Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[lnR_Texas]

March 16 - AK. Our third park day and our third different approach to getting to the parks! Again, it’s hard to get going for these 8 am openings, so we decided to drive to AK. Arrived at parking gates at 7:15 with the lines at least 10 cars deep. Looked like they had just opened the parking, but can’t be sure. Walking in the park by 7:34.

Our plan was to zig while everyone else zagged (i.e., don’t go to Pandora)- quick safari followed by multiple rides on Everest. Well, got to the safari line at 7:40 and they said it would not open until 8:30. We were not going to waste pre-park time waiting in line so we trekked over to Everest. Small line building, as they didn’t let folks in until 8:00:00:00...exactly. We got on the second train of the day and then went two more times before 8:30. Then we went back over to KS.

This is where my wait time information is going to be sketchy...I was planning to use the wait times I posted to TP to report out (That’s what I did other days, they were conviently listed under My Profile), but apparently these only show for the current day and I was too tired to write this last night. Oh well...

I can’t quite explain how long the KS line was, but suffice to say that it started on the bridge, turned left and went INTO the Lion King theater where a maze of lines were taped on the floor to shuttle you through many switchbacks. Despite the length, I think we waited 40 minutes. The CM‘s were nice enough to let my mom wait at the front of the line for us so she didn’t have to walk all that distance in line.

We were off the safari by about 9:45. Our new park strategy, considering our ~ 2 pm ADRs for lunch, was to head back to the resort early and then return back to the park for lunch. So after KS we got a snack (Dole whip float with rum for my mom and me YUM, and a Frappuccino for my daughter), drove back to WL, arriving around 10:45.

After relaxing, we decided to take the bus back to AK because driving would mean parking far from the front gate. DS16 has skipped the morning but was with us for the afternoon. The Bus was right on time based on MDE, and we were in the park by 1:15. Walked over to Tiffins and checked in 20 min early for our 1:50 reservation, saw a Mickey and Minnie boat cavalcade while waiting for our table, and then we were in. Enjoyed a great lunch— bread service and octopus appetizers, wine flight, and shrimp n grits (for me).

Then it was round 2 for Everest, 4 times for me and DD12 between 3:27 and 4:10. If you’re counting, that’s 7 rides so far. DS16 and DH bailed after 2 rounds and went on KS with grandma. After our. 4 rides on Everest, DD and I got in line for N’avi and waited for the rest. They were delayed so we stepped out of line under the N’avi entrance, and they finally joined us a bit after 5. We waited about 60 min total. None of us had been on the ride and we were underwhelmed to say the least.

And then back to... you guessed it...Everest. My daughter was driven to beat our record from 2019 of 10 rides in one day, so we did eleven! Yes, 4 more rides between 6:00 and 6:50. The line was shorter and shorter for each ride, but after 4 rides in quick succession my body couldn’t take it anymore. DS and DH bailed after two rides to head back to the resort with grandma.

DD and I closed down the park getting in line for FOP at 7:15 and waited 45 min. Second time riding and first time through the long queue, beautiful! And the ride was better than we remembered. And because I have now seen the movie Avatar, I appreciated more the story, theming, and music.

Today (March 17, St Patrick’s Day) is a rest day at the resort with dinner at California Grill.

Additional thoughts: Skipping the late morning in the park and returning for our late lunch worked perfectly. Better than trying to kill time in the park surrounded by massive crowds and long lines. And lines were starting to go down by 3 pm after lunch. We might try this Friday for DHS. Thursday is Epcot and with an 11 am opening we won’t need the early break.

We were fortunate to have a car to help minimize the time getting back to the resort in the late morning For AK. In general, buses have been good, although DH and gang waited 30 min for a bus to return from AK around 6:45 pm yesterday. Bus wait times from WL have been good on MDE but we seem to have waited longer returning from the parks.

 

[lnR_Texas]

Thank you for the info. We will be staying at WL. in June. What time are the buses running in the morning?

The front desk will tell you 30 min before park opening but I think it’s at least 1 hour before park opening. We haven’t been on line to see the first bus yet, but on Monday at 7:20 am there was only one family in front of us. They said they just missed the previous bus.

 

[StuckInKS]

We just got home from our March 6-15 trip and we did not have any issues mobile ordering at any places except Woodys Lunchbox. It was always a 2hr wait when we went to order, so we did Docking Bay 7 instead. Also, we did not go with any ADRs, but got a walk-up reservations for Beaches and Cream and Garden Grill.

 

[lluv3971]

Thank you for putting together such a nice summary. I fly down to WDW tomorrow for the first time in over a year (thanks COVID), and while I am very excited to return to the resort, I am hesitant on the experience we will have. I miss FP and 'normalish' park hopping. I have an AP and I am staying at the Dolphin.

With realistic expectations, you will have a great time. Make ADRs and plan to tour early and you will be set!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I couldn’t believe when I heard the story about cast members getting attacked over telling people to wear their masks but I actually think I can I’m not saying it’s right or am I giving any justification...however some cast members are especially nasty and rude and very aggressive telling people to put their masks on...we commented last time oh boy it’s not gonna be pretty when the summer crowds come.

 

[lovethattink]

Reminder:

" As a Disney travel planning site, discussions about Disney's policies and rules are very welcome here. However, discussions of or instructions for ways to circumvent those rules or "cheat the system" are not appropriate and will be deleted. "

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I’ve done early mornings at the parks, but I’m starting to wonder how ‘worth it’ this strategy will stay. People are saying they get to the bus stops 90 minutes before the parks open and then wait about 45 minutes combined for busses/temp checks. They hit two or three rides before lines start building (assuming headliners). You are getting up so early on vacation to essentially spend the same amount of time waiting in lines, just to avoid waiting in a ride line. It’s the commute conundrum. Leave earlier or later and your commute is under 40 minutes; leave to be right on time and your commute is an hour.

 

[lovethattink]

I’ve done early mornings at the parks, but I’m starting to wonder how ‘worth it’ this strategy will stay. People are saying they get to the bus stops 90 minutes before the parks open and then wait about 45 minutes combined for busses/temp checks. They hit two or three rides before lines start building (assuming headliners). You are getting up so early on vacation to essentially spend the same amount of time waiting in lines, just to avoid waiting in a ride line. It’s the commute conundrum. Leave earlier or later and your commute is under 40 minutes; leave to be right on time and your commute is an hour.

I went to DHS yesterday and got pretty much accomplished in the last few hours the park was open. Saw Lightning McQueen Racing Academy, was walk in. Then Rock n Roller with a posted 40 min wait, but it was less. Walked right onto Alien Swirling Saucers, wait time said 15 min. Then TSMM with a 10 minute wait. Then SDD. On the way out MMRR posted a 50 minute wait, we waited 8 minutes.

 

[subtchr]

I’ve done early mornings at the parks, but I’m starting to wonder how ‘worth it’ this strategy will stay. People are saying they get to the bus stops 90 minutes before the parks open and then wait about 45 minutes combined for busses/temp checks. They hit two or three rides before lines start building (assuming headliners). You are getting up so early on vacation to essentially spend the same amount of time waiting in lines, just to avoid waiting in a ride line. It’s the commute conundrum. Leave earlier or later and your commute is under 40 minutes; leave to be right on time and your commute is an hour.

It's not exactly the same, because that time you spend waiting for a bus or to enter the park is different from the time you would spend later in lines, because there is nothing else you could be doing in the parks during the time before opening. Later in the day, you are taking up park touring time waiting in longer queues.

But having said that, I agree that it's far from the best strategy for all families. If they have older kids (or younger kids, or adults) who don't like getting up early, and would be grumps all day because of it, then it's probably not the right choice for that family, especially not every day.

Also, there is a big difference between being toward the front of the first crowd into the park, and being "close" to opening time. Catch that first bus or Skyliner? You can have a walk-on for Flight of Passage, or Runaway Railway, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. But if you are even only twenty to thirty minutes later, you can face the longest queues of the day for some attractions, as those build incredibly fast on busy days. So unless you make the concentrated effort to arrive when the gates open, don't bother. Sleep in, and catch the headliners at a "lull" later in the day, or right before park closing.

 

[DisneyFive]

Personally I'm hoping that they bring back FP before our stay. That was the biggest improvement for us with FP+, sleeping in a little and still having some headliners booked.

We did the rope drop thing our first few visits when paper FP's were around, but by day 4 we were zombies. At least now we return to our resort after lunch each day to rest or swim. Even so, getting up at 7 am or earlier on a vacation is NOT something I'm looking forward to day after day.

Dan

 

[scrappinginontario]

Personally I'm hoping that they bring back FP before our stay. That was the biggest improvement for us with FP+, sleeping in a little and still having some headliners booked.

We did the rope drop thing our first few visits when paper FP's were around, but by day 4 we were zombies. At least now we return to our resort after lunch each day to rest or swim. Even so, getting up at 7 am or earlier on a vacation is NOT something I'm looking forward to day after day.

Dan

It depends when your stay is. FP will not be brought back until social distancing is no longer needed and there's no end to that in sight. The FP+ queues are often being used to for regular guest lines due to the added distance required. PH will not work while SD is in place. Also, right now the lines move very well. This would not happen if PH was in place.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Here Now - Hollywood Studios (3/15 and 3/17)
and a hint of EPCOT (3/16).

Previous Posts: # 8185 & 8224

My 2 experiences with getting a ROTR BG:
Both times - off wifi, find area with best service. For us, it was on the balcony of the YC. Used time.is website to track time.

First attempt - hit join from home screen at 6:58 and refreshed at exactly 6:59:59. It took about 2 seconds to refresh. I hit join immediately after. Ended up with BG 73, which was called at 1pm.

Second attempt- Same set-up. This time, I hit join on the home screen at 6:59:59 and ended up with BG 3, which was called around 8:40am.

Walked over from YC at about 7:45. Was walking up to DHS when they opened the second (and more convenient) temp tent on the right, which was at about 8am. The line quickly grew behind us as the Skyliner was unloading. The first bus had just arrived. Luckily, we were near the front of the pack on the right tent side and they let us in at 8:10. This was our experience both DHS days.

We booked it to SDD with almost everyone else. We followed the markers on the ground while others started wide. The coaster had done at least one ride before we arrived at the main entrance, where CMs told people to file in and get on the marked path. We ended up being near the front, and since we were a party of 2, they held two or three larger parties and let us walk right on! By the time we were off, the line was 40 mins and growing.

Nothing else was open in TSL, so we walked (fast) to RR and walked right on. It was posted at 10 mins. After that, TOT was posted at 13, so we rode that and the wait was accurate. When we got off, the ride was posted at 30mins and the park had officially opened as it was now 9:01.

Since we rode MMRR and MFSR the night before with relative ease, and having just completed 3 headliners before opening, we took the rest of the day pretty easy. We put in a mobile order at Ronto Roasters as they had immediate availability. On our way over, I hit "here now," and it was "ready" in less than 60 seconds. After enjoying our breakfast, we stopped at 2 stores on our way out of the park (no wait, hardly any people). We took the boat back to YC. Later, we returned to ride ROTR at 1. We waitee about 15 mins but of course, it was AMAZING!

DHS part 2 - Not much new to report as we followed our previous protocol. We wanted ride MMRR at pre-RD, but the CM told us that they would open closer to 9. This was also the case for the other rides in TSL. We went to Starbucks for a quick snack since we had already ridden (?) everything we wanted on Monday. After our 10 min coffee stop, MMRR was open and we walked right on. After, we headed to TSL and did TSMM with a posted 10 min wait, which was accurate. Then, we walked over to aliens which was posted 10, but was also a walk on. From there, we took the back entrance to GE as our BG had been called earlier. We walked right on and there was hardly anyone in our group as we went through the experience. After that, most lines were posted 40-75 minutes so we headed out.

EPCOT (3/16). Pre-Rope Drop from IG. We were held at the temp check. We watched the first boat of the day dock and off board, then they finally let us in around 10:10. Temp check was a little slower at EP than at DHS. We hightailed it over to SOARIN' which was posted at a 15 min. wait, which was accurate. When we got off, the line was snaking through the land pavilion. Frozen and TT were open at pre-RD, but we were not interested in waiting. We probably could have done Frozen with about a 30 min wait at about 10:50, but we were hungry and headed to mexico instead. We stopped at the F&G booth in mexico, and got chips and guac from the cantina. We watched Mickey and friends drive by in a cavalcade and then headed to do Gran Fiesta Tour (one of our favorites). The line was at the door of the pyramid and we waited about 10 mins until we finally reached the start of the line for the attraction. We waited about 5 mins from there. We shared a boat with one other small party. The CM made the 3 adults share one row in the front, which I appreciated, as we were placed in row 4. After the ride, the line to get in the pyramid stretched down the walkway. The frozen line was deep into China 30 mins after opening.

We then traveled through WS, stopping occasionally for snacks. Lines at the booths moved quickly and we were always able to find a shady spot to sit. There were definitely some choke points, followed by random open spots, but it felt crowded. By the time we made it to France at about 1:45, there were tons of people. All of the rides had long lines, which had begun at park open and grew ever since. We took this as a sign to leave so we walked back to our resort.

General Thoughts from our 6 days at WDW during the first "sold out" spring break week:

- Getting to a park exactly ONE HOUR before opening is key to having a successful day. Knock off 2 (maybe 3 with a party of quick moving adults) E-Ticket attractions before opening, then plan to do 2 or 3 "lesser rides" immediately after. We headed back to our resort after 2-3 hours of morning touring and felt like we accomplished most of what we wanted.

- Park Hopping and waiting in line for one "big ticket" ride in the evening really helped us to do everything we wanted. We waited 35 mins (posted 50) for 7dmt post dinner, and waited 15 for MMRR (posted 30) using the same strategy. That way, we didn't have to worry about those rides when we pre-RD'd the next morning.

- Make ADRs asap! At least for every other night of your stay, as food is hard to find (especially a filling dinner that isn't a burger). Mobile order your lunch when you walk in the park.

- Mask/safety compliance and general guest attitudes are at its peak early in the day. Weekends were the absolute worst for compliance. We saw some CMs tell people to wear their masks properly during the week, but we never once saw that happen on the weekend. Evenings tend to be a little iffy as well, but the weekends were terrible.

- Lines build very quickly at EPCOT, even during pre-RD. Set your expectations low.

- Staying within walking distance to the parks made it possible to be at the parks early without any hassle. It also allowed us to leave when we were "done" with the crowds and pop back in in the evening.

- Touring Plans were very accurate and saved us a lot of time and stress.

- CMs were generally pleasant.

- YC pool was crowded most of the time that we were there. The CMs escort you to your assigned chairs. Sometimes there was a line to get in. The quiet pool was chill and had plenty of space.
BLT and Contemporary pool had better physical distancing and you could sit where you wanted. I didn't feel like I was on top of others like I did at YC.

We have a half day left and then we head out tomorrow at noon. We took Tiffany Town Car for the first time, since we didn't want to use mass transit this trip. We will definitely use them again.

We have a trip planned with another family in July. I'm glad I was able to do a "test run" of "Covid touring" before planning a trip for/with others. We will be back at the YC (their choice), but if it were up to me, I would stay someplace a little more "tame." YC used to be our favorite, but our experience over the weekend (previous post) left a bad taste in my mouth. BLT/CR seemed to be better able to absorb the crowds and support physical distancing in all of it's areas. BLT/CR also seemed to have more CMs around which helped, I'm sure.

Overall, it was a great trip, but if I didn't already have another trip booked, I don't think I would go again in 2021 (which I thought I would NEVER say). Although touring is doable, I miss FP and Park Hopping without restrictions. I miss having *some* day of ADR availability for spontaneity's sake. I'm hoping some version of those things come back in the months ahead.

Forgive my ignorance - Star Wars isn't my thing but it's about to be. Must you be within a certain geographical area to Join in? Is that why the YC balcony worked?

 

[DCLMP]

I couldn’t believe when I heard the story about cast members getting attacked over telling people to wear their masks but I actually think I can I’m not saying it’s right or am I giving any justification...however some cast members are especially nasty and rude and very aggressive telling people to put their masks on...we commented last time oh boy it’s not gonna be pretty when the summer crowds come.

I noticed this too. Tone and body language make a difference.

 

[MomOTwins]

Forgive my ignorance - Star Wars isn't my thing but it's about to be. Must you be within a certain geographical area to Join in? Is that why the YC balcony worked?

No. You can join from anywhere at 7am if you have a park pass. The reason for the balcony is cell phone signal and Disney wifi can be dicey in rooms—better cell signal outside. If you have a slow connection, that’s a problem because boarding groups sell out in seconds

 

[lovethattink]

Forgive my ignorance - Star Wars isn't my thing but it's about to be. Must you be within a certain geographical area to Join in? Is that why the YC balcony worked?

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Boarding Group thread! Timing is the most important as all the slots fill up within a couple seconds. So you want to make sure you have a good fast connection!

 

[shelbel95]

I went to DHS yesterday and got pretty much accomplished in the last few hours the park was open. Saw Lightning McQueen Racing Academy, was walk in. Then Rock n Roller with a posted 40 min wait, but it was less. Walked right onto Alien Swirling Saucers, wait time said 15 min. Then TSMM with a 10 minute wait. Then SDD. On the way out MMRR posted a 50 minute wait, we waited 8 minutes.

Since we are not an early riser family (but can be night owls, even with younger kids), I appreciate this! That's why we loved FPs - didn't have to even think about rope dropping since we got our big to-do's locked in ahead of time.

 

[Jen309]

Since we are not an early riser family (but can be night owls, even with younger kids), I appreciate this! That's why we loved FPs - didn't have to even think about rope dropping since we got our big to-do's locked in ahead of time.

Same. While I’m happy to RD a couple times, it’s still *vacation*, you know? I miss FP+...

 

[DavidNYC]

I noticed this too. Tone and body language make a difference.

Yes - tone and body language make a difference. And when you're dealing with a dangerous public health issue and you've seen that a Disneyfied polite reminder to wear your mask does not achieve the results you need from those who don't want to do it - you need to adopt a stronger approach to make clear how serious you are about the matter. I've seen way too many times where polite reminders to wear your mask go unheeded while the more stern approach does. The simple solution to cast members not being polite about masks isn't to change the cast members - it's to wear your damn mask!

 

[kathi]

Recent reports have stated that some success has been achieved with going to the parks an hour or so before close to ride some of the "E Ticket" attractions. Can other folks comment on when that seems to work and when it doesn't? Working on my plan for March 26th - 30th.

 

[lovethattink]

Recent reports have stated that some success has been achieved with going to the parks an hour or so before close to ride some of the "E Ticket" attractions. Can other folks comment on when that seems to work and when it doesn't? Working on my plan for March 26th - 30th.

Posted about my last few hours at DHS a few posts above.