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

[RunWI1265]

Anyone been to beaches and cream lately? Are they doing outdoor service at tables? We’re thinking about going in April for our son’s first birthday but we don’t want to eat inside

We were able to eat outside two-ish weeks ago. There was only 3 round tables though. When we checked in I asked if there was anywhere we could sit outside and they were able to accommodate us by seating us at one of the small two-person tables (it was just me and my toddler) off to the side.

Edit: wanted to add Trattoria does have outdoor seating but it isn't fully open air. They have thicker material type walls enclosing the area with the opening being where you walk in.

 

[Haley R]

We were able to eat outside two-ish weeks ago. There was only 3 round tables though. When we checked in I asked if there was anywhere we could sit outside and they were able to accommodate us by seating us at one of the small two-person tables (it was just me and my toddler) off to the side.

Edit: wanted to add Trattoria does have outdoor seating but it isn't fully open air. They have thicker material type walls enclosing the area with the opening being where you walk in.

What time of day did you go eat there? I’m thinking if we do an off time it should be easier to get a table outside

 

[RunWI1265]

What time of day did you go eat there? I’m thinking if we do an off time it should be easier to get a table outside

We had a 1:15 res on a Saturday for B&C. We didn't eat at Trattoria but stayed at BW so walked by the outdoor seating area.

 

[Haley R]

We had a 1:15 res on a Saturday for B&C. We didn't eat at Trattoria but stayed at BW so walked by the outdoor seating area.

Okay thanks!

 

[Leigh L]

Are you sure? I know of 3 DPs in the past 4 weeks saying otherwise. Personally they were serving at the tables 19 days ago when we ate there.

I believe they specifically closed the walk-up window temporarily to expand to outdoor seating based on the way they had things staged in an area by the (now closed) walk-up window.

Ah ok. No, we definitely didn't see anyone eating outdoors (we were there early and waited outside the restaurant about 40 minutes) but maybe it was the weather? It wasn't raining during that time but had been on and off most of the day.
Which tables are the ones they serve at? (This was our first time eating there)

Darn okay thank you. I’m surprised there weren’t any tables outside. I guess we might need to consider eating somewhere else

It seems they might be , sorry if I am giving incorrect information
Yesterday was our first time eating there so it may have just been weather-related? (We would have preferred outdoors for this restaurant)

 

[Leigh L]

We were able to eat outside two-ish weeks ago. There was only 3 round tables though. When we checked in I asked if there was anywhere we could sit outside and they were able to accommodate us by seating us at one of the small two-person tables (it was just me and my toddler) off to the side.

Edit: wanted to add Trattoria does have outdoor seating but it isn't fully open air. They have thicker material type walls enclosing the area with the opening being where you walk in.

So I guess if you ask?
When we got there those smaller tables had people sitting at them waiting to be called. We didn't realize they were being used for dining. There were a lot of us waiting though and I think they were running behind.
Sorry, everyone!

 

[DisneyMama811]

anyone currently at WDW who would be willing to grab and mail me copies of the folded map brochures for each park?

I am in Canada and will gladly pay the postage to you via e-transfer. I know we can see the maps online but my 6 year old is obsessed and would love the real thing

 

[HollyMD]

So I think Disney is definitely adding more capacity secretly. For the week I am going in March, I’ve been watching the availability calendar every day. All three buckets were full for HS everyday of our trip(we already have our ressies). Now suddenly today, ALL THREE buckets show availability every day for HS......

 

[TestingH2O]

So I think Disney is definitely adding more capacity secretly. For the week I am going in March, I’ve been watching the availability calendar every day. All three buckets were full for HS everyday of our trip(we already have our ressies). Now suddenly today, ALL THREE buckets show availability every day for HS......

I'm wondering the same thing. The beginning of our trip in March, where there is overlap with Orlando Public School spring break, had yellow before, but now it is all green.
ETA - I wonder how much of a margin of error they give themselves on that 35% working on the assumption that some people won't actually show up.

 

[TinkSassy]

anyone currently at WDW who would be willing to grab and mail me copies of the folded map brochures for each park?

I am in Canada and will gladly pay the postage to you via e-transfer. I know we can see the maps online but my 6 year old is obsessed and would love the real thing

When do you need them by? I’m going in a week and can pick some up and mail when I return but they would go in post from the US around March 6. So plan 2-3 weeks for delivery after that. If that works private message me the address - postage is on me.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We are thinking about moving our mid-April (Star Wars RunDisney) reservation back to early March. I checked TPs but the crowd calendar that I could see didn't make much sense. They are only predicting 3/4 before Easter? That doesn't sound right considering the crowds on President Day.

Anyway ... would you guys pick March 2-7th (2 weekend days but earlier in the month) or March 7 to 12 (all weekdays but closer to Spring Breaks)? FYI we are traveling from West Coast so we pretty much lose the first day.

 

[HokieRaven5]

So I think Disney is definitely adding more capacity secretly. For the week I am going in March, I’ve been watching the availability calendar every day. All three buckets were full for HS everyday of our trip(we already have our ressies). Now suddenly today, ALL THREE buckets show availability every day for HS......

The last month or so that I have actually looked the AP bucket has had availability for every day in March. Only the Theme Park Guests/Disney Resort Guests have filled it up

 

[HollyMD]

Even those show all green now.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

So I think Disney is definitely adding more capacity secretly. For the week I am going in March, I’ve been watching the availability calendar every day. All three buckets were full for HS everyday of our trip(we already have our ressies). Now suddenly today, ALL THREE buckets show availability every day for HS......

Could also be people cancelling or them moving availability between categories. But I agree, it's odd.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Even those show all green now.

But that doesn't necessarily mean they did/didn't add capacity. There are weeks in March where only Platinum and Platinum Plus APs can attend. There are also individuals who book multiple DHS days on their trips and could change their minds and switch what park they go to for those days. There are people who could make the decision that they want to cancel for any number of reasons. Recently there's been a lot of chatter about how crowded Disney was over this weekend, pretty sure that can play an impact on the decision whether or not to attend.

DHS is also one of the smallest maximum capacity parks in WDW at around 21K+/- at the 35% threshold.

Could Disney be adding capacity sure, but there's a lot more that could also be happening.

 

[Ohiostatefan606]

Hard to believe, but a week ago we were walking into CBR to change into shorts!
Wanted to share a couple of thoughts on surprises / things we missed during our visit.
We visited 2/11 - 2/15 - President's Day / Valentine's Day / Mardi Gras
Transportation recap is here
Early park visits and ride summary here

1. Shopping - I was not prepared to have to stand in line to get into the shops. I'm sure I read about it, but didn't remember. We like to pop in and out and just look. We weren't able to do this without standing in line. We came home with just a couple of items from the gift shop at Riviera. Not that I really "needed" anything, it is just an activity we enjoyed.
2. Character Meet & Greets - I knew this wasn't happening. I just flat out miss this part. It wouldn't stop me from going, but the character visits were always part of our day.
3. Dining reservations - We had lunch reservations Fri / Sat / Sun. As our trip got closer, I added dinner reservations for Sat and Sun. WOW, so glad I did. The menus at all the restaurants have reduced options. The QS mobile ordering options at MK on Friday night were just okay and the food at Cosmic Rays was a step below okay. As much as I have always liked just "winging" it for dinner. I think during future trips, dinner reservations will be must.
4. The lines to get snacks / water / ice cream / popcorn. It did not seem to matter the time of day, there were always lines to just grab a snack.
5. Not being able to walk and eat/drink. I guess I didn't realize how much we stood in line and snacked! We pack granola bars for breakfast and usually stop at Starbucks for coffee. But we wanted to ride, ride, ride as the wait times were low, but then we had to stop, find some place to sit to eat our breakfast. Definitely threw our timing off.
6. I'm sure everyone has their list of items they miss, or think my list is crazy. But these are items that impacted our trip. Not in huge horrible ways, but just things I noticed.

 

[Castlequeen5]

Not being able to walk and eat/drink. I guess I didn't realize how much we stood in line and snacked! We pack granola bars for breakfast and usually stop at Starbucks for coffee. But we wanted to ride, ride, ride as the wait times were low, but then we had to stop, find some place to sit to eat our breakfast. Definitely threw our timing off.

Do you mean is not allowed anymore? I’m assuming this is because of the mask policy. Are there only designated places where you can eat/drink? Where would those places be?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Do you mean is not allowed anymore? I’m assuming this is because of the mask policy. Are there only designated places where you can eat/drink? Where would those places be?

You can eat and drink while not in line, pulled off to the side and stationary. There is no walking and eating/drinking. You may also take quick sips of a beverage in the outdoor portion of queues before you pass the official entrance to the ride queue.

 

[skuttle]

Anyone been to beaches and cream lately? Are they doing outdoor service at tables? We’re thinking about going in April for our son’s first birthday but we don’t want to eat inside

we ate there feb 11th. No outdoor dining that night, but there was rain off and on. A few nights later we passed by and they had diners at the outside tables.

 

[wilkydelts]

They now stop people from eating in line? When I was there in October CMs did not say anything.