Any Reports/Experiences?

[boxer]

Just curious if any DVC Owners have visited the parks since they reopened, and what the atmosphere is like? I am looking for a DVC prospective, since most of us have visited several times over the years, and I want honest opinions on how the controls are impacting vacations. Stuff like last-minute park reservation changes, ADR bookings, ride wait times, etc.

 

[DduzDis]

I just returned yesterday. The real limit on any of those things is that not everything is open yet. We decided at 2pm one day to have a nice dinner. I just looked for what was available that evening and we ate at the Grand Floridian Cafe (which is not very different from what I would have done under normal conditions). I don't know where WDW calls park capacity, but our experience on opening day and yesterday was no more than a 35 minute wait for any ride and that was generally just one headliner or two. We walked on to anything except BTMRR and Splash Mtn. I think the draw to Splash was really driven by the upcoming retheming announced. These times could go up when crowds begin to return in greater numbers. I think a specific touring plan with no FP+ could be hard to plan for. We just bounced from wait time to wait time without zigzagging the park too much. Closing at 7pm was also a little disappointing, but it something you definitely know before you go. There is no experience in the park after dark (this time of year). You do also have to have something planned to do after park close. We did a lot of pool time and beach time at the Poly. I would not hesitate to return under the current structure.

 

[boxer]

I just returned yesterday. The real limit on any of those things is that not everything is open yet. We decided at 2pm one day to have a nice dinner. I just looked for what was available that evening and we ate at the Grand Floridian Cafe (which is not very different from what I would have done under normal conditions). I don't know where WDW calls park capacity, but our experience on opening day and yesterday was no more than a 35 minute wait for any ride and that was generally just one headliner or two. We walked on to anything except BTMRR and Splash Mtn. I think the draw to Splash was really driven by the upcoming retheming announced. These times could go up when crowds begin to return in greater numbers. I think a specific touring plan with no FP+ could be hard to plan for. We just bounced from wait time to wait time without zigzagging the park too much. Closing at 7pm was also a little disappointing, but it something you definitely know before you go. There is no experience in the park after dark (this time of year). You do also have to have something planned to do after park close. We did a lot of pool time and beach time at the Poly. I would not hesitate to return under the current structure.

Thank you--this is what I wanted to hear. We are figuring that the crowds will be somewhat low, due to people not wanting to travel/spend money with all the controls (and reduced park hours/experiences). Just one question--were all the resturaunts open? We are big foodies, and I'm hoping that everything is opened (albiet at reduced seating capacity)

 

[DduzDis]

Not all restaurants are open yet. DS has a pretty wide variety, but the parks are still a little limited. But, other than BOG any of those that are open had pretty decent availability even day of.

 

[CheetoGuido]

OMG.. We can't wait, arriving on the 19th. 2 years in the making, rescheduled once, flights rescheduled twice.. but it is finally about to happen. There is a part of me that is holding back, won't believe it until we hold our magic bands up to the turnstile and it turns green!! So excited, even with all the limitations.

 

[jpolak]

Have a safe trip

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

My wife and I were there for AP previews. We are both in our late 40s. We are in average shape for folks in their late 40s that spend all day on their butt's in offices (and now WFH).

We live in Houston but grew up in Louisiana. We are no strangers to heat and humidity.

Wearing a mask all day, especially in the afternoon in the parks, is very difficult. We did it of course, no complaints about the need for wearing a mask. I'm merely saying that at times it was VERY uncomfortable. At times we wanted to just take the mask off.

I believe that the requirement to wear a mask will negatively impact folks' experiences. If you are planning to go I recommend taking a 1 hour long walk in a hot part of the day to give yourself some idea of what you may face.

And plan times during your trip to just sit down in the AC and get a drink.

 

[alisonslp]

My wife and I were there for AP previews. We are both in our late 40s. We are in average shape for folks in their late 40s that spend all day on their butt's in offices (and now WFH).

We live in Houston but grew up in Louisiana. We are no strangers to heat and humidity.

Wearing a mask all day, especially in the afternoon in the parks, is very difficult. We did it of course, no complaints about the need for wearing a mask. I'm merely saying that at times it was VERY uncomfortable. At times we wanted to just take the mask off.

I believe that the requirement to wear a mask will negatively impact folks' experiences. If you are planning to go I recommend taking a 1 hour long walk in a hot part of the day to give yourself some idea of what you may face.

And plan times during your trip to just sit down in the AC and get a drink.

curious - if no one was in your vicinity while walking/sitting, did you feel comfortable pulling it down for a short while to unobstructed cooler air or were the CMs out ensuring everyone wore at all times? What about at the pools? I know you don't need to where them while in the pool but what about sun bathing?
TIA

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

curious - if no one was in your vicinity while walking/sitting, did you feel comfortable pulling it down for a short while to unobstructed cooler air or were the CMs out ensuring everyone wore at all times? What about at the pools? I know you don't need to where them while in the pool but what about sun bathing?
TIA

It's funny you should ask this question. My wife had a moment in Disney Springs in the Co-op store where she did not feel okay. It was almost 100 degrees and we were sweating like mad. There was a virtual queue to enter the Co-op so we waited outside in the shade for a while before entering the store.

She turned her back to the store, faced a wall and pulled her mask down for a few moments (let's say less than 10 seconds). She pulled her mask up and turned around and noticed a cast member was walking toward her. The CM did not say anything to my wife but it appeared she was walking over to ask her to pull up her mask. Maybe she wasn't - we'll never know.

For anyone who wants to lecture me or my wife on the virtues of 100%-compliance-with-mask-wearing-at-all-times-or-so-help-me-you'll-turn-this-car-around-right-now please keep your comments to yourself. During the course of hours and hours in the parks and at Disney Springs she pulled the mask down for a few seconds.

We did not really see what was happening at the pools.

A few final comments . . . based on what we saw compliance with wearing a mask was nearly 100%. From time to time you'd see a nose out here or a mask down there but it was overall almost total compliance. Even with small children who didn't seem to care really.

 

[boxer]

Is anyone able (or has tried) to switch Park Reservations last-minute? The DVC phone CM told me that there is definitely ability to change Park Reservations day-of, or day before. That is the big sticking point to us--kind of tough to book Parks 3-4 months ahead of your vacation--and I want the ability to change 'while' we are there.

 

[DduzDis]

It's funny you should ask this question. My wife had a moment in Disney Springs in the Co-op store where she did not feel okay. It was almost 100 degrees and we were sweating like mad. There was a virtual queue to enter the Co-op so we waited outside in the shade for a while before entering the store.

She turned her back to the store, faced a wall and pulled her mask down for a few moments (let's say less than 10 seconds). She pulled her mask up and turned around and noticed a cast member was walking toward her. The CM did not say anything to my wife but it appeared she was walking over to ask her to pull up her mask. Maybe she wasn't - we'll never know.

For anyone who wants to lecture me or my wife on the virtues of 100%-compliance-with-mask-wearing-at-all-times-or-so-help-me-you'll-turn-this-car-around-right-now please keep your comments to yourself. During the course of hours and hours in the parks and at Disney Springs she pulled the mask down for a few seconds.

We did not really see what was happening at the pools.

A few final comments . . . based on what we saw compliance with wearing a mask was nearly 100%. From time to time you'd see a nose out her or a mask down there but it was overall almost total compliance. Even with small children who didn't seem to care really.

I was there for AP Preview at MK as well as opening day. My observations were the same. Nearly 100% compliance. I would add that there are 3 designated 'comfort zones' where you can take off your mask to take a break. My daughter and I never felt we needed to, but I did check with her each time we passed one (especially in the afternoon). They are fairly spread out too. One near Barnstormer, one in the Tomorrowland Terrace and one over by Pirates. It was nice to know we could go there if needed, but we just never needed it.

I will say for the Poly pools we visited, masks were worn to the chairs, but removed from there. Groups of chairs are spaced 6 feet apart so social distancing is maintained. In the pool, my daughter and I maintained distance, but there were no real rules to do so that I saw.