Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[BroadwayHermione5]

So in general are people finding the least crowded (maybe like 25 minute waits or less) are at opening and towards the end of the night?

Yes and no. It depends on the attraction from what I am seeing and reading.

 

[rockabyemonkey]

I will post more about our trip and experiences later but wanted to address this question since we did one afternoon at BB. To preface, we are not new to WDW or BB. We’ve been going 1-2 times a year since 2000. BB was not crowded like pre-pandemic summers. We found a seat easily. We rode the family raft twice and my husband was able to go down the big slide with a minimal wait. We did one loop on the lazy river and it was crowded. The only negative experience we had was when we did the family raft for a 2nd time. We are a family of 4. My husband is 6 foot and 235. I have an adult son and teen daughter. We fill a raft. The CM working decided to put our family in a raft with 2 ladies (very sweet-no complaint about them) making the total 6 people. My husband stopped for a second and questioned it but then we had to jump in because our daughter was already in their raft. This raft was probably holding over a 1,000lbs. It sunk at the end of the ride and we had to bail much sooner than you’re supposed to. The reason I’m telling you this is because people might expect some measure of social distancing still and there is none. We are vaccinated and not overly concerned but wanted to share my experience for reference.

Thank you - this gives me a little bit of hope! I have friends who flew down from Chicago and were there Tues-Thurs of this week and had a pretty bad experience. One of the things she mentioned was waiting 90 minutes in line for ice cream. I hope that people are voicing their disappointment to Disney...I have found that they do read the emails and respond, although I'm not sure how much it impacts their decision making.

 

[Mango7100]

We got a survey from our trip last week From Disney. They asked how we felt about all the health and safety measure they have currently implemented (ha ha, there are none) and if we thought the vacation was a good value for money spent...seriously asked both those questions

 

[geoff112110]

Magic Kingdom returned to 'normal' rope drop about a month ago and everyone is being held in the hub until exactly park opening time.

Gotcha. I wasn’t aware of that. It’s a madhouse today

 

[geoff112110]

Based on my own very subjective experiences with visiting multiple times during the pandemic, I think the current "problem" is that WDW is back to normal enough that we expect to experience normal... but it's actually still abnormal enough that it doesn't meet expectations. Masks and physical distancing are basically gone and capacity is up, but attractions/restaurants/resorts/etc. are still closed and staffing continues to be an issue. To me, the earlier visits when nothing was remotely normal were actually easier because I had NO expectations of normal. But last week, I felt frustration build as the overall congestion made it feel like pre-pandemic times, even though things really aren't back to normal. Does that make sense?

The positives to me were still there: I really, truly did not wait more than 25 minutes for any attraction (which isn't to say all wait times were 25 mins or less all day, every day - I just didn't ride anything when it had a long wait time; I opted to ride at lower wait times), and many were walk-on, which was really nice. Evenings were still relatively quiet compared to previous years, which at a peak-crowd time of year was also really nice. Plenty of space at the uncrowded pools, easy Mobile Ordering with no lines, tables available at every QS, the return of fireworks... there was a lot to enjoy, IMO.

I agree with this 100%. Feels like back to normal crowds but still missing attractions/restaurants/character meets to pull people away.
Although this morning was pretty rough. We arrive at MK at 8:15 (my mistake I thought they were opening early). We waited on the bridge until 9 and then made our way slowly towards splash. Then stopped again for Frontier land opening show. Finally got in line around 9:10. Waited again for ride to start letting people. All said and done off the ride around 9:45. Thunder was posting 25 minute wait so we did that. Pretty accurate. Done by 10:30. Thought we would head to Pirates. Got there, 50 minute wait, jungle was 60. At that time space was about the same so thought if we are waiting that long might as well wait for good ride. Walked there and BAM it went down!!! So almost 11 and only rode 2 rides and everything was 45 to 70 minutes. Did people mover (15 ) and called it a morning, it was a mad house everywhere!!. Hopefully have better luck after dinner.
I’m really surprised they aren’t opening at 8 with these crowds. AK is, you would think MK could as well.

 

[Akck]

I’m really surprised they aren’t opening at 8 with these crowds. AK is, you would think MK could as well.

I wonder if they’re doing this now so there will be a differential when they start the early morning openings. How else will guests realize they’re getting an extra benefit.

 

[cakebaker]

For those that have been, is the garden viewing area that used to be reserved for Dessert Parties and CRT dinner pkgs open to the public now? Trying to plot out where we'll camp for a spot! I was hoping they'd do the pkgs, but looks like that's not going to happen. Thanks!

 

[preemiemama]

I agree with this 100%. Feels like back to normal crowds but still missing attractions/restaurants/character meets to pull people away.
Although this morning was pretty rough. We arrive at MK at 8:15 (my mistake I thought they were opening early). We waited on the bridge until 9 and then made our way slowly towards splash. Then stopped again for Frontier land opening show. Finally got in line around 9:10. Waited again for ride to start letting people. All said and done off the ride around 9:45. Thunder was posting 25 minute wait so we did that. Pretty accurate. Done by 10:30. Thought we would head to Pirates. Got there, 50 minute wait, jungle was 60. At that time space was about the same so thought if we are waiting that long might as well wait for good ride. Walked there and BAM it went down!!! So almost 11 and only rode 2 rides and everything was 45 to 70 minutes. Did people mover (15 ) and called it a morning, it was a mad house everywhere!!. Hopefully have better luck after dinner.
I’m really surprised they aren’t opening at 8 with these crowds. AK is, you would think MK could as well.

That sounds a lot like our morning. DH and DS did space at open. I did PM. We all did Buzz. Then headed to HM posting a 30 minute wsitwhich was about right. Stoped 4 times while we were on it- 2 seemed like they were for loading people who needed assistance and were quick. The other 2 were about 10 minutes each. Headed to BTMRR and it posted 30 but was all the way back across the bridge. Splash was 70. So ate lunch, bought a couple gifts and headed out. So much like I’ve seen at DHS in the am, you get about an hour until crowds really start to build and it becomes crazy. Last hour if the night waits drop some but it really depends on the attraction/park/ what has gone down and when /how many tour groups went through and when..,

 

[Mango7100]

That sounds a lot like our morning. DH and DS did space at open. I did PM. We all did Buzz. Then headed to HM posting a 30 minute wsitwhich was about right. Stoped 4 times while we were on it- 2 seemed like they were for loading people who needed assistance and were quick. The other 2 were about 10 minutes each. Headed to BTMRR and it posted 30 but was all the way back across the bridge. Splash was 70. So ate lunch, bought a couple gifts and headed out. So much like I’ve seen at DHS in the am, you get about an hour until crowds really start to build and it becomes crazy. Last hour if the night waits drop some but it really depends on the attraction/park/ what has gone down and when /how many tour groups went through and when..,

That seems like not much of a reward (3 rides) for the effort of rope drop

 

[kc51570]

We ordered directly we did not Mobil order I dont know about the bakery

I don’t think Mobil order was open for them, we checked. There was no bakery. Only a chocolate mousse and maybe strawberry shortcake in a cup for desserts.

 

[geoff112110]

That seems like not much of a reward (3 rides) for the effort of rope drop ☹

Yeah, it’s disappointing. Definitely not like it use to be. Without fast pass everyone is rope dropping.

 

[Darcy03231]

Agree. For ~5k I expect more than 3 rides per day and nothing but long lines for food, rides,etc., this is not vacation. When I booked this trip, Disney had limited capacity. A few weeks before our trip they increased capacity, a few days before our trip, capacity was increased again and during our trip capacity was increased. That’s just greed. Without increased park hours, increased staffing and increased entertainment to help with crowds, Disney knew it woukd be a mess for guests. Why increase capacity knowing this. I get it, they’re a business and making money is the priority but if I knew that capacity would’ve been increased like this, I would’ve selected a different destination for better value and a much better experience. My teens have no desire to return after this trip and neither do I.

This is why we haven't rescheduled our trip from last year that was canceled. I've been following these boards and at one point when capacity was low and people we coming back with reports of empty parks and short lines I considered rebooking. Now I'm waiting until at least next year. I have no desire to tour WDW the way things are right now.

 

[WEDWDW]

That sounds a lot like our morning. DH and DS did space at open. I did PM. We all did Buzz. Then headed to HM posting a 30 minute wsitwhich was about right. Stoped 4 times while we were on it- 2 seemed like they were for loading people who needed assistance and were quick. The other 2 were about 10 minutes each. Headed to BTMRR and it posted 30 but was all the way back across the bridge. Splash was 70. So ate lunch, bought a couple gifts and headed out. So much like I’ve seen at DHS in the am, you get about an hour until crowds really start to build and it becomes crazy. Last hour if the night waits drop some but it really depends on the attraction/park/ what has gone down and when /how many tour groups went through and when..,

Are you seeing the normal July South American Tour Groups or some other kind of Tour Groups?

We haven't seen any TGs of any kind since we've been here this July.

Thanks

 

[Debbie Jean]

Are you seeing the normal July South American Tour Groups or some other kind of Tour Groups?

We haven't seen any TGs of any kind since we've been here this July.

Thanks

Funny you should mention that. I just saw my first tour group being led by two flag wavers at the front! Could have been South American but I’m not sure… I kept my distance!

But it was just the one and it didn’t look nearly as big as some of the mega groups we’ve had in the past.

 

[Sarahslay]

Are you seeing the normal July South American Tour Groups or some other kind of Tour Groups?

We haven't seen any TGs of any kind since we've been here this July.

Thanks

I don't believe they are currently allowed in the country

 

[Sarahslay]

Funny you should mention that. I just saw my first tour group being led by two flag wavers at the front! Could have been South American but I’m not sure… I kept my distance!

But it was just the one and it didn’t look nearly as big as some of the mega groups we’ve had in the past.

There are some groups, but they are most likely not south american. I have a friend down there right now with her daughters dance company doing some kind of dance competition, I know they did one day at Disney this past week on their day off.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Thought we would head to Pirates. Got there, 50 minute wait, jungle was 60. At that time space was about the same so thought if we are waiting that long might as well wait for good ride.

 

[orangecuse]

DHS today:
Rope drop MFSR, which I enjoyed but can’t steer worth a darn! Then Oga’s, shopping and Savi’s before lunch at Woody’s and then ROTR. I haven’t heard anyone say yet that your experience can differ slightly each time on this ride- which is cool. Not going to elaborate because I do t want to spoil anything, and I don’t mean not getting preshows- the ride itself.
Returned to the hotel to rest and swim. Headed back to DHS after dinner at Sanaa. Arrived around 6:45. Went straight to TSMM. Posted 55, took about 45. Did see a lot of DAS and a couple of your groups go through. Then went to SDD for our final ride of the night. Posted 70, took about 45. In the past we could have done TSMM twice but this time only had time to ride once. However, we met the objective of riding both prior to park close. With shorter lines and much less heat/sun. Also love TSL snd DHS in general with the lights on.

Is MFSR boarding the ride fully (ie strangers in the same "flight") or keeping it to same party per flight? I felt like I read it was reduced at one point for COVID and I was curious if that has changed

 

[Naomeri]

Is MFSR boarding the ride fully (ie strangers in the same "flight") or keeping it to same party per flight? I felt like I read it was reduced at one point for COVID and I was curious if that has changed

I don’t have recent experience, but when I was there in March (so full safety procedures still in place) I (as a single) rode with a mom and daughter, so I would think they’re loading full cockpits.

 

[Randy Miller]

Here now. At DHS, not sure if someone posted before but Rider swap is only allowing 2 people to ride for the “switch”. We are at SDD. She said it just started today to only allow 2 return riders