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

[bsmcneil]

This is one thing we found confusing. It wasn't always immediately clear which locations were allowing walk ups. We ended up assuming no one was, and stuck to mobile order. We didn't want to walk across the park, thinking we would be able to walkup, and get told we had to mobile order for some future time.

However, then there were places like the Ice Cream Parlor in MK that wasn't doing mobile order at all, so we thought it was closed, but then realized it was walk-up only.

Also, unless I missed it, it would have been nice to charge mobile orders to the room. I didn't like having to put multiple charges on our credit card every time we wanted something to eat or drink. Consolidating it on the hotel bill would have been nice.

I hadn't realized there were walk-ups, either. To be fair, the walk-up (for TS) really confused me. For instance, Boma (and a few other places) just weren't included at all. It's not that they said they were too busy to accept walk-ups (as many TS places did) - there just wasn't a listing (so I went and asked and they were). I recognize I'm not super into my phone and apps (born in 83, I'm an older millennial) but it wasn't quite as intuitive as I would've liked. But it mostly worked. I thought I had tried the trick someone mentioned right before this but it could've been that I tried modifying my current order instead of placing a new one (I honestly can't quite remember). It wasn't a huge deal - just one of those, "I wish this was slightly easier." moments. Funny that @BroadwayHermione5 mentioned soda/water stops - there were a number of times I wanted to get something like a soda/water and felt like if I had to deal with mobile ordering (and couldn't find a way to request a cup of water via MO), I just would keep going. And that stunk during really hot days (plus I couldn't find the water bottle refill stations I wanted easily).

 

[bsmcneil]

I’m sorry but who comes to the parks expecting social distancing now?

As @scrappinginontario mentioned, I think it's based a lot in what things are like locally. Do I expect social distancing at Disney World? No. Am I used to social distancing in my hometown and therefore am a little surprised when a CM says, "Fill in all available space" and they really mean "all" vs. "available at a relative social distance"? Yeah, definitely. Saw Epcot Forever and found a spot where I wanted to stand and asked the person nearest if they were saving it. They were reticent to share the space, which I get. We were probably 3' apart and masked and they asked if I would help spread out to keep anyone else from encroaching (which I did). I didn't go in the hub during HEA because it was packed, esp with unmasked people. On a day where MK was listed as a "1" on Touring Plans, do I think people could've enjoyed HEA with a little more space (esp if unmasked) - yeah. But they didn't and my POV wasn't going to prevail - so, I stood off to the side and willingly missed some projections so that I could feel a little safer. Just because things are reopened and some of the world is returning to how things were pre-covid doesn't mean I think that's what I want to do or we should do (and I felt really comfortable that I'd return without a positive Covid test because I sought to avoid exposure).

I also just stuck to wearing my mask as I pointed out in one of my posts; again - based on where I live and how people do things, I assumed this would be the case (outdoors and indoors). The Disboards helped me adjust that before going but even mentally knowing it vs. what I am used to physically experiencing was eye-opening. I even found myself confused because I assumed QS restaurants were closed given that in my locale, you can't dine-in at fast food places. That experience (even though I hadn't consciously thought about it) + mobile ordering led me to assuming one thing (and perhaps "expecting it" though not consciously) vs. when I found myself at a QS during a rainstorm, I honestly kept thinking, "Why aren't they kicking me out? Well, I guess it's okay if I wait another minute!" and then it was not only fine for me to stay and eat, everyone stayed and ate!

 

[AndreaDM]

We were there from 9/25-9/29 so I'll share a few thoughts. I won't comment on masks, that topic has been covered ad nauseum.

Our flight got in super early, rented a car and headed straight for KSC. We had free return tickets from our trip last year when over half of the stuff was closed so that's the only reason we went back. Did a Walmart stop for a few essentials, then checked into ASMovies. Drove to Wilderness Lodge for dinner at WCC that night and returned car to CCC early on the 26th. Enterprise shuttle took us to GF where we hopped on the monorail to MK. One note, I told them at check in we would only have the car for one night, but on day 3 noticed we had been charged 3 nights. Went to front desk and had the 2 nights of charges taken off. Well, on the last morning going over my statement I saw I was once again charged for parking. Back to front desk and they took that off, plus the first night for the inconvenience. So just note, if you don't have a car for the full length of stay, check your charges!

MK was great, longest wait was for Jungle Cruise, we had lunch at Skipper Canteen right after so that was a nice break. I found taking a long lunch break around 1 re-energized us to head back into the heat. We did almost every attraction at least once and all the mountains at least twice. Went to BB the next day, but I've already posted about that.

Last full day we went to Epcot, we only did 2 park days this trip and if I could do it over, I'd have went to DHS. I LOVE F&W, but it was just really lacking this year. Not the food and wine offerings, but just the overall atmosphere. No entertainment in any of the pavilions, it was just blah. Future world is a disaster and the barges are ugly. Don't get me wrong, I still love Epcot but it just wasn't the same. Also, being waited on by "Becky from Nebraska" in Mexico or Japan was just weird. Saw the last fireworks show before Harmonius debuted the next day. We entered through the IG for EE and were among maybe a dozen other guests walking around WS which was such an odd feeling! Got a few pics with no one in them which is rare!

CMs were mostly awesome, there was one in MK at the pretzel stand who wouldn't look up from her phone, I finally asked if she was open, she grunted not yet (it was 5 min til opening). There was one working at Peter Pan who had the same name as a little girl in line, so she gave her a big hug. Made me realize, guests can be all up in the CMs faces in lines, etc. but Mickey still can't pose for photos with us. Had a late breakfast at Topolino's our last day which was excellent, but the characters just kind of parade through, you have to be quick with your camera and they don't come close to the tables. A lot of money for a subpar character experience. I feel like Disney is definitely picking and choosing on how to use the Covid card on experiences going forward, no consistency at all.

ETA: Totally forgot to mention this! I know that service dogs are allowed at WDW and we saw a few, but I'm pretty sure little purse dogs do not qualify! We were in the pre-show area of Laugh Floor and there was this couple with a shoulder bag with a tiny little dog inside. How did they manage to get that snuck into the park??

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

I hadn't realized there were walk-ups, either. To be fair, the walk-up (for TS) really confused me. For instance, Boma (and a few other places) just weren't included at all. It's not that they said they were too busy to accept walk-ups (as many TS places did) - there just wasn't a listing (so I went and asked and they were). I recognize I'm not super into my phone and apps (born in 83, I'm an older millennial) but it wasn't quite as intuitive as I would've liked. But it mostly worked. I thought I had tried the trick someone mentioned right before this but it could've been that I tried modifying my current order instead of placing a new one (I honestly can't quite remember). It wasn't a huge deal - just one of those, "I wish this was slightly easier." moments. Funny that @BroadwayHermione5 mentioned soda/water stops - there were a number of times I wanted to get something like a soda/water and felt like if I had to deal with mobile ordering (and couldn't find a way to request a cup of water via MO), I just would keep going. And that stunk during really hot days (plus I couldn't find the water bottle refill stations I wanted easily).

Tbh I was shocked Gastons wasn’t mobile ordering heavy either.

Now I want a cinnamon roll lol

 

[Gehrig1B]

Interested to see if park hopping is allowed to Magic Kingdom this afternoon. This should tell us about hopping on capacity days like Christmas, NYE, Easter, etc.

No one has reported being denied entry when hopping since hopping was restored in January.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Interested to see if park hopping is allowed to Magic Kingdom this afternoon. This should tell us about hopping on capacity days like Christmas, NYE, Easter, etc.

No one has reported being denied entry when hopping since hopping was restored in January.

Going by the wait times, I 100% anticipate hopping to be allowed today.

At 1:45 it's
SDMT: 50 mins
Space Mtn: 15 mins
Splash Mtn: 10 mins

Honestly, super jealous of those 'waits'!! I wanna go...now!

 

[CBMom01]

Going by the wait times, I 100% anticipate hopping to be allowed today.

At 1:45 it's
SDMT: 50 mins
Space Mtn: 15 mins
Splash Mtn: 10 mins

Honestly, super jealous of those 'waits'!! I wanna go...now!

That's shocking, right? I expected it to be wall-to-wall people. I wonder if there are a significant number of people with APs that made a reservation but didn't show up (or haven't yet)? I just assume that if people paid specifically for a park day to day they're there but AP reservation holders who are local might decide last minute to go only for a while or not at all.

 

[cmp1976]

That's shocking, right? I expected it to be wall-to-wall people. I wonder if there are a significant number of people with APs that made a reservation but didn't show up (or haven't yet)? I just assume that if people paid specifically for a park day to day they're there but AP reservation holders who are local might decide last minute to go only for a while or not at all.

Seems like they just showed up to buy merch.

 

[CBMom01]

Seems like they just showed up to buy merch.

I was just looking at the big 10/1 thread, and that's certainly what it sounds like. I don't think I could articulate why, but I find that really off putting.

 

[persnickity]

Gosh, I kind of regret canceling our Fall Break trip this week for a little bit more time at Thanksgiving. I bought the hype that this week would be just as crowded!

 

[jrsharp21]

I hadn't realized there were walk-ups, either. To be fair, the walk-up (for TS) really confused me. For instance, Boma (and a few other places) just weren't included at all. It's not that they said they were too busy to accept walk-ups (as many TS places did) - there just wasn't a listing (so I went and asked and they were). I recognize I'm not super into my phone and apps (born in 83, I'm an older millennial) but it wasn't quite as intuitive as I would've liked. But it mostly worked. I thought I had tried the trick someone mentioned right before this but it could've been that I tried modifying my current order instead of placing a new one (I honestly can't quite remember). It wasn't a huge deal - just one of those, "I wish this was slightly easier." moments. Funny that @BroadwayHermione5 mentioned soda/water stops - there were a number of times I wanted to get something like a soda/water and felt like if I had to deal with mobile ordering (and couldn't find a way to request a cup of water via MO), I just would keep going. And that stunk during really hot days (plus I couldn't find the water bottle refill stations I wanted easily).

Sometimes it was struggle at MK to find a vending cart that didn't have a long line so that you could grab a quick soda or water. For the bottle refill stations, they need to add more of these in all of the parks. Two at MK are in Cosmic Ray's. You have to get past the CM's guarding the entrance and checking for mobile orders to be able to even use them. The ones that were easily accessible, like the one at HS in Galaxy's Edge, always had a line for it.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Wait times are low, but the park is packed.

 

[CBMom01]

Wait times are low, but the park is packed.

I guess that makes me believe - though I admit no real evidence for this - that MK is filled with press, TAs, resellers, vloggers, and other "professional" WDW visitors.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I guess that makes me believe - though I admit no real evidence for this - that MK is filled with press, TAs, resellers, vloggers, and other "professional" WDW visitors.

The longest lines are for food and merch. Even though it was a bit of a cluster, I'm so glad I got into the Emporium around 6:30 this morning and got that out of the way.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Interested to see if park hopping is allowed to Magic Kingdom this afternoon. This should tell us about hopping on capacity days like Christmas, NYE, Easter, etc.

No one has reported being denied entry when hopping since hopping was restored in January.

Watching Resort TV1 live stream, and apparently there was a massive line of people waiting to get in at 2pm.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Are people that merch hungry?

 

[mrd7896]

99% sure this has been asked/answer but real quick--if extra hours starts at 8:30 is that a firm entry time? what time should we get to the park?
we were so used to arriving about 45 days prior in hopes of a potential earlier entry..should i still get to MK around 7:45? or is that too early?

 

[GBRforWDW]

I don't know if anyone has asked recently, but I remember way back people would ask in this thread how to acknowledge a cast member. Looks like Disney, for now at least, is making it easier.

On the home page of the app, click on the 50th anniversary guide:


Then scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the Send Some Magic section:


They have various filters to narrow down the specific nature of the compliment. However, you don't get an option to go into detail about who or what specifically they did, just general nature of compliment and what area location they're at whether park or resort hotel and specific area of that selection.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I don't know if anyone has asked recently, but I remember way back people would ask in this thread how to acknowledge a cast member. Looks like Disney, for now at least, is making it easier.

On the home page of the app, click on the 50th anniversary guide:
View attachment 609217

Then scroll all the way down to the bottom to find the Send Some Magic section:
View attachment 609218

They have various filters to narrow down the specific nature of the compliment. However, you don't get an option to go into detail about who or what specifically they did, just general nature of compliment and what area location they're at whether park or resort hotel and specific area of that selection.
View attachment 609219

Thanks for this! I had the best Jungle Cruise skipper I've ever had this morning. Marshal. I want to send something specific for him, but everyone there was wonderful, so I'll send this too!

 

[GBRforWDW]

Interested to see if park hopping is allowed to Magic Kingdom this afternoon. This should tell us about hopping on capacity days like Christmas, NYE, Easter, etc.

No one has reported being denied entry when hopping since hopping was restored in January.

Just saw a notification that park hopping is currently suspended for magic kingdom

ETA: also called the park hopper number and the message is updated to reflect no park hopping to magic kingdom only.