Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[tex1989]

I think that only depends on how far back you are in the line at CBR. If we were staying at Pop or AOA, I would have taken an Uber to DHS around 8:30ish. By then, the parking lot should be opening and you don't have to hassle with parking.


Last week when we were there on one of our Studio days we drove and they were not letting people into the parking lot till 9:00 am. We were all held at the booth where you pay to park.

 

[nkereina]

I guessing the bus is going to MK, and then going back to resort to pick up the next group of guests. The route would be Pop/MK, MK/Boardwalk, and then walk to Studios. The video shows it was quicker than the Skyliner.

Tho with getting 10am Boarding passes online for RotR at 7am online, it might not be a factor.

The challenge on Skyliner on Pop, is there is a transfer to Studios/Epcot, and and you converge with 2nd line , Caribbean Transfer, making the time longer.
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We were there last week so I'm very familiar with the buses and Skyliner routes. I just watched the TP video on my phone, and he actually transferred at AK, but I don't think it makes a difference really. In "normal" times, the buses dropping off would not be the same ones picking up at that hour, so I think if that is the case in the current environment, then this procedure makes sense for now. I'd also add that the video is from September, so I'm not sure what efficiencies may have happened since then that could help. I agree that the new ROTR boarding group process may help. I agree with the guy in the video that the best bet is still to Uber.

So I guess, theoretically, I could do this from anywhere, right? I'm staying at OKW. Could I take the bus to AK, which opens at 8am and then hop a bus from AK to Boardwalk? Would the buses back to the resorts already be running?

In the video, which is from September, it seems he was able to jump on a bus that was dropping guests off in order to get back to Boardwalk. I don't believe this is how buses operated pre-Covid, but if it is operating that way now, then yes - the scenario you pose would work.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

Does anyone know if the boats from the Swan/Dolphin are running yet?

 

[CJK]

Yes they are!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Does Pop have buses to Epcot/Studios?

Touring plans tried something different going from Pop to Studios. Took a bus to MK, then took a bus to closest resort(Boardwalk). And walked to Studios. The time was shorter.

This video really surprised me at how much faster it was to take a bus to AK, then a bus to Boardwalk and then walking to DHS!

 

[teach22180]

You have to get off the skyliner and get to the end of the line at CBR? That seems a pretty awful system .. but .. I guess the ultimate question is .. is it quicker than taking a bus or driving. Still sounds like it may since things are constantly moving.

Maybe we just take the Skyliner "for fun" on our off days rather than try and use it as the main transportation mode to get to DHS.

I think they have to send pop people to the end of the line because there's only room for a 10 family line at the station. I still think that you will make it to Hollywood studios by opening but you won't be there early. If you want to ride a big ride early you should drive if you're not at the beginning of the skyliner line.

 

[dachsie]

Does anyone know if the boats from the Swan/Dolphin are running yet?

Yes they are!

What time do the boats start?

 

[CJK]

What time do the boats start?

Subject to change of course, but initial reports said that boats run to Epcot 30 minutes before open and to DHS 1hr before open.

 

[WendiDarling]

Lots of talk about Skyliner at rope drop, but how about at park close? We'll be at Boardwalk in 2 weeks and wondering about Skyliner crowds going from DHS to Boardwalk at 7pm? I know crowds usually die down in the evening (maybe). I know we can walk and will be doing this in the morning, but really wanted to experience the Skyliner if possible.

 

[PanchoX1]

Lots of talk about Skyliner at rope drop, but how about at park close? We'll be at Boardwalk in 2 weeks and wondering about Skyliner crowds going from DHS to Boardwalk at 7pm? I know crowds usually die down in the evening (maybe). I know we can walk and will be doing this in the morning, but really wanted to experience the Skyliner if possible.

This is our plan. Still haven't decided on the way we're getting to HS but def planning on taking the Skyliner back at the end of the day.

 

[Moliphino]

We took the Skyliner to Epcot on our one day planned for Epcot and it took us 90 minutes to get there. Stood in line for it at Pop and then when you get to CBR they heard you into a line to wait for the next segment of your journey and they did not segregate the lines, so if you were going to Epcot or Studios you waited in the same line and only split when you got close to loading so it would have been 90 minutes for us to either one. That was the only time we took the Skyliner during our 6 days in the park and drove or took a bus the rest of the time. Two day in MK (bus), two days at Studios (drove) one day at AK (drove) and one day at Epcot (Skyliner from hell!)

We were there last week

How far was that line backed up at CBR? Even when it wound all through the Skyliner bus stop it only took up about 20-25 minutes to board.

 

[tex1989]

How far was that line backed up at CBR? Even when it wound all through the Skyliner bus stop it only took up about 20-25 minutes to board.

The day we did it it was a plus 30 minute wait to get on the Skyliner at PoP and then another 45 minutes to get through the line at CBR. The other thing I would mention was that we were in line at PoP for at least 15 minutes before the Skyliner even started operating. When we got to finally board at PoP they were only putting people on every third car and when we asked why they said because the transfer station line at CBR was so long. We were told we would wait much longer there than we had at PoP

 

[KittyKitty]

Would the buses back to the resorts already be running?

I would think so, especially if they are picking up guests from Boardwalk resort to go to AK.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Would the buses back to the resorts already be running?

The video posted on the previous page was filmed by Touring Plans recently. It shows a guest leaving Pop around 8:23, going to AK where he walked to bus stop 18 and took a bus to the Boardwalk. He got off the bus and walked to DHS, arriving outside the Skyliner station at 9:00am so 37 mins for: Pop > AK > BW > walk to DHS.

Buses are definitely running from the parks to the resorts early in the morning.

 

[nkereina]

Lots of talk about Skyliner at rope drop, but how about at park close? We'll be at Boardwalk in 2 weeks and wondering about Skyliner crowds going from DHS to Boardwalk at 7pm? I know crowds usually die down in the evening (maybe). I know we can walk and will be doing this in the morning, but really wanted to experience the Skyliner if possible.

Evenings are not an issue. Crowds are significantly less at night, people are trickling out at all different times. We didn't experience any big mass exit like we'd normally see after evening entertainment, since there isn't a big night time show. We had no Skyliner wait at park closing, and even if there is a wait, the line is continuously moving.

 

[yulilin3]

I cannot stress the importance of rope dropping right now. I was at DHS this morning, arrived by car at the toll plaza at 8:55am, they opened the lot at 9am, parked and walked to temp check where they held us until 9:15am, they opened up and everyone went to line up where they wanted to go, MMRR wasn't on my list today but I could've gotten in line and been very close to the start of it, I went to SWGE where MFSR was at 20 minutes, the line was basically still contained inside the building until around 10:10am, my BG was called at 10:15am so I rode RotR and after went to check and MFSR was at 45 minutes, the line now down towards TSLand. Seriously so much can be done in that first hour of parks being opened

 

[dolewhipdreams]

For those that just returned...What happens at the parks when it becomes dark. I know no fireworks/parades etc. But are there light shows, music etc?

The castle gets lit up (normal night time lights, not the Christmas lights as have already been announced won't be returning this year) but that's about it.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Just got back last night from a trip 10/27-11/3.

Most of what I experienced echos the same as PPs, so I don't have much to add. One thing I want to mention is that I was surprised by how many of the Christmas decorations got put up, especially since they kind of skimped on Halloween. I thought Christmas would follow suit so I was joyfully surprised to see the Christmas tree, wreaths, garland, etc all up on Main Street (plus Jingle Cruise!) when I returned to the Magic Kingdom after Halloween. If you're a fan of Christmas at the MK, you'll really enjoy it.

They also had a few more random cavalcades. One I saw was just Tinkerbell on a float, and another was the Mickey celebration float with a few dancers (these were after the Halloween cavalcades were done for the season). I was only in the MK a few hours so there may be more options, but they're definitely a fun addition and it's so nice to see performers in the parks.

Oh! Also the Dapper Dans rode the trolley around Main Street. Not sure if that's something they were doing during Halloween but I only ever saw the Cadaver Dans stationary.

 

[True Romance]

Checking into AofA on Sunday for a 6 night stay. Family of 5 traveling with a family of 4 staying who is at POP. What is the verdict on getting 9 people onto the busses in a timely manner? Were the busses added back to HS and Epcot from both POP and A of A? Not sure if I should shell out the money to pay for a rental car if the busses are bearable.

 

[yulilin3]

Checking into AofA on Sunday for a 6 night stay. Family of 5 traveling with a family of 4 staying who is at POP. What is the verdict on getting 9 people onto the busses in a timely manner? Were the busses added back to HS and Epcot from both POP and A of A? Not sure if I should shell out the money to pay for a rental car if the busses are bearable.

Buses to epcot and dhs are only available at AoA not pop