EPCOT-O.G.
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2019
- Messages
- 710
Here now, having a tranquil breakfast at CBR after a few whirlwind days. You’ve all been so generous with your time and advice I wanted to impart my observations. Not sure how enduring this will be given we are here during Chapek’s pronouncement regarding increased attendance, but here goes:
Arrived midday Tuesday (5/11). The DME lines were quite lengthy as expected but it did move briskly and we were on our bus within a half hour. I was tempted to try Lyft or Uber but the prices were around the mid $40 to $50 range for an XL (we’re a party of five).
First night was at GF. We changed into pool clothes and were able to use the pool immediately. Room wasn’t available until right around 3 which was fine by us. You should allow 20/30 minutes for mobile orders, which is good to know if you have kids to being hangry.
Walked to MK Weds morning (5/12). Easy walk, left right around 7. We were like 6th in line for temp check. Got through around 7:15/7:20, and tapped in. Made it immediately to 7DMT. They didn’t start moving the line until like 7:48/7:50, and right before we got to the interior queue they dumped the line and said they had tech difficulties. We walked over to Peter Pan, basically a walk on, and did the same with Buzz Lightyear, Barnstormer, and a bunch of Tomorrowland/Fantasyland rides and attractions. Midday lunch at Plaza - thought it was fine. Never waited more than 15 mins for the rides but avoided Space. My wife and boys did Splash at the end of the night but I’m a wimp* and they did wait the full 50 mins. (* I did conquer my fears of “roller coasters” by finally riding BTMRR and 7DMT later in the day, thanks to a Guest Services Fastpass due to the extensive tech issues throughout the morning).
Took bus to CBR at the end of the night (we did a split stay). This was a pain. If I was a little more clear headed I might’ve checked the line for Riviera and then walked over.
DHS on Thursday (5/13). Avoided Slinky first thing and counter-programmed by doing MMRR 2x to start. Both walk-ons. Delightful ride. Did MF, waited about 15 mins back to back. Did Star Tours, and by then our BG35 ROTR was ready. Did that. Shopped until Sci-Fi lunch. It was excellent, probably the best meal this week. Wife and oldest son did RNRC (see above *) and I took the other kids on Lightning McQueen. Amazing animatronic. Due to quirks in showtime and hitting it at the right time, they were out before we were. Hit Toy Story land, were able to do Alien Saucers back to back with like a 10 min wait each, shopped, saw a few of the shows, did TSM with boys while wife and daughter had dinner at Brown Derby (they loved it) and split up again when daughter and I did MMRR 2x times while wife and boys did Slinky. Skyliner there and back was a breeze.
MASK COMPLIANCE: Vast majority were compliant, and did see a number of CMs enforce. Obviously I think that may be changing soon, but only once did I see a family just refuse to comply over and over again. Had to be warned about eating in line, etc. Never felt unsafe, though wife and I are vaccinated. Our kids are not, but they’ve been in school all year and played sports and figured they’d be fine. Never felt really concerned they were exposed to to much, but each their own.
TRANSPORTATION: I think most of the battle is where you’re staying. The walk for rope drop from GF/POLY/CONTEMP/BAY LAKE is a huge competitive advantage (feels weird to frame it that way!) to getting in early at MK. Likewise, same would be case for the BEACH/YACHT/BOARDWALK/S&D walk to Epcot/HS. I’d you’re Skylining from CBR/Riviera, take the extra 5-7 mins and walk to the CRB stop. We saw first in line people at the Riviera stop - we’re in Aruba and walked the extra length to go to the CRB stop - get put at the back of the line after they got off their Skyliner connector. Dad that was first off his cab was not happy. WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT HS- do not talk over to the long line to the left as you get off Skyliner. Just as we arrived they opened the closer temp station. Hang out there.
FOOD: This is all going to be personal preference, but the combo of heat and masks can be tolling on you. I found sit down table service restaurant reservations to be a nice respite from all that. Check in the days before your park reservation, and the night before. Well worth it if you can make it happen. For mobile orders, just stay ahead of the game. Found there to be about a 5-10 min delay from “I’m Here” to “It’s Ready!”
CROWDS: I don’t have an innate sense of whether it was 35% or larger. We’ve never been to WDW during insanely busy times, so not much of a reference point. It was midweek in mid May, so we timed it for a relative lull knowing pent up travel demand was in the offing this summer as vaccination rates increase. I felt they were fine and never felt uncomfortable or unsafe (see above) but also was prepared given some of the “This was NOT 35% capacity!” observations I’ve seen here and elsewhere. We went in September and it was completely dead. I enjoyed that trip for different reasons but it also felt macabre and a little depressing at the same time. There’s a vitality back in the parks now with more people and attendance, and that’s overall a good thing even if it means slightly longer waits. But again, to each their own.
I hope this helps, and I’m so grateful for all of your combined wisdom and advice over these many months!
Arrived midday Tuesday (5/11). The DME lines were quite lengthy as expected but it did move briskly and we were on our bus within a half hour. I was tempted to try Lyft or Uber but the prices were around the mid $40 to $50 range for an XL (we’re a party of five).
First night was at GF. We changed into pool clothes and were able to use the pool immediately. Room wasn’t available until right around 3 which was fine by us. You should allow 20/30 minutes for mobile orders, which is good to know if you have kids to being hangry.
Walked to MK Weds morning (5/12). Easy walk, left right around 7. We were like 6th in line for temp check. Got through around 7:15/7:20, and tapped in. Made it immediately to 7DMT. They didn’t start moving the line until like 7:48/7:50, and right before we got to the interior queue they dumped the line and said they had tech difficulties. We walked over to Peter Pan, basically a walk on, and did the same with Buzz Lightyear, Barnstormer, and a bunch of Tomorrowland/Fantasyland rides and attractions. Midday lunch at Plaza - thought it was fine. Never waited more than 15 mins for the rides but avoided Space. My wife and boys did Splash at the end of the night but I’m a wimp* and they did wait the full 50 mins. (* I did conquer my fears of “roller coasters” by finally riding BTMRR and 7DMT later in the day, thanks to a Guest Services Fastpass due to the extensive tech issues throughout the morning).
Took bus to CBR at the end of the night (we did a split stay). This was a pain. If I was a little more clear headed I might’ve checked the line for Riviera and then walked over.
DHS on Thursday (5/13). Avoided Slinky first thing and counter-programmed by doing MMRR 2x to start. Both walk-ons. Delightful ride. Did MF, waited about 15 mins back to back. Did Star Tours, and by then our BG35 ROTR was ready. Did that. Shopped until Sci-Fi lunch. It was excellent, probably the best meal this week. Wife and oldest son did RNRC (see above *) and I took the other kids on Lightning McQueen. Amazing animatronic. Due to quirks in showtime and hitting it at the right time, they were out before we were. Hit Toy Story land, were able to do Alien Saucers back to back with like a 10 min wait each, shopped, saw a few of the shows, did TSM with boys while wife and daughter had dinner at Brown Derby (they loved it) and split up again when daughter and I did MMRR 2x times while wife and boys did Slinky. Skyliner there and back was a breeze.
MASK COMPLIANCE: Vast majority were compliant, and did see a number of CMs enforce. Obviously I think that may be changing soon, but only once did I see a family just refuse to comply over and over again. Had to be warned about eating in line, etc. Never felt unsafe, though wife and I are vaccinated. Our kids are not, but they’ve been in school all year and played sports and figured they’d be fine. Never felt really concerned they were exposed to to much, but each their own.
TRANSPORTATION: I think most of the battle is where you’re staying. The walk for rope drop from GF/POLY/CONTEMP/BAY LAKE is a huge competitive advantage (feels weird to frame it that way!) to getting in early at MK. Likewise, same would be case for the BEACH/YACHT/BOARDWALK/S&D walk to Epcot/HS. I’d you’re Skylining from CBR/Riviera, take the extra 5-7 mins and walk to the CRB stop. We saw first in line people at the Riviera stop - we’re in Aruba and walked the extra length to go to the CRB stop - get put at the back of the line after they got off their Skyliner connector. Dad that was first off his cab was not happy. WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT HS- do not talk over to the long line to the left as you get off Skyliner. Just as we arrived they opened the closer temp station. Hang out there.
FOOD: This is all going to be personal preference, but the combo of heat and masks can be tolling on you. I found sit down table service restaurant reservations to be a nice respite from all that. Check in the days before your park reservation, and the night before. Well worth it if you can make it happen. For mobile orders, just stay ahead of the game. Found there to be about a 5-10 min delay from “I’m Here” to “It’s Ready!”
CROWDS: I don’t have an innate sense of whether it was 35% or larger. We’ve never been to WDW during insanely busy times, so not much of a reference point. It was midweek in mid May, so we timed it for a relative lull knowing pent up travel demand was in the offing this summer as vaccination rates increase. I felt they were fine and never felt uncomfortable or unsafe (see above) but also was prepared given some of the “This was NOT 35% capacity!” observations I’ve seen here and elsewhere. We went in September and it was completely dead. I enjoyed that trip for different reasons but it also felt macabre and a little depressing at the same time. There’s a vitality back in the parks now with more people and attendance, and that’s overall a good thing even if it means slightly longer waits. But again, to each their own.
I hope this helps, and I’m so grateful for all of your combined wisdom and advice over these many months!
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