Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[kittylady1972]

We arrived in Orlando around 12:15 am today. Walked down to the car rentals and waited in line. We noticed that every time someone would go up to the counter, they would suddenly get angry. What the hell was going on?!


I ask her how she’s doing, and she says she has been better. I ask if everything is okay. And she says, “Well, I got to work this evening and there were no rental cars in the garage.” Like, zero. So...instead of giving out cars, she was giving out the only thing she could, which was 15-person passenger vans.

Maybe it was lack of sleep or the stress I felt from flying during COVID, but all I did was laugh. I told her that as long as it worked and had all four wheels, we will take it. Those poor humans behind us had no clue what was waiting for them.

We get to the garage and see the thing. It’s gigantic. My partner and I cannot believe it. It’s the strangest way a Disney trip has ever started. If this is a sign of things to come, I cannot wait to report back. The entire van ride to the hotel was spent talking about how we should trick out the van and start a competing Lyft service around Disney. I’m talking TV, mini bar, snacks. Concierge service for those who pay extra per mile, which includes a bathrobe, complimentary Mickey Bars, and free WiFi.

Partner is working on his computer this morning, and we will be heading to Epcot sometime around 2ish. Can’t wait to eat and drink all of the things.

Just a word of caution for you...because I didn't know this and I've rented one of those large vans before....hope you also got the insurance.

Yes...normally your own car insurance and/or credit card with travel protection will cover rental cars if something happens HOWEVER there is a special clause for these larger vans that excludes them from the coverage.

As somebody who rented one of these beasts before...and ended up having some difficulty parking it in a garage and scraping it up a bit on a support beam...and then paying out of pocket for the damages....just BE AWARE.

 

[cjlong88]

Thank you for the heads up! They also install the SunPass in them with the hope that you use it so they can charge you. Not today, Satan!

went to grab breakfast this morning and opted to go inside because I didn’t think I would meet the clearance.

The only places we are driving to are Epcot and MK and back to MCO, so I’m hoping we don’t run into any issues.

On another note, will Disney consider a 15-passenger van as an “oversized vehicle”?

 

[Sara W]

Thank you for completely making my morning with your hilarious story and positive attitude. I needed that!

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you for the heads up! They also install the SunPass in them with the hope that you use it so they can charge you. Not today, Satan!

went to grab breakfast this morning and opted to go inside because I didn’t think I would meet the clearance.

The only places we are driving to are Epcot and MK and back to MCO, so I’m hoping we don’t run into any issues.

On another note, will Disney consider a 15-passenger van as an “oversized vehicle”?

I don't think it's an oversized vehicle.

 

[Stasieki]

Overall takeaways:
It was one of the best visits I've had in 15+ years!! I came to love WDW back in the 90s, when low crowds, some things closed, not having fireworks or parades every day, no FastPass was the norm, and this felt very much like those days again. No backtracking or criss-crossing parks to do rides: I just circled through each park, stopping at things I wanted to do as I got to them.

Wearing a mask was a non-issue. I had a pile of Vera Bradley ones and Hanes - all cotton; I found the Vera ones a bit more comfortable in the worst of the heat, but both were soft, easy to breathe in, and did not bother my skin or ears at all. I changed to a fresh mask after eating, so I used 2-3 masks per day.

With no rain all three days, temps were HIGH: heat indexes well over 100. I'm acclimated to it, I drank plenty of fluids, stuck to the shade when I could, and used an umbrella when I couldn't.

I was amazed by how clean were the parks! Not just in terms of pandemic hygiene - but no overflowing trash cans, CMs constantly picking up litter. The standards WDW used to hold itself to all the time.

I found most CMs happy to chat and appreciative of some kind words. it was nice to see them looking relaxed and not stressed by the demands of trying to manage hoards of humans.

I felt very, very safe at WDW and will absolutely go back for more. I'm sure going on weekdays helped with that; I'm not sure I'm up to a weekend visit yet.

Ohhh. I have been on the DIS for a long time and loved reading your TR's. When I first started reading them I always followed your advice. I was just having kids taking them to our first trips. We lived in Jacksonville at the time. The kids are now 14 and 10 and we live in Tennessee now. Anyways. Was so happy to see your sign-on.

 

[Lsdolphin]

We arrived in Orlando around 12:15 am today. Walked down to the car rentals and waited in line. We noticed that every time someone would go up to the counter, they would suddenly get angry. What the hell was going on?!

We wait about an hour before it’s our turn. I walk up, and I can just tell that the woman working the counter is over it. I say hello and decide that whatever is causing others to get angry, I’m just gonna let it roll off my back.

I ask her how she’s doing, and she says she has been better. I ask if everything is okay. And she says, “Well, I got to work this evening and there were no rental cars in the garage.” Like, zero. So...instead of giving out cars, she was giving out the only thing she could, which was 15-person passenger vans.

Maybe it was lack of sleep or the stress I felt from flying during COVID, but all I did was laugh. I told her that as long as it worked and had all four wheels, we will take it. Those poor humans behind us had no clue what was waiting for them.

We get to the garage and see the thing. It’s gigantic. My partner and I cannot believe it. It’s the strangest way a Disney trip has ever started. If this is a sign of things to come, I cannot wait to report back. The entire van ride to the hotel was spent talking about how we should trick out the van and start a competing Lyft service around Disney. I’m talking TV, mini bar, snacks. Concierge service for those who pay extra per mile, which includes a bathrobe, complimentary Mickey Bars, and free WiFi.

Partner is working on his computer this morning, and we will be heading to Epcot sometime around 2ish. Can’t wait to eat and drink all of the things.

View attachment 522247

Can u even drive a 15 passenger van in a regular drivers license?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Can u even drive a 15 passenger van in a regular drivers license?

yes. My kid goes to Catholic school and...shocker...there are many large families in the school. A few families have these types of vans. No special license required.

 

[kdonnel]

Can u even drive a 15 passenger van in a regular drivers license?

15 passengers is the limit before a CDL is required.

I remember one cruise vacation I rented one because we were a group of 9 and were spending a few days pre cruse in Miami. I would always pull up to the hotel to drop the passengers before heading to self parking. Every time after everyone got out, people waiting for the hotel shuttle would try to get in thinking I was the shuttle and would be going to the airport. Every time.

 

[DSLRuser]

Thank you for the heads up! They also install the SunPass in them with the hope that you use it so they can charge you. Not today, Satan!

LOL...depends on if I am expensing the rental or not.

 

[DSLRuser]

if you want to enjoy a beverage while sitting then I would suggest to go to an outdoor restaurant sitting area or a relaxation station

Suggestion noted.......but as long as said person is "socially distant"...they are following Disney's rules and can be free to drink theiur coffee

 

[yulilin3]

Suggestion noted.......but as long as said person is "socially distant"...they are following Disney's rules and can be free to drink theiur coffee

technically yes, but you will get the over controlling CM, so, if possible, just find a dinning area or the relaxation station to avoid further issues.

 

[LaDonna]

Since so many places are closed or offering less choices. Can anyone tell me the best icecream products to get at each park. I know we will won’t dole whip at Mk and I’m thinking story book treats will still be open. But how about other park? Besides the usual Mickey bars etc

 

[backsideofmagicfanclub]

Since so many places are closed or offering less choices. Can anyone tell me the best icecream products to get at each park. I know we will won’t dole whip at Mk and I’m thinking story book treats will still be open. But how about other park? Besides the usual Mickey bars etc

In Epcot, definitely check out L'Artiasan des Glaces in the France pavillion. So good!

 

[disneygirlsng]

In Epcot, definitely check out L'Artiasan des Glaces in the France pavillion. So good!

I second this! Or you can take the 5 minute walk outside Epcot over to the take out window of Beaches and Cream, also delicious!

I didn't see much ice cream at HS other than Mickey bars and the frozen lemonade they usually have at the carts. AK has dole whips (with rum!) and some raspberry swirl treat, not sure about that one though, didn't try it.

 

[LaDonna]

I second this! Or you can take the 5 minute walk outside Epcot over to the take out window of Beaches and Cream, also delicious!

I didn't see much ice cream at HS other than Mickey bars and the frozen lemonade they usually have at the carts. AK has dole whips (with rum!) and some raspberry swirl treat, not sure about that one though, didn't try it.

We have a reservationS for beaches and cream we’re going to get the kitchen sink
maybe I should start looking at shakes and slushes too we will be splurging on lots of cold treats

 

[PrincessV]

Ohhh. I have been on the DIS for a long time and loved reading your TR's. When I first started reading them I always followed your advice. I was just having kids taking them to our first trips. We lived in Jacksonville at the time. The kids are now 14 and 10 and we live in Tennessee now. Anyways. Was so happy to see your sign-on.

Oh my gosh - thank you, this just made my day!!! My "Leo" is now an adult. AN ADULT!!!11!!!!! So crazy. I miss those amazing TR heydays; we sure had a lot of fun, didn't we?! Wishing you well and hope you get to enjoy some more great WDW time with those kiddos over the next few years. It goes by entirely too quickly.

 

[disneygirlsng]

We have a reservationS for beaches and cream we’re going to get the kitchen sink
maybe I should start looking at shakes and slushes too we will be splurging on lots of cold treats

The Peter Pan Float at Storybook Treats in MK is one of my favs!!

 

[LaDonna]

The Peter Pan Float at Storybook Treats in MK is one of my favs!!

I think that was the one I had last year it was really good

 

[SPSRAS]

I've canceled one upcoming trip but have 2 more booked. So, been reading a lot and now we are hearing of some enforcement. I was actually thinking that Disney may have done some silent enforcement where people were escorted away through the back areas, and the average person didn't get to see.

It's not Disney that makes me need to cancel. It's other guest behavior. I experienced this on a weekend trip with other guests in our hotel. Elevator capacity = 4 wearing masks. Yet, sometimes there would be 8 or 9 people getting off or trying to fit in. I avoided and took the stairs.

I just don't want to spend my time avoiding people at Disney. So now, I'm planning January and February - with the possibility of a resort only trip. Only 4-5 floors to climb at BWV!

We took two trips over the summer - One to Disney/US the other the Gaitlinburg. The difference in compliance could not have been more stark. At both parks there really were only the odd few with improper mask wearing and every time I noticed one it was very easy to avoid or move away from that person. Like many others have said I found it much better than my local stores/streets and much better organised for social distancing which works even better than a mask.

 

[Jennx36]

For those that have recently visited WDW, has the Minnie Van service resumed?