Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[meremac]

I would never discount one person's report, especially one as thoughtfully presented as yours. You are obviously an experienced visitor who was legitimately disappointed in your experiences this trip.

But I also hope people don't think that this means there is necessarily a pervasive issue with customer service and interactions. We have visited four times since reopening, including just a few weeks ago, and had some of the most magical, friendly, helpful, heartwarming interactions with cast members that we have ever had.

I do hope that if/when you return, you have a better experience.

Yes I totally agree with everything here. The OP's description of their trip was heartbreaking. It's so disappointing when a trip goes so much differently than planned. And some of the things described here are unacceptable and need to be corrected. But I agree that it seems, very sadly for the OP, like a series of extremely unlucky events coming together here. We have had totally different experiences lately a WDW. BUT that being said, I will never forget our Disney Cruise flight delayed-baggage mishandled-almond milk explosion-spent the whole night doing laundry-ground transfer never showed up-two hour wait at the port-why is our bibbidi bobbidi boutique appointment missing-kid ran into a pole and broke his glasses on embarkation night-Guest Services screwed up our rewards card-fiasco. It was rough, it was one for the books, and we can laugh about it now. But it's awful when it's happening.

 

[3kidz4dis]

We just came back from a mother daughter trip and while the crowds were low and we ultimately had a great time I just have some observations I wanted to share. I sincerely do not intend this to bash on Disney but this trip was different from the 15 or so other trips. The castmembers exchanged their previous personalities for being mask warriors. I remember when you walked into haunted mansion and tower of terror that the cast members took on the personality of the ride. Instead they seem different... I was told at the end of Thunder Mountain Railroad that during the ride, my mask went to my chin and I will be asked to be removed from the park if that happens again. That actually was my first ride and thought that I could pull it down since I was outside..my bad. I was told that in the Sunshine Terrace I was drinking a bottle of water and my feet where moving and was told I had to stand in one spot to drink. Trust me, I am not antimask and am vaccinated but just felt like some of that magic was replaced with rules. And it is hot...do not understimate the heat and humidity in September. And while I understand the mask rules, there was zero social distancing which seemed like a contradiction. Beauty and the Beast..they ARE social distancing on stage, so no contact (that was different, lol) ...Lion King, there are no acrobats. No Finding Nemo, no Fantasmic. Magic Express was a mess with one poor old guy handling all the luggage of 5 resorts and it taking 1 1/2 hours to arrive. There seemed to be numberous rides down and staffing issues. We were stuck on the Skyliner for 1/2 hour in air facing another couple we didn't know. (hope these masks work!) BUT....ROTR was epic, Pandora was fantastic and we came away with wonderul memories for my daughter and I. We walked on ALL rides with the exception of Frozen and Rockin RollerCoaster. Please don't hate me...just trying to share a few observations and missing the old Disney.

 

[gharter]

It's unfortunate when things like that happen. I've been on rides when they break down and its annoying, but it happens.
We have never had anything by great interactions with CMs. I amazed to watch at AK when a guest didn't know how to use their power scooter and pinned a CM with the scooter and the CM didn't loose their cool. You could see he was in pain, and he wasn't there when we got off the ride.

I will never forget our Disney Cruise flight delayed-baggage mishandled

We also had our luggage get lost by the airline prior to a cruise. Guest services on the Cruise were awesome to find clothes for our entire group, including formal attire for that night until our luggage arrived.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

No hate, but those are the rules. It is a bit much to say you will be removed from the park for one mask slip.

Performers aren't wearing masks onstage, so yes, they are distancing them in the shows that have been returned. Probably out of an abundance of caution, but they're doing it.

 

[CBMom01]

I have to say, this makes me more encouraged to visit. As long as I know they are enforcing the rules, I'm willing to visit.

 

[3kidz4dis]

I have to say, this makes me more encouraged to visit. As long as I know they are enforcing the rules, I'm willing to visit.

Social distancing is not enforced if that is a particular rule you are looking for.

 

[kanerf]

When I was there in May and masking was in full effect, I do not recall them being that nasty about it. A few days after I arrived the outdoor masking was dropped, but you had to be masked when you entered a ride area (not the line unless inside).

 

[Meglen]

I was not aware of the no eating while walking. did this rule come back?

 

[3kidz4dis]

When I was there in May and masking was in full effect, I do not recall them being that nasty about it. A few days after I arrived the outdoor masking was dropped, but you had to be masked when you entered a ride area (not the line unless inside).

She was nasty...it was my first ride of the trip so I was a little shocked but I only put my mask to my chin when we were on the outside part of the ride..that is not allowed. Even if the ride is outside it has to be on the whole ride. It is what it is but the castmember scolding me took me back a bit.

 

[jknc]

I love this!

 

[3kidz4dis]

I was not aware of the no eating while walking. did this rule come back?

It was inside at the Sunshine Terrace...just bought a bottle of water ($4.25) and I started drinking it to walk outside and got told that "if my feet are moving, my mask had to be on"). I should have waited to open the water until I was outside.

 

[carlyle688]

I was not aware of the no eating while walking. did this rule come back?

No. You can eat and drink outside while walking. And no CM is going to threaten to have you removed from the park unless you are refusing to put your mask on.

 

[Meglen]

She was nasty...it was my first ride of the trip so I was a little shocked but I only put my mask to my chin when we were on the outside part of the ride..that is not allowed. Even if the ride is outside it has to be on the whole ride. It is what it is but the castmember scolding me took me back a bit.

I mean I dont blame them they have to deal with people trying to break the rules all the time and being nose warriors. They prolly thought you did it to beat the system. They are being yelled at all day pretty much. Stinks that you were not doing to break the rules and they snapped at you tho.

 

[3kidz4dis]

No. You can eat and drink outside while walking. And no CM is going to threaten to have you removed from the park unless you are refusing to put your mask on.

I technically was inside walking outside (see my above reply). She didn't threaten to remove me, she told me that if I did it again, I would be removed. (I guess that is a threat) BUT I for sure did not refuse..just pulled it to my chin for the outside portion of the ride. Granted I did not follow the rules but was scolded for sure

 

[pigletto]

No hate, but those are the rules. It is a bit much to say you will be removed from the park for one mask slip.

Performers aren't wearing masks onstage, so yes, they are distancing them in the shows that have been returned. Probably out of an abundance of caution, but they're doing it.

I agree it’s a bit much but my guess is they are dealing with people all day who try to get away with breaking the rules and they are sick to death of asking adults to just follow the rules that they clearly knew about beforehand. I don’t think the OP was trying to be difficult but I imagine they deal with ridiculous people all day and they are at their wits end.

 

[Figment1990]

I would feel the same as the OP because it doesn’t sound like she was trying to break rules.

I have to ask - what is the exact language about masking at the moment? Is it that you must be masked inside unless seated while eating/drinking? If the ride is entirely outside, such as magic carpets or slinky u don’t have to mask but are there signs on the inside/outside rides, like test track, people mover, big thunder and mine train that state you must wear a mask the entire ride?

OP sounds like they were trying to follow the rules and I’m wondering if someone can point me to the exact language/signage. Because it seems like these would be very easy mistakes to make.

 

[Chirple]

OP, were you at Sunshine Tree Terrace in MK (which is outdoors) or in Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Land pavilion? When we were there in early September, it was fine to be outside and drink while walking.

 

[3kidz4dis]

OP, were you at Sunshine Tree Terrace in MK (which is outdoors) or in Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Land pavilion? When we were there in early September, it was fine to be outside and drink while walking.

In the Land Pavilion in Epcot.

 

[MDIME]

It's been a crazy couple days getting back into work!

Friday 9/17 - MK day and Boo Bash. We got the bus at 8:00 from Beach Club to MK. We were through the entrance and on Main St by 8:20. I got in line for Starbucks (love the new park exclusive cups!) while DS browsed the stores. He wanted to start with BTMRR so we lined up headed to Frontierland. They held us at the rope to Liberty Square until 9 and then we hit another rope into Frontierland. They told us the Big Thunder would be open but Splash would have a slight delay and then we all moseyed on over to the rides. We had a great morning this was all done by 1:30 - BTMRR x2, Splash, Pirates, mobile ordered Kakamora shakes with immediate pick-up, ate them and saw a cavalcade while headed to Haunted Mansion. Fantasyland still had long lines for everything so we decided to wait for Boo Bash for PP and Mine Train. Then off to Tomorrowland for Space Mountain x2, Buzz, Carnitas nachos at Pecos Bill then back to Big Thunder x2. As we were pulling into the station it started to rain. By the time we got off the train it was pouring! We did Small World and then left to go back to the Beach Club at 1:30. Rain had stopped by the time we got there so we spent a couple hours at Stormalong Bay.
We headed back to MK around 5:00. Mobile ordered from Casey's while on the bus and got a table right outside. Watched another calvalcade go by then headed back to Frontierland for another ride on BTMRR (it's a favorite for both of us!), looked through the shop @ PotC and then picked up our wristbands @ Tortuga Tavern. Back to Tomorrowland for Space x2 and Buzz again. At 7:45 I found a spot by Casey's for the fireworks while DS went to ride BTMRR a few more times. I met him back there afterwards and we did 2 more rides on BTMRR and then hit the trick or treat line by Splash. I got the mocha drink at the Outpost while he did the trick or treat line @ Pecos Bills. Haunted Mansion and then the pictures outside with the old lantern. She had us look to the side and act scared but nothing was added to the photo so not sure what we were scared of. Back to Tomorrowland for trick or treating and People Mover. Then Speedway and a few more trick or treating spots. We finished the night with Peter Pan and 3 rides on Mine Train. We got to the bus stop @ 12:15 as a bus pulled up and were back in our room by 12:35.

That day sounds exhausting but SO fun!!

 

[lovethattink]

I just merged 3 threads together on the topic of Here Now or Just Back.