Are you taking revenge on Covid by planning travel? Many people are, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida is emerging as a popular revenge travel destination.
The Revenge Travel Phenomenon
Due to COVID-19, many would-be travelers shelved their plans over the last few years but are now avenging their lost time by extending travel holidays in 2022 and 2023 or hitting new destinations. According to a recent travel survey, 81 percent of respondents plan to travel in the summer of 2022, and 42% plan to travel more, taking extra time off work to extend normal vacations.
Looking ahead to 2023, a survey conducted by Travel Agent Central reveals that nearly the same number of people plan to travel next year, with 77 percent of respondents indicating an openness to hitting the open road or taking flight to new destinations.
While Disney World is usually tight-lipped about attendance statistics, anecdotal evidence suggests that revenge travelers are also hitting the land of mouse. Social media influencers, for example, have made no secret of the fact that they’re finding the crowds to be higher than any seen since 2019. Wait times at attractions across the 4 parks have been up as well.
Why People Embark on a Disney World Vacation
While Disney has received a lot of heat over the past few years for some controversial policies, it doesn’t seem to have dimmed the public enthusiasm for the Disney brand of magical adventure. Sure, the franchise has its detractors, but the number of vacationers willing to spend their travel dollars at the Disney parks is no small number.
For families, Disney World is a pilgrimage of sorts. Since 1971 moms and dads have been loading up the station wagon or mini van and heading off to Mickey’s house to experience days of immersed magical adventure.
That leaves a lot of adults with old memories of a place where they wrangled with pirates or flew with an elephant. Those are memories that often don’t die, but instead continue to live on, encouraging grown children to return with families of their own, if only to watch it all again through the eyes of their little ones.
There are practical considerations for taking a Disney World vacation as well. With xx resorts on property, 2 water parks, world class golf courses, luxurious spas, and themed resort pools, a family could easily create an all-inclusive vacation, filled with the right activities for the entire family, even grandparents.
However, it will always be the theme parks that hold the most appeal, and from now into 2022, there are a number of new experiences and attractions that promise to keep the vacationers visiting Mickey. If you haven’t planned your trip yet to Disney World, here are some of the things you’re missing.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration
The celebration recognizing Disney World’s 50th anniversary started in October of 2021 and continues through April of 2023. While some of the largest of the celebratory surprises hit a few road bumps thanks to the Covid pandemic, the party has gotten off to a nice start.
Beacons of Light now illuminate each of the theme park icons. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, an icon refers to the signature attraction or element in each of Disney World’s 4 parks. In Animal Kingdom, it’s the Tree of Life, while EPCOT sports the futurist Spaceship Earth, more affectionately known as the EPCOT Ball.
Over at Magic Kingdom, Cinderella’s Castle remains the signature point of interest and is now adorned with special banners and gold leaf, as well as spectacular nighttime lighting. While Hollywood Studios has suffered a bit of an icon identity crisis over the years, the Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror is currently filling the role, and doing so admirably as it eerily glows each night, bathed in new light.
You’ll also find a host of new and limited time treats and merchandise as well as new parade or show elements, such as 50th anniversary character costumes.
New Attractions Ramp up the Excitement
Prior to Covid, Disney had announced a number of new attractions that would open to celebrate the 50th anniversary. While some of those plans were scuttled as executives grappled with issues such as mandated capacity restrictions, several new attractions have opened in 2022, while others will debut in 2023.
Guardians of the Galaxy, the much-awaited ride based on the popular Marvel movie franchise, opened in EPCOT in May, with much acclaim from early riders. Also in EPCOT, everyone’s favorite rat began taking guests on tour of his kitchen in Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Opening later this year or in early 2023, Tron Lightcycle Run promises to bring new thrills to the Magic Kingdom, and to give Space Mountain competition for its place on the popularity chart.
Guests can also look forward to a newly imagined EPCOT, as work there continues at a rapid pace.
Disney World Resorts Have It All
Despite the thrills Disney World theme parks, there are plenty of opportunities for rest and relaxation, or even fun adventures, to be found outside the parks. Disney World hotels offer guests the opportunity to splash into fun with elaborately themed pools and slides.
One of the most elaborately themed pools is found at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Here you’ll float near an African savanna and can even watch flamingos splash in their own less manicured pool nearby.
Other guests my enjoy a stay at either the Beach Club or Yacht Club, where you’ll be treated to your own mini waterpark. For quieter pursuits, the pools at either Old Key West Resort or Saratoga Springs offer some fun in the sun but with a more laid-back vibe, perfect for lounging poolside in either the sun or shade.
Golf enthusiasts can tee off at a number of acclaimed courses or even join the family for a round of mini golf. Special child activities are also scheduled each day at Disney World resorts.
Excitement Beyond the Theme Parks
For the biggest water thrills, you’ll want to add the water parks and more option to your Disney World theme park ticket. This special add-on nets you access to Disney’s fabulously themed water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Both offer chilling thrills for adults and children alike.
While Blizzard Beach remains closed due to Covid shutdowns, adventure seekers will certainly be waiting at the gate when it reopens, thanks to the ever-chilling Summit Plummet. Guests can take a plunge straight down the 12-story shoot and regale their friends with stories of heroism and bravery. At Typhoon Lagoon, thrill seekers will head toward the 5-story drop down Typhoon’s Humunga Kowabunga.
There are delights for little ones as well with Tike’s Peak at Typhoon Lagoon or Ski Patrol Training Camp at Blizzard beach. Both offer splash pad or wading fun with streaming cooling stations and shooting fountains.
For those who enjoy world class shopping or dining, an afternoon or evening at Disney Springs wouldn’t come amiss. Disney Springs offers 120 acres of elite and quirky eateries and stores perfect for a day away from the parks.
Revenge Travel Transportation Is Free Across Disney World
One of the biggest draws for revenge travlers and families staying at a Disney World resort is the complimentary transportation system. Depending upon where you stay, you’ll have free transport between your resort and any Disney park, including water parks and Disney Springs, via bus, boat, monorail or Skyliner.
For those who appreciate a more private ride and don’t mind paying a little more for the luxury, Minnie Vans have now returned to Disney World. Minnie Van service offers guests a private ride between their resort and Disney location with a trained Disney cast member. They’ll answer question and provide Disney trivia while offering a little privacy and quiet before your day in the park begins.
Private Tours Offer Behind the Scenes Thrills and VIP Experiences
For anyone seeking a more intimate or backstage adventure, Disney World tours offer a number of different experiences. Some, such as the Keys to the Kingdom tour, take small groups of individuals behind the scenes and give guests a taste of how the magic is created.
Other tours offer guests the VIP treatment through a private tour. These individual experiences are customized to the needs of the guest’s party and can include privileged VIP access to rides and attractions with little to no wait.
The Perfect Jumping Off Point to Florida Revenge Travel Adventure
Many guests to Disney World parks book a week or more at a Disney World resort, and then split their time between the parks and other destinations around Florida. Disney World is the perfect jumping off point for many Florida attractions, including Sea World, Universal Studios and even Port Canaveral.
Disney theme park tickets offer a degree of flexibility, providing you with several days over which the ticket can be used. Guests often take advantage of this perk by expanding their vacation to include the nearby adventure that Florida has to offer. This type of travel is particularly favored by revenge travelers who are extending a typical one-week vacation into two weeks or more.
By staying at Disney World, revenge travelers are assured comfort accommodations at a moderate or deluxe resorts, ensuring a relaxing place to come home to each night and a quiet comfortable atmosphere to recharge for the next day’s pursuit.
Revenge travelers want to seize back the days lost to Covid lockdowns and quarantines. Disney World offers the multitude of experiences, attractions and accommodations that even some of the most discriminating travelers are seeking.
