We saw/heard lots of helicopters too when staying at Boardwalk last week. Noise is disruptive and there were several each day, in the afternoon. I thought tourist flights too, at first, but they do seem to be flying very quickly, so I began to doubt that reason for them.
 
I got to stay at Gaylord Palms a couple of years ago for a work conference. Wow, I was impressed with that place. Did you find a good deal on it? Or use Marriott points or something? I felt like it was one of the coolest hotels i have ever stayed in. Did you drive to the parks from there or do they have a reliable shuttle system?

We used points. It was definitely a great use of Bonvoy points! Less than the Swan or Dolphin and a great option for the free night awards. We used a combination of the hotel shuttle and lyft. We didn't bring or rent a car so that fee was a non-issue. Our only cost was the resort fee. It was really a wonderful stay!
 
PS the skyliner has been down here since we arrived around 4pm, but looks like the CBR to DHS line is running. Haven’t heard a reason why.
I was just coming to ask. Anyone know what happened and if it ever resumed service? CBR to DHS was running (we rode this about 6 p.m.) but not connecting to Riviera or Epcot, we took a bus from CBR to RIV. Looked like the AoA/Pop section was also running.
 
We just got home from our week long trip on Saturday! We were a party of 7 and did a split stay with Pop & SSR. Overall we had a wonderful time! The weather wasn't the best because it stormed almost every evening but we made so many hilarious memories from running to the buses and getting soaked:rotfl2:

A quick overview of our trip:
Saturday 6/19: flight was delayed about an hour but once we got to MCO the worst part was waiting for your bags. After getting our bags we were able to walk right on ME to get to Pop! Unfortunately the shops & food court close pretty early at 10pm so we had to order pizza out because we were so starving!
Sunday 6/20: REST DAY! Slept in & rode the skyliner to get to DHS to get a bus to OKW for brunch! We arrived at OKW an hour before our reservation because we thought transportation might take longer but we were able to be seated right away after talking to the hostess. Brunch was delicious and everyone enjoyed their meals. After we got a bus to DHS again to catch the skyliner to ride to Epcot for fun! Then, we headed back to Pop to relax until dinner where we rode the skyliner to Riviera to get dinner at Primo Piatto! The food there was delicious and def worth the stop. At Riviera we got a bus to Disney Springs to browse around & found it to be very crowded so after checking a few stores we headed back to Pop to get to bed early!
Monday 6/21: we woke up early to try to get a BG for ROTR and were successful with getting BG #37! After that we quickly got ready because we were already up and headed down to the skyliner at 7:30. Soon we were on our way and we made it to DHS just a little after 8. We were held on Hollywood Blvd until 8:30 when they officially opened the park and we walked right onto Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway! I'm glad we did that because Slinky was down most of the morning. After our first ride we headed over to Alien's Swirling Saucers and waited about 5mins in line. We went over to GE next and had fun walking around and decided to get an AC break at Muppets. After Muppets our BG was called so we headed onto ROTR before 11am! Then we went over to Falcon and then had a wonderful lunch at Pizzerizzos! After lunch we rode SDD, watched Frozen Sing Along, rode TSM and then browsed through some shops before taking the skyliner back to Pop. After resting we took a bus to MK! We headed to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz and Carousel of Progress. Then, we had dinner reservations at Tony's for 7:50pm. Tony's was delicious but once we were done there was a torrential downpour happening. We waited it out for a few mins but then decided to make a run for the bus and we were all soaked but were laughing so hard when we saw how ridiculous we looked. We made it back to Pop at 10pm.
Tuesday 6/22: We left the room at 6:30am with all our luggage to drop off at bell services then headed to wait for a bus to MK. It didn't take too long for a bus to come and we made it to MK a little after 7! We decided to rope drop Space Mountain but unfortunately we were held at the rope to Tomorrowland until 8am. We then made it to Space & waited about 15 mins and then walked on the Peoplemover for a quick ride. After, we wanted to ride Buzz one more time before officially being done with Tomorrowland! Then we decided to head on over to Fantasyland where we rode Little Mermaid, SDMT, and Philharmagic! After that we split up for lunch where some of us went to Tomorrowland Terrace and others Friars Nook. We miss Columbia Harbor House & Casey's but were happy we could find some food items from there at these locations. After lunch, we went on Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Country Bears, Splash Mountain, & Big Thunder. Then it was time to head to BOG for our 3:35 reservation. We had a wonderful dinner there and all really enjoyed the atmosphere. After dinner we were going to head to Haunted Mansion but unfortunately the weather was not cooperating again so we just headed right out to the bus to go to SSR because our room was ready! We loved our 2 bedroom villa in Congress Park and walked to Disney Springs in the evening to get some snacks!
Wednesday 6/23: Another Rest Day! I went with my sisters to Springs at 9:30 to get in line for Gideon's! After waiting for an hour we were able to get our cookies and they are delicious! Then we went to Starbucks to get frapps and cool down before going into a few different shops. Then at 12:30 we met up with the rest of our group at Homecomin! This was almost everyone's favorite meal of the trip because the food was delicious and we highly recommend! After lunch we headed into a few other stores until it looked like rain clouds again so we quickly hurried back to our room. Once the sun came back out we went for a quick swim in the pool and then I headed back down to Springs to get Earl of Sandwich for dinner while others ate their leftovers from lunch in the room!
Thursday 6/24: We left the room at 9:30 to head to the bus stop and quickly got a bus to Epcot! This was definitely our most crowded park day. We decided to rope drop Soarin and were held off until 10:50 where we finally were able to get into the Land building. We walked on Soarin and then headed to Nemo. After Nemo, we went to Spaceship Earth which said it was a 50min wait but we didn't even wait 15mins! After that we went to Mousegears and then rode Test Track. Then, we ventured into the World Showcase getting a few different snack items from Flower & Garden and then stopped for an AC break in France and watched the Beauty & the Beast sing along. Then we headed to our dinner reservations where we split up with half of us going to Via Napoli and the other half to San Angel Inn. We all enjoyed our dinners but the ones at Via Napoli finished way before the others so we rode Gran Fiesta Tour to wave hi to our family members in the restaurant. Then we rode Frozen and were going to hop to DHS but there were really dark clouds so we just went back to SSR.
Friday 6/25: we were at the bus stop at 6:30am to head to DAK! We were inside the park by 7:15 where we headed over to the Safari. We waited in a small line there until 7:50 where they let us in the queue to get on the ride. We were in the second safari truck and our ride ended up taking 40mins because some animals stood in the road for 20 mins but it was a great safari with many animals out and active! Then we headed over to Navi River Journey to ride and then took a break going through some shops. After that we saw FOTLK, rode FOP and then had lunch at Satuli Canteen! Then we rode Kali, Dinosaur, & Everest! After DAK some people went back to the room & others went to MK! At MK we got dole whips, rode Winnie the Pooh, then walked through Emporium before heading back to the room quickly to change for dinner. We had dinner at 6pm at Raglan Road. After dinner some of us stayed in springs to shop & others went to the Contemporary to shop there.
Saturday 6/26: We left our room at 8 with all our luggage to head down to the lobby. We had a quick breakfast and then boarded ME at 8:50. MCO was packed and Southwest check in was a nightmare but we somehow made it through and got to our gate before having to fly home:(

Overall, we had a wonderful time! It was very nice not having to wear masks besides for transportation but there is def no social distancing so if you are not ready for that I would wait. It was nice having the preshows back because we missed those and many of the wait times look a lot longer than what they actually are! I would def recommend having a table service meal once a day because its so nice to take a break from the crowds and sit in AC! Even though they changed Rope Drop just getting one or two big rides out of the way early helped a lot! Just remember to keep a positive attitude, yes the weather is not the best this time of year but you are at Disney World & nothing is better than that:D
 
WHAT I WOULD DO THE SAME/DIFFERENT IF I HAD A DO OVER-
Looking back over last week, there are some things I would change and some things I would not-
I WOULD NOT rope drop Test Track-unless you are literally the front of the pack lines go down later in the day-they are longest first thing.
I WOULD NOT rope drop Epcot again. All the lines went down later in the day.
I WOULD make table service reservations midday again. It was much easier having a mid day break and touring in the late afternoon when lines were shorter without having to worry about ADR times.
I WOULD drive to AK again. Easy to get into park .
And I WOULD go later in the day again. Our longest wait was FOP posted at 90, inside in 60. Checking the app, lines at opening are higher than 90. We got inside AK at 10, had an 1130 lunch in Yak n Yeti, and did literally everything except FOTLK including a nice Flame Tree dinner by 7 when it closed.
I WOULD NOT rope drop MMRR at HS. Slinky Dog lines never got shorter, but everything else did.
I WOULD NOT stress about morning RotR boarding pass-it is easy to get at 1. It leaves plenty of time to actually look around the park and take in the atmosphere of each area. We were done riding everything we wanted and eating lunch and dinner by the time our boarding group 119 was called at 5pm.
I WOULD NOT drive to MK. Unless you pay for preferred parking with the trams not running it is a hike.
I WOULD NOT enter MK 2 hours after opening. Rope drop is the only way to get lots of things done in this park.
I WOULD know that nearly all wait times are inflated by 10-20 minutes.
I WOULD know that lots of rides have frequent break downs-Test Track, FOP, Navi (we saw the screen shaman) Mine Train, Splash, MMRR, Saucers, all had break downs while we were in line or about to be. What is with this??
I WOULD know that if you stay in a skyliner or boat transportation resort, do not attempt to go back from the parks
anywhere near the beginning, end of, or during rain. Just chill for a while or you will be waiting at the station/dock!
I WOULD budget time again just to stroll around and take in World Showcase shops and kiosks.
I WOULD go during Flower and Garden again. I like it much better than Food and Wine.
I WOULD wear good shoes and ankle compression socks again-I am 68 and have had the unsightly "Disney Rash" before from walking an average of 8 miles a day standing on my feet in the heat and humidity. But not this trip! I WOULD also continue to sit any chance I got, including asking people already sitting if they minded if I sat on the bench with them!
I WOULD know that the magic is still there!
 
WHAT I WOULD DO THE SAME/DIFFERENT IF I HAD A DO OVER-
Looking back over last week, there are some things I would change and some things I would not-
I WOULD NOT rope drop Test Track-unless you are literally the front of the pack lines go down later in the day-they are longest first thing.
I WOULD NOT rope drop Epcot again. All the lines went down later in the day.
I WOULD make table service reservations midday again. It was much easier having a mid day break and touring in the late afternoon when lines were shorter without having to worry about ADR times.
I WOULD drive to AK again. Easy to get into park .
And I WOULD go later in the day again. Our longest wait was FOP posted at 90, inside in 60. Checking the app, lines at opening are higher than 90. We got inside AK at 10, had an 1130 lunch in Yak n Yeti, and did literally everything except FOTLK including a nice Flame Tree dinner by 7 when it closed.
I WOULD NOT rope drop MMRR at HS. Slinky Dog lines never got shorter, but everything else did.
I WOULD NOT stress about morning RotR boarding pass-it is easy to get at 1. It leaves plenty of time to actually look around the park and take in the atmosphere of each area. We were done riding everything we wanted and eating lunch and dinner by the time our boarding group 119 was called at 5pm.
I WOULD NOT drive to MK. Unless you pay for preferred parking with the trams not running it is a hike.
I WOULD NOT enter MK 2 hours after opening. Rope drop is the only way to get lots of things done in this park.
I WOULD know that nearly all wait times are inflated by 10-20 minutes.
I WOULD know that lots of rides have frequent break downs-Test Track, FOP, Navi (we saw the screen shaman) Mine Train, Splash, MMRR, Saucers, all had break downs while we were in line or about to be. What is with this??
I WOULD know that if you stay in a skyliner or boat transportation resort, do not attempt to go back from the parks
anywhere near the beginning, end of, or during rain. Just chill for a while or you will be waiting at the station/dock!
I WOULD budget time again just to stroll around and take in World Showcase shops and kiosks.
I WOULD go during Flower and Garden again. I like it much better than Food and Wine.
I WOULD wear good shoes and ankle compression socks again-I am 68 and have had the unsightly "Disney Rash" before from walking an average of 8 miles a day standing on my feet in the heat and humidity. But not this trip! I WOULD also continue to sit any chance I got, including asking people already sitting if they minded if I sat on the bench with them!
I WOULD know that the magic is still there!
Love this post! The way you formatted it really helps those that are visiting in the near future. Thanks!

Dan
 
Arrived today, ...

also what on earth is up with all the helicopters? Riviera is on a flight path or something because it’s constant. Is this normal??

I'd like to know, too. When we stayed at OKW in April, I noticed them there, at SSR and DS. I probably really noticed them because I had read some people's comments about them on the DIS prior to my trip. They are annoying.
 
My wife and I also commented on the helicopters! I don't remember them flying so close to HS. In line for tower of terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster they almost fly over your head!
 
Animal Kingdom at opening today:
6:53am picked up bus from AKL Jambo
Stopped for coffee at entrance
7:05 at Turnstiles
7:15 tapstiles open (3 fams infront of us)
Walked to rope stop at FOP - stayed right on bridge
7:30 rope drop walk starts
7:40 on FOP
From there we went to Everest and rode back to back with 5 min wait
8:20 enter safari line posted at 25 min and was 20
9:15 bathroom breaks
9:30 Rafiki planet watch for first animator session at 10

we mobile ordered from SC while in line for safari. Picked up at 11
11:30 headed to dinosaur with 40 min posted wait actually 20
Exited park by 12:15

good day so far! Resting now before pool and cleaning up for dinner.
 
For everyone commenting about helicopters—could be mosquito remediation. We have a wetland area behind our house in MN, and those choppers really buzz us while they do whatever it is they do to try to control the mosquito population. It’s horribly loud and obnoxious for about 10 minutes, and then they go away for a month or so.
 
For everyone commenting about helicopters—could be mosquito remediation. We have a wetland area behind our house in MN, and those choppers really buzz us while they do whatever it is they do to try to control the mosquito population. It’s horribly loud and obnoxious for about 10 minutes, and then they go away for a month or so.
But every day? And every 30 minutes if not more? Don’t think that’s what these are here. :(
 
WHAT I WOULD DO THE SAME/DIFFERENT IF I HAD A DO OVER-
Looking back over last week, there are some things I would change and some things I would not-
I WOULD NOT rope drop Test Track-unless you are literally the front of the pack lines go down later in the day-they are longest first thing.
I WOULD NOT rope drop Epcot again. All the lines went down later in the day.
I WOULD make table service reservations midday again. It was much easier having a mid day break and touring in the late afternoon when lines were shorter without having to worry about ADR times.
I WOULD drive to AK again. Easy to get into park .
And I WOULD go later in the day again. Our longest wait was FOP posted at 90, inside in 60. Checking the app, lines at opening are higher than 90. We got inside AK at 10, had an 1130 lunch in Yak n Yeti, and did literally everything except FOTLK including a nice Flame Tree dinner by 7 when it closed.
I WOULD NOT rope drop MMRR at HS. Slinky Dog lines never got shorter, but everything else did.
I WOULD NOT stress about morning RotR boarding pass-it is easy to get at 1. It leaves plenty of time to actually look around the park and take in the atmosphere of each area. We were done riding everything we wanted and eating lunch and dinner by the time our boarding group 119 was called at 5pm.
I WOULD NOT drive to MK. Unless you pay for preferred parking with the trams not running it is a hike.
I WOULD NOT enter MK 2 hours after opening. Rope drop is the only way to get lots of things done in this park.
I WOULD know that nearly all wait times are inflated by 10-20 minutes.
I WOULD know that lots of rides have frequent break downs-Test Track, FOP, Navi (we saw the screen shaman) Mine Train, Splash, MMRR, Saucers, all had break downs while we were in line or about to be. What is with this??
I WOULD know that if you stay in a skyliner or boat transportation resort, do not attempt to go back from the parks
anywhere near the beginning, end of, or during rain. Just chill for a while or you will be waiting at the station/dock!
I WOULD budget time again just to stroll around and take in World Showcase shops and kiosks.
I WOULD go during Flower and Garden again. I like it much better than Food and Wine.
I WOULD wear good shoes and ankle compression socks again-I am 68 and have had the unsightly "Disney Rash" before from walking an average of 8 miles a day standing on my feet in the heat and humidity. But not this trip! I WOULD also continue to sit any chance I got, including asking people already sitting if they minded if I sat on the bench with them!
I WOULD know that the magic is still there!

I would love more info about the socks you are talking about. I also get a severe case of the 'disney rash'. Thanks!
 
just back from a week visit.

For us, the lines for anything other the headliners, were inflated. Always less than posted. However, all the headliners were spot on, if not longer, because of TECHNICAL issues. Both days at HS, almost every ride broke down at some point. Then MK, seven dwarfs broke down. We face technical issues constantly this trip. Unlike any of our previous trips. To the point where we wondered what is going on down there - skimping on maintenance, overheating (usually don't go in the summer)?

CM told us the headliner rides are no longer inflated - ie. Slinky used to be 45 min from the large woody when you walk into TS land. BUT, since they ceased distancing in line last week, the line is truly 90 from that point.

We usually ride all the headliners numerous times in a week and this time we only rode soarin and rise more than once. All of our other favorites were one and done due to breakdowns, weather, or truly long lines that never really went down.

Stayed at YC and lifeguards said the helicopters were the theme park helicopter tours.
 
Rope dropped MK today. Left our room at Pop around 6:25. We were on the first bus (but we just made it - the family after us was the last on the first bus.
We were early in the turnstiles- then walked quickly to the holding area for SDMT. We could see the rope at opening.
We rode SDMT, Splash and BTMR in the first hour. We took a quick water break and walked across and rode Dumbo, then Buzz. Ordered Cosmic Rays and ate. Then People Mover, Space, and Pirates.
We left the park at one for an afternoon nap.
great first morning. We’ve walked 5 miles so far. Will head to Epcot tonight.
Recommendations for Epcot Counter service? What time should we be at the sky liner for HS rope drop tomorrow?
 
Rope dropped MK today. Left our room at Pop around 6:25. We were on the first bus (but we just made it - the family after us was the last on the first bus.
We were early in the turnstiles- then walked quickly to the holding area for SDMT. We could see the rope at opening.
We rode SDMT, Splash and BTMR in the first hour. We took a quick water break and walked across and rode Dumbo, then Buzz. Ordered Cosmic Rays and ate. Then People Mover, Space, and Pirates.
We left the park at one for an afternoon nap.
great first morning. We’ve walked 5 miles so far. Will head to Epcot tonight.
Recommendations for Epcot Counter service? What time should we be at the sky liner for HS rope drop tomorrow?
We enjoy the Mexican QS, sitting overlooking the water. Also, Fish n Chips in the UK.
 
















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