Just a bit of a run down of our time so far, as todays our sleep in day with Epcot.
3/9 -DHS
We're at CBR; tried for boarding pass right at 7 - we have terrible reception here both wifi and data (verizon) - we left the room, went in 3 different directions and none of us got in (we've done this 2 other trips at the 10am time with no issues) - there were a few other ppl out and it appeared none of them got in either, so keep that in mind if you're staying at CBR. - We're in Aruba area.
In line for skyliner at 705 and were the 6th family in line. - Line quickly grew. Around 740 they opened the gates and they pulled the first 7 families up into the main line to board. There we waited until almost 8...at some point Pop ppl started arriving and they pulled the first 10 families or so of them to a parallel line next to us to board. Right around 8 they started board- alternating between groups right from the start. As we arrived at DHS, walkers were already there and some buses, but no cars. We waited about 18 groups back for temp check which started at 815.
We went straight to Slinky (walk on), ToT- 20 mins., RnR 15 mins. - by now it was a bit after 9 and lines really started to get long. We did TSM - 35 min wait, AS 25 min wait., Star Tours 25 min wait, got in line for muppets, but after 25 mins and seeing how much further we had, we all looked at each other and said it Muppets why are waiting this long and bailed. I had put in a mobile order to try the grilled cheese at Woodys and it was finally ready, so we went there and sat at a table, ate, and rested for a while (youngest took a nap in the stroller.) It was a much needed break as it was realky busy. We had a 1255 reservation at Scifi, so eventually headed over. Right before 1, we pulled over and tried again for a boarding pass and got 105. We ate at scifi, then did MMRR with about a 40 min wait. We then did Rise with about a 55 min wait. Then we tried to do frozen but 31 mins prior to next show, the line was spilling out into the outside of the line so we passed. We did the vacation video thing with a 2 min wait (really not impressed at all, but somewhere to sit for 10 mins, but won't do it again.) We then went to scoops. found a table and had some ice cream. My oldest went to go look in shops while my youngest and I went to stand in line for RnR. Ended up waiting around 40 mins. We then went to do TOT - posted 65 mins., went to 70 as we were in line, but then back down to 60. We ended up waiting 111 mins. for this - totally insane. I have no idea where they came up with there 60-70 min mark, it was nowhere near that. I'm sure we hit a cleaning cycle at some point as we were in line for close to 2 hrs, but to be off that much??? ToT seems to be pain stakingly slow at all times right now. Even in the morning it took a while considering where the line started. For reference, that evening we started back in Fantasmic area and looped around quite a bit back there - the line built fast when we were there in the am as well, as by the time we got done with our first ride (before official park open) the line was already starting back in Fantasmic. My daughters rode TSM and MMRR in the evening while we were waiting for TOT and still had time to meet us in line. Close to 8 and we were in the very long line for skyliner - went back into walking path for Epcot. It moved quickly and we were on skyliner in about 25 mins.
Mon. was AK and MK (I'll do a report on that a lil later.) Todays Epcot and Thursday is MK.
Takeaways so far;
weather- so much colder and windier than I expected or wanted, but it's getting better lol.
CBR: We stayed before and said we wouldn't be back, but with PO c)osed andctye skyliner, we caved lol. It's been ok, CMs very nice, skyliner acceess great, but reception is rough and honestly we're getting sick of all thecwalking and again how spread out it is.
Parks: Busy, but seem more manageable than whe, we were here during fall break in Oct. I think partly due to it not being so crazy hot, partly because transportation has been so much better here as opposed to AKL (getting in parks 45 mins prior as opposed to 20 makes a huge difference,) and the extended hrs have been helpful.
SD and eating in lines: SD - ehh, we feel like it was better in Oct...more ppl. have not been stopping on their marks behind us this trip. Eating in lines - honestly no different than Oct., except that every once in a while you'll see a cm say something to someone about it (happened twice that I've seen so far, both were yesterday and neither time did it have any effect.) One time a lady went to ask the cm at the front of STours where the line startes. She had a frozen lemonade thing in her hand (wasn't opened though - no idea if it was full/empty etc.) The cm durected her to the end, but not before telling her that she couldn't eat in line. The lady just kinda looked at her and said I just asked where the end of the line was and walked off...not sure what happened from there. The other time was at mmrr...a family was eating ice cream and a cm said something, the dad got out of line and went a spoke to the cm...not sure what was said, it didn't seem rude etc, but then the family went back to eating...just as many others were around them. I know I'll get flamed on here for saying it, but I don't think there should be an issue with eating in the outside cues. You're already sd - honestly much more than most who are sitting on the side somewhere and I do feel that it's kinda unreasonable to think ppl. and kids can't eat/drink anything while walkinf around winding outdoor cues for 30-60 mins. and then take more time out of their day to go find a place to sit each time they want to snack/eat. It is what it is and I know many on hear think those who do are the devil, but just to give the experience of what I saw...I don’t think I saw 1 line yesterday (other than first thing in the am beforw park was opened) where there weren't ppl eating and drinking in outdoor lines. I never saw it once we were indoors but saw it constantly outdoors. At the tot lines ppl. were straight walking into the line past 2 cms with masks totally off and bowls of ice cream in their hands...nothing was said. I'm on the lower mid end in terms of Covid consciousness- wear a mask every day for work and always mask when I'm out and about, don't feel comfortable with super tight spaces, but not hugely concerned. Honestly I'm not sure how someone whos more covid conscious would hand)e Disney right now as it's just not super distanced anywhere eyc.
I'll be back to report more later..any specific questions I'm happy to answer.
