Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[WhitneyMB]

We went to Hollywood Studios today 2/11, sharing info in case it’s helpful:
7:20 left BWV where we were staying
7:35 made it to HS by walking & were about 20 people from the front, held far back and up then by tents
8:00 Skyliner people started arriving (no cars let into lots yet)
8:17 started letting us through temp checks—still no people from cars had arrived.


As a side note, we were at the very front, but had to stop at the ticket booth for 5+ minutes to have our annual passes activated while people poured in around us. We still only had a 5 minute wait on Slinky Dog when we got to the front (at 8:30). We walked then directly to TSM and it was walk on. When we were done they asked us if we wanted to ride again. We opted not to and when we got out to street again it was about 8:50 and SDD had a 50 minute wait We headed to TOT from there, as we figured we’d have better luck with some of the others in the evening.

I appreciate reading everyone’s updates before we came, so thought I’d pass this along in case it helps!

 

[MomOTwins]

We went to Hollywood Studios today 2/11, sharing info in case it’s helpful:
7:20 left BWV where we were staying
7:35 made it to HS by walking & were about 20 people from the front, held far back and up then by tents
8:00 Skyliner people started arriving (no cars let into lots yet)
8:17 started letting us through temp checks—still no people from cars had arrived.


As a side note, we were at the very front, but had to stop at the ticket booth for 5+ minutes to have our annual passes activated while people poured in around us. We still only had a 5 minute wait on Slinky Dog when we got to the front (at 8:30). We walked then directly to TSM and it was walk on. When we were done they asked us if we wanted to ride again. We opted not to and when we got out to street again it was about 8:50 and SDD had a 50 minute wait We headed to TOT from there, as we figured we’d have better luck with some of the others in the evening.

I appreciate reading everyone’s updates before we came, so thought I’d pass this along in case it helps!

Thanks. I notice, nobody seems to mention friendship boats. Are they just so far behind they are not worth it? We are having an early breakfast at Ale and Compass before park open and was thinking of saving the kids’ energy for walking at the parks by taking the boat to HS.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Thanks. I notice, nobody seems to mention friendship boats. Are they just so far behind they are not worth it? We are having an early breakfast at Ale and Compass before park open and was thinking of saving the kids’ energy for walking at the parks by taking the boat to HS.

I don't recall seeing a single friendship boat running early enough to be anywhere near the front of the pack on any day we were there (spend 6 days at the Swan). The day we were at DHS, NONE had dropped off when we were released into the park.

 

[jenmsmith]

Thanks. I notice, nobody seems to mention friendship boats. Are they just so far behind they are not worth it? We are having an early breakfast at Ale and Compass before park open and was thinking of saving the kids’ energy for walking at the parks by taking the boat to HS.

It depends on how early you need to be. We arrived about 8:30 for a 9 am opening in late January and the friendship boats were dropping off. We weren’t at the front of the rope drop crowd, of course, but the crowd levels were low enough that we rode MMRR with 10 minute wait, then TSM with no wait and SDD with 20 minute wait before the crowds started to build. (And this is with my parents in tow. My mom is not a fast walker...)

 

[MomOTwins]

It depends on how early you need to be. We arrived about 8:30 for a 9 am opening in late January and the friendship boats were dropping off. We weren’t at the front of the rope drop crowd, of course, but the crowd levels were low enough that we rode MMRR with 10 minute wait, then TSM with no wait and SDD with 20 minute wait before the crowds started to build. (And this is with my parents in tow. My mom is not a fast walker...)

Thanks! That’s what I was hoping. I don’t care about being first at the gate but would be annoying if we were not there until after official open time for example!

 

[jenmsmith]

Thanks! That’s what I was hoping. I don’t care about being first at the gate but would be annoying if we were not there until after official open time for example!

If I had it to do over, I would’ve taken the friendship boats. It’s perhaps slower than walking and of course you don’t have as much control as with walking. But we were staying with at the Boardwalk Villas and even though it wasn’t hard on my husband, myself, or my dad, that walk right at the beginning of the day did affect my mom‘s enjoyment of the park for the first couple of hours till she could rest. I think the friendship boats are a good option.

 

[GrumpySue]

Quick question, we are going in April. Is everything done by mobile-order ?? We never did this before, were always able to stop and pick up a beer/pretzel/hot dog. I have not been keeping track of all the changes and feel I will be lost. And we are WDW pros !! Help !!

 

[Naomeri]

Snack carts are still walk up (except maybe the milk cart is Galaxy’s Edge?) But all QS restaurants are mobile order unless you absolutely can’t do it (like if you don’t have a smart phone or need to pay in cash or have an allergy)

 

[MomOTwins]

If I had it to do over, I would’ve taken the friendship boats. It’s perhaps slower than walking and of course you don’t have as much control as with walking. But we were staying with at the Boardwalk Villas and even though it wasn’t hard on my husband, myself, or my dad, that walk right at the beginning of the day did affect my mom‘s enjoyment of the park for the first couple of hours till she could rest. I think the friendship boats are a good option.

Thanks for the reassurance! I don't mind walking either, but we have kids just past stroller age and they do get tired and crabby about sore feet if we push them to walk too much, so we generally try to minimize the walking.

 

[kathi]

So what is the best strategy for MK early arrival if you are staying at a resort that is not walking distance? We will have a rental car and had planned to drive over to the main lot, but now I'm thinking that might not be the best strategy. Uber?

 

[scrappinginontario]

So what is the best strategy for MK early arrival if you are staying at a resort that is not walking distance? We will have a rental car and had planned to drive over to the main lot, but now I'm thinking that might not be the best strategy. Uber?

Personally I would use a Disney bus from my resort. I would arrive at the bus stop 90 mins prior to scheduled park opening.

An Uber to Contemporary may not allow you entrance into the resort lot even with a confirmed Quick Service order. Many have been doing this (and some cancelling once they get inside the resort lot) so they're being pretty strict lately about allowing Uber/Lyft into the Contemporary lot before MK opens.

 

[Racergirl24]

We went to Hollywood Studios today 2/11, sharing info in case it’s helpful:
7:20 left BWV where we were staying
7:35 made it to HS by walking & were about 20 people from the front, held far back and up then by tents
8:00 Skyliner people started arriving (no cars let into lots yet)
8:17 started letting us through temp checks—still no people from cars had arrived.


As a side note, we were at the very front, but had to stop at the ticket booth for 5+ minutes to have our annual passes activated while people poured in around us. We still only had a 5 minute wait on Slinky Dog when we got to the front (at 8:30). We walked then directly to TSM and it was walk on. When we were done they asked us if we wanted to ride again. We opted not to and when we got out to street again it was about 8:50 and SDD had a 50 minute wait We headed to TOT from there, as we figured we’d have better luck with some of the others in the evening.

I appreciate reading everyone’s updates before we came, so thought I’d pass this along in case it helps!

Does anyone have a strategy for people that are driving? It seems that there is no real way to be at "rope drop" if one drives in from off site. I am willing to park anywhere. Just looking for ideas and/or suggestions. Last time we drove in we walked right in, but I have an ugly feeling about spring break.....

 

[NC State]

Does anyone have a strategy for people that are driving? It seems that there is no real way to be at "rope drop" if one drives in from off site. I am willing to park anywhere. Just looking for ideas and/or suggestions. Last time we drove in we walked right in, but I have an ugly feeling about spring break.....

We drove everyday back in Oct. We would arrive at the transportation gates about 30 mins before the park open and we didn't have to wait (maybe 5-10 mins). By the time we parked we walking through with no problem.

 

[MomOTwins]

So what is the best strategy for MK early arrival if you are staying at a resort that is not walking distance? We will have a rental car and had planned to drive over to the main lot, but now I'm thinking that might not be the best strategy. Uber?

Uber is not going to be a ton faster than the rental car since Ubers still have to drop off at the TTC where you'll need to take the monorail or ferry. Some folks book an early breakfast ADR at GF or Contemporary and uber there, and then walk to the park from the resort, so that is an option. I don't think that is necessary though--unless you want to be there the second the park opens which I know is important to some so if that is the case, that's what I'd recommend.

If you don't need to be front of the pack, bus is really not a bad option. The bus stop is right outside the MK gates so you don't have to mess with the second layer of transportation like you do with other methods. The first bus out of any resort will full up though, so do get to the bus stop at least 75 mins prior to park open, or earlier if you are at a large resort.

 

[kathi]

Can you Uber to the MK directly? Isn't there a cab lane?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can you Uber to the MK directly? Isn't there a cab lane?

No. Uber drops off at the TTC and can't enter until the TTC is open for cars.

 

[rockpiece]

Personally I would use a Disney bus from my resort. I would arrive at the bus stop 90 mins prior to scheduled park opening.

An Uber to Contemporary may not allow you entrance into the resort lot even with a confirmed Quick Service order. Many have been doing this (and some cancelling once they get inside the resort lot) so they're being pretty strict lately about allowing Uber/Lyft into the Contemporary lot before MK opens.

They are denying entrance with a confirmed mobile order now? It honestly depends on what guard you get, some make you show an order and some let you through if you say you have an order.

 

[scrappinginontario]

They are denying entrance with a confirmed mobile order now? It honestly depends on what guard you get, some make you show an order and some let you through if you say you have an order.

This is only based on what I read on another thread today so not personal experience. Others were supporting that not being granted access with only a mobile order is happening more frequently.

 

[Aimeedyan]

So what is the best strategy for MK early arrival if you are staying at a resort that is not walking distance? We will have a rental car and had planned to drive over to the main lot, but now I'm thinking that might not be the best strategy. Uber?

Honestly, your only options are to park at T&TC (or have Uber drop there), take a resort bus, or mobile order, take an Uber, and have a quick service breakfast at GF or CR so you can walk. The fear mongering over the Uber drop-off with mobile order gets old around here but I suppose nothing in life is guaranteed so you should be prepared to pivot with any best laid plans (for the record - we are on property nearly weekly, and mobile order at a hotel almost every single trip - and so do many in our circle of friends - and no one has had a single issue). You have to have that same flexibility mindset with the resort buses which were terrible when I was staying at Jambo a few weeks ago (we waited 55 minutes for a MK bus!).

That said, taking time to stop and eat and then walking over won't put you that much ahead (if at all!) so unless you're just dying to eat QS breakfast at one of the hotels, T&TC or resort bus is probably just as good if not better.

They are really good at moving people, even in peak times, so I wouldn't worry too much about crowds.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Does anyone have a strategy for people that are driving? It seems that there is no real way to be at "rope drop" if one drives in from off site. I am willing to park anywhere. Just looking for ideas and/or suggestions. Last time we drove in we walked right in, but I have an ugly feeling about spring break.....

We drove to Hollywood Studios. Sure, you’re not in as fast as the walkers or skyliner, but by the time you get in the lot and parked, they’re not lined up anymore, so you flow through temp check and ticket scan fairly quickly.

we were able to do 5 rides in the first 2-3 hours. It helped that they were all close to each other, but still, whatever advantage there is to be lined up as a walker rather than just driving your car on in is minimal. If you want a slight advantage over the other drivers, upgrade to premium, but it’s really not necessary.