Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[Sarahslay]

Leaving HS now. Heavy crowds and of course unbelievably long lines. Did I mention that it’s hotter than the surface of the sun today?
This afternoon is pool time and lunch at PJ’s- Ft Wilderness qs.

We may do Epcot this evening to try and taste a few things we missed. Tomorrow is Blizzard Beach - no lines for the most part!

I was just curious about the heat there, I know it's summer so it's dang hot, but I'm in GA and it's blazing here so thought I'd check and see how close to the sun you guys were sitting today. Make sure you drink up that water because the feels like is 101 right now, goodness (of course, it's actually hotter where I am for some reason, but you'd have to pay me to go outside right now). Hopefully you get a good break from all the crazy at BB tomorrow!

 

[erin1715]

My friend that works (office job) there says they are frantically trying to get the signage made for all the parks. It's not like they kept all the old signs, and she said this was not a decision that was a long time coming as it was pretty last minute per what her boss said. She has a close friend who works in the department that does the signs and they are BUSY right now. I don't envy them, this is all pretty much because of the CDC announcement and then local officials calling for tighter restrictions, they also realized it was bad form to pull their execs from the convention they were supposed to speak out due to covid concerns and then subject all their employees at the parks to it daily. So a last minute mask decision it is, everyone should just be happy they didn't also bring back social distancing markers with all these crowds, holy moly that would be nuts. Hoping they get the signs up in time so the CMs have something to back them up for all the folks on vacation who might not be paying attention to news.

What a complete mess. And still no change from Universal which is interesting

 

[Sarahslay]

What a complete mess. And still no change from Universal which is interesting

It is an absolute mess for sure, and I 100% don't expect Universal to change anytime soon, but they also don't have the crowding issue that the Disney parks currently have. I do recommend a mask chain/lanyard for this type of thing, worked out well on our last trip for taking the mask on and off without having to keep track of it, I got a huge set of them on Amazon for under $20 so I have a color for every outfit I could ever want plus extra.

 

[erin1715]

It is an absolute mess for sure, and I 100% don't expect Universal to change anytime soon, but they also don't have the crowding issue that the Disney parks currently have. I do recommend a mask chain/lanyard for this type of thing, worked out well on our last trip for taking the mask on and off without having to keep track of it, I got a huge set of them on Amazon for under $20 so I have a color for every outfit I could ever want plus extra.

Actually from the vloggers I’ve seen, universal has been packed too. It took an hour just to get through security there.

 

[cakebaker]

I was just curious about the heat there, I know it's summer so it's dang hot, but I'm in GA and it's blazing here so thought I'd check and see how close to the sun you guys were sitting today. Make sure you drink up that water because the feels like is 101 right now, goodness (of course, it's actually hotter where I am for some reason, but you'd have to pay me to go outside right now). Hopefully you get a good break from all the crazy at BB tomorrow!

We’re from Oklahoma where it’s been at or over 100 so we’re used to the heat- but today is killing us. Drinking water is no joke. I can tell you what happens when you haven’t drank enough water and down a couple of frozen alcoholic bevarages. Not doing that again! lol

 

[Eastern]

I would NEVER stand in that HEA crowd again. I did it once pre-covid and it was AWFUL. HEA is not worth that. We now watch from rides.

I like watching the fireworks from the PeopleMover.

 

[The13thLetter]

do you all think HEA will be better, worse, the same on boo bash nights? and i guess if someone is at one of the first ones maybe report back if you would be so kind

 

[jenniferahardin87]

I got a complimentary pass for one day from dec 2020 - called about it and they told me expires end of the year - 6 tickets so don’t want to waste - I checked which days kids don’t have school - oct 7-20, booked flights and rented dvc - now come here and see it’s 50th anniversary and see all the issues going on. hoping they get better by October somehow but doubting it

 

[Neener16]

I tried asking this question in the Food & Wine thread but got no response, hoping maybe to get an answer in this more active thread. Has anyone who's been at Epcot recently noticed if they still seem to have the appetizer plates in stock? Would love to have for our late August trip but they are sold out online. I'm hoping to pick up when we get there!

I just returned and remember seeing them in a couple places. I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

[krismom345]

I tried asking this question in the Food & Wine thread but got no response, hoping maybe to get an answer in this more active thread. Has anyone who's been at Epcot recently noticed if they still seem to have the appetizer plates in stock? Would love to have for our late August trip but they are sold out online. I'm hoping to pick up when we get there!

In Epcot last week and they were all over

 

[harleyquinn]

I like watching the fireworks from the PeopleMover.

One of our favorites!! We've watched it from there, Splash, Dumbo, 7D and most often from BTMR. We can usually get in 3 rides on BTMR during the fireworks, but our favorite is Splash. Something about being inside and then going out for the fireworks and then back in and back out. It's magical.

 

[fbarker]

And…what does this mean for restaurants? Both table service and counter service? Can you report back?

I really appreciate your reports!

This seems pretty clear to me: Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up, to wear face coverings in all indoor locations at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort beginning Friday, July 30, regardless of vaccination status. So restaurants are indoor locations at WDW and they would require masks to eat indoor

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I tried asking this question in the Food & Wine thread but got no response, hoping maybe to get an answer in this more active thread. Has anyone who's been at Epcot recently noticed if they still seem to have the appetizer plates in stock? Would love to have for our late August trip but they are sold out online. I'm hoping to pick up when we get there!

Hi there. We were able to buy this on Sunday at Port of Entry. I believe I also saw them at the merchandise kiosk/tents.

 

[123SA]

This seems pretty clear to me: Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up, to wear face coverings in all indoor locations at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort beginning Friday, July 30, regardless of vaccination status. So restaurants are indoor locations at WDW and they would require masks to eat indoor

I wasn't very clear at all about my concern. I am concerned about the change in mask policy having an effect on restaurant capacity and wait times. I arrive next Saturday for 11 nights and was planning on 2 meals in the parks per day. If the change in mask policy makes it significantly more difficult to eat in the parks, I'd like to be prepared. My son has celiac disease, so simply ordering food through Uber is not a good option. I've also been advised that the the resort counter service meals are a little less capable when it comes to allergies.


And...well, yes, wear a mask to walk inside the restaurant. I've read the rules and intend to follow Disney's policies. I've only been in a restaurant once since March 2020 and it was after mask mandates were removed. I don't know what is expected because you clearly can't eat with a mask on. Do you remove it when seated? After you order? Do you wait until your food arrives? Is there an actual protocol for this? Will they clearly state the expectations?

 

[asumom]

It seems like that have silently increased capacity again. HOLY CRAP! It wasn't that packed in the parks only two-three weeks ago.........

That's why the new rule that goes into effect tomorrow makes no sense.

 

[Naomeri]

I wasn't very clear at all about my concern. I am concerned about the change in mask policy having an effect on restaurant capacity and wait times. I arrive next Saturday for 11 nights and was planning on 2 meals in the parks per day. If the change in mask policy makes it significantly more difficult to eat in the parks, I'd like to be prepared. My son has celiac disease, so simply ordering food through Uber is not a good option. I've also been advised that the the resort counter service meals are a little less capable when it comes to allergies.


And...well, yes, wear a mask to walk inside the restaurant. I've read the rules and intend to follow Disney's policies. I've only been in a restaurant once since March 2020 and it was after mask mandates were removed. I don't know what is expected because you clearly can't eat with a mask on. Do you remove it when seated? After you order? Do you wait until your food arrives? Is there an actual protocol for this? Will they clearly state the expectations?

I think if Disney were making any changes to restaurant capacity, they’d have mentioned it. As far as masks in restaurants, most people take it off once seated, or when the drinks arrive. I think they tried to have a protocol during the previous masking rules that said wait until drinks arrive, but it didn’t seem to be strongly/uniformly enforced.

 

[Akck]

I wasn't very clear at all about my concern. I am concerned about the change in mask policy having an effect on restaurant capacity and wait times. I arrive next Saturday for 11 nights and was planning on 2 meals in the parks per day. If the change in mask policy makes it significantly more difficult to eat in the parks, I'd like to be prepared. My son has celiac disease, so simply ordering food through Uber is not a good option. I've also been advised that the the resort counter service meals are a little less capable when it comes to allergies.


And...well, yes, wear a mask to walk inside the restaurant. I've read the rules and intend to follow Disney's policies. I've only been in a restaurant once since March 2020 and it was after mask mandates were removed. I don't know what is expected because you clearly can't eat with a mask on. Do you remove it when seated? After you order? Do you wait until your food arrives? Is there an actual protocol for this? Will they clearly state the expectations?

Past mask protocol was wear a mask upon entering and any time while moving (going to restroom). When seated and drinks served, you can remove masks. Courtesy to CMs would be to wear masks while ordering. Once finished eating, place masks on until you leave. Some restaurants would tell you it’s okay to remove masks once you’re seated.

 

[cakebaker]

Wow! Looks like my last trip in 2018! We did the dessert party and were in the garden area, but it was wall to wall people around the hub and all the way down Main Street. It took us forever to exit the garden area; the crowds just kept on coming. I have such mixed feelings because I want to see HEA one more time next week, but how is this okay?

ETA - What time should we get to the hub to get a decent spot?

Right now, the only way I’d watch HEA is just like we have twice. Go to the garden area in front of Casey’s 1-1.5 hrs before fireworks start and stake out a spot on the back fence. We’re very safety conscious and this worked for us. When it’s over, just sit there and let the crowds thin out It takes at least half an hour - 45 minutes for it to be clear enough for us.

I would’ve given anything for a dessert buffet, but the way we did it wasn’t awful. Even if you get to the open hub hours in advance, you’re still going to be in a sea of people all jockeying for a good spot. An hour before fireworks, it’s a mess. The garden area does not get crazy at all. In fact, close to show time people will end up blocking the entrance standing outside the hub and people walking past don’t even realize they could come in. We were not crammed up against people just because of that.

 

[Sarahslay]

We’re from Oklahoma where it’s been at or over 100 so we’re used to the heat- but today is killing us. Drinking water is no joke. I can tell you what happens when you haven’t drank enough water and down a couple of frozen alcoholic bevarages. Not doing that again! lol

Being from the south I know it's not always the heat that gets you, it's the darn humidity since it'll sneak that dehydration in real sneaky like. I found out the hard way myself about the frozen alcoholic beverages a few years ago, it was at least fun for a little while lol

Edited because I had to wake up too early this morning and I am not making sense today, almost like I have had too many of those frozen alcoholic beverages, if only....

 

[preemiemama]

Yes, 7/4-7/12. I think one of the reason dining reservations were so hard to come by was the reduced capacity in restaurants. Probably not enough cooks or waitstaff to handle adding in more. LaHacienda had plenty of empty tables inside, bu had a sign outside that they were not taking any walk ups.

We ate there on 7/14 and it was the same. They just do not have to wait staff to add more reservations- they had their hands full (literally) the whole time we were there.