tink2424
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 28, 2019
Before my trip I didn’t see many just back reports so I figured I would give a real time update.
Wed, Sep 23 - Volcano Bay - Lovely day. Rented a Cabana just to the right of the volcano. Good location. Loved not wearing a mask to walk around. The line for the cabana took forever so get to Volcano Bay well in advance of the early opening as we went right at 9:30 and there was already a big line... we did the aqua foster first with a ride now & it is definitely the best ride in the park. Spent a lot of time in the fearless river (fast river). Everyone is required to wear a life vest which a bummer but wasn’t too bad. Spent the full day at Volcano Bay & really enjoyed the day.
Thurs, Sept 24 - IOA/Universal - did early entry at IOA & went right to Hagrids. Was a 30 minute wait. We did have to wait about 20 minutes to get into IOA so if you want a short wait for Hagrids get over to the IOA gates by about 8:15am in the morning. The waits for most of the other rides were short - 10-15 minutes with the bigger rides getting a little longer. We saved money this time by staying at CBBR so we didn’t have express pass and while it mostly wasn’t needed it was a little disappointing to not have it sometimes. We had lunch at Blondies & I hit prepare my order on the way over & never got the “your order is ready” message. When we got to the restaurant apparently they didn’t make it until you are there which is a bit confusing. The next day we are at 3 broomsticks & even with mobile order you have to get a table first so keep that in mind as we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. Mobile order doesn’t gain you any early entry to the restaurants. Our longest wait of the day was the train to universal at almost an hour (that was when I really wished we had our express passes). Finished with dinner at Vivo Italian Kitchen. Definitely eat in Citywalk for dinner each night.
Fri, Sept 25 -Universal/IOA - started at Universal. Tried to go on ETbut that doesn’t open until 10am & we were a bit too early for that. Rode MIB & then Gringotts before taking the train to IOA for Hagrids. Waited about 35 minutes for Hagrids (Tip - if thewait time is 75 minutes but the line starts at the gate to get in, it will only be about 30-40 minutes). Did mobile order for three broomsticks (see above). Then went to the water rides (we skipped Jurassic Park as we did it yesterday). Changed into our water ride clothes & then ride the 2 water rides. I brought zip lock bags for our ticket (to open the locker) & for our masks. Once we got on the ride, everyone would pass me their mask & I would put them in the bag. This way our masks didn’t get wet as you get soaked on these rides. We finished the day with Suess Landing & then walking over to Universal to ride ET. We had dinner at Toothsome (which was ok). You can make a reset at Toothsome & I recommend doing so as it is very popular. You have to call to make the reservation. You can’t do it on the web.
As for masks, I have to tell you they were difficult to wear. The real feel temperature yesterday was 103 & the sun was bright & hot! I had much more difficulty wearing my mask yesterday & took more breaks with it down to catch my breath. When it is hot & humid they are very tough to wear.
mostly people social distanced well. I wasn’t worried as I’ve already had COVID in March but I tried to be respectful since others are being more cautious. I did just have to laugh since you can walk around Volcano Bay without a mask & the other theme parks you can’t. I understand why but it is hard to see why we can’t be more reasonable and just make them mandatory in lines & inside. Anywho not trying to start a debate just an observation.
I hope this helps for those of you visiting soon!
Wed, Sep 23 - Volcano Bay - Lovely day. Rented a Cabana just to the right of the volcano. Good location. Loved not wearing a mask to walk around. The line for the cabana took forever so get to Volcano Bay well in advance of the early opening as we went right at 9:30 and there was already a big line... we did the aqua foster first with a ride now & it is definitely the best ride in the park. Spent a lot of time in the fearless river (fast river). Everyone is required to wear a life vest which a bummer but wasn’t too bad. Spent the full day at Volcano Bay & really enjoyed the day.
Thurs, Sept 24 - IOA/Universal - did early entry at IOA & went right to Hagrids. Was a 30 minute wait. We did have to wait about 20 minutes to get into IOA so if you want a short wait for Hagrids get over to the IOA gates by about 8:15am in the morning. The waits for most of the other rides were short - 10-15 minutes with the bigger rides getting a little longer. We saved money this time by staying at CBBR so we didn’t have express pass and while it mostly wasn’t needed it was a little disappointing to not have it sometimes. We had lunch at Blondies & I hit prepare my order on the way over & never got the “your order is ready” message. When we got to the restaurant apparently they didn’t make it until you are there which is a bit confusing. The next day we are at 3 broomsticks & even with mobile order you have to get a table first so keep that in mind as we had to wait about 20 minutes for a table. Mobile order doesn’t gain you any early entry to the restaurants. Our longest wait of the day was the train to universal at almost an hour (that was when I really wished we had our express passes). Finished with dinner at Vivo Italian Kitchen. Definitely eat in Citywalk for dinner each night.
Fri, Sept 25 -Universal/IOA - started at Universal. Tried to go on ETbut that doesn’t open until 10am & we were a bit too early for that. Rode MIB & then Gringotts before taking the train to IOA for Hagrids. Waited about 35 minutes for Hagrids (Tip - if thewait time is 75 minutes but the line starts at the gate to get in, it will only be about 30-40 minutes). Did mobile order for three broomsticks (see above). Then went to the water rides (we skipped Jurassic Park as we did it yesterday). Changed into our water ride clothes & then ride the 2 water rides. I brought zip lock bags for our ticket (to open the locker) & for our masks. Once we got on the ride, everyone would pass me their mask & I would put them in the bag. This way our masks didn’t get wet as you get soaked on these rides. We finished the day with Suess Landing & then walking over to Universal to ride ET. We had dinner at Toothsome (which was ok). You can make a reset at Toothsome & I recommend doing so as it is very popular. You have to call to make the reservation. You can’t do it on the web.
As for masks, I have to tell you they were difficult to wear. The real feel temperature yesterday was 103 & the sun was bright & hot! I had much more difficulty wearing my mask yesterday & took more breaks with it down to catch my breath. When it is hot & humid they are very tough to wear.
mostly people social distanced well. I wasn’t worried as I’ve already had COVID in March but I tried to be respectful since others are being more cautious. I did just have to laugh since you can walk around Volcano Bay without a mask & the other theme parks you can’t. I understand why but it is hard to see why we can’t be more reasonable and just make them mandatory in lines & inside. Anywho not trying to start a debate just an observation.
I hope this helps for those of you visiting soon!