Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[MomOTwins]

I watch the Touring Plans Line App regularly everyday and except holidays and certain weekends the times have not changed much from October when I went. What you are saying is not true.

And a couple of days back a poster stated their personal experience that TP app wait times were half of the actual wait. Which is why this thread is for here now/just back experiences.

 

[2vets]

I didn't post when I got back after my early Nov trip (Nov 5-8) and wanted to provide some thoughts now. About me so you know where my head was during the trip, I don't expect people to shut themselves inside and stop everything (or else we'd not have gone to WDW), but I do expect mask compliance and distancing to the extent it's possible.

I arrived Wed afternoon and departed Sunday evening, stayed at BLT (the kitchen was wonderful for breakfast and the space was fabulous for relaxation and distance). Wed night, went to DS, arriving around 5 pm - we were able to walk right into WOD, no line, not very crowded yet, so I highly recommend hitting that early (and probably on a weekday). By the time we finished dinner (walk-up at Homecomin'), DS was far more crowded, and we noticed a number of people not wearing masks properly. WOD line wrapped all the way around the building.

Thurs: Epcot - rope dropped TT and then Soarin (walked on both), it was great for the first few hours, but the food lines got long by about 1 or so - they were still shorter than a normal F&W, IMO. Rode a bunch of other stuff, including Frozen and Soarin' again - lines did seem very long, but they moved fast. Headed out at 6.

Fri - DHS - got BG2, took an Uber to the Speedway nearby and walked over to be in line for rope drop - walked onto MMRR, waited 30 min for SDD, walked on TSMM, and then just dealt with lines for the rest of the day. Mobile ordered lunch, placed the order at 10:45, I think, scheduled it for 11:45, that went smoothly. It got stupid crowded around 1-2, so we went back to the hotel, then returned for the holiday-themed Hollywood and Vine dinner - The food was meh IMO, but my niece was absolutely delighted Departed the park after it closed, which was really neat!

Sat - We sprung for a VIP tour - did 22 rides, all headliners (except ROTR, which isn't part of the deal because of the BG requirement) across all 4 parks. This was obscenely expensive, but given the pandemic and our limited time at WDW, it was so worth it!!!! I don't anticipate doing it again, but it was fantastic, and I had no regrets, even when I got my credit card bill. The parks were ridiculous on Saturday. Epcot in particular was a madhouse and mask compliance was maybe 90% with some overt violators (no masks at all), our tour guide kept trying to ask others to put masks on, and she got some rude responses - one moronic 20-something actually started cursing at her. !!!

Sun - MK, rope-dropped, rode everything we wanted (mine train, splash, space, BTMRR, peter pan, buzz, jungle cruise, pirates) by about 12:30. Mobile ordered from Pecos Bill, our only time eating counter service inside, and it seemed a little crowded to me. Just as I was finishing my meal, a guy nearby me sneezed - I looked at my sister and said, "I'm out! Meet you in front!" From there, we wound our way back to the Emporium (no line) shopped a bit, and took off because things were getting really crowded (maybe 1 pm). I went back to the resort and read in the Contemporary main concourse until it was time to head to the airport.

Thoughts: as always, planning is required, but it's a bit different than it was in "the before times."
1) Rope drop - it's a must.
2) Mobile order - do it early.
3) Epcot - no on Saturday if you're at all concerned about crowds. Just no.
4) Heading back to the resort during the mid-day crush is still a great idea, just like before.
5) Shops - go early.
6) Masks/crowds - To the extent this could be controlled (there are a few pinch points, but they are more walk-through/walk past places) I thought things were OK. The vast majority of people are following Disney guidelines and more on occasion- doing everything they can to care for themselves/their families and others. One time I was uncomfortable with someone's proximity in line, and I asked her very nicely if she minded giving me more space - she was a sweetheart about it. Another time, there was a guy in front of us in line that was purposely pulling his mask up only when the CM looked our way - when the CM directed us into the same ride boat, I asked if we could wait for the next one and sort of side-eyed the guest in question - the CM knew exactly what was up and put us in the next boat (the guy and his whole family immediately removed masks once the boat started moving - a great call on our part). In general, it was ok. I felt like my flights (and the airports) were far worse.


It isn't the same as before, but I was happy with our trip in general! It was wonderful to feel semi-normal for a few days.

 

[wilkydelts]

And a couple of days back a poster stated their personal experience that TP app wait times were half of the actual wait. Which is why this thread is for here now/just back experiences.

Aren't we both arguing a positive?

 

[Orion Nebula]

What is false, is your claim. Disney has a 35% capacity limit. It just may not be what you WANT it to be.

Of course 35% is "true" (according to Disney) but having the parks booked up only to see people buying tickets at the gate is a bit suspect. Unless I am wrong and you don't have to purchase your tickets at the time of reservation (wife set it up). But that isn't really my point, the point is that the 35% was supposed to lower the crowds enough to allow distancing and make the parks safer. But yet people are practically climbing over each other. So the comment about "35%" was a bit tongue in cheek.

80’s in March will be a lot nicer than 80’s in August...the nights should be amazing.

I heard that the humidity is much lower this time of year. So I am holding out hope that it isn't so bad, the evenings come on quick at least.

Please report back - the pros and the cons! Good luck and I hope you have a good trip.

I will for sure, I am sure it will be fine its just disappointing seeing so many bad reports lately. Not to mention kind of losing that peace of mind of the lighter crowds. I don't think many people expected it to be this crowded right now when they booked.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Is this today?

Yes I just want people to know the Orange Bird is not available yet.
The AP magnet is available when park opens until 4(?) and only M-F


Also Hope guests are careful with the walk in the parking lot on the black tar surface Without the trams in operation.
Will somebody explain to me how this is better than the resort bus system? It was hot and mask sweaty and this is just Feb.

 

[scrappinginontario]

The wait times do not indicate how many people are in the park. Disney was filling the rides at a lower capacity in the fall. More capacity now plus same wait times indicates more people in the parks. At least that's how I'm reading it.

 

[BigOHawk]

I watch the Touring Plans Line App regularly everyday and except holidays and certain weekends the times have not changed much from October when I went. What you are saying is not true.

Where can I find this? Subscription or free?

 

[BigOHawk]

Also, how does one "enter" the park now? I won't have a magicband, do I just pull up MDE on phone or bring a key card from resort? TIA.

 

[SarahC97]

Where can I find this? Subscription or free?

The lines app is part of the subscription.

 

[wilkydelts]

There is no doubt there are more people there now. Disney has to open more if we all wanted them to stay open. The constant comments that it isn't 35% are just getting old. I expect there to be more people there the week after Easter when I go. I also know ride capacity has improved so that should keep things better balanced. I just think there is too much subjectivity of what people "WANT" because they did hear about emptiness compared to being objective and understanding what it "WILL" be like and that "WILL" be like is not that bad.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

The wait times do not indicate how many people are in the park. Disney was filling the rides at a lower capacity in the fall. More capacity now plus same wait times indicates more people in the parks. At least that's how I'm reading it.

To your point, I believe I recently read a report that they're now filling both rows on Test Track. Previously it was one party per car, now one party per row. And looking at the wait times from yesterday, it seems that afternoon wait times at TT were down vs. the week we were there (last week of January).

How things feel, and what the data shows, can often paint two different pictures of the park right now. Of course, one or the other might be more important to somebody in making their decision to go, or how to approach the parks - but looking at the wait times right now, it seems like things are quite reasonable for the busiest time of day on a Thursday.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Also, how does one "enter" the park now? I won't have a magicband, do I just pull up MDE on phone or bring a key card from resort? TIA.

If you don't have a MagicBand you will be given a plastic card. If you have an old MagicBand that is attached to your account, you can still use that.

 

[PrincessV]

I’ve been following threads like this one for months and I’m just repeating what others have said. Those who are there right now are saying that mobile ordering is a pain, food stands are far more limited than in the past, it’s hard to walk through the park without bumping into people, lines are long and the estimates are often inaccurate, and Minnie Vans have been gone for months. Believe me, I want to be wrong about all of this. I can’t begin to explain how much I want to go back “home” for a family vacation.

Last week was busy due to a holiday, and I would expect that's overflowed some to this week, as well. I've been on this thread multiple times reporting my experiences during slow times as have others - but you'd need to scroll way back to get those.

So here's the thing:
Any holiday period is going to be busier and feel more crowded than a non-holiday time.
We are rolling out of one of the slowest seasons and into one of the busier seasons: WDW from Feb through July is busier overall than late Aug, Sept, or Jan.
Weekdays are less busy than weekends. Often by a LOT.
The last couple hours parks are open - particularly on weekdays - are often much less crowded overall.

So when you read about crowds and congestion, you have to also consider the time that reporter was visiting.

Out of a total of 12 days spent in parks over 4 trips since Aug., only twice did I feel some crowding was too much for my risk-averse comfort. And in both cases, I was easily able to avoid it, or move past it quickly. I've not once bumped into anyone other than my family member.

Yes, lines are physically long, because they have to have 6' between parties. Long does not necessarily mean a long time to wait, though. The longest attraction wait time I've had was 30 minutes, and that was only because there was a cleaning cycle.

I drive, so I can't comment on buses, etc.

I've had no issue whatsoever with mobile ordering.

There are things not open that I wish were, and there are attractions I won't do because I'm not comfortable with them, and I won't eat indoors or use WDW transportation, so it is fair to say I am doing less than I would be outside of a pandemic. But I've visited knowing that ahead of time, and went to WDW with realistic expectations. I really think doing that makes all the difference in the experience!

I hope this is helpful!

What are the negative experiences with mobile ordering and how can we alleviate it? Is it just a matter of ordering early?

I try to order a little early - an hour or so ahead of when I want to eat. Maybe I eat at off times (12pm for lunch, 5-6pm for dinner), but I haven't had a problem yet.

 

[scrappinginontario]

To your point, I believe I recently read a report that they're now filling both rows on Test Track. Previously it was one party per car, now one party per row. And looking at the wait times from yesterday, it seems that afternoon wait times at TT were down vs. the week we were there (last week of January).

How things feel, and what the data shows, can often paint two different pictures of the park right now. Of course, one or the other might be more important to somebody in making their decision to go, or how to approach the parks - but looking at the wait times right now, it seems like things are quite reasonable for the busiest time of day on a Thursday.

Yes, I saw a report and pictures yesterday showing that Test Track is now filling both rows. Still no single riders though is my understanding. Please correct me if someone is there now and the single rider line is being used.

 

[RhodyKP]

Has anyone stayed at the Poly DVC studios recently? I'm going to WDW the first week in May and I don't expect the Poly will be much more different then than it is now. AFAIK there's no monorail, no boats running, Ohana is closed, Trader Sam's is closed - it just doesn't seem like a robust Poly experience right now.

 

[Orion Nebula]

There is no doubt there are more people there now. Disney has to open more if we all wanted them to stay open. The constant comments that it isn't 35% are just getting old. I expect there to be more people there the week after Easter when I go. I also know ride capacity has improved so that should keep things better balanced. I just think there is too much subjectivity of what people "WANT" because they did hear about emptiness compared to being objective and understanding what it "WILL" be like and that "WILL" be like is not that bad.

I think the main point I as well as other try to make about the 35% is that it may be too high given what the crowds have looked like recently. It's not so much crying over it, it's more about being somewhat critical. I know when many people booked they did so "thinking" that the capacity limits would make their trips safer. But that of course was based off other people's earlier pandemic experiences. Which means no one got to see what a 35% park looked like until recently. And now that we can clearly see what it looks like at max capacity it causing some people concern. This was obviously due to being short sighted, ignorant, whatever. I am just personally a bit let down as I get in on Saturday, but I am just going to hope for the best.

 

[BigOHawk]

Yes, I saw a report and pictures yesterday showing that Test Track is now filling both rows. Still no single riders though is my understanding. Please correct me if someone is there now and the single rider line is being used.

Yep, this should help lines and ride throughput.

 

[cdh]

Last week was busy due to a holiday, and I would expect that's overflowed some to this week, as well. I've been on this thread multiple times reporting my experiences during slow times as have others - but you'd need to scroll way back to get those.

So here's the thing:
Any holiday period is going to be busier and feel more crowded than a non-holiday time.
We are rolling out of one of the slowest seasons and into one of the busier seasons: WDW from Feb through July is busier overall than late Aug, Sept, or Jan.
Weekdays are less busy than weekends. Often by a LOT.
The last couple hours parks are open - particularly on weekdays - are often much less crowded overall.

So when you read about crowds and congestion, you have to also consider the time that reporter was visiting.

Out of a total of 12 days spent in parks over 4 trips since Aug., only twice did I feel some crowding was too much for my risk-averse comfort. And in both cases, I was easily able to avoid it, or move past it quickly. I've not once bumped into anyone other than my family member.

Yes, lines are physically long, because they have to have 6' between parties. Long does not necessarily mean a long time to wait, though. The longest attraction wait time I've had was 30 minutes, and that was only because there was a cleaning cycle.

I drive, so I can't comment on buses, etc.

I've had no issue whatsoever with mobile ordering.

There are things not open that I wish were, and there are attractions I won't do because I'm not comfortable with them, and I won't eat indoors or use WDW transportation, so it is fair to say I am doing less than I would be outside of a pandemic. But I've visited knowing that ahead of time, and went to WDW with realistic expectations. I really think doing that makes all the difference in the experience!

I hope this is helpful!


I try to order a little early - an hour or so ahead of when I want to eat. Maybe I eat at off times (12pm for lunch, 5-6pm for dinner), but I haven't had a problem yet.

Thank you for the response. It is definitely helpful. One thing that I hadn’t really considered when reading comments was the fact that some people live close to Disney and have annual passes. I think that those things make it a little easier to tolerate the changes due to the pandemic. We drive twenty hours to go to Disney and 5 nights with 4 day park hoppers costs us just under $5000. I’ve never really thought too much about the expense before but this time it seems like a lot given that alot of the reports are negative. When I read some of the reports I can’t help but think “I can stand in line and be frustrated at Walmart for free.

We live within driving distance of Hershey Park. Sometimes in the summer we drive to the park, look at the parking lot, and turn around before ever going in.....we just always avoided crowds. We never mind driving to Hershey and turning around because it doesn‘t cost us anything other than a few hours of our time.

I really appreciate everyone who posts their experience at Disney because it helps others manage their expectations.

 

[MomOTwins]

Sat - We sprung for a VIP tour - did 22 rides, all headliners (except ROTR, which isn't part of the deal because of the BG requirement) across all 4 parks. This was obscenely expensive, but given the pandemic and our limited time at WDW, it was so worth it!!!! I don't anticipate doing it again, but it was fantastic, and I had no regrets, even when I got my credit card bill. The parks were ridiculous on Saturday. Epcot in particular was a madhouse and mask compliance was maybe 90% with some overt violators (no masks at all), our tour guide kept trying to ask others to put masks on, and she got some rude responses - one moronic 20-something actually started cursing at her. !!!

Holy cow, it's absolutely nutso that for what you pay for a VIP tour, they don't include ROTR!

 

[Gearbm95]

When we talk weekday crowds vs weekend crowds, is Friday considered a weekend? Trying to figure out which parks to do on Friday if that seems to be the consensus slower day than a Sunday.