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

[Cotta]

Is Hollywood Studios the only park opening early (rides running)? And if the other parks are opening, at what time?

 

[SL6827]

What is up with Slinky going down? What issue does the puppy have?

 

[xjillianpaige]

Hi!

I'm going to WDW for one day on Monday 2/8 with my cousin. She's meeting me there (I'll be driving from the SW coast and her from the NE coast, we each have about a 2 hour drive). Since this is a one day trip, what is the ideal time to arrive at the TTC so I can maximize my day? I've never driven to the parks - I've always stayed on site.

 

[jlstwinmommy]

Is Hollywood Studios the only park opening early (rides running)? And if the other parks are opening, at what time?

All the parks seem to open about 30 min before published opening time. We went to MK yesterday. Walked from BLT. They opened the ticket scans at 8:30am. We did mine train, space mountain, buzz, pirates, big thunder, haunted mansion all by 10:30am.

 

[GBRforWDW]

Hi!

I'm going to WDW for one day on Monday 2/8 with my cousin. She's meeting me there (I'll be driving from the SW coast and her from the NE coast, we each have about a 2 hour drive). Since this is a one day trip, what is the ideal time to arrive at the TTC so I can maximize my day? I've never driven to the parks - I've always stayed on site.

I'm assuming you're going to Magic Kingdom, since you're heading to TTC. I believe they're letting cars in around 810, I would get there as close to that time if possible.

One thing id be interested in, will the super bowl mvp be going to Disney world this year? If so, SB is on the 7th, so beware of that possibility.

 

[MainMom]

I am going to assume the erratic wait times were due to pausing for cleanings? If so I guess it's not a horrible thing. How were people respecting distancing in line?

People were great at Epcot and MK in the lines. Yesterday at AK we had our first issues in the Navii line. The first was a group of 10, Mom & 9 teenagers. They kept getting right up to my parents. I told them to go ahead of us and to stay behind their lines...they didn’t. Unfortunately after them was a mom and her young kids. They were eating in line and then kept crowding. Then there were the 20 year olds who got into the outside part of the queue with beer to drink.When they got to the CM at the entrance shetold Them to throw out the beer or get out of the line. They got out of the line.

If you are at all nervous about lines I do not recommend the Navii line. There are several places with large gaps that are there to keep the distance. We were the only ones not filling in the space. This I understood more as it is habit to just fill in the space. I’m sure most don’t think about the angles. We won’t be getting on this ride again unless we can just walk through the queue.

Otherwise it was a great day! Everything else was walk on.

 

[MainMom]

Animal Kingdom Wednesday 1/20: The park hours today were 8-5. We made the decision to sleep in and get to the park between 10-11. We arrived around 10, breezed right through the parking booths, and were directed to Peacock lot. My first observation was that it was so empty.

We went right though temp check and bag screening, scanned our bands and were in! FOP was a 15 minute wait which was essentially walking through the queue with a couple of short stops. We had never been in the queue as we always have had FP. On our way out we were offered a second ride. My kids and I decided to ride again and we went straight through the FP line. It was a short wait. On our first ride the screen was very blurry (all 5 of us noticed.) It was much better the second ride. They were filling all seats so you are right next to people with no distancing. We were offered a third ride, but chose not to do it.

After FOP we placed our mobile order for Satuli then we got in line for Navii which was a 30 minute wait (we had about 45 before our order window started.) This is where we had our first issues with people not distancing in line. See my post above for the issues.

It was our first time eating at Satuli and we all really enjoyed it! After lunch we went to Safari which was a 10 minute walk the queue. Lowell was our driver and he was the best driver we have ever had. Lots of animals were out mid day & it was an excellent Safari.

We walked the Gorilla Trails and then took the train to Rafiki’s. In all of our trips my kids had never been there. While there we got to see them performing a surgery on a turtle who had an egg stuck and then watch them close up the shell with bolts or screws and wire. It was quite interesting and my daughter who is studying to become a vet loved it. Then we did the 2:30 Animation Experience where we drew Scar. I like that they have the guidelines on the paper now as I’m a terrible artist who can’t even draw a circle.

After Animation we took the train back and grabbed a few treats which we ate in the Harambe Market. There we maybe 2 other families in the whole area. Again, the walkways here were so empty.

As we left the park we stopped in some stores and then headed out. I think at this time it was about 4pm. It was another nice, leisurely day. Except for those people in the Navii line we didn’t see any rule breakers, but we just weren’t around a lot of people either.

Oh, the weather has been excellent. We are from WI and are loving this. Much better than 8 and snow back home.

Today is a day off and then tomorrow (Friday) my Mom, daughter and I are headed to HS

 

[yulilin3]

Animal Kingdom Wednesday 1/20: The park hours today were 8-5. We made the decision to sleep in and get to the park between 10-11. We arrived around 10, breezed right through the parking booths, and were directed to Peacock lot. My first observation was that it was so empty.

We went right though temp check and bag screening, scanned our bands and were in! FOP was a 15 minute wait which was essentially walking through the queue with a couple of short stops. We had never been in the queue as we always have had FP. On our way out we were offered a second ride. My kids and I decided to ride again and we went straight through the FP line. It was a short wait. On our first ride the screen was very blurry (all 5 of us noticed.) It was much better the second ride. They were filling all seats so you are right next to people with no distancing. We were offered a third ride, but chose not to do it.

After FOP we placed our mobile order for Satuli then we got in line for Navii which was a 30 minute wait (we had about 45 before our order window started.) This is where we had our first issues with people not distancing in line. See my post above for the issues.

It was our first time eating at Satuli and we all really enjoyed it! After lunch we went to Safari which was a 10 minute walk the queue. Lowell was our driver and he was the best driver we have ever had. Lots of animals were out mid day & it was an excellent Safari.

We walked the Gorilla Trails and then took the train to Rafiki’s. In all of our trips my kids had never been there. While there we got to see them performing a surgery on a turtle who had an egg stuck and then watch them close up the shell with bolts or screws and wire. It was quite interesting and my daughter who is studying to become a vet loved it. Then we did the 2:30 Animation Experience where we drew Scar. I like that they have the guidelines on the paper now as I’m a terrible artist who can’t even draw a circle.

After Animation we took the train back and grabbed a few treats which we ate in the Harambe Market. There we maybe 2 other families in the whole area. Again, the walkways here were so empty.

As we left the park we stopped in some stores and then headed out. I think at this time it was about 4pm. It was another nice, leisurely day. Except for those people in the Navii line we didn’t see any rule breakers, but we just weren’t around a lot of people either.

Oh, the weather has been excellent. We are from WI and are loving this. Much better than 8 and snow back home.

Today is a day off and then tomorrow (Friday) my Mom, daughter and I are headed to HS

Lowell is a friend of mine, I'll make sure to show him your post he used to work at GMR, he loved playing Mugsy

 

[Orion Nebula]

People were great at Epcot and MK in the lines. Yesterday at AK we had our first issues in the Navii line. The first was a group of 10, Mom & 9 teenagers. They kept getting right up to my parents. I told them to go ahead of us and to stay behind their lines...they didn’t. Unfortunately after them was a mom and her young kids. They were eating in line and then kept crowding. Then there were the 20 year olds who got into the outside part of the queue with beer to drink.When they got to the CM at the entrance shetold Them to throw out the beer or get out of the line. They got out of the line.

If you are at all nervous about lines I do not recommend the Navii line. There are several places with large gaps that are there to keep the distance. We were the only ones not filling in the space. This I understood more as it is habit to just fill in the space. I’m sure most don’t think about the angles. We won’t be getting on this ride again unless we can just walk through the queue.

Otherwise it was a great day! Everything else was walk on.

How annoying... it's always the entitled that are causing issues. At least I guess a CS confronted the beer drinkers. As far as your other comment about FOP being blurry, was it the last time you went? I didn't notice it during my last trip but I wonder what's going on? Maybe the constant scrubbing on the glasses?

 

[MainMom]

How annoying... it's always the entitled that are causing issues. At least I guess a CS confronted the beer drinkers. As far as your other comment about FOP being blurry, was it the last time you went? I didn't notice it during my last trip but I wonder what's going on? Maybe the constant scrubbing on the glasses?

Our last trip was June 2019. Our first ride was blurry, the second was fine.

 

[MainMom]

Lowell is a friend of mine, I'll make sure to show him your post he used to work at GMR, gre loved plating Mugsy

We were on the Safari that had the “first lion sighting in 5 safari’s”. IDK if he will remember but we were sitting right behind him. He truly was great. My 19 year old daughter said “I actually learned something new!”

 

[Turk February]

We just got back from a quick 5 day trip, our second in 3 months thanks to cheap flights. Only did 2 park days and one of them we had Club 33 perks so I will not break down that day since it won't represent an accurate portrayal.

DHS Monday 1/18 (MLK Day)

We arrived at DHS at 7:45 after walking over from Speedway. There were only 6 families in front of us, which was way different than October when we arrived around the same time before opening and there were at least 40 groups ahead of us.

They walked us over to temp check about 3 minutes after getting there, and we noticed the skyliner started dropping people off around 7:50 (a friend who met up with us said they were running from Pop at 7:30 and began running from CBR at 7:45)

Temp check tents opened at 8:06.

We were 2nd in line for MMRR at 8:10 and they began running at 8:19
8:30 - SDD (posted wait 20; actual wait 13)
8:56 - MFSR (posted wait 30; actual 14)
Then we went over to ROTR, Boarding Group 8
Took a break for Starbucks
10:52 - RNRC (posted wait 55; actual 22)
11:34 - TSMM (posted wait 45; actual 24)
Break for lunch and shopping
1:25 - Oga's (finally got to sit at the bar!)
2:23 - RNRC (posted 45; actual 37)
3:17 - MMRR (posted 45; actual 27)
Break for snacks
4:17 - Star Tours (posted 25; actual 15)
4:49 - MFSR (posted 35; actual 19)

After that we had a Savi's appointment and dinner so that was it for rides.

A few takeaways - far less busy than our October trip, even with the expected MLK weekend bump. The cooler weather made masks so much more bearable than in the October heat. They didn't even bother us this time. Compliance was excellent from other guests. We usually go to WDW once a year or even once every 2 years nowadays and while all the magic isn't there, I still think it's a great time to go to WDW. If we can afford it, we'll go back before the summer heat but I will not return in the hot weather while masks are still mandatory. The difference between comfort in January vs. October was night and day.

 

[dez1978]

We just got back from a quick 5 day trip, our second in 3 months thanks to cheap flights. Only did 2 park days and one of them we had Club 33 perks so I will not break down that day since it won't represent an accurate portrayal.

DHS Monday 1/18 (MLK Day)

We arrived at DHS at 7:45 after walking over from Speedway. There were only 6 families in front of us, which was way different than October when we arrived around the same time before opening and there were at least 40 groups ahead of us.

They walked us over to temp check about 3 minutes after getting there, and we noticed the skyliner started dropping people off around 7:50 (a friend who met up with us said they were running from Pop at 7:30 and began running from CBR at 7:45)

Temp check tents opened at 8:06.

We were 2nd in line for MMRR at 8:10 and they began running at 8:19
8:30 - SDD (posted wait 20; actual wait 13)
8:56 - MFSR (posted wait 30; actual 14)
Then we went over to ROTR, Boarding Group 8
Took a break for Starbucks
10:52 - RNRC (posted wait 55; actual 22)
11:34 - TSMM (posted wait 45; actual 24)
Break for lunch and shopping
1:25 - Oga's (finally got to sit at the bar!)
2:23 - RNRC (posted 45; actual 37)
3:17 - MMRR (posted 45; actual 27)
Break for snacks
4:17 - Star Tours (posted 25; actual 15)
4:49 - MFSR (posted 35; actual 19)

After that we had a Savi's appointment and dinner so that was it for rides.

A few takeaways - far less busy than our October trip, even with the expected MLK weekend bump. The cooler weather made masks so much more bearable than in the October heat. They didn't even bother us this time. Compliance was excellent from other guests. We usually go to WDW once a year or even once every 2 years nowadays and while all the magic isn't there, I still think it's a great time to go to WDW. If we can afford it, we'll go back before the summer heat but I will not return in the hot weather while masks are still mandatory. The difference between comfort in January vs. October was night and day.

But now I need to know about the Club 33 perks lol..

 

[Orion Nebula]

A few takeaways - far less busy than our October trip, even with the expected MLK weekend bump. The cooler weather made masks so much more bearable than in the October heat. They didn't even bother us this time. Compliance was excellent from other guests. We usually go to WDW once a year or even once every 2 years nowadays and while all the magic isn't there, I still think it's a great time to go to WDW. If we can afford it, we'll go back before the summer heat but I will not return in the hot weather while masks are still mandatory. The difference between comfort in January vs. October was night and day.

Thank you for the detailed report!

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

We arrived at DHS at 7:45 after walking over from Speedway.

Can you tell me a bit more about walking from Speedway? I think that may be our plan and I find only a comment here and there, one of which involved "sketchy jaywalking," so if you could elaborate, I'd appreciate it! I assume that would be better or at least a shorter distance than getting dropped off at Boardwalk.

 

[yulilin3]

Can you tell me a bit more about walking from Speedway? I think that may be our plan and I find only a comment here and there, one of which involved "sketchy jaywalking," so if you could elaborate, I'd appreciate it! I assume that would be better or at least a shorter distance than getting dropped off at Boardwalk.

I made a video last year to help people with this

 

[GBRforWDW]

Can you tell me a bit more about walking from Speedway? I think that may be our plan and I find only a comment here and there, one of which involved "sketchy jaywalking," so if you could elaborate, I'd appreciate it! I assume that would be better or at least a shorter distance than getting dropped off at Boardwalk.

I wouldn't recommend this if you have options other than a Disney bus(if it's that or Uber, Uber is better).

With boarding groups at 7, it's not nearly as competitive as before. We drove and we're in after walkers and early skyliners. Still walked on MMRR and did all 3 Toy Story rides as near walk ons, sdd maybe 15 minute wait.

 

[Turk February]

But now I need to know about the Club 33 perks lol..

Haha basically just the ability to hop before 2 and the use of their regular allotment of anytime fastpasses.

 

[MomOTwins]

Can you tell me a bit more about walking from Speedway? I think that may be our plan and I find only a comment here and there, one of which involved "sketchy jaywalking," so if you could elaborate, I'd appreciate it! I assume that would be better or at least a shorter distance than getting dropped off at Boardwalk.

Cars/rideshares are not allowed in to Boardwalk without a dining reservation at present, which is why more people have been using the Speedway lately. You could also get dropped off at the Swan/Dolphin.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Cars/rideshares are not allowed in to Boardwalk without a dining reservation at present, which is why more people have been using the Speedway lately. You could also get dropped off at the Swan/Dolphin.

Good to know! Would I want to plan for Swan/Dolphin drop off for our Epcot day then? What about for MK....can we get dropped off at Contemporary or is that also restricted? I am guessing there isn’t really a place to be dropped off for AK.