Surprises You Weren't Expecting

[e_yerger]

Hello All!

My fiancé and I will be making our first return to the parks since they reopened over the Summer. Our plan is for 5 days, 4 nights at Pop Century at the end of April, with 4 of those 5 days to be weekdays (arriving on Sunday). We are planning on getting base tickets (no park hopper). We are WDW veterans, and I've had an AP for the two years before COVID.

My question is: What surprised YOU upon returning? We're reading up on the safety measures, limited entertainment, park pass reservations, no DDP or FP+, and limited park hopping. But outside of that, what surprised you when you returned to the parks? Was there something that surprised you in a positive way, or a negative way? Us Disers are a different breed, and definitely have different expectations than others.

 

[ucf_knight]

Hello All!

My fiancé and I will be making our first return to the parks since they reopened over the Summer. Our plan is for 5 days, 4 nights at Pop Century at the end of April, with 4 of those 5 days to be weekdays (arriving on Sunday). We are planning on getting base tickets (no park hopper). We are WDW veterans, and I've had an AP for the two years before COVID.

My question is: What surprised YOU upon returning? We're reading up on the safety measures, limited entertainment, park pass reservations, no DDP or FP+, and limited park hopping. But outside of that, what surprised you when you returned to the parks? Was there something that surprised you in a positive way, or a negative way? Us Disers are a different breed, and definitely have different expectations than others.

The amount of space that you now have at quick service dining is so much better now. Before we’d be fighting for a table and be jammed in with a ton of people while eating. Now it’s a much more calm and spaced out experience

 

[skuttle]

How not being able to send purchases to the room limited our shopping.

The lines, despite being what seemed like miles long, constantly moved. We were never just standing there. The constant movement made the longer waits not nearly as bad.

And I agree about CS...so much more pleasant!

 

[CarolynFH]

How empty the TS restaurants seemed, with distanced tables and not all available tables filled.

 

[e_yerger]

The amount of space that you now have at quick service dining is so much better now. Before we’d be fighting for a table and be jammed in with a ton of people while eating. Now it’s a much more calm and spaced out experience

I've read some issues with delays on mobile order for over an hour - did you encounter that? What was your experience with mobile ordering?

 

[e_yerger]

How empty the TS restaurants seemed, with distanced tables and not all available tables filled.

Which TS restaurants did you eat at? Did you have a favorite? Or one that you liked before, but LOVED now?

 

[sparkle78]

In November, we usually could mobile order and have it ready within 20-30 minutes. However, we did encounter one day in Magic Kingdom where we couldn’t get cosmic ray’s for a good 2 hours. I would have everyone look at the menu ( outside of the mobile order section) then make selections, it kicks you out after so long. Then mobile order before getting on your next ride, so they will have time to prepare it. Overall, it was a bit more relaxing trip without night time entertainment

 

[Carol_]

I was surprised by the amount of cast members chatting with each other while ignoring guests. It happened almost never before COVID, and happens a lot more often now. (Not to say it’s common, it’s just noticeable now.)

 

[skuttle]

I've read some issues with delays on mobile order for over an hour - did you encounter that? What was your experience with mobile ordering?

We never had any problems in the parks. Our food was always ready on time. You do have to pick your time frame, and for some places the “normal” times do book up quickly. So if you wait to pick a time at 1145 when you want to eat at noon, they may be all taken. All of our orders were ready in the time frames we selected. We did learn to start clicking “I’m here” a few minutes early.

Our resort quick service (YC) was always at least 15-20 min past the pick up time, which was super frustrating when you’re trying to grab breakfast before the parks open.

 

[Naomeri]

The most positive thing upon returning for me was how much I enjoyed the character cavalcades. I’ve never been one to stand around waiting for parades, or standing in line to see characters, but the quick little drive-bys are really fun, and I think I saw more characters in 4 days in October 2020 than I did in 7 days in January 2020.

Also, mobile order is really awesome, but it’s helpful if you know where and when you want to eat early in the day. I picked my restaurant and order window as soon as I got up each morning, and hit “I’m here” as I was walking to the restaurant (no more than 5 minutes away) and was always able to get my food right away.

 

[ambula603]

What surprised me was how much I didn't mind waiting in line since people aren't crammed down your throat! When it is steadily moving you get a chance to see the queue details!

I was also happily surprised to just be in the bubble. It was like I could BREATHE (even with a mask) and feel happiness again.

I loved the mobile ordering (we always reserved a time early in the day) because I typically hate standing there ordering all our family's food while people are waiting behind me. It feels rushed and stressful. This way, we could look at the app and all decide our order. Our food was always hot and fresh, which was a good surprise, as well. I had visions of food sitting under a warmer waiting to be collected but it wasn't like that for us.

I spent less time taking pictures (because of masks and also I didn't share our trip on social media like I normally do) and I was surprised at how we just seemed to wander around and do things on a whim. Without the day planned full of FP or shows/parades, It felt much more relaxed.

I was surprised at how much I missed fireworks but not parades.

I was surprised to love the trip so much, to be honest! I think it will forever be a favorite memory for us.

 

[monorailmom]

Which TS restaurants did you eat at? Did you have a favorite? Or one that you liked before, but LOVED now?

We had dined at LeCellier a couple of years ago for an anniversary dinner, and said never again because the table next to us was SO close! We literally all chatted about how we all were celebrating anniversaries. Nice,yes...but a romantic private dinner, no. We have now been there twice during the pandemic and it is so much nicer since they can't seat people so close together!! Of course we would rather it be that life is normal and we simply just choose to eat elsewhere, but we did enjoy it much more lately than we had before.

 

[WhoDatDisney]

Just got back from a week stay at BW villas. Awoke to all the ruckus this AM from pipe breaking. I was not affected thankfully.

A few things we noticed:

CM’s were for the most part rude and not very helpful. On multiple occasions they were sitting around lollygagging instead of helping guests. There was clearly a lack of attention to detail as well. Many were simply ”going thru the motions” and there was a noticeable difference from previous stays

Lines were long but moved quickly, we did Peter Pan at peak times in under 30 minutes even though time listed was 45 minutes. Most of the lines were shorter than stated times except 7DMT. This was similar at EPCOT as well except for Test Track

Guests followed the rules and rarely did we see anyone not wearing their masks.

Mobile ordering made things very easy to get QS food.

All in all we were just happy to be there. It’s been over 18 months since we were there as we had to cancel our trip last summer.

 

[ucf_knight]

I've read some issues with delays on mobile order for over an hour - did you encounter that? What was your experience with mobile ordering?

We did encounter something with mobile order one time I was surprised about. Normally with mobile order we can choose the option to have them make the food right away. One time however we couldn’t get an arrival time until about 45 minutes from when we ordered. As long as you plan it out and know that when you want to eat you might have to think a little bit further ahead this shouldn’t really have any impact on your trip. When we saw this we just toured the park a bit more while we waited.

 

[e_yerger]

Happy to hear all the positive responses about your trips! It seems overall that WDW is more laid back that previous years? My fiancé and I love Disneyland for that exact reason, so this is getting me pretty excited for WDW!

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

Just got back from a week stay at BW villas. Awoke to all the ruckus this AM from pipe breaking. I was not affected thankfully.

A few things we noticed:

CM’s were for the most part rude and not very helpful. On multiple occasions they were sitting around lollygagging instead of helping guests. There was clearly a lack of attention to detail as well. Many were simply ”going thru the motions” and there was a noticeable difference from previous stays

Lines were long but moved quickly, we did Peter Pan at peak times in under 30 minutes even though time listed was 45 minutes. Most of the lines were shorter than stated times except 7DMT. This was similar at EPCOT as well except for Test Track

Guests followed the rules and rarely did we see anyone not wearing their masks.

Mobile ordering made things very easy to get QS food.

All in all we were just happy to be there. It’s been over 18 months since we were there as we had to cancel our trip last summer.

I think everyone is over the whole Cast Member thing. It's just a low paying job now - nothing more than any other fast food clerk. Work is work - not devaluing it. But a CM isn't more than that. Teenagers doing as little as possible until their shift is done. That's on Disney and the culture of today's generation.

 

[WEDWDW]

I was surprised at how LITTLE we thought about Covid-19 while there!

With all the Safety precautions,the COVID STRESS seemed minimal.

It was also interesting how it now seems "normal" to see everybody with Masks at WDW and how it would seem "strange" to see faces!lol

 

[CarolynFH]

Which TS restaurants did you eat at? Did you have a favorite? Or one that you liked before, but LOVED now?

We ate at B&C, Biergarten, The Wave, Mama Melrose, Sci-Fi, Homecomin’, LTT, and Trattoria al Forno. We hadn’t eaten at The Wave for some time and were very pleased with it, and Trattoria was new to us and a good experience. I have to say that Homecomin’ was my favorite, not just because of the food, which was wonderful, but because we were a family of 9, rarely all together, enjoying sitting all at one table on their patio and able to converse with each other!

 

[Shughart]

The CM thing makes a little sad. We've never had a bad experience with one. My daughter loves pin trading too, so she always seeks them out (and she's so social and kind she loves to talk to them). We've been given more than our share of pixie dust on two trips and this makes me sad. I feel like we've seen the best of CMs (young and old). They're part of why we keep going back.

 

[disneygirlsng]

The CM thing makes a little sad. We've never had a bad experience with one. My daughter loves pin trading too, so she always seeks them out (and she's so social and kind she loves to talk to them). We've been given more than our share of pixie dust on two trips and this makes me sad. I feel like we've seen the best of CMs (young and old). They're part of why we keep going back.

On my trip in August, all the CMs were far and away significantly friendlier than anything I had ever experienced. It was wonderful.