Thanks for the info on Uber/Lyft especially for Rope Drop! I’m thinking we will be using Uber or Lyft most of the time that we go to the parks on our upcoming trip (late Feb./early Mar). Since I’m unfamiliar with the resorts and how covid social distancing restrictions are affecting access to things, I’m curious if you’re aware of any ways that this has affected using Uber/Lyft to Rope Drop. I’ve read that some people enjoyed visiting the different resort hotels to go to restaurants, shop & enjoy the environment but are unable to do this in the same way during covid (ie. requiring reservations to eat or enter resorts to look around - maybe this is misinformation?).
Are there any restrictions to the walkways that we would use after Ubering to a nearby resort hotel or Disney Park parking lot and then walking to the park?
If we Uber to a park before the parking lot is open, what are the best places to have Uber drop us off? Contemporary for MK and Swan/Dolphin for the IG entrance of Epcot are the only specific drop off locations I’ve noticed in the Unofficial Guide.
A couple of suggestions for adding more information about how Covid has affected driving to the parks:
Special Section: Covid
pg. 10 Transportation:
Add a line to this section that says something about parking lots opening later than usual when security and temperature checks open.
Part 9: Arriving
pg. 457-459 Driving to and From the Theme Parks:
Add a Covid Tip or an additional numbered section to this part about being turned away if you arrive too early to the parking lots and expecting long lines of cars if you are trying to “Rope Drop.”
This is how it is phrased in the blog post on the Touring Plans blog (“Rope Drop” During COVID-19 | TouringPlans.com Blog):
Cars
A simple option to avoid Disney transportation is to drive yourself. For resort guests and annual passholders parking is free. There are a few changes in the parking system. First, parking lots are not open until temperature screening and security are open. Disney would rather have a backup of cars at the toll booths in cars, than in lines at the entrance at the parks. Once you park, an empty space is left between cars so guests are socially distanced when leaving their cars. The final change is no trams. Like everything else, people arrive early and there is a backup.
Taxis and Rideshares
Taxi and rideshare have similar restrictions on personal cars. The Disney operated Minnie Van service is unavailable. The best way to use a taxi or rideshare is to have them drop you off at a hotel where you can then walk to a park. Without a dining reservation, a Disney hotel may turn you away. You will have no problem being dropped off at the Swan a Dolphin. For the Magic Kingdom, there is a drop-off area at the TTC.
Thinking Outside the Box
With walking being the best option, but not an option for all parks or hotels, you will need to get creative. If you have an early dining reservation you can be dropped off by a rideshare at the hotel, eat, and then walk to a park. If this option doesn’t work for you, there is one more option. To get from one hotel to another hotel it is going to take two buses. The video below documents my experience getting from Pop Century to Hollywood Studios. I took a bus to the Animal Kingdom, then a bus to the Boardwalk, and then walked to Hollywood Studios.
be warned DON’T hit ‘prepare my food’ - Walt Disney World / Dining - TouringPlans Discussion Forums