Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[MomOTwins]

I just arrived last night and I think the variable prices are putting lots of people off Genie+ and LL. I was browsing at 7:05 and all the ILLs still had plenty of time available even RotR. I haven’t been following how fast they have been going but given the holiday I thought they’d be snapped up much faster, we couldn’t even get one at 7:01 in January/Feb back when it was $15 instead of $25.

I am doing AK today and and will report back! I have done two trips pre-pandemic during the week after thanksgiving so I have a good idea of what to compare this year too. Usually Friday and Saturday have been busy with a noticeable drop off on Sunday and a massive drop off on Monday. We are paying for Genie+ every day even though we aren’t riding everything, we hate lines too much to brave standby.

I think you are right! I was trying to stack the afternoon starting around noon (we want a chill morning at the resort), and I had to wait several minutes for TOT and MFSR G+ times (splitting our party due to some who are too scared for TOT) to get down to noon on each ride. I was sure things would move much faster thanksgiving week.

 

[DeeBee3]

Thanks for the Thanksgiving posts! haha

Please keep us updated when you go to the other parks and the usage of Genie+ or ILL. I am curious if the higher prices are "scaring" people off because they certainly sound crazy expensive to me.

 

[PrincessV]

I’m semi-local and have had multiple park days over the past few months… I don’t have any specific or data-ish things to add, but I lurk and read here often and thought maybe these couple general points might help some:

1. I’ve yet to be shut out of the GOTG VQ at 7am: I’m a solid 100% there. I don’t do anything special - just get into MDE and refresh at 7. From home, usually - 90 miles away. The latest return time I’ve had was near 1pm. I’ll admit to paying for an ILL for it and Rise, and also have never been shut out.

2. I did try G+ once, but won’t likely ever pay for it again; I really, really am enjoying not having my day scheduled. I don’t do RD, but know I could hit plenty of rides with short waits if I did. I prefer to tour at night and haven’t experienced any crazy long standby waits. Everyone’s idea of “too long” is different, and mine varies by the day (or even time of day), but I’m perfectly willing to spend 30-40 minutes in line for something I actually want to ride. If short wait times are critically important to you, and you can afford it, by all means G+ it up! But don’t feel like it’s a “must” in order to do anything, because it really is not.

3. Masks… I’m high risk and live with someone high risk, so yep, I’m still wearing KN95s at WDW, at all times indoors (other than my resort room), and most of the time outdoors, unless I’m in a wide open space. I do see others doing the same, but agree with previous observations that it’s a small minority at this time. But you do you and if masking makes good sense for you, do it and know that never, ever, has anyone said a word to me about it. WDW has thus far NOT been a hotbed of anti-mask commentary at all.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Noon update, very manageable crowds at AK so far. We didn’t get in until after 10 and headed to our safari LL and walked right on, it is backed up now as we had two delays leading to an almost 45min safari! The only other line over an hour is FoP at 130. I think Minnie and Mickey and NRJ are about 60. Lots of LL availability, just got Dinosaur for in half an hour and didn’t have trouble stacking NRJ at 1:00 when I booked our second LL at 10:00 after maybe 10 refreshes, it was defaulting to about 3pm then if you didn’t refresh. Safari still has return times less than two hours out. Currently in Everest single rider listed 45 and saw a LL for 12:30. Almost up and waited all of 10 min in single rider!

 

[Ricguz]

I’m semi-local and have had multiple park days over the past few months… I don’t have any specific or data-ish things to add, but I lurk and read here often and thought maybe these couple general points might help some:

1. I’ve yet to be shut out of the GOTG VQ at 7am: I’m a solid 100% there. I don’t do anything special - just get into MDE and refresh at 7. From home, usually - 90 miles away. The latest return time I’ve had was near 1pm. I’ll admit to paying for an ILL for it and Rise, and also have never been shut out.

2. I did try G+ once, but won’t likely ever pay for it again; I really, really am enjoying not having my day scheduled. I don’t do RD, but know I could hit plenty of rides with short waits if I did. I prefer to tour at night and haven’t experienced any crazy long standby waits. Everyone’s idea of “too long” is different, and mine varies by the day (or even time of day), but I’m perfectly willing to spend 30-40 minutes in line for something I actually want to ride. If short wait times are critically important to you, and you can afford it, by all means G+ it up! But don’t feel like it’s a “must” in order to do anything, because it really is not.

3. Masks… I’m high risk and live with someone high risk, so yep, I’m still wearing KN95s at WDW, at all times indoors (other than my resort room), and most of the time outdoors, unless I’m in a wide open space. I do see others doing the same, but agree with previous observations that it’s a small minority at this time. But you do you and if masking makes good sense for you, do it and know that never, ever, has anyone said a word to me about it. WDW has thus far NOT been a hotbed of anti-mask commentary at all.

We will masking indoors and out unless it’s a wide open area.

 

[Carole]

We spent the week of 12 November at Disney and I wanted to share one day of riding our favorite or missed rides. It was the Friday before we left for home.

I purchased Lightning Lane starting at Magic Kingdom for early entry. Rode Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Under the Sea, Tea Cups, Astro Orbiter then LL with Jungle Cruise. Left for Disney Springs - lunch at the Polite Pig, sweets at Gideon's using the virtual queue then purchased some gifts. Back to room at Saratoga Springs. Headed to the Animal Kingdom for LL Safari, LL Everest and some shopping. Back to room to drop gifts. Then headed to Epcot to ride LL Soaring and LL Test Track. Rode the Skyliner to the Studios and went on LL Toy Story Mania. We left then and back to the room for packing. Really fun day with 35,610 steps. It was just my husband and myself. We used Disney transportation for the whole day.

I started booking additional rides each time a window opened up. Fun way to end our trip!

 

[Disneyhanna]

An update on the remainder of today, I finished my Everest single rider after an 11 minute wait midday and then walked onto my Dinosaur LL next. Standby wasn’t bad at 40 minutes but it looked pretty short. At 1:20 I took a 7:20 Runaway Railway, as we planned to take a midday hotel break and then do HS after dinner. 7:20 was the latest runaway railway I could get, times from 4-5 kept popping back up but I didn’t want that!

We did our NRJ LL next around 1:25. Had Satu’li after, sooo many open tables since they enforce having an order ready to sit. Then did Bug show standby, just had to wait for next show, it was maybe 80-85% full for the 2:50 showing. Short wait for photos around the park, no more than 2-3 groups deep. At 3:25 as we left the park I took another LL, this time for 8:20 Toy Story Mania perfect!

Took our afternoon hotel break and went to make new LL at 5:26 and missed a 7:00 for ToT and Slinky, wasn’t fast enough and for whatever reason Genie only selected me as the party which slowed me down. I did quite a bit of refreshing but no dice. Plenty of LLs showed up for Aliens and Star Tours, I didn’t ever check RnRC.

We did our Runaway Railway and TSM LLs after 8pm and a quick line for both. Scan to on the ride for MMRR was 15 min. For TSM it was 8 min. At 8:50 the slinky standby was 45. Visually I’d say it looked more like 30 minutes, they weren’t using much queue. Instead we walked onto MMRR again at 8:57 and were on in 14 min. HS was quite empty I imagine everyone was at Fantasmic.

We made it to the friendship boats at 9:25 and fit onto the boat that came just 2 minutes later.

Overall recap, this is my first Black Friday in a Disney park (my past two post-Thanksgiving trips we didn’t start parks until Saturday after) and AK was the perfect park. From wait times the other 3 parks looked busier. At AK most waits were 60 or under all day aside from FoP and NRJ. Even FoP didn’t seem too bad today, I don’t think it ever even approached 200 minutes, it seemed to settle around 120-150 I think. Safari only got long due to ostrich jams!

The crowds at AK were minimal, the usual bottlenecks at Harambe but otherwise easy walking. I did MLK and Princess this year and those both felt as busy or busier, but nothing bad, maybe 7/10 crowds. Attaching a pic of AK from mid afternoon, very chill.

I would say Genie+ would not be necessary at AK today but it saved us probably 5 hours of standing over 5 rides. That’s $6/ride for each of us. We could have done more LL if we started the day earlier or didn’t take a break but we were lazy. I think an early morning and then taking a break midday and stacking evening LLs is an awesome strategy.

Epcot tomorrow, we plan to do Genie+ again.

 

[MomOTwins]

Yesterday was Hollywood studios day and we had an amazing day! We swam at the hotel all morning and arrived in the park around 1pm. This allowed us to get some popular rides (ToT, MMRR and MFSR) stacked for immediately after our arrival and then book more immediately after riding those. We the used G+ for TSMM, AS2, Star Tours, And Indiana Jones. I will say Slinky and RnRC sold out pretty early in the day but we have another day at HS next week.

Now the downsides: definitely nowhere near as user friendly as FP+. I was on my phone A LOT. The inability to book three rides at times we chose together in advance meant we had to criss cross the park a ton. I actually felt embarrassed and kept apologizing profusely to my family because we had to go from TSMM to Star Tours and then all the way back to AS2 in peak afternoon hot sun. I also felt like it was harder to keep track of things because the arrival times did “shift” a bit for us when booking and I accidentally showed up half an hour early to one ride as a result.

But in terms of the actual utility of the system and ride availability, it does seem to me the new pricing has addressed the problems they had last thanksgiving week with people only getting one or two G+ rides a day. We also never waited more than 5 mins once we entered a lightning lane. In other words it costs more, but it isn’t worthless like the horror stories I’ve read about from thanksgiving 2021. I wish they would bring back the fastpass features, but I am having a good time with my family and that’s the most important thing.

 

[disneyfam1986]

Thursday: Happy Turkey Day. I had a stupid idea last night of rope dropping Remy from front of park. I know I know no one ever comment on this. So my wife goes at 6AM why not hop a bus to AK and then to An Epcot resort. Ok let’s go. We are at AKL so bus was there. Over to park. 5 min wait. Onto bus. Off bus at boardwalk. Walked to the gateway. I figured it was going to be swamped. We were like 10th in line. Wow go figure. Somehow it worked. The logistics just fell in place. Let me tell you that area is a wicked bottle neck. Everything is right. I never realized how tight. Bit man security and the cast members are on point there. Every rope drop should be run like that. No way anyone is running in that setup. I really like how the cast members walk you right into the remy line. Avatar should be run like that along with test track. Magic kingdom they can do the same for mine train if they wanted.

The team over at the gateway should be applauded cause it’s a tough area.

No way in heck we could have rope dropped it from up front. Once we were in line the line behind us 15 mins before they even let us on the rats was at least 90 mins. When we got off at like 8 after the line was out of control! Got group 10 for guardians this morning. 3rd time on! Awesome. No Xmas music as of today.

Side notes: the maple popcorn in Canada is crazy good. Never knew it was there. The crepe stand in France is very good. A lot better than when it was in front. And my iced mocha from a random cart was actually made properly. Don’t judge me on my eating habits for this morning. Lol. It’s thanksgiving and I won’t be having turkey so I’m pigging out on other food today. Lol. Citricos tonight for dinner. Can’t wait. Haven’t been there in a few years.

Tuesday morning MK:
Just a little update. Crushing the MK right now and I’m not talking about the tea cups or people mover. I’m talking SDMT, BTMR, SM. Headliners. And no genie or ills. Just old school veteran Disney know how. More later. Back to rides. The magic is alive for us. I think it just took me getting back and not worrying as much as I did. We left after the parade. Haven’t watched it in years. The dragon still impresses me. I would love to be able to spend an hour walking around it and taking pics of various parts of it. So between 7:30-11:30 we knocked off 12 rides. Going to morimoto for dinner. I have in and bought a magic band plus for myself and my daughter. She got the 50th anniversary peach one and I got the new dvc one. My kid shamed me into buying him that remy hat the other night. This is the nuttiest thing I ever bought here. The amount of people who stopped us was historical. The thing is so wonky. That’s the Halloween costume next year. I’m a big tshirt guy. I love my T-shirt’s. Haven’t found 1 I like so far. Ever since they did that 28 and main line years ago I’m ruined. They were the greatest T-shirt’s. I’m still wearing all of them but some might have to be retired. The stuff they have right now is too bright and colorful for me.

I will post a lot more when I have time but all I got to say is yesterday was our first park day. AK. and after diner at flying fish we headed over to HS. We got through all headliners stuff AK. We rode Mickey railroad, falcon, and finished night on rise.
All without genie or lightening lane. Just old school rope drop. Out of park at noon. Pack to room rest regroup. Awesome diner and flying fish and back into park at night. Nothing crazy just making good use of time.

Today HS. Slinky, toy story mania, star tours, Aerosmith, and few other minor things. Out of park cause it was Nuts. Showers rest them diner at Il Mulino. But before diner hoofed it to back of Epcot to tap in and grabbed virtual cue for guardians. Awesome diner. Boat over. In line for remy while we wait to be called. Not like us to wait for over an hour but what else u going to door rains. We are under cover.

Again no genie or lightening lane.

So it’s all possible. We are 48 hours in and have hit all the major new rides. Tomorrow is Epcot day. Will be a breeze.

So the rope drop and nights in park still hold fast for us with some planning.

I never would have figured it. I did not want to do this trip. I have said on here over and over but wife and kids rule so I go. I’m usually the one pushing for trips but with all the changes I just wasn’t looking forward to it.

So we got alot of days to still go. I know it will get busier day by day but again we know that. We don’t leave till next Monday. I’m calling win for this trip already.

That’s all I got so far. Man I can’t wait to get on guardian! Can’t wait! Rise was cool. We missed Star Wars when it opened cause of Covid. That April trip got c’ed obviously. I liked the falcon. I really did. Rise was cool really was but the hype I don’t know. Flame me if u want. Just my opinion. Avatar still brings me to a tear. I don’t know why. And toy story mania is just still awesome after all these years. It was paper fast pass! It is aging so well! Slinky is just fun.

All I got for you all. Rounding the corner to go inside of remy.

I can honestly say all I complained about is not mattering so far. Except I’m here without season passes which I’m still ticked off about!

Edit added Monday morning.

That new baking and cooking areas in connections over at Epcot is pretty nice. I talked with a very nice cast member this morning about what it’s used for. The bakery side is pretty impressive.

Holy cow guardians last night. Just awesome. I mean awesome. I didn’t watch a thing about it so I didn’t know about any aspect of the ride. I did know the train cars spin. That’s it. Worth the hype. Did a virtual cue this morning. So easy. Got group 38. In line again now.

I got to say nights have been very productive. I mean they always have but this trip just so helpful! Ok here we go pre show time!!!!!!

What time did you get to the international gateway entrance? We are trying the same thing but our plan is to Uber to beach club. We have a double stroller and taking that on busses drives me crazy!!

 

[DeeBee3]

What time did you get to the international gateway entrance? We are trying the same thing but our plan is to Uber to beach club. We have a double stroller and taking that on busses drives me crazy!!

When we were staying at Beach Club last spring break, they do ask Uber where they are going and if you are staying at the resorts. Depending on the person at the gate, they may not let you in unless you have a dining reservation.

Just a heads up so you have a back-up plan.

 

[disneyfam1986]

When we were staying at Beach Club last spring break, they do ask Uber where they are going and if you are staying at the resorts. Depending on the person at the gate, they may not let you in unless you have a dining reservation.

Just a heads up so you have a back-up plan.

Thanks! I will have them drop us at the gas station across the street and we can walk in if need be! My daughter loves looking at the gingerbread carousel so we have to get in!

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

For anyone who had pre-purchased G+, how did you “activate” it each day? Did you have to do anything at all, or did the app show you had it and you just went to the rides list and chose LL? Thanks!

 

[scrappinginontario]

What time did you get to the international gateway entrance? We are trying the same thing but our plan is to Uber to beach club. We have a double stroller and taking that on busses drives me crazy!!

Yes, Resort drop off is not being allowed.

Thanks! I will have them drop us at the gas station across the street and we can walk in if need be! My daughter loves looking at the gingerbread carousel so we have to get in!

Not sure where the gas station is but another option is to be dropped off at the Swan/Dolphin and walk or take the friendship boat from there.

 

[scrappinginontario]

For anyone who had pre-purchased G+, how did you “activate” it each day? Did you have to do anything at all, or did the app show you had it and you just went to the rides list and chose LL? Thanks!

No activation required. At 7AM you’re eligible to book your first LL.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

No activation required. At 7AM you’re eligible to book your first LL.

Thank you!

 

[jimim]

I’m here now and Thanksgiving day was surprisingly not that bad! We did AK in the morning and evening with a midday swim break. Yes it was not fun seeing the cost of FOP ILL at 7am $16pp but after we rode I told my husband they could charge a good deal more and it’d be totally worth it. G+ also worked reasonably well considering it was a holiday but I suspect that may be because fewer people buy it at AK with so few rides there (we had the length of stay prepurchased G+). Today will be the real test of whether I love G+ or hate it as we are going to HS.

The crowds really picked up when we went back in the evening though, which surprised me given the lack of evening entertainment at AK. For example, Everest was a walk on at 9am but we went again in the evening using G+ and even the G+ line was a bit of a wait then 15-20 mins—not bad but still so different from the morning. Pandora was packed pretty much all the way to closing time. Maybe the crowds were just really really horrible at other parks and people hopped to AK to get away.

Regardless, we rode everything we wanted to and had a great time. I was very nervous about coming during thanksgiving. Still a bit nervous about HS today but we plan to arrive late and stack so hopefully that works out.

Edited to add: every CM we’ve bet has been so cheerful and friendly! We even got pixie dusted free mini golf on our arrival day. I missed that on our last trip. Can’t help but wonder if that is the Iger news lifting CM spirits. Whatever the reason, it makes such a difference to see everyone smiling.

What time did you get to the international gateway entrance? We are trying the same thing but our plan is to Uber to beach club. We have a double stroller and taking that on busses drives me crazy!!

Can u get into beach club property via Uber if not staying there? Why did I maybe read that somewhere. We landed in security line 1 hr pre opening for early hours. The logistics of it just fell into place for us. Did we get lucky. Maybe.

 

[jimim]

When we were staying at Beach Club last spring break, they do ask Uber where they are going and if you are staying at the resorts. Depending on the person at the gate, they may not let you in unless you have a dining reservation.

Just a heads up so you have a back-up plan.

I bus hopped. AKL to AK to boardwalk. I had read about that on here.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can u get into beach club property via Uber if not staying there? Why did I maybe read that somewhere. We landed in security line 1 hr pre opening for early hours. The logistics of it just fell into place for us. Did we get lucky. Maybe.

No, access to resorts vis their parking gate is restricted to guests staying or eating there snd have a reservation.

 

[SkyGuy]

Thanks! I will have them drop us at the gas station across the street and we can walk in if need be! My daughter loves looking at the gingerbread carousel so we have to get in

Yes, Resort drop off is not being allowed.

Not sure where the gas station is but another option is to be dropped off at the Swan/Dolphin and walk or take the friendship boat from there.

Gas station is across from the Boardwalk Inn. Swan/Dolphin would be a better drop off as the walk to Epcot would take them past BC for the carousel viewing. Gas station drop off - walk into BW, take elevator down, walk up hill, left to BC, instead of right to Epcot, which (to me), is a lot of unnecessary walking before park time in the morning!

 

[disneyfam1986]

Gas station is across from the Boardwalk Inn. Swan/Dolphin would be a better drop off as the walk to Epcot would take them past BC for the carousel viewing. Gas station drop off - walk into BW, take elevator down, walk up hill, left to BC, instead of right to Epcot, which (to me), is a lot of unnecessary walking before park time in the morning!

Thanks! I wasn’t even thinking about swan and dolphin