Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[subtchr]

Heard that route was undergoing refurbishment. It was supposed to reopen during Spring Break but is still down.

I've never heard or read that the Epcot monorail line was under refurbishment, and definitely not that it was supposed to open for Spring Break.

I've only heard that is an operational/staffing decision by Disney.

 

[flowergleam1211]

We are just back, as well. EPCOT Future World felt as described. We did a lot of running back and forth in there and it was particularly annoying not to be able to cut through. We saw great mask compliance. Agree with the social distancing comment. Although, I did feel like people at least gave a foot or two between groups so it wasn't like the old sardine days, but still not 3-6 feet. We missed daily mousekeeping, as well.

Thanks for sharing your experience as I'm visiting EPCOT next week. I'd like to learn more about your experience of walking more than usual due to the construction and walls.. For example, is it more difficult to walk from Future World East to Future World West (e.g. Spaceship Earth)? Or even from various spots within Future World West?

 

[Tess]

We spent Tues 5/25 at MK. Got on the first bus at AS-M at 6:45. They let us in the park at 7:11. We went over to Adventureland and nothing was open. This was frustrating. We decided to hang out by Pirates, but after 10 min, the CMs told us they weren't sure if it would open at 8, so to leave to try other attractions. Splash didn't open until around 11, and Pirates didn't open until close to 9. BTMRR opened around 7:30 so we were able to ride it twice in a row. However, this brought us to around 8:05 and the lines were now super long at the attractions we had planned to start with that were finally open. Space and People Movers went down for a spell in the afternoon, also. This was pretty frustrating to have so many rides up and down on the one day we had for that park.

I really want to WDWCP kids back. I felt like they brought more magic. I felt like a good amount of CMs we encountered were just meh. The one who told us Pirates wasn't opening kept telling people she had no idea if any other rides in any other area were open, when asked many times what attractions were open. I was like, what???? I was a CM on the CP once upon a time and that would have never been ok to say. If you're going to open a park early, why wouldn't you know what was going on or have areas/attractions open for guests to experience??? Felt like a total waste of 2 hrs.

Our 2nd morning at MK was like that. The first morning we rode everything but for Splash, 7DMT and CoP and were out by 11:00 a.m.--our goal from the start. We thought that leaving those last three rides for our second day would get us out of MK even earlier than 11:00 a.m.

On the second day, we arrived pre-opening, went to 7DMT and it was down with no idea when it would open--we waited half an hour and then the CMs cleared the queue--it was down all morning--assuming they got it back online by afternoon but I really can't say for sure because our pool was calling. Splash was also down on this morning so that left us CoP--we did that. Splash got up and running by the time our show ended and we hoofed it that way only to be met with a 60 minute wait. Knowing we weren't getting out by 11:00 a.m., I mobile ordered from Pecos Bill so we could eat before leaving and hoping that 7DMT would be up--it wasn't.

Left around noon after hitting only two of our three desired rides. Some days are like that--just thankful we had such success on our first day. 7DMT will be there in October, but we were fearful Splash--in its current form--may not. It was really our priority. Funny enough, our first visit day was a Friday and our second a Wednesday--who would think the crowds would be greater on a Wednesday. Insult to injury--we waited 45 minutes for a bus to get back to BWV.

 

[Sarahslay]

I've never heard or read that the Epcot monorail line was under refurbishment, and definitely not that it was supposed to open for Spring Break.

I've only heard that is an operational/staffing decision by Disney.

I've driven by the line several times where there has been extensive work being done on supports for the line (like digging going on around the base of the supports, lots of heavy machinery around). This has been on several trips, one where we were staying at Contemporary and drove out by the section of line that is right near TTC, there was something going on that was definitely not being talked about and I'm sure more the reason it's not running rather than staffing.

 

[Sarahslay]

Thanks for sharing your experience as I'm visiting EPCOT next week. I'd like to learn more about your experience of walking more than usual due to the construction and walls.. For example, is it more difficult to walk from Future World East to Future World West (e.g. Spaceship Earth)? Or even from various spots within Future World West?

It's just a giant circle, there is no way to short cut anything, you just have to either go one way around the circle or the other. If you're around the Land & Sea pavilions and want to go to Spaceship Earth or TT I'd head to the left around, but if I wanted to head to WS I'd head right. It's really a pain if you have no interest in the rides between TT & Soarin (as my 10 year old didn't when we went in February) and you still have to walk all the way around rather than cutting through the middle like before. Usually we just decide which end we're going to start in and just go around until we're done, if not you're just walking around in circles over and over.

 

[PanchoX1]

It's just a giant circle, there is no way to short cut anything, you just have to either go one way around the circle or the other. If you're around the Land & Sea pavilions and want to go to Spaceship Earth or TT I'd head to the left around, but if I wanted to head to WS I'd head right. It's really a pain if you have no interest in the rides between TT & Soarin (as my 10 year old didn't when we went in February) and you still have to walk all the way around rather than cutting through the middle like before. Usually we just decide which end we're going to start in and just go around until we're done, if not you're just walking around in circles over and over.

It may be different by the time I get there, but if not, this is good to know!

 

[mousehouse23]

.
Did you just use the Lines part of Touring Plans or did you use an actual plan? Or another part of Touring Plans?
.

We use their plans as well, and like the "optimize" feature. The room request feature wasn't successful for us this time, but it wasn't a huge deal for us.

 

[jbish]

We RD'd Epcot and had maybe a 10-minute wait for Soarin'. We were going to do it again, but the wait was already over 40 minutes when we emerged. So we rode just that once. Also, we always request B1 and say we'll wait as long as necessary, but because of covid, etc., they weren't taking requests like these. Yeah, our seats really made me appreciate B1 even more!

GAH!! Seriously?? Ugh - this is helpful to know. I always ask for B1 and I seriously hate the sides. Maybe they'll change something in the next 23 days....probably not. Sounds like the crowds are lower in the evenings, though, which is likely when we'll go to Epcot - any chance they'd accommodate us if there are fewer people there? Again, likely not, but a girl can dream....

 

[William B]

GAH!! Seriously?? Ugh - this is helpful to know. I always ask for B1 and I seriously hate the sides. Maybe they'll change something in the next 23 days....probably not. Sounds like the crowds are lower in the evenings, though, which is likely when we'll go to Epcot - any chance they'd accommodate us if there are fewer people there? Again, likely not, but a girl can dream....

When they refused our B1 request, it was entirely based on covid and covid protocols (there were 2 of us and they said it was based on how they were filling the rows so who knows). As more and more relaxation of the covid requirements happen, I have a feeling it will come back. In the next 23 days . . . who knows. Fingers crossed for you!

 

[mousehouse23]

Fun morning spent at HS, in spite of the heat.

7:00: Got Boarding Group 87. I have to say, with all I've read about the process, and my practicing, I thought we'd do better! I refreshed too early, though (6:59:58)—so I had to refresh again—but my husband came through for us. It did make for a longer morning/afternoon than we expected, though, because our BG wasn't called until almost 1:00.

7:45: Left BWV to walk to HS

8:00: Arrived at HS

8:13: Started letting people into the park

8:20: RnR with 4 minute wait (no pre-show, so very fast)

8:32: ToT with 12 minute wait (seating every row now; no pre-show)

8:55: MMRR with 28 minute wait (our first time: I thought it was really cute, but most of us preferred The Great Movie Ride; no pre-show)

~9:40: Smuggler's Run with 48 minute wait (my family was underwhelmed, but I thought it was cool!). Afterwards, we walked around Galaxy's Edge a bit. They're still making people queue up for the marketplace shops. We'll hit it more in depth next week.

11:00: TSMM with 23 minute wait (Still one of our absolute favorites! I love that we can get on without much of a wait now.)

11:45: Unremarkable lunch at Backlot Express, but it hit the spot and allowed for a cool break. I didn't reserve our Mobile Ordering spot until 10:45, and got the 11:15-11:45 slot.

1:00: 25 minute wait after our BG was called for RotR. The ride was a huge hit with all of us, unsurprisingly. I will say: I still prefer FoP as an experience, but I think Star Wars fanatics will be very, very happy.


MK tonight with a LTT dinner to start things off right!

 

[PrincessJL16]

I really appreciate this group - planning for upcoming trip on 6/11 and everyone is mindful to not give spoilers for RotR.
I was listening to a Disney podcast a few months ago (not DIS related) and was put off on how they thought it was ok to go ahead and give spoilers. The ride was only open for less than a year before Covid closed things down, right? Maybe I’m off on the dates, I don’t know. We don’t go to WDW every year so maybe I’m a little sensitive.We have a lot of new rides to experience on our trip so trying to keep as much as I can a surprise - appreciate those who have been posting here!

 

[disneyfan150]

GAH!! Seriously?? Ugh - this is helpful to know. I always ask for B1 and I seriously hate the sides. Maybe they'll change something in the next 23 days....probably not. Sounds like the crowds are lower in the evenings, though, which is likely when we'll go to Epcot - any chance they'd accommodate us if there are fewer people there? Again, likely not, but a girl can dream....

We were at WDW in August just after reopening and the parks were very low capacity. We were not able to request B-1. Instead, we were given A-3 and at the very end. It was a bad experience. Oh well. . .

 

[wonderchica]

RD @ Animal Kingdom today. Tough morning- only FOP and EE were up and running. Safari and Navi both down for extended times. I think Safari started around 9 for an official 8 am open. We hit the animal trails after FOP because they were the only things open.

 

[sophy1996]

I really appreciate this group - planning for upcoming trip on 6/11 and everyone is mindful to not give spoilers for RotR.
I was listening to a Disney podcast a few months ago (not DIS related) and was put off on how they thought it was ok to go ahead and give spoilers. The ride was only open for less than a year before Covid closed things down, right? Maybe I’m off on the dates, I don’t know. We don’t go to WDW every year so maybe I’m a little sensitive.We have a lot of new rides to experience on our trip so trying to keep as much as I can a surprise - appreciate those who have been posting here!

Much less than a year. RotR opened at WDW on December 5, 2019, and at DLR on January 17, 2020.

 

[sophy1996]

Regarding seating requests, they weren't taking them on BTMRR either. We actually didn't want the front seat -- too bad!

 

[CinderellaDream]

We had a successful morning at Animal Kingdom this morning even though both Navi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris were down for an extended period. We arrived via personal car at 6:40 and had to go down, take a u-turn and line up to turn left into the parking booth area. At 6:49 we began lining up at the parking booths, and they opened at exactly 7:00. We parked and walked straight to FOP - entered the queue at 7:20 and exited at 7:50.

A summary of the rest of our day is below:

8:05 Expedition Everest
8:20 Dinosaur
8:40 Triceratop Spin
9:00 I saw on MDE where safaris had opened. We speed walked across the park and the line was massive! We almost gave up because of the line but it ended up basically being a slow walk on through the long queue (took about 15 minutes but the line never stopped moving). Side note - I hated the plastic dividers on the safari vehicle.

9:50 Kali River Rapids x 2
10:45 Maharajah jungle trek
11:15 Dinosaur
12:05 Yak & Yeti lunch - Juan was a great waiter and the food was delicious as always.

At this point it was getting hot so we decided to skip Navi River Journey in favor of going back to BCV for a swim at Stormalong Bay. We had a great relaxing afternoon and are all set to get up early for MK tomorrow. My daughters are fully onboard with the whole rope drop situation after our successful morning.

Social distancing was pretty much nonexistent but mask compliance indoors and in ride queues seemed pretty good.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Rise of the Resistance

At this time we are still requesting that NO SPOILERS be posted on any threads except for the ones in the Star Wars sub-forum that are clearly marked with **SPOILERS** in their title.

As indicated by a couple of posters above, many people have not had an opportunity to visit Disney since this ride opened so we greatly appreciate everyone who is helping to keep the mystery alive for those who have not yet ridden.

THANK YOU!

 

[WEDWDW]

We spent Tues 5/25 at MK. Got on the first bus at AS-M at 6:45. They let us in the park at 7:11. We went over to Adventureland and nothing was open. This was frustrating. We decided to hang out by Pirates, but after 10 min, the CMs told us they weren't sure if it would open at 8, so to leave to try other attractions. Splash didn't open until around 11, and Pirates didn't open until close to 9. BTMRR opened around 7:30 so we were able to ride it twice in a row. However, this brought us to around 8:05 and the lines were now super long at the attractions we had planned to start with that were finally open. Space and People Movers went down for a spell in the afternoon, also. This was pretty frustrating to have so many rides up and down on the one day we had for that park.

I really want to WDWCP kids back. I felt like they brought more magic. I felt like a good amount of CMs we encountered were just meh. The one who told us Pirates wasn't opening kept telling people she had no idea if any other rides in any other area were open, when asked many times what attractions were open. I was like, what???? I was a CM on the CP once upon a time and that would have never been ok to say. If you're going to open a park early, why wouldn't you know what was going on or have areas/attractions open for guests to experience??? Felt like a total waste of 2 hrs.

And the College Program Cast is going to be so JACKED when they hit town!

I think it will almost be possible to "feel" their presence when they begin appearing Onstage.

The energy and excitement of youth is PRICELESS!

 

[WEDWDW]

I think to the surprise of no one,it looks like Monorail/Boat/Bus Social Distancing will soon follow the "lead" of Disney Skyliner.

No changes have yet been made to the monorail or busses, but we have been told that over the coming days we can expect to see a significant increase in their capacity.

Disney World transportation systems to return to full capacity in the coming days (wdwmagic.com)

 

[Katie1174]

GAH!! Seriously?? Ugh - this is helpful to know. I always ask for B1 and I seriously hate the sides. Maybe they'll change something in the next 23 days....probably not. Sounds like the crowds are lower in the evenings, though, which is likely when we'll go to Epcot - any chance they'd accommodate us if there are fewer people there? Again, likely not, but a girl can dream....

I know a few other posters had to take whatever row they were put in but we were there from May 9-18 and we rode Soarin multiple times on different days. Our first day there we rope dropped it and rode it with virtually no wait 3 times in a row. We asked for B section each time(we didnt care which row) and we were graciously granted our request each time. Some of the other times we were given it anyway so didnt need to ask, and others asked for it and was again accommodated. I guess we were just lucky, but we never rode without being in B.
Can’t hurt to ask nicely.
On a side note, in MK, if it looked like we were going to be in the front at Big Thunder Mountain we asked for the last row instead and were granted those requests as well. And we didnt ask, but at AK, they were granting requests on Expedition Everest as well.