Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[luv2cheer92]

We had a fun arrival day so far. Got into MCO shortly after 11am, no line at all for DME—walked right on the bus. We however walked by the line for Southwest departures and it was scary long—we made a mental note to give ourselves an extra hour at the airport when we leave in a week.

Had a delicious and quick lunch at primi piatto. Noticed in the app it said you must be a riviera resort guest to mobile order at primi piatto today. We are (it’s our welcome home trip as new DVC owners!) but I was a little surprised. They must be getting too much traffic from Caribbean beach I think. Good thing too as the restaurant was packed.

Went to HS. Skyliner was down but no surprise as it was pouring but buses were reasonably efficient (they were “filling all available space on each bus). Was nice to see buses were resort specific unlike our last trip when they ran a circuit and stopped at all skyliner resorts.

HS was awesome despite (maybe because of) all the rain. We had ponchos and enjoyed the cooler weather the rain brought, but did get pretty soggy. No crowds, 10 minutes for TOT (posted wait of 30), 15 for TSMM (posted 35), 20 for MFSR (posted 35). Only one ride the Lines app totally failed us on was AS2. Lines app said 9 mins. Actual wait 35 (ended up wishing we had used DAS as our youngest is autistic and doesn’t handle long waits well, but once we were in the line, he would have had a meltdown if we tried to leave). We also rode slinky but used DAS as the posted wait was 60 mins so I can’t speak to actual wait time.

It is DH’s bday so we headed back to the resort and are relaxing before a special dinner at Topolino’s.

I was scared about coming with kids too young for the vax, but have been so happy here all day. Mask compliance was VERY good on buses, in lines and on rides—I think people tolerate the masks better when the get to have a break outside. They do pack you in but we created a bit of distance in the line queues by having DH and I stand 6 ft apart with the kids in the middle.

So glad we came… this is still most definitely my happiest place.

That has been the case for Primo Piatto for at least a couple weeks now.

 

[MomOTwins]

You probably passed us in the Southwest line. Good news is it moves really fast.

Aww sorry it is your going home day, I know that is no fun. Good to know it moves fast—it looked longer than any theme park ride line we waited in today!

 

[KayKayJS]

Does anyone know if they’re doing any fireworks tonight for the private party? I know they’re not listed but we’re at the GF beach and curious if we’ll see any.

 

[danissmart]

Weird the lines are getting so much shorter. And busses emptier. I wonder what changed?

 

[ellbell]

Weird the lines are getting so much shorter. And busses emptier. I wonder what changed?

Kids started going back to school among other things. Crowds always started to die down around mid August.

 

[Marvin1968]

We had a fun arrival day so far. Got into MCO shortly after 11am, no line at all for DME—walked right on the bus. We however walked by the line for Southwest departures and it was scary long—we made a mental note to give ourselves an extra hour at the airport when we leave in a week.

Had a delicious and quick lunch at primi piatto. Noticed in the app it said you must be a riviera resort guest to mobile order at primi piatto today. We are (it’s our welcome home trip as new DVC owners!) but I was a little surprised. They must be getting too much traffic from Caribbean beach I think. Good thing too as the restaurant was packed.

Went to HS. Skyliner was down but no surprise as it was pouring but buses were reasonably efficient (they were “filling all available space on each bus). Was nice to see buses were resort specific unlike our last trip when they ran a circuit and stopped at all skyliner resorts.

HS was awesome despite (maybe because of) all the rain. We had ponchos and enjoyed the cooler weather the rain brought, but did get pretty soggy. No crowds, 10 minutes for TOT (posted wait of 30), 15 for TSMM (posted 35), 20 for MFSR (posted 35). Only one ride the Lines app totally failed us on was AS2. Lines app said 9 mins. Actual wait 35 (ended up wishing we had used DAS as our youngest is autistic and doesn’t handle long waits well, but once we were in the line, he would have had a meltdown if we tried to leave). We also rode slinky but used DAS as the posted wait was 60 mins so I can’t speak to actual wait time.

It is DH’s bday so we headed back to the resort and are relaxing before a special dinner at Topolino’s.

I was scared about coming with kids too young for the vax, but have been so happy here all day. Mask compliance was VERY good on buses, in lines and on rides—I think people tolerate the masks better when the get to have a break outside. They do pack you in but we created a bit of distance in the line queues by having DH and I stand 6 ft apart with the kids in the middle.

So glad we came… this is still most definitely my happiest place.

We were at CBR this past week. Skyliner went down pretty much every day late afternoon because of storms. They mobilized the buses pretty quick though.

 

[Haley R]

does anyone know if the f&w food booths are open during thunderstorms? looks like it’s gonna be a wet evening.

We actually were there Thursday and they did close the booths for a little while during/after a storm.

 

[123SA]

Yes Alps and Spain open. We had food from Alps tonight

 

[OhBother1984]

Kids started going back to school among other things. Crowds always started to die down around mid August.

I think you will also see a lot less people pulling kids from schools this year for vacations. Between needing days for actual illness since not like the past when they sent them sick and many school districts are now behind and testing scores fell so there will be a lot more pressure this year plus many kids are behind .

 

[Magnoliafan]

That has been the case for Primo Piatto for at least a couple weeks now.

Just FYI: I‘ve been at Pop for a week and had no issues picking up a mobile order at Primo Piatto. But I also arrived via Skyliner, so my guess is that it’s intended to prevent people from parking at Riviera and I would have been turned away if I had been in a car.

 

[123SA]

Rise of the resistance boarding groups using time.gov
Starting at 7:00, we got group 63
Starting at 6:59.58 we got group 8
Starting at 6:59.57 too early
Starting at 6:59.59 group 34

used my data, not resort WiFi. Found a spot with strong signal outside

 

[mousefan73]

Rise of the resistance boarding groups using time.gov
Starting at 7:00, we got group 63
Starting at 6:59.58 we got group 8
Starting at 6:59.57 too early
Starting at 6:59.59 group 34

used my data, not resort WiFi. Found a spot with strong signal outside

Did you do multiple days? Or everyone in your group tried. ? I need to check out the R thread get tips on getting a pass. I assume both my DD and I can try correct?

 

[123SA]

Did you do multiple days? Or everyone in your group tried. ? I need to check out the R thread get tips on getting a pass. I assume both my DD and I can try correct?

Those are 3 days, multiple people in my group trying. The people outside, not using WiFi, always got it. Today daughter was too early, but I wasn’t.

 

[123SA]

We were on the very first TOT elevator today. When we walked past Belle on our way out, prior to 9am, the line for the 11:00 Belle show had already started.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

We were on the very first TOT elevator today. When we walked past Belle on our way out, prior to 9am, the line for the 11:00 Belle show had already started.

With it being the 1st day back for the show, it's probably a lot of Vloggers lined up....

 

[Miffy]

Rise of the resistance boarding groups using time.gov
Starting at 7:00, we got group 63
Starting at 6:59.58 we got group 8
Starting at 6:59.57 too early
Starting at 6:59.59 group 34

used my data, not resort WiFi. Found a spot with strong signal outside

Interesting stats and thank you for posting! When we were there in May our successful BG experience was starting at 6:59:58. We were in the room using Wi-Fi, with data off. We had a great Wi-Fi signal in the room, btw, at the GF.

 

[AdrienneP23]

Weird the lines are getting so much shorter. And busses emptier. I wonder what changed?

Maybe the threat of the tropical storm scared away some Florida locals?

 

[Chavaleh]

Rise of the resistance boarding groups using time.gov
Starting at 7:00, we got group 63
Starting at 6:59.58 we got group 8
Starting at 6:59.57 too early
Starting at 6:59.59 group 34

used my data, not resort WiFi. Found a spot with strong signal outside

What an insane system.

My husband got a new phone and has been practicing for weeks for our mid Sept trip. I kid you not. He's even talked me into getting a new phone though my motivations have nothing to do with RotR. Insanity I tell ya. Insanity.

 

[123SA]

At dhs. By 1040
tot
Rnrc
Starbucks
Mickey Minnie ride
Tsm
Star tours
2 phtospass stops
Shop for cards in galaxy’s edge
Blue milk

our rise boarding should be in about 15 minutes

great morning

 

[LiteBrite]

That has been the case for Primo Piatto for at least a couple weeks now.

This made me curious, so I just hopped on the app (I'm not at WDW right now, just checking), and I didn't see anything about needing to be a guest of the Riviera. Perhaps it comes and goes when it's busier. We've eaten there a couple of times in the past when we stopped by the Riviera for a visit, not staying there, but it wasn't particularly busy either of those times.