The Magic is Back - Share your Experience! Superthread

[Theok029]

What are they checking for when you park at M&F? Do you need to show them both the ticket and QR code to park or just the QR code?

Thanks all for the fabulous stories and info!

 

[ladeeesquire]

We’d lll were also there in 5/5 and we had a great time! It was hot that day, much hotter than the rest of the week. We did Rise check in right at 7 and got boarding #70 estimated wait 6hrs! We arrived at Michel and friends around 7:30 (I thought the structure would open 90 mins ahead) found it was closed, circled around once or twice and popped in just as it opened. We were about 5 cars back from pay window. They didn’t start letting you in until a few mins before 8 but then we parked, bag check, temp scan and walked to the gate. We were through the turnstile and in the park at about 8:30-8:40. Stopped for several pix. Park looks great! Very clean and fresh. My daughter wanted to ride Indy first but it wasn’t ready at 9 so we did HM with the shortcut first, 5 min wait at most. We then went back to Indy (10 min) pirates (5-10). It was already kind of hot so we rode splash. Loved having our own car! Photos were not operating for our ride. We did pooh, thunder. Then we walked up through SW area. It was our first time there and, even as people who aren’t fans of the franchise, the theming is impressive! We did the millennium ride (walk on) took photos. Dropped into fantasy land rose PP, probably 15 min wait, SW (maybe 25). I was excited about the new SW but TBH if you’ve done the mine ride at WDW this one is not great. It’s an improvement but not enough imo.

Then we headed back to Star Wars and had lunch. We used the mobile ordering. Very easy very efficient IMO. The timing is well done and I saw no one walking around with food looking for a place to sit. Tables are cleaned and sanitized immediately when people get up.

We took the chance to relax, cool down, and eat. By that time our boarding number had arrived. The wait in line was still pretty long (maybe 30 mins) but it moved along. Ride is amazing in its detail. I can’t imagine how excited Wars fans must be.

next was Alice, small world, autopia all with less than 20 min waits. Space was a long wait at about 30, star tours and rockets walk on.

Did Tiki and had dole whip after.

At about 5pm, having ridden all our desired rides we went back to HM and waited for the stretching room this time. (The shortcut was still a 5-10 min) Long wait at about 40 mins but it was fine. Stretching room only allows for 4 groups at a time (5th spot is for the CM). It was getting later and we were hot and tired so I mobile ordered a corn dog for the 6:30-7 time a lot and we did Pirates one more time. The line was quick but the ride was very slow, stopped a few times etc so by the time I got to the red cart for pick up it was about 6:45. I was glad I pre ordered because there were. I mire mobile orders then and people were being turned away.
The worst part of the day imo? The walk back. I’m not sure why they can’t run the tram but it was ok.

Overall impressions: without exception the CMs were all wearing properly fitted masks and setting a good example. Even with it being hot that day I saw about 99.9% compliance on guests properly wearing masks. I was actually very surprised. Hand washing stations and lots of sanitizer. The mobile ordering is great but at typical meal times the first pick up time may be 40 mins or so, so it’s good to check. The park really looks great!

Low crowds give the park an almost slow motion feel sometimes. Fantasyland was still a bit crowded. Character “interactions” were not satisfying to us. I’m not sure how they can fix this to make it better.

Personally, I would gladly pay a significant premium price for this crowd size. I hate waiting in line. I love the socially distant lines. I liked having the ride car to ourselves.

 

[DLgal]

What are they checking for when you park at M&F? Do you need to show them both the ticket and QR code to park or just the QR code?

Thanks all for the fabulous stories and info!

I heard you have to show your park reservation QR code.

 

[Jackiii]

On the HM, do CM give you a choice if you want to go through the stretching elevator or bypass and go through the short cut? Separate line?

 

[WonkaKid]

The worst part of the day imo? The walk back. I’m not sure why they can’t run the tram but it was ok.

I know what you mean. On opening day I walked more than nine miles. The last thing I wanted after that was a long trek. I suspect the tram's closure is a logistical question of staffing rather than one of safety. They'd have to have so many CMs operating and cleaning it that it might simply be impractical. Also, where, then, would they put the arriving guests in the morning?

 

[DLgal]

I know what you mean. On opening day I walked more than nine miles. The last thing I wanted after that was a long trek. I suspect the tram's closure is a logistical question of staffing rather than one of safety. They'd have to have so many CMs operating and cleaning it that it might simply be impractical. Also, where, then, would they put the arriving guests in the morning?

I think it's mostly the last thing you mentioned. They want to NOT have large dumps of people all at once in the esplanade in the mornings, and they want to avoid the line ups at park closing. I feel like there should be a better way, though. I don't particularly think they are concerned with cleaning vehicles at this point. The science has showed unequivocally that frequent surface cleaning is unnecessary. Staffing could be an issue too, I suppose.

 

[midnight star]

They are giving the purple legacy passholder magnet out at world of Disney with a purchase.

 

[evilmommie]

.

 

[dieumeye]

For anyone interested in an arrival update from this weekend (Sat May 8):

M&F sign said structure opens at 7:45am. They opened the entrance to the structure at 7:30am. Toll booths opened at 7:45am.

Walking distance from M&F to esplanade is around 0.9 mile.

I got to the esplanade at 8:18am. People were already being let into DL. DCA lines were about 2/3 to middle of esplanade. DCA gates opened at 8:20am and they started letting people in at 8:25am.

The whole process was fast and easy.

 

[evilmommie]

.

 

[Mar Mar Binks]

We’d lll were also there in 5/5 and we had a great time! It was hot that day, much hotter than the rest of the week. We did Rise check in right at 7 and got boarding #70 estimated wait 6hrs! We arrived at Michel and friends around 7:30 (I thought the structure would open 90 mins ahead) found it was closed, circled around once or twice and popped in just as it opened. We were about 5 cars back from pay window. They didn’t start letting you in until a few mins before 8 but then we parked, bag check, temp scan and walked to the gate. We were through the turnstile and in the park at about 8:30-8:40. Stopped for several pix. Park looks great! Very clean and fresh. My daughter wanted to ride Indy first but it wasn’t ready at 9 so we did HM with the shortcut first, 5 min wait at most. We then went back to Indy (10 min) pirates (5-10). It was already kind of hot so we rode splash. Loved having our own car! Photos were not operating for our ride. We did pooh, thunder. Then we walked up through SW area. It was our first time there and, even as people who aren’t fans of the franchise, the theming is impressive! We did the millennium ride (walk on) took photos. Dropped into fantasy land rose PP, probably 15 min wait, SW (maybe 25). I was excited about the new SW but TBH if you’ve done the mine ride at WDW this one is not great. It’s an improvement but not enough imo.

Then we headed back to Star Wars and had lunch. We used the mobile ordering. Very easy very efficient IMO. The timing is well done and I saw no one walking around with food looking for a place to sit. Tables are cleaned and sanitized immediately when people get up.

We took the chance to relax, cool down, and eat. By that time our boarding number had arrived. The wait in line was still pretty long (maybe 30 mins) but it moved along. Ride is amazing in its detail. I can’t imagine how excited Wars fans must be.

next was Alice, small world, autopia all with less than 20 min waits. Space was a long wait at about 30, star tours and rockets walk on.

Did Tiki and had dole whip after.

At about 5pm, having ridden all our desired rides we went back to HM and waited for the stretching room this time. (The shortcut was still a 5-10 min) Long wait at about 40 mins but it was fine. Stretching room only allows for 4 groups at a time (5th spot is for the CM). It was getting later and we were hot and tired so I mobile ordered a corn dog for the 6:30-7 time a lot and we did Pirates one more time. The line was quick but the ride was very slow, stopped a few times etc so by the time I got to the red cart for pick up it was about 6:45. I was glad I pre ordered because there were. I mire mobile orders then and people were being turned away.
The worst part of the day imo? The walk back. I’m not sure why they can’t run the tram but it was ok.

Overall impressions: without exception the CMs were all wearing properly fitted masks and setting a good example. Even with it being hot that day I saw about 99.9% compliance on guests properly wearing masks. I was actually very surprised. Hand washing stations and lots of sanitizer. The mobile ordering is great but at typical meal times the first pick up time may be 40 mins or so, so it’s good to check. The park really looks great!

Low crowds give the park an almost slow motion feel sometimes. Fantasyland was still a bit crowded. Character “interactions” were not satisfying to us. I’m not sure how they can fix this to make it better.

Personally, I would gladly pay a significant premium price for this crowd size. I hate waiting in line. I love the socially distant lines. I liked having the ride car to ourselves.

Thanks for this great summary! We are heading there next weekend, we waited for the 12 hour days since the teens really like the evening time at the park. This is super helpful for times! We never interact with characters so that is not important to us and used to use mobile ordering. So the low crowds are going to be the highlight. Thanks again!

 

[JoeSwanson]

If it’s our first day of our reservation (3 days in a row) does the Disney app know that or how do we reserve a boarding time on ROTR?

 

[coaches24]

If it’s our first day of our reservation (3 days in a row) does the Disney app know that or how do we reserve a boarding time on ROTR?

There is a big thread about ROTR and how to get a boarding group in this forum. Check it out as it has the info you need.

 

[WonkaKid]

Wow. I just got in line (far later than I hoped/planned/expected to) and there’s virtually no one here — only about 20 people ahead of me. I thought I’d get off easy if there were ten times as many people as that. Despite this, all BGs for ROTR are already gone. The line next to me is about twice as long... but still shockingly short. Given all of this, I doubt we’ll get into the park early. Maybe a little bit probably not an hour like last Friday.

 

[Mathmagicland]

For those who have stayed at Grand Cal - do you have to show hotel ID to go through security to DTD there? Trying to figure out if I need to pick up the ID before heading to the parks this week. Thanks!

 

[Mar Mar Binks]

For those who have stayed at Grand Cal - do you have to show hotel ID to go through security to DTD there? Trying to figure out if I need to pick up the ID before heading to the parks this week. Thanks!

When I called them they did say you need the hotel key (the temp one if no room yet) to use the entrances into the hotel from DTD so yes get a temp key.

 

[Galun]

I have to say, this went far beyond my expectations. It’s incredible

my youngest loves Star Wars. We looped Star tours for 2 hours. 15-20 minutes each time including the ride. The experience repeated once or twice. He had a Vader costume and he was picked as the spy twice.

Smugglers run was less than half hour. In fact I cannot remember a ride taking more than half hour.

We planned the first day like we did in the past and we did everything in 6 hours. We didn’t plan anything after that and were also done in 6 hours or so.

this will likely not happen again (and hopefully not as it would mean another extended shut down). Just really happy to be here to experience it.

 

[WonkaKid]

I arrived at the line at around 7:00...but still got in quickly. There were far fewer people here today than on opening day or last Sunday... at least when the park opened. I was surprised when, directly after screening, we went directly to the park gates - I was second in line. They also opened at 8:15 versus the scheduled opening time of 9:00. Yet another bonus.

As I walked with intention up Main Street, I soon realized that I could be first on PP if I made a point of if. Which I did, for old time’s sake . Hadn’t thought would be a possibility anytime in the immediate future. So that was another surprise. I felt like I’d made an ill-advised investment when no one lined up behind me yet the Snow White queue snowballed. ButI didn’t care. I wanted to be first on PP, something I hadn’t done in quite some time.

Mr. Toad was closed so I then rode Pinocchio — it was a walk-on — and then SW. My wait was only about seven minutes. Just as I walked past MT, the doors opened and I walked right in/on. So today was special: I was the first on PP and MT. Then I rode Dumbo... as the second person on. Oh well. Can’t be first for everything .

In short, crowds were still light but the park didn’t feel as empty as the other two days I was here. Perhaps I’ve adjusted my expectations.

Around noon I ran into a security CM I know and he told me that they remove guests from the park multiple times daily for repeated mask violations. That sort of surprises me, sort of doesn’t. Later I saw a small group get escorted from the park by three or four security CMs and a few higher-ups. The entire entourage was met at the head of MS by five officers from the Anaheim PD. I wonder what they did, although I suspect that it was mask-related.

ETA: Despite particularly short lines this morning, all ROTR BPs were gone in about about 20 seconds. I was able to grab one at noon and just got off the ride about 20 minutes ago.

I usually leave the park at around 3:00 (pre-war) but this is the last reservation on my three-day ticket and I have a little trouble walking out. Not sure when I’ll be back again so it’s a little like leaving home... returning to the loneliness and isolation of the pandemic :-(.

A few pics.
The line at 7:00.

 

[WonkaKid]

More pics.

 

[WonkaKid]

And a few more.










Pretty sure 300 minutes was a miscalculation.


Carnation Cafe with tables.