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

[Akck]

We’ve been to the parks in September, December and April. In each trip, there were areas of the parks that were crowded and areas where no one was closer than 50’ in front of you. While crowds did increase with each trip, the only park that felt more crowded to me was AK. One thing I did notice, is that lines for most shops disappeared in April. We did little to no waiting to enter. The only big line I saw, other than for cookies, was the Lego store at DS, but we were able to just walk in the day we went.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Not sure if this is appropriate for this board, but here goes:

It's currently 11:13 a.m. eastern time May 6th and I'm about to cancel a MK ressie for June 3, 2021.

It'll take a few to get back to the app. Just wanted to give Dis'ers a heads-up

I will leave this here but if you don't mind, could you please post this information in the 'Official Theme Park Cancellation' thread?

Thanks!

 

[cjlong88]

It does seem that way. I don't think Disney exactly lies with their reservation capacity, but it definitely seems that way.

I went to DHS and Epcot on a Sunday in April. I also went to DHS on a Wednesday a week and a half later. It sure felt a lot emptier on that Wednesday. Though I know that makes no sense because both parks were at capacity both days.

Thank you! We are visiting just for the day on Wednesday May 26th and we were hoping that weekdays continue to be less crowded (even if it's just a little less).

 

[William B]

I know that people have mentioned that weekdays tend to have lighter crowds as opposed to weekends. For those of you there now or back recently, do you find that to still be the case in general?

We were at MK on Wed, HS on Thurs, EP on Fri and MK again Sat. Fri and Sat were MUCH worse than Wed or Thursday. The crowd difference was dramatic in some areas from Wed to Sat at MK. I think part of it had to do with the cheerleading and dance groups being in town and having time in the parks, so it might not be as big a difference as we saw usually, but this past week the weekdays were much better than the weekends in my opinion.

 

[lovethattink]

Thank you! We are visiting just for the day on Wednesday May 26th and we were hoping that weekdays continue to be less crowded (even if it's just a little less).

We have been going every other Sunday to Epcot and every other Tuesday to MK, they both seem less crowded to me.

DHS always feels more crowded, especially in Galaxy’s Edge.

 

[Elle :)]

We went to MK today. Walked from the Contemporary and arrived at the main gates just around 7am. We were held there for a few minutes before they opened the park. Most people went to SDMT but we rope dropped Space mountain. We were held there for another 5-7 minutes before they opened up. We rode that twice as a walk on and went directly over to splash mountain to get in line (at 5 minutes to 8). They started running shortly after 8am and it took about 30 minutes to get through. Next, we did Big Thunder followed by Haunted Mansion (both walk on). By this point, it was 9am and I was starving so we mobile ordered a little snack. Then we hit up Buz light year (5-7 minute wait), Big Thunder again (5 minute wait) and finally Pirates of the Caribbean (~30minutes). We finished right around 11:10am and went straight to our lunch reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern.

Rope drop was definitely the way to go. By 12, the lines were long and it was freaking HOT! We took off for an afternoon break.

 

[Wood Nymph]

So we made a big mistake today and have to remember never to do it again. We were at Hollywood Studios this morning and ready to go back to the resort. We had just missed the boat back to the Yacht Club and decided to take the Skyliner back to the Epcot station instead, not realizing that it was 11am. When we got to CBR there was a long line for Epcot that was estimated to be 1/2 hour long. We went back to DHS on the Skyliner from CBR, vowing to never do that again. We ended up walking back to the YC.

 

[cjlong88]

So we made a big mistake today and have to remember never to do it again. We were at Hollywood Studios this morning and ready to go back to the resort. We had just missed the boat back to the Yacht Club and decided to take the Skyliner back to the Epcot station instead, not realizing that it was 11am. When we got to CBR there was a long line for Epcot that was estimated to be 1/2 hour long. We went back to DHS on the Skyliner from CBR, vowing to never do that again. We ended up walking back to the YC.

We did the exact same thing back in February. We ended up waiting the line, but we really should have just taken the skyliner back to HS and walked like you did.

 

[Elle23]

So we made a big mistake today and have to remember never to do it again. We were at Hollywood Studios this morning and ready to go back to the resort. We had just missed the boat back to the Yacht Club and decided to take the Skyliner back to the Epcot station instead, not realizing that it was 11am. When we got to CBR there was a long line for Epcot that was estimated to be 1/2 hour long. We went back to DHS on the Skyliner from CBR, vowing to never do that again. We ended up walking back to the YC.

I LOVE the skyliner....except around that time. Then it is a long convoluted mess.

We ended up walking over to AOA from Pop and taking the buses, which worked so much better.

I hope things improve once the Covid policies are over. I love having our own skyliner car, but would gladly share again if it cleared up some of the congestion.

 

[Linkura]

Bus to AK at ASM arrived at 7:50....about five busses to MK arrived starting at 6:35. For people coming with strollers, if you get one of the coach-style (non Disney) busses you don’t have to fold your stroller! We got that style of bus as the first bus to AK today. They just put the whole thing in the giant cargo bay under the bus with all your gear still attached.....this is huge for some stroller people.

Am I reading this correctly? The first bus to AK arrived an hour and 15 minutes after the first bus to MK? And they open at the same time?

 

[Makmak]

Am I reading this correctly? The first bus to AK arrived an hour and 15 minutes after the first bus to MK? And they open at the same time?

They said they “had to get that MK line taken care of because it was so long” so the lady said they called more busses for them.....so yup.....no early bus for us to AK

 

[Castlequeen5]

I just read Disney is getting rid of temperature checks on May 16. It really didn’t take that much time, but I think may help a little with the lines. Plus we’re getting a little back to normal!

 

[scrappinginontario]

I just read Disney is getting rid of temperature checks on May 16. It really didn’t take that much time, but I think may help a little with the lines. Plus we’re getting a little back to normal!

Yes, according to the current information on the WDW website:

Temperature Screenings

Since reopening, we have considered guidance from public health authorities, government agencies, and our own team of health and safety experts as we assess and update health and safety measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As this guidance continues to evolve, and with the support of local health and government officials, we are making some additional adjustments. Following the advice of the CDC and our local health officials, we will phase out onsite temperature screenings at Walt Disney World Resort for Cast Members beginning May 8 and Guests on May 16.

We will continue to follow the guidance of health and safety leaders going forward and most importantly encourage people to get vaccinated.

Temperature screenings are required for entry to some locations.

You will be required to undergo a temperature screening with no-touch thermometers before entry to some locations at Walt Disney World Resort, including the Walt Disney World theme parks, the Disney Springs area and table-service restaurants at Disney Resort hotels.

Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either.

Before you leave home, be sure to check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.


Please continue to keep discussions on the thread related to 'Here Now and Just Back'. Discussions outside of what Disney is actually doing re: removing temperature checks and people's actual experiences will be removed and warning points given if necessary.

 

[stephnerninnie1984]

Spent at Day at Epcot last Thursday: 4/29

Parked at DS @ 9:15 am and took a bus over to Boardwalk Inn and arrived by 10:15 am. Walked over to IG and went straight into the gates using my Apple Watch and magic mobile! That was fun.

Went straight to TT where posted wait time was 60 minutes but took less then 30 to get on. Line looked massive but we walked continuously. After TT we went over to get some Shrimp and Grits and Fried cinnamon rolls at the booth right there. Both were amazing and would eat again! Then rode MS:G because my sister had never been on it. Posted 25 minute wait: actually waited about 15. Headed back to WS at this time for more food. Got the poutine and popsicle trio from Refreshment Port right outside Canada. Then walked over to Mexico where we got in line to enter the pavilion. Again the line looked massive but we were in within 10 minutes. Not a bad wait at all. Rode 3 Cabelleros and got a laugh over the cardboard characters at the end. My sister got herself the El Diablo margarita which she said was delicious. (I don’t drink so have no opinion ). We walked around a bit, looked at the topiaries, and stopped in Germany for some more food. I got the pretzel bread with ham and cheese. Then we decided to hop over to HS and ride the skyliner because again, my sister had never rode it.

Left EP about 2:15 and got into HS about 2:45ish. Got ourselves a slushee to keep cool while we waited in line for MMRR which had a posted wait time of 50 minutes but really we were on in about 25. It was HOT while outside in the sun though. A cast member told us as soon as we stopped walking, we could drink our drinks. We didn’t stop much but when we did, we drank fast. They were super refreshing! The ride was amazing as always. After that we walked onto TSM and then did MF where we actually waited the posted 40 minute wait. But it wasn’t too bad. I did not like the plastic things separating the seats as it took away from the experience by making the screen not clear. But oh well. I hope they get ride of those soon! After that we rode Alien and then started getting hungry so decided to return to EP for dinner.

We skylined back to EP but in hindsight should have taken a boat. Once back, we went straight to the World Showplace and got the pork belly slider and watermelon salad from the first booth. Then the cheddar biscuit w/ salmon tartare from the second booth. The tartare dish was MY favorite of the day and my sister loved the watermelon salad. At this point we decided to hit Japan and get the shrimp and crab bites and frushi (both delicious) before getting in line for Frozen. Posted time 45 minutes was pretty accurate but again the line constantly moved. We sat in the back row and the stupid plastic dividers take away from that ride SO MUCH. If that was my first time on it I would have been super bummed.

After Frozen we got one last thing to eat (the cornbread from Honey Bee-stro) then headed to Figment and Soarin’. Soarin’ was posted 30 minutes but it must have went down while we were in line because we waited about 50. (Ugh). After that, we REALLY wanted to do TT one more time before leaving and so we ran over there and hopped in line at 9:58 pm. Woo. Just made it. At this point, my feet were KILLING me. We had walked over 12 miles, and burned about 1200 calories according to my watch. After riding, we left the park about 10:40 pm and my sister and I hobbled to her car. She dropped me back off at Disney Springs to get my car and we both went home (she lives in Tampa, I live near Cocoa). It was a beautiful, no kid, no work, no husband kind of Disney day.

Now looking forward to staying at the Swan next weekend with the husband for our anniversary! Love me some Disney!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Just read this and wanted to post it as it may affect those at WDW now:

Planned maintenance will be taking place on the Disney Skyliner Thursday May 6 2021 resulting in a delayed opening

 

[Kbrob21]

Just got back on Tuesday (4/29-5/3 in the parks). Me, husband, grandma, 7 year-old, 5 year-old, 7 month-old.

4/29 - MK (lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table)
4/30 - AK in AM (lunch at Yak &Yeti), Epcot in PM
5/1 - Topolinos brunch (highly recommend!), pool, Homecomin' dinner
5/2 - MK (lunch at Cosmic Rays - mobile ordered in advance)
5/3 - HS in AM (lunch at Woody's - mobile ordered in advance), Epcot in PM

It was an awesome trip! All of the adults are vaccinated so we weren't concerned about that. The crowds were big enough that if I wasn't vaccinated I probably would have felt uncomfortable. I personally saw cast members give mask reminders to people several times each day. I see they're doing away with temp checks but there was never really a line at those for us anyway. We rope dropped and went back in the evenings and it made all the difference. Stayed off property, drove and parked at the parks. I liked having control over our transportation. We rode some headliners multiple times (Splash, SDMT, BTMRR). We got on every ride we wanted and even some we weren't planning for. The one major issue had nothing to do with Disney - it was the HEAT. It was SO hot. I knew this time of year would be hot but it was brutal some days. We did a couple of table service lunches which were great to relax and cool down. We brought fans and umbrellas and the umbrellas absolutely helped with shade. HS was the most crowded with very little shade. We rope dropped and there were hoards of people walking in. We didn't experience that at rope drop for the other parks. The longest wait of our trip was Mickey and Minnie's Railway, about 50 minutes. Again, the umbrellas were huge for this one. The line wraps around in the main courtyard area with almost no shade at all. All-in-all we had a great time and did everything we wanted to do. Tip on pics: if you have Memory Maker, take screenshots of the attraction photos (like Everest, Splash, etc.). For some reason our attraction photos aren't showing up in MDE and when you have the screenshot I assume it helps them locate the missing photos more easily. Happy to give more details if anyone has questions!

 

[auntyjenn]

How long has the wait been to get into the Mexico pavilion lately, and at what time of day?

Thanks!

 

[Kelly014]

Any recent reports on Blizzard Beach reaching capacity/being busy? Really hoping Typhoon Lagoon will open back up before we go in late July, but figure the demand needs to be there.

 

[jenjersnap]

This reminds me of a question I have...hope it is ok to ask here. We have a 7:30 Topolino’s on our Epcot day. We want to be in Epcot before official opening. Will the skyliner will be a safe bet to make it back in that timeframe, if we are waiting in line at Riviera by 9:30ish? Or, should I just plan for a Lyft?

So we made a big mistake today and have to remember never to do it again. We were at Hollywood Studios this morning and ready to go back to the resort. We had just missed the boat back to the Yacht Club and decided to take the Skyliner back to the Epcot station instead, not realizing that it was 11am. When we got to CBR there was a long line for Epcot that was estimated to be 1/2 hour long. We went back to DHS on the Skyliner from CBR, vowing to never do that again. We ended up walking back to the YC.

 

[scrappinginontario]

This reminds me of a question I have...hope it is ok to ask here. We have a 7:30 Topolino’s on our Epcot day. We want to be in Epcot before official opening. Will the skyliner will be a safe bet to make it back in that timeframe, if we are waiting in line at Riviera by 9:30ish? Or, should I just plan for a Lyft?

Most definitely although, there is a good chance the Skyliner will not start loading guests until after 10:00am but it will be good to be in line by 9:30.