exact thoughts on the matter. I’m sure Epic lines will be 180+ minutes at most attractions. I get it. It’s new and exciting. But I definitely think I’m waiting until 2026. Cruise for our family in 2025!
"Such an insightful video! 🎢 The tips from a former Walt Disney World castmember on rescheduling your 2025 Orlando vacation are super helpful! 🏰 Thanks for sharing your valuable experience with us!"
Yeah we're pretty much going against everything you recommend lol 😅 We already had the tripped booked for Disney/universal for June next year! Do you think the 2 Universal parks will also be rammed busy? I haven't selected all our hotels yet for the Universal area except 2 nights at the Helios. Thinking maybe we need a couple of nights at an express hotel if the budget allows, will give us 3 days of express. We are visiting before the 20th so early June if that might make a slight difference
Unfortunately I do think that the Universal Parks will be extremely busy. If you do have the ability to book at Royal Pacific for one night, that wil get you two days of Express Unlimited passes (the day you check in and the day you check out). That will help you tremendously. Just be prepared for it and you will be fine.
Just as a clarification, you think Epic Universe will also impact Disney crowds too? More people will come for the opening but also go to Disney? I don't really have an interest in Epic at the moment, was thinking about a late May Disney trip though.
I think there will be a slight uptick in Disney World attendance, as people coming in from out of town will likely get a day or two in Disney World in. And I think this will mostly affect MK and Epcot Crowds. Thanks for the question! I hope you have an awesome trip :)
We are going to Orlando in early February and concentrating and staying at Universal. If this trip goes well we will be back in a few years because we want to see Epic Universe eventually. If the parks are half dead that is a plus for us. We are coming from the UK.
I think Early February will be a fantastic time for you to visit! I hope you have a magical vacation at Universal. It can get a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, so pack appropriately! :)
We love Universal, Cabana Bay is our top pick for hotel for most trips (so far). I was originally thinking of doing Disney next summer before the kids get too old for it, haven’t been since 2014. With all the construction/ride closure announcements coming out Disney is going to have offer some extra deals to push me to book something. We’re the weirdos that are considering tent camping so we can always just hang out at the camp ground and do other parks too. 🤔 We camped at Hershey’s campground this summer, right next to the train 😅 I won’t be able to figure out our summer dates until around April so I’m hold with booking anything Epic for now. Hoping they give passholders enough notice for previews that we can shoot down for a weekend, if we get lucky enough to book it. Other than that we will probably wait until early 2026 to try.
My son and I camped at the Hersheypark Campground as well this past summer….in a tent. And that train just hits different in the middle of the night. Ugh. I was like a zombie walking around Hersheypark lol
@@InLikeFlynnsthe first night we were up with all the shaking 😂 second night we were too tired to notice. My dad woke up and said “I think only 1 train went by last night” 😂 meanwhile all our neighbors left that morning lol
HAHA. I can't argue. You are probably right on track with that estimate. So maybe? I mean people will still go, but it will be an extremely diminished 'magical experience' with all of the construction walls for sure.
Unfortunately they have already filed all the required permits and things. Pretty sure it will likely happen. :(. I hope you do amazing in your race and set some PR's!
Vacation is about being with family. Not about lining up in 2 hours likes for 10 minute rides. We often land in Tampa, rent cars and road trip across central Florida. Last time we stopped at NASA and enjoyed the tour. There's lots of state parks, beaches and cabins to rent.
I was hoping to go to Universal in 2025, however I'm not crazy about Universal only allowing to visit the new park for only a single day with the way the ticket's are structured. We homeschool our kids so probably make a trip Labor Day week when crowds are the lowest.
Local Florida resident here and let me tell you Labor Day week is PACKED in the parks. The best time for low wait times and not so crowded would be summer! Yup the HOT, Rainy, Muggy summers are the best time. Just stay at an onsite hotel and you won’t regret it. Go early in the morning, take a break in the afternoon, swim in the resort pools and take a nap before heading back for the nighttime.
I can see why they are having to do it for now because the crowd levels are going to be unlike anything we have ever seen before. Labor Day week is usually pretty crowded in my experience, but I sincerely hope you all have an amazing trip and have some wonderful family time together. Would love to know how it turns out for you :)
I miss Disneyword of the 90's, though my ideal would be to have 90's MK/MGM/EPCOT with Animal Kingdom. Disney's mistake is that 1/3rd for its profits come from Disneyworld. Instead of investing that cash cow into revamping the parks in anticipation of competition with Epic Universe, it poured money into Disney+ and movies that lost money. Tianna's Bayou is an unreliable mess. Their proposed replacement for Tom Sawyer's with a Cars themed area is questionable. Hollywood Studios is boring and directionless. Flynn's advice on waiting two years is solid, though I'd wait an additional year. In my opinion Disney can't be fixed until Iger is out as CEO.
So you are probably waiting until late 2025/early 2026? And yes, I agree. They should have done more to compete with the opening of Epic. A little too late now….
@@InLikeFlynns Honestly, I'm planning on Epic Universe in 2026 and a never return to Disneyworld in my lifetime. My family has had a great time skiing, hiking, road trips, and exploring state and local parks around the country. As far as Disney like I said I miss the 90's. In the 90's all you had to do with buy your tickets and show up early. Regardless of how busy the park got, you would be able to ride all the major rides you wanted at least once. I despise the whole idea of Genie+, lightening lanes, etc. To me, it feels like an airline experience where you're nicked and dimed to death. Plus the last time I was there was when the Star Wars stuff was under construction at Hollywood Studios. That park felt to small to justify the cost of the ticket and I miss the larger portion of street performer from the old MGM days. Back then the park had a better pseduo backlot feel than today.
@@InLikeFlynns You understand what I mean then. Yes MGM was small. However, it at least had a consistent theme as a pseudo backlot behind the scenes look at how movies and shows are made. Unfortunately, today's Hollywood Studios has lost that theming and, as a result, has become just another SMALL theme park with few rides. Another mistake was betting big on LucasFilm without properly vetting future projects. People visit Galaxy's Edge not because they are Star Wars fans, but because there's simply too few entertainment venues in that park. This is why the Star Wars hotel had to close. Hollywood could have become the Star Wars park, but the company squandered that audience. Frankly, the better bet in 2026 would be for families hit Magic Kingdom and/or EPCOT and/or Animal Kingdom, but skip Hollywood Studios in favor of more time a Epic Universe. My prediction is Disney will be operating Hollywood Studios and/or Animal Kingdom at an operating loss near the end of 2026 and into 2027.
I’m pretty annoyed with Disney spent a week their got in Sunday night and only got to go to the park 1 full day Monday Tues they closed the park at 6pm so the people that paid extra 200 dollars a ticket for mickeys not so scary Halloween party could stay till midnight then Wednesday they closed at 2pm because of Milton and then Thursday all parks were closed due to Milton and I left Friday
@@InLikeFlynns yea wasn’t the greatest first time experience but that’s life I guess definitely enjoyed it but it would of been a lot more fun if we could have had more park time I definitely will plan better if we ever go again .
This is all music to my Mickey ears. Why? Because firstly you’re putting everyone off visiting WDW so when we land in August it’s going to be less busy! Our last visit, there were lots of boards up around Epcot, Tron wasn’t open yet. This time, it’s just something else. We have already saved approx £5-6k over our last trip in 22 due to a combination of air miles, companion vouchers and free dining plans! It’s going to even better this time 😁
It’s my 50th in April… ugh.. all of this is so disappointing. Not sure that I will cancel but I will need to keep my expectations in check for sure. I guess the question is - to your point- do we purchase lightening lane/ genie plus.. whatever it is called lol. 🫤
I mean if you have an additional $400 per person, per day and you want to splurge on a Premiere Lightning Lane….by all means, do it. You only turn 50 once. And don’t worry, I’m not too far behind you lol
Are you taking a trip to Orlando in 2025? You nervous about it? Let me know in the comments!
We live in Georgia and bought annual passes this year, the renewal price just went up again (out of state has to buy the highest tier) and another $100 per pass, only 10 percent at sit down restaurants (that keep going up in price), no campground discount (we have a RV), only offer 30 minute early entry for someone staying on their property (not counting deluxe hotels, they get extended park hours too). We prefer to go more, not break the bank on the hotel (plus we really enjoy our RV, and spend most of our time spending money in their parks), do several sit down meals, we purchase the fast pass (won't be purchasing that ridiculously priced one, but its only offered if you stay Deluxe). Enjoy the Epcot festivals that they have shortened?, and several of our favorite rides are closing, and will be replaced with construction walls. I still love Disney, but we gonna make a change for 2025.
To explain....We were passholders, years ago when the kids were young. I am just disappointed in all the changes, still remember all the love the passholders got! One year Universal ran a buy one year, get another year free for Georgia residents...I jumped on that!! It was fabulous....I don't know, we might do Universal Annual passes (I know it doesn't include Epic, but it's been a while since we have been...LOL)
I certainly don't blame you for looking elsewhere in 2025. The only place you may find me in Florida in 2025 is at the Cruise Port getting on a boat. Maybe I should organize a Disney Protest cruise in 2025 lol.
If I landed a BOGO on Universal AP's, I'd be all over that like white on rice!!
Just got back from Disney two days ago, we had a fantastic time, did the halloween party and wild African Trek stayed at the Animal kingdom lodge. We got on every ride we wanted to and had some great meals. Next year we are doing Disneyland and doing the oogie boogie bash.
That is awesome! I love when people have amazing trip reports. When folks have memorable vacations, it makes my heart happy :)
Was planning to go to Universal next year for Epic Universe & horror nights, but don’t want to be frustrated with the crowds. Just got back from Disney & it got overwhelming fast. I’d rather put our money towards a peaceful trip to a tropical destination out the country. There’s a whole world to explore.
Try efteling. Best of both worlds
Our family absolutely loves St. Thomas. A cruise is always a solid choice as well :)
I’ll hold off on visiting WDW until 2026. I am looking forward to Epic Universe and have my one day ticket booked!
Our family has been looking forward to Epic ever since they announced it! I am nervous about the crowds, and now that we have a chance to buy our tickets, I keep going back and forth with should we or shouldn't we? I am not the person to wait 2+ hours in line for a ride and the lines at Epic will be even longer than that. Our family will stay at a premier hotel for a night or two just to get express on a normal visit. So, at this point, I will probably not go before Fall 2025 to Epic. I really hope they open it before the 22nd for passholders. I would consider doing that! Before May, we will definitely be going to the OG parks before they get crazy. As for Disney, I don't have any interest in going there anymore except for a random Epcot day during food and wine. Thanks for your video!
It sounds like we have the same exact thoughts on the matter. I’m sure Epic lines will be 180+ minutes at most attractions. I get it. It’s new and exciting. But I definitely think I’m waiting until 2026. Cruise for our family in 2025!
Already booked to go to Universal next summer.
I sincerely wish you have an amazing time!!!! Let us all know how it went!
the stupidity of filling in the rivers of America is Epic.....:)
Especially with all of the land Walt procured to expand. Not to tear down existing attractions and theming.
"Such an insightful video! 🎢 The tips from a former Walt Disney World castmember on rescheduling your 2025 Orlando vacation are super helpful! 🏰 Thanks for sharing your valuable experience with us!"
Yeah we're pretty much going against everything you recommend lol 😅
We already had the tripped booked for Disney/universal for June next year! Do you think the 2 Universal parks will also be rammed busy?
I haven't selected all our hotels yet for the Universal area except 2 nights at the Helios.
Thinking maybe we need a couple of nights at an express hotel if the budget allows, will give us 3 days of express. We are visiting before the 20th so early June if that might make a slight difference
Unfortunately I do think that the Universal Parks will be extremely busy. If you do have the ability to book at Royal Pacific for one night, that wil get you two days of Express Unlimited passes (the day you check in and the day you check out). That will help you tremendously. Just be prepared for it and you will be fine.
Just as a clarification, you think Epic Universe will also impact Disney crowds too? More people will come for the opening but also go to Disney? I don't really have an interest in Epic at the moment, was thinking about a late May Disney trip though.
I think there will be a slight uptick in Disney World attendance, as people coming in from out of town will likely get a day or two in Disney World in. And I think this will mostly affect MK and Epcot Crowds. Thanks for the question! I hope you have an awesome trip :)
We are going to Orlando in early February and concentrating and staying at Universal. If this trip goes well we will be back in a few years because we want to see Epic Universe eventually. If the parks are half dead that is a plus for us. We are coming from the UK.
I think Early February will be a fantastic time for you to visit! I hope you have a magical vacation at Universal. It can get a little chilly in the mornings and evenings, so pack appropriately! :)
I am looking forward to checking out Epic Universe but probably not in 2025 exactly for the reasons you mentioned
Yeah, team 2026 over here lol. Evenn then it will still be mobbed, but its going to be awesome.
We love Universal, Cabana Bay is our top pick for hotel for most trips (so far). I was originally thinking of doing Disney next summer before the kids get too old for it, haven’t been since 2014. With all the construction/ride closure announcements coming out Disney is going to have offer some extra deals to push me to book something. We’re the weirdos that are considering tent camping so we can always just hang out at the camp ground and do other parks too. 🤔 We camped at Hershey’s campground this summer, right next to the train 😅 I won’t be able to figure out our summer dates until around April so I’m hold with booking anything Epic for now. Hoping they give passholders enough notice for previews that we can shoot down for a weekend, if we get lucky enough to book it. Other than that we will probably wait until early 2026 to try.
My son and I camped at the Hersheypark Campground as well this past summer….in a tent. And that train just hits different in the middle of the night. Ugh. I was like a zombie walking around Hersheypark lol
@@InLikeFlynnsthe first night we were up with all the shaking 😂 second night we were too tired to notice. My dad woke up and said “I think only 1 train went by last night” 😂 meanwhile all our neighbors left that morning lol
I remember how tired I was the Sunday morning we checked out. I was a walking zombie lol
Are you kind of recommending not going to Disney for the next 5-10 yrs? Because that’s how long a lot of the stuff will be going on for.
HAHA. I can't argue. You are probably right on track with that estimate. So maybe? I mean people will still go, but it will be an extremely diminished 'magical experience' with all of the construction walls for sure.
I am planning to go in February to run the Princess 10k and Half Marathon. I am hoping they will decide NOT to fill in the Rivers of America.
Unfortunately they have already filed all the required permits and things. Pretty sure it will likely happen. :(. I hope you do amazing in your race and set some PR's!
Has Disney completed the necessary back and forth with the state of Florida? I have not heard of any results yet.
I already have plane tickets, park entance for february 2025 family of 5 coming frome México been planing And saving year before
I think in February you will be fine crowd wise. As long as you are ok with the construction walls and ride refurbs. Have an awesome trip!!! :)
So what is your suggestion where people should take a vacation
Vacation is about being with family. Not about lining up in 2 hours likes for 10 minute rides. We often land in Tampa, rent cars and road trip across central Florida. Last time we stopped at NASA and enjoyed the tour. There's lots of state parks, beaches and cabins to rent.
I am a huge supporter of Myrtle Beach, Pigeon Forge, and cruising :)
Yes, state parks and beaches offer wonderful spots to make memories with your family. I really enjoyed Yosemite a while back. So beautiful :)
I was hoping to go to Universal in 2025, however I'm not crazy about Universal only allowing to visit the new park for only a single day with the way the ticket's are structured. We homeschool our kids so probably make a trip Labor Day week when crowds are the lowest.
Local Florida resident here and let me tell you Labor Day week is PACKED in the parks. The best time for low wait times and not so crowded would be summer! Yup the HOT, Rainy, Muggy summers are the best time. Just stay at an onsite hotel and you won’t regret it. Go early in the morning, take a break in the afternoon, swim in the resort pools and take a nap before heading back for the nighttime.
Stop stealing from my Orlando Theme Park Playbook! LOL
I can see why they are having to do it for now because the crowd levels are going to be unlike anything we have ever seen before. Labor Day week is usually pretty crowded in my experience, but I sincerely hope you all have an amazing trip and have some wonderful family time together. Would love to know how it turns out for you :)
I miss Disneyword of the 90's, though my ideal would be to have 90's MK/MGM/EPCOT with Animal Kingdom.
Disney's mistake is that 1/3rd for its profits come from Disneyworld. Instead of investing that cash cow into revamping the parks in anticipation of competition with Epic Universe, it poured money into Disney+ and movies that lost money.
Tianna's Bayou is an unreliable mess. Their proposed replacement for Tom Sawyer's with a Cars themed area is questionable. Hollywood Studios is boring and directionless.
Flynn's advice on waiting two years is solid, though I'd wait an additional year. In my opinion Disney can't be fixed until Iger is out as CEO.
So you are probably waiting until late 2025/early 2026? And yes, I agree. They should have done more to compete with the opening of Epic. A little too late now….
@@InLikeFlynns Honestly, I'm planning on Epic Universe in 2026 and a never return to Disneyworld in my lifetime. My family has had a great time skiing, hiking, road trips, and exploring state and local parks around the country.
As far as Disney like I said I miss the 90's.
In the 90's all you had to do with buy your tickets and show up early. Regardless of how busy the park got, you would be able to ride all the major rides you wanted at least once. I despise the whole idea of Genie+, lightening lanes, etc. To me, it feels like an airline experience where you're nicked and dimed to death.
Plus the last time I was there was when the Star Wars stuff was under construction at Hollywood Studios. That park felt to small to justify the cost of the ticket and I miss the larger portion of street performer from the old MGM days. Back then the park had a better pseduo backlot feel than today.
The park has surely come a long way from what it once was. I enjoy Galaxy's Edge, but I do miss Backlot Tour :(
@@InLikeFlynns You understand what I mean then. Yes MGM was small. However, it at least had a consistent theme as a pseudo backlot behind the scenes look at how movies and shows are made.
Unfortunately, today's Hollywood Studios has lost that theming and, as a result, has become just another SMALL theme park with few rides.
Another mistake was betting big on LucasFilm without properly vetting future projects. People visit Galaxy's Edge not because they are Star Wars fans, but because there's simply too few entertainment venues in that park. This is why the Star Wars hotel had to close. Hollywood could have become the Star Wars park, but the company squandered that audience.
Frankly, the better bet in 2026 would be for families hit Magic Kingdom and/or EPCOT and/or Animal Kingdom, but skip Hollywood Studios in favor of more time a Epic Universe.
My prediction is Disney will be operating Hollywood Studios and/or Animal Kingdom at an operating loss near the end of 2026 and into 2027.
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I booked a 2025 Orlando vacation for Halloween. It's for Universal. Not Disney.
We did the same thing last year. It was a first for us, but very refreshing.
@@InLikeFlynns And the fact that we're spending about half as much than Disney costs doesn't hurt!
I think everyone should avoid Orlando in 2025. Specifically, the middle of June. 😂
Let me guess….youre going June 14-21st lol
I’m pretty annoyed with Disney spent a week their got in Sunday night and only got to go to the park 1 full day Monday Tues they closed the park at 6pm so the people that paid extra 200 dollars a ticket for mickeys not so scary Halloween party could stay till midnight then Wednesday they closed at 2pm because of Milton and then Thursday all parks were closed due to Milton and I left Friday
Geeze that sounds horrible. I am so sorry you had to deal with such a diminished experience. :(
@@InLikeFlynns yea wasn’t the greatest first time experience but that’s life I guess definitely enjoyed it but it would of been a lot more fun if we could have had more park time I definitely will plan better if we ever go again .
This is all music to my Mickey ears. Why? Because firstly you’re putting everyone off visiting WDW so when we land in August it’s going to be less busy!
Our last visit, there were lots of boards up around Epcot, Tron wasn’t open yet. This time, it’s just something else.
We have already saved approx £5-6k over our last trip in 22 due to a combination of air miles, companion vouchers and free dining plans!
It’s going to even better this time 😁
HAHAHA. I love the take. Anything I can do to help make your trip extra special lol
It’s my 50th in April… ugh.. all of this is so disappointing. Not sure that I will cancel but I will need to keep my expectations in check for sure. I guess the question is - to your point- do we purchase lightening lane/ genie plus.. whatever it is called lol. 🫤
I mean if you have an additional $400 per person, per day and you want to splurge on a Premiere Lightning Lane….by all means, do it. You only turn 50 once. And don’t worry, I’m not too far behind you lol