Here Now & Just Back - A Place To Share Your Recent Experiences

[brockash]

Went to MK today: 10/7/20

Staying at Pop- At bus by 7:25, first bus at 7:59, us on bus at 8:21

Ate lunch at Pecos Bills, delicious and half of the tables were marked for distancing. Today was pretty hot, so I’d say mask compliance was more like 90%. Lots of noses ans people pulling them down during our long outdoor wait for HM.

Dinner was at Skipper Canteen. Delicious as always and very spaced out. We also had the raspberry swirl dole whip around 2 which was amazing and much needed.

My ridiculous time chart is listed below. We started calling this my Disney Data and my husband and friends have even started helping me keep track of it throughout the day! Hope it helps!

Ride	Listed Time	Time Entered	Time on Ride
Space	5 min	8:48	8:52
Thunder	5 min	9:08	9:13
Splash	5 mins	9:18	9:25
Haunted Mansion	10	10:06	10:21
7DMT	45 - jumped to 55	10:26	11:16
Peter Pan	20	11:25	11:52
Buzz	20	12:55	1:05
Carousel	5	1:11	1:14
Mermaid	20	1:40	1:58
Pirates	40	2:36	3:04
HAunted Mansion	40	3:25	4:00
Peter Pan	20	5:32	5:36
Small World	20	We split -5:40	5:47
Space Mountain	40	We split- 5:54	6:15

When you say you were at the bus stop at 725, but weren't on the bus until 821... that means being at the bus stop 1.5+ hrs earlier than park open wasn't enough time to get on first bus and they didn't have another one there for over 20 mins this morning? I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly; that's rough...thx for all the detailed reports

 

[figmentfinesse]

I'm a Disneyland park goer switching over to WDW for the holidays (since we have no reopening date in sight..) and I was wondering if anyone could help answer a few questions for me about their recent park experiences!

I've been lurking for a few days and I'm reading that weekends tend to be more busier. Is that true for all four parks or the more popular ones like Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom? I think I can finagle things to make our park days only weekdays for the most part but we might have one weekend day too.

Art of Animation vs. Caribbean Resort- which has a better atmosphere to spend your evenings in? I think we're going to avoid Disney Springs and just stick to the parks so trying to pick which resort we should go with. My son is 10 so he'd love the cartoon themes but I prefer the look of the Caribbean Resort... What do you think? Do the resorts feel really crowded in the evenings right now? Does it really matter? We'd save more money staying at the Art of Animation that I could easily turn into an extra park day..

Does anyone have a good resource for park strategies right now? I've been following along on this thread but it sounds like we're all just winging it- does that sound about right? But like, what rides do you head towards first? I'm so used to operating on a rope drop strategy I'm having a hard time letting go of that lol!

Any other tips you want to give me? Thanks everyone!

I have stayed at both AoA and CBR and CBR definitely wins for nighttime vibe. Plus the hot tub is a big plus for me and the pool is amazing. You’ll also be the skyliner hub and can walk to riveria. You can always take the skyliner to go explore AoA.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

You’ll also be the skyliner hub and can walk to riveria

Oh awesome, I forgot about that! Is the Riveria worth checking out? We’re WDW first timers so this is all new to me.

 

[MomOTwins]

When you say you were at the bus stop at 725, but weren't on the bus until 821... that means being at the bus stop 1.5+ hrs earlier than park open wasn't enough time to get on first bus and they didn't have another one there for over 20 mins this morning? I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly; that's rough...thx for all the detailed reports

That sounds right. Buses are every 20 mins and are reduced capacity so not too surprising. Also recall that “park opening” is not really 9am. They are no longer holding people at rope drop so once the bus gets to the park, you are in and they are running popular rides before park open.

It is like how it used to be at flight of passage where the real opening time was before park open, except now that is true for all MK. We talked to someone that got in 6 rides at MK before park open!

 

[figmentfinesse]

Oh awesome, I forgot about that! Is the Riveria worth checking out? We’re WDW first timers so this is all new to me. ☺

Absolutely! Their lobby is beautiful, amazing grounds with this fountain with floor to ceiling Tangled and Peter Pan mosaics (worth the walk alone, extra beautiful at night!). We also really loved their quick service, Prima Piatto. The croque monsieur and the tomato bisque knocked my SOCKS off. I’ve heard great things about their bar as well. It was just great to have bonus food options beyond Banana Cabana and centertown market (which has an amazing Mac and cheese kids meal, I’m an adult but dang that Mac and cheese is GOOD!). And it’s easy on the eyes, beautiful with the sunsets.

 

[auntlynne]

Thanks for the tips folks!

New question: I'm seeing lots of reports of limited food carts/etc. Can you still find the staples like churros and pretzels? I mean, that'd be a given wouldn't it? But then I keep hearing people say there's not many options.

Weekdays seem to have closures (I only did EP on a weekend). I wanted the mini corn dogs from a stand in Frontierland, as a replacement for closed Casey’s Corner, but it was also closed.

Have a back-up choice for QS food.

My family and I are going 10/16-10/19, and are very safety conscientious. Those who have been recently, how have the health precautions seemed to you? Are people wearing their masks for the most part, and are they social distancing? Did you feel safe? Any feedback is appreciated.

Disney has visibly made an effort to provide for and promote social distancing. Seating on rides is spaced, plexiglass dividers are in place. Lots of hand sanitizer dispensers. Mask use is reinforced - although, for the most part, people are compliant.

Guests are making an effort to follow the spacing in line rides.

I heard a lot of apologies by those who accidentally got too close. The few who just didn’t care were obvious, as they were very few.

I visited on dates between Sep 20-30 and will return in early November with my sister who would not go if more than minimal risk.

 

[HelloTheDrakes]

When you say you were at the bus stop at 725, but weren't on the bus until 821... that means being at the bus stop 1.5+ hrs earlier than park open wasn't enough time to get on first bus and they didn't have another one there for over 20 mins this morning? I just want to make sure I'm understanding correctly; that's rough...thx for all the detailed reports

Yes and no. There were just THAT many people staying at POP trying to go to MK. They are actually doing a great job having busses come back to back, not every 20 mins. Only 6 groups can be on a bus at a time. Each group can be up to 4 people. Even if it is just one person in a “group” it will take up that section for distancing. A driver said that there could be 6 solo people in a row and that would mean that there would only be 6 people on the bus and they would have to leave. We definitely were in the park before open. My time stamps say we were on space at 8:48. We were able to do all 3 mountain rides before the park was busy and they each jumped to 45+ mins. Definitely worth the early rise and wait.

 

[Eastern]

Anyone has experience post-covid with changing party reservations for dining? Hubby did our dining when it opened 60 days out and I just realized he forgot to add our kids for our BOG and Sci Fi Reservations (+2). I know all we can do is ask when we get there aside from checking the app like crazy. Just wondering if anyone has had to do this post-covid yet.

https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder Make a free account and set up the finder, it works. Be ready to click on the reservation as soon as you get the text. Minutes count.

I would say for now, you can try for 2 people as well as 4 (booking them at the same time or within 10 minutes of you own ADR) but the Sci Fi one is difficult because they assign you a car and those may be limited.

 

[lmbcdb]

Nothing much to report today. As I stated yesterday we were having a lazy day today. We slept in and headed to the bus for Disney Springs at about 9:50. We got to DS at about 10:17. It was early so not a whole lot of people. Some stores weren't open until 11. We were able to be socially distanced and most people were mask compliant. I've heard that it gets crowded their later in the day but morning and early afternoon were very pleasant.

We got back to Pop around 2. It was very quiet and we relaxed for the rest of the day. Room checks are still being done. We had a knock on the door around 3 when I was napping. She asked if she could do a room check amd informed us we couldn't be in the room while she did it. I said I was napping and she asked when a good time to come back would be.

Other than that the day was uneventful and very relaxing. Tomorrow is Hollywood Studios.

What’s a “room check”?

 

[wilkydelts]

What’s a “room check”?

It is safety measures many resorts have put in as a result of the tragedy in Las Vegas. The resort will regularly just spot check rooms to ensure safety.

 

[lmbcdb]

Went to MK today: 10/7/20

Staying at Pop- At bus by 7:25, first bus at 7:59, us on bus at 8:21

Ate lunch at Pecos Bills, delicious and half of the tables were marked for distancing. Today was pretty hot, so I’d say mask compliance was more like 90%. Lots of noses ans people pulling them down during our long outdoor wait for HM.

Dinner was at Skipper Canteen. Delicious as always and very spaced out. We also had the raspberry swirl dole whip around 2 which was amazing and much needed.

My ridiculous time chart is listed below. We started calling this my Disney Data and my husband and friends have even started helping me keep track of it throughout the day! Hope it helps!

Ride	Listed Time	Time Entered	Time on Ride
Space	5 min	8:48	8:52
Thunder	5 min	9:08	9:13
Splash	5 mins	9:18	9:25
Haunted Mansion	10	10:06	10:21
7DMT	45 - jumped to 55	10:26	11:16
Peter Pan	20	11:25	11:52
Buzz	20	12:55	1:05
Carousel	5	1:11	1:14
Mermaid	20	1:40	1:58
Pirates	40	2:36	3:04
HAunted Mansion	40	3:25	4:00
Peter Pan	20	5:32	5:36
Small World	20	We split -5:40	5:47
Space Mountain	40	We split- 5:54	6:15

Thank you SO much for doing this! Super helpful!

 

[DanSchwartz]

Looks like dates for transition to X-mas decorations finalized. Though Very Merry Christmas Event still canceled.

 

[yulilin3]

View attachment 530821View attachment 530822

Looks like dates for transition to X-mas decorations finalized. Though Very Merry Christmas Event still canceled.

this was announced a month ago
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/walt-disney-world-resort-holidays-start-nov-6/

 

[april8986]

On the plane home now after a 5 night trip. We had a wonderful time! We have been to Disney many times. Stayed at Swan. Sunday AK, Monday EPCOT, Tuesday HS, Wednesday MK. Overall observations IMO mask compliance about 90%, cast member friendliness 99.9%. We rope dropped every park. Buses were no problem. The only difficulty for us was wearing the masks outside in the heat and not being able to drink water as needed. We had two episodes in our family of feeling a little dehydrated. You have to find a spot to stop and drink your water. We saw a cast member ask a child drinking in line to stop and put on their mask. We will come back again, probably in colder weather next time. Would not recommend 1st timers coming right now.

 

[Silas5]

I was wondering if there is still a line for the "no bag" check now or does everyone just go through the scan places? The no bag entry used to save so much time getting into the parks, but if there is no separate line I might as well bring a bag. I'm heading to the parks on Sunday!! I can't wait! Thank you all for your park information since COVID! It is all so helpful.

 

[Tormania]

Yes and no. There were just THAT many people staying at POP trying to go to MK. They are actually doing a great job having busses come back to back, not every 20 mins. Only 6 groups can be on a bus at a time. Each group can be up to 4 people. Even if it is just one person in a “group” it will take up that section for distancing. A driver said that there could be 6 solo people in a row and that would mean that there would only be 6 people on the bus and they would have to leave. We definitely were in the park before open. My time stamps say we were on space at 8:48. We were able to do all 3 mountain rides before the park was busy and they each jumped to 45+ mins. Definitely worth the early rise and wait.

Each group is only 4 people?? We will be a party of 10, so is that gonna count for half a bus? We can all sit together cause we're the same party, we don't have to distance ourselves from each other. What are they doing for larger groups like us?

 

[Geomom]

I was wondering if there is still a line for the "no bag" check now or does everyone just go through the scan places? The no bag entry used to save so much time getting into the parks, but if there is no separate line I might as well bring a bag. I'm heading to the parks on Sunday!! I can't wait! Thank you all for your park information since COVID! It is all so helpful.

Everyone goes thru the scanners, it goes quickly! If someone sets it off they're pulled to the side for a physical bag check. (DH set it off whenever they made him keep the bag of chargers in the backpack....he knew it would...but no, keep everything but umbrellas and metal water bottles in your bag, lol.)

 

[yulilin3]

Each group is only 4 people?? We will be a party of 10, so is that gonna count for half a bus? We can all sit together cause we're the same party, we don't have to distance ourselves from each other. What are they doing for larger groups like us?

Separating people by groups
So if you're 10 you will be split up into different sections of 4 and 2
They can't let everyone sit together cause then you would be too close to close party
Fyi they're also separating groups at the frozen theater and once the other shows open i Imagine it'll be the same thing.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Tussking, Where are all the people you are talking about?

Plus this is outside, which if there is a time for "inadequate social distancing" rather it be outside with people walking by in a blink of an eye. For me this is a non-issue but everyone is entitled to how the feel and their own perception. From this pic I say "can't get to Disney fast enough baby"

 

[Emagine]

On the plane home now after a 5 night trip. We had a wonderful time! We have been to Disney many times. Stayed at Swan. Sunday AK, Monday EPCOT, Tuesday HS, Wednesday MK. Overall observations IMO mask compliance about 90%, cast member friendliness 99.9%. We rope dropped every park. Buses were no problem. The only difficulty for us was wearing the masks outside in the heat and not being able to drink water as needed. We had two episodes in our family of feeling a little dehydrated. You have to find a spot to stop and drink your water. We saw a cast member ask a child drinking in line to stop and put on their mask. We will come back again, probably in colder weather next time. Would not recommend 1st timers coming right now.

Where do you drink at? I know lines are a no no but for those of us who drink more with medication where should we look to navigate too? Thx