Just back from an impromptu trip, 3/1-3/6

[blkhwks55]

We just got back from our trip last night and must say it was a good time. If you are looking to see light crowds, I think that time has passed. There will be days better than most but I think for the most part it's beginning to pick up. We stayed at Saratoga, in the Paddock rooms, so it was a nice walk to DS. Be prepared that many things are still closed, especially stores and restaurants. Still without FP made it a little difficult. Almost all quick service is preorder food from the app, and you have to get a window for your food to be ready. As a DVC member , and former AP (they wouldn't let me renew) I feel it's pretty close to the line on what you get for your money not being worth it. I know Covid and get it, but with many benefits being gone, I feel Disney is going to reset things and it make it less valuable when or if some of these things return. Disney reopened in July 2020 and I don't think they are bringing things back in a timely matter. Yes there hands are tied on some things but give something to show they understand they overpriced for what is being offered. Something like Photopass would not cost them much, but you can have your pics from your trip include with a ticket purchase.

Monday 3/1 Animal Kingdom- This had to be the lightest and best day of the trip but it was 90 during the day and you know it really feels hot at AK. Wait times were phenomenal, FOP- 30 minutes, EE-10 minutes, Safari-15 minutes, Dinosaur-15 minutes, and the worst was Navi River at 75 minutes.

Tuesday 3/2 HS- Made sure we were set to try and get Rise of the Resistance since last time we were there it opened 2 weeks after we left. The Star Wars gods shined down on us and we got Group 9!!!! We hurried to get there, and our group was called as we were parking. We made our way into the park and straight to the ride. Walked right up, and straight to the ride. I know I'll get flack for this but in our opinion, the ride was ok but thought could have been better. The looks of the ride were phenomenal but like Smugglers Run, felt underwhelming. Overall wait times were ok. Best was RNR at 15 minutes, MFSR was 60-70 minutes, Toy Story Mania- 30 minutes, Slinky-60 minutes, ToT-60 minutes.

Wednesday 3/3 EP- First day of Flower and Garden show. Crowds were what I expected busy but manageable. Lines moved fairly well, loved seeing all the topiaries and flowers. It was our 1st time for this festival and we enjoyed it. We knew that starting on a weekday helped with the resident traffic that would come to the F&G show. Entry into the stores moved nicely also. We were able to get into Mousegears to get some pins without feeling rushed. Food kiosks were a nice change, my daughter felt the Avocado Toast was the best, I wasn't impressed by any of it. It was good, but similar to the other shows food options. Soarin- 50 minutes, TT- Was down for some time but about 70 minutes, Frozen- 45 minutes, Spaceship Earth- 20 minutes.

Thursday 3/4- MK- Today we felt the crowds, it felt busy and full. There didn't seem any spots without people around. Usually you can find that nook that you can get away from crowds but did not have any luck finding that today. Lines were long and steady. Worst line was Splash Mountain- 70-80 minutes, best was Motor Speedway- 10 minutes. 40 minutes was about the average for most rides, and 20 minutes to try and get quick service food.

Friday 3/5 EP- Yes we are a glutton for punishment, and knew the Floridians would start making their way to the show. The plus was that the lines for the rides were great. Soarin- 35 minutes, TT- 30 minutes, Spaceship- 10 minutes. Food lines were a lot longer and they were always backed up. Like I said it was expected, so we weren't surprised by it.

That was our trip, I hope some of this information helps you in your planning. Feel free to ask me any questions. Have a Magical Day!

 

[loves to dive]

Great trip report, I'm going for 4 nights in mid-April mostly just to do booths at Epcot although I have made reservations for the other parks, I plan hopping to Epcot after 2 every day. I'm staying at the Dolphin so easy walk. As far as ROTR I'm sort of with you. We rode it in Jan. 2020 soon after it opened. It was breaking down a lot and when we finally got called (group 39 didn't get called until 3pm) the pre-shows were broke so it was just get on the ride. Did you book your boarding group from your room or from the park?

 

[blkhwks55]

Great trip report, I'm going for 4 nights in mid-April mostly just to do booths at Epcot although I have made reservations for the other parks, I plan hopping to Epcot after 2 every day. I'm staying at the Dolphin so easy walk. As far as ROTR I'm sort of with you. We rode it in Jan. 2020 soon after it opened. It was breaking down a lot and when we finally got called (group 39 didn't get called until 3pm) the pre-shows were broke so it was just get on the ride. Did you book your boarding group from your room or from the park?

We did it from our room since the park didn't open till 9 am.

 

[Tatum20]

I know I'll get flack for this but in our opinion, the ride was ok but thought could have been better. The looks of the ride were phenomenal but like Smugglers Run, felt underwhelming.

That's how we felt. Maybe because my husband had listened to me stress over getting a boarding group for several days, and maybe because I had stressed over it privately for weeks and at that point nothing could have lived up to the hype, but all of us were meh about it. My favorite part of the ride wasn't even the actual "ride".

If I was going with people who had never been I would reserve the park and try for a BG again, but if it's just my family I don't know that we'd even try. Certainly I would not build my vacation around maximizing my chances for a BG again.

 

[fmustang1981]

Thanks for your report

 

[Lindseyncole]

Thanks for the helpful details!

 

[Hubie]

Yea, we rode ROTR in 1/20 also. It was OK. We're heading back to WDW this November and plan to skip it.