We just returned from 5 nights at the Grand Floridian, and three days in the parks. We got home on Dec 22. We had a great time, and are glad that we went. But that doesn't mean that the trip was without some Covid-fueled heartburn. We originally had this trip scheduled for spring break, but Covid moved it to summer... which Covid moved to now. I would have rather gone any other time of year, but alas, here we are.
We got a better room at the GF than we probably would have gotten otherwise because of the reduced occupancy. It's obvious that there are fewer guests at the resort than normal. The downside, is that V&A and Citricos are closed, and of course the lack of the Orchestra as been discussed ad nauseam. Mousekeeping is cut back ridiculously, and for probably no reason, as we know now that the virus doesn't really spread that way. Reduced Mousekeeping makes an already NUTS room price even more insulting. ...but I knew this going in, so I was a good little soldier and paid my bill without complaint.
We had drinks one night at the Enchanted Rose. The cocktails were excellent, but very expensive. ($25 ea.) I would have had another round, and spent more money, if they had been just $7-9 cheaper. Surely they know that? I suppose that's not what they wanted though...
Mask wearing is enforced everywhere on the property. This is a mostly good thing, but there are a few times when you just want to take a picture without a mask - and no one is nearby - and some nervous ninny comes to hassle you. Annoying. I understand what they're trying to do, but being reasonable would be nice.
THE most aggravating thing about the Covid changes is the lines you have to wait in to go in stores. Of course, the place where this is the worst is in Galaxy's Edge. This makes it near impossible to stroll and enjoy the new land. There was a 40 minute line just to get in the street bazaar area. I waited, and got my wife the Ahsoka doll she wanted
but I wish that could be avoided. I fully understand why they have to put the limit on the number of people allowed in a store, but that fact makes it no less irritating.
On our day at Studios, we rode all the new rides, and enjoyed them all. Smugglers Run is AWESOME, and Rise of the Resistance is totally different and almost as good. The Runaway Railway was fun, but my wife liked it better than I did. I think the intro story is cut out because of Covid? It makes the beginning disjointed, like watching a movie after showing up 15 minutes late for it. As a result, I spent my time on the ride appreciating the trackless technology, instead of the story being told. Alien Swirling Saucers has been derided here, but my 6 year old son loved it. It's the ride he talks about the most still. And the Slinky Dog Coaster - he loved that too. It was fun for me.
In the Magic Kingdom, the crowds felt about normal - which many of you will not want to hear. Not normal for pre-Christmas, but normal for a regular summer's day. I'm sure that if more of the shows and restaurants had been open, then this would be different, but alas this is true. Perhaps some of the attractions are shut down simply so The Mouse will have room for the longer queue lines. The only ride I really missed was the train (which was closed). We rode everything else we wanted to, even with the longer lines. I missed the (non-existent) parade, and the Dapper Dans were apparently performing, but I didn't get to see them.
Epcot is a freakin' disaster right now. We should have gone to AK instead with our third day (my wife disagrees). The old Communicore and fountain area is walled off and you have to walk around it, making the already long walk even longer. Apart from the World Showcase, which I love, there's very little to do at Epcot right now. The biggest question from our time at WDW is why in the world is The Mouse building the Tron ride at MK? The front side of Epcot could really use it, and it could be integrated into the "mission" of that park easily. That's a total mystery to us. We rode Test Track, Soarin, Living With The Land, Nemo (isn't it awful?), and Spaceship Earth. I wish they'd just shut down the front of Epcot and get it done faster, because it's not worth visiting right now. Regarding the World Showcase, it's funny to hear the rest of my family hate on the Frozen ride. My daughter should be enrapt by it, but she just misses the Maelstrom. I do wonder what they'll do with the meet & greet area in Norway when no one really cares about Anna & Elsa anymore. Our day at Epcot was saved by my beloved Biergarten. The band was great - as usual - and I like the way they're serving family style now. That might be the one good Covid change.
Lastly, Disney Springs was buzzing with people. Very crowded. I really don't like going there now, because of what they've done to it. Obviously it's a success, because of all the stores and people, but I sure do miss the Adventurer's Club, and the other unique places that used to make up Pleasure Island.
We had a good time, and I'm glad we went - although I sure will be glad when Covid is a bad memory. Won't we all!
Edited to add: It's bizarre to see the Polynesian dismantled the way it is. ...and Trader Sam's was closed!
We got a better room at the GF than we probably would have gotten otherwise because of the reduced occupancy. It's obvious that there are fewer guests at the resort than normal. The downside, is that V&A and Citricos are closed, and of course the lack of the Orchestra as been discussed ad nauseam. Mousekeeping is cut back ridiculously, and for probably no reason, as we know now that the virus doesn't really spread that way. Reduced Mousekeeping makes an already NUTS room price even more insulting. ...but I knew this going in, so I was a good little soldier and paid my bill without complaint.
We had drinks one night at the Enchanted Rose. The cocktails were excellent, but very expensive. ($25 ea.) I would have had another round, and spent more money, if they had been just $7-9 cheaper. Surely they know that? I suppose that's not what they wanted though...
Mask wearing is enforced everywhere on the property. This is a mostly good thing, but there are a few times when you just want to take a picture without a mask - and no one is nearby - and some nervous ninny comes to hassle you. Annoying. I understand what they're trying to do, but being reasonable would be nice.
THE most aggravating thing about the Covid changes is the lines you have to wait in to go in stores. Of course, the place where this is the worst is in Galaxy's Edge. This makes it near impossible to stroll and enjoy the new land. There was a 40 minute line just to get in the street bazaar area. I waited, and got my wife the Ahsoka doll she wanted
but I wish that could be avoided. I fully understand why they have to put the limit on the number of people allowed in a store, but that fact makes it no less irritating.On our day at Studios, we rode all the new rides, and enjoyed them all. Smugglers Run is AWESOME, and Rise of the Resistance is totally different and almost as good. The Runaway Railway was fun, but my wife liked it better than I did. I think the intro story is cut out because of Covid? It makes the beginning disjointed, like watching a movie after showing up 15 minutes late for it. As a result, I spent my time on the ride appreciating the trackless technology, instead of the story being told. Alien Swirling Saucers has been derided here, but my 6 year old son loved it. It's the ride he talks about the most still. And the Slinky Dog Coaster - he loved that too. It was fun for me.
In the Magic Kingdom, the crowds felt about normal - which many of you will not want to hear. Not normal for pre-Christmas, but normal for a regular summer's day. I'm sure that if more of the shows and restaurants had been open, then this would be different, but alas this is true. Perhaps some of the attractions are shut down simply so The Mouse will have room for the longer queue lines. The only ride I really missed was the train (which was closed). We rode everything else we wanted to, even with the longer lines. I missed the (non-existent) parade, and the Dapper Dans were apparently performing, but I didn't get to see them.
Epcot is a freakin' disaster right now. We should have gone to AK instead with our third day (my wife disagrees). The old Communicore and fountain area is walled off and you have to walk around it, making the already long walk even longer. Apart from the World Showcase, which I love, there's very little to do at Epcot right now. The biggest question from our time at WDW is why in the world is The Mouse building the Tron ride at MK? The front side of Epcot could really use it, and it could be integrated into the "mission" of that park easily. That's a total mystery to us. We rode Test Track, Soarin, Living With The Land, Nemo (isn't it awful?), and Spaceship Earth. I wish they'd just shut down the front of Epcot and get it done faster, because it's not worth visiting right now. Regarding the World Showcase, it's funny to hear the rest of my family hate on the Frozen ride. My daughter should be enrapt by it, but she just misses the Maelstrom.
I do wonder what they'll do with the meet & greet area in Norway when no one really cares about Anna & Elsa anymore. Our day at Epcot was saved by my beloved Biergarten. The band was great - as usual - and I like the way they're serving family style now. That might be the one good Covid change.Lastly, Disney Springs was buzzing with people. Very crowded. I really don't like going there now, because of what they've done to it. Obviously it's a success, because of all the stores and people, but I sure do miss the Adventurer's Club, and the other unique places that used to make up Pleasure Island.
We had a good time, and I'm glad we went - although I sure will be glad when Covid is a bad memory. Won't we all!
Edited to add: It's bizarre to see the Polynesian dismantled the way it is. ...and Trader Sam's was closed!
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