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

[hereforthechurros]

Resort reports: masks needed indoors but not walking around outside correct?

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Resort reports: masks needed indoors but not walking around outside correct?

correct you

 

[Helvetica]

Resort reports: masks needed indoors but not walking around outside correct?

Yes, except in you need it in some lines and some other areas (petting zoo), but not always. If they tell me to put it on, I do. They’re still figuring it out and it’s all subject to change.

You don’t need them for the treehouse interestingly enough.

 

[Krisshay13]

Just got back yesterday........went to AK & MK Saturday, the 1st day of no outdoor masks. It was so nice to get them off my face but, was hard to remember to put them back on...LOL. I never hesitated when told to do so. 1 photographer got on to me for not having it on when he came to scan my magic band..........then another photographer was stunned when I was looking for my mask before approaching her.
Like others have said.......they are still working it out. I told her I was trying to get it on before approaching since another photographer said to........she said, we all will have our own worries & she wasn't worried. So, I just made sure of what each one asked for.
The funny thing, we had ADR at BOG & purchased special masks just for that dinner. The photographer outside the castle by the bridge laughed when I said "we want pictures with masks on". It's a really cute picture!!!

 

[Krisshay13]

report from our trip last week: only 3 days Thurs-Sat..........hopped each day
We were upgraded to AOA Finding Nemo Suite..........and it was so sweet!!! I had requested top floor. We got top floor, view of the big pool....and close to the elevator!! (but not too close) We loved this suite!!!

Wed: our flight was delayed due to Orlando weather (we were flying from Birmingham)......then we sat on the plane after landing for awhile. We got our luggage & found the long line at Magical Express. When someone working the line started asking who had magic bands...funny, I found most didn't. We did & he sent us ahead of the line to the line for the bus. But, said it would be about a 45 min wait. It was about 20 min but, we stopped at several resorts first. I was worried about food court closing so, I did mobile order & the timing was perfect!! Personally, I like mobile ordering....it's been great for us. This was the only time we ate at the resort & it wasn't good =(

Thurs: MK & EP
Up early........got to the bus around 6:45 & a line was already there. Buses came pretty fast, 1 after another. We made the 2nd bus. We did pretty good.......once they let us in the park, we headed straight to 7DMT.........and ended up being about 30th in line. Crowds were low most of the morning!! We rode 7DMT, PP & got on SW by official park opening. We walked on HM & BTMRR. We were like an hour ahead of planned schedule, it was awesome. Splash was down & we never went back to it, sadly. We ended up hitting rides we had not planned on riding. Even rode PP a 2nd time!! So, we were tickled & honestly spoiled. Rope Drop worked perfect this morning!!
Headed back to the resort & jumped on skyliner to Epcot. We honestly aren't walk around Epcot type of people & just headed to future world...did Figment, Soaring & TT. Got some pixie dust at TT....cast member took to my 5 yr old DGS, talking to him before we rode, when we got off, he was standing there & asked if we wanted to ride again. He took us around the track & put us back on, ahead of the line. It was so nice!!!
We had ADR at GG.........and it was so good. The waiter brought pudding cup with candles to my DH & DGS for their birthdays & even sang. We were so full, I really wanted someone to roll me out. We walked back to the skyliner & was stunned at how long the line was. Took a little while to get on but, the line kept moving.
Fri: HS & MK
Got boarding group70!! (sadly, had to cancel around noon when DGS started crying about how it scared him last time). We were at bus stop around 7:30 (9am open) & didn't make it on 1st bus. When we arrived, DH was stunned at the line to the left of people (car crowd)....when they opened, we headed to TT since my DH has never ridden it. Then headed straight to SD & the line was terrible so, we did TSM then Aliens. We ended up never getting on SD, it was long all day. This was our worst morning as far as crowds. We did stop for pictures everywhere.......did MFSR & loved it. Ate at Back Lot for the1st time & it was pretty good. Had a 1:40 apptment to build a Droid.....DH & DGS loved this!!!
Headed to resort for a short rest. We didn't have ADR but, grabbed a last minute one for Tony's so, we hopped to MK. I rode Space while they did the cars & rode Buzz. Then headed to dinner. It was delicious!!! 1st time there & will go again, for sure.
Sat: AK & MK
Got to bus around 6:45.......we were probably 10th in line at temp check tent when they announced no more temp checks & no more masks outside!!! As we walked in, cast members were saying "so good to see you smile"!! DGS was too short for FOP but DH has never ridden it so, we booked it straight there. My COPD really hurts me in AK with small inclines so, I told my DH to head there without us & get in line. He was probably around 50th in line so, rope drop was good again!!! He absolutely loved the ride. He is not a roller coaster rider (won't ride Space). so, I was a little worried how he would handle it.......but, he loves Soaring. We didn't have anything planned but DGS wanted to do Dinosaur next & it was walk on. Then he begged for Safari........OMG, the line was ridiculous.....and we didn't even realize how long it really was. That line weaves all over the place......even back behind gates & buildings. But, the ride was the best we've had. giraffes came right up to the truck & animals were very active. oh, I did get to walk on EE (they don't ride)......Headed to KR & got soaked. Put in mobile order for Flame Tree...which I love!! Did Bugs Life...went to eat......then headed back to resort for short rest.
Hopped back to MK around 5 for a 7PM ADR at BOG. Rode a few smaller rides again before dinner. We were placed in the Rose Gallery. The beast ended up walking in 3 or 4 different times. The meal was awesome. They brought the trio dessert for each of us but, DGSs was a plan chip cup that he could paint.....too cute!!! The only issue I have with this (during covid) is the lighting is terrible to even get a picture. And the price you pay, you should be able to at least get a decent picture. Oh well, that was my only gripe!!
To end this long report............we had a great time!!! Weather was almost perfect. HS was the worst park, as far as crowds & lines. Rope drop was great. Transportation wasn't great but, not terrible. I am 1 that loved FP+ so, I miss that.........and totally miss fireworks (I'm hooked on HEA & cry when Tink flies...yep, one of those). Just isn't the same feeling when leaving the park without fireworks.
Oh, also......I was surprised at how many times I heard guest not being let in a park due to them not knowing what time they could hop over (like at noon)......or they didn't visit their reservation park 1st. Then I realized, I probably wouldn't know either, if it weren't for reading this board.
So, again..........THANK YOU ALL for making my trips so great!!!

 

[EPCOT-O.G.]

As a post-script to my earlier report: We found the Touring Plans Lines App to be incredibly useful and accurate, far moreso than the official posted times. It was invaluable for our days in the parks.

 

[Princess Katelet]

My family of four was there the week before and we LOVED the no fast passes. We easily got everything we wanted to ride done earlier than excepted each day and were looking for things to do. We missed the parades, fireworks, and some shows which would have helped to spread out the crowd a bit more, but didn't miss Fast passes on bit. (On that note we have always liked Maxpass a lot better than fast passes and never loved having to plan 60/120 days in advance for what we might feel like riding.) Fast Passes make standby lines interminable.

Agree 100% with you about Maxpass. It’s the BEST, I just figure many here don’t have experience with it and since it was never at World it’s hard to ‘miss’ it. Truth is I ADORE Land and absolutely everything about it! The better rides, the brilliant ease of park hopping, the inexpensive hotels just outside the gate, not having to rely on the horrible Disney buses, the superior weather, and the Maxpass!

 

[robinb]

Yes, except in you need it in some lines and some other areas (petting zoo), but not always. If they tell me to put it on, I do. They’re still figuring it out and it’s all subject to change.

You don’t need them for the treehouse interestingly enough.

Aren‘t there signs to tell you when to put on your mask?

 

[Helvetica]

Aren‘t there signs to tell you when to put on your mask?

Sometimes

 

[Dispro1]

Just got back yesterday........went to AK & MK Saturday, the 1st day of no outdoor masks. It was so nice to get them off my face but, was hard to remember to put them back on...LOL. I never hesitated when told to do so. 1 photographer got on to me for not having it on when he came to scan my magic band..........then another photographer was stunned when I was looking for my mask before approaching her.
Like others have said.......they are still working it out. I told her I was trying to get it on before approaching since another photographer said to........she said, we all will have our own worries & she wasn't worried. So, I just made sure of what each one asked for.
The funny thing, we had ADR at BOG & purchased special masks just for that dinner. The photographer outside the castle by the bridge laughed when I said "we want pictures with masks on". It's a really cute picture!!!

Were there lines to get inside shops at the parks? I realize it may be much worse when I'm there over Memorial Day, but I'm just wondering what your experience was??

 

[tinkgirlga]

This trip we realized that we had never actually seen the Peter Pan queue, and it was really cool!

We had a similar experience when we went through the Peter Pan queue and realized we hadn’t been through it in the last 15 years. It was actually really neat.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Agree 100% with you about Maxpass. It’s the BEST, I just figure many here don’t have experience with it and since it was never at World it’s hard to ‘miss’ it. Truth is I ADORE Land and absolutely everything about it! The better rides, the brilliant ease of park hopping, the inexpensive hotels just outside the gate, not having to rely on the horrible Disney buses, the superior weather, and the Maxpass!

I've used both multiple times and still significantly prefer FP+, not close. But if MaxPass were to come to WDW, I wouldn't be mad.

 

[Krisshay13]

Were there lines to get inside shops at the parks? I realize it may be much worse when I'm there over Memorial Day, but I'm just wondering what your experience was??

Honestly, I'm not a shopper while there so, I didn't notice. But, at HS, my DH wanted to go in the store to look at the Droid stuff & there was a line there but, it went very fast. When I went in Nov, I noticed the lines at MK for stores but, didn't notice any this time.

 

[Dispro1]

Honestly, I'm not a shopper while there so, I didn't notice. But, at HS, my DH wanted to go in the store to look at the Droid stuff & there was a line there but, it went very fast. When I went in Nov, I noticed the lines at MK for stores but, didn't notice any this time.

Thanks. I love to look in the stores and maybe do a little shopping, but I was honestly wondering how hard it would be to escape the heat since they're predicting temperatures around 95 when I'm there lol!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Thanks. I love to look in the stores and maybe do a little shopping, but I was honestly wondering how hard it would be to escape the heat since they're predicting temperatures around 95 when I'm there lol!

Not the poster you quoted but can you give you my experience. Most stores do not have waits, but a few did here and there. Memento Mori for example consistently has a short line but moves pretty fast. The shops at SWGE also have a long line that moves painfully slow. Best way to avoid that line is by going first or last hour of the day.

 

[Helvetica]

New signs

 

[sophy1996]

Were there lines to get inside shops at the parks? I realize it may be much worse when I'm there over Memorial Day, but I'm just wondering what your experience was??

Thanks. I love to look in the stores and maybe do a little shopping, but I was honestly wondering how hard it would be to escape the heat since they're predicting temperatures around 95 when I'm there lol!

I'm not much of a shopper so I wasn't paying a lot of attention, but --

It was 95/96 when we were there week before last and the only lines I saw to get into stores was in Galaxy's Edge and Karamell-Kuche in Epcot. We went into the larger stores in DHS, MK, and Epcot without a wait.

 

[MomOTwins]

Just a gentle reminder having read a couple of recent posts by people planning June trips, mid-May is not mid-June. Kids are in school in May (and many have finals). For those planning trips in June I would highly recommend reading back in this thread to mid-March through mid-April to get a sense of what crowd levels and wait times are like when school is on break.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

How is bus availability for park hopping or when you want to take your bus back to your hotel for an afternoon break? Do you have to wait long? I'm contemplating if we'll go the Uber route to not deal with waiting.

 

[Dispro1]

Not the poster you quoted but can you give you my experience. Most stores do not have waits, but a few did here and there. Memento Mori for example consistently has a short line but moves pretty fast. The shops at SWGE also have a long line that moves painfully slow. Best way to avoid that line is by going first or last hour of the day.

I'm not much of a shopper so I wasn't paying a lot of attention, but --

It was 95/96 when we were there week before last and the only lines I saw to get into stores was in Galaxy's Edge and Karamell-Kuche in Epcot. We went into the larger stores in DHS, MK, and Epcot without a wait.

Thanks for the updates! Sounds like I should avoid SWGE unless I'm lucky enough to get a boarding group to ride lol! I hope people will keep the updates coming if there are any changes because I'm wondering how much the "increased capacity" Disney announced will affect things since I haven't heard anything about increased capacity in shops/restaurants or about more attractions being opened. I hope people will keep us updated on that when it happens!

Just a gentle reminder having read a couple of recent posts by people planning June trips, mid-May is not mid-June. Kids are in school in May (and many have finals). For those planning trips in June I would highly recommend reading back in this thread to mid-March through mid-April to get a sense of what crowd levels and wait times are like when school is on break.

Good point! We are going end of May/early June, and our schools will be out which is why we're going then. My DD17 is in the middle of finals right now actually! I'll look back a bit in the thread to see what people were saying. Honestly, it has the potential to be worse since they're supposedly increasing capacity. That's why I've booked a lot more dining for this trip lol!