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

[brockash]

This reminds me of a question I have...hope it is ok to ask here. We have a 7:30 Topolino’s on our Epcot day. We want to be in Epcot before official opening. Will the skyliner will be a safe bet to make it back in that timeframe, if we are waiting in line at Riviera by 9:30ish? Or, should I just plan for a Lyft?

You'll be a the best stop for Epcot. Riviera station should (unless something weird happens) load to Epcot before the main station ppl. even start arriving. I'd try to get in the Riviera line around 9:15 if possible, but even at 9:30; I can't imagine you'll have any issue getting to Epcot well before official park open....this is all assuming there are no weather issues.

We stayed at CBR in March and walked to the Riviera station on our Epcot day a little after 9. We were the 6th family back and they started boarding about 9:50. We were on a gondola before we ever saw ppl. coming from the main station via skyliner, so we were one of the first families to arrive at IG via the skyliner that day. Once you get to IG; they'll hold the skyliner ppl. in a separate line and then once they open the temp check/turnstiles, the walkers will go in one entrance, while skyliner ppl. go in a different entrance.

I'd plan on using the skyliner, but be ready to lyft if the skyliners down or something.

 

[Wood Nymph]

This reminds me of a question I have...hope it is ok to ask here. We have a 7:30 Topolino’s on our Epcot day. We want to be in Epcot before official opening. Will the skyliner will be a safe bet to make it back in that timeframe, if we are waiting in line at Riviera by 9:30ish? Or, should I just plan for a Lyft?

We were at Riviera around Epcot opening time and it took about 15 minutes for us to get on the Skyliner at that time. Most of the cars were filled with people coming from the CBR station, but every few cars had room for the Riviera people.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

There really is no excuse though. I booked my end of May trip through our TA and I swear to god I must have gotten at least three emails from Disney Destinations about what to expect in terms of safety protocols, modified experiences, etc. Including the park reservation system. Like you really have to go out of your way to be ignorant of this stuff nowadays. Disney does everything possible to inform even those who inexplicably don’t spend 5 minutes online before embarking on a vacation costing thousands.

Those of us who are regulars to the World especially know that these folk exist but man is it crazy seeing them “in the wild”. Anyway I am grateful for the crowdsourced info in this thread, it’s been incredibly valuable for researching my own trip.

"in the wild" love that

 

[MickeyFan19]

Most definitely although, there is a good chance the Skyliner will not start loading guests until after 10:00am but it will be good to be in line by 9:30.

We had a breakfast reservation @ Topolino's today (7:50am). We ate and had plenty of time to go out the terrace and then walk at our leisure towards the Skyliner. The line to Epcot was down and they said we had to take a bus. We got to the bus line at 9:23am and the bus didn't come until almost 10am, so almost 45 minutes. I saw it pulling in as our Uber was pulling out of the resort.

Edited to add that I just read about maintenance being done on Skyliner today which explains it all.

 

[Elle :)]

We went to HS today. Despite the fact that I’ve been practicing for a boarding group for over a week, I almost forgot to do it this morning. Almost! Thank goodness, it popped into my head at 6:55am. I managed to snag BG 2!!

We walked over from Beach Club and were there by 7am. The line to get it wraps over to the left....and it’s long! They opened up the park at 7:15am and we were through temp check, security, and ticketing in a couple minutes. We went straight to Rockin Roller Coaster and rode it 3 times as a walk on (can you tell it’s my favorite ride?). Then we went off to ride the millennium falcon and waited maybe 15-20 minutes max. Our BG had been called at 8:40am but we pushed it to the end of the time frame and rode it at 9:40, as a walk on. Fantastic ride! We had a 9:55 ressie at Ogas, which gave us a chance to relax. After having a couple great drinks...and a very cool jello dish, we walked over to toy story land. I got in line for TSM with a 35 min posted wait but it was maybe 20 minutes. The line for it was crazy though...all the way back to the Jeoffrey’s cart (I’m sorry if I spelled that wrong). We rode RnRc again but with a good 30 minute wait by this point. Finally, we had lunch at Mama Melrose and left the park around 1pm.

I had planned to ride the Skyliner back to the Epcot entrance so we would have a super short walk to the hotel but they said the Epcot line was under maintenance. We ended up hoofing it back to the hotel because the boat line was insane. That was hot and miserable.

 

[Akck]

You'll be a the best stop for Epcot. Riviera station should (unless something weird happens) load to Epcot before the main station ppl. even start arriving. I'd try to get in the Riviera line around 9:15 if possible, but even at 9:30; I can't imagine you'll have any issue getting to Epcot well before official park open....this is all assuming there are no weather issues.

We stayed at CBR in March and walked to the Riviera station on our Epcot day a little after 9. We were the 6th family back and they started boarding about 9:50. We were on a gondola before we ever saw ppl. coming from the main station via skyliner, so we were one of the first families to arrive at IG via the skyliner that day. Once you get to IG; they'll hold the skyliner ppl. in a separate line and then once they open the temp check/turnstiles, the walkers will go in one entrance, while skyliner ppl. go in a different entrance.

I'd plan on using the skyliner, but be ready to lyft if the skyliners down or something.

Yes, I believe they start loading gondolas from both locations at the same time. So if you’re in the first 20 or so groups, you’ll load first. After that, it’s about every 3-4 gondolas.

 

[jbrinkm]

We went to HS today. Despite the fact that I’ve been practicing for a boarding group for over a week, I almost forgot to do it this morning. Almost! Thank goodness, it popped into my head at 6:55am. I managed to snag BG 2!!

I had a nightmare that I forgot to get a boarding group a few weeks ago that I posted on here. I woke up feeling like I really had ruined our HS day (we're not going until August, LOL). Congrats on BG2!!

 

[Raisincain]

So I've got another timed parks report. I take the time stamps from my pictures, and most are pretty accurate.

Really great pics and great report; thank you!

 

[MickeyFan19]

We went to HS today. Despite the fact that I’ve been practicing for a boarding group for over a week, I almost forgot to do it this morning. Almost! Thank goodness, it popped into my head at 6:55am. I managed to snag BG 2!!

We walked over from Beach Club and were there by 7am. The line to get it wraps over to the left....and it’s long! They opened up the park at 7:15am and we were through temp check, security, and ticketing in a couple minutes. We went straight to Rockin Roller Coaster and rode it 3 times as a walk on (can you tell it’s my favorite ride?). Then we went off to ride the millennium falcon and waited maybe 15-20 minutes max. Our BG had been called at 8:40am but we pushed it to the end of the time frame and rode it at 9:40, as a walk on. Fantastic ride! We had a 9:55 ressie at Ogas, which gave us a chance to relax. After having a couple great drinks...and a very cool jello dish, we walked over to toy story land. I got in line for TSM with a 35 min posted wait but it was maybe 20 minutes. The line for it was crazy though...all the way back to the Jeoffrey’s cart (I’m sorry if I spelled that wrong). We rode RnRc again but with a good 30 minute wait by this point. Finally, we had lunch at Mama Melrose and left the park around 1pm.

I had planned to ride the Skyliner back to the Epcot entrance so we would have a super short walk to the hotel but they said the Epcot line was under maintenance. We ended up hoofing it back to the hotel because the boat line was insane. That was hot and miserable.

You got into HS at 715? An hour and 45 minutes before opening time?

 

[CarlyMur09]

You got into HS at 715? An hour and 45 minutes before opening time?

I was there this morning,,, HS opened at 8:15.

 

[coolbrook]

Finally, we had lunch at Mama Melrose and left the park around 1pm.

Hi, we have an ADR for Mama Melrose in a couple weeks and haven't eaten there in a few years. It seems like the entrance area where you wait for your table is pretty small. Did you have to wait very long for your table, and where did you wait? Thank you!

 

[scrappinginontario]

Hi, we have an ADR for Mama Melrose in a couple weeks and haven't eaten there in a few years. It seems like the entrance area where you wait for your table is pretty small. Did you have to wait very long for your table, and where did you wait? Thank you!

Not the OP but there is an option to wait outside also.

 

[julesdamom]

I was there this morning,,, HS opened at 8:15.

We will be going the first week in June. Do all the parks open hours before the posted time? What time should we plan on arriving at Epcot, HS, MK and AK if we want to make rope drop? We always like to be there for rope drop, then go back to the room for an afternoon rest, then hit the parks again later for closing.
We are staying at AOA and I'm wondering about taking the skyliner or buses to get to the parks June 2-6 for rope drop. What do you think?

 

[Haley R]

We will be going the first week in June. Do all the parks open hours before the posted time? What time should we plan on arriving at Epcot, HS, MK and AK if we want to make rope drop? We always like to be there for rope drop, then go back to the room for an afternoon rest, then hit the parks again later for closing.
We are staying at AOA and I'm wondering about taking the skyliner or buses to get to the parks June 2-6 for rope drop. What do you think?

I think they’re all opening about 45 minutes before the posted time but I might be wrong. I’ve only been paying attention to MK

 

[Geomom]

Hi, we have an ADR for Mama Melrose in a couple weeks and haven't eaten there in a few years. It seems like the entrance area where you wait for your table is pretty small. Did you have to wait very long for your table, and where did you wait? Thank you!

We didn't eat at Mama Melrose, but just wanted to say that you can check in for your ADR on the MDE app up to 20 minutes before. You'll get a notification when your table is ready and then you enter the restaurant and tell them you were notified that your table is ready and you should be seated relatively quickly.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

We will be going the first week in June. Do all the parks open hours before the posted time? What time should we plan on arriving at Epcot, HS, MK and AK if we want to make rope drop? We always like to be there for rope drop, then go back to the room for an afternoon rest, then hit the parks again later for closing.
We are staying at AOA and I'm wondering about taking the skyliner or buses to get to the parks June 2-6 for rope drop. What do you think?

All the parks are opening about 45 minutes before posted time. I’m not sure if AoA always has buses to DHS and Epcot or if that’s only during super busy times. But regardless I’d take the Skyliner over the bus. The lines can be long for rope drop, but I like that they move consistently and quickly, while the buses are unpredictable.

 

[scrappinginontario]

We will be going the first week in June. Do all the parks open hours before the posted time? What time should we plan on arriving at Epcot, HS, MK and AK if we want to make rope drop? We always like to be there for rope drop, then go back to the room for an afternoon rest, then hit the parks again later for closing.
We are staying at AOA and I'm wondering about taking the skyliner or buses to get to the parks June 2-6 for rope drop. What do you think?

To arrive in time for rope drop it is recommended you arrive at your resort transportation 90 minutes before posted park opening.

 

[Elle :)]

You got into HS at 715? An hour and 45 minutes before opening time?

Nope. Just a mental slip. I’ve got Disney brain.

 

[Elle :)]

Hi, we have an ADR for Mama Melrose in a couple weeks and haven't eaten there in a few years. It seems like the entrance area where you wait for your table is pretty small. Did you have to wait very long for your table, and where did you wait? Thank you!

We waited maybe 2-3 minutes (with a 12:20pm ADR). I checked in while we were walking over so add 3 minutes to that time, if you check in after you‘ve arrived.

 

[Elle :)]

We went to Epcot today. We walked over from the Beach Club and waited until just about 10:15am for them to open. We rope dropped Test Track. They weren’t doing the “build your car” segment. I’m not sure if that’s because it was before official park open or if it’s a COVID thing. We waited maybe 10-15 minutes to get on. We hit up mission space next with a posted 25 minute wait. We waited 15 minutes. After that, we booked it to Soarin because I know that line builds like crazy. It was a posted 35 minute wait. We waited about 20-25. The queue had a game you could log into. We’ve always used the fast pass line so I’ve never seen that before. It was a pretty fun way to pass the time. After Soarin, we went to Nemo and checked out the Seas. Then it was off to see the butterflies. Speaking of butterflies, they had the most adorable butterfly wings on the construction walls that you could use for pictures. I thought that was very cool, especially now that you can take your mask off for pics.
We had Le Cellier for lunch at 2pm and it was delicious...My steak fanatic husband was very pleased.