Just checked out this morning and on our way to the beach. Thought I'd share some thoughts about our stay July 25-Aug 2. It was our first trip in two years; we always go the same week. Last year was really hard. My husband's job was shut down for 8 weeks, and when he was able to go back, he didn't feel like he could take a vacation. So not only was this our first Disney trip in 2 years, it was his first vacation in that long. I had taken 3 of our children to a lake for a long weekend, but needless to say, we were so excited for this trip, even knowing it would be different (though not expecting that mask change - whew!).
Resort: Coronado Springs - first time at a moderate resort and have done nothing but DVC the last 5 trips so I was worried we'd be disappointed. In short, we LOVED it. Beautiful property, clean & pretty rooms, our kids loved the theming. Loved the Dig Site! Buses were either awesome or really bad... But only really bad twice (once leaving MK and once trying to get to MK in the evening). DH and I got 3 Bridges to go twice after getting back late from the parks - really good!! Also liked the options at Siestas Cantina. On day 2 of our stay, housekeeping came while my daughter was napping. She apologized and said she'd come back. She didn't. The following day I went to the front desk because our garbage was overflowing in both rooms. There was a note we had "declined" housekeeping the day before.
This was all clarified and rectified very quickly. Within 15 minutes we had a clean room and no more issues going forward. In fact, the same thing happened with my daughter napping on Saturday (teenagers!) and later someone came to make sure that housekeeping had returned to service the room. Every single CM we encountered was so helpful and kind.
Parks: I used Lines religiously and it didn't fail us. I know there's a certain amount of luck involved, but our trip would have looked totally different without that app. I watched times the week leading up to our trip, and we had a loose and flexible plan. We did rope drop every morning except for our one Epcot day (we cruised in at about 11:15 and totally missed the opening chaos but still walked right on Soarin). In the first 2-3 hours we would knock out 5-6 rides and then grab lunch and head back to enjoy the Dig Site. I remember the first morning in MK my dh was watching times on
MDE and he was very concerned about us standing in a 50-minute line for PotC (it was 15). ☺ It was in the evenings that, honestly, we really missed FP+. I loved sitting with my evening snack or drink and nabbing FPs for my family to use around the park. We got to do everything we wanted this time, but some of our favorites were only done once in two days rather than a couple rides each time. That said.... I learned to enjoy NOT being glued to my phone, developing carpal tunnel as I refreshed on repeat for hours every day. It was different.... but still good! I kept telling them, "Be flexible in your spirit"
Most of us are pretty type A and the rest just don't like change, so it's an interesting mix... But they did great.
Food: Mobile ordering worked well for us. One HS morning I placed our Woody's order on the bus on the way to the park. As others mentioned, we mostly snacked in MK... Had a lot of ice cream there! The kids ordered The Back Side of Water last night and loved it, fyi! The new coconut Dole Whip is also great. Had lunch yesterday at Crystal Palace and we all really enjoyed our choices. We had one of the first lunch reservations of the day, and our food was hot and fresh. Loved Oga's too! We ate at Sci-Fi one night -- had never been, but hadn't heard great things -- but our kids absolutely loved it and I thought the food was good! The restaurant was maybe half full, and I know all the reservations were taken because I had tried to change our time to no avail. We've never done this many ADRs in one trip, but I'm so glad we did, with wait times what they are in the evenings. Loved the Wookie cookie at Backlot -- it's huge, btw. And I also loved my pork carnitas kids bowl at Pecos Bill. ☺ Something light and fresh is always nice. Our favorite thing of all was Food & Wine. Always going in July means we've never done this, and we loved sharing items and just taking a slower pace at night.
Etc: CM interactions for us were only happy. Feel really grateful for their willingness to work in an uncertain time. Didn't see any of the garbage concerns some have mentioned - not saying that doesn't exist, just that it's not a universal experience. Had good luck doing headliners at park close (Test Track said 60, took 10; 7D said 90, took 40. Slinky Dog - said 100, took 50 and was even shorter the second night). Got RotR boarding groups 5 and 6 using the tips shared here - thank you! On Friday night at Epcot a squirrel was edging his way into Disney Traders. My daughter shouted, "Hey! You can't go in there without a mask!" He stopped and looked at her like he totally understood, and it was just all so funny. Like... What even are these times?!
This week proved yet again that things continue to be uncertain. If you feel comfortable going, I just want to say that we found so much joy. But if you're not comfortable, maybe now is not the time, and that's ok too. For those who are not feeling well... I'm so sorry. Most of our family got Covid last fall, and it was pretty rough for two of us. We've all made a full recovery, and I hope you do too.
