Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

kat_lh said:
I’d say at least 30 minutes
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I would go an hour early. This week walking by, we heard CMs telling folks there at noon and lined up toward the bridge that they were most likely going to be waiting for the 1:30 show as the 12:30 was already almost full. Could have been first week show re-opening crowds, but we walked by that area a few different times and the line never seemed to get shorter.
 
First full day of the trip.

I left the GF at 6:45am and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous early morning walk to MK. The walk is comparable to the one from the Crescent Lake resorts to HS. Got to security at 7, where we walkers were held momentarily, there were less than 10 of us there. After bag check we were directed to the tapstiles and then held there until 7:15 when we could tap in and go. Walkers have a distinct advantage over everyone else, literally the only people on the far left lines were walkers from the monorail resorts. AP lane is not available at that time, just FYI.

Skipped the running of the bulls to Mine Train and started left in Adventureland and Frontierland. Note that Big Thunder was the only thing open on that side of the park, and I had to wait a few minutes for it, but I walked straight on as the second party behind a family at 7:25 and could have ridden another time if I felt like it but had other priorities. So I then went to Pirates and walked straight on at 7:35. Returned to Frontier and I saw empty boats at Splash by then so got in the outdoor extended queue at 7:52 waiting for the real one to open at 8. This was absolutely the move because the line was crazy behind me, and at 8 when they let us into the real queue I walked straight into the ride…which then broke down literally right after I’d done the big drop. We were evacuated right at that bend leading into the last scene, and my boat was the last that was filled so we were some of the first evacuated. CMs walked us thru the last scene and thru a backstage area to exit, upon which we were given anytime FPs for anything except 7DMT and Peter Pan. Great considering I had done the whole ride pretty much!

Jungle Cruise was posted 35 when I got in the queue at 8:47 and that seemed about accurate. Did not note the exact time I got on the ride as my mom called me to wish me a happy birthday while in line lol. But while in line posted wait ballooned to an hour and I can believe it. Skipper Reese was the funniest I have ever had, she was hysterical with a lot of ad lib lines.

I mobile ordered sausage & gravy tots and OJ from Friar’s Nook while in that queue so walked over and picked them up at around 10am. Ate on the hub grass in front of the castle and saw Tink’s cavalcade come by then got the super zoom shot. Then Goofy & friends came by. Spent the rest of the morning walking on to People Mover and used my FP on Space (posted 40 and looked longer) then was feeling wiped so got my fave meatballs from Capt Cook’s at the Poly and walked my food back to GF for lunch and a nap at noon. I will go back for birthday dinner at CRT this evening.

I will continue believing running to Mine Train at rope drop is for masochists and suckers. And people saying CMs are surly or there’s no magic left are uh. Different. I’ve had nothing but fantastic experiences and plenty of magic to be had. Is it the same as the before times, no. But I’ve had some great interactions with CMs, everyone saying happy birthday for my pin, some funny times because of my shoulder porg. Crowds are not bad at all either for a holiday weekend. I am so happy to be here.
 
kylenne said:
First full day of the trip.

I left the GF at 6:45am and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous early morning walk to MK. The walk is comparable to the one from the Crescent Lake resorts to HS. Got to security at 7, where we walkers were held momentarily, there were less than 10 of us there. After bag check we were directed to the tapstiles and then held there until 7:15 when we could tap in and go. Walkers have a distinct advantage over everyone else, literally the only people on the far left lines were walkers from the monorail resorts. AP lane is not available at that time, just FYI.

Skipped the running of the bulls to Mine Train and started left in Adventureland and Frontierland. Note that Big Thunder was the only thing open on that side of the park, and I had to wait a few minutes for it, but I walked straight on as the second party behind a family at 7:25 and could have ridden another time if I felt like it but had other priorities. So I then went to Pirates and walked straight on at 7:35. Returned to Frontier and I saw empty boats at Splash by then so got in the outdoor extended queue at 7:52 waiting for the real one to open at 8. This was absolutely the move because the line was crazy behind me, and at 8 when they let us into the real queue I walked straight into the ride…which then broke down literally right after I’d done the big drop. We were evacuated right at that bend leading into the last scene, and my boat was the last that was filled so we were some of the first evacuated. CMs walked us thru the last scene and thru a backstage area to exit, upon which we were given anytime FPs for anything except 7DMT and Peter Pan. Great considering I had done the whole ride pretty much!

Jungle Cruise was posted 35 when I got in the queue at 8:47 and that seemed about accurate. Did not note the exact time I got on the ride as my mom called me to wish me a happy birthday while in line lol. But while in line posted wait ballooned to an hour and I can believe it. Skipper Reese was the funniest I have ever had, she was hysterical with a lot of ad lib lines.

I mobile ordered sausage & gravy tots and OJ from Friar’s Nook while in that queue so walked over and picked them up at around 10am. Ate on the hub grass in front of the castle and saw Tink’s cavalcade come by then got the super zoom shot. Then Goofy & friends came by. Spent the rest of the morning walking on to People Mover and used my FP on Space (posted 40 and looked longer) then was feeling wiped so got my fave meatballs from Capt Cook’s at the Poly and walked my food back to GF for lunch and a nap at noon. I will go back for birthday dinner at CRT this evening.

I will continue believing running to Mine Train at rope drop is for masochists and suckers. And people saying CMs are surly or there’s no magic left are uh. Different. I’ve had nothing but fantastic experiences and plenty of magic to be had. Is it the same as the before times, no. But I’ve had some great interactions with CMs, everyone saying happy birthday for my pin, some funny times because of my shoulder porg. Crowds are not bad at all either for a holiday weekend. I am so happy to be here.
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Happy birthday!!! Sounds like a fantastic damage! Have a wonderful trip 😊

Ps i'm with you, never rope drop mine train lol. We did it 2 years ago and even dd12 was like never again! Lol
 
For those who take the bus to the parks, I read in previous posts to be at the bus stop 90mins before opening. Does that include official opening or the opening 45 mins prior?
 
kylenne said:
First full day of the trip.

I left the GF at 6:45am and enjoyed an absolutely gorgeous early morning walk to MK. The walk is comparable to the one from the Crescent Lake resorts to HS. Got to security at 7, where we walkers were held momentarily, there were less than 10 of us there. After bag check we were directed to the tapstiles and then held there until 7:15 when we could tap in and go. Walkers have a distinct advantage over everyone else, literally the only people on the far left lines were walkers from the monorail resorts. AP lane is not available at that time, just FYI.

Skipped the running of the bulls to Mine Train and started left in Adventureland and Frontierland. Note that Big Thunder was the only thing open on that side of the park, and I had to wait a few minutes for it, but I walked straight on as the second party behind a family at 7:25 and could have ridden another time if I felt like it but had other priorities. So I then went to Pirates and walked straight on at 7:35. Returned to Frontier and I saw empty boats at Splash by then so got in the outdoor extended queue at 7:52 waiting for the real one to open at 8. This was absolutely the move because the line was crazy behind me, and at 8 when they let us into the real queue I walked straight into the ride…which then broke down literally right after I’d done the big drop. We were evacuated right at that bend leading into the last scene, and my boat was the last that was filled so we were some of the first evacuated. CMs walked us thru the last scene and thru a backstage area to exit, upon which we were given anytime FPs for anything except 7DMT and Peter Pan. Great considering I had done the whole ride pretty much!

Jungle Cruise was posted 35 when I got in the queue at 8:47 and that seemed about accurate. Did not note the exact time I got on the ride as my mom called me to wish me a happy birthday while in line lol. But while in line posted wait ballooned to an hour and I can believe it. Skipper Reese was the funniest I have ever had, she was hysterical with a lot of ad lib lines.

I mobile ordered sausage & gravy tots and OJ from Friar’s Nook while in that queue so walked over and picked them up at around 10am. Ate on the hub grass in front of the castle and saw Tink’s cavalcade come by then got the super zoom shot. Then Goofy & friends came by. Spent the rest of the morning walking on to People Mover and used my FP on Space (posted 40 and looked longer) then was feeling wiped so got my fave meatballs from Capt Cook’s at the Poly and walked my food back to GF for lunch and a nap at noon. I will go back for birthday dinner at CRT this evening.

I will continue believing running to Mine Train at rope drop is for masochists and suckers. And people saying CMs are surly or there’s no magic left are uh. Different. I’ve had nothing but fantastic experiences and plenty of magic to be had. Is it the same as the before times, no. But I’ve had some great interactions with CMs, everyone saying happy birthday for my pin, some funny times because of my shoulder porg. Crowds are not bad at all either for a holiday weekend. I am so happy to be here.
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Happy birthday @kylenne!! Sounds like a great day!!
 
Wiltony said:
Definitely not MK. I read it was the full HS galactic spectacular.
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Hmmm. I originally thought they were DHS, but they were in the wrong spot. They appeared to be shot off east of Epcot but close. I guess it wasn’t MK, but it also wasn’t in DHS if it’s being shot “behind” Norway.
 
robinb said:
Hmmm. I originally thought they were DHS, but they were in the wrong spot. They appeared to be shot off east of Epcot but close. I guess it wasn’t MK, but it also wasn’t in DHS if it’s being shot “behind” Norway.
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Just read on Twitter from blogmickey: "For anyone in the Walt Disney World area hearing fireworks tonight, there was a large display at the Marriott World Center hotel less than a mile south of Disney Springs. There were no fireworks on Walt Disney World property tonight"
 
Wiltony said:
Just read on Twitter from blogmickey: "For anyone in the Walt Disney World area hearing fireworks tonight, there was a large display at the Marriott World Center hotel less than a mile south of Disney Springs. There were no fireworks on Walt Disney World property tonight"
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Oh well. I got my hopes up but I guess I was wrong. That would be the right place for the fireworks I saw.
 
Today was a non-park day, so we started our day dropping off our luggage at AOA for a transfer to Movies. There was one family in front of us, so it was very quick.

My group wanted to use the free putt-putt passes we got with our ticket package. Fantasia Gardens is the one open right now, so that was our only option. We rode the Skyliner to HS with no wait. It was 9:30, so the rush was over. Then we got right on the Friendship boat to Swan and Dolphin. And then walked over.

This was our first time to play putt-putt at Disney, so we didn’t realize there would be a line. It opened at 10:00, and we got there around 10:15. They told us it would be a 50 minute wait, and we probably waited at least 40-45 minutes. It was fun, especially since it was free. But I would recommend getting there, right at opening.

Afterwards we walked back to the Swan to catch a bus to Disney Springs. It was a long wait. It was at least 30 minutes and there were others waiting for a park bus. But no buses came while we waited, until the Disney Springs bus came. We got on the bus, there were no assigned seats or numbers. They allowed people to stand as well.

We also got dropped off at a weird place...at least for me. It was by the orange garage, and it was a SUPER long walk. We’ve never gone that way, so I was confused as to why we were going that way. Maybe because of security? But it seemed strange to me.

Our first stop was Gideon’s, and we got in the virtual queue. They said the wait was 4 hours and 40 minutes. Then we went to World of Disney. There was a line, like going on a ride. It was mostly constantly moving, so it took maybe 5-10 minutes to get inside. We just looked around a little bit, and then headed to our lunch reservations at Homecomin’.

After lunch, we decided Gideon’s was not worth the wait. So we headed back to the buses. We waited for a bus about 30 minutes before one came. This bus did have assigned seating with numbers, and no one was allowed to stand.

Once we got to Movies, our room was ready. So we got to our room, and our luggage was delivered about 30 minutes later. As the cast member handed us each piece of luggage, he spoke in a “Mickey Mouse” voice! It was so fun and it made our day!

As far as our experience at Disney Springs, it was definitely busy. I’m not really a shopper, so I don’t like going there anyway. But after today, I really don’t care to go back anytime soon. I don’t mind getting in lines for rides, but not to shop. And I will walk all over the parks to ride our favorite rides, but I don’t want to walk what seemed like forever just to get inside Disney Springs. It was totally not worth it to me.
 
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Castlequeen5 said:
Afterwards we walked back to the Swan to catch a bus to Disney Springs. It was a long wait. It was at least 30 minutes and there were others waiting for a park bus. But no buses came while we waited, until the Disney Springs bus came. We got on the bus, there were no assigned seats or numbers. They allowed people to stand as well.

We also got dropped off at a weird place...at least for me. It was by the orange garage, and it was a SUPER long walk. We’ve never gone that way, so I was confused as to why we were going that way. Maybe because of security? But it seemed strange to me.
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I'm going to reply, although others may give a better answer. Bus service at the Swan and Dolphin has changed. They are no longer considered Disney hotel buses. For example, if you go from a Disney hotel to the Magic Kingdom, the bus drops you off at the Magic Kingdom. But if you go from Swan/Dolphin to the Magic Kingdom, the bus drops you off at the Transportation & Ticket Center, and you have to take the monorail or ferryboat from there to the Magic Kingdom.

The Swan/Dolphin app says buses depart every 20-30 minutes. So if you stood there for 30 minutes and no buses went by, that could be why. If buses showed up at the 31 minute mark, it would only be 1 minute later than advertised.

The Swan/Dolphin app says that its buses use the West Side Bus Loop at Disney Springs. I'm not sure if that's where you were dropped off. The Disney Springs map shows that the stop for "buses to other hotels" is near Cirque du Soleil. It shows that the stop for buses to Disney-owned hotels is near the Coca Cola Store and Puck's.

This could explain why your experience with buses at the Swan seemed different from your experience with buses at Disney-owned hotels.
 
Yesterday part 2:

I took the monorail back to MK around 6pm. It started raining while en route so I went to the Tiki Room, then walked on to Haunted Mansion, and by the time I got out it had stopped. Buzz was posted 10 minutes at about 7p but was a walk on—I can’t emphasize enough during the evenings especially posted waits are inflated. Even the Lines app overestimated times (I can’t for the life of me figure out how to submit them). Everything outside of the E tickets looked like a walk on. But I was mostly getting photopass shots because I had changed into my Tiana outfit from Unique Vintage. I walked on to the People Mover twice though.

Had an ADR for 8:25 at CRT so did that. The food was shockingly good, definitely better than BOG the night before and markedly better than the “decent” the first time I ate there with my gf in 2018. Cinderella is still the only princess there and comes out to wave but what I didn’t realize is she actually does interact with tables, albeit at a distance. She stopped by my table twice and wished me a happy birthday among treating me like a fellow princess, lol. (I was wearing a literal tiara) If you’re on the fence I still think it’s worth it.

I left the castle well after official park close and got some wonderful photos—a late ADR is great for this, as the park was virtually empty by then. But I discovered the resort monorail wasn’t running and I was too tired to walk home. A transportation CM came over and asked where I was headed, I said GF and there was a resort launch sitting at the dock that he radioed to and he directed me to it, and said the captain would take care of me. So I had my very own personal boat back to GF! He roped up the line behind me so it was the last of the night, this was 10:30 or so. Moral of the story is don’t worry if you leave the park super late, they will always help you get home.

An amazing, magical birthday was had. Today is a resort day for me.
 
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