Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[GADisneyDad14]

Choza was open last week, as well as La Cava.

And the best part, no/minimal lines at both! (At least when I visited)

 

[Chris Ehlers]

We went to Boardwalk one night and we had a reservation at Trattoria, they actually scanned our band and they would not let the car in front of us in. I heard him say he was a DVC member and owner at Boardwalk, and they said no. We also tried to look around Fort Wilderness because we are getting a RV. It was a no go. They would not let us in.

That’s because of the NBA for those resorts

 

[Lumpy1106]

Will be there week after next - thanks for the updates. Really looking forward to a chill trip without all the FP+ and long line drama. One concern; DHS. Do you know if you can take Disney Transportation (busses) and get there comfortably before 10a open? Really want to do ROTR but everything I'm reading says that you don't have much of a shot of getting a BG during the later times due to ride breakdowns. Any advice?

Edit: staying at BLT if that matters.

 

[crazymomof4]

This is what came out from DVC, probably in response to people complaining about lack of QS at some resorts:
Members and Guests staying at a Disney Resort may travel between select resorts for dining, shopping and recreation activities. However, only Members and Guests with reservations at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort will be allowed access to the resort. Please note, pool hopping is still not available at any resort.

We went to Boardwalk one night and we had a reservation at Trattoria, they actually scanned our band and they would not let the car in front of us in. I heard him say he was a DVC member and owner at Boardwalk, and they said no. We also tried to look around Fort Wilderness because we are getting a RV. It was a no go. They would not let us in.

These two bits of info seem to conflict. (Not that conflicting info during this time period is completely out of the ordinary). I'm looking on the official site for clarification, but so far have only found the old wording about visiting resorts as a day guest. Could it be that the DVC statement came out prematurely, ie: before the official policy change and website could be changed?

" Please be aware that you'll also need:

• A confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival—visit My Plans to get started
• A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (not staying overnight) "
  
  

 

[crazymomof4]

these days Disney charges your card on file after every $100 or so dollars spent - I’m not entirely sure how that works with those that pay via gift cards (although I see it mentioned frequently so I’m assuming it’s still possible). Someone please chime in if I’m off on this info.

Oh boy! Just $100?? It used to be much higher. $500 or $600??? I remember having to visit my resort desk about halfway through our vaca to use my GC to pay the balance. If they're doing it at $100 then that would be a bit of a pain in the neck.

 

[Claudia1]

The K

Will be there week after next - thanks for the updates. Really looking forward to a chill trip without all the FP+ and long line drama. One concern; DHS. Do you know if you can take Disney Transportation (busses) and get there comfortably before 10a open? Really want to do ROTR but everything I'm reading says that you don't have much of a shot of getting a BG during the later times due to ride breakdowns. Any advice?

Edit: staying at BLT if that matters.

We stayed at AKL Jambo House and the buses started at 9am. We were at the bus stop by 8:45. Got on the first bus the first day and the second bus the second day. On the second day, we unloaded at 9:45 and just barely made into the park at 9:56am but did get a Boarding Group. I would suggest being that the bus stop before 9am because I don't know if BWV shares a bus with another resort. Just my thoughts.

 

[DCLMP]

And the best part, no/minimal lines at both! (At least when I visited)

Sorry to change the subject , but do you happen to know if you have to wear a mask while exercising in the gym or running outdoors?

 

[yulilin3]

Sorry to change the subject , but do you happen to know if you have to wear a mask while exercising in the gym or running outdoors?

yes you do

 

[JimmyMartin]

yes you do

Running out doors should be fine. Golfers not wearing masks.

 

[yulilin3]

Running out doors should be fine. Golfers not wearing masks.

if you go by Disney wording you do. Golfers are social distancing the entire time and are with their group. Even at the mini golf they are asking people to keep their masks on.

 

[JimmyMartin]

I have been here since 7/15. Unless you are local and have an annual pass Don’t make plans to come. Currently it is not worth the top prices that Disney is still charging. So if once in 5 years or once in a lifetime you will be wasting money. I have been coming since 1983 nearly annually. I had DVC points I was lucky to be able to use. WDW is basically a glorified amusement park with constant mask wearing. No shows and very little magic.

 

[JimmyMartin]

if you go by Disney wording you do. Golfers are social distancing the entire time and are with their group. Even at the mini golf they are asking people to keep their masks on.

I am staying at SSR on the golf course holes 9 and 18. Haven’t seen a mask yet on a golfer even ones riding together.

 

[DCLMP]

Running out doors should be fine. Golfers not wearing masks.

Thank you I plan on running around the campground. I'll carry a mask just in case someone says something, but in the past the only living things I've come across is deer. Running in the heat with a mask on has it's own set of risks.

 

[Dis Dragon]

Anyone that has been to the parks, can you sum up where the current pin trading boards are located within the parks? I know there's one at the Africa pin station in AK and also Dinoland, also one at Epcot Pin trading - but are there any outside of that?

Thanks,

 

[wilkydelts]

I have been here since 7/15. Unless you are local and have an annual pass Don’t make plans to come. Currently it is not worth the top prices that Disney is still charging. So if once in 5 years or once in a lifetime you will be wasting money. I have been coming since 1983 nearly annually. I had DVC points I was lucky to be able to use. WDW is basically a glorified amusement park with constant mask wearing. No shows and very little magic.

I think you are in the extreme minority with those thoughts and feelings.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I think you are in the extreme minority with those thoughts and feelings.

Although just to add for others thinking of adding their experiences to the thread , all posts, feelings, opinions, experiences are welcome. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I have been here since 7/15. Unless you are local and have an annual pass Don’t make plans to come. Currently it is not worth the top prices that Disney is still charging. So if once in 5 years or once in a lifetime you will be wasting money. I have been coming since 1983 nearly annually. I had DVC points I was lucky to be able to use. WDW is basically a glorified amusement park with constant mask wearing. No shows and very little magic.

I appreciate you saying this as I was just going to ask "has anyone felt like they've wasted their money". We don't have plans to go until next year, so hopefully things get better by then!

 

[tsme]

I have been here since 7/15. Unless you are local and have an annual pass Don’t make plans to come. Currently it is not worth the top prices that Disney is still charging. So if once in 5 years or once in a lifetime you will be wasting money. I have been coming since 1983 nearly annually. I had DVC points I was lucky to be able to use. WDW is basically a glorified amusement park with constant mask wearing. No shows and very little magic.

I haven’t been back yet, we go in Sept, but I said something like this to a friend of mine yesterday who only goes every few years. I told her for us, we don’t mind that not everything is open because we’ve been so many times & even if we don’t ride anything or see a show we’re still happy just to be there. But for those who only go every so often, once in a life timers, or those who must ride & see everything, I’d suggest postponing because it wouldn’t be worth it to them at this time. As for us, though we’re a little apprehensive, we just can’t bring ourselves to cancel so we’ll be there in 51 days!

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sorry to change the subject , but do you happen to know if you have to wear a mask while exercising in the gym or running outdoors?

I ran every other day during the BLT and Poly portions of our trip, so can speak from experience as I had the same question / wasn't quite sure what to do. For context, I don't run with a mask at home, just common runner courtesy to leave a wide path, etc.

At BLT the running path there shares the route in some spots with CMs walking into CR to work (I run first thing in the morning when many are arriving), landscapers, etc. I really didn't know what to do so I wore a mask as that seemed like the right thing, other runners I saw were not wearing them.

Later during the trip I asked two separate recreation CMs about running with masks. One didn't know and went to ask her manager, the other knew right away. Both reported masks are not required while exercising in the gyms or on the running paths. To and from each activity, yes - while doing them, no. One of these CMs was one that, shall I say, was "on it" in terms of mask/chair/cleaning enforcement at the BLT pool - so while this was CM info (and we all know what to do with CM info), I trusted her info as she seemed to take things seriously.

At Poly, I saw a few runners with masks, but most didn't.

Somewhat random, on two Poly run mornings I ran by two Incredi Crew CMs several times. I am not sure what they were doing exactly but I passed them in various spots as they walked from the TTC to GF and back - I guess that maybe this was part of their rounds? Every time I passed them they just waved and said good morning.

So my ultimate takeaway from all of that is that masks aren't needed while running, just typical common sense/courtesy to leave space, wide paths, etc. After my first few masked runs (which I found were fine for 30 mins but got pretty un-breathable after that once they get wet), I ran without a mask but did have a gaiter around my neck in case I came up on any situation where I'd pass a lot of people.

Although, with some exceptions all-in-all when I was running (again, early in the day) you really don't pass many people at all other than fellow runners - and depending on the path it was almost always possible to hop off in the grass, sand, or whatever during the rare time you might pass someone.

I didn't go in any gym, so can't comment specifically there (other than what the CM told me above).

Hope that helps!

 

[osufeth24]

Sorry to change the subject , but do you happen to know if you have to wear a mask while exercising in the gym or running outdoors?

I don't know if it helps, but the Orange County mask mandate says you don't have to wear a mask when doing outdoor exercising (I know Disney could have different rules, but wanted to let you know at least what the county mandate is)