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

[maciemouse]

The vast majority of the time if the line is outside the main queue area my kids and wife never wait with me. It is more difficult to ensure social distancing and keep them contained with no formal barriers out there. They always join me as we get close to the main entrance. I see no problem with this. I always inform the people behind me as a curtesy. With most rides being separated for space anyways it doesn’t change peoples wait time.

I have no problem with this either. Our problem is the ADULTS that are joining another party that is almost on the ride, our encounter was them passing by everyone once already in the queue and going all the way to the front.

 

[SeanWM48]

How was the air balloon ride? My hubby was thinking about it but I’m not sure.

totally worth it. we were there on a sunday night and the wait was probably 30 min or so. they keep everyone spaced out and are taking less people up at a time so the wait is what it is.

for $20 it was great. i recommend going at sundown. on a trip where $20 feels like $2 sometimes, this was money well spent.

 

[BelleFan87]

Just finished an 8 night trip to the World here is some things I learned at the parks

1) It seems way more crowded than it probably is. Several stores are closed in each park, several entertainment venues are closed and those that are open are at reduced capacity, seating in counter service restaurants is spaced out for Covid, the street entertainment is severely limited.and with fewer hours people we be there all day. All this means the fewer people who are in the parks are concentrated to the things that are available, this makes it seem much more crowded

2) Masks, wearing a mask is not difficult but it is more difficult all day at Disney. You will need to plan frequent breaks where you find a quiet spot to take off your mask and drink some water. Be sure to bring your own water bottle. I didn't realize how much snacking and water drinking we did while moving from one spot to another and that is a no-no now in the parks, this will take up more time of your day

3) There are lines to shop, even on less busy days. Not all shopping but typically the ones you (and everyone else) wants to go into. In Galaxy's Edge you will wait in line to get into the shopping area and then inline to get into each individual shop.

4) Mobile Ordering - master this. First thing in the park open your mobile app pick your time slot and order your lunch if you are doing counter service. when you return activate the "you are here prepare my food" it takes about 10 minutes and you are good to go. They only let people into the counter area sit down tables when your food order comes up. The advantage to this is you will be able to get a table with your meal (I hope they keep practice up after covid restrictions are done) in fact at Docking Bay 7 they will show you to your seat.

5) Be prepared for lines, the lines snake everywhere and sometimes spill out into other areas (for example Peter Pan starts in Columbia harbor house in freedom square). You will be in the sun a lot. Wear sunscreen

6) Rope Drop - we got to the turnstiles 30 minutes before park opened everyday and they had already let people in. Slinky Dog at HS, 7DMT at MK and Avatar at AK all had 60+ minute waits 30 minutes before official opening.

7) The cast members are very good about reminding people to wear masks, repeat offenders will be caught. One of the photo pass people who repeatedly asked a couple to put their masks back on who were taking personal photos took their photo's to turn them in when they mouthed off and didn't comply. I saw security escort one group for a person who was refusing to stop when eating or drinking.

8) If you are at all worried about getting covid this is not the time for you to visit. We had the disease back in December and all have tested positive for anti-bodies, if we didn't I probably wouldn't have gone. While they do a good job of distancing and making people wear masks there are too many opportunities to catch Covid, if this concerns you I would suggest not going.

Those are the major things I wanted to pass along. If you are considering a first trip or a once in a lifetime trip my advice would be to wait. If your Disney Regulars be prepared this will be unlike any trip you've done before. I am glad we went but I think we will wait till pandemic is over and restrictions are lifted before we go again.

Thanks for sharing your tips. Hubby and I are going in March and can’t wait. It’s been a few years but we’re not worried. I won’t however take my young children with me just because of all the craziness. When everything starts to get back to some sort of normalcy then I’ll take my kiddos again.

 

[BelleFan87]

totally worth it. we were there on a sunday night and the wait was probably 30 min or so. they keep everyone spaced out and are taking less people up at a time so the wait is what it is.

for $20 it was great. i recommend going at sundown. on a trip where $20 feels like $2 sometimes, this was money well spent.

Awesome I’m so happy to hear a positive review. Hubby and I are going for our anniversary and this will be a perfect addition to our trip. Thanks.

 

[Jerseyroaddevil]

Hi all. First time poster, long-time lurker. I've gotten many helpful tips from these boards over the years so I'd thought I'd report on our Feb 25 quick visit. We had rented a house in SW FL for the kids' winter break and drove down from NY. DS13 asked if we could stop at DHS to see GE on the way back home (he'd never been). With only about 2 weeks to plan, we were able to get 2 nights at the Yacht Club, DHS park res on the 25th, and Trattoria al Forno for arrival dinner on Feb 24. No Savi's, Droid Depot, Ogas or SciFi ressies were available. By checking occasionally, I was able to get both my kids Savi's @9:05am and a Mama Melrose dinner @ park close. Never saw Ogas or SciFi become available, and I stopped looking for Droid Depot after we got Savi's.
We arrived at the YC midafternoon on the 24th. I thought the kids would want to go to SAB but after being in the car they wanted to walk around. So we walked over to Fantasia mini golf and played the Gardens course. Although there were no cast members on the course (just by the entrance), all the groups were respectful about social distancing and hung back until the group ahead cleared out. After golf we went to the Boardwalk. Perused the main shop (no wait) and walked around. Big River was open and had a lot of outdoor tables set up (seemed pretty full to me). Also a lot of people around the pizza window. Our dinner at Trattoria AF was delicious. The open kitchen gives the dining room a good energy even with the spaced tables.
The next morning we woke up at 6:45 for the ROTR firedrill. We didn't practice beforehand but I had read all the tips and told the kids to keep pressing join, join, join and don't stop to read anything. Used time.gov and pressed exactly at 7. DS13 got us BG12. Our room at the YC was at the end near the DHS path (turned out great for us). We left our room at 7:45 and were at DHS a little after 8. Got in line (about 30 feet back from the tent) and they let us in at exactly 8:15. Did SDD then TSMM with no wait. Walked into GE to check into Savi's. We had to wait about 15 minutes before we got called in. Both DS13 and DD8 enjoyed the experience although it is definitely a one and done. Went over to ROTR as soon as we left Savi's and basically walked on. Awesome ride, highlight of the day. Then we waited about 45 min for MFSR. The queue seems to wind around everywhere, even behind the ride in a staging area. We mobile ordered from Docking Bay while waiting and picked up our meal a few minutes after we left the ride. Maybe we were starved by the time we ate, but it didn't seem like a lot of food. And the cast members were hovering to take our trays after eating when we were still drinking our drinks.
After lunch I walked back to YC to drop off the light sabers (how do people carry them around all day? they are long and heavy), and my kids did Star Tours without me (15 min wait). We met back up at RNRC (posted 45 min) but DD chickened out so we did ToT instead. Posted 60 min, took about that long. DS left the line to bring back drinks because much of the queue is in the full sun. We took sips and pulled our masks up in between. After TT we waited about 45 min for MMRR, again in the full sun. After that we went to the Muppets (no wait) just to take a break from sun/standing. Then did some of the shops in GE (long wait for Market), rode Saucers (15 min), TSMM again (30 min), and did SDD (40 min) right before closing (it's definitely better at night with the lights on). Had a nice dinner at Mama Melrose and walked through a relatively empty park just before 8 to catch the last boat back to YC. Overall a fun day. Although the lines move quickly, don't underestimate the effect of being on your feet all the time and in the sun. We were exhausted and there is no way I could keep up that pace for more than a day or two.

 

[rachc986]

I can't seem to find a clear answer on this, so wondering if anyone who has been recently has tried this. Can I place a mobile order at Contempo Cafe and Uber to the Contempory from my off site hotel. This way we can grab a quick coffee and then just walk over to MK?

I know if you have a dining reservation they will let you through, but wanted to know if it also worked for a mobile order. Also, where/how are they checking that you have a reason to be getting dropped off at the Contemporary hotel? Is there a spot where they are stopping all cars to check?

 

[tstein12]

I can't seem to find a clear answer on this, so wondering if anyone who has been recently has tried this. Can I place a mobile order at Contempo Cafe and Uber to the Contempory from my off site hotel. This way we can grab a quick coffee and then just walk over to MK?

I know if you have a dining reservation they will let you through, but wanted to know if it also worked for a mobile order. Also, where/how are they checking that you have a reason to be getting dropped off at the Contemporary hotel? Is there a spot where they are stopping all cars to check?

In early December when I was there, I took Lyfts to MK and got dropped off at Contemporary. I placed orders both time at Contempo Cafe to be safe, but my drivers were never asked if I had dining orders and/or reservations. This said, I cancelled my orders once I got dropped off and headed over to MK.

 

[SarahC97]

I can't seem to find a clear answer on this, so wondering if anyone who has been recently has tried this. Can I place a mobile order at Contempo Cafe and Uber to the Contempory from my off site hotel. This way we can grab a quick coffee and then just walk over to MK?

I know if you have a dining reservation they will let you through, but wanted to know if it also worked for a mobile order. Also, where/how are they checking that you have a reason to be getting dropped off at the Contemporary hotel? Is there a spot where they are stopping all cars to check?

The reports on attempting this have varied. You have to go through a guard station to be let in and people have reported previously that guards have asked to see their mobile order and some even have asked people to press the "Here Now, Prepare My Order" button in front of them. Some people have been let in, some people haven't. But it's also been reported on various Disney websites that Disney is no longer allowing mobile orders at QS to be allowed into Contemporary in particular. Plus, I know someone there right now who said that there was a sign at the Boardwalk Inn guard station that stated you would not be let in unless you had a resort reservation or an ADR at Trattoria, so this may be a policy they're implementing across the property.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

I can't seem to find a clear answer on this, so wondering if anyone who has been recently has tried this. Can I place a mobile order at Contempo Cafe and Uber to the Contempory from my off site hotel. This way we can grab a quick coffee and then just walk over to MK?

I know if you have a dining reservation they will let you through, but wanted to know if it also worked for a mobile order. Also, where/how are they checking that you have a reason to be getting dropped off at the Contemporary hotel? Is there a spot where they are stopping all cars to check?

I had planned to do that on Tuesday when we head to MK but since we got here at noon yesterday, I have talked to three different guests and one Lyft driver who said it was a no-go with a mobile order in the last week, at least in the morning. All said they had to exit and drop off at TTC. I’m not risking it.

 

[rachc986]

I had planned to do that on Tuesday when we head to MK but since we got here at noon yesterday, I have talked to three different guests and one Lyft driver who said it was a no-go with a mobile order in the last week, at least in the morning. All said they had to exit and drop off at TTC. I’m not risking it.

I just was doing the online chat on the Disney website and asked vaguely if I was allowed to place an mobile order and uber there to pick it up and the response was: "Currently, with the health safety procedures, to be able to go into one of the hotels, you have to be a hotel guest or have a dining reservation at a table service restaurant." So it seems like their official policy is no.

Now knowing that, my new question is how early can I show up in an Uber to MK TTC? Do they stop Uber's from dropping people off before a certain time?

 

[disneygirlsng]

I just was doing the online chat on the Disney website and asked vaguely if I was allowed to place an mobile order and uber there to pick it up and the response was: "Currently, with the health safety procedures, to be able to go into one of the hotels, you have to be a hotel guest or have a dining reservation at a table service restaurant." So it seems like their official policy is no.

Now knowing that, my new question is how early can I show up in an Uber to MK TTC? Do they stop Uber's from dropping people off before a certain time?

Yes, drop offs can only happen when the parking lot opens.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Interesting. So I just stayed at the Contemporary and walked to MK early in the morning (8:00am-8:15am) and the park was already open. There was NOBODY else on the walking trail to the park and the park was already open but not empty by any means. I doubt these were all BLT/Contemporary people as we saw a decent flow of people coming from the other temperature screening/security checkpoint for resort guests.

So is it just a crapshoot right now of getting to MK early for its opening? Confused by all the strategies I see here.

 

[rachc986]

Yes, drop offs can only happen when the parking lot opens.

At what time have they been letting cars in?

 

[disneygirlsng]

At what time have they been letting cars in?

About an hour or so before official opening time.

 

[brockash]

Here now! Arrived yesterday morning.
Our flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:56 am on Sun Country but it was early. Made a restroom stop and changed into shorts on the way to baggage claim. Bags came right away and we were off to ME. Our bus was rolling to OKW at 10:24!

Got our room ready message on the way to OKW (first drop off) but it wasn’t in the area we requested. Went to front desk and they changed it easily but that room wasn’t ready so we dropped our bags and headed to Epcot. Arrived just after noon.

we didn’t stay into the evening so I can’t speak to the later crowds but we found the afternoon to be very manageable. Our longest wait was 36 minutes for Soarin’ which had a posted 50 min. Test Track had a 50 minute posted wait at about 3:30 and the CM was telling everyone an hour. We decided to go anyway and we were through the line and on in 27 min. And the line moved constantly. Everything else was a fairly low wait, 20 or less.

Had lunch at La Cantina which had a decent line at 145. They were telling people that seating was at capacity but there was overflow seating at the Odyssey building. When we got our food, someone had just gotten up from a table by the water so we grabbed that and a CM quickly cleaned it. Food was good and we were back on our way.

WS was definitely more crowded than FW but not unmanageable while we were there. It may have gotten worse later, as we did see a lot of groups of 20-somethings headed that way as we were leaving.

our only real surprise was the Soarin’ line going outside the building. We weren’t expecting that so our Minnesota bodies that thought they were going to be in the AC for a bit were a little warm. Not unmanageable and not a complaint as it moved quickly but definitely a surprise to us to be out in the sun on the asphalt for a third of the wait.

We are off to HS this morning. Gotta go roust the troops so they are awake and ready for BG time! Doubt I will have trouble there. We are a smidge excited!

Wow, Soarins line was out of the land building? I don't think I've ever heard of that before...how long did it take you to get through? I wonder what was going on with that considering low waits everywhere else...thx for the report!

 

[md1982]

Just returned from a trip 2/22-226. Coronado Springs, one day in each park. It was a little bit more crowded than I thought it would be, however posts claiming they’ve never seen the walkways this crowded are extreme over exaggerations. Granted I was only in the parks on weekdays. But normal busy zones like galaxy’s edge, fantasyland, etc were all much less crowded than in normal times. My last trip was exactly a year ago and galaxy’s edge was packed, not at all the same this trip.

I never felt wall to wall people on this trip. And mask compliance was excellent.Yes there are moments when you walk past people and are not 6 ft apart, but if I am outside, with masks on, I’m very ok with that. Ask anyone that lives in a city. I live in NYC and it was very similar to walking down the sidewalks here. Or taking the subway. And I felt I always had a place to pull over to avoid people. The only moments I didn’t love were exiting rides. Things could get a bit tight especially on FOP, and others, but you are only next to people for a few moments and almost always with proper masks. If you’re comfortable at a grocery store with full mask compliance you will feel comfortable here!

We only waited to get into a gift shop once, exiting MK. Wait times are highly over estimated. Never waited longer than the posted time. Lines constantly moved which is mice. Had no problems with mobile ordering, or grabbing food. Buses were excellent, loved always having a seat to rest the feet. Mask compliance was excellent and loved that cast members corrected people constantly. Outside I saw a few improper masks under the nose or chin but never once saw someone inside breaking the mask rules. I felt quite comfortable. Will go into more detail day just day in upcoming posts! But just want to say don’t get scared by some fear-mongers. Know your own limits, manage your expectations and plan well.

 

[CapnJacksGirl]

Wow, Soarins line was out of the land building? I don't think I've ever heard of that before...how long did it take you to get through? I wonder what was going on with that considering low waits everywhere else...thx for the report!

we entered like normal and then went out a side exit door before we started up the ramps. We would around outside for a bit then back in, up the ramp and on like normal. It was so strange. We waited about 35 minutes if I remember correctly. Not awful but warmer than we expected for sure!

 

[emmabelle]

Back home today. Overall thoughts were it was crowded but I think that’s because there isn’t as much to do. We still had fun and because we go so often it really didn’t matter to us. The weather was so beautiful we actually decided to stay an extra day and went from BCV over to the Dolphin for the night. The mask compliance over there is a total joke in the outdoor areas. I was so surprised, coming from MA you can’t basically take a walk around your neighborhood without one. Lol

i don’t think we’ll update our AP’s. It’s just hard when people don’t follow the rules. Mask compliance is a thing and if you can’t do it then don’t go. I felt I spent too much time focusing on it because I like things to be fair for everyone. Some people just don’t feel the same way, so we’ll wait and see what the fall brings.

 

[yaya74]

Just returned from a trip 2/22-226. Coronado Springs, one day in each park. It was a little bit more crowded than I thought it would be, however posts claiming they’ve never seen the walkways this crowded are extreme over exaggerations. Granted I was only in the parks on weekdays. But normal busy zones like galaxy’s edge, fantasyland, etc were all much less crowded than in normal times. My last trip was exactly a year ago and galaxy’s edge was packed, not at all the same this trip.

I never felt wall to wall people on this trip. And mask compliance was excellent.Yes there are moments when you walk past people and are not 6 ft apart, but if I am outside, with masks on, I’m very ok with that. Ask anyone that lives in a city. I live in NYC and it was very similar to walking down the sidewalks here. Or taking the subway. And I felt I always had a place to pull over to avoid people. The only moments I didn’t love were exiting rides. Things could get a bit tight especially on FOP, and others, but you are only next to people for a few moments and almost always with proper masks. If you’re comfortable at a grocery store with full mask compliance you will feel comfortable here!

We only waited to get into a gift shop once, exiting MK. Wait times are highly over estimated. Never waited longer than the posted time. Lines constantly moved which is mice. Had no problems with mobile ordering, or grabbing food. Buses were excellent, loved always having a seat to rest the feet. Mask compliance was excellent and loved that cast members corrected people constantly. Outside I saw a few improper masks under the nose or chin but never once saw someone inside breaking the mask rules. I felt quite comfortable. Will go into more detail day just day in upcoming posts! But just want to say don’t get scared by some fear-mongers. Know your own limits, manage your expectations and plan well.

Thank you for the update! Looking forward to read more about it!

 

[bjscheel]

TP just lowered the crowd levels for the entire week we are visiting in May

Which week?