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

[maryj11]

Most will say choose a weekend day to go to DHS because the weekend crowds versus week day crowds are a lot different in the other parks, whereas if DHS has a difference, it's minimal. That being said, first two hours and last couple hours at DHS on Friday and Sunday when we went were still very light on crowds.

Thank you! I’m thinking about reserving a Friday.

 

[PCFriar80]

I’m debating on which day to make park reservations and have a question. Did you notice if any of the days you went to HS were less crowded or did they all seem the same?

We went Saturday, 1/9, Monday, 1/11 and Tuesday 1/12. Saturday was the most crowded I think for obvious reasons especially in Galaxys Edge. However we were able to do MMRR, SDD, and TSMM within 90 minutes. We arrived around 8:15 on Saturday and got right on MMRR. We didn't get a BG for that morning but I think that was more of a tactical technical error for which means we tried versus crowd levels. We made our technical adjustments for Monday and Tuesday and both days got BG18 for ROTR. Both Monday and Tuesday were better crowd wise in all parts of the park. Just for the record I used my iPad with BCV in room WiFi to get the BG18 on both days.

 

[MainMom]

Epcot Monday 1/18: We are staying off site for the first time and driving to the parks. Today was our first park day (10 park days total.) Party is myself, my 2 teenagers & my parents.

Arrived about 10:03 & we were about 6ish cars back. Waited maybe 7 minutes before they started letting us in. My Dad was driving and went in the wrong lane so we were in preferred, 3 rows back all the way on the end. Breezed through temp check, bag check (my loungefly backpack did not set off the detector like I had read it could), and waited 3 minutes before they started letting us in. Stopped and took some pics, and headed towards Nemo which wasn’t open so we went to Soarin’. If I remember correctly we were standing in line around 10:30 and only waited a few minutes before they started boarding guests.

Our first flight had technical difficulties (1/3 of the screen was blue on the left) so they moved us to new concourses for a second ride. Yay! I thought the scents were really noticeable this time. After Soarin’ we did LWTL and then Nemo. Both waits were as long as it took to walk the queues. Future World did not feel crowded to us. My dad kept saying how nice it as.

By that time it was 11:50 and we were hungry. Minimal line for La Cantina and I MUCH prefer the social distance spacing for this restaurant. I always felt so crowded in there while ordering. We actually went and ate inside. It was so nice because no one else was in there! We then rode 3 Caballeros (15 minute wait) and Frozen (said 25 maybe waited 15.)

World Showcase definitely felt more crowded. Not normal crowded, but busy due to the festival. 6ft social distancing was not possible, but we could keep some space if we just slowed down a bit.

I personally only saw a couple of people with their masks down who were not eating or drinking. No one like that in line. One guy did take his mask off right at the front of Epcot to take a pic and the cast member told him to put his mask on. He said “Even for pictures?” Everyone around us maintained the 6ft space while in line and stayed on their markers. Overall we did not feel uncomfortable.

We left about 3:30 after shopping in Mousegears and riding Spaceship Earth. I have to say it was so nice not being attached to my phone or worrying about the time & if we had to be somewhere. Everything was leisurely for us & my daughter even commented how I got to look around and enjoy since I wasn’t herding 13 people around.

Tomorrow is Magic Kingdom.

 

[maryj11]

We went Saturday, 1/9, Monday, 1/11 and Tuesday 1/12. Saturday was the most crowded I think for obvious reasons especially in Galaxys Edge. However we were able to do MMRR, SDD, and TSMM within 90 minutes. We arrived around 8:15 on Saturday and got right on MMRR. We didn't get a BG for that morning but I think that was more of a tactical technical error for which means we tried versus crowd levels. We made our technical adjustments for Monday and Tuesday and both days got BG18 for ROTR. Both Monday and Tuesday were better crowd wise in all parts of the park. Just for the record I used my iPad with BCV in room WiFi to get the BG18 on both days.

Thanks for the info. We are only going to HS one day so I will only have 1 shot at getting a boarding group.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Does anyone know if Lyft/uber is still having the front seat empty? If so we would have to upgrade every time to a bigger car.

On our trip over Christmas a driver they offered the front seat to us a couple times. Not sure what the company policy is but seems some driver’s don’t care.

 

[mamamelody2]

Went to HS today. Got boarding group 41 from POP Century. Stepped outside of room because phones don't work well inside. I planned to Uber to Speedway then walk, but my son wanted to do the Skyliner. I thought the line would be crazy, but we got in line about 7:25 and were perhaps 6 parties back. Started running 7:30. Very little line at Caribbean Beach where Skyliner was not yet running. Waited about 10 minutes and it started running at 7:45. Got to HS and were held in line for temp check. Started letting people in at 8. We went straight to MMRR. They did not start running it right away. Started at 8:20, we were in 2nd train. Headed to Slinky, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Tower of Terror, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Rock N Roller Coaster, waited about 10 minutes. Once we got off, it was 9:40. Wow, what a great start! Every line was so much longer once we got off the ride.

But anyway--you can definitely get to HS and be at the front of the back by using the Skyliner!

 

[maryj11]

Went to HS today. Got boarding group 41 from POP Century. Stepped outside of room because phones don't work well inside. I planned to Uber to Speedway then walk, but my son wanted to do the Skyliner. I thought the line would be crazy, but we got in line about 7:25 and were perhaps 6 parties back. Started running 7:30. Very little line at Caribbean Beach where Skyliner was not yet running. Waited about 10 minutes and it started running at 7:45. Got to HS and were held in line for temp check. Started letting people in at 8. We went straight to MMRR. They did not start running it right away. Started at 8:20, we were in 2nd train. Headed to Slinky, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Tower of Terror, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Rock N Roller Coaster, waited about 10 minutes. Once we got off, it was 9:40. Wow, what a great start! Every line was so much longer once we got off the ride.

But anyway--you can definitely get to HS and be at the front of the back by using the Skyliner!

Wow that was a good morning!

 

[NashvilleMama]

Went to HS today. Got boarding group 41 from POP Century. Stepped outside of room because phones don't work well inside. I planned to Uber to Speedway then walk, but my son wanted to do the Skyliner. I thought the line would be crazy, but we got in line about 7:25 and were perhaps 6 parties back. Started running 7:30. Very little line at Caribbean Beach where Skyliner was not yet running. Waited about 10 minutes and it started running at 7:45. Got to HS and were held in line for temp check. Started letting people in at 8. We went straight to MMRR. They did not start running it right away. Started at 8:20, we were in 2nd train. Headed to Slinky, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Tower of Terror, waited about 10 minutes. Next to Rock N Roller Coaster, waited about 10 minutes. Once we got off, it was 9:40. Wow, what a great start! Every line was so much longer once we got off the ride.

But anyway--you can definitely get to HS and be at the front of the back by using the Skyliner!

This is so great to hear, thank you! Staying at POP in about 10 days and the Skyliner to DHS timing is really the only thing "worrying" me at the moment. Appreciate all the detailed info!

 

[scrappinginontario]

This is so great to hear, thank you! Staying at POP in about 10 days and the Skyliner to DHS timing is really the only thing "worrying" me at the moment. Appreciate all the detailed info!

I think the key is arriving at the Skyliner early enough in case there is a line. Now that BGs are dropping at 7am the Skyliner line at Pop is much more reasonable.

 

[jlstwinmommy]

We’ve done 3 park days so far.
1/16: MK - parked at BLT (where we are staying) and walked to MK. Got there about 8:30am and walked into the park. Went straight to thunder mountain, then haunted mansion (pirates was down for part on the morning), Peter Pan, little mermaid. By then it was 10:30 and kids wanted chicken and waffles. I wish they had mobile order as that line was long. Took us about 30 min or so to order.

we did a couple more rides and then hopped to Epcot as MK was getting pretty busy. Mostly wandered countries and sampled food booths for dinner.

1/17 HS - we got BG 85. We drove to the park and did MMRR and smugglers run. First time to Star Wars so spent some time just soaking up the atmosphere there. Then headed to ToT which was posted at 70 min, but we waited about 45 min.BG was called a little after 1. That is an amazing ride. We hopped to Epcot again for dinner.
1/18 AK - we were a little later than planned getting to the park, but got there about 7:45. Went straight to FoP which was about 45 min wait. Everything else looked long, but only had about 5-10 min waits.
I like no FP as it makes our days a bit more flexible. Most people have done well with masks. Had one family that wanted to follow right behind un on ToT which included a teen with improper mask wearing. CM called them out on both which alleviated the issue. We did see one guy arguing with Epcot security about having to wear a mask but security told him he couldn’t enter the park without one. We walked by and didn’t see the end of the discussion.

 

[famgel]

Ty for reports leaving 2/6 and a little anxious about flight from jfk and wdw but the reports r def making me feel better!

 

[sethschroeder]

Slinky Dog just went down clearing out the line.

Update: extended down time electronics issues

 

[sethschroeder]

Now Aliens is down as well.

Bad morning for Toy Story. Guess Andy took all the batteries with him to college.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Now Aliens is down as well.

Bad morning for Toy Story. Guess Andy took all the batteries with him to college.

What a terrible kid! JK jk. Hope things get back up and running. Looking at the app, it appears they already are. Have a fun day.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yup back up and running skipping it today since it's a line outside of TSL already when we checked back.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Yup back up and running skipping it today since it's a line outside of TSL already when we checked back.

Yeah I'm sure, haha. Might be better after 6 tonight, unless you're park hopping.

 

[sethschroeder]

Yeah I'm sure, haha. Might be better after 6 tonight, unless you're park hopping.

Yup out of the resort and hitting Epcot later.

Will hit it some night or morning this week.

 

[sethschroeder]

No wait for Mexico Pavilion today

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Can anybody report on any special Popcorn Buckets that are available around WDW right now? Hoping to bring home an Alien or Millennium Falcon if either are still for sale to join our Sulley from a few years ago!

 

[sethschroeder]

Can anybody report on any special Popcorn Buckets that are available around WDW right now? Hoping to bring home an Alien or Millennium Falcon if either are still for sale to join our Sulley from a few years ago!

Where do you find them can take a gander.