Best Parks to Visit Since Reopening

[Mickey18girl]

Which parks have you enjoyed the most since reopening? Any that you would skip?

 

[OB1]

oooohhhhh - great question. Waiting to hear from people.

We were supposed to go last SUN-today, but had a sick dog that had us cancel for now. He is doing well, but we could not leave him. Going to try again at the start of next month.

 

[yulilin3]

Which parks have you enjoyed the most since reopening? Any that you would skip?

I think it's the same aas the parks you enjoyed before COVID, my list is pretty similar, the only difference for me is DHS, without the live shows and Citizens of Hollywood is mostly all attractions now. My least favorite is Epcot but it was Epcot before closure

 

[westie55]

I agree, it is probably the same as prior to closing. Almost all attractions are operating. Live shows are for the most part closed, which is a negative for AK IMO. DHS has lost a lot but it now has so many other huge draws that it is worth your time anyway.

 

[ucf_knight]

Which parks have you enjoyed the most since reopening? Any that you would skip?

We did HS, MK and Epcot a couple weeks back. I would say EPCOT was my favorite because of food and wine (even though it’s limited), then MK then HS. Epcot felt the most empty where we would walk through sections of the park and literally not see another single person (even in front of space ship earth). MK is great with low crowds because of how many attractions they have. Your experience at HS is still entirely based around if you get a BG or not. We luckily did but it’s a lottery essentially so that takes away from the experience visiting the park for me (even though I think the BG system is probably the best way to handle this ride currently). I would skip HS next time around and do AK instead.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Unpopular vote but for me the best park is Epcot, even in its current state. Then MK just because it’s MK. And strong showing for DAK because it’s so relaxing - and DAK in a low crowd situation is great (although the lack of some offerings took away from the experience). Least favorite was DHS because it was the most crowded, and to be fair it’s my least favorite park. I really wanted park hopping back on our DHS days, didn’t mind it at the other parks.

But I would answer roughly the same in normal times, so I found it followed my overall park preferences for the most part.

 

[Mickey18girl]

We did HS, MK and Epcot a couple weeks back. I would say EPCOT was my favorite because of food and wine (even though it’s limited), then MK then HS. Epcot felt the most empty where we would walk through sections of the park and literally not see another single person (even in front of space ship earth). MK is great with low crowds because of how many attractions they have. Your experience at HS is still entirely based around if you get a BG or not. We luckily did but it’s a lottery essentially so that takes away from the experience visiting the park for me (even though I think the BG system is probably the best way to handle this ride currently). I would skip HS next time around and do AK instead.

Thanks, that helps confirm what I was leaning toward. I've done HS a bunch recently so I don't need to go there. EPCOT is really appealing with all the good food you can eat outdoors and space to move around and hang out.

 

[thingaboutarsenal]

Pre Covid I'd rank them: MK, AK, EP, HS

Post Covid I'd go: HS, EP, MK, AK

MK is always great but closing at 7 means no night park time, you leave in sunshine. Also no fireworks is a bummer.

HS drops without a BG for ROR but if you get one, especially while in line for Slinky right at 10am, you're in for a great day. One of the silver linings of Covid is that you can get a BG without waking up before fishermen, so that's a big plus. HS had consistent long lines though and if you're an AP, it's hard to get.

Epcot is weird, but there is nobody there and having a park to yourself is great. Also Epcot has the most indoor attractions and I just did 8 days and some days the mask got old, at Epcot it wasn't that bad because every ride is an AC break. World showcase is weird though and FEA must be done at 11am unless you want to roast in the sun.

AK breaks my heart because I really love that park but there are 7 attractions worth doing and It's Tough to be a Bug. FOP had a 10 minute wait which was awesome, but after that you do NRJ, Dinosaur, Triceratop Dumbo, EE, Kali, Kilimanjaro and you've done every attraction in the park. It closes at 6pm which is also a real bummer. It's regressed back to a half day park. It pains me to say it but given the option of AK or SeaWorld right now, I'd rather go to SeaWorld. Pre Covid I had a friend come from South Korea who had one day for WDW and we decided to go to AK so the current state really kills me.

 

[PamNC]

Pre Covid I'd rank them: MK, AK, EP, HS

Post Covid I'd go: HS, EP, MK, AK

MK is always great but closing at 7 means no night park time, you leave in sunshine. Also no fireworks is a bummer.

HS drops without a BG for ROR but if you get one, especially while in line for Slinky right at 10am, you're in for a great day. One of the silver linings of Covid is that you can get a BG without waking up before fishermen, so that's a big plus. HS had consistent long lines though and if you're an AP, it's hard to get.

Epcot is weird, but there is nobody there and having a park to yourself is great. Also Epcot has the most indoor attractions and I just did 8 days and some days the mask got old, at Epcot it wasn't that bad because every ride is an AC break. World showcase is weird though and FEA must be done at 11am unless you want to roast in the sun.

AK breaks my heart because I really love that park but there are 7 attractions worth doing and It's Tough to be a Bug. FOP had a 10 minute wait which was awesome, but after that you do NRJ, Dinosaur, Triceratop Dumbo, EE, Kali, Kilimanjaro and you've done every attraction in the park. It closes at 6pm which is also a real bummer. It's regressed back to a half day park. It pains me to say it but given the option of AK or SeaWorld right now, I'd rather go to SeaWorld. Pre Covid I had a friend come from South Korea who had one day for WDW and we decided to go to AK so the current state really kills me.

I haven't been back since the reopening and I love AK and thought about exactly what you're saying. I really love the shows - Lion King and Nemo and the Tree at night. I also would miss the fireworks at MK and Epcot. So I'm trying to decide if it's worth a short trip to experience the parks with the minimal waits. Plus, I haven't done ROR or Slinky. But after I do those, what do I do? Taking away the entertainment like the streetmosphere folks and the performers in Africa in AK is a big mistake... not talking about Covid here. That atmosphere they create with performers like these, that's a big part of the magic. And the drummers in Japan - loved them. I'm kinda' bummed about Disney right now. I will say - the second I hear they are closing down Splash to refurb it I'm driving the 9 hours down immediately so I don't miss riding it one more time. Thanks for your report. I also think World showcase would be weird with Food and Wine in an empty park, but again... could be refreshing. Just call me "on the fence" about going.

 

[thingaboutarsenal]

I haven't been back since the reopening and I love AK and thought about exactly what you're saying. I really love the shows - Lion King and Nemo and the Tree at night. I also would miss the fireworks at MK and Epcot. So I'm trying to decide if it's worth a short trip to experience the parks with the minimal waits. Plus, I haven't done ROR or Slinky. But after I do those, what do I do? Taking away the entertainment like the streetmosphere folks and the performers in Africa in AK is a big mistake... not talking about Covid here. That atmosphere they create with performers like these, that's a big part of the magic. And the drummers in Japan - loved them. I'm kinda' bummed about Disney right now. I will say - the second I hear they are closing down Splash to refurb it I'm driving the 9 hours down immediately so I don't miss riding it one more time. Thanks for your report. I also think World showcase would be weird with Food and Wine in an empty park, but again... could be refreshing. Just call me "on the fence" about going.

Yeah, AK without Festival of the Lion King and Nemo just doesn't have much to do. Mickey and Minnie is really fun and I think it's better than the great movie ride, It may be unpopular but I rode it 5 times in two days because I loved it. The only thing at HS you're missing is frozen sing along and little mermaid, but it's the park with the most to do and ROR is legitimately a fantastic ride.

Edited to add: believe it or not, Mariachi Cobre sounds better when miked up at the stage in the American Pavilion. I didn't think it was possible, but it's true. We watched them three times in two days, they are spectacular.

 

[Mickey18girl]

So I'm a bit different in that I don't care so much about shows -- always more a ride person. The shows being missing in AK doesn't bother me... it's relaxing and has multiple rides I really enjoy. I'm full aware though that I probably will only need 3-4 hours in the park to knock everything out. Definitely missing park hopping!

Epcot has good outdoor food (safer), but interesting on World Showcase being a bit odd when empty. I don't think I'll be stressed by crowds.

I've hit up HS a bit recently, and have been on everything except ROR. What concerns me is that almost all of the rides are indoors, which seems a higher risk given the pandemic. I also would avoid Toy Story Mania because it is so touch heavy. That leaves Slinky pretty much, and while the park can be fun, I am not sure it is worth the admission for me at this time. And some people have complained about crowds and difficulties with physical distancing.

 

[yulilin3]

So I'm a bit different in that I don't care so much about shows -- always more a ride person. The shows being missing in AK doesn't bother me... it's relaxing and has multiple rides I really enjoy. I'm full aware though that I probably will only need 3-4 hours in the park to knock everything out. Definitely missing park hopping!

Epcot has good outdoor food (safer), but interesting on World Showcase being a bit odd when empty. I don't think I'll be stressed by crowds.

I've hit up HS a bit recently, and have been on everything except ROR. What concerns me is that almost all of the rides are indoors, which seems a higher risk given the pandemic. I also would avoid Toy Story Mania because it is so touch heavy. That leaves Slinky pretty much, and while the park can be fun, I am not sure it is worth the admission for me at this time. And some people have complained about crowds and difficulties with physical distancing.

definitely a lot of variables to look at and you must decide whats best for you obviously. Just to clarify the point on touching things (like TSMM) Disney is not only doing an excellent job with cleaning everything people touch, they also have hand sanitizer at the entrance and exit of attractions, restaurants and stores, so even though you could go to TSMM and touch the trigger you can immediately sanitize your hands or walk a couple of feet and wash them properly. And if you stop and think about it you will touch a ton of things other people have already, each time you go on a ride, the lapbar, the yellow strap, the hand rail to get in and out...
I have been extremely impressed with the cleaning procedures, I have witnessed them many times and also have some inside knowledge on what they do and how often and how thoroughly

 

[PamNC]

Yeah, AK without Festival of the Lion King and Nemo just doesn't have much to do. Mickey and Minnie is really fun and I think it's better than the great movie ride, It may be unpopular but I rode it 5 times in two days because I loved it. The only thing at HS you're missing is frozen sing along and little mermaid, but it's the park with the most to do and ROR is legitimately a fantastic ride.

Edited to add: believe it or not, Mariachi Cobre sounds better when miked up at the stage in the American Pavilion. I didn't think it was possible, but it's true. We watched them three times in two days, they are spectacular.

that's good to know - about Mariachi Cobre. I love them. AK is tied as my favorite park - tied with MK. I love it.. shows and rides. and just walking around looking at the animals. I really liked the music in Africa. I'm going to really really miss that. I love the release of the parrots they do throughout the day. I just really love both shows. used to love the bird show but they've changed it up some (Pun intended - I think it's character based with some character from "Up" - a movie I didn't even see). So, at HS, do they have Beauty and the Beast Stage Show and Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones?

 

[thingaboutarsenal]

that's good to know - about Mariachi Cobre. I love them. AK is tied as my favorite park - tied with MK. I love it.. shows and rides. and just walking around looking at the animals. I really liked the music in Africa. I'm going to really really miss that. I love the release of the parrots they do throughout the day. I just really love both shows. used to love the bird show but they've changed it up some (Pun intended - I think it's character based with some character from "Up" - a movie I didn't even see). So, at HS, do they have Beauty and the Beast Stage Show and Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones?

No little mermaid, and it doesn't have distancing markers so it's not coming any time soon. Indy was not running and neither was beauty and the beast. If you're going for the shows, now is probably a pretty bad time.

 

[yulilin3]

that's good to know - about Mariachi Cobre. I love them. AK is tied as my favorite park - tied with MK. I love it.. shows and rides. and just walking around looking at the animals. I really liked the music in Africa. I'm going to really really miss that. I love the release of the parrots they do throughout the day. I just really love both shows. used to love the bird show but they've changed it up some (Pun intended - I think it's character based with some character from "Up" - a movie I didn't even see). So, at HS, do they have Beauty and the Beast Stage Show and Little Mermaid and Indiana Jones?

almost all entertainment is tied to the Union-Disney current conflict. They do have a temporary show at the Theater of the Stars with the Disney Society Orchestra and Friends, it's the same band from the GF and they plan songs related to attractions at DHS, cute 15 min show
At Epcot in American Gardens Theater they have Mariachi Cobre or Marimba de las Americas and JAMMitors

 

[mu51c10rd]

Which parks have you enjoyed the most since reopening? Any that you would skip?

I think the most enjoyable park was HS, mostly due to the new attractions with virtually no wait times (we aren't passholders and flew cross country to visit). We rode Runaway Railway, and Smuggler's Run more times than we could count with virtually no wait (would occasionally wait up to 15 minutes for Runaway Railway). Had no issues getting boarding groups to RotR both days we spent in HS, but we were in the park, app open and ready, right when the clock struck 10AM.
Animal Kingdom was fun, mostly because it seemed most going to WDW are passholders and they don't want to waste their reservations days on AK when so many attractions are closed there. The park was about empty, Flight of Passage never went above a 10 minute wait all day, longest we waited for anything was the Naavi River Journey at 15 minutes. Dinosaur was a walkon 5 minutes all day. In the afternoon, the park was a ghost town, and we felt like we were the only ones there.
MK is always fun, but seemed the most crowded of all the parks (even though ride wait times were still ludicrously low), and Epcot felt empty due to its size, capacity limitations, and lack of many attractions.
Hope that helps...at least from a non-passholder, only visits WDW once every few years, type of person.

 

[Bullseye]

Geez, after some many years of crowds and lines, open spaces and shorter hours doesn't seem unbearable. Glad to hear the reports here as we have six day tickets and are trying to decide which parks to do twice.

 

[Jothmas]

I was at the four parks last week, and for me MK was the best, because of the number of attractions and because it seemed the least affected. Without the shows, HS is a half-day park. In the middle of the afternoon I was just killing time until my RotR boarding group was called and then killing more time until I could check-in for my dinner reservation. On the positive side, I rode TSM multiple times and finally got to be a pilot on MFSR. Epcot was a disappointment because of so many stores being closed and of course it’s a lesser experience without the cultural representatives. Animal Kingdom turned out to be a full day, with looking at all the animals and doing the Wilderness Explorers. So ranking is MK, AK, Epcot and HS.

 

[PamNC]

almost all entertainment is tied to the Union-Disney current conflict. They do have a temporary show at the Theater of the Stars with the Disney Society Orchestra and Friends, it's the same band from the GF and they plan songs related to attractions at DHS, cute 15 min show
At Epcot in American Gardens Theater they have Mariachi Cobre or Marimba de las Americas and JAMMitors

I had no idea there was an entertainment union conflict. thanks for that info. Maybe the entertainment that has been cancelled will come back... I hope.

 

[yulilin3]

I had no idea there was an entertainment union conflict. thanks for that info. Maybe the entertainment that has been cancelled will come back... I hope.

The entertainment that was cut before the closure is cut, not coming back unfortunately