"Disneyclipse" 2045
Two weeks ago, on April 8, 2024, the United States experienced our second total eclipse in 10 years. This eclipse rolled through major metropolitan areas like San Antonio and Austin, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana, allowing several Americans a chance to view this rare phenomenon. This, coming after the "Great American Eclipse" on August 21, 2017 that spanned the continent from Oregon to South Carolina, has ignited a new passion for finding totality in many Americans. I'm one of them.
Me and my family are quickly becoming umbraphiles: Those who seek out the path of totality during a solar eclipse. This is not always an easy thing to do as most total eclipses occur over the ocean or in inhospitable places like the Arctic or Antarctic. This is why this recent age of eclipses has been so exciting. We've only needed a few short flights, not even a passport, to enjoy this celestial phenomenon. So, now, having enjoyed totality in 2017 and 2024, we ask ourselves "When is the next one?" The answer? In 20 years. The next one will only clip the United States in parts of North Dakota and Montana on August 23, 2044.
But that's just preparing for the next big show, on August 12, 2045, which will be another transcontinental phenomenon where the path of totality will stretch from California on the West coast to Walt Disney World and Florida on the East coast. And yes, Walt Disney World is in the path of totality.
If you're lucky enough to be alive in 21 years, and are a Disney fan, AND umbraphile like me, you might be thinking that the hub at Magic Kingdom is THE place to be 21 years. And you're not wrong.
But Before You Go, Know This...
Seeing a total eclipse requires a lot of planning. Going to Walt Disney World requires a lot of planning. Being an expert in both now, here is what I can share about what to expect.
The theme parks will very likely be at capacity. This is going to be the kind of day where you will want to get tickets early (preferably as soon as you can) and get there early. I imagine this event will be bigger than Christmas Day.
You can count on price gouging. It is likely Disney will classify the 2045 eclipse as a special event with a special "Eclipse party" ticket or something like that. And you can bet it will be expensive. We saw this even with minor local attractions during the last eclipse. Almost any thing that was remotely a tourist location had some sort of special ticket event on eclipse day, and no other guests were admitted. Some signs that it's the hottest event in town (which Disney World undoubtably will be) are: Big names in science are there, they give away eclipse glasses, they have telescopes or other viewing stations you can use, they have eclipse themed treats, they have eclipse merch, and more.
Depending on when Disney makes tickets and lodging available, you will want to book insanely early. For my last two total eclipses in 2017 and 2024, I booked each stay 3 years in advance. Sometimes people will balk at that and wonder why you book so early, so I like to explain up front that I'm trying to secure a place to be for the eclipse. In the case of rentals, it's important to be up front about this. There were horror stories from 2017 that people booked places at normal rates only to have their reservations cancelled when the rental owners found they could price gouge and rent it out to someone new for much more. This is why I like to add a note introducing myself and my family, being clear about my intention (eclipse), and if they seem hesitant, sometimes I will even negotiate with the owner what to do if rates increase. I don't like to leave myself open to price gouging, but I will offer that I understand rates change year to year and if the new year's rates come out and are more, I will pay the difference. Either I've been lucky or smart, or some combo thereof, because I haven't been price gouged or cancelled on yet, and usually the owner and I strike up a very good relationship leading up to the stay. This is all assuming you are renting a vacation rental. Hotels will be different, and will usually know the eclipse is coming by the time they release bookings. Expect the prices to reflect that. But again, book early, as soon as you can, because if a hotel releases rates and then later realizes they could charge more, you will typically have your original rate honored. This is really a case of early bird gets the hotel room rate.
Other than the magic of seeing totality over Cinderella Castle, it may not be a picnic. An eclipse is a magical event and I can't imagine a more wonderful place to see it. But, let's face it, totality lasts 2-4 minutes. Other than that, expect crowds (unless for some reason Disney limits capacity, which would make tickets MUCH more expensive). The crowds may be extra annoying, especially during the eclipse event which, including partial phases, takes 2-3 hours around midday, because people will be looking at the sky rather than where they are walking. Almost everyone will be filming. Some people will be wearing eclipse glasses which prevent you from seeing anything other than the sun through them. Expect to be bumping into people. Also consider that it's August in Florida and it will be HOT.
You may not have cell service or wifi. Because the band of totality is relatively narrow, cell towers and wifi transmitters at tourist attractions get overwhelmed as people from outside the band of totality flock inwards. People will try to livestream, also taxing bandwidth. The safest thing to do is to just assume you will not have cell service or wifi on the day of. Come with paper or offline everything. In 2017, we were on a beach in South Carolina. The beach was busy, and we did notice our cell service dip from 5 bars to 1-2 bars. In 2024, we stayed at a rural vacation rental, on a ranch, in the small town of Bulverde, Texas. We did not have any interruption because there was hardly anyone around who needed to use the cell tower because of the rural nature of the place. Between these two events, I actually preferred the beach. There is something to be said for being with other people and experiencing the eclipse in a group. I didn't mind the loss of cell service at all because I was prepared.
Don't even try to drive to or from Disney on the day of the eclipse. In 2017, there was a 31 percent increase in traffic accidents on eclipse day. This is NOT because of the eclipse making things dark suddenly. It's because of the immense amount of people on the roads trying to get into totality and then out of totality immediately surrounding the eclipse time. So, not only is driving on eclipse day dangerous, especially in the few hours before and after the eclipse, but the traffic is very heavy. Orlando traffic isn't a picnic on a normal day, so I can't even begin to imagine what eclipse day could mean. Again, the best and safest thing to do is to secure a place and hunker down there. If you're dead set on Disney World, then arrive at Disney World a few days before the eclipse. Take Disney transportation (preferably a monorail, boat, or skyliner) to the park you want to be in (IF you want to be in a park) the day of, and leave early. After the event, stay where you are for a few hours at least. Let others leave. Let the traffic clear up. Plan to leave Disney World a couple days after the eclipse.
Try not to get hurt. It may take a long time for help to get to you. We just talked about the traffic and increase in accidents. These two factors combined means that emergency services are going to be busy, either trying to get to an accident, or dealing with an accident. Don't add to this. Just play it safe on this day.
After years of prep, it could still be cloudy and your pictures may be ruined. States in the path of totality of a solar eclipse have declared States of Emergency on or leading up to eclipse day because of all the factors I listed above. In addition to crowds, traffic, accidents, prices being high, etc., you may even find a shortage of basic things like local restaurants running out of food, or public restrooms running out of toilet paper. I experienced both two weeks ago, though in terms of food it wasn't a total lack of food, just certain menu items selling out. With some preparation, none of this is a problem. But you must book early (and be clear about your intentions), plan to arrive early and leave late, avoid the roads if you can or at least leave lots of extra time if they can't be avoided, plan to not rely on technology for a day, and have some snacks on hand just in case. By doing these things, both eclipses I've experienced so far have been a piece of cake the day of. We've even been able to go out to dinner (after waiting several hours for traffic to clear). But even with all this preparation, clouds can proverbially rain on your parade, as they did on our 2024 eclipse experience. Don't worry - If you're in the path of totality, you will still experience the darkness, which is the best part. But you won't get to observe the phases of the sun as the moon slowly begins to cover it leading up to and from totality. Also, forget getting amazing pictures of the corona on a cloudy day - It won't happen. You won't even see the sun at all. This is where mindset is important. If your goal is to get a picture of the sun's corona over Cinderella Castle or bust, it may be a bust which can be devastating after years of planning. You need to consider if this is worth it to you. Only you know that answer.
Alternatives to Cinderella
Ok, so I've scared you away from trying to go to Walt Disney World during an eclipse... what other options might you have?
My favorite, and I'll only say this once, here... If you can remember this for 21 years, you deserve this treat: Get on the cruise. I personally think the best place possible to be is on a Disney Cruise, perhaps stopping at Castaway Cay or at sea on that day. If I am still alive and healthy enough to travel, I will be watching the Disney Cruise Line starting up to 3 years before the eclipse to see if any special sailings are offered. If so, I'm booking it. Here's why:
On a cruise ship, you won't be dealing with traffic, and crowds will be naturally limited by the capacity of the ship.
The ocean is a great place for wide open skies. And because cruise ships have the whole sea, if there are clouds, it's possible the captain can navigate to clearer skies for perfect viewing.
Rent a home, either in Orlando or on the East Coast of Florida. Again, I'd be doing this up to 3 years before the eclipse. Here's why:
I can still go to Disney once the eclipse fervor calms down. But I'd still expect Disney to be a little busier than usual.
With a rental, I can choose to stay put and not drive anywhere, which is the safest, most hassle-free option on eclipse day. I would want to consider my rental carefully, keeping in mind wide open skies. This is why a rental near a beach is especially attractive to me because, again, at a beach, there won't be trees to block your views, and the only buildings would be on one side.
Go see it somewhere other than Florida. Here's why:
Florida, as it is teeming with tourist attractions, will likely be busy with lots of people having the same idea as you. In 2017, we were almost able to "get away" with the eclipse being a thing only a few people knew about. But in 2024, the hype about the eclipse swelled to the point that EVERYONE who could wanted to see it. You're going to want to get somewhere more remote than Florida.
There are some great alternatives, such as the rocky mountains in Colorado, or the coast of Northern California, or Gulf Coast of Alabama.
Oh, and our final piece of advice, if you don't care at all about the eclipse, DON'T BE AT WALT DISNEY WORLD ON AUGUST 12, 2045. You'll be wondering what on Earth you signed up for.
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