The Magic is Back - Share your Experience! Superthread

[edhmom]

Beautiful dog and just love the one with Mickey!

Thanks! It was his first time in the parks and he wasn't quite sure what to think of the characters. Pluto loved him!

 

[cinder-ellah]

It is so beautiful here today!! I went on Rise of the Resistance for the first time. WOW!View attachment 572800View attachment 572801View attachment 572802View attachment 572804View attachment 572803

Love your pictures!

 

[gpjacobs]

Lovings all the pictures - thank you for sharing!

 

[V & S]

We are home, now, and after being fortunate enough to be at DL on opening day and the day after, I believe for those who visited DL as a child in the 60s or 70s or 80s, the lack of crowds really takes you back.

Neither of us enjoy crowds at all at the best of times, and this trip was the best one ever for us, despite the strangeness. We were talking about how we would pay more for fewer people in the park, especially how it's gotten across the past decade or so...

It seemed both more real and more magical at the exact same time. So grateful!

 

[amyg1975]

We are home, now, and after being fortunate enough to be at DL on opening day and the day after, I believe for those who visited DL as a child in the 60s or 70s or 80s, the lack of crowds really takes you back.

Neither of us enjoy crowds at all at the best of times, and this trip was the best one ever for us, despite the strangeness. We were talking about how we would pay more for fewer people in the park, especially how it's gotten across the past decade or so...

It seemed both more real and more magical at the exact same time. So grateful!

I agree. It was so magical that I don’t want to go this summer when it is busier because my memories of opening were so wonderful.

 

[WonkaKid]

One other thing I forgot to mention. I was sad when I first learned that ♫“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” ♫ would no longer be played in the parks. I always loved hearing it the second the park opened. However, I actually heard it on the “secret path” behind Harbour Galley on Sunday. It took a moment to register. But once it did, a small smile spread across my face. Hopefully that means there’s still some hope to hear it at rope drop one day in the future.

Also, the last of my pics.

 

[WonkaKid]

And my one panoramic shot just before I left. Sorry it's so small. It wouldn't upload in the larger size.

 

[evilmommie]

.

 

[califlorican]

One other thing I forgot to mention. I was sad when I first learned that ♫“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” ♫ would no longer be played in the parks. I always loved hearing it the second the park opened. However, I actually heard it on the “secret path” behind Harbour Galley on Sunday. It took a moment to register. But once it did, a small smile spread across my face. Hopefully that means there’s still some hope to hear it at rope drop one day in the future.

I thought Disney was specifically not using it because of how problematic the movie/song is? I'd be very surprised if they started using it again.

 

[brightlined]

One other thing I forgot to mention. I was sad when I first learned that ♫“Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” ♫ would no longer be played in the parks. I always loved hearing it the second the park opened. However, I actually heard it on the “secret path” behind Harbour Galley on Sunday. It took a moment to register. But once it did, a small smile spread across my face. Hopefully that means there’s still some hope to hear it at rope drop one day in the future.

You were probably hearing it from Splash Mountain. It plays during the stretch right after the falls, which is adjacent to Harbour Galley. (Might still be in the Critter Country loop, but I'm betting it was from the ride.)

(The vid here should skip straight to that spot.)

 

[WonkaKid]

You were probably hearing it from Splash Mountain. It plays during the stretch right after the falls, which is adjacent to Harbour Galley.

Yes - I suspect you’re right.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

As many of you know, I went to Disneyland on Saturday and Tuesday to check it out. Saturday was California Adventure, then Disneyland, and on Tuesday, even though I had a park hopper, I stayed at Disneyland the entire time. I thought I would pass on a few observations, and if anyone has questions I'll try and answer.

• If you get a one-day ticket, be sure to check and see if you can make a reservation on the day you want to go before purchasing the ticket. Kelly had told me that she could go with me on Saturday, so I chose the 1-day ticket, and then down to the calendar to choose the day - 1 May. After purchasing the one-day hopper I remembered I actually needed to do a reservation, and when I went to do that reservations were not available. I called Disney to see if I could link her to my ticket and maybe she could go - no dice. Disney offered to refund my ticket, and I decided to keep it for 7/17-Disneyland's birthday. Of course, I did know better, but wasn't thinking when I got her that ticket.
• When you park hop, you cannot enter the second park until 1pm - sharp. I got to Disneyland turnstiles at 12:30, and at 12:54 they opened the gates. At 1pm (according to my phone) they scanned people through. Instead of my phone they wanted to see my paper ticket. (others had different experiences, but that is what happened to me).
• For Rise of the Resistance you can try for boarding passes at 7am if you have your tickets, and you can do it from home or your hotel. You can try again at noon, but must have entered the park (I don't know if you can do it in Downtown Disney at noon)
• Photopass - $15 for one picture, $20 for all day unlimited. Cast members will not take pictures of you with your camera
• Anyone can purchase tickets right now. You just need to be a CA resident to make a reservation since you can only make a reservation for the next month, and right now attendance is restricted. However, you can purchase the ticket at any time.
• The trams/shuttles are not working from Mickey and Friends parking structure, so you have to walk the ~1/2 mile to the parks. In the morning that is not an issue, and for your fit gals, no issue. I've been pretty sedentary for a year now, and after 15K steps I had to psyche myself up to walk back to the parking structure. I really wanted someone to pick me up and carry me . Of course, when I finally got my butt in gear it wasn't an issue.
• The way it works at the structure is that you go backwards through the shuttle pick-up area. They take your temperature as you enter. To the right (on the other side of where the trams usually drive) are strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs for rental. You go through security and walk the shuttle route to the parks. I counted at least 8 benches along the way so people can rest. When returning, I saw a lady using a walker, so I'm sure she appreciated having a bench to rest on while making her way back to her car.
• I think a good alternative for people that are too tired after the parks and doesn't mind waiting, is to be dropped off/picked up at the drop-off location on Harbor Blvd.
• Parking is now $25
• On Tuesday, I decided to park at the Anaheim Hotel. They are charging $25 (even though the website said $15 on weekdays) for parking, and the walk is closer than the Mickey and Friends structure. Of course, parking is limited, and first-come, first served. My walk to the parks was more than 5 min, less than 10 min from there.
• Lockers in the parks are closed, lockers by the esplanade are open and they are emptied right after the parks close, so don't leave your items after the parks close, grab a bite in Downtown Disney then return expecting to find your stuff. It won't be there. The lockers in the picnic area are also open.
• Parks close at 7pm right now, even weekends (may change).
• Cast members are still trying to figure out how to manage queues and social distancing, and they are doing a great job at it. There are no indoor queues. Snow White queue goes to Fantasy Faire area and through that princess line. Peter Pan queue goes past Snow White's grotto and curves around towards the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms. So, they may look long, but they are not.
• Attractions like Millenium Falcon - one group (even if it's one person) per vehicle. It's a Small World, Pirates - every other row. Tiki Room - every other row.
• Haunted Mansion has two options right now. You can go through the regular queue and stretching room - they have 5 spots around the perimeter of the stretching room, and when the doors open, you enter the hallway by your group number. Guests can also bypass the stretching room. As you snake through the queue, which goes through the fast pass distribution area, a cast member may ask you if you want to go through the servant's door (chicken exit), and you go in through there and walk down some stairs to get to the ride portion. I opted for the stretching room experience.
• The train really maintains social distancing, so it will take a while to board. I think there were three groups in my section - one in the middle back, and a group on either side in the front. They let me sit in the middle in the front, but I couldn't move from that spot. Also, the train shuts down early (I heard 3pm, but I didn't verify).
• There is very limited indoor dining. I think Plaza Inn had 5 tables total on each side. Carnation Cafe is closed. However, there are tables all over the place, along Rivers of America, and placed strategically throughout the park. There are also benches all over the parks that say 'designated dining.'
• You can only take off your mask to drink water, eat snacks, etc., in designated dining areas. You cannot take off your masks for pictures or on attractions. I was scolded for taking my mask off when riding by myself on the "Mickey's fun wheel/(Pixar Pal Around)" and I was sitting by myself.
• They are really pushing mobile ordering, and in most in-park places you can only get food by mobile ordering. There are signs with QR codes at all the eateries to pull up menus and the mobile ordering site.
• There are hand sanitizing dispensers everywhere and some hand washing stations in addition to that.
• There are no more water refills at places like Rancho del Zocalo. We had lunch at French Market, and my friend got a cup of water there with no problem. I went to Plaza Inn for dinner and asked for a cup of water, and they said I could only get bottled. To purchase bottled I had to go back and stand in the stand-by line, which I didn't want to do, so nothing to drink until after dinner. (Lesson learned)
• No Shows
• Flag Retreat = National Anthem and lowering of the flags
• For the stores - there is only one entrance and a few exits. The entrance for the stores will be closest to the park entrance and they are keeping track of the number of people that go in. If the store is too full you will have to wait in the socially-distanced queue on the sidewalk outside the store.
• There were a lot of characters out, but they are kept behind some type of barrier so you cannot approach them. However, you can stand in front and take pictures, and they were extremely engaging. I went to the Main Street station several times and noticed that they had the Fab 5 plus Chip and Dale there throughout the day. I also saw Cruella on Main Street, Alice in Wonderland by It's a Small World (she was so funny and quirky), and others in DL, and Officer Nicholas (Zootopia), Big Al, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, etc., at DCA. I got some fun pictures.
• Exit from California Adventure to Grand Californian can only be used by hotel guests, and they must have their room card.
• Legacy passholder discounts still apply, but not photopass (darn it).
• Cast members remain wonderful as always.

 

[Mathmagicland]

As many of you know, I went to Disneyland on Saturday and Tuesday to check it out. Saturday was California Adventure, then Disneyland, and on Tuesday, even though I had a park hopper, I stayed at Disneyland the entire time. I thought I would pass on a few observations, and if anyone has questions I'll try and answer.

• If you get a one-day ticket, be sure to check and see if you can make a reservation on the day you want to go before purchasing the ticket. Kelly had told me that she could go with me on Saturday, so I chose the 1-day ticket, and then down to the calendar to choose the day - 1 May. After purchasing the one-day hopper I remembered I actually needed to do a reservation, and when I went to do that reservations were not available. I called Disney to see if I could link her to my ticket and maybe she could go - no dice. Disney offered to refund my ticket, and I decided to keep it for 7/17-Disneyland's birthday. Of course, I did know better, but wasn't thinking when I got her that ticket.
• Anyone can purchase tickets right now. You just need to be a CA resident to make a reservation since you can only make a reservation for the next month, and right now attendance is restricted. However, you can purchase the ticket at any time.
• The trams/shuttles are not working from Mickey and Friends parking structure, so you have to walk the ~1/2 mile to the parks. In the morning that is not an issue, and for your fit gals, no issue. I've been pretty sedentary for a year now, and after 15K steps I had to psyche myself up to walk back to the parking structure. I really wanted someone to pick me up and carry me . Of course, when I finally got my butt in gear it wasn't an issue.
• The way it works at the structure is that you go backwards through the shuttle pick-up area. They take your temperature as you enter. To the right (on the other side of where the trams usually drive) are strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs for rental. You go through security and walk the shuttle route to the parks. I counted at least 8 benches along the way so people can rest. When returning, I saw a lady using a walker, so I'm sure she appreciated having a bench to rest on while making her way back to her car.
• I think a good alternative for people that are too tired after the parks and doesn't mind waiting, is to be dropped off/picked up at the drop-off location on Harbor Blvd.
• Parking is now $25
• On Tuesday, I decided to park at the Anaheim Hotel. They are charging $25 (even though the website said $15 on weekdays) for parking, and the walk is closer than the Mickey and Friends structure. Of course, parking is limited, and first-come, first served. My walk to the parks was more than 5 min, less than 10 min from there.
• Lockers in the parks are closed, lockers by the esplanade are open and they are emptied right after the parks close, so don't leave your items after the parks close, grab a bite in Downtown Disney then return expecting to find your stuff. It won't be there.
• Parks close at 7pm right now, even weekends (may change).
• Cast members are still trying to figure out how to manage queues and social distancing, and they are doing a great job at it. There are no indoor queues. Snow White queue goes to Fantasy Faire area and through that princess line. Peter Pan queue goes past Snow White's grotto and curves around towards the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms. So, they may look long, but they are not.
• Attractions like Millenium Falcon - one group (even if it's one person) per vehicle. It's a Small World, Pirates - every other row. Tiki Room - every other row.
• Haunted Mansion has two options right now. You can go through the regular queue and stretching room - they have 5 spots around the perimeter of the stretching room, and when the doors open, you enter the hallway by your group number. Guests can also bypass the stretching room. As you snake through the queue, which goes through the fast pass distribution area, a cast member may ask you if you want to go through the servant's door (chicken exit), and you go in through there and walk down some stairs to get to the ride portion. I opted for the stretching room experience.
• The train really maintains social distancing, so it will take a while to board. I think there were three groups in my section - one in the middle back, and a group on either side in the front. They let me sit in the middle in the front, but I couldn't move from that spot.
• There is very limited indoor dining. I think Plaza Inn had 5 tables total on each side. Carnation Cafe is closed. However, there are tables all over the place, along Rivers of America, and placed strategically throughout the park. There are also benches all over the parks that say 'designated dining.'
• You can only take off your mask to drink water, eat snacks, etc., in designated dining areas. You cannot take off your masks for pictures or on attractions. I was scolded for taking my mask off when riding by myself on the "Mickey's fun wheel/(Pixar Pal Around)" and I was sitting by myself.
• They are really pushing mobile ordering, and in most in-park places you can only get food by mobile ordering. There are signs with QR codes at all the eateries to pull up menus and the mobile ordering site.
• There are hand sanitizing dispensers everywhere and some hand washing stations in addition to that.
• There are no more water refills at places like Rancho del Zocalo. We had lunch at French Market, and my friend got a cup of water there with no problem. I went to Plaza Inn for dinner and asked for a cup of water, and they said I could only get bottled. To purchase bottled I had to go back and stand in the stand-by line, which I didn't want to do, so nothing to drink until after dinner. (Lesson learned)
• No Shows
• Flag Retreat = National Anthem and lowering of the flags
• For the stores - there is only one entrance and a few exits. The entrance for the stores will be closest to the park entrance and they are keeping track of the number of people that go in. If the store is too full you will have to wait in the socially-distanced queue on the sidewalk outside the store.
• There were a lot of characters out, but they are kept behind some type of barrier so you cannot approach them. However, you can stand in front and take pictures, and they were extremely engaging. I went to the Main Street station several times and noticed that they had the Fab 5 plus Chip and Dale there throughout the day. I also saw Cruella on Main Street, Alice in Wonderland by It's a Small World (she was so funny and quirky), and others in DL, and Officer Nicholas (Zootopia), Big Al, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, etc., at DCA. I got some fun pictures.
• Legacy passholder discounts still apply, but not photopass (darn it).
• Cast members remain wonderful as always.

Thanks for all of this info, very helpful!

Re the park hours, the hours calendar shows closing time is moving to 9:00 pm every night starting next week Friday May 14.

Also sharing my experience with hotel reservations & the hotel park reservation bucket - while you can check general park reservation availability before purchasing tickets, you cannot check the availability in the hotel reservation bucket until you have tickets linked to your account, even if you have a hotel reservation. I have a GCH reservation & it would not let me see the hotel park reservation bucket until I also had a park ticket in my account,

 

[Kender]

As many of you know, I went to Disneyland on Saturday and Tuesday to check it out. Saturday was California Adventure, then Disneyland, and on Tuesday, even though I had a park hopper, I stayed at Disneyland the entire time. I thought I would pass on a few observations, and if anyone has questions I'll try and answer.

• If you get a one-day ticket, be sure to check and see if you can make a reservation on the day you want to go before purchasing the ticket. Kelly had told me that she could go with me on Saturday, so I chose the 1-day ticket, and then down to the calendar to choose the day - 1 May. After purchasing the one-day hopper I remembered I actually needed to do a reservation, and when I went to do that reservations were not available. I called Disney to see if I could link her to my ticket and maybe she could go - no dice. Disney offered to refund my ticket, and I decided to keep it for 7/17-Disneyland's birthday. Of course, I did know better, but wasn't thinking when I got her that ticket.
• Anyone can purchase tickets right now. You just need to be a CA resident to make a reservation since you can only make a reservation for the next month, and right now attendance is restricted. However, you can purchase the ticket at any time.
• The trams/shuttles are not working from Mickey and Friends parking structure, so you have to walk the ~1/2 mile to the parks. In the morning that is not an issue, and for your fit gals, no issue. I've been pretty sedentary for a year now, and after 15K steps I had to psyche myself up to walk back to the parking structure. I really wanted someone to pick me up and carry me . Of course, when I finally got my butt in gear it wasn't an issue.
• The way it works at the structure is that you go backwards through the shuttle pick-up area. They take your temperature as you enter. To the right (on the other side of where the trams usually drive) are strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs for rental. You go through security and walk the shuttle route to the parks. I counted at least 8 benches along the way so people can rest. When returning, I saw a lady using a walker, so I'm sure she appreciated having a bench to rest on while making her way back to her car.
• I think a good alternative for people that are too tired after the parks and doesn't mind waiting, is to be dropped off/picked up at the drop-off location on Harbor Blvd.
• Parking is now $25
• On Tuesday, I decided to park at the Anaheim Hotel. They are charging $25 (even though the website said $15 on weekdays) for parking, and the walk is closer than the Mickey and Friends structure. Of course, parking is limited, and first-come, first served. My walk to the parks was more than 5 min, less than 10 min from there.
• Lockers in the parks are closed, lockers by the esplanade are open and they are emptied right after the parks close, so don't leave your items after the parks close, grab a bite in Downtown Disney then return expecting to find your stuff. It won't be there. The lockers in the picnic area are also open.
• Parks close at 7pm right now, even weekends (may change).
• Cast members are still trying to figure out how to manage queues and social distancing, and they are doing a great job at it. There are no indoor queues. Snow White queue goes to Fantasy Faire area and through that princess line. Peter Pan queue goes past Snow White's grotto and curves around towards the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms. So, they may look long, but they are not.
• Attractions like Millenium Falcon - one group (even if it's one person) per vehicle. It's a Small World, Pirates - every other row. Tiki Room - every other row.
• Haunted Mansion has two options right now. You can go through the regular queue and stretching room - they have 5 spots around the perimeter of the stretching room, and when the doors open, you enter the hallway by your group number. Guests can also bypass the stretching room. As you snake through the queue, which goes through the fast pass distribution area, a cast member may ask you if you want to go through the servant's door (chicken exit), and you go in through there and walk down some stairs to get to the ride portion. I opted for the stretching room experience.
• The train really maintains social distancing, so it will take a while to board. I think there were three groups in my section - one in the middle back, and a group on either side in the front. They let me sit in the middle in the front, but I couldn't move from that spot. Also, the train shuts down early (I heard 3pm, but I didn't verify).
• There is very limited indoor dining. I think Plaza Inn had 5 tables total on each side. Carnation Cafe is closed. However, there are tables all over the place, along Rivers of America, and placed strategically throughout the park. There are also benches all over the parks that say 'designated dining.'
• You can only take off your mask to drink water, eat snacks, etc., in designated dining areas. You cannot take off your masks for pictures or on attractions. I was scolded for taking my mask off when riding by myself on the "Mickey's fun wheel/(Pixar Pal Around)" and I was sitting by myself.
• They are really pushing mobile ordering, and in most in-park places you can only get food by mobile ordering. There are signs with QR codes at all the eateries to pull up menus and the mobile ordering site.
• There are hand sanitizing dispensers everywhere and some hand washing stations in addition to that.
• There are no more water refills at places like Rancho del Zocalo. We had lunch at French Market, and my friend got a cup of water there with no problem. I went to Plaza Inn for dinner and asked for a cup of water, and they said I could only get bottled. To purchase bottled I had to go back and stand in the stand-by line, which I didn't want to do, so nothing to drink until after dinner. (Lesson learned)
• No Shows
• Flag Retreat = National Anthem and lowering of the flags
• For the stores - there is only one entrance and a few exits. The entrance for the stores will be closest to the park entrance and they are keeping track of the number of people that go in. If the store is too full you will have to wait in the socially-distanced queue on the sidewalk outside the store.
• There were a lot of characters out, but they are kept behind some type of barrier so you cannot approach them. However, you can stand in front and take pictures, and they were extremely engaging. I went to the Main Street station several times and noticed that they had the Fab 5 plus Chip and Dale there throughout the day. I also saw Cruella on Main Street, Alice in Wonderland by It's a Small World (she was so funny and quirky), and others in DL, and Officer Nicholas (Zootopia), Big Al, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, etc., at DCA. I got some fun pictures.
• Exit from California Adventure to Grand Californian can only be used by hotel guests, and they must have their room card.
• Legacy passholder discounts still apply, but not photopass (darn it).
• Cast members remain wonderful as always.

@Mathmagicland already covered the update to hours that happens the 14th (I picked my days 100% based on the extra time; otherwise I'd have been there this weekend for my birthday lol), but wanted to add it shows in the app when DLRR closes. I have not confirmed, but the rumor I've been hearing is this is due to necessary staffing issues legally required to run it full time. It makes logical enough sense so that's why I'm mentioning it.

Last I looked, it said 1:30pm previous days and this matched reports from opening weekend when the line was cut off. Just looked now and it says 2:30pm so looks like it got extended a bit today! Slowly but surely we're moving forward!

 

[shosh1530]

Thanks for all of this info, very helpful!

Also sharing my experience with hotel reservations & the hotel park reservation bucket - while you can check general park reservation availability before purchasing tickets, you cannot check the availability in the hotel reservation bucket until you have tickets linked to your account, even if you have a hotel reservation. I have a GCH reservation & it would not let me see the hotel park reservation bucket until I also had a park ticket in my account,

I believe this link will show you park reservation availability for hotel guests (even if you don't yet have tickets linked or hotel reservation):

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/availability-calendar/?segments=ticket,ph,resort&defaultSegment=resort

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

As many of you know, I went to Disneyland on Saturday and Tuesday to check it out. Saturday was California Adventure, then Disneyland, and on Tuesday, even though I had a park hopper, I stayed at Disneyland the entire time. I thought I would pass on a few observations, and if anyone has questions I'll try and answer.

• If you get a one-day ticket, be sure to check and see if you can make a reservation on the day you want to go before purchasing the ticket. Kelly had told me that she could go with me on Saturday, so I chose the 1-day ticket, and then down to the calendar to choose the day - 1 May. After purchasing the one-day hopper I remembered I actually needed to do a reservation, and when I went to do that reservations were not available. I called Disney to see if I could link her to my ticket and maybe she could go - no dice. Disney offered to refund my ticket, and I decided to keep it for 7/17-Disneyland's birthday. Of course, I did know better, but wasn't thinking when I got her that ticket.
• When you park hop, you cannot enter the second park until 1pm - sharp. I got to Disneyland turnstiles at 12:30, and at 12:54 they opened the gates. At 1pm (according to my phone) they scanned people through. Instead of my phone they wanted to see my paper ticket. (others had different experiences, but that is what happened to me).
• For Rise of the Resistance you can try for boarding passes at 7am if you have your tickets, and you can do it from home or your hotel. You can try again at noon, but must have entered the park (I don't know if you can do it in Downtown Disney at noon)
• Photopass - $15 for one picture, $20 for all day unlimited. Cast members will not take pictures of you with your camera
• Anyone can purchase tickets right now. You just need to be a CA resident to make a reservation since you can only make a reservation for the next month, and right now attendance is restricted. However, you can purchase the ticket at any time.
• The trams/shuttles are not working from Mickey and Friends parking structure, so you have to walk the ~1/2 mile to the parks. In the morning that is not an issue, and for your fit gals, no issue. I've been pretty sedentary for a year now, and after 15K steps I had to psyche myself up to walk back to the parking structure. I really wanted someone to pick me up and carry me . Of course, when I finally got my butt in gear it wasn't an issue.
• The way it works at the structure is that you go backwards through the shuttle pick-up area. They take your temperature as you enter. To the right (on the other side of where the trams usually drive) are strollers, wheelchairs, and ECVs for rental. You go through security and walk the shuttle route to the parks. I counted at least 8 benches along the way so people can rest. When returning, I saw a lady using a walker, so I'm sure she appreciated having a bench to rest on while making her way back to her car.
• I think a good alternative for people that are too tired after the parks and doesn't mind waiting, is to be dropped off/picked up at the drop-off location on Harbor Blvd.
• Parking is now $25
• On Tuesday, I decided to park at the Anaheim Hotel. They are charging $25 (even though the website said $15 on weekdays) for parking, and the walk is closer than the Mickey and Friends structure. Of course, parking is limited, and first-come, first served. My walk to the parks was more than 5 min, less than 10 min from there.
• Lockers in the parks are closed, lockers by the esplanade are open and they are emptied right after the parks close, so don't leave your items after the parks close, grab a bite in Downtown Disney then return expecting to find your stuff. It won't be there. The lockers in the picnic area are also open.
• Parks close at 7pm right now, even weekends (may change).
• Cast members are still trying to figure out how to manage queues and social distancing, and they are doing a great job at it. There are no indoor queues. Snow White queue goes to Fantasy Faire area and through that princess line. Peter Pan queue goes past Snow White's grotto and curves around towards the Alice in Wonderland bathrooms. So, they may look long, but they are not.
• Attractions like Millenium Falcon - one group (even if it's one person) per vehicle. It's a Small World, Pirates - every other row. Tiki Room - every other row.
• Haunted Mansion has two options right now. You can go through the regular queue and stretching room - they have 5 spots around the perimeter of the stretching room, and when the doors open, you enter the hallway by your group number. Guests can also bypass the stretching room. As you snake through the queue, which goes through the fast pass distribution area, a cast member may ask you if you want to go through the servant's door (chicken exit), and you go in through there and walk down some stairs to get to the ride portion. I opted for the stretching room experience.
• The train really maintains social distancing, so it will take a while to board. I think there were three groups in my section - one in the middle back, and a group on either side in the front. They let me sit in the middle in the front, but I couldn't move from that spot. Also, the train shuts down early (I heard 3pm, but I didn't verify).
• There is very limited indoor dining. I think Plaza Inn had 5 tables total on each side. Carnation Cafe is closed. However, there are tables all over the place, along Rivers of America, and placed strategically throughout the park. There are also benches all over the parks that say 'designated dining.'
• You can only take off your mask to drink water, eat snacks, etc., in designated dining areas. You cannot take off your masks for pictures or on attractions. I was scolded for taking my mask off when riding by myself on the "Mickey's fun wheel/(Pixar Pal Around)" and I was sitting by myself.
• They are really pushing mobile ordering, and in most in-park places you can only get food by mobile ordering. There are signs with QR codes at all the eateries to pull up menus and the mobile ordering site.
• There are hand sanitizing dispensers everywhere and some hand washing stations in addition to that.
• There are no more water refills at places like Rancho del Zocalo. We had lunch at French Market, and my friend got a cup of water there with no problem. I went to Plaza Inn for dinner and asked for a cup of water, and they said I could only get bottled. To purchase bottled I had to go back and stand in the stand-by line, which I didn't want to do, so nothing to drink until after dinner. (Lesson learned)
• No Shows
• Flag Retreat = National Anthem and lowering of the flags
• For the stores - there is only one entrance and a few exits. The entrance for the stores will be closest to the park entrance and they are keeping track of the number of people that go in. If the store is too full you will have to wait in the socially-distanced queue on the sidewalk outside the store.
• There were a lot of characters out, but they are kept behind some type of barrier so you cannot approach them. However, you can stand in front and take pictures, and they were extremely engaging. I went to the Main Street station several times and noticed that they had the Fab 5 plus Chip and Dale there throughout the day. I also saw Cruella on Main Street, Alice in Wonderland by It's a Small World (she was so funny and quirky), and others in DL, and Officer Nicholas (Zootopia), Big Al, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale, etc., at DCA. I got some fun pictures.
• Exit from California Adventure to Grand Californian can only be used by hotel guests, and they must have their room card.
• Legacy passholder discounts still apply, but not photopass (darn it).
• Cast members remain wonderful as always.

So much helpful information here, thank you, truly!

A question about parking since you tried it two ways. Which got you to the gate/in the park the quickest? I’m really stressing over the fact that M&F doesn’t open until 8:30. I want to be through the turnstiles as close to opening as possible. I don’t see how it’s even possible if the structure opens at 8:30. the actual length of the walk is no concern to me, I more want to be able to arrive early and get through security with the least amount of backup.

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Thank you everyone for sharing your experiences and photos!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Question re the train - with the characters sometimes appearing around the Main Street station, is it open for boarding? Thx.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Has anyone seen fresh fruit for sale? I thought I read that fruit carts wouldn't be open. We buy from those all the time. If those aren't open, is there anywhere to get melon, water bottles, apples, etc?

Does Starbucks still have protein boxes and fruit/cheese boxes for sale?

 

[Sarahelizabeth]

What time do you all think we should head over if entering on Harber? We are going Sunday and Monday and staying at a hotel on Harber. The most recent reports I’m seeing is that they are opening a few minutes before 9:00, if any. In the old days we’d be there an hour before opening to get through security and be at rope drop. Is there any reason to get there at 8 now?