Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[yulilin3]

Let's please focus on the thread subject

 

[2vets]

Doubt it since the AP availability is fully booked till the end of the month. All data show Disney likely greatly increased the number of AP allowed as well.

Sure, I can see that, but I am thinking some spilled over into resort bookings. Last hurrah weekend, if you will. Hey, a girl's gotta try to remain optimistic.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

And it's the 3rd day in a row the Skyliner has been down from Pop so the line for HS is almost as big 1.5hts before park open.

I liked the skyliner the early part of the day but it was down for 4 out of our 5 nights last week. It only came back online one night and that was a night we weren’t at Epcot or DHS. It’s fine if Disney wants to push the skyliner for us and move away from buses but when it’s not running they need buses fast. It’s not like it doesn’t rain every summer day in Florida and it’s unexpected. Transportation has been the biggest letdown for me since reopening.

 

[otterpop]

Doubt it since the AP availability is fully booked till the end of the month. All data show Disney likely greatly increased the number of AP allowed as well.

Time to watch Willy Wonka..."Cheer up Charlie" is my favorite.

 

[brockash]

What do you guys consider "crappy wait times"? To me anything under 45 minutes is perfectly reasonable. I admire anyone who has a superfan strategy that avoids lines longer than 20 minutes but for us mere mortals these current crowd levels/wait times are the dream. Even with the "increase" in crowds this is still nowhere near normal.

For us, yeah we almost never wait for anything longer than 20 mins. We go during not real busy times, rope drop and use fastpasses. I think the other big issue is that with social distancing it seems more of the lines are waiting out in the weather elements. Waiting 30 mins in a cool building or shade is VERY different than waiting 30 mins. in the hot sun. I think one of the reasons ppl. (myself included) were willing to spend the same amount of money at Disney right now with reduced hrs., limited attractions,limited food, experience etc.; is because of the "low capacity" and low wait times that were reported in the first few weeks, but now with waits and experiences being worse/longer than a usual trip added to all the limited experiences is a pretty tough pill to swallow.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

Wow, sounds like the parks took a big increase over the weekend with attendance. We were there all last week and crowds overall were great. Perhaps during the week is the way to go and avoid weekends. Idk. Other than DHS “feeling” crowded since it’s smaller, we had great park experiences. We were able to ride some rides several times in a row and we saw details in parks that we always miss. In normal circumstances you have to make sure you aren’t running anyone over or vice versa, it was nice to stroll and see things we never have been able to before.

I hope that these magical low crowds stick around as we want to head back sooner than later.

 

[brockash]

Except those things aren't necessary now. So I don't understand the current complaints re: increased wait times - it's still better than an average day.

I think for many that's not currently accurate. The wait times and especially transportation issues are higher/worse (transportation much worse) than an average trip. - Maybe not worse than Christmas week, but we go/have gone in every month between Jan-Oct and don't generally have the kind of waits and transportation issues that have been reported over the last few days.

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

I think for many that's not currently accurate. The wait times and especially transportation issues are higher/worse (transportation much worse) than an average trip. - Maybe not worse than Christmas week, but we go/have gone in every month between Jan-Oct and don't generally have the kind of waits and transportation issues that have been reported over the last few days.

I would agree. We’ve stayed January, February, March (spring break), June, July, August and November and none of those visits, even during peak attendance times, had worse transportation experiences than last week. I expected delays given no bus crowding and we were patient, but as the week went on, it never got any better. At first I thought it was just isolated to CBR but after talking with friends who were also there, and others on the boards, it’s wide spread. We overheard 4 different families calling Disney dining telling them they’d miss their ADR. Also saw a handful of people bailing on the bus for an uber/Lyft. Our mantra was we really didn’t care since we weren’t in a rush. Our only time crunch was leaving DHS for a 3pm beaches and cream reservation. Skyliner was down, got to bus at 2:05; arrived at beaches and cream at 3pm. Poor elderly man bailed on his family for a midday break and he told us he arrived at the bus stop 25 min before us. Yikes!! I get that we can’t change it but it’s just disappointing when you don’t get what you pay for.

 

[cmp1976]

I would agree. We’ve stayed January, February, March (spring break), June, July, August and November and none of those visits, even during peak attendance times, had worse transportation experiences than last week. I expected delays given no bus crowding and we were patient, but as the week went on, it never got any better. At first I thought it was just isolated to CBR but after talking with friends who were also there, and others on the boards, it’s wide spread. We overheard 4 different families calling Disney dining telling them they’d miss their ADR. Also saw a handful of people bailing on the bus for an uber/Lyft. Our mantra was we really didn’t care since we weren’t in a rush. Our only time crunch was leaving DHS for a 3pm beaches and cream reservation. Skyliner was down, got to bus at 2:05; arrived at beaches and cream at 3pm. Poor elderly man bailed on his family for a midday break and he told us he arrived at the bus stop 25 min before us. Yikes!! I get that we can’t change it but it’s just disappointing when you don’t get what you pay for.

How were buses in the morning to the parks?

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

How were buses in the morning to the parks?

Stayed at CBR in Jamaica, for the whole week, we only had one time where a bus was waiting on us at the depot or arrived in less than 30 min. All other times headed to the parks were after park opening, we waited a while. We even waited 30 min for the internal CBR bus. Makes no sense. That bus just drives around the resort in a circle. Disney’s cost saves are apparent in the transportation. I hope that some QC sees what’s transpiring and they remedy the situation soon. Right now with no FP+, EMH and crappy transportation options, there’s no real benefit to stay onsite.

 

[Dallasmomoftwo]

We are at HS this morning. We walked over from the Swan and got here about 9:30. We got inline for MMRR. Posted time 60 actual wait 35. We got BG 5 in the line (inside the bldg). As soon as we got off MMRR we walked over to GE. Our group was called just as were arriving. We rode with no issues. It was our first time and all I can say is WOW! It is like no other ride. So glad we got to do it. It sets the bar

 

[butterscotchcollins]

IThe wait times and especially transportation issues are higher/worse (transportation much worse) than an average trip. - Maybe not worse than Christmas week, but we go/have gone in every month between Jan-Oct and don't generally have the kind of waits and transportation issues that have been reported over the last few days.

I would agree. We’ve stayed January, February, March (spring break), June, July, August and November and none of those visits, even during peak attendance times, had worse transportation experiences than last week. I expected delays given no bus crowding and we were patient, but as the week went on, it never got any better.

It's unfortunate that you're experiencing Disney transportation issues but I was referring specifically to in-park wait times for rides. As of right now 12:20PM which is normally peak time at the parks the longest posted wait is 55 minutes (for MF:SR). That is quite unheard of. I also go off-peak times and an afternoon wait time for top attractions can be anywhere from 90-120 minutes. So, I stick by my opinion that FPs aren't necessary and these aren't "crappy" wait times to the average guest who isn't as overly prepared and a hyperplanner. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and consider spending $10 on an Uber or Lyft to relieve some of the stress you're experiencing over Disney transportation.

 

[mousiemom]

just want to say, i'm enjoying this thread and info you guys are giving. we usually stay @ pop, but thinking of staying @ Bonnet Creek and we are driving into parks and DS. Are the boat taxis running? We are looking forward to our disney fix. we will have fun no matter what!!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

It's unfortunate that you're experiencing Disney transportation issues but I was referring specifically to in-park wait times for rides. As of right now 12:20PM which is normally peak time at the parks the longest posted wait is 55 minutes (for MF:SR). That is quite unheard of. I also go off-peak times and an afternoon wait time for top attractions can be anywhere from 90-120 minutes. So, I stick by my opinion that FPs aren't necessary and these aren't "crappy" wait times to the average guest who isn't as overly prepared and a hyperplanner. I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip and consider spending $10 on an Uber or Lyft to relieve some of the stress you're experiencing over Disney transportation.

Sorry. I thought you meant bus times. We left Saturday so haven’t been in parks this week but during the week our longest attraction wait time was splash, posted wait was 40 min, we waited 25. That was last Friday.

 

[koquinn]

OK so this is at 1245. I guess I can't really complain about the crowds! We waited a long time for Thunder Mountain but that was the worst one for sure.

 

[yulilin3]

just want to say, i'm enjoying this thread and info you guys are giving. we usually stay @ pop, but thinking of staying @ Bonnet Creek and we are driving into parks and DS. Are the boat taxis running? We are looking forward to our disney fix. we will have fun no matter what!!

They're not

 

[Dave006]

OK so this is at 1245. I guess I can't really complain about the crowds! We waited a long time for Thunder Mountain but that was the worst one for sure.

I fixed your photo for you. Wow it sure looks busy in front of the Castle today, how are you managing to socially distance with all the ghostly guests wandering about?



Dave

 

[koquinn]

I fixed your photo for you. Wow it sure looks busy in front of the Castle today, how are you managing to socially distance with all the ghostly guests wandering about?

Dave

How do you turn those photos - driving me crazy?!

 

[Lumpy1106]

Just got back - 8/2 - 8/7, staying at BLT. BUSES ARE TERRIBLE! Our examples;

1. Sunday - We gave ourselves 1:15 to get from BLT to DS. The first bus was full - so we waited, and waited, and waited. About 45 minutes later the bus comes back - we don't make it on, we're not alone. We opted for Lyft and barely made our Raglan Road reservation (LOVED it BTW!).
2. Tuesday - We got to the bus stop at 8:45 hoping to catch a bus to DHS for 10a opening and ROTR boarding pass. The line was back to the door at Contemporary, everyone waiting for DHS. No way we'll even make the second bus, we opt for Lyft again. Word to the wise - be at the bus stop at 8 if you plan on getting a BG for ROTR or you won't make it to the park by 10 (yes, 2 hours early). That gets you at the front of the line for the one bus that will make it on time, because they do not start running until 9.
3. Wednesday - We catch AK bus just as it gets there so no problem getting there, but my wife and younger daughter opt to leave the park about an hour early. They go out to the bus line, I go on one last ride on Everest with my other two kids - then make it back out to the bus line only to find them still there. We waited 45 minutes, the people in front of us waited over an hour
4. Thurs - this was the capper - we go out to the bus stop at about 10:15 to go to EPCOT. There's a line of people but we think we'll make it on. The bus comes about 30 minutes later, we are the next on when the bus driver says, "I only have room for a party of 5 at the back of the bus". We tell him we can split up, when he then takes a look back down the line behind us and thinks better of inviting smaller parties on the bus, shuts the door and drives off without saying another word (GRR!!!). We opted to make an adventure out of it and take the monorail to MK, take a bus to Riviera and ride the Skyliner. Highly recommend, but all tolled, it cost us 2 hours in the park - a park that will soon only be open 8 hours a day (!!)

You might notice, no Monday or Friday - those were our MK days, so yeah, every day we needed the buses, we had hour long plus waits, and very unreliable service. It would be nice if they were running TTT to Epcot monorails, but no - that line is shut down too.

Don't get me wrong, the trip was great. We had 0-30 minute waits every day, including Friday when the FL local crowd was noticeably larger. The wait times you see on the MDE app were always generously longer than reality.

Other notes - not sure if this has been mentioned, but the pre-ride experiences are all not happening right now (except ROTR - you get the full experience there). Not such a big deal in some cases - I think FoP is actually better now, but for rides like Mickey and Minnies Runaway RR, it made a big difference. Do yourself a favor and pull up the pre-show video on Youtube if you haven't ridden - it's pretty jarring getting from the Manns Chinese Theater to the barn where you load and makes no sense otherwise (but a GREAT ride! Loved it both times we rode). Post-ride experiences are also not a thing. This was especially bad at Test Track and Spaceship Earth. You don't design a car anymore, so the ride makes NO sense, and the walk through to the exit is downright depressing. Same goes for SSE - made me think they had already started dismantling the post-ride area prior to deciding the ride would be open after all.

 

[yulilin3]

the bus situation looks truly awful. I hope and ask everyone who came back or maybe are still there to email Disney so they know what's happening
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