Here Now & Just Back WDW Reopening Experiences Including Park Hopping

[dachsie]

We are going week before Christmas.. Question. I was told Philharmagic and Muppets were closed. Is that not correct? Is there a list somewhere showing whats open due to Covid? TYSM

Both of these are open

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We are going week before Christmas.. Question. I was told Philharmagic and Muppets were closed. Is that not correct? Is there a list somewhere showing whats open due to Covid? TYSM

Philharmagic is open

 

[PrincessV]

Looking for pandemic packing tips from anyone just back. We leave in a week and are driving. I have the usual big general Disney packing lists I’ve found online but wondering if there are things you all found useful or wish you had brought for “pandemic Disney?” There will be five of us with 3 kids ages 6, 10 and 12.

I've always brought disinfecting wipes to wipe touch points in hotel rooms, so no change there for me, but might be something new to others. Bring more masks than you think you'll need per person - my COVID trips have been in very hot weather, so it may be different in cooler times, but I wanted to change my mask about every 3-4 hours. I bring extra clean masks to the parks in a ziploc bag, and I bring a small paper bag in which to put used masks until I get back to the room and can put the masks in my dirty laundry. (Of course, if using disposable masks, you can just toss them when done.) I have a small carabiner on my park back on which to hook a mask if I'm just taking it off to eat or drink - I prefer that to pulling it under my chin or hanging off a lanyard, but YMMV. I'd say test out different approaches at home so each person has a plan before getting to WDW. I BYO hand sanitizer, just to have it when I want it. That's really it - I didn't find I needed anything extra beyond masks and mask accessories.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Both of these are open

I love the shows

Frozen sing-a-long, one of my favorites, is also open. Waits are longer because the theaters have adjusted seating into groups of 4 with social distancing between.

 

[yulilin3]

We are going week before Christmas.. Question. I was told Philharmagic and Muppets were closed. Is that not correct? Is there a list somewhere showing whats open due to Covid? TYSM

Go to MDE filter by park and then by attractions and you'll see what's open

 

[Donnask8pro]

Go to MDE filter by park and then by attractions and you'll see what's open

Im sorry. MDE? I assume app but sorry again

 

[yulilin3]

Im sorry. MDE? I assume app but sorry again

Yes, My Disney Experience. You can also find it on the WDW website

 

[lovethattink]

We are going week before Christmas.. Question. I was told Philharmagic and Muppets were closed. Is that not correct? Is there a list somewhere showing whats open due to Covid? TYSM

MDE is the app you would have made fast passes on prior to re-opening.

The theatre seats are set up for groups of 4. If you have more than 4 you’ll need to split up. Usually there are 3 empty seats between the groups of 4.

Mickey and Minnie’s Vacation Fun and One Man’s Dream are the other theatres that are open.

 

[yulilin3]

MDE is the app you would have made fast passes on prior to re-opening.

The theatre seats are set up for groups of 4. If you have more than 4 you’ll need to split up. Usually there are 3 empty seats between the groups of 4.

Mickey and Minnie’s Vacation Fun and One Man’s Dream are the other theatres that are open.

And a lot more

 

[Donnask8pro]

GOT IT!!! TYSM

 

[Shellyred8]

OK - Last day in the parks for us - AK on Tuesday, 11/10.

SCHEDULE DETAIL WARNING - this trip report will have way too detailed time information... read at your own risk!

We drove to the parking lot, and arrived at the Toll Plaza at 7:58 and were about 3 cars back in line. They let us through at 8:14, but then held us again at the end of the long driveway right at the beginning of the parking lot until 8:26. We could see many many buses arriving and dropping off folks while we waited. We parked and quickly walked to the temp tents - arriving at 8:32, and were in the park at 8:34.

We had made the decision to NOT rope drop FoP, because it was immediately posting a 45 minute line, and waits later in the day seem to be far less on weekdays - and this proved to be true. So, we set off to essentially walk-on 4-5 rides to start our day, and do multiple FoP rides later in the afternoon. So, here we go...

- Na'vi River Journey 8:40 (3 min to walk through the queue) - 8:50 done
- Kilimanjaro Safaris 8:57 (11 min wait as it opened at 9am) - 9:32 done (animals were super active)
- EE 9:41 (5 min wait) 10 min posted - 9:51 done
- EE 9:52 (2 min wait) 15 min posted - 9:59 done
- Dinosaur 10:12 (10 min wait) 5 min posted - 10:28 done (somehow this ride still scares me! My 10 year old DD laughs at me)
- TriceraTop Spin 10:31 (4 min wait) 5 min posted - 10:39 done
- it's tough to be a bug! 10:43 (8 min wait) - 11:02 done
- lunch at Flame Tree
- FoP 11:46 (30 min wait) 45 min posted - 12:26 done
- Tree of Life Gardens / Gorilla Falls Trail
- Kali River Rapids 2:23 (9 min wait) 10 min posted - 2:42 done
- Maharajah Jungle Trek and Winged Encounters
- EE 3:25 (12 min wait) 30 min posted - 3:41 done
- FoP 4:11 (28 min wait) 25 min posted - 4:49 done
- FoP 4:49 (28 min wait) 25 min posted - 5:30 done

We reached the exit at 5:42, and were back at the hotel at 6:00.

I then took my daughter to California Grill for a birthday dinner! On our departure day, on 11/11, we did breakfast at Topolino's Terrace - which was GREAT - even with the socially distant characters, hit up Winter Summerland for minigolf, and DS before going to the airport.

We had an AMAZING trip - as I mentioned, I missed the nighttime spectaculars, but it still felt like "Disney" to us.

At FOP, were they letting you re-ride through the short-cut queue? Or did you have to go out and walk all the way through the entire queue again?

 

[NJlauren]

Did AK this morning and frankly found it to be the hardest of the 3 parks for us to manage so far.

We arrived around 8, a bit later then I would have liked, but that’s fine.

We headed right to Everest as we were hoping FoP wait would go down. We did rider swap on Everest and headed to the safari, with a posted 40 minute wait, but was closer to 30, we were off the safari a bit before 10, we broke apart again DD6 and DH did the animation experience (which she LOVED). While DD2 and I did Tricera tops spin, she loved it so we did it twice. Then we walked around for some animals. It was really crowded. Not sure why but felt like the lines were everywhere, then we stopped at Harambe Market and waited for DD6 and DH.

FoP was still over 2 hour so we decided to call it a morning, ordered take out from Sanaa to go, and headed out.

I found AK to feel more crowded even then MK on Saturday!

 

[swelch1976]

At FOP, were they letting you re-ride through the short-cut queue? Or did you have to go out and walk all the way through the entire queue again?

We had to walk through the entire queue again. Continuous walking until we were in the “cave” part of the queue though.

 

[lovethattink]

And a lot more

Of course!

 

[only hope]

At FOP, were they letting you re-ride through the short-cut queue? Or did you have to go out and walk all the way through the entire queue again?

Those days are gone I think. It’s a lot busier than it was in July and Aug when there were reports of that.

 

[guynhawaii]

Aloha,

Several tidbits to chew on.
Preliminaries. Toured MK on Sat (21 Nov) and Mon. DHS on Sun (22 Nov). Family of four. DW, DS and a pair of teenagers. Staying at CR.
C19. WDW has exerted great efforts. Can count one one hand to date people not complying. Overall, everyone is doing a great job.
Crowds. I believe the 35% capacity. The times are high because of the required spacing on rides, transportation, etc...
Guest Relations vs. fellow forum members. Info on this Board more reliable than Guest Relations CM. Asked Guest Relations at DS what rides open early at the parks. Told very sternly that none of the rides open prior to official park opening. I kindly responded "according the various blogs and boards, some rides open 30-45 minutes prior to official park opening". I was strongly rebuked. I'm glad I ignored him and trusted y'all.
Official waiting times. MK on Saturday, posted times were significantly inflated. 50' would actually be 35'. However, DHS on Sunday the posted times were either on the mark or slightly less than actual times.
MK strategy. Both Saturday and Monday, the park opened around 8:15, 45 minutes prior to official opening of 9 AM. Walked to MK from CR. Resort Monorail doesn't start until about 35' prior to official park opening and buses don't start until one hour prior to park opening. However, not all of the rides were open at 9:15. Open rides included but not limited to 7DMT and PP. Saturday and Monday, Splash didn't open until 10 AM. Saturday was even later. BTMRR opened about 8:30 Saturday and 8:45 Monday.
DHS strategy. The kids and I did R&RC twice and ToT by 10 AM. Park opened about 9:15 (official park opening of 10). We zigged when everyone zagged to MMRR. Son was able to snag a BG 12 while laying in bed at CR at 7 AM. Walked right on ROTR about 10:10. Crowds zoomed up FAST. Stood 90+ minutes in line for SR (thinking it would be closer to 60 but we were wrong). Times decreased in the afternoon. MMRR was down to 35' when we entered the line and it was about 35'. Accomplished all of the rides except for SDD.
Lessons learn. Take extra masks. DD lost hers and mine broke. Don't be like me and forget to put your mask back on after finishing your meal. For MK, enjoy Fantasyland and perhaps Space Mountain before the official park opening. Delay heading to Frontierland until after official park opening. Splash and BTMRR don't start until close to or at official park opening.
Mobile ordering. For CS, first select your items and order your food and time of pick-up. Secondly, notify the restaurant you are present. Third notification for them to start your meal. I didn't know about the third step. Found out the hard way.
MK vs. Disneyland. Disneyland offers so many more rides including Matterhorn and Indy. Plus New Orleans Square. Food and park are better for us. Teenagers are already bored of MK after two days in the park with one more scheduled (Tuesday).
DHS advance arrival. Recommend drop off at Boardwalk or the Boardwalk hotels. Requires counter service meal order or dine in to gain access. Or, I've been told go to Swan and Dolphin and walk in. Tried the drop off at the Speedway gas station. Not good. No sidewalk or cross walk towards DHS. DW and teenagers didn't like the idea of walking across the grass and jay walking across the street at the Speedway intersection.

Good luck!

 

[Cynt]

Looking for pandemic packing tips from anyone just back. We leave in a week and are driving. I have the usual big general Disney packing lists I’ve found online but wondering if there are things you all found useful or wish you had brought for “pandemic Disney?” There will be five of us with 3 kids ages 6, 10 and 12.

I 2nd pack extra masks. I have a love hate relationship with mask. I brought paper and several different cloth masks made out of different material. Best decision I made. Some days I had to switch to paper because for some reason I just couldn't breath in the cloth masks. Some days the cloth mask were fine. Some days I started out in paper and ended in cloth. We went in October and the weather was great, 70s and a day or two low 80s and an occasional rain shower. I kept 2 - 3 extra masks in my sling pack for DH and I. He was fine in his mask all day.

 

[Amunet]

We stayed at Art of Animation little mermaid room. Requested king upper floor & got both. I love that resort.

May I ask how you requested? I would like to request a king as well

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

May I ask how you requested? I would like to request a king as well

Online you are able to make 2 requests. Choices there were : king, higher floor or nearer transportation.
Go to your experience & you do it there. I think in the check in part.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Flew in Saturday. MCO is markedly more busy than it was in August, but we found it to be pleasantly alive while not being overwhelming. DFW, where we had a 1.5 hour layover, was worse for traffic. But I think that was to be expected. American Airlines was hit or miss; their regional partner SkyWest has always been great for customer service out of Billings no matter the partner airline.
Checked in to AoA at about 1830. Direct to room was great! We’ve used the service before, since 2018, so it was really a breeze. DW and I just wanted to relax at the end of the day, but the boys pushed for the pool. They had plenty of airplane energy stored up, so we let them go for it. Big Blue Pool is truly amazing, and I don’t think they even noticed the lack of a slide from mod+. Landscape of Flavors pizza meal for a family was large and a decent value, but our pizza was served a little on the overdone side. Probably won’t do that one again, but the mobile order process was a breeze.