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

[hereforthechurros]

I'm interested to test that next week, as we have always been able to get pretty much any ADR we wanted the day before or day of as a party of 4. I know that the pandemic has changed everything, but a quick check just now, we could get Garden Grill, Rose and Crown, Tiffin's, Tusker House, La Hacienda, Crystal Palace, Wine Bar George, Edison, Kona Cafe (and now I'll stop typing, but there are lots more) for dinner tonight.

We haven't had much luck our past two trips, but we also look in the evening once we're ready and options have been limited, or nonexistent. Safe to say last minute ADRs aren't a guarantee.

 

[epcotobsessed]

Nothing is a guarantee. But having over 20 options with a few hours' notice is pretty darn good.

 

[kylenne]

Just to be fair... it is a lot easier to stay flexible and score last minute ADRs as a party of 1 vs. a larger group. When I've gone solo I don't make any ADRs and just do what I feel but when I go with my husband/son it's a lot harder to bank on walkup or last minute availability.

I really didn’t notice much difference getting last minute availability this time being solo vs. when I go with my gf tbh. If anything it was slightly harder this time because the last time I came with her was pre-covid and everything was still open. But for the sake of science I did check with parties of 2 and 3 and was still able to find walk up availability at MK. 4 was harder but still doable. Not sure when you were down last, but dining staffing and capacity has increased a lot even since I came for Memorial Day. I saw a lot of new CMs and the vast majority of them were working at dining locations.

I kinda want to emphasize that...things are rapidly changing down there from week to week, in general. That was my biggest takeaway from this trip. What may have been the case even a month ago may not be the case today. So I really encourage everyone with upcoming trips to share their experiences! What I’ve reported may not be true when you go.

 

[audrey2580]

Are any of the parks still letting people on rides before the posted opening time or are they all holding them at rope drop?

 

[kylenne]

Are any of the parks still letting people on rides before the posted opening time or are they all holding them at rope drop?

Both! How it’s generally working now is they are holding guests at entrances to lands and then walking you over to the respective headliner attractions some time prior to park opening. I say “generally” because it varies with the park. I would have to check my notes or when I posted a couple pages back while I was there, but IIRC on Saturday I rope dropped Mine Train, we were held right at the entrance to Fantasyland from Tomorrowland next to Cheshire Cafe and the tea cups, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t walk us over to Mine Train until exactly 9 on the dot. Meanwhile AK and HS definitely let us get on rides before official park open. Yesterday at HS they let us through the tapstiles at 8am, I headed for the Sunset attractions and the “rope” consisted of two lines, one for each of RNRC and Tower. Then at 8:30 the CMs for those rides walked their respective lines over to each attraction. They also started calling ROTR boarding groups prior to park opening at 9, I had BG 8 yesterday and it was called at 8:40 for a 1 hour return window. Pandora was similar for FOP. But I’m not sure if any other attractions were open at that time.

 

[DisneyPapaDeac]

Rope dropped AK Monday. Coming from off-site, we got in line to drive in at 6:50 and was shooed away by security, who didn't want traffic to backup. So we had to cruise around for a few minutes, then get back in line. Got in the parking lot around 7:02 and was able to get to rope drop area pretty briskly.

We were one of the first groups on FoP and then rode KRR. Was off both by maybe 8:20. First time mobile ordering for Restaurantosaurus and it went super smooth. Honestly had about as perfect of a day as possible. Met some family in the area, (mostly) naviagated using an ECV for the first time (knee surgery pending next week) and even got in some leisurely shopping late before park closed. People traffic was a little less than I'm accustomed to at this park at this time of year, but wait times at FoP stayed high all day long.
Expedition Everest was incredible, and was able to get on twice.

Not sure what to expect with Epcot on the horizon tomorrow with Elsa looming.

 

[capegirl]

Hello!
Garden Grill with tip for three adults came to $239.83. That’s the price! It was crazy! We went to Edison on a Thursday night at 7:45 PM. It was the perfect time. Ask for a stage seat, as they have singers and performers right in front of you during your meal. We didn’t get drinks at the Edison, as they are a bit pricey and we arent big drinkers anyway.

$239 for three at the Garden Grill is a bit much! Edison sounds great, I am going to check them out on our Disney Springs day.

 

[UpstateMick]

$239 for three at the Garden Grill is a bit much! Edison sounds great, I am going to check them out on our Disney Springs day.

We are done with Garden Grill. Just too much money for what you get. It’s fun and unique, but there are many fun and unique restaurants to explore. But the Edison….you won’t be disappointed! Enjoy your trip! Safe travels!

 

[figmentfinesse]

Can you eat your dole whip in the tiki room again?

 

[kappyfamily]

Hello!
Garden Grill with tip for three adults came to $239.83. That’s the price! It was crazy! We went to Edison on a Thursday night at 7:45 PM. It was the perfect time. Ask for a stage seat, as they have singers and performers right in front of you during your meal. We didn’t get drinks at the Edison, as they are a bit pricey and we arent big drinkers anyway.

ok great, thanks for the info! At The Edison, do you know would there be entertainment if we did like a 6pm/6:30pm type of reservation or does it start later?

thanks again!

 

[wgeo]

We looked at the walk up wait lists a lot over this past weekend because we very quickly got tired of the sad reduced menus at the quick services. We were never able to get on the list, it was always fine with 1 or 2 people, sometimes ok with 3 but as soon I chose 4 it would say not available. Maybe I was just unlucky but for a party of 4 it seemed much much harder, or at least from 7/1 - 7/5 it was harder. Who knows next weekend.

 

[tinkerhon]

$239 for three at the Garden Grill is a bit much! Edison sounds great, I am going to check them out on our Disney Springs day.

We hear you !!! Last time we went to GG (also 3) ---- total sticker shock !!! I couldnt believe it !

 

[tinkerhon]

Hello!
Garden Grill with tip for three adults came to $239.83. That’s the price! It was crazy! We went to Edison on a Thursday night at 7:45 PM. It was the perfect time. Ask for a stage seat, as they have singers and performers right in front of you during your meal. We didn’t get drinks at the Edison, as they are a bit pricey and we arent big drinkers anyway.

Yep--- I could not believe our bill last time we were there ! Insane !!!

 

[BK2014]

Are any of the parks still letting people on rides before the posted opening time or are they all holding them at rope drop?

Saturday at MK we rope dropped Pirates and they held us at the entrance to Adventureland until right at 9:00am.

 

[PPFlight75]

Saturday at MK we rope dropped Pirates and they held us at the entrance to Adventureland until right at 9:00am.

So is it just 7DMT that is letting people on before 9?

 

[BK2014]

So is it just 7DMT that is letting people on before 9?

I am not sure, but according to the post right below the one I quoted, they were at MK on Saturday as well, rope dropped 7DMT and weren't let on until right at 9:00am. So it sounds like it was probably the whole park.

 

[PPFlight75]

I am not sure, but according to the post right below the one I quoted, they were at MK on Saturday as well, rope dropped 7DMT and weren't let on until right at 9:00am. So it sounds like it was probably the whole park.

Oh, gotcha. Thanks!!

 

[kylenne]

So is it just 7DMT that is letting people on before 9?

They aren’t. When I rope dropped on Saturday they didn’t walk us over until 9 on the dot. Only AK and HS are letting people get on rides before official opening.

 

[UpstateMick]

ok great, thanks for the info! At The Edison, do you know would there be entertainment if we did like a 6pm/6:30pm type of reservation or does it start later?

thanks again!

Yes. Entertainment is about every 20 minutes. They perform a set (depending on performers…we saw three flapper girls singing modern tunes in 30’s motifs…it was incredible!) and there was a singer and a magician! Tons of entertainment! Enjoy and let me know how it goes for you!

 

[PPFlight75]

Thank

They aren’t. When I rope dropped on Saturday they didn’t walk us over until 9 on the dot. Only AK and HS are letting people get on rides before official opening.

Thank you! We are heading down next week and coming up with our rope drop plans!