Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[Amunet]

This may have already been asked and I apologize if this is the wrong thread, but what is currently the best time to get in line for a bus to the Magic Kingdom from Pop if we want to make the “unofficial” rope drop? The park opens at 9 tomorrow. Thank you in advance!

I hoped someone would have answered you by now because I have the exact same question (also going to MK tomorrow but coming from AoA). I read an earlier post about someone being at the bus by 7:30ish and were the first bus from the resort. We are going to aim for 7:45-ish in the hopes that most people will wait out the rain before going.

Need advice. Tomorrow is my AK day and the rain is supposed to hit right at opening then taper off around 10:30. Should I delayngetting there or go ahead on poncho and try to hit as much as I can?

I imagine many people will chose to wait for the rain to taper off. So, get your feet soggy and ride rides with less people or keep feet dry and ride rides with whatever the crowds will be? Only you and your feet can decide.

 

[VandVsmama]

Aloha,

Understand. Everything is relative. My family and I are use to attending DLR which IMHO is greatly more efficient in ride quantities and time to relax and enjoy the parks. DLR allows us to say on property and enjoy EMH and Fastpass Plus. We can enjoy six rides (DCA or DL) by the official opening time, another three by the end of the first hour and basically knockout the park by lunch. CA is generally cooler and less humid than FL. So...comparing DHS to DL or DCA, all things considered, relatively speaking, we hit the wall at DHS and left the park by 11:30 tired and exhausted with less than eight rides. I hope I am making sense.

We are DL veterans, too. We love DL. However, going to WDW and expecting a DL experience is kind of like ordering a club sandwich but getting frustrated that you didn't get a pastrami on rye. Both sandwiches are great...they taste great, they satisfy your hunger, etc. They're similar, but different. One can appreciate each for its own unique qualities. Same applies to WDW vs DL.

 

[Eeyore daily]

We're here now and have only gone to AK and MK but it was my understanding Disney was being more strict with social distancing and masks in queues which is why I was feeling more comfortable coming. Definitely has not been the case! In the line for FOP and this family kept practically stopping on top of my boyfriend and no CM said anything (and this happened multiple times later). Same at MK, where capacity needs to go back down. So many chokeholds and nowhere to go. Shopping at the end of the night is a nightmare so I wouldn't recommend it in the slightest. On the bus coming back from MK to Jambo House this unmasked person got on the bus at Kidani and the bus driver didn't say anything so enforcement is still lacking.

Hoping that since the Thanksgiving holiday is now over the parks will be emptier for the rest of the week but who knows.

 

[justreading]

"...we especially loved the relaxing, mask-free Skyliner rides! "

THIS!

 

[scrappinginontario]

We're here now and have only gone to AK and MK but it was my understanding Disney was being more strict with social distancing and masks in queues which is why I was feeling more comfortable coming. Definitely has not been the case! In the line for FOP and this family kept practically stopping on top of my boyfriend and no CM said anything (and this happened multiple times later). Same at MK, where capacity needs to go back down. So many chokeholds and nowhere to go. Shopping at the end of the night is a nightmare so I wouldn't recommend it in the slightest. On the bus coming back from MK to Jambo House this unmasked person got on the bus at Kidani and the bus driver didn't say anything so enforcement is still lacking.

Hoping that since the Thanksgiving holiday is now over the parks will be emptier for the rest of the week but who knows.

Sorry you've had these negative experiences. My understanding is that CMs are addressing guests not adhering to mask compliance. (That bus driver should have addressed the person boarding without a mask) but, social distancing is not their responsibility to monitor.

 

[Erzengel]

Thanks, we will definently try your suggestions.. One more question: do you HAVE TO be ON the ride? or in the que line? for the lights to blink? can you stand just outside of the ride? (for example if the ride goes down during the day and we cannot ride it) Thanks again.

No they turn on during specific moments on the ride. Both my wife and I had one and they went on almost at the same time.

 

[lovethattink]

We're here now and have only gone to AK and MK but it was my understanding Disney was being more strict with social distancing and masks in queues which is why I was feeling more comfortable coming. Definitely has not been the case! In the line for FOP and this family kept practically stopping on top of my boyfriend and no CM said anything (and this happened multiple times later). Same at MK, where capacity needs to go back down. So many chokeholds and nowhere to go. Shopping at the end of the night is a nightmare so I wouldn't recommend it in the slightest. On the bus coming back from MK to Jambo House this unmasked person got on the bus at Kidani and the bus driver didn't say anything so enforcement is still lacking.

Hoping that since the Thanksgiving holiday is now over the parks will be emptier for the rest of the week but who knows.

There’s always someone that doesn’t social distance in queue. We’ve found it works to let them in front of you. Then you can control how close you get to them.

 

[Eeyore daily]

There’s always someone that doesn’t social distance in queue. We’ve found it works to let them in front of you. Then you can control how close you get to them.

Yes we’ve started doing that.

 

[only hope]

Yeah, distancing is up to the guest. CM don’t know who belongs together. I give people about one minute with several backwards glances before I politely ask them to leave six feet. I check frequently to make sure there is space behind us.

 

[WendiDarling]

There’s always someone that doesn’t social distance in queue. We’ve found it works to let them in front of you. Then you can control how close you get to them.

Yes we’ve started doing that.

This. It worked for us last week. It's the least confrontational way to keep yourself safe. We witnessed an almost-fight in Karamel-Kuche over social distancing. Not worth it, to me. I just said something like "Looks like you're in a hurry, would you like to go ahead of us?" Works for me for Christmas shopping too

 

[Marc A.]

AK:
Nomad lounge (attached to Tiffins)

MK:
Tonys

HS:
Brown Derby Lounge. Food menu not available as of July


Epcot:
Rose and Crown
Spice Road- closing soon
Tutto Italia
Via Napoli- patio not open in July
La Hacienda de San Angel

I have no idea why VN does not open their patio???

 

[LiteBrite]

Aloha,

Understand. Everything is relative. My family and I are use to attending DLR which IMHO is greatly more efficient in ride quantities and time to relax and enjoy the parks. DLR allows us to say on property and enjoy EMH and Fastpass Plus. We can enjoy six rides (DCA or DL) by the official opening time, another three by the end of the first hour and basically knockout the park by lunch. CA is generally cooler and less humid than FL. So...comparing DHS to DL or DCA, all things considered, relatively speaking, we hit the wall at DHS and left the park by 11:30 tired and exhausted with less than eight rides. I hope I am making sense.

Yes, thank you, that does make sense. If you're accustomed to the cooler/dryer California climate Florida can be a shock any time of the year. Also, experiencing that climate change wearing masks must add to that feeling a lot. Totally get it.

 

[NJlauren]

I have no idea why VN does not open their patio???

It was open on Tuesday,

 

[Lsdolphin]

Would love to know if there are any dining experiences that have outdoor seating at any of the parks or resorts that you recommend. Looking for a meal or two that aren't counter service - but we aren't willing to eat indoors. thanks!

Disney Springs:

Homecoming
Blaze Pizza
Earl of Sandwich
polite Pig
Terralina
Ragland Road (I think or tables might be for the QS that’s beside them}

 

[yulilin3]

Disney Springs:

Homecoming
Blaze Pizza
Earl of Sandwich
polite Pig
Terralina
Ragland Road (I think or tables might be for the QS that’s beside them}

Clarify that blaze and earl are not table services
There's outdoor dining for Ragland
And to add
Brown Derby
House of Blues
Splitsville
Rose and Crown

 

[StageTek]

I, too, experienced people behind me in lines not staying six feet back. The polite reminder and backward glance didn't work. Like lovethattink and WendiDarling I just let them go in front of me.

 

[wdwrule]

We got back from a recent trip 11/20-11/25 (rescheduled from 7/20). Went back and forth on whether we should go or not but so, so glad we went! I’m a ‘glass is half full’ kinda gal and I definitely saw many positives considering the situation. First and foremost, my first teary eyed moment was at arrival in the Pop food court... huge group of CMs dancing and clapping to Christmas music!!! One of my biggest take-aways from the trip was the genuine happiness, politeness and care that the CMs were showing.

Our trip was also a success thanks to @yulilin3 and many others on this board for recommendations such as the walk from Speedway, the testing site, ‘rope drop’ strategies, RotR, etc etc. This assistance helped us to navigate such things as mobile ordering and minimal wait times. I did miss park hopping but know that’s coming back soon. I also missed FP and getting additional FPs. HOWEVER, I found my nose wasn’t always in my phone searching for those FPs which allowed me to take in all the details of the cue lines etc in the parks. I embraced the slower pace and appreciated the park’s artwork, landscape and architecture.

There was the occasional mask below the nose or people creeping up on us in the cue but it was very infrequent. There was an incident where we did not receive our PoC picture from memory maker because of another party with their masks not fully on. The park photographers were awesome though and seemed to get extra creative this year. First time in Galaxy’s Edge and holy cow... amazing!!! Anyways thanks again everyone for all the assistance and tips! For those debating on visiting I think it all comes down to personal preference and comfort level.

 

[Desiree1972]

Thank you for all of the replies. I made a reservation for Rose and Crown! I am happy to have one sit down dinner al fresco secured.

We will be entering through the IG and plan on rope dropping - is there only one route to get to Frozen or are both sides of the route open? If so which way is quicker - clockwise or counter clockwise?

RD at MK as well - in your experience which rides have not been open pre official opening? The girls have a couple of rides they are interested in and would rather head toward *more* of a for sure thing.

Has anyone done the 45 minute horseback riding trail at FW? will 14 yo enjoy it?

Thank you!

 

[wdwrule]

RD at MK as well - in your experience which rides have not been open pre official opening? The girls have a couple of rides they are interested in and would rather head toward *more* of a for sure thing.

For us last week, the only two rides open at MK before official opening were 7DMT and PP. However that might change day by day, not sure.

 

[WEDWDW]

Would love to know if there are any dining experiences that have outdoor seating at any of the parks or resorts that you recommend. Looking for a meal or two that aren't counter service - but we aren't willing to eat indoors. thanks!

Disney Springs/House of Blues/Courtyard

Great food PLUS some Kickin' Bands!