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

[boredghost]

sitting at the airport with a very long flight delay so time to share!

February trip Sat 19th-Sat 26th pt 1
4 couples!
Stayed at CBR (Jamaica bldg 42)
Genie+ length of trip, helpful
Park Hopper length of trip, didn’t use it
Memory Maker length of trip, huge value

sat - flew in, got to resort just as our room opened up, took bus to Disney springs, shopped and grabbed an ube donut, met some friends for Thai over at celebration

sun 20- Epcot day 9am opening, 8:30 am Early Entry (7:45am at skyliner CBR)
7am Grabbed ILL for Remy & Frozen, LL for test track
2nd to last day of FotA- slaw dog was good, beets were good- wish they would have more diverse plant based (or even secretly vegan) options. Sake was alright, rice beer was good.
hit the Coral Reef, decent vegan offerings, had a great view of tank.

Rope dropped Remy then clocked 8miles of park walking and hit the following:
Rope dropped Remy Standby then clocked 8miles of park walking and hit the following:
Test Track LL, Spaceship Earth LL, Nemo LL, Soarin, Living With The Land, Canada Far & Wide, Gran Fiesta, Journey into Imagination LL, Remy LL

No frozen it was closed every time we tried to ride, we were auto comped a free use pass, held onto it for when Frozen might reopen. Did return, scanned and were 3 boat loads shy of riding when they closed it again and shuffled us out. Had to talk to Guest Services for the ILL refund.

watched the Broadway show, very fun, ended the night with Harmonius- it was the best night show on offering by our group’s opinion.

mon 21- Animal Kingdom day 8am opening -too early for Early Entry. Took Lyft at 7:45a

7am FOP ILL, Safari LL

hit the following: Safari LL, Na’vi River LL, FOP ILL, Festival of the Lion King standby, Dinosaur LL

tried 3 times to see It’s tough to be a Bug, but when we finally got in to the holding area and donned our glasses, they cleared us out cause they had to close it.

walked another 7.5 miles. Saw the gorillas and tigers, a highlight

mostly mobile ordered at parks, snacking, then headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge for Sanaa - it was our favorite in 2019- but it has totally abandoned the Ethiopian flavor and was mediocre Indian food (kinda spoiled in NYC).

 

[Lsdolphin]

I’m sorry but I have to say that the frequent ride closures are getting ridiculous especially considering the extra expense now of the Genie+. although you can sometimes get a multi-pass scanned onto your band often people don’t even know that’s possible and just walk off or have to stand in line to get the extra pass. I cant even remember the last trip to MK where this didn’t happen to us. Last trip end of Jan we experienced ride closures 4/6 days.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I’m sorry but I have to say that the frequent ride closures are getting ridiculous especially considering the extra expense now of the Genie+. although you can sometimes get a multi-pass scanned onto your band often people don’t even know that’s possible and just walk off or have to stand in line to get the extra pass. I cant even remember the last trip to MK where this didn’t happen to us. Last trip end of Jan we experienced ride closures 4/6 days.

When we were in DHS a few weeks ago and TSL was down during our return time our LL automatically changed to an anytime LL. We didn’t have to request it or tap in anywhere. I’ve never heard of needing to do that.

 

[brockash]

When we were in DHS a few weeks ago and TSL was down during our return time our LL automatically changed to an anytime LL. We didn’t have to request it or tap in anywhere. I’ve never heard of needing to do that.

If you've already tapped in and are in the line you have ALWAYS had to do that. If you haven't gotten in line. then yes it automatically changes to an anytime pass, however if you're already in line you have always had to wait around until it's your turn for them to scan your band to reissue your fastpass. This has not changed with Genie. This happened to us multiple times last week as well.
I also reported about the time last week that we purchased separately the fastpass for MMRR and it went down as we were getting ready to board. We had to wait for them to get around to us to scan our bands. Then to top it off, they were only able to give us a pass that would work at something at DHS that was NOT RoTR or TOT....ummm excuse, but we already paid extra for these fastpasses. They could not refund, switch days, switch parks anything there, so we then had to go wait in another long, hot line for guest services to be refunded.

It's definitely frustrating.

 

[GBRforWDW]

If you've already tapped in and are in the line you have ALWAYS had to do that. If you haven't gotten in line. then yes it automatically changes to an anytime pass, however if you're already in line you have always had to wait around until it's your turn for them to scan your band to reissue your fastpass. This has not changed with Genie. This happened to us multiple times last week as well.
I also reported about the time last week that we purchased separately the fastpass for MMRR and it went down as we were getting ready to board. We had to wait for them to get around to us to scan our bands. Then to top it off, they were only able to give us a pass that would work at something at DHS that was NOT RoTR or TOT....ummm excuse, but we already paid extra for these fastpasses. They could not refund, switch days, switch parks anything there, so we then had to go wait in another long, hot line for guest services to be refunded.

It's definitely frustrating.

Yes, we had the same thing happen at MMRR where it went down while we were in the preshow room after using G+LL, but it was over Christmas when it was a G+ ride, so wasn't an issue to get back on it later. We had to stand around and wait for them to scan our bands as well which took probably 30 minutes. However, when you pay for an ILL$, that's definitely infuriating to be told you can't use it on that same ride later or another ILL$ ride. Yikes.

We also had Spaceship Earth go down on us as we were about to check in during the 15 minute grace period. That did not convert either and they told us we'd have to go to GET to fix it. We had enough planned the rest of the day that we decided not to do it.

 

[boredghost]

Flight was cancelled so we’re ‘stuck’ in Orlando until Tuesday, time for a report from the last minute hotel:


February trip Sat 19th-Sat 26th pt 2
4 couples!
Stayed at CBR (Jamaica bldg 42)
Genie+ length of trip, helpful
Park Hopper length of trip, didn’t use it
Memory Maker length of trip, huge value

tues 22- Hollywood studios day. 7:15am skyliner from CBR for Early Entry



7am grabbed Rise ILL & MMRR ILL, plus MFSR LL

Split for rope drop- one group hit MFSR then another hit Tower of Terror- followed up with Star Tours.

shopped Galaxy’s Edge and grabbed some ronto wraps for breakfast- probably the best vegan options in park, 3 of us built droids, then we got our blue milk and hit Oga’s. Hit Muppetvision 3D, Indiana Jones LL, Smugglers Run LL, Rise LL, Star Tours LL and Standby (it was the same for us both times, though one group rode it a third time and got other scenes. I think they are weighting the new trilogy content).

lunched at Sci-Fi drive-in, food was good but had to remind them to go light on the salt for the fries. Kinda wish they would make that crab cake into a sandwich entree- burger is fine.

shopped for a bit, hung out and watched the two show- both were alright. Hung out in Galaxy’s Edge until our 10pm Savi reservations- love GE after dark. 3 of us built sabers, was a first time for two, it was magical for all.

grabbed a skyliner just in time!

long day at HS- 7am to 11pm

weds 23- MagicKingdom day- grabbed a Lyft to TTC at 7:15 for the 8:30 early entry- we’re released into the kingdom at 8am, entered the EE crowd to the right of the castle heading towards Fantasy Land.

7am snagged 7dmt ILL & Space Mountain ILL plus haunted mansion LL.

hit Peter Pan first thing, followed by Winnie the Pooh, then hit Haunted Mansion LL, Pirates Standby, Under the Sea Standby, Space ILL, Hall of Presidents, 7DMT ILL, People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Smallworld LL, Philharmagic LL, Jungle Cruise LL.

had splash mountain LL but it went down as soon as we got over to ride, so we used the open LL from that on another Haunted Mansion run. HM is a fave, lots of stops and slow downs on it- seems like a number of rides were running fast or had slowdowns, or some combination of running quickly with pauses so that things often went out of sync. The ghost tracking at end of HM wasn’t working.

photos on Pirates and HM were either missing or for other parties.

Grabbed a Casey dog for lunch, they need to enforce the ‘no seats w/out a mobile order pickup’ cause it was pretty cutthroat getting seats. did Jungle Skippers canteen for dinner- was pretty good, decent vegan options- falafel plate was good- nice to have something other than impossible meat.

weren’t-as into enchantment as harmonius. Took a crowded bus back to CBR

 

[serenitynow]

Flight was cancelled so we’re ‘stuck’ in Orlando until Tuesday, time for a report from the last minute hotel:


February trip Sat 19th-Sat 26th pt 2
4 couples!
Stayed at CBR (Jamaica bldg 42)
Genie+ length of trip, helpful
Park Hopper length of trip, didn’t use it
Memory Maker length of trip, huge value

tues 22- Hollywood studios day. 7:15am skyliner from CBR for Early Entry

7am grabbed Rise ILL & MMRR ILL, plus MFSR LL

Split for rope drop- one group hit MFSR then another hit Tower of Terror- followed up with Star Tours.

shopped Galaxy’s Edge and grabbed some ronto wraps for breakfast- probably the best vegan options in park, 3 of us built droids, then we got our blue milk and hit Oga’s. Hit Muppetvision 3D, Indiana Jones LL, Smugglers Run LL, Rise LL, Star Tours LL and Standby (it was the same for us both times, though one group rode it a third time and got other scenes. I think they are weighting the new trilogy content).

lunched at Sci-Fi drive-in, food was good but had to remind them to go light on the salt for the fries. Kinda wish they would make that crab cake into a sandwich entree- burger is fine.

shopped for a bit, hung out and watched the two show- both were alright. Hung out in Galaxy’s Edge until our 10pm Savi reservations- love GE after dark. 3 of us built sabers, was a first time for two, it was magical for all.

grabbed a skyliner just in time!

long day at HS- 7am to 11pm

So sorry your flight was canceled

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

sitting at the airport with a very long flight delay so time to share!

February trip Sat 19th-Sat 26th pt 1
4 couples!
Stayed at CBR (Jamaica bldg 42)
Genie+ length of trip, helpful
Park Hopper length of trip, didn’t use it
Memory Maker length of trip, huge value

sat - flew in, got to resort just as our room opened up, took bus to Disney springs, shopped and grabbed an ube donut, met some friends for Thai over at celebration

sun 20- Epcot day 9am opening, 8:30 am Early Entry (7:45am at skyliner CBR)
7am Grabbed ILL for Remy & Frozen, LL for test track
2nd to last day of FotA- slaw dog was good, beets were good- wish they would have more diverse plant based (or even secretly vegan) options. Sake was alright, rice beer was good.
hit the Coral Reef, decent vegan offerings, had a great view of tank.

Rope dropped Remy then clocked 8miles of park walking and hit the following:
Rope dropped Remy Standby then clocked 8miles of park walking and hit the following:
Test Track LL, Spaceship Earth LL, Nemo LL, Soarin, Living With The Land, Canada Far & Wide, Gran Fiesta, Journey into Imagination LL, Remy LL

No frozen it was closed every time we tried to ride, we were auto comped a free use pass, held onto it for when Frozen might reopen. Did return, scanned and were 3 boat loads shy of riding when they closed it again and shuffled us out. Had to talk to Guest Services for the ILL refund.

watched the Broadway show, very fun, ended the night with Harmonius- it was the best night show on offering by our group’s opinion.

mon 21- Animal Kingdom day 8am opening -too early for Early Entry. Took Lyft at 7:45a

7am FOP ILL, Safari LL

hit the following: Safari LL, Na’vi River LL, FOP ILL, Festival of the Lion King standby, Dinosaur LL

tried 3 times to see It’s tough to be a Bug, but when we finally got in to the holding area and donned our glasses, they cleared us out cause they had to close it.

walked another 7.5 miles. Saw the gorillas and tigers, a highlight

mostly mobile ordered at parks, snacking, then headed to Animal Kingdom Lodge for Sanaa - it was our favorite in 2019- but it has totally abandoned the Ethiopian flavor and was mediocre Indian food (kinda spoiled in NYC).

This is very thorough thank you for this

 

[Lsdolphin]

When we were in DHS a few weeks ago and TSL was down during our return time our LL automatically changed to an anytime LL. We didn’t have to request it or tap in anywhere. I’ve never heard of needing to do that.

I had to wait in a line in front of HM with quite a few others and I think I remember the CM saying it should automatically show up on MDE but that wasn’t happening. I also saw long line of people at the guest services waiting for refunds for ride they had paid for. one of the days I was there HM, PP, SDMT, and Winnie the Pooh were all down and I ended up having paid for genie+ then leaving with 3 multi-passes unused because when we tried to return to the rides the LL lines were so long we just couldn’t stand in line that long even having both genie+ and the DAS it was not a great day.
I have been going several times a year for a while and it definitely seems like ride closures have increased due to malfunctions.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I’m sorry but I have to say that the frequent ride closures are getting ridiculous especially considering the extra expense now of the Genie+. although you can sometimes get a multi-pass scanned onto your band often people don’t even know that’s possible and just walk off or have to stand in line to get the extra pass. I cant even remember the last trip to MK where this didn’t happen to us. Last trip end of Jan we experienced ride closures 4/6 days.

A colleague just returned from DL two weeks ago and experienced the same issue. She was not pleased.

 

[boop0524]

You seemed to get your money's worth, but that's a lot of crisscrossing the park.

We did do a lot of crisscrossing. Our group was pretty small and able to walk quick, so it was manageable but not necessarily fun or relaxing. I have read the threads, watched many videos and still feel like once there it’s so hard to have a smart park plan. With Genie+ and crowds, it’s like luck of the draw with how it’ll go. I personally hope they make positive changes to the system soon.

 

[Donaldsfans]

We did do a lot of crisscrossing. Our group was pretty small and able to walk quick, so it was manageable but not necessarily fun or relaxing. I have read the threads, watched many videos and still feel like once there it’s so hard to have a smart park plan. With Genie+ and crowds, it’s like luck of the draw with how it’ll go. I personally hope they make positive changes to the system soon.

I do too.

 

[Gonflipin]

Are they loading Disney buses packed like sardines like the good ‘ol days again yet? Went April 2021 and the guaranteed seat on the bus was a dream lol

 

[Disney102015]

Genie glitched on me and by the time I got through to the LL purchase page at 7:02 SDMT was gone Does anyone know of a particular time more LL slots are “dropped” or should I just keep refreshing throughout the day? Thanks!

 

[itf]

Genie glitched on me and by the time I got through to the LL purchase page at 7:02 SDMT was gone Does anyone know of a particular time more LL slots are “dropped” or should I just keep refreshing throughout the day? Thanks!

Keep refreshing especially now, I can see a 3:55 time at the moment...

 

[Turksmom]

Are they loading Disney buses packed like sardines like the good ‘ol days again yet? Went April 2021 and the guaranteed seat on the bus was a dream lol

Packed like sardines in November.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Are they loading Disney buses packed like sardines like the good ‘ol days again yet? Went April 2021 and the guaranteed seat on the bus was a dream lol

Buses are running at full capacity including guests standing.

 

[Disney102015]

Keep refreshing especially now, I can see a 3:55 time at the moment...

THANK YOU!! Just snagged one for this morning, suddenly a whole bunch of times popped up at once!

 

[brockash]

Are they loading Disney buses packed like sardines like the good ‘ol days again yet? Went April 2021 and the guaranteed seat on the bus was a dream lol

Yes, all back to the old ways.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, all back to the old ways.

Unless you want to get close to a character or see a parade.