Today was my first full day at Hollywood Studios.
I got boarding group 71 which was a great beginning to the day.
I drove to HS and was turned around (at 7:55). Not only was Disney Security there but two Orange County Sheriff's vehicles, including one parked on the right shoulder to keep people from pulling over on the shoulder. After doing the loop de loop, I arrived back and they were allowing cars to line up behind the cones. They held us there until 8:03, allowed us to pull up to the parking booths but held us there until 8:13.
While waiting to get through, I put in a breakfast order at Woody's (kid's breakfast) for pick up at 9:05 to 9:35. I paid the extra $20 for preferred parking and was the 3rd car being parked. They are parking a car in every-other space and after parking about 5 cars, having the next cars park behind them to try and social distance you as are exiting.
Through temperature check and security quickly and was walking onto Mickey and Minnie's by 8:20. After Mickey and Minnie, I headed to Toy Story Land where I did Toy Story Mania (a walk on) and Slinky (about 10 minutes) before picking up my breakfast at Woody's around 9:20. By this time, the lines were growing. Slinky was 50 minutes. I lingered over breakfast and watched folks.
I did Mickey and Minnie once again (35 minutes or so) then went to the Mickey and Minnie Vacation movie (a Disney Jr Cavalcade came by while we were entering).
Then it was time to check in for my lunch at Prime Time Cafe. I did the digital check-in 10 minutes before my reservation time and got the "table is ready" text at my reservation time. I was seated right away. Had a nice lunch, went to Star Tours, and when I was out of Star Tours, my Boarding Group had been called so it was off to ROTR.
After ROTR, I walked through Toy Story land...and did Toy Story Mania (posted 25 minutes was more like 10) and then began heading to the front of the park...just in time for the rain to being.
I was doubly glad I had done preferred parking with the rain - with most of the folks waiting under any surface, with my umbrella I was happy to head on to the car.
Some notes: AGAIN if you are on property, use Disney Transportation or walk if you are within walking distance. The Skyliner gondolas were arriving the entire time we were sitting waiting to get beyond the parking booths.
Mask compliance was around 90-95% at HS. a few noses, a few folks walking while eating. They were constantly reminding folks not to eat or drink in line and were having people toss any drink/food before entering the main portion of the que.
AND they ARE watching. My Star Tours was closed up and suddenly all the lights went back up, they announced that everyone needed to put their masks BACK ON, the guy came in, eyeballed the people in the middle row, double checked the settings and finally started the ride.
Some advice: if you or your kiddos are not used to wearing masks, now may not be a good time to come. It's HOT and even if you're used to masks it can be tough. I saw a few meltdowns, and lots of red-faced, hot kids.
With the MASKS, it's hard to keep hydrated but with the heat you need to do so. I had headaches Sunday and Monday after returning from the parks and realized I'd had less than a bottle of water in addition to beverages I had at meals. Today, I had 2 full bottles of water + more all before 2 PM and no headache tonight. And remember that your kids need to hydrate, too. I know it's tough to pull over and stop but it just leads to feeling cranky....