USA future visits

So without wanting anyone to comment on the politics of the current situation, is anyone feeling a little apprehensive or even thinking about changing their leisure plans to visit the US this year given the very recent events, the reactions and indeed the election in November and its potential reactions ?

I'm not overly concerned at the moment but don't think I'll be booking any trips for Nov / Dec time.

David

I’m booked to go end of Nov just before Thanksgiving. To Florida and NYC. I’m not concerned at all by the election which is early Nov.

Mr Trump is certainly a "Marmite" character - Americans either love him or hate him. Even last December there were people wearing MAGA 2024 baseball caps in the theme parks.

That said, recent events & the election won't alter my travel plans. The only real trouble after the last election was when Mr Trump held a rally that led to the storming of the Capitol. I don't think he'd do that again (but just avoid Washington DC if he loses).

I'll never forget being in Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure the day after Obama was elected - the guy in front of us in the queue for Butterbeer was clearly an Obama-hater. He was spitting venom about the election result. The most repeatable thing he said was "he'll be throwing bread into the streets for them next".

So without wanting anyone to comment on the politics of the current situation, is anyone feeling a little apprehensive or even thinking about changing their leisure plans to visit the US this year given the very recent events, the reactions and indeed the election in November and its potential reactions ?

I'm not overly concerned at the moment but don't think I'll be booking any trips for Nov / Dec time.

David

Nope. For me, the exchange rate and places such as Florida being generally more expensive compared to pre-COVID and especially compared to a decade ago are enough in itself to look elsewhere regardless of political events. If anything, I’m glad I’m not due to be there in the run-up as it stands due to the wall-to-wall coverage on news bulletins and adverts on TV.

We're skipping MCO this year for first time in nearly a decade, not because of this, but just because it's got a lot more expensive, combined with fact we've used most of this years Disney timeshare points already due to a blow out set of holidays "borrowed" on points last year.

We're expecting to do a short trip (1 week) in 2025, but trying to get back to point where we have a surplus again so we can take family again, as the benefits of staying onsite recently make the entire trip a lot cheaper (the free parking especially now it's $25 per day per car!). We havn't even decided on whether to go in Feb or Nov next year, likely will be Nov though.

We are entirely skipping the summer period, as we have found MCO entirely too hot for us in the last 3 trips in May, June, and August respectively, we prefer the winter months when it's a far nicer climate for us, yet too cold for many Americans.

David, we've now stayed at your resort (Saratoga isn't it) twice, and highly enjoyed it btw. Animal Kindom, Saratoga, and the Rivera are our top 3, having now stayed at ALL of the Disney timeshare resorts.

As twice a year visitors for the last 20 years, it's the expense that is curtailing our trips

That said, the US is definitely going down the proverbial pan and I fear for it's future. But the same could be said for this hole

We're doing our usual three week road trip from mid June, traversing California and ending in Vegas. If it wasn't for the fact that we get free rooms in Vegas, our travel would be very impacted by the cost of living there

[Nottingham Nick]

We said that we wouldn’t do a US trip this year for the first time in many a year (aside from the Covid break) - but then Jeff Lynne announced his ‘Over and Out’ tour and made liars of us

Like others, our reasoning was far more to do with the cost of everything over there, and the out of control tipping culture, rather than the politics.

Having said that, without commenting on specific politicians, I find the increasing partisan vitriol on both sides; and the constant attack ads to be really nauseating.

Politics in most countries is a long way from good, but over there it is just nasty!

Reasonable debate, and compromise are alien concepts now, and I can’t see it getting any better.

We will have our week in Boston in September , but we won’t be taking a spare suitcase like we used to.

Nick

Like others, our reasoning was far more to do with the cost of everything over there, and the out of control tipping culture, rather than the politics.

Before COVID, I had about two run-ins with serving staff over tips. One was an oversight on my part, the other was down to a not so great meal. Definitely a case of two cultures colliding I guess, though it's not surprising it's getting out of hand over there.

Like others, our reasoning was far more to do with the cost of everything over there, and the out of control tipping culture, rather than the politics.

Before COVID, I had about two run-ins with serving staff over tips. One was an oversight on my part, the other was down to a not so great meal. Definitely a case of two cultures colliding I guess, though it's not surprising it's getting out of hand over there.

We've had an average of run tip related run in/misunderstanding on every single trip since 2014 -> usually down to bad service combined with bad attitude. We do tip well if the service is fitting but refuse to tip on poor service or food.. It's worse in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York we have found than Florida, which is far more chilled.

We also havn't been back to Vegas since 2019 despite the free room offers -> the cost of food there is now totally ridiculous, and we don't have enough recent gambling there to get food comps unforuntatly. Thankfully in Florida there are still bargains to be had, and there is decent food for less money outside of the "Disney" bubble there. My father was particularly surprised at how reasonable the Mexican foods were when we took him on his first US trip (at 70!), including alcohol last year. The drinks "specials" at places like Chuy's (know its a nationwise chain) were decent, and a full meal including a reasonably amount of alcohol for 4 was frequently in the £20 a head range.

We don't think we will revisit San Fran or LA again (unless for cheap(er) flights and a drive out), but we will be back to Florida, but again thats becuase like David, we have very reasonably priced accomodation via the Disney scheme -> we just choose not to eat at those Disney places, as at $15 for even a burger in a quick-service restaurant, thats getting ridicolous. Thats a full meal at Chuys with a drink.

Equally Ubers have increased in price recently, it used to be for many years (2017-2022 trips) around $5 from our hotel to a good local bar or restaurant off-Disney (reliably), now it's nearer $10 each way (2023). At those prices we have recently been renting a car given we get free parkng over paying for the convienience of a taxi (which is more convienient when you go with 4 or 6 in the party as only one has to avoid alcohol). Wierd twist of fate in I'm not allowed alcohol with my medication for next couple of years, so I suspect all future trips will involve me driving the party.

Were due to go 12th of November this year, yes were a little apprehensive. We are basically just staying in the Disney bubble and the last time we went around this time when the last election was on we didn’t really notice to much (maybe were a little oblivious)

Were due to go 12th of November this year, yes were a little apprehensive. We are basically just staying in the Disney bubble and the last time we went around this time when the last election was on we didn’t really notice to much (maybe were a little oblivious)

Depends on your resort area as to the price to get out of Disney to the cheaper dining options.
If in the main value resorts the HW192 area (Rock n Brews, Chuys, Millers, Texas Roadhouse, Bahama Breeze) all reccomended and is $10 ish per uber (for 4). You'll save with 4 people more than the Uber will cost, and it's a 5-10 min ride. Theres also once you there a big Target thats walkable from some of the restaurants easily (Bahama Breeze and Rock n Brews), as well as a new pedestrianised area that has good events on in evenings at weekends ("The Wharf I think it's called").

If you in a Disney Springs area hotel (Rivera, Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs etc etc) then there are many copies of the above restuaurants (second outlets) nearer you than the HW192 locations again around a $10 Uber away.

Depends on how DIsney bubble you are, as Fort Wilderness as an example is a bit of a pig to get (from our expeirnec) to off-Disney places due to location at peak times.

Eating inside Disney is now a *very* expensive option even in quick serves from our experience. Yes we still do it occasionally but we equally take in lunches in a small lunchbox now (they do allow this) to avoid the Disney $15 a meal pricing at quickserves. Inside the parks full restuaurants are nearer $40/head minimums from our experience, and a lot more in some cases. Some are worth this premium in our opinion (we like Ohana at Polynesian, and in the parks, we like the quick servers in Animal kingdom the most (both the BBQ in centre and the Sautili canteen in the new Avatar areas are great). We don't really like *any* food option in Magic Kingdom for quick serve (it's mostly burgers) but do like Crytal Palace for a sit down treat about every 3 trips to US (it's a $50-60/head buffet)...

Epcot, the Japanese Teppanyaki is actually for Teppanyaki not overpriced inside Disney in our opinon, yes it's cheaper on Idirve at a non-Disney Japanese, but it's a really good experience in Disney (about $50/head all in). You do need to book this ahead of visit as walk-ups are rare (we have managed "once" for 4 of us).

But ref; election, we were there for the last one, I wouldn't really worry, most people in Orlando will like you, just be there for holiday, theres usually not much issues there. I would advise not to wear a MAGA hat though, as that would probably go down badly.

Having not long returned rom our spring road trip. We usually go into Vegas and travel from there, as we like the airport as its small and easy to navigate the roads to where we want to go.

We went to Lake Tahoe skirting the Cal/Nevada states , it was very noticeable the price of fuel in California was just over $7 dollars and about $4.50 elsewhere. Walmart shopping used to be really reasonable but their fruit and veg is more expensive than ours and the outlets were very expensive we could get cheaper at home, for Sketchers and Levi's etc.

The vegas hotel we use has gone up to ridiculous amounts with the resort fees, I used to be able to get a comp room or 30% off no more.
We have one more trip in the first week of October and nothing booked for next year even though we will have 3x BA vouchers and 1 x virigin voucher to use. I was shocked at the taxes on the the Virgin reward tickets have gone up so much.

Think we will have to go to the canaries again, they may be a bit cheaper.

Last year tuna in the supermarket was it's usual about $1 a tin. However you right about fruit and veg, as a single cucumber to go with that in our sandwiches was... $4.50 ... And bread rolls were about $4 a pack for fresh baked (about double UK for anything fresh in egneral).

Says why so many americans eat out to be honest, the supermarket prices on fresh produce were insane -> but for goods with longer shelf life were about same as UK.

Given in Orlando you can get an unlimited pizza/pasta buffet with a voucher for 2 people for about $14 (where the salad will include cucumber) why would you spend that on cucumber.

The single day in the villa we had a BBQ was easily the most expensive we had ... You are right about the Canaries being cheap now, but that said, restaurants can still be both reasonable and good quality. Would say late 2023 was first year we required booking tables places though, the out of Disney resturants were notably more busy than on any previous trip even pre-covid -> I think more tourists staying near Animal kingdom are awakening to the massive dining district within a mile or so of the Disney campus (where before they would have had to go to International drive for such a choice).

Were due to go 12th of November this year, yes were a little apprehensive. We are basically just staying in the Disney bubble and the last time we went around this time when the last election was on we didn’t really notice to much (maybe were a little oblivious)

Depends on your resort area as to the price to get out of Disney to the cheaper dining options.
If in the main value resorts the HW192 area (Rock n Brews, Chuys, Millers, Texas Roadhouse, Bahama Breeze) all reccomended and is $10 ish per uber (for 4). You'll save with 4 people more than the Uber will cost, and it's a 5-10 min ride. Theres also once you there a big Target thats walkable from some of the restaurants easily (Bahama Breeze and Rock n Brews), as well as a new pedestrianised area that has good events on in evenings at weekends ("The Wharf I think it's called").

If you in a Disney Springs area hotel (Rivera, Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs etc etc) then there are many copies of the above restuaurants (second outlets) nearer you than the HW192 locations again around a $10 Uber away.

Depends on how DIsney bubble you are, as Fort Wilderness as an example is a bit of a pig to get (from our expeirnec) to off-Disney places due to location at peak times.

Eating inside Disney is now a *very* expensive option even in quick serves from our experience. Yes we still do it occasionally but we equally take in lunches in a small lunchbox now (they do allow this) to avoid the Disney $15 a meal pricing at quickserves. Inside the parks full restuaurants are nearer $40/head minimums from our experience, and a lot more in some cases. Some are worth this premium in our opinion (we like Ohana at Polynesian, and in the parks, we like the quick servers in Animal kingdom the most (both the BBQ in centre and the Sautili canteen in the new Avatar areas are great). We don't really like *any* food option in Magic Kingdom for quick serve (it's mostly burgers) but do like Crytal Palace for a sit down treat about every 3 trips to US (it's a $50-60/head buffet)...

Epcot, the Japanese Teppanyaki is actually for Teppanyaki not overpriced inside Disney in our opinon, yes it's cheaper on Idirve at a non-Disney Japanese, but it's a really good experience in Disney (about $50/head all in). You do need to book this ahead of visit as walk-ups are rare (we have managed "once" for 4 of us).

But ref; election, we were there for the last one, I wouldn't really worry, most people in Orlando will like you, just be there for holiday, theres usually not much issues there. I would advise not to wear a MAGA hat though, as that would probably go down badly.

Thanks for the reply, not overly worried about the price of things just how the election will affect things. The information you have given definitely opens up ideas for alternatives thank you.

Thanks for the reply, not overly worried about the price of things just how the election will affect things. The information you have given definitely opens up ideas for alternatives thank you.

If you havn't tried it I think david (we've mentioned on here before) and myself would also reccomend on Disney (this one is Adult only) going to the Piano bar Jellyrolls on one evening of your trip. It has a cover charge (think it's $15 now), and they are quite strict on checking ID there (Dad got ID'ed at 70!).. We usually save it for the night before we leave ourselves (we went with friends whilst another friend babysat last time). Be warned it is very busy many nights and for a good seat you need to be there near opening time, as on some nights it's standing room only by 9pm. Usually finishes midnight ish. Depends on the day to just how busy, Sundays are wierdly the busiest we've seen it (it's quite popular with cast too)

It's very good, and whilst not unique to Disney (dualling pianos are everywhere) some of the songs that will get requested and played will be unique as not-many Piano bars will take Disney related requests. Only downside is drink prices are Disney marked up as usual, but it's still an excellent evenings entertainment.

We usually book the last night of our stay at Boardwalk so we can walk back, but if we can't do that, we just Uber home from Boardwalk lobby after one night of our stay.

(It's in the Boardwalk area, which is also worth an evening visit, and many people who visit Disney never discover the unique charms of this excellent non-paid for place -> it's got quite an evening atmosphere, and is one of our favourite "free" places within the Disney bubble). You can also if you can stand the heat walk from Epcot to Hollywood studios or vice versa via the Boardwalk if you fancy a lunchtime stroll. We often do this, as it avoids all the queues for the buses, boats, or skyliners.

Completely OT, but Sundays at JR is free entry for cast members…