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

[VAtink]

Awesome day at the parks so far today. Started at MK, it was super crowded at rope drop, the hub was packed compared to Saturday, but it still took a while for most of the ride waits to build. Never seen crowds like this morning before in September at rope drop. We took it slow this morning and focused on photopass pictures, shopping, and just exploring. Ended up doing Buzz and people mover with no wait between 9:30 and 10.

It was great not rushing to rides this morning, much more relaxed. More like the days of FP+, just without the three guaranteed rides.


Left MK a bit before 11 and the masses were streaming in, glad to get out of that and take a pool break.

After the break we decided to hop to Epcot for some food, and for the first time since we got here last Friday Epcot has pleasantly low crowds. It was so nice with the low crowds we cancelled our dinner plans to stay there and eat at the food booths. It was such a great afternoon in Epcot, hope it's that quiet tomorrow too!

Now resting up before Boo Bash tonight!

 

[VAtink]

I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the App has been really buggy for me this trip. I have to regularly reset the App because something isn’t working properly. I just really worry what the added layer is going to do whenever they launch the new paid que system.

Not just you. Twice since we arrived our trip has disappeared from the app and I've had to dig through emails to find the reservation number to re-add it. Just glad genie isn't starting during this trip to add to the frustration!

 

[Helvetica]

I was in Magic Kingdom today too, but I didn’t stay for long. I rode Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Space Mountain and the People Mover. I ate lunch at Casey’s and I was back at the resort by noon.

The crowds were pretty big, but the lines were manageable while I was there. I spent most of the day at the Resort and now I’m eating dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern before the party.

This stay is becoming a series of naps… Man I’m getting old.

 

[crazy43]

I was in Magic Kingdom today too, but I didn’t stay for long. I rode Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates, Space Mountain and the People Mover. I ate lunch at Casey’s and I was back at the resort by noon.

The crowds were pretty big, but the lines were manageable while I was there. I spent most of the day at the Resort and now I’m eating dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern before the party.

This stay is becoming a series of naps… Man I’m getting old.

Wow! How long was your longest wait? And what order did you do these rides in? Thank you!

 

[Helvetica]

Wow! How long was your longest wait? And what order did you do these rides in? Thank you!

20-30 minutes or so. I rode them in the order I posted them in.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Awesome day at the parks so far today. Started at MK, it was super crowded at rope drop, the hub was packed compared to Saturday, but it still took a while for most of the ride waits to build. Never seen crowds like this morning before in September at rope drop. We took it slow this morning and focused on photopass pictures, shopping, and just exploring. Ended up doing Buzz and people mover with no wait between 9:30 and 10.

It was great not rushing to rides this morning, much more relaxed. More like the days of FP+, just without the three guaranteed rides.


Left MK a bit before 11 and the masses were streaming in, glad to get out of that and take a pool break.

After the break we decided to hop to Epcot for some food, and for the first time since we got here last Friday Epcot has pleasantly low crowds. It was so nice with the low crowds we cancelled our dinner plans to stay there and eat at the food booths. It was such a great afternoon in Epcot, hope it's that quiet tomorrow too!

Now resting up before Boo Bash tonight!

Certainly not sounding like the TP predictions of 1-2 crowd levels....

 

[scrappinginontario]

Certainly not sounding like the TP predictions of 1-2 crowd levels....

TP crowds are based on anticipated wait times for attractions as opposed to actual number of guests in the park. I used to think it was based on number of people in the parks too.

This info might help see what waits were like in the MK today: https://www.thrill-data.com/waits/park/wdw/magic-kingdom/

 

[Helvetica]

So I had a good time at Boo Bash, but this was by far the worst hard ticket event I’ve ever been to. It was super crowded, some of the lines got pretty long and everything just felt like a stripped down version of both the Halloween Party and After Hours.

It was still fun, but man… I hope they do better in the future. I’m probably looking forward to Extra Deluxe Hours more than going to another After Hours.

 

[MrWreckless]

MK was awesome yesterday. Only wait that was 30 minutes was jungle cruise. Everything else was under 20 minutes and essentially walk on. We did everything except HM, Pooh, and CoP, and the carousel. We are going back Friday hoping for the same.

One note, if you only have one MK day and want to see fireworks avoid Boo Bash nights. We had strollers and the kids were sleep so we were able to stake out a prime location 75 minutes before the show. But let me tell you, when 7pm hits and Boo Bashers can enter, the overwhelming majority of them are heading straight to fireworks viewing. It's going to get crowded in the hub FAST.

 

[BonnieJean925]

Certainly not sounding like the TP predictions of 1-2 crowd levels....

This is my concern as well!

 

[lovethattink]

If anyone goes to Epcot today, please takes photos of Creations and anything else they open in that area. Would love to see the changes. Creations opens today. Shopping where Mousegears was.

 

[VAtink]

Does anyone know if there is something happening at Epcot this weekend? Just went to rearrange our park reservations and saw both Friday and Saturday Epcot is the only park fully booked.

Also, went to boo bash last night, it was a lot of fun but definitely not after hours crowds. Fortunately after reading reports here we didn't expect the empty park feel so it wasn't a surprise. I'd say the crowds were more in line with a MNSSHP back in 2016/2017. Most rides were still either walk on or 5ish minute waits, but the walkways were pretty crowded to the point it really slowed us down moving around the park. ToT was ok, they were only giving out like 2-3 pieces of candy at each stop, we circled the park twice to ToT and still only ended up with our bags half full.

Wish the event was longer, 3 hours is not nearly enough to get everything done. We still had a great time though. Photopass pictures ended being the biggest time suck, usually 15-20 minute waits, but the shots came out great!

 

[Leigh L]

Does anyone know if there is something happening at Epcot this weekend? Just went to rearrange our park reservations and saw both Friday and Saturday Epcot is the only park fully booked.

Also, went to boo bash last night, it was a lot of fun but definitely not after hours crowds. Fortunately after reading reports here we didn't expect the empty park feel so it wasn't a surprise. I'd say the crowds were more in line with a MNSSHP back in 2016/2017. Most rides were still either walk on or 5ish minute waits, but the walkways were pretty crowded to the point it really slowed us down moving around the park. ToT was ok, they were only giving out like 2-3 pieces of candy at each stop, we circled the park twice to ToT and still only ended up with our bags half full.

Wish the event was longer, 3 hours is not nearly enough to get everything done. We still had a great time though. Photopass pictures ended being the biggest time suck, usually 15-20 minute waits, but the shots came out great!

Is this a Remy preview weekend? (I haven't been following it to know when they are?) Maybe people are booking due to hoping for a soft opening of the Space restaurant? DD has an Epcot reservation on Friday, I'll have to give her a heads up, thank you. I'm supposed to be hopping over later in the day (right now Epcot is not a full park for me but she really wanted to go there).

Thank you also for sharing your Boo Bash thoughts too (we're going this weekend). This helps set our expectations .

Hope you have a great rest of your trip!!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

On the bus back from AK. The park had amazing low crowds this morning, was able to ride FoP, safari, EE x3, and dinosaur by 9:30. Then had time to walk the gorilla trail and watch the 10:30 bird show before lunch at Tiffins. Tiffins was great as always, but surprisingly crowded, never saw all the tables full for lunch before.

Park opened at 7:21 this morning, we got stuck in line behind a family who couldn't get their fingers to scan and instead of having them move aside while waiting for a CM to come help as we've seen in the past, they had them stand there and block the tapstiles for 7 minutes. Even with that delay getting in, FoP was only a 18 minute wait.

Taking a quick break at the hotel before heading to Epcot this afternoon. Fantastic start to the day, hope Epcot also has low crowds!

instead of having them move aside while waiting for a CM to come help as we've seen in the past, they had them stand there and block the tapstiles for 7 minutes.

I HATE THAT!

Rule 1 of custmer service. Handle the problem offside.

 

[Helvetica]

Is this a Remy preview weekend? (I haven't been following it to know when they are?) Maybe people are booking due to hoping for a soft opening of the Space restaurant? DD has an Epcot reservation on Friday, I'll have to give her a heads up, thank you. I'm supposed to be hopping over later in the day (right now Epcot is not a full park for me but she really wanted to go there).

Thank you also for sharing your Boo Bash thoughts too (we're going this weekend). This helps set our expectations .

Hope you have a great rest of your trip!!

Friday is DVC and I think Saturday is AP previews

 

[SCDisneyfanatic]

Question for you folks that just experienced it...is it better to do MK on a non Boo Bash Day? We are currently scheduled to do EPCOT on 25 Oct (a Monday) and MK on Tuesday the 26th. The 26th is a Boo Bash Day so I was thinking of switching those around. We will not be taking our granddaughters to Boo Bash, so that's not a factor other than crowds.

 

[The13thLetter]

Question for you folks that just experienced it...is it better to do MK on a non Boo Bash Day? We are currently scheduled to do EPCOT on 25 Oct (a Monday) and MK on Tuesday the 26th. The 26th is a Boo Bash Day so I was thinking of switching those around. We will not be taking our granddaughters to Boo Bash, so that's not a factor other than crowds.

if you are planning on staying for fireworks i would suggest a non boo bash night.

 

[Helvetica]

Club Cool has had a stupid long line all day for the opening. This is 30 minutes before park close.



Epcot was pretty busy today, but lines have been mostly manageable outside of Club Cool and the food booths. I kind of feel we’re back to pre-COVID levels. Maybe even busier.

 

[Leigh L]

Club Cool has had a stupid long line all day for the opening. This is 30 minutes before park close.

View attachment 605125

Epcot was pretty busy today, but lines have been mostly manageable outside of Club Cool and the food booths. I kind of feel we’re back to pre-COVID levels. Maybe even busier.

Wow, sounds like Epcot's so busy now!
Thanks for sharing all your pics! I hope you have fun the rest of your trip!!

(We'll be in the parks in a couple of days )

 

[VAtink]

Just got back from an evening in Epcot, it was an amazing night! The rotunda bistro has become one of our favorite booths of the trip. The tart is soooo good! Plus having tables with chairs in the air conditioning wins in my book!

Walking around WS 10 minutes prior to fireworks there was hardly anyone there. Had our choice of viewing locations, really shocked how empty it was back there. Only complaint is I wish the park was open until 10, definitely felt too early to be closing at 9.

Edit to add, saw the space-x launch from WS and it was beyond cool. The enginerd in me couldn't have been happier to see that!