Going on Nov. 7-16; is there anything else I need to know?

[Jabroniville]

Hi all! I've made a few plans around here, but I figured I'd make one topic just for the Canadian section since there might be stuff I'm missing.

So I'm leaving from Edmonton on Nov. 7th and will head back on the 16th or 17th, staying at Art of Animation. It took a while even to have THAT hotel open, but with a month to go it seemed to open wide up (I can still see it open on the website, which is weird). I wanted a long trip since A) it's been a while (for obvious reasons) and B) going from far away, I wanted to maximize the trip to make it more worth it. I don't have a car or anything so I'd need cabs or buses to get around.

I'm still trying to get dining reservations (I got a Reservation Finder for some), so we'll see about that- this was a very quickly-planned trip since things just kept changing and I couldn't even find hotels for the longest time.

So I've just got a handful of questions to make sure I've got it right:

1) All I need is the quick instant "antigen" test to get into the US, right? The one I can get at Shopper's Drug Mart.

2) Heading back, I can just get a free test that only takes a day or two to get results, 72 hours before I head out. And various Walgreens that are close by can just do this? I just have to book ahead, from what I see on here. I already have Arrivecan downloaded on my iPhone. I'll unfortunately have to get a cab or uber or something.

3) The flight's going from Edmonton to Toronto, then a 2h45 layover until it goes to MCO. Is that going to be enough time for the layover, do you think? I know Covid has probably slowed things up, and I'm always nervous about Pearson. It was the longest layover I could find while still paying cheap prices.

4) How busy do you think it will be? The 50th is gonna be big for a while, and I've heard some lineups have gotten a bit worse.

5) Are they doing any parades at this time? Or castle shows at all? I know plans keep changing and they JUST added new fireworks. I really liked the one Mickey & Minnie thing where they meet Tiana, Rapunzel and the Frozen sisters, but I think most performers have still been laid off.

Is there anything else I'd need to know visiting from Canada thanks to Covid? I'm fully vaccinated and everything but I'm always looking for those unexpected speedbumps.

 

[Jrb1979]

I can't answer your first couple questions. As far the park goes, from what I have heard the day the 50th started attendance was 30% less then they were expecting. I don't think it will too busy.

Unfortunately right now there are no parades or castle shows.

Hopefully you have heard about Genie+. Cause from the sounds of it you will need it for Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.

 

[Jabroniville]

Yup- I'm familiar with Genie+! I was hoping it wouldn't be there by the time I went (I have enough new stuff to figure out now, lol), but no such luck. I'm not sure how much better lines were without it, but it might be a necessity depending on how many people try to use it. Waking up at 7 to do everything right on the dot sounds annoying, but I'll probably have to get the special stuff for Frozen, Rise of the Resistance and some other things.

 

[Jrb1979]

Judging by yesterday a lot the standby waits at Hollywood Studios were close to 60 mins or more by 11 am.

 

[hdrolfe]

For the test to go there, you may also check Wal-Mart or Costco, they should both be offering the tests on Alberta, cheaper than Shoppers. It is a 15 minute wait for results. Easy and quick.

For the test coming home, if you don't have a car you can book with BeeperMD, they come to the hotel. It is free and you book a two hour slot.

I am going next week, I hope I don't need Genie+ for most days but think Friday and Saturday at the parks will be busy enough that I might. Since you are staying on site, I think it is a good idea to take advantage of the 30 minutes pre park opening for resort guests.

Have a good trip.

Oh, Toronto Airport, I have read such mixed things, some people get through in 30 minutes, some take 3 hours. But if both legs are booked together I should think you won't be the only one, and they would have to make sure you get there.

 

[accm]

I think by you trip you'll also need to show your proof of vaccination to board flights in Canada. You said you're vaccinated, so it's really just one more document to show at the airport.

 

[Jabroniville]

Okay, one last thing: I’m vaccinated and have my antigen test done. Is that all I need? There’s mention on WestJet of PCR tests but I’m pretty sure that’s just for non vaccinated people, am I correct?

 

[Tilnar]

Yup- I'm familiar with Genie+! I was hoping it wouldn't be there by the time I went (I have enough new stuff to figure out now, lol), but no such luck. I'm not sure how much better lines were without it, but it might be a necessity depending on how many people try to use it. Waking up at 7 to do everything right on the dot sounds annoying, but I'll probably have to get the special stuff for Frozen, Rise of the Resistance and some other things.

I just got back and will say that if you're willing to do Early Entry, MK is still doable without G+ -- especially since 7DMT isn't something you can G+ anyway. We did 7DMT first, walked through Fantasy Land to Frontier and had less than 30 posted (more like 20) for each Splash and Thunder, and while Space advertised 40 (after we ate), it was less than 30 minutes. (Unless you want to get on Peter Pan, which is always impossibly long and we ended up getting stuck in line -- they said 45 but it turned into 80 -- I think because they allow too many G+ LL passes and don't let the poor unwashed masses on the ride -- the only time we ever felt like second class citizens).

HS, again, in line right away and 20 minutes (posted, more like 15) for Runaway Railroad. Rise of the Resistance on our second HS day was a longer wait - even getting there early I'd say it was about 30 minutes (45 posted) -- though it didn't help that some of our group got lost on the way there. (That said, because our daughter's little and can't do a full day at a park, we knew we had 2 early starts and made the most of them). With the number of rides that were down (Tower of Terror and Slinky), I'd have felt pretty ripped off had I bought G+ for our first HS day.

 

[Tilnar]

Okay, one last thing: I’m vaccinated and have my antigen test done. Is that all I need? There’s mention on WestJet of PCR tests but I’m pretty sure that’s just for non vaccinated people, am I correct?

PCR test is for coming back to Canada. Antigen is all that's needed to go to the US.

 

[Jabroniville]

I just got back and will say that if you're willing to do Early Entry, MK is still doable without G+ -- especially since 7DMT isn't something you can G+ anyway. We did 7DMT first, walked through Fantasy Land to Frontier and had less than 30 posted (more like 20) for each Splash and Thunder, and while Space advertised 40 (after we ate), it was less than 30 minutes. (Unless you want to get on Peter Pan, which is always impossibly long and we ended up getting stuck in line -- they said 45 but it turned into 80 -- I think because they allow too many G+ LL passes and don't let the poor unwashed masses on the ride -- the only time we ever felt like second class citizens).

HS, again, in line right away and 20 minutes (posted, more like 15) for Runaway Railroad. Rise of the Resistance on our second HS day was a longer wait - even getting there early I'd say it was about 30 minutes (45 posted) -- though it didn't help that some of our group got lost on the way there. (That said, because our daughter's little and can't do a full day at a park, we knew we had 2 early starts and made the most of them). With the number of rides that were down (Tower of Terror and Slinky), I'd have felt pretty ripped off had I bought G+ for our first HS day.

Cool, thanks! I’m in Epcot right now, and didn’t use G+ despite it being an IMMENSELY busy day. Frozen was a walk on and I got an LL for later as well. Since I’m alone, Test Track was also a walk on. Other than that, I don’t really care about the rest.

Though ratatouille broke down twice so my late virtual queue (I didn’t wake up for my 7am alarm) will probably be too late. But I have two more Epcot days plus I rode it in Paris already.

I MIGHT do it for MK and HS just with the sheer amount of stuff available now. How bad is it to wait until later in the day to buy G+?

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

Have FUN,!

 

[Jabroniville]

Haha ok- Genie+ is DEFINITELY necessary for MK right now. Honestly, except for it costing money, I like it better than FP- you can just decide everything day-of. What’s funny is I went back to re-check something and lost like an hour on my return times when it reloaded. It goes that fast! Yet everything in the park seemed available all day.

 

[papertraveller]

How are the crowds?
Are you using Disney transportation, and if so, do they limit capacity?

 

[Jabroniville]

How are the crowds?
Are you using Disney transportation, and if so, do they limit capacity?

It’s super busy. I usually go in spring and this is way more packed. Generally all good attractions were at 45-65 minutes most of the day.
Transportation is fine. Buses packed like usual and there’s really no distancing anywhere. Park closing is a mess of crowds as usual.

 

[papertraveller]

Yikes.
Since we are so familiar with a "masking" culture, are people abiding by this where directed by Disney policy?
Thanks for the info, and do hope you are enjoying yourself!

 

[Jabroniville]

Yikes.
Since we are so familiar with a "masking" culture, are people abiding by this where directed by Disney policy?
Thanks for the info, and do hope you are enjoying yourself!

Yeah. CMs are more or less allowed to yell at people to mask up indoors. They aren’t messing around with it.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Haha ok- Genie+ is DEFINITELY necessary for MK right now. Honestly, except for it costing money, I like it better than FP- you can just decide everything day-of. What’s funny is I went back to re-check something and lost like an hour on my return times when it reloaded. It goes that fast! Yet everything in the park seemed available all day.

you aren’t kidding. Was at MK today. Super busy. And I wasn’t expecting it to be this humid!

 

[Jabroniville]

you aren’t kidding. Was at MK today. Super busy. And I wasn’t expecting it to be this humid!

Yeah AK was pretty busy but okay. And it opened a half hour earlier than advertised! Thankfully I got in early enough to get every good ride (and FoP twice). The staff are floored it’s so packed after a quiet September.

What I think happened is every single person held off on September because of expectations of 50th crowds.

I usually see humidity here at least.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Yeah AK was pretty busy but okay. And it opened a half hour earlier than advertised! Thankfully I got in early enough to get every good ride (and FoP twice). The staff are floored it’s so packed after a quiet September.

What I think happened is every single person held off on September because of expectations of 50th crowds.

im sure they are! Yeah I think you might be right. Hoping next week isn’t as bad!

 

[hdrolfe]

Today was Disney+ day, parks opened an hour early or 30 minutes earlier if you have Disney+ (even if not staying on site).