Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[Zaccypoo]

The challenge is you need to get from Bolder Ridge to the Contemporary so would need to take an Uber/Lyft and pre-order breakfast as well. Some guards do not ask for a reservation confirmation but some do so you may not be allowed to be dropped off without one.

When we took an Uber to Contemporary for MK last week, and they checked our mobile order for breakfast at the gate. Once we got in the gate though, we were able to just cancel without having to go pick up the breakfast. Saw other people doing this as well.

 

[smelton521]

oops

 

[Best Aunt]

I’ve been following along and trying to sum up all the details I’ve read about rope dropping magic kingdom. We will have a car and will be staying on property at boulder ridge so we could use the boats. But from what I am understanding: is the best way to get to magic kingdom as early as possible to walk from the contemporary? If park opening is at 9 it sounds like the boats at wilderness lodge start around 8:20?

if you decide to use Disney transportation: pre-COVID the bus between Wilderness Lodge and MK arrived more frequently and was a shorter ride than the boat. Not sure how things are with the social distancing/capacity rules.

 

[katyringo]

So those posting that the best idea is to walk from the contemporary to MK to be the earliest..

our bus from pop beat the walked both days we went to MK. We passed them being held at temperature checks and we passed the cars still being held at the gate. The first bus from pop picked us up at 745. We were first through turnstiles both mornings and 2nd and 4th in line for mine train. For animal kingdom the bus picked us up about 6:50 and we again were some of the very first folks at the turnstiles and were 10th in line for FOP. I absolutely agree that walking from a resort is the best bet for HS and Epcot if your on a skyliner resort, but being on the first bus from pop beat all others for MK and AK.

 

[lorileahb]

So those posting that the best idea is to walk from the contemporary to MK to be the earliest..

our bus from pop beat the walked both days we went to MK. We passed them being held at temperature checks and we passed the cars still being held at the gate. The first bus from pop picked us up at 745. We were first through turnstiles both mornings and 2nd and 4th in line for mine train. For animal kingdom the bus picked us up about 6:50 and we again were some of the very first folks at the turnstiles and were 10th in line for FOP. I absolutely agree that walking from a resort is the best bet for HS and Epcot if your on a skyliner resort, but being on the first bus from pop beat all others for MK and AK.

The question becomes, what time did you need to be in line to get on that first, 745 am bus from POP?

 

[Heather07438]

So those posting that the best idea is to walk from the contemporary to MK to be the earliest..

our bus from pop beat the walked both days we went to MK. We passed them being held at temperature checks and we passed the cars still being held at the gate. The first bus from pop picked us up at 745. We were first through turnstiles both mornings and 2nd and 4th in line for mine train. For animal kingdom the bus picked us up about 6:50 and we again were some of the very first folks at the turnstiles and were 10th in line for FOP. I absolutely agree that walking from a resort is the best bet for HS and Epcot if your on a skyliner resort, but being on the first bus from pop beat all others for MK and AK.

That has to be frustrating for guests at Contemporary.

 

[lorileahb]

That has to be frustrating for guests at Contemporary.

It seems like this changes every day. Sometimes buses through first, sometimes walkers through first. Just to avoid getting into a bus line 1-2 hours early, we are just going to mobile order at Contemporary and enjoy our walk over.

 

[Heather07438]

Don't most bathrooms have a companion option, where you would be the only one in the room?

Oh yeah, that's a good option.

And many of the regular restrooms have the larger wheelchair accessible stall that has a sink inside, usually the last stall.

 

[katyringo]

The question becomes, what time did you need to be in line to get on that first, 745 am bus from POP?

7am.

 

[RedK]

@DeterminedOne

i did the Magical Dining menu, which was 5 courses for $35 (an incredible deal). https://www.jaleo.com/location/jaleo-disney-springs/menu/

I did the pan con tomate (liked), the patatas bravas (ok), espinacas ala Catalana (loved, adored, could not stop eating, and I don't usually like sauted spinach) and the sausage and white beans (great!), flan for desert (creamy, orangy, caramelly goodness)

Unfortunately the magical dining has only one type of paella (chicken and mushrooms) and I don't like mushrooms, so I skipped that.

 

[dachsie]

I remember now it was Allears that had said about it leaving. But, I texted my friend who was just there and asked her about it, this is her reply to me this morning:

"We went all three magic kingdom days to try and get one for the girls to share, every day between 10 & 10:30. Each day we were told they were no longer serving them. I didn't know if that meant they were off the menu or what, could be that they were just done serving for the day. I don't know. One of the girls lost her band....ok, I lost her band.....and we had to go to the guest relations office thing, and I asked them about it. I was told it was a supply chain issue and they can't guarantee that they will serve them that day which si why it's not on the menu. The lady told me they usually have it, but once they're gone they're gone. I don't know, my girls were really sad about it. You might have better luck when you go"

So that's what I know, they just got back a couple of days ago, so I guess if you want one get there early.

So how can they run out of waffle mix? LOL

 

[monkeydawn]

I have a somewhat specific (and kind of gross) situation that I'm looking for some feedback on - hopefully from someone who has had this experience since the parks reopened.

I wear Invisalign and am supposed to brush my teeth after eating before I put the trays back in. I know masks need to stay on in the bathroom so I'm wondering if there's been anyone else in this group who has gone and found a good way to brush their teeth while obeying the rules and staying safe. I'm kind of thinking I could find a lonely corner outside somewhere and just use a spare cup and water to brush them quickly while staying away from others. Just curious if there's a better option that I just haven't thought of.

Note (because I feel like I need it?): My first priority is respecting the cast members and other guests at WDW by following the rules and guidelines. If I can't find a way to clean my teeth and still follow the rules, then I'll just deal with dirty teeth (oral health be darned).

Oh yeah, that's a good option.

And many of the regular restrooms have the larger wheelchair accessible stall that has a sink inside, usually the last stall.

Ditto the Family/ Companion bathroom or the handicap stall option.

 

[Sarahslay]

So how can they run out of waffle mix? LOL

It's not necessarily the waffle mix. There is a strawberry shortage due to climate changes (too much and too little rain in areas where berries are grown). A local restaurant here has taken things with strawberries off their menu, as did the local Steak n' Shake, and our grocery store has a sign stating the shortage (and what's there doesn't look good). They do still have the chicken waffle so it's obviously not the waffles.

 

[PrincessV]

While walking by 7DMT CM announced on mega phone you may eat in line just please cover your face when it is time to move and keep up

I’ll second that we heard the new announcement today about eating in lines. It stated “if you eat and drink please only do so on the green wait here markings”

On your marker, stationary, and distanced from others (as the announcements say, stationary and distanced) = ok to take mask off for a quick sip/bite or two.
Moving while in line = not ok.

Just to be clear for anyone planning a trip, my experience with parks on weekdays has been that I spent VERY little time standing still in any queue. In nearly every case, I was walking continually, or was stopped at a point or two for less than 30 seconds at a time; I wouldn't have had time to get my mask off to eat or drink before moving again. I would not be counting on eating in lines on slower days. (The one exception was HM, where I was in one spot for 10 minutes for a cleaning cycle - the rest of my 35 min wait was constantly moving.)

 

[teach22180]

Got a couple questions for everyone:

1. How early have the first Disney buses to AK been picking up from the resorts? Also, has there been a lineup waiting to get on and how early?

2. Is it possible to rack up multiple child swaps to use for later? We used to do this all the time pre-COVID, but tried our first day yesterday at HS and they wouldnt even let us get a second one until we used our 1st one from a previous ride. However I see a previous poster on here just say they racked up multiple ones at AK. What is the deal?

I can't help you with number 2, but I did take buses to AK from Pop twice last week. With a 9 am opening, they said the MK bus would leave at 815 and AK at 820. I found I needed to be at both lines close to 7 in order to be in the first set of buses. They do send multiple buses in a row. I was there before posted opening, but there had been people entering since 830. I wanted the safari, and it didn't start until 9 but I was near the front of the line.

 

[brockash]

So those posting that the best idea is to walk from the contemporary to MK to be the earliest..

our bus from pop beat the walked both days we went to MK. We passed them being held at temperature checks and we passed the cars still being held at the gate. The first bus from pop picked us up at 745. We were first through turnstiles both mornings and 2nd and 4th in line for mine train. For animal kingdom the bus picked us up about 6:50 and we again were some of the very first folks at the turnstiles and were 10th in line for FOP. I absolutely agree that walking from a resort is the best bet for HS and Epcot if your on a skyliner resort, but being on the first bus from pop beat all others for MK and AK.

I think the issue with this is you're relying on Disney's schedule/mindgames lol. We def. had a couple times that we beat cars during our Sept. trip, but we also had times that we didn't and then this past trip at AKL; we never beat anyone. I would say walking from CR would be more consistent of getting in earlish, but it's def. nice when it all works out on the bus. Unfortunately in all of the scenarios we're at the mercy of Disney's decisions on that given day.

 

[wilkydelts]

25 minutes to get from the parking toll booth, to park, walk to the entrance, go through security, enter the park and walk to Pandora?

I am unsure what you are asking?

 

[LSUfan4444]

I am asking if I read your post correctly? It took you 25 minutes to get from the parking toll booths, to park your car, walk to the gates, go through security, enter the park and walk to Pandora? That seems incredibly fast to me so I either am misunderstanding or I was curious how you did it so fast. A 15-20 minute difference in arrival at DAK could be the difference between starting our day with FoP or saving it until park close.

 

[michellej47]

it would be more economical to Uber each day to parks

Where is the best place to be dropped off if you Uber? I know about the Speedway for DHS, but what about everywhere else. Is there a good location to be dropped to be able to get in a bit earlier?

 

[lorileahb]

Where is the best place to be dropped off if you Uber? I know about the Speedway for DHS, but what about everywhere else. Is there a good location to be dropped to be able to get in a bit earlier?

Uber to Contemporary Resort for MK - to keep within Disney guidelines/protocol, have a mobile order placed at Contempo Cafe (or an ADR at one of their restaurants) - otherwise, the guards won't always let you through. Boardwalk (or maybe Beach Club) for Epcot, again mobile order to Boardwalk Bakery or ADR at resort restaurant. Animal Kingdom - there is no other place to be dropped by Uber other than Animal Kingdom drop off - nothing within walking distance; park has a long drive.