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

[cdh]

My guess is with so many vacation destination still closed or limited such as Disneyland DC, NY ect there is not many places for people to go so most people looking for a getaway are going to Disney Florida and Universal. I have been keeping my eye on crowd levels because I was hoping to come back since my August trip but I am going wait

That‘s a good point. I hadn’t really thought about it but Disney and Universal may feel safer than other vacation destinations because masks are required.

 

[DCLMP]

Does anyone have input as to why this week has been so crowded? I understand why February 14 to 21 was crowded, but I don’t understand the crowd levels this week. Any ideas about what next week will be in terms of crowds?

I’m so disappointed in the situation at Disney. It seems that there is no way to avoid the crowds. In the past, if a park was crowded we could get a Minnie van and go back to the resort....or maybe get a Cheshire tail and sit on a bench and watch the crowd....or shop a little in one of the stores. It seems that now there is a line for absolutely everything and it sounds kinda miserable. All of the spontaneity of the previous trips is a thing of the past. There were several times that we walked out of the Contemporary and changed our mind about a park for the day based on the lines for the buses. We learned to avoid crowds but that seems almost impossible in the parks now.

It could just be the Covid numbers going down. This is normally supposed to be a low crowd week. We were there in August and late January during both Covid peaks and didn't experience any crowds. There is also not a lot of options for vacations right now. Cruises are canceled, borders are closed, and it's still too early for national parks in many states. I expect WDW to be packed the rest of the year.

 

[cdh]

Are you there right now?

No, but I really, really want to go and I keep reading these responses hoping that the crowd levels drop or Disney does something to make it seem less crowded (open more dining options or something like that). It seems that crowds are moving in the right directions for Disney‘s bottom line but in the wrong direction for those of us who want a relaxing vacation.

 

[cdh]

I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask this question here but.....is Universal more manageable than Disney right now? I’ve never been and haven’t really ever wanted to go but express passes, more dining options, etc are making me consider going to Universal instead of Disney.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

No, but I really, really want to go and I keep reading these responses hoping that the crowd levels drop or Disney does something to make it seem less crowded (open more dining options or something like that). It seems that crowds are moving in the right directions for Disney‘s bottom line but in the wrong direction for those of us who want a relaxing vacation.

I think a big part of it is setting realistic expectations. If you go right now expecting to have the same kind of trip you've always had, of course you will be disappointed. We are going for spring break with the plan of riding our favorites (expecting to wait in lines, despite normally having FB), trying restaurants that are new to us, and enjoying more resort time than usual. I think it will still be a great trip and will give us the opportunity to take things at a slower pace and maybe enjoy some things we normally wouldn't stop to do. Now I realize we are fortunate enough to go often, so missing some things doesn't really bother us. I wouldn't recommend anyone taking a "once in a lifetime" trip until things are much closer to normal.

 

[DCLMP]

I don’t know if I’m allowed to ask this question here but.....is Universal more manageable than Disney right now? I’ve never been and haven’t really ever wanted to go but express passes, more dining options, etc are making me consider going to Universal instead of Disney.

I would say yes. I've been checking out their deluxe resorts for this Summer and prices are high 400 plus. Sometimes they have good AP discounts or check Costco they have some package deals.

 

[wilkydelts]

Does anyone have input as to why this week has been so crowded? I understand why February 14 to 21 was crowded, but I don’t understand the crowd levels this week. Any ideas about what next week will be in terms of crowds?

I’m so disappointed in the situation at Disney. It seems that there is no way to avoid the crowds. In the past, if a park was crowded we could get a Minnie van and go back to the resort....or maybe get a Cheshire tail and sit on a bench and watch the crowd....or shop a little in one of the stores. It seems that now there is a line for absolutely everything and it sounds kinda miserable. All of the spontaneity of the previous trips is a thing of the past. There were several times that we walked out of the Contemporary and changed our mind about a park for the day based on the lines for the buses. We learned to avoid crowds but that seems almost impossible in the parks now.

I guess I am confused, if you are not there right now how is the above true. It seems like speculation. If you are just going off wait times MDE has not be accurate for a long time. Touring Plans Line App has made it seem very nice there lately. In fact right now at MK everything is listed under 40 minutes except 7DMT on TP App. I have seen very little worry about crowds and spacing outside of the crazy holiday times and certain weekends.

 

[DCLMP]

What happened to letting resort guests in 30 minutes early? When is that supposed to start?

 

[HokieRaven5]

What happened to letting resort guests in 30 minutes early? When is that supposed to start?

It's part of the 50th anniversary celebration. So as of right now, closer to October.

 

[cdh]

I guess I am confused, if you are not there right now how is the above true. It seems like speculation. If you are just going off wait times MDE has not be accurate for a long time. Touring Plans Line App has made it seem very nice there lately. In fact right now at MK everything is listed under 40 minutes except 7DMT on TP App. I have seen very little worry about crowds and spacing outside of the crazy holiday times and certain weekends.

I’ve been following threads like this one for months and I’m just repeating what others have said. Those who are there right now are saying that mobile ordering is a pain, food stands are far more limited than in the past, it’s hard to walk through the park without bumping into people, lines are long and the estimates are often inaccurate, and Minnie Vans have been gone for months. Believe me, I want to be wrong about all of this. I can’t begin to explain how much I want to go back “home” for a family vacation.

 

[scrappinginontario]

What happened to letting resort guests in 30 minutes early? When is that supposed to start?

A start date has not officially been announced.

 

[lelew]

I guess I am confused, if you are not there right now how is the above true. It seems like speculation. If you are just going off wait times MDE has not be accurate for a long time. Touring Plans Line App has made it seem very nice there lately. In fact right now at MK everything is listed under 40 minutes except 7DMT on TP App. I have seen very little worry about crowds and spacing outside of the crazy holiday times and certain weekends.

I am not the original poster But I watch a lot of live YouTube vloggers so I was looking at the crowds based on that

 

[Ecomommy09]

I think a big part of it is setting realistic expectations. If you go right now expecting to have the same kind of trip you've always had, of course you will be disappointed. We are going for spring break with the plan of riding our favorites (expecting to wait in lines, despite normally having FB), trying restaurants that are new to us, and enjoying more resort time than usual. I think it will still be a great trip and will give us the opportunity to take things at a slower pace and maybe enjoy some things we normally wouldn't stop to do. Now I realize we are fortunate enough to go often, so missing some things doesn't really bother us. I wouldn't recommend anyone taking a "once in a lifetime" trip until things are much closer to normal.

We had the best time in October and that’s why we’re going back. I love that it’s simpler than preCovid when you planned so many months in advance. I love going with the flow and heading back to swim and then returning if I want for dinner.
Your suggestion is spot on. You will make what you make of it and with the right attitude it’s still wonderful to be at Disney. I cried at the Princess Cavalcade. The food situation isn’t that big of a deal thanks to mobile ordering.
And they require masks! Not many vacation locations are even trying to be safe. I appreciate Disney for that and respect that enforcement is difficult and that everyone deserves grace in these trying times.

 

[DisneyJColeMom]

What are the negative experiences with mobile ordering and how can we alleviate it? Is it just a matter of ordering early?

 

[HokieRaven5]

What are the negative experiences with mobile ordering and how can we alleviate it? Is it just a matter of ordering early?

So my take on it (I didn't view it as a negative) was while I was hopping in line for a ride I'd hop on the MDE app and start an order at a nearby place that offered it.

Mobile Order is more of a problem in terms of availability within the parks. Right now MK has 4-5 pending what day of the week you go, EP has 2, DHS has 8 locations, and AK has 3.

When I was at my resort I would just set up my order from my hotel room and tap in when I got close to the dining venue walking over. I stayed at CBR for reference.

I didn't have any extensive waits when I went in November and found Mobile Ordering rather painless.

 

[wilkydelts]

I’ve been following threads like this one for months and I’m just repeating what others have said. Those who are there right now are saying that mobile ordering is a pain, food stands are far more limited than in the past, it’s hard to walk through the park without bumping into people, lines are long and the estimates are often inaccurate, and Minnie Vans have been gone for months. Believe me, I want to be wrong about all of this. I can’t begin to explain how much I want to go back “home” for a family vacation.

Just don't get caught up in the negativity and complaints. There is a lot of positive experiences but the negative ones seems to be ones reposted over and over because they want to be "heard". Which is causing many to panic and over react. I went in October it was outstanding, if beginning of April is even close then it will be fine.

 

[Jen75]

So to understand this correctly, its very difficult to just get a snack or shop for souvenirs? Im not Disney experienced, and I have a young kid I was hoping to give him a gift card at the beginning of the trip and tell him he could buy any special fun treat/snack he wants, or if he sees something he loves he can choose for himself. So this will be not easy to do? Is that everyone’s experience?

Hi, I’m actually at AK right now. We’ve hit all the parks this week. My kids were given gift card and quickly used them! Most of the stores are open and it’s very easy to find souvenirs. I’ll use my experience getting a Dole Whip as an example....you have to mobile order it (no biggie!), you have to know to click and tell them your ready for them to make it. I missed this the first morning...it takes some getting used to, again, no biggie. But a lot of people totally missed it and were just standing - not distanced - fussing. Once you click that you are ready you wait in a queue to get in line to get it. IMO that queue is where people get bunched up and it can be confusing. It lacks some spontaneity, for sure. If you are wanting to let them get an ice cream or popcorn you can pretty easily find a cart.

 

[Jen75]

Just don't get caught up in the negativity and complaints. There is a lot of positive experiences but the negative ones seems to be ones reposted over and over because they want to be "heard". Which is causing many to panic and over react. I went in October it was outstanding, if beginning of April is even close then it will be fine.

If you were at WDW before fast passes (even the old paper ones!) were a thing. I find it similar to that. It lacks some structure but also lets you have so much flexibility! And if you aren’t comfortable in a line due to the crowd it’s easy enough to hop out. But they are doing an amazing job with the lines. The buzz ride at WDW is zig zagging through the monsters building, for example. So you never actually stand still and the time passes quickly.

we got to AK around 7:50 this morning and looped Expedition Everest 8 times. My husband is currently back on it with a 10 min wait. He says this is the best thing ever. My son not so much. Haha. I think it’s all relative

 

[Wosmama6]

If you were at WDW before fast passes (even the old paper ones!) were a thing. I find it similar to that. It lacks some structure but also lets you have so much flexibility! And if you aren’t comfortable in a line due to the crowd it’s easy enough to hop out. But they are doing an amazing job with the lines. The buzz ride at WDW is zig zagging through the monsters building, for example. So you never actually stand still and the time passes quickly.

we got to AK around 7:50 this morning and looped Expedition Everest 8 times. My husband is currently back on it with a 10 min wait. He says this is the best thing ever. My son not so much. Haha. I think it’s all relative

we are SO hoping AK is like this during our trip. we have time planned there on 3/5 and at night on 3/6 since it's open til 8, and if the other parks are crazy we may just end up at AK most evenings. My son rode EE 7x last trip and still talks about it.

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

What are the negative experiences with mobile ordering and how can we alleviate it? Is it just a matter of ordering early?

I can't provide any negative experiences... how about some positive ones??

We placed our mobile order for lunch each morning while waiting at the bus stop or for the park to open. When our window came, I pressed the I'm Here, Prepare My Order” button about 15 minutes before arriving at the restaurant. Sometimes our order was ready before we even got to the restaurant, or if anything a short 5 minute wait. One time we had to sit for 15 minutes even after we got there (Cosmic Ray's) but we just grabbed a bench and enjoyed the sunshine.

We used this strategy at Tomorrowland Terrace, Pizzerizzo, Cosmic Ray's. and Satuli Canteen. We had table service meals for dinner each night so no experience using mobile order for dinner BUT I will say that the table service arrival procedure is also better because you can check-in before you get there and our table was always ready right as we arrived at the restaurant.