Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[dachsie]

Yesterday I went back to MK. I got the rest of the rides except 7DMT, PP and CoP. I could have done CoP later but didn’t want to. The others I just didn’t want to stand in lines anymore. I was done with them. I left about 2 to go to Geyser point for lunch and then back to my room to rest and wash clothes and pack. I waited over an hour in the hub area around lunchtime for some cavalcade and none came by so I gave up. As I was leaving, Goofy et al were at the train station. That was the one I had not seen yet.

Came back about 5:30 just as the Dapper Dans were finishing up. Found a spot to sit on Main Street to seeif the Goofy cavalcade would come by as it’s last time was 5:45 and sure enough it came so I did finally see it and it was lit up so that was even better. Then found a seat in Hub to wait for the lights on castle. Did mobile order for Pinocchio VH and then finished watching the rest of the castle lights. Headed out after that around 8:10 or so. I could have gone to CoP during that as it was back open but elected to just rest in Hub which I enjoyed.

Overall it was a great trip. Some transportation issues I will email about when I get home but so glad I came

 

[Befferk]

I'm hoping they add after 4 hopping, would be nice to go to a different park for the evening.

Although that new incentive might build up evening crowds a bit, and therefore actual wait times through closing.

As of 1/1, you will be able to hop after 2pm.

 

[Stefne]

Can anyone weigh in on boat transportation from Epcot resorts to Epcot and HS? How has it been? Long lines, distanced, are they running somewhat on time? Feels like I haven’t seen much.

We walked from Yacht Club to Epcot on the days we went so I cannot speak for the boat to that park in the morning, but when we came back to the resort in the evening we were always able to get on the first boat that came and the line was never backed up behind us.

We went to Hollywood Studios on two separate days. On the first one we walked over and arrived about 8:45. We had not been since the Mickey and Minnie ride opened and really wanted to be some of the first in line so we could be among the first on. We were directed to a tent to line up and were probably about 20 groups back at our tent. We were let through around 9:15 and headed to the ride which was down after all the effort . We waited anyway and the ride began loading around 9:55.

By the time our second Hollywood day arrived later in the trip, we were tired and we had already gotten to do most everything we wanted to do on our first day anyway, so we decided to take the boat this time. We arrived to HS around 9:15 right as they were beginning to let people begin temp checks. On this particular day, they had a tent set up for us entering from the boats so we got right through with no wait and were better off that day than the day we walked it since we were first through the tent.

We took the boats back from HS both days and got on the first boat that came both times.

They were filling all rows of seats on the boats when we rode everytime, but it was restricted to two people per seat, as they did not want anyone sitting on the aisle.

Yea boats at EPCOT resorts will never beat early bird walkers to EPCOT or DHS.

See my comment above. I do not know if it is slways so, but on the day we took the boat to HS, we had our own temp check tent set up and since we were on the first boat that arrived, we ended up getting through quicker than the day we walked over and arrived a half hour earlier.

 

[Desiree1972]

Thanks again for all of your responses! Any decorated resorts that are a must see during this season? And any live music playing at the resorts?

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks again for all of your responses! Any decorated resorts that are a must see during this season? And any live music playing at the resorts?

We love seeing the giant tree at the Grand Floridian and the piano player returned yesterday.

 

[Desiree1972]

We love seeing the giant tree at the Grand Floridian and the piano player returned yesterday.

hooray for a piano player! thanks

 

[Skywalker3]

Thanks again for all of your responses! Any decorated resorts that are a must see during this season? And any live music playing at the resorts?

My daughter and I did some resort hopping to look at decorations. We were staying at BWV, so started there, then went to Wilderness Lodge. That was so pretty,and I'd never seen it at CHristmas...really hadn't been there in many years. Then took some pictures at Contemporary, Poly, and Grand Floridian. GF was beautiful too. Back to BCV, which had a good tree, and then BwV again. Favorites were WL, GF, and BWV. Took awhile to get around everywhere, but we had fun.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Looks like Expedition Everest has been down most of the day today in the MDE app at AK. Anyone there know what is going on with the ride?

 

[disneylover102]

Some random questions:
1. Where exactly is security at the TTC (last time I went was in 2016 and that’s when it was just at the MK after you got off the monorail)? When do they typically start?
2. When do the monorail and ferry to MK typically start running?
3. Can you walk from the TTC to the Polynesian without having to go through security?

 

[disneylover102]

Looks like Expedition Everest has been down most of the day today in the MDE app at AK. Anyone there know what is going on with the ride?

I was wondering that too! It looks like today wasn’t too great for rides... EE was down all day and ROTR only got through about 20 or 25 BGs!

 

[boop0524]

Our trip has ended, but it was wonderful and such a needed magical escape. Wanted to add that we, probably like everyone else, spent a lot of off time at Disney Springs. It was really one of the only other places outside the parks we felt they cared and were taking great precautions. Plus it was festive, there’s lots of good food and shopping. Our highlights were The Polite Pig and Boathouse. I also nerded out meeting Chef Amanda from The Ganachary. The weekdays and lunchtime were best and when we had the easiest time shopping, especially at the Disney store.

 

[DisneyNDecember]

Our trip has ended, but it was wonderful and such a needed magical escape. Wanted to add that we, probably like everyone else, spent a lot of off time at Disney Springs. It was really one of the only other places outside the parks we felt they cared and were taking great precautions. Plus it was festive, there’s lots of good food and shopping. Our highlights were The Polite Pig and Boathouse. I also nerded out meeting Chef Amanda from The Ganachary. The weekdays and lunchtime were best and when we had the easiest time shopping, especially at the Disney store.

I don’t get why they can do the snow at Disney Springs and not at DHS or MK?

 

[boop0524]

I don’t get why they can do the snow at Disney Springs and not at DHS or MK?

We saw snow at HS but it was minimal. None at MK

 

[jsmla]

Here’s a TR I did on my visit to DHS yesterday morning with times and pix. I am avoiding indoor dining, longer queues, long indoor attractions (like RotR) and shows.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-morning-at-dhs-live-ish.3819782/

 

[monkeydawn]

Not sure I buy that argument. Telling someone that there’s no fireworks so don’t come if you demand fireworks is totally okay. But telling people to be ready for a guessing game each day - while paying full price - is not okay. To stay safest we need to be able to plan accordingly for dining and transportation and it feels like wdw is just focused on pinching pennies.

I'd argue the exact opposite is true. An unwavering schedule means more people lining up. By keeping everyone guessing it does disperse the crowds a bit. Its the same reasoning for the surprise cavalcades verses the regular parades. I believe Disney even said as much in the very beginning.

 

[DMLAINI]

Transportation sounds crazy. Can we Uber to The Contemporary if we have a mobile order, pick it up, & walk to MK?

 

[yulilin3]

Transportation sounds crazy. Can we Uber to The Contemporary if we have a mobile order, pick it up, & walk to MK?

Some have reported this has worked

 

[What-r-ya Goofy?]

[Q

My daughter and I did some resort hopping to look at decorations. We were staying at BWV, so started there, then went to Wilderness Lodge. That was so pretty,and I'd never seen it at CHristmas...really hadn't been there in many years. Then took some pictures at Contemporary, Poly, and Grand Floridian. GF was beautiful too. Back to BCV, which had a good tree, and then BwV again. Favorites were WL, GF, and BWV. Took awhile to get around everywhere, but we had fun.

Have they eased up on resort hopping restrictions during the holidays?

 

[princesslover]

Our trip has ended, but it was wonderful and such a needed magical escape. Wanted to add that we, probably like everyone else, spent a lot of off time at Disney Springs. It was really one of the only other places outside the parks we felt they cared and were taking great precautions. Plus it was festive, there’s lots of good food and shopping. Our highlights were The Polite Pig and Boathouse. I also nerded out meeting Chef Amanda from The Ganachary. The weekdays and lunchtime were best and when we had the easiest time shopping, especially at the Disney store.

Thank you for sharing but I have to admit this surprises me. Most other groups I am part of has said DS is a madhouse and to avoid. We had planned on skipping entirely. Perhaps weekends should be avoided? I would like to get a clearer picture of this.

 

[princesslover]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. This thread is super helpful.

what is the consensus on the necessity of RD for Epcot? We are planning RDing MK, Ak, and DHS but have been considering a more laid back approach to Epcot just to have some days we aren’t rushing. Maybe even having a nice breakfast at a resort before heading over? Would this be a disaster? FWIW we don’t ride Frozen (a one and done for us) but do enjoy TT and Soarin. Thanks for any input. Ya’ll are great!!