Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[PrincessV]

Just curious for people who have gone down to Disney World - do any of you regret going? If so why? Did you get sick after? Lack of activities in the parks?

I'm replying directly to stardust's questions, but this is really for anyone planning a trip and feeling unsure...

I've been back to WDW twice since it reopened, late Aug and late Oct., 3 park days each trip, and I have another 3-day visit coming up in Dec. I have no regrets at all, BUT I also caution the majority of potential visitors to really think it through. I'm in a somewhat high-risk category and live with someone who is very high-risk: I am quite risk averse when it comes to COVID. I don't socialize in person at all, only go out to get groceries, wear a mask 100% of the time when I'm around other people, live in a county with a mask mandate, and maintain at least 6' of distance outside of the few seconds it might take to pass someone on a sidewalk or in a grocery aisle. Just to give a feel for where I'm coming from.

At WDW...
I'm semi-local, so no air travel; there is no way I'd get on a plane.
I'll only visit on weekdays because weekends are too crowded for my comfort.
I didn't and won't use WDW transportation, other than the open-air ferry from TTC to MK: I drove to all parks.
I didn't and won't eat indoors, nor will I eat at the designated outdoor area if I can't be comfortably far enough from others eating. A time or two, I took my food to a bench well away from others to eat.
I didn't and won't do anything indoors where I'll be stationary for a prolonged period - so no shows.
I avoided any stores that were too people-y for my comfort.
I had a personal policy that I'd leave any situation that didn't feel comfortable, and did just that a few times.

And I had a wonderful time! No, I did not get sick. I'm looking forward to going back soon with my son, and we'll follow all of the same rules. I think the important thing for folks thinking about a visit is that you carefully consider 1. your own tolerance for risk - what will you be okay with and what is a no-go?, 2. the realities of what's out of your control - attractions/restaurants closed that are must-dos? can you work around other people not following rules or will that be too distracting? will you be okay doing less and/or having fewer hours in which to do it?, and 3. your personal Rules of Engagement - think ahead about what you will or won't be comfortable doing, and make a plan for how to manage that. Accept long before you arrive that this is not normal times and it will not be a normal WDW experience, no matter what your personal risk tolerance may be.

 

[ColoradoMom12]

Then Disney needs to honor their word and legitimately kick out people who fail to follow the guidelines.

When we were there last month, the family ahead of us on IASW and also LWTL pulled their masks off as soon as they were on the ride. At least on Living with the Land, there’s the plastic-y barrier between rows. I know Disney can see what guests are doing on these rides. Once we were on LWTL with a woman who was running her hands through the sand in the greenhouse...there was an announcement made, and when we got off the ride, a CM was there to greet her. Another time a few years ago, a family allowed their kids to stand up on Dumbo (what?!?!). The ride was stopped immediately, and the family was escorted away, idk if it was out of the park, but they were escorted away from the ride. Obviously Disney knows what people are doing on rides, and I’m kind of surprised they aren’t doing anything about people who remove masks on rides. At least in lines it’s within my control. I can choose to leave extra space, ask the party behind me to go ahead of me, or leave the line if I feel unsafe. Those options don’t exist on a ride. Yes, I am knowingly taking a risk in choosing to visit Disney World. However, I have chosen to take this risk based on information and safety requirements that Disney has presented to me— that mask non-compliance will result in guests being asked to leave the park. I haven’t seen it. Will I still visit next week? Yes. It is just irritating to me that Disney obviously knows what guests are doing on rides and chooses to ignore mask non-compliance. Touching the sand isn’t allowed but removing your mask is?

 

[jnncooke]

Thanks for all the advice! Just to clarify..if I want to take a Uber to Boardwalk, I will need some type of counter service order?

 

[dachsie]

Thanks for all the advice! Just to clarify..if I want to take a Uber to Boardwalk, I will need some type of counter service order?

Yes or you can uber to the Speedway next to the Boardwalk Inn and not have to worry about ordering

 

[Donnask8pro]

I think you should Uber to Boardwalk/YC/BC for HS, Uber to Contemporary Resort for walk to MK, and I think you can drive or bus to the others. I think buses get you to AK a bit earlier than cars.

Would you now how much is an Uber approx from Lake Buena vista area? TYSM

 

[Donnask8pro]

Yes or you can uber to the Speedway next to the Boardwalk Inn and not have to worry about ordering

Is that the gas station? Thanks

 

[yulilin3]

Is that the gas station? Thanks

Yes

 

[jnncooke]

Yes

Do you know address? I looked and there are several on Disney property. I wasn’t sure Uber driver would know which one if I just said speedway next to boardwalk?

 

[yulilin3]

Do you know address? I looked and there are several on Disney property. I wasn’t sure Uber driver would know which one if I just said speedway next to boardwalk?

300 E Buena vista dr

 

[jnncooke]

300 E Buena vista dr

You are so helpful! Thank you!!

 

[swelch1976]

Would you now how much is an Uber approx from Lake Buena vista area? TYSM

A LYFT at 7:00AM on a Sunday from Pop Century to Contemporary cost $12.33. But I think, like Uber, they adjust pricing based on demand.

LYFT from Saturday to Boardwalk on Saturday morning was $7.85

 

[lynch34]

I’m here currently on a 7 day, 8 night trip at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Day one was HS. We got Rise Boarding Group 11. The underrated aspect of getting a boarding trip is the phone. My wife has an 11 pro and she had never practiced before but it’s so fast - I truly believe that matters a lot. The move is to stand in line at MMRR later and go onto Slinky and then Smugglers Run. We did that and that allowed for a great day. We got so much in.

Today was MK. Wait times are usually overstated 25-30% except for SDMT, which we found accurate.

Mask compliance is legitimately amazing. Even when it was an opportunity to sneak a break away from CMs - I just didn’t see it.

 

[yulilin3]

Just back from DS arrived at 4pm and walked right into WoD, the crowds didn't look bad at all, i was looking for the gingerbread Mickey pillow for a viewer but they didn't have it, so started the stream around 4:45, walked the entire DS looking for the trees, saw the snow roller skaters and toy soldiers on stilts along with a lot of live entertainment all around, very cool to see it as close to normal as before. Then went over to WoD at around 6:45 and there was a line, that moved steadily but it was about a 10 minute line.

 

[swelch1976]

Third Park Day: EPCOT Monday 11/9.

I know weekdays at EPCOT have been light, but I think Tropical Storm ETA affected crowds even more. We did have a few downpours, but largely was threatening skies and wind.

We arrived at the toll plaza at 9:58AM (11:00AM park open), and were told we shouldn't come back before 10:30... . Truth is we were two minutes early... after we circled around, we were back at 10:06, and there were 6-7 cars lined up in all lanes. At 10:13, they let us through the toll plaza, and we were at the temperature screening tent at 10:21. Four minutes later (darn battery pack in the backpack!) we were in the park.

Test Track was not operating at park open because of the impending rain. We went straight to Frozen Ever After, and arrived at 10:36. The ride started at 10:40, and we waited 11 minutes, and were off the ride at 10:58.

We went to Mexico and rode Grand Fiesta Tour without a wait, and then spent the afternoon walking around World Showcase and eating at the festival booths.

After that:

- SEAS with Nemo and Friend 4:51 (5 min wait) 5 min posted - 5:04 done and then SEAS exhibits
- Spaceship Earth 5:19 (3 min wait) 10 min posted - 5:39 done
- Journey into the Imagination 5:45 (2 min wait) 5 min posted - 5:56 done
- MORE FESTIVAL BOOTHS (La Fin Du Monde from the Canada Popcorn Cart isn't on the online menu, but is still there!)
- Livin' with the Land 6:47 (0 min wait) 10 min posted - 7:06 done
- Soarin' 7:07 (10 min wait) 20 min posted - 7:27 done
- Test Track 7:38 (21 min wait) 65 min posted - 8:07 done
- Margarita break at La Choza...
- Test Track 8:33 (18 min wait) 35 min posted - 8:59 done

We left the park at 9:11 at drove back to Pop Century - back in the room at 9:31.

Wrapping up the trip with Animal Kingdom next...

 

[underminer]

We just got back from our first trip to WDW in 14 years Nov. 12-15. We are from AZ and usually hit DL once every year or so. These boards have been so helpful that I figure it’s my turn to share some of our experiences in hopes that it may help someone else. Unfortunately, 10 hours of flight delays cut our time for EPCOT in half but we had full days in the other 3 parks.
Day 1 MK (Thursday)
We arrived just before park opening via Monorail to a rainy morning at MK. We figured the mine train was already busy so we headed back to BTMRR for 2 quick trips. Unfortunately Splash was down so we hit Pirates (walk on) and JC (20 min). We walked on HM and then hit SM (15 min). About that time Splash reopened so we trekked through a nice downpour to get even more wet. Lunch at Pecos Bills was a nice yummy break. The rest of the day we hit FL rides and shows which were all enjoyable.
Biggest surprise: Space Mountain I had always consider inferior to the DL version but we loved it and did it several times. So strange that it was a walk on mostly all day while other E tickets had much bigger lines.
Biggest Disappointment: I knew Pirates was shorter but wow...a very “light” version of the one at DL with such a tiny drop. Still love it though
Other thoughts: Didn’t realize how much I missed such nostalgic classics as Carousel of Progress and Country Bears. I hope they never get rid of them! MK has so much more to offer as far as rides and shows than the other parks right now that it feels like you get much more bang for the buck! AK report next!

 

[ten6mom]

Just back from DS arrived at 4pm and walked right into WoD, the crowds didn't look bad at all, i was looking for the gingerbread Mickey pillow for a viewer but they didn't have it, so started the stream around 4:45, walked the entire DS looking for the trees, saw the snow roller skaters and toy soldiers on stilts along with a lot of live entertainment all around, very cool to see it as close to normal as before. Then went over to WoD at around 6:45 and there was a line, that moved steadily but it was about a 10 minute line.

Uggghh you're making me sad that we probably won't have time for Disney Springs! I didn't plan at all for it for this, our first ever WDW trip!

Maybe we will feel up to it after our first DHS day since the park closes fairly early... sounds fun and so much bigger than DTD!

 

[Best Aunt]

Would you now how much is an Uber approx from Lake Buena vista area? TYSM

You can open the Uber app at home. Tell it where you want to be picked up, and where you want to be dropped off. You will be able to see the pricing. Note that if your phone has location services turned on, the app will assume that you want to be picked up wherever you are, so be sure to tell it the address where you would want to be picked up.

Or go to RideGuru.com

 

[Donnask8pro]

You can open the Uber app at home. Tell it where you want to be picked up, and where you want to be dropped off. You will be able to see the pricing. Note that if your phone has location services turned on, the app will assume that you want to be picked up wherever you are, so be sure to tell it the address where you would want to be picked up.

Or go to RideGuru.com

TY! Im not an uber user although I do have the app just in case. Looking now!

 

[Donnask8pro]

We arrived at the toll plaza at 9:58AM (11:00AM park open), and were told we shouldn't come back before 10:30... . Truth is we were two minutes early... after we circled around, we were back at 10:06, and there were 6-7 cars lined up in all lanes. At 10:13, they let us through the toll plaza, and we were at the temperature screening tent at 10:21. Four minutes later (darn battery pack in the backpack!) we were in the park.

SO you did drive to Epcot? How about MK TTC? We will have a car but game planning on Uber after reading some of the posts. TYIA

Edited: I was able to find MK post about croissants. lol

 

[swelch1976]

SO you did drive to Epcot? How about MK TTC? We will have a car but game planning on Uber after reading some of the posts. TYIA

We Uber'd to Contemporary for our MK day because I heard that it just takes too long to get around the lagoon and be one of the first in the park.