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

[yulilin3]

Kind of shocked at the report of in-park restaurants closing kitchens and refusing to serve guests with reservations near the park close time. When I was a waitress in college, if you made it to the host stand 1 minute before closing time, you were fed (this happened more often than you would think). How can they let you reserve a table for a time they are not serving food?

that sounds like a fluke and not the norm as no one else ahs reported that happening to them, not here or on other blogs

 

[nkereina]

Can someone outline (or point me to a post) the current temperature screening and bag check process? Are these two separate checkpoints? I think I read that they are not checking bags, but rather, you walk through a metal detector with your bag? We'll be visiting for the first time in two weeks, so just would like to understand the lay of the land. Thanks!

 

[yulilin3]

Can someone outline (or point me to a post) the current temperature screening and bag check process? Are these two separate checkpoints? I think I read that they are not checking bags, but rather, you walk through a metal detector with your bag? We'll be visiting for the first time in two weeks, so just would like to understand the lay of the land. Thanks!

temp screen first
bag check at DHS and AK is through scanner, you carry everything in your bag and hold in your hands any metal objects (umbrellas, phone chargers, gimbals, metal water bottles or sunglass cases
MK and Epcot carry everything in bag and metal objects put in bucket
both styles are walk through so no waiting at all, IF the metal detector goes off they escort you to a separate table where they check your bag manually

 

[kittylady1972]

Can someone outline (or point me to a post) the current temperature screening and bag check process? Are these two separate checkpoints? I think I read that they are not checking bags, but rather, you walk through a metal detector with your bag? We'll be visiting for the first time in two weeks, so just would like to understand the lay of the land. Thanks!

They are different stops but generally somewhat of a similar line flow depending on the park. You will always have to walk through the temperature check tent first, generally several lines for that, they go pretty quickly. After that, you get to the bag check line and as long as you don't have any large metallic objects (umbrellas, metal water bottles, sunscreen spray bottles) you can keep your bags with you and walk right through. If you have those objects, you will have to take them out before going through. It flows very welll for the most part!

 

[CinderellaDream]

What do taxis and Ubers run in cost to the parks? Ball park

From YC to CR the cost was about $18 including tip.

 

[djmeredith]

We are at DHS and we were the first family in the park! We could’ve walked on MMRR but the kids insisted we do MFSR first so we are second in line for it to start at 9:30.

We walked over from Dolphin and arrived at the “holding area” around 8:00 am. There were already about 5 or 6 families waiting. There are 2 lines, you def want to be in the LEFT and stay to the far left when they walk you to temp screening. They led us to temp screening around 8:45 and then held us there until about 9:00. When they started temp screening, cars were yet arriving and I don’t think people were arriving by Skyliner yet even.

 

[Moliphino]

temp screen first
bag check at DHS and AK is through scanner, you carry everything in your bag and hold in your hands any metal objects (umbrellas, phone chargers, gimbals, metal water bottles or sunglass cases
MK and Epcot carry everything in bag and metal objects put in bucket
both styles are walk through so no waiting at all, IF the metal detector goes off they escort you to a separate table where they check your bag manually

At Epcot International Gateway entrance security is the same as at DHS and AK. Just walk through, no buckets.

 

[AmishGuy91]

We are at DHS and we were the first family in the park! We could’ve walked on MMRR but the kids insisted we do MFSR first so we are second in line for it to start at 9:30.

We walked over from Dolphin and arrived at the “holding area” around 8:00 am. There were already about 5 or 6 families waiting. There are 2 lines, you def want to be in the LEFT and stay to the far left when they walk you to temp screening. They led us to temp screening around 8:45 and then held us there until about 9:00. When they started temp screening, cars were yet arriving and I don’t think people were arriving by Skyliner yet even.

For future reference, we were on the 6th car or so of MMRR, then went to MFSR which was still a walk-on and we were done 12 minutes before 10am.

 

[lovethattink]

Yesterday was the first time we spent a full day at a park. DS brought a friend on a comp ticket we were given for a tv show we did at MK in January. The TTC was super busy. Long lines for the ferry, monorail, and bus to MK. We chose monorail and waited a little over 20 minutes. They had many monorails on the track so the line moved quickly.

There were plenty of taps stiles open and we walked right up to one without any wait.

We ate breakfast at home and decided on lunch at 3pm. So glad we did that. Cosmic Rays and Pecos Bills were super crowded around noon, outside the restaurants with people making or waiting for orders. Cosmic Rays had people lined out to the speedway waiting on their orders.

One in our party had multiple food allergies. I asked a cm if I could order online or if I needed to order in person. Cm asked a manager who said to go inside. And that the entrance for in person order was on the opposite side of the building. So he escorted us inside, filled out a yellow ticket and had us stand in a line at the register.

Waiting for that register is inconvenient and time consuming. Only 1 side of the register is open. It’s definitely beneficial and time saving to order on the app if you can.

We did zig zag touring. Looking at the app and going to attractions with lower wait times. Walked 8 miles.

After 3pm, there were more attractions with shorter waits. We decided next time we go to MK we’re going after 3pm. Got much more done those last 3 hours and crowds seemed to thin out a bit.

 

[armerida]

For future reference, we were on the 6th car or so of MMRR, then went to MFSR which was still a walk-on and we were done 12 minutes before 10am.

How recently was this? We had similar luck in August, walked over from Swan, but it seems more people are getting there early now and crowds are bigger?

 

[AmishGuy91]

How recently was this? We had similar luck in August, walked over from Swan, but it seems more people are getting there early now and crowds are bigger?

How recently was this? We had similar luck in August, walked over from Swan, but it seems more people are getting there early now and crowds are bigger?

Sat Sept 26. On Sept 22, we did MMRR then SDD and the timeline was about the same.

 

[djmeredith]

For future reference, we were on the 6th car or so of MMRR, then went to MFSR which was still a walk-on and we were done 12 minutes before 10am.

Yes, I knew that and tried to tell the kids (3 teens) that but they were having none of it. So I chose not to pick that battle.
We rode MFSR twice as walk on and then got BG 4!

 

[only hope]

opening AoA will increase lines for sure but AoA has about 900 less rooms than Pop so it won’t quite double the length of the line.

AoA is mostly suites though.

 

[scrappinginontario]

AoA is mostly suites though.

Yes, but only 1 party is boarding a single gondola so whether a party is 1 person or 8, they will normally all fit in a gondola together. In most cases, all people staying in the same suite will be loaded into a single gondola.

 

[chicagodisfan]

Kind of shocked at the report of in-park restaurants closing kitchens and refusing to serve guests with reservations near the park close time. When I was a waitress in college, if you made it to the host stand 1 minute before closing time, you were fed (this happened more often than you would think). How can they let you reserve a table for a time they are not serving food?

That was us and we were really surprised too! I think there was a miscommunication with the kitchen or something was amiss the night that we were there. Our reservation was at 6:35 pm for a 7:00 pm close. My husband checked us in as I was getting the Remy prizes with the kids. We got there and were seated at 6:45 pm. When the manager came over to tell us the news, she first said that it might have been because we were late to our reservation which I took issue with because it was only 10 minutes and 15 minutes before closing. The other family was seated at least 10 minutes after us so I don’t think that could’ve been it. Our server came over later to apologize and said that wasn’t it and it shouldn’t have happened. We got the impression that the kitchen isn’t there but maybe over at Marrekesh and that created part of the issue?! They had earlier told us that they couldn’t serve us our Brie appetizer because they ran out of bread but then 5 minutes later out it came with a French baguette so maybe there was just something off that night there. I’m not saying this to trash the restaurant in any way! Like I said they were beyond apologetic and in addition to comping our drinks and app, they gave us about 6 containers filled with cold appetizers, one of desserts, ice cream for the kids, a bottle of wine and a split of champagne from France! My vegetarian teenage son was thrilled! It was just my younger kids I still needed to feed. It almost became humorous as they dropped more and more to go containers on our table and the table of the family next to us. It was impossible to be upset when they were trying so hard to make it right. I mention it just as a potential pitfall of an end of the day reservation even if it is a one-off.

Yak and Yeti was completely our fault and they still took our full order from my husband (delivered via text), served us all our food and everything was great. I just know in the past that we’ve been stuck on a ride or Disney transportation and showed up a little late and been accommodated without a problem or maybe with just a short wait. But in these new times I think arriving at or near your reservation time is imperative especially if eating at the end of the day with an early park closure.

Skippers Canteen we literally had the last reservation of the night 5 minutes before park close and it was no issue at all, besides us feeling like we needed to finish up (but that’s on us).

 

[brockash]

Yesterday mine train and splash were down at opening at MK and today at Epcot at least TT is down...pretty frustrating. I'll do more detailed report once we get back but it's definitely more crowded than when we were here over LD. Waiting for lines in the sun is NOT fun...we waited an hr Philarmagic yesterday. Glad were here but I think our next trip will be a resort only stay.

We waited 50 mins at park opening (got in line at 1045) for frozen, 5 min wait mexico boat ride and now at soarin which looks to b at least an hr wait as we started in the exitish area...never done that before....it's definitely crowded.

 

[NashvilleMama]

The problem with Lyft/Uber is that if you are calling in really early or during peak times the wait for a ride can be longer than expected.

A quick way to avoid this, at least in the mornings is to schedule your Lyft ride the night before. It allows you to pick a window and reserve it, and we've never had a problem with them showing up right on time that way.

 

[jimbostacks]

Hey Team...thanks for the feedback on earlier visits, just completed a weekend at Copper Creek/Wilderness Lodge. Will make my points in bullets

- Flying - Southwest to MCO very well managed and controlled with open middle seats, American Airline back was brutal- as if Covid never happened except for masks, packed flight, and herding on and off plane...I am not too concerned about Covid - but definitely made me "pause" and think WTH?
- Copper Creek was great, Geyser Point great, Roaring Fork mobile ordering easy and convenient, pools pretty empty on Sunday..just overall good experience, but definitely empty and missed some of the noise.
- HS Saturday - took uber over to Boardwalk at 8'ish and walked over on path, arrived at about 8:40'ish, Line forming and glad we arrived early as the busses, skyline, and eventually cars were allowed to come in - line was very long. They let us in at 9:10 and went to MMRR and was off ride by 9:30am and headed to Rock and Roll and was off that ride by 9:50am.
- Everyone right before 10am were huddled on their phones and we were lucky and received a Boarding group number 51 - which came too about 3:30pm.
- We loved both Star Wars rides, longest wait of day was Slinky Dog before closing for 55 minutes. Rode everything, and used Muppets, Walt Disney movie for breaks, and glad the Frozen sing along was back open as wife loves that show.
- We found the lines no less accurate than before....Smugglers run was less than advertised, and Slinky was longer.
- Enjoyed the Baseline Tap House for pretzel and beer, we did Prime Time 50's (old favorite), it was good, just felt "eerie" with the masks, and minimum amount of people and bar closed - too quiet.
- Other...this was my first time wearing a mask for a long amount of time, and I definitely had mask fatigue - bless those who have been doing all day every day! I thought mask adherence was good...maybe 95%.... in the long lines there are always a couple of people eating and doing their own thing...just avoid them if that bothers you. CM's were asking for people to wear mask correctly, only place that was tough were the winding long lines.
- Busses and Skyliner were good and felt safe and no issues.

All in all good, but too short of a trip...kind of a sample run for our Christmas trip.

 

[Elle23]

Hey Team...thanks for the feedback on earlier visits, just completed a weekend at Copper Creek/Wilderness Lodge. Will make my points in bullets

- Flying - Southwest to MCO very well managed and controlled with open middle seats, American Airline back was brutal- as if Covid never happened except for masks, packed flight, and herding on and off plane...I am not too concerned about Covid - but definitely made me "pause" and think WTH?
- Copper Creek was great, Geyser Point great, Roaring Fork mobile ordering easy and convenient, pools pretty empty on Sunday..just overall good experience, but definitely empty and missed some of the noise.
- HS Saturday - took uber over to Boardwalk at 8'ish and walked over on path, arrived at about 8:40'ish, Line forming and glad we arrived early as the busses, skyline, and eventually cars were allowed to come in - line was very long. They let us in at 9:10 and went to MMRR and was off ride by 9:30am and headed to Rock and Roll and was off that ride by 9:50am.
- Everyone right before 10am were huddled on their phones and we were lucky and received a Boarding group number 51 - which came too about 3:30pm.
- We loved both Star Wars rides, longest wait of day was Slinky Dog before closing for 55 minutes. Rode everything, and used Muppets, Walt Disney movie for breaks, and glad the Frozen sing along was back open as wife loves that show.
- We found the lines no less accurate than before....Smugglers run was less than advertised, and Slinky was longer.
- Enjoyed the Baseline Tap House for pretzel and beer, we did Prime Time 50's (old favorite), it was good, just felt "eerie" with the masks, and minimum amount of people and bar closed - too quiet.
- Other...this was my first time wearing a mask for a long amount of time, and I definitely had mask fatigue - bless those who have been doing all day every day! I thought mask adherence was good...maybe 95%.... in the long lines there are always a couple of people eating and doing their own thing...just avoid them if that bothers you. CM's were asking for people to wear mask correctly, only place that was tough were the winding long lines.
- Busses and Skyliner were good and felt safe and no issues.

All in all good, but too short of a trip...kind of a sample run for our Christmas trip.

Did you need a breakfast reservation to Uber to the Boardwalk? Or is it separate from the hotel?

 

[dachsie]

Did you need a breakfast reservation to Uber to the Boardwalk? Or is it separate from the hotel?

You will need a reservation but you can get the Uber to drop you at the Speedway next door