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

[brockash]

Current crowds cannot be compared to last summer’s crowds. Consumer confidence is much, much higher now.

I definitely appreciate the comparison as it helps gage what "crowded" is to each person.

 

[wilkydelts]

Based on the TP line app today seems like great days to be in the park especially considering it is a weekend. I can’t believe how great HS wait times are right now

MMRR- 18
SDD- 25

 

[NC State]

Just returned today from a week stay.....IT"S PACKED....we were there in October and there's a BIG difference. You can't social distance with that many people and so little is open. DISNEY you are NOT doing good on this. It's time to OPEN UP everything.

 

[Leigh L]

MCO seems a lot busier today for both departures and arrivals. Lots of people clearly for theme parks. Mask compliance despite signage and announcements is worst we've seen

Disney much better with masks!

We did MK yesterday open to close. So great to be in the parks at night!! Crowds dropped significantly too. Earlier yesterday was so crowded. ) not sure how great pics came out but tried to get space and the castle with the moon

Also one with the moat drained

 

[BelleFan87]

Springs was great. with the parks closing early we were at springs almost every night and i have no complaints about that. we even did the air balloon ride for $20.

How was the air balloon ride? My hubby was thinking about it but I’m not sure.

 

[TexanInTheMidwest]

I arrived today and wanted to share a few observances

--The airport was busy. My flight arrived around 9 AM and I had my bag and was in line at Dollar/Thrifty at 9:22 and it was 10:17 by the time I had my car. In comparison, back in January I was in my car by 9:45 (same flight arrival)
-- I did a Target pick up (the one on Vineland doesn't do pick up on items that need refrigerated but I did get water, etc) and headed to my hotel (I am staying offsite on IDrive) I like to get my bags into my room if at all possible before heading to the parks. I would have loved to be in HS before the 1 PM boarding group drop but just couldn't get settled and changed into cooler clothes to make it. Which was fine as I got up at 3 AM this morning. I had friends in the park today and they got a back-up boarding group (which made it around 6:15ish)
--I did go to HS, chose to do preferred parking as I needed to get some things from my girlfriend before she left to go home and she was parked in the Medical parking.
--I was through temperature check, security, and through the tapstiles by 2 PM.
--I rode Mickey & Minnie (30 minutes wait), Slinky (45 minutes), Swirling Saucers (10 minutes), and Toy Story Mania (30 minutes) and then met my friends for an early light dinner (Brown Derby) (just apps) and then one last time on Mickey & Minnie (Gosh I love that ride)

I left the park around 5:30 as my girlfriend needed to head to the airport (and I needed to grab the bag of stuff she had for me - yay for shampoo, conditioner, and Epsom salts!) I still needed to go to Publix for cream and other refrigerated things. AND I wanted to Skype with DH ;-)

Notes:

It was hot today and there were a lot of folks. But since I spent most of the day in my own "bubble" if that makes sense. I zigged when others zagged. And I had decided before I stepped into the park to just go with the flow and not let the crowds annoy me. I also made the decision that I was going to go out of my way to be nice to the CM's and had some lovely interactions with CMs today.

I saw a few noses as well and probably about 90% mask compliance. Now, I did see some people taking their masks off for photos in front of the Toy Story entrance. I did flag a passing cast member and told him. I don't want to be a tattletale....but I also know that photos without masks out there on social media think it's OK to not wear them.

Am I the only one whose WAZE takes them in circles when I leave Hollywood Studios? It's something I learned a couple of trips ago, so rather than follow it, I set Waze to go to MK and then corrected to the Publix by my hotel. I share this mainly because as I passed the MK entrance before turning around to head the right way, I saw a sign that said "No Park Reservations Available" at the MK parking entrance. Not sure if this meant that no one could hop? But just throwing it out there if anyone happened to check.

Overall I am glad I came. I can also tell that my routine this week will likely be hitting the parks early, having lunch, and most likely go back to my hotel. I have a few dinner reservations and am fine with going back to the park for dinner after a little rest. Besides, I always have something work wise to do (I'm self-employed ).

 

[MomOTwins]

Am I the only one whose WAZE takes them in circles when I leave Hollywood Studios? It's something I learned a couple of trips ago, so rather than follow it, I set Waze to go to MK and then corrected to the Publix by my hotel. I share this mainly because as I passed the MK entrance before turning around to head the right way, I saw a sign that said "No Park Reservations Available" at the MK parking entrance. Not sure if this meant that no one could hop? But just throwing it out there if anyone happened to check.

No--the park reservation system is not used for hopping. People have been able to hop on days when park reservations are sold out. What they mean is just that you can't show up without a park reservation and get in (if park passes are not full, you can get them at guest services or in the app if you haven't gotten them before arriving).

You'd be surprised how many people on a given day show up without reservations and get turned away. Same as people who show up without masks. People hear disney is open and don't think to look at what they need in order to visit.

 

[Beamerball]

Based on the TP line app today seems like great days to be in the park especially considering it is a weekend. I can’t believe how great HS wait times are right now

MMRR- 18
SDD- 25

we hopped to HS tonight, got there around 5. Rode smugglers, SDD, Aliens and Toy Story Mania (3x) in 90 minutes. SDD is the best at night!

 

[wilkydelts]

we hopped to HS tonight, got there around 5. Rode smugglers, SDD, Aliens and Toy Story Mania (3x) in 90 minutes. SDD is the best at night!

That’s awesome. Congrats!

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Here now! Arrived yesterday morning.
Our flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:56 am on Sun Country but it was early. Made a restroom stop and changed into shorts on the way to baggage claim. Bags came right away and we were off to ME. Our bus was rolling to OKW at 10:24!

Got our room ready message on the way to OKW (first drop off) but it wasn’t in the area we requested. Went to front desk and they changed it easily but that room wasn’t ready so we dropped our bags and headed to Epcot. Arrived just after noon.

we didn’t stay into the evening so I can’t speak to the later crowds but we found the afternoon to be very manageable. Our longest wait was 36 minutes for Soarin’ which had a posted 50 min. Test Track had a 50 minute posted wait at about 3:30 and the CM was telling everyone an hour. We decided to go anyway and we were through the line and on in 27 min. And the line moved constantly. Everything else was a fairly low wait, 20 or less.

Had lunch at La Cantina which had a decent line at 145. They were telling people that seating was at capacity but there was overflow seating at the Odyssey building. When we got our food, someone had just gotten up from a table by the water so we grabbed that and a CM quickly cleaned it. Food was good and we were back on our way.

WS was definitely more crowded than FW but not unmanageable while we were there. It may have gotten worse later, as we did see a lot of groups of 20-somethings headed that way as we were leaving.

our only real surprise was the Soarin’ line going outside the building. We weren’t expecting that so our Minnesota bodies that thought they were going to be in the AC for a bit were a little warm. Not unmanageable and not a complaint as it moved quickly but definitely a surprise to us to be out in the sun on the asphalt for a third of the wait.

We are off to HS this morning. Gotta go roust the troops so they are awake and ready for BG time! Doubt I will have trouble there. We are a smidge excited!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Here now! Arrived yesterday morning.
Our flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:56 am on Sun Country but it was early. Made a restroom stop and changed into shorts on the way to baggage claim. Bags came right away and we were off to ME. Our bus was rolling to OKW at 10:24!

Got our room ready message on the way to OKW (first drop off) but it wasn’t in the area we requested. Went to front desk and they changed it easily but that room wasn’t ready so we dropped our bags and headed to Epcot. Arrived just after noon.

we didn’t stay into the evening so I can’t speak to the later crowds but we found the afternoon to be very manageable. Our longest wait was 36 minutes for Soarin’ which had a posted 50 min. Test Track had a 50 minute posted wait at about 3:30 and the CM was telling everyone an hour. We decided to go anyway and we were through the line and on in 27 min. And the line moved constantly. Everything else was a fairly low wait, 20 or less.

Had lunch at La Cantina which had a decent line at 145. They were telling people that seating was at capacity but there was overflow seating at the Odyssey building. When we got our food, someone had just gotten up from a table by the water so we grabbed that and a CM quickly cleaned it. Food was good and we were back on our way.

WS was definitely more crowded than FW but not unmanageable while we were there. It may have gotten worse later, as we did see a lot of groups of 20-somethings headed that way as we were leaving.

our only real surprise was the Soarin’ line going outside the building. We weren’t expecting that so our Minnesota bodies that thought they were going to be in the AC for a bit were a little warm. Not unmanageable and not a complaint as it moved quickly but definitely a surprise to us to be out in the sun on the asphalt for a third of the wait.

We are off to HS this morning. Gotta go roust the troops so they are awake and ready for BG time! Doubt I will have trouble there. We are a smidge excited!

Nice! Glad you made it down, sounds like you had a great first day. How's boarding group drop go for you?

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Got b

Nice! Glad you made it down, sounds like you had a great first day. How's boarding group drop go for you?

Boarding group 3!! So stressful though after all the buildup and worry. We got to HS at about 8:10, later than intended after a Lyft snafu, and we are still waiting in the temp check line at 8:15. Beautiful morning! This breeze is fabulous!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Got b


Boarding group 3!! So stressful though after all the buildup and worry. We got to HS at about 8:10, later than intended after a Lyft snafu, and we are still waiting in the temp check line at 8:15. Beautiful morning! This breeze is fabulous!

Awesome! Congrats on the bg. Enjoy the ride and your day at HS. It's my favorite park.

 

[Leigh L]

Got b


Boarding group 3!! So stressful though after all the buildup and worry. We got to HS at about 8:10, later than intended after a Lyft snafu, and we are still waiting in the temp check line at 8:15. Beautiful morning! This breeze is fabulous!

Have a great day!!

 

[lovethattink]

Got b


Boarding group 3!! So stressful though after all the buildup and worry. We got to HS at about 8:10, later than intended after a Lyft snafu, and we are still waiting in the temp check line at 8:15. Beautiful morning! This breeze is fabulous!

Congratulation! Hope you have a great day! Hopefully, Lyft will be today’s only snafu.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

For those into the details, we had four people trying for BG this morning. Two on Disney WiFi, one on data in the room, one on data outside. One of us on Disney wifi got it. We did speed tests this morning and wifi was faster than our Verizon iPhones.

 

[cdoc29]

Just finished an 8 night trip to the World here is some things I learned at the parks

1) It seems way more crowded than it probably is. Several stores are closed in each park, several entertainment venues are closed and those that are open are at reduced capacity, seating in counter service restaurants is spaced out for Covid, the street entertainment is severely limited.and with fewer hours people we be there all day. All this means the fewer people who are in the parks are concentrated to the things that are available, this makes it seem much more crowded

2) Masks, wearing a mask is not difficult but it is more difficult all day at Disney. You will need to plan frequent breaks where you find a quiet spot to take off your mask and drink some water. Be sure to bring your own water bottle. I didn't realize how much snacking and water drinking we did while moving from one spot to another and that is a no-no now in the parks, this will take up more time of your day

3) There are lines to shop, even on less busy days. Not all shopping but typically the ones you (and everyone else) wants to go into. In Galaxy's Edge you will wait in line to get into the shopping area and then inline to get into each individual shop.

4) Mobile Ordering - master this. First thing in the park open your mobile app pick your time slot and order your lunch if you are doing counter service. when you return activate the "you are here prepare my food" it takes about 10 minutes and you are good to go. They only let people into the counter area sit down tables when your food order comes up. The advantage to this is you will be able to get a table with your meal (I hope they keep practice up after covid restrictions are done) in fact at Docking Bay 7 they will show you to your seat.

5) Be prepared for lines, the lines snake everywhere and sometimes spill out into other areas (for example Peter Pan starts in Columbia harbor house in freedom square). You will be in the sun a lot. Wear sunscreen

6) Rope Drop - we got to the turnstiles 30 minutes before park opened everyday and they had already let people in. Slinky Dog at HS, 7DMT at MK and Avatar at AK all had 60+ minute waits 30 minutes before official opening.

7) The cast members are very good about reminding people to wear masks, repeat offenders will be caught. One of the photo pass people who repeatedly asked a couple to put their masks back on who were taking personal photos took their photo's to turn them in when they mouthed off and didn't comply. I saw security escort one group for a person who was refusing to stop when eating or drinking.

8) If you are at all worried about getting covid this is not the time for you to visit. We had the disease back in December and all have tested positive for anti-bodies, if we didn't I probably wouldn't have gone. While they do a good job of distancing and making people wear masks there are too many opportunities to catch Covid, if this concerns you I would suggest not going.

Those are the major things I wanted to pass along. If you are considering a first trip or a once in a lifetime trip my advice would be to wait. If your Disney Regulars be prepared this will be unlike any trip you've done before. I am glad we went but I think we will wait till pandemic is over and restrictions are lifted before we go again.

 

[MassJester]

Great observations and sharing. Thank you.

 

[keishashadow]

Thank you for your take on your recent trip.

Many specific points there as to addressing current policies and the enforcement.

A good read for those who are on the fence re visiting right now.

 

[lovethattink]

Just finished an 8 night trip to the World here is some things I learned at the parks

1) It seems way more crowded than it probably is. Several stores are closed in each park, several entertainment venues are closed and those that are open are at reduced capacity, seating in counter service restaurants is spaced out for Covid, the street entertainment is severely limited.and with fewer hours people we be there all day. All this means the fewer people who are in the parks are concentrated to the things that are available, this makes it seem much more crowded

2) Masks, wearing a mask is not difficult but it is more difficult all day at Disney. You will need to plan frequent breaks where you find a quiet spot to take off your mask and drink some water. Be sure to bring your own water bottle. I didn't realize how much snacking and water drinking we did while moving from one spot to another and that is a no-no now in the parks, this will take up more time of your day

3) There are lines to shop, even on less busy days. Not all shopping but typically the ones you (and everyone else) wants to go into. In Galaxy's Edge you will wait in line to get into the shopping area and then inline to get into each individual shop.

4) Mobile Ordering - master this. First thing in the park open your mobile app pick your time slot and order your lunch if you are doing counter service. when you return activate the "you are here prepare my food" it takes about 10 minutes and you are good to go. They only let people into the counter area sit down tables when your food order comes up. The advantage to this is you will be able to get a table with your meal (I hope they keep practice up after covid restrictions are done) in fact at Docking Bay 7 they will show you to your seat.

5) Be prepared for lines, the lines snake everywhere and sometimes spill out into other areas (for example Peter Pan starts in Columbia harbor house in freedom square). You will be in the sun a lot. Wear sunscreen

6) Rope Drop - we got to the turnstiles 30 minutes before park opened everyday and they had already let people in. Slinky Dog at HS, 7DMT at MK and Avatar at AK all had 60+ minute waits 30 minutes before official opening.

7) The cast members are very good about reminding people to wear masks, repeat offenders will be caught. One of the photo pass people who repeatedly asked a couple to put their masks back on who were taking personal photos took their photo's to turn them in when they mouthed off and didn't comply. I saw security escort one group for a person who was refusing to stop when eating or drinking.

8) If you are at all worried about getting covid this is not the time for you to visit. We had the disease back in December and all have tested positive for anti-bodies, if we didn't I probably wouldn't have gone. While they do a good job of distancing and making people wear masks there are too many opportunities to catch Covid, if this concerns you I would suggest not going.

Those are the major things I wanted to pass along. If you are considering a first trip or a once in a lifetime trip my advice would be to wait. If your Disney Regulars be prepared this will be unlike any trip you've done before. I am glad we went but I think we will wait till pandemic is over and restrictions are lifted before we go again.

Merged your thread to the existing Here now, Just Back thread.

Thanks for sharing a very realistic view of the parks. We waited in line almost about hour to shop in Galaxy’s Edge on Tuesday. My son did a live from his Instagram talking about Star Wars stuff while we were waiting to shop. He has the gift of gab.