Covid Has Spoiled Me
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (118442)
Gainesville, Florida
July 21, 2021 7:44pm CST
Most of you on here know that I am a Disney fanatic, as I live close enough to the Disney World theme parks to go there frequently throughout the year. And being an annual pass holder makes it even easier, as I don't have to buy a ticket every time I go.
I have been loving the pandemic restrictions ever since the Disney theme parks reopened. Limited capacity has meant that there were very little crowds at Disney. Which has been nothing but awesome! But as we ease out of the pandemic restrictions, the crowds are starting to return to the theme parks. And I'm not liking it one bit.
I was looking through some photos earlier this evening, and came across a photo of the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The photo was originally taken in 2015, which was the last year the lights were featured at the theme park. While I started out reminiscing about the beautiful holiday lights, I found that my eyes kept being drawn to the crowd in the picture. The crowds that I have spent the past 20 years fighting through. The way Disney used to be. And the way Disney is soon to become again in the near future. And I'm not looking forward to it.
Over 20 years, I got used to the crowds, and it never bothered me or my family. It was just the way it was. It was part of the experience. But in less than one year's time, I have gotten spoiled at the lack of crowds at Disney. And it now saddens me that this is what I have to look forward to again at the theme parks.
I just hope it doesn't take me another 20 years to get used to the crowds again.
Disney likes to say it is the "happiest place on earth." I'm pretty sure those tens of thousands of people all squished together like sardines in a can probably don't think so. And that makes me laugh thinking about it. Which is probably why I have so much fun at the parks!
28 people like this
26 responses
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 21
Yep, I agree, which is why I'm not looking forward to those crowds at all.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@DianneN I know we seem to be the hotspot for Delta variant Covid infections right now, but authorities are saying that 99.99% of all new infections are incurring in UN-vaccinated people, not those who have been vaccinated, so I'm not too worried right now.
{I am taking precautions again, as I've resorted to mask-wearing in public once more}
2 people like this
@DianneN (246841)
• United States
22 Jul 21
@moffittjc Florida is scaring me right now. Be careful when out and about.
3 people like this
@Hannihar (129470)
• Israel
22 Jul 21
@moffittjc
That is too bad that more are coming to Disney World now so you cannot enjoy it so much anymore. I see lots of people in that picture and I am with you I would not like to push my way through that crowd either. I do not like being in huge crowds and the corona has brought all kinds out and they did not social distance or wear masks so it was very hard for me to want to go out at all during this time. I know what you are saying. It is hard when something like the corona comes along and we have to live a different life and then to get back to normal if there will be a normal again will be hard.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
Despite the increasing crowd sizes, I will still keep going to Disney, and I will still keep having as much fun as I've always had. For me, Disney is my happy place, regardless of crowd size.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@S4mmyboy It is not a lifetime membership card, but an annual membership. Disney is not selling any NEW memberships right now, but for those who already have them, we are allowed to renew them each year.
1 person likes this
@S4mmyboy (3266)
• Mumbai, India
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc yes that I can understand reading your post. So how much did you pay for your life time membership card? Are such cards still available now?
1 person likes this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
22 Jul 21
You got to take advantage of this spoiled time! My dentist said the same thing about Disneyland here . . . this big fan was able to go twice since the reopening in May, I think - she loved how it wasn't as crowded as it normally would be. Right, sooner or later these huge crowds are going to be back . . . enjoy it all you can now!
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Jul 21
@moffittjc You've probably been to Disney World more times than I have gone to Disneyland in my lifetime 
. Seriously, take advantage while you can!
. Seriously, take advantage while you can!1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@much2say I have been on more than a hundred trips to Disney over the past 20 years.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
I've probably been to Disney World 10 times since they've re-opened. I'm taking advantage of the small crowds as much as I can!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 21
I've always been an avid people watcher, so I will be excited for that part. But big crowds mean long lines for rides and attractions, and I don't look forward to that part.
2 people like this
I am sad for you.@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Jul 21
@jstory07 Nah, you shouldn't be. I can be very social when I need to. I always make new friends while I'm standing in lines for rides. I've met people from all over the world!
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
22 Jul 21
I really miss to be in the places like this.
4 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
I was so happy when Disney World re-opened again after the pandemic. I waited so patiently for the many months they were closed due to Covid. I was there on opening day when the theme park finally re-opened.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
22 Jul 21
we were there the first time when the kids were little in July. By the end of the 3rd day I could tell you every air-conditioned ride in the park!!!!
love Disneyworld.
have never been without a huge crowd so color me jelly!!!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
I go to Disney all year long, but cut back on the trips during the summer months due to the high heat and humidity. And I agree with you, I could tell you the best air-conditioned rides in every park! lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@DocAndersen They used to keep the Carousel of Progress pretty cold, but the last few times I was there it didn't seem that cool inside. Also, the Haunted Mansion feels good most of the time, but sometimes it feels warm.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54413)
• United States
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc Hall of the Presidents and its a small world (the twins and I rode that one 3 times the first day)!
1 person likes this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
22 Jul 21
It's good that the pandemic has been good for something ;-)
I wouldnt' find those crowds funny at all at any point I think, unless I could sit somewhere, have a drink and just watch other people fighting to get through, pretending to have fun.
Do you have to book time now, even with the annual pass?
2 people like this
@Torunn (8609)
• Norway
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc That really sounds like one of the few sensible ways to enjoy Disneyland :-) Most of the people in pictures seem either stressed or angry or both.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@Torunn You wouldn't believe how many people are miserable on their trips to Disney. They have this false expectation that they will have the entire theme park to themselves when they go on vacation, only to realize when they get there how crowded it is. I have never let the crowds spoil my experiences and enjoyment of the theme parks. I just consider it all a part of the experience.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
You wouldn't believe how many times I have gone to Disney and did exactly what you said....grab a drink and just sit and watch everyone else be miserable. I find it quite comical.
Yes, even with the annual pass I still have to make reservations. But pass holders get first priority over everyone else when making reservations.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458091)
• Switzerland
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc They were re-opening everything here in Europe and now quickly re-closing after the number of cases started to rise again at an incredible speed. Re-opening is good, but we need rules!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
This is the perfect time to go to Disney while they still have capacity limits in place due to the pandemic. Right now the parks are not crowded at all. But pretty soon the crowds will be worse than ever when they finally eliminate the capacity limits.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@LadyDuck I'm pretty sure that here in the US we won't go back to closing things again, no matter how bad the cases may rise. It was very devastating to our economy.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (48958)
• United States
22 Jul 21
The crowds at Disney World never bothered me unless I was waiting in a long line.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
The huge crowds have never bothered me either, even when I've been stuck in long lines. There were only 2 times where I've been stuck in a line so long that it started to bother me. Both times there was over a 4 hour wait. But, to be fair, when I got in line for those rides, the wait time was not that long, but I think in both cases the rides broke down or had technical difficulties or something. But other than those two times, I have never been bothered by the lines.
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 21
I'll never forget my trip to the Disney World many years back. The crowd wasn't terribly bad when I went, but I'm sure the experience would have been a lot different with less crowd.
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
What time of the year did you visit Disney World? Also, do you remember what year you went?
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc Oh it was quite some time ago, October 2005
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@cahaya1983 You went at a great time. 2005 was a good year for visiting Disney. Crowds weren't bad at all back then. I don't think the crowds started becoming a problem until about 2008. And October is one of the best months to visit the theme park. It's one of my favorite times of the year to visit Disney.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95190)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jul 21
A big reason why I have never wanted to go.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (95190)
• Marion, Ohio
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc I dont even like to go to the ones here as they always seem packed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@wolfgirl569 There are definitely some pretty popular theme parks in Ohio!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
I could see how that would be a big turnoff to visiting a theme park. But in fairness, there are times when the parks aren't that crowded, it's just that you've got to time things just right. And sometimes the weather can also play a factor. Being that I live so close to Disney, it's easy for me to make impromptu decisions to visit the theme parks when I see or hear that they aren't busy. It's not quite so easy for someone who lives far away.
1 person likes this
@DesirousDreamer (34783)
• Peoria, Arizona
22 Jul 21
Not exactly the same, but kind of. Back in October we went to the mall, and it wasn't crowded and it was nice. Or people would keep to themselves. A few weeks ago there are gaggles of people and crowded and just so not fun. How dare people must go to popular attractions, I don't want to be near you haha
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (156157)
• United States
22 Jul 21
Wow! I had no idea that the park was that crowded! That's a LOT of people!!!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
Granted, this was taken at Christmastime, which is the absolute busiest time of the year at Disney (the week before Christmas and the week after Christmas are the 2 busiest weeks of the year). But, the theme parks are pretty much crowded all year long during normal times. Hasn't been bad at all during the pandemic, as Disney has limited the capacity in the parks. But soon everything will return to normal and the parks will be super crowded again.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@LindaOHio I definitely took advantage of the opportunity as much as I could.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156157)
• United States
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc I'm glad you were able to enjoy less crowds while they lasted.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
A lot of people will not go for that same reason. But millions more decide to brave the crowds. People come from all over the world to visit Disney theme parks, and sometimes I wonder if they don't know how crowded it will be when they are planning their trip.
1 person likes this
@Reyzon (34)
• Yogyakarta, Indonesia
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc maybe some people will ignore the crowd, just to be able to vacation in disney land
and it's as if he doesn't know that he's on vacation in such a crowded place, reducing the joy of being on vacation
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
22 Jul 21
Since I was on a package tour the travel agents took care of the nitty gritty We just had to go in there and yes mingle in the crowd.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130066)
• India
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc Sad that I have given up travelling and so would not be able to book a package through you. Good Luck!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
Many people tell me I should be a travel agent because I seem to know more about Disney than they do! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@allknowing Have you given up traveling forever, or just until the pandemic ends?
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (12938)
• Italy
22 Jul 21
I feel you, I've only been in a couple of local theme parks. I've been to Gardaland twice, once in summer during the weekend and once in winter on a week day. Two extremes.
It was fantastic in winter: no crowds, no sweating, no waiting in line and so on. 
Sure, water attractions weren't available and some had to close down in the evening because it was getting cold, but it was still a great experience.
It was fantastic in winter: no crowds, no sweating, no waiting in line and so on.
Sure, water attractions weren't available and some had to close down in the evening because it was getting cold, but it was still a great experience. 1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@sabtraversa Haha, not maybe. Definitely. I would make sure you have the time of your life. I’m just a goofy big kid!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
It's all about timing. If you know the best times to visit the theme parks, the reward can be quite extraordinary.
You should come to the US and visit and let me take you to Disney World! We'd have so much fun!
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
22 Jul 21
I have only been to a Disney theme park once. It's a fond memory for a lifetime!
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc - The one in Orlando, Florida.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@cmoneyspinner Disney World!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
Did you go to Disneyland or Disney World?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
Disney is definitely not a place for claustrophobic people!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@Fleura But children love Mickey Mouse! haha
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc It isn't somewhere I ever wanted to go. I mean what is the deal with the people dressed up as giant Mickey Mouse and stuff? I just don't see the appeal at all!
1 person likes this
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
23 Jul 21
It's so nice when parks are not overcrowded. Less waiting time on rides. And easier to walk around from place to place. I hope I will get to go one day.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
25 Jul 21
@lovebuglena I would be honored to share my Disney expertise with you and your husband. Hopefully it would help you have a better experience.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
If you ever get serious about going, let me know. I can give you guidance on the best times of the year to go, the best days of the weeks to go, and even the best times of the day to go.
@lovebuglena (43077)
• Staten Island, New York
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc Thank you. I will keep you in mind if I finally end up going there.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
@CarolDM Disney's fireworks show are the best I've ever seen. I'm glad they are finally bringing back their fireworks after a year off due to Covid. Can't wait to see them again.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
24 Jul 21
I do try to go as much as I can, and I agree that the crowds are all part of the experience. It can be frustrating fighting the crowds at certain times of the day and on certain rides, but then there are times when the crowd makes a normal experience extraordinary (think parades and fireworks). I love when the huge crowds "ooh" and "ahh" in unison during fireworks shows.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203454)
• Nashville, Tennessee
24 Jul 21
@moffittjc It is all part of the experience I believe. The fireworks shows are amazing.
1 person likes this
