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Old 29 Jul 20, 02:33 PM  
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DM275011
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Just Back - Disney in Masks!

We have just returned from 4 days staying at the Newport Bay Resort. We were in a superior lake view room and had breakfast included in our package. As it is a very different experience at the moment I will try and stick to the things that are different at the moment rather than the information that you can find elsewhere.

We live about 30 minutes away from the Eurotunnel so decided to drive down as I am diabetic and felt more comfortable being in my own "bubble" rather than on the train or flying down. The crossing was very traight forward and the drive down took 3 hours with a stop on the way for breakfast.

We arrived just before 12 and our room was ready for us on arrival. As most people know, masks have to be worn everywhere on property (other than your hotel room) this is the same for all cast members and people over the age of 11. We took a selection of masks and all of us quickly realised that the simple "medical" paper masks are by far the best. They are lighter, don't pull on the ears and are not as hot to wear.


We went straight to the parks and were surprised how busy it was. The crowds have built over over the last few weeks and it is no longer as deserted as the first few videos that went online showed. It isn't as busy as a normal summer, more like an off peak day. We also saw people being turned away as they didn't have a reservation. Having said that wait times weren't bad with most rides around 20 minutes with the exception of Phantom Manor, Star Tours and Pirates which were all around 45 minutes. This was a Saturday and we hoped that the next three days would be quieter. Despite the increased volume of people everyone was wearing masks and, trying to socially distancefrom each other. All the ride queues and spaced out with copious amounts of hand gel at all ride enterances and exits.

On Sunday we woke up to clear blue skies. Breakfast was very well organised. You choose form a menu and the food is bought to you. The options vary continential options to American style breakfasts, pancakes etc.
Sunday in the parks was slightly quieter but the real bonus was the extra magic hours. Between 8:30 and 10:00 we managed to ride 8 rides with no real wait. We had dinner at Annette's Diner which was very quite. The food was good, served quickly if a little expensive (but then again, this is Disney!)

Monday we started the day at the Studios Park. Ths really is a half day park at the moment. We had ridden every ride by lunchtime and done all the character meet and greets. It is worth saying that all the character meetings are exceptionally well organised. Yes it is a shame that you can't get up close or remove your mask for photographs but safety has to take priority. We had lunch at Chez Remy, which whilst very expensive, is always excellent. The service was fantastic and the whole meal very relaxed.

Having felt safe throughout the last few days we then made our only mistake... we decided to take a trip doen to Val d'Europe. It was about 5:30 and we thought it would be fairly quiet. It wasn't! Despite arrows on the ground as attempt to have a one way system, no one was following it. The same with social distancing, signs were everywhere but very few people were obeying. We quickly realised the mistake and returned to our hotel.

On our final day we decided to make the most of the extra magic hours again but a number of the rides didn't open until 10 including Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain. We did get a couple more rides on Star Tours though! We left the parks at 3:00 for the journey home. We arrived early at the Eurotunnel terminal which was just as well. We have driven down to Paris numerous times and the UK side is always seamless. The French side is always awful. It was two hours of queueing No time to grab a coffee. 12 kiosks to check in at and only 2 open to check passports.


In all though, it was an excellent trip. Disney have done an excellent job in very challenging conditions and it did feel very safe.
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Old 29 Jul 20, 03:31 PM  
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Christina Dunn
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Thanks for that. We are going in September. Can I ask? Did you book your breakfast and Annettes? I tried to book, but they said no need to, just walk in, yet on the website it says to book. Thanks.
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Old 29 Jul 20, 04:04 PM  
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DM275011
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Getting Excited
 
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Originally Posted by Christina Dunn View Post
Thanks for that. We are going in September. Can I ask? Did you book your breakfast and Annettes? I tried to book, but they said no need to, just walk in, yet on the website it says to book. Thanks.
Hi Christina

We didn’t book. Breakfast is very well organised and, if it gets busy, they seat more people in the other room. Annette’s was just walk up but I think you could book.
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Old 29 Jul 20, 04:34 PM  
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Christina Dunn
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Thanks for your quick reply. Cannot wait. We are getting so excited now.
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Old 29 Jul 20, 09:00 PM  
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jas72
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Originally Posted by DM275011 View Post
We have just returned from 4 days staying at the Newport Bay Resort. We were in a superior lake view room and had breakfast included in our package. As it is a very different experience at the moment I will try and stick to the things that are different at the moment rather than the information that you can find elsewhere.

We live about 30 minutes away from the Eurotunnel so decided to drive down as I am diabetic and felt more comfortable being in my own "bubble" rather than on the train or flying down. The crossing was very traight forward and the drive down took 3 hours with a stop on the way for breakfast.

We arrived just before 12 and our room was ready for us on arrival. As most people know, masks have to be worn everywhere on property (other than your hotel room) this is the same for all cast members and people over the age of 11. We took a selection of masks and all of us quickly realised that the simple "medical" paper masks are by far the best. They are lighter, don't pull on the ears and are not as hot to wear.


We went straight to the parks and were surprised how busy it was. The crowds have built over over the last few weeks and it is no longer as deserted as the first few videos that went online showed. It isn't as busy as a normal summer, more like an off peak day. We also saw people being turned away as they didn't have a reservation. Having said that wait times weren't bad with most rides around 20 minutes with the exception of Phantom Manor, Star Tours and Pirates which were all around 45 minutes. This was a Saturday and we hoped that the next three days would be quieter. Despite the increased volume of people everyone was wearing masks and, trying to socially distancefrom each other. All the ride queues and spaced out with copious amounts of hand gel at all ride enterances and exits.

On Sunday we woke up to clear blue skies. Breakfast was very well organised. You choose form a menu and the food is bought to you. The options vary continential options to American style breakfasts, pancakes etc.
Sunday in the parks was slightly quieter but the real bonus was the extra magic hours. Between 8:30 and 10:00 we managed to ride 8 rides with no real wait. We had dinner at Annette's Diner which was very quite. The food was good, served quickly if a little expensive (but then again, this is Disney!)

Monday we started the day at the Studios Park. Ths really is a half day park at the moment. We had ridden every ride by lunchtime and done all the character meet and greets. It is worth saying that all the character meetings are exceptionally well organised. Yes it is a shame that you can't get up close or remove your mask for photographs but safety has to take priority. We had lunch at Chez Remy, which whilst very expensive, is always excellent. The service was fantastic and the whole meal very relaxed.

Having felt safe throughout the last few days we then made our only mistake... we decided to take a trip doen to Val d'Europe. It was about 5:30 and we thought it would be fairly quiet. It wasn't! Despite arrows on the ground as attempt to have a one way system, no one was following it. The same with social distancing, signs were everywhere but very few people were obeying. We quickly realised the mistake and returned to our hotel.

On our final day we decided to make the most of the extra magic hours again but a number of the rides didn't open until 10 including Phantom Manor and Big Thunder Mountain. We did get a couple more rides on Star Tours though! We left the parks at 3:00 for the journey home. We arrived early at the Eurotunnel terminal which was just as well. We have driven down to Paris numerous times and the UK side is always seamless. The French side is always awful. It was two hours of queueing No time to grab a coffee. 12 kiosks to check in at and only 2 open to check passports.


In all though, it was an excellent trip. Disney have done an excellent job in very challenging conditions and it did feel very safe.
Thanks for this we are still deciding but won't take the risk as Paris is now a Quarantine area when going from Belgium.
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Old 3 Aug 20, 10:31 PM  
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Great to read all the information you have shared - reassuring and good to know that Disney made you feel safe whilst you were there
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