The magic has officially returned and I couldn’t be happier! This past weekend was a historic moment for Walt Disney World, as it reopened after a long 4 months. Even from my living room this weekend, watching “Instagram stories” and “Facebook LIVES,” gave me the chills and even some tears were shed.
I can only imagine what it really felt to walk down Main Street and see Cinderella Castle at the end, beaming as gorgeous as always. Cast members lined Main Street, USA waving and welcoming all guests back to the magic.
I was unable to visit the parks this weekend, due to living out of state, but I was able to see photos and videos as well as hear first-hand experiences from friends and fellow travel agents who were able to attend. I think it is important for everyone to know and see that the Disney company does not take opening lightly, and they are aware of the current situation of the world. If Disney was not confident in their research and planning to keep all cast members and guests safe, they would not open. I wanted all the information in one place for all of you for what to expect – please continue reading to see the changes in the parks!
To start off, traveling and parking at both parks is very different than what we are all used it. Parking is at least every other car at the Transportation and Ticket Center as well as Animal Kingdom. The trams are not running – so you are required to walk, but capacity is so limited for the parks, I didn’t hear of anyone having to walk any crazy amounts. The monorail has been separated to be 1 party per car with plexiglass, and the ferry has social distancing dots on the ground to keep parties spread out. The benches have been removed from the ferry to create more standing room. Buses also have been modified to add plexiglass and separate groups of people for social distancing.
When you reach the parks you will get your temperature checked and then head to security. From what I saw the cast members are not touching bags or personal items – what used to take sometimes 15 minutes is taking 3 minutes now, tops. At the turnstiles to enter the parks, you will be asked to scan your Magicband, but you will not use the finger touchpoint.
All around the parks are extra hand sanitizer locations, including before and after each attraction. There are also hand-washing stations for guest use. Most of the trash cans’ lids have either been removed or pushed back making them contactless. Cast members are constantly wiping down handles, rails, benches, and refilling the sanitizer stations. There are social distance markings everywhere from merchandise locations, rides, and quick-service locations.
Let’s talk about masks, because I know that is something that everyone is thinking about. Yes, you are required to wear a mask at all times, even on the rides – just as the cast members are. The cast members that come in direct contact with guests on the regular are also wearing face shields, on top of their masks. Entertainment and characters are not wearing face masks; they are socially distanced enough, and also because animals don’t wear masks 😉
Something I want to point out, that I think a lot of people are forgetting. Yes, it is Florida. Yes, it is sunny and hot. But, remember, the parks are at about 25% capacity, and everyone is at least 6 feet apart. Therefore, you are not feeling squished like sardines in the parks’ heat while wearing a mask. And, most rides are inside and/or have air conditioning available for you to enjoy.
There are rest places around the parks to remove your mask and sit in air conditioning. The 2 that I am aware of in Magic Kingdom are located at Tomorrowland Terrace and at Pete’s Silly Sideshow, where typically Minnie Mouse, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy have their meet & greets. The whole area has been cleared for extra space to relax. The 1 that I know of in Animal Kingdom is in Pizzafari, which has been converted from its quick-service location.
The process of riding the rides has not changed overall, the only difference is keeping a social distance while in the queues which Disney World has marked out for you in every line. A lot of queues also have plexiglass installed between rows that are parallel to add extra protection. Ride vehicles are sanitized between every group of guests and sometimes sent through empty in order for the sanitizer to dry. The longest time guests have been waiting for a ride seems so far to have been from cast members wiping down everything and cleaning the vehicles.
I got a question about eating and food in the parks. You can still eat at certain restaurants – the ones that are open so far seem to be all converted to family-style. When looking at quick-service options, not every location is available, but the ones that are have tables socially distanced apart, as well as some tables unavailable to help this as well. It is not required, but it is highly encouraged to mobile order your food to eliminate contact. You will receive a register number to head to when your food is ready and receive the tray from a cast member underneath, again, plexiglass. As a side note, condiment bars unavailable at this time because they create crowds and have individual guests touching, it would be nearly impossible to keep clean and sanitized. To substitute, the quick service locations are giving you the condiments for the meal in individual cups with lids.
No character meet & greets is definitely an adjustment; there really is nothing like running up to the boss man himself and giving him a big hug. But I understand why at this time it is just not possible. Character dining is unavailable, except at Topolino’s Terrace, where the characters roam the dining room, rather than spending time at individual tables. Instead of meet & greets at the parks, there are mini parades, or calvacades every 10-15 minutes.
At Magic Kingdom the event runs through the normal parade route from Frontierland down Main Street, USA. I have seen a princess parade, Gaston, Fab 5, Pooh, Mary Poppins and more. They are on parade floats with some performers ahead and behind as well. Also at Magic Kingdom, the Country Bears, themselves have been spotted interacting with guests above the Country Bear Jamboree building. The evil stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella were spotted on Cinderella Castle. Finally, above the train station at Town Square, multiple groups of characters appear waving, dancing, and interacting with all guests in view. I know they aren’t what we are used to, but I kind of would love to see the step sisters on the castle, Gaston on a horse, and the Country Bears above their attraction – they are all unique and would give great photo opportunities!
At Animal Kingdom they have the same type of event happening on the river that runs through the park. They have characters on boats floating down every few minutes as well. They have the main characters as well as Pocahontas and Meeko were spotted. It is not what we are used to when it comes to characters, but it does seem like Disney is trying to make it feel as normal as possible for guests.
When shopping at the parks, there is a limit on how many guests may be in each store. A cast member is standing at the entrance and exit of each merchandise location. There is one way into each store, and one way out to keep the flow of traffic from crossing over. For high-volume stores this weekend, (especially the Splash Mountain Merchandise location) they are utilizing virtual queues to keep everyone from crowding outside the smaller area.
There are no shows or fireworks due to it creating a crowd, this being said, park hours have been modified. The parks closed this weekend by 7 pm each night. I think this is due to it becoming dusk and harder for cast members to really see if masks are being worn and social distancing is being practiced.
I also think this may be the best of both worlds for some families. If you are a family who is comfortable traveling at this time, (if you are not, that is totally fine), you may want to take advantage of visiting the Disney Parks. The wait times are minimal, I saw Flight of Passage at 30 minutes today in the morning and, by mid-day it was down to only 5 minutes. To put it into perspective, this ride can get up to 300 minutes to wait for on a normal day. I would recommend visiting the parks for the day, until you or your kiddos have done everything they want to do, and taking the extra time and spending it at the resort. It is hard to really get to do everything you want in the parks and spend time at the resort pools, shops, and around the resort grounds unless your trip is long. Most times you have to choose one over the other. For a family who really wants to enjoy both, now is the time to get the best of both worlds.
After doing research this weekend, and hearing first-hand as I stated above, I have no doubt in my mind that Disney is handling this the right way. I know for a fact that I would feel safer at the parks than most other places right now. I think it is important for everyone to know the real side of what is happening in the parks verses only speculation.
Please let me know if you have any questions I can answer, and let me know what your thoughts are.
Did you attend the reopening?
****Epcot and Hollywood Studios officially reopen this Wednesday and I am eager to hear how they are handling process at these parks. I have heard a rumor they will still be using the boarding groups for Rise of the Resistance, and I will keep you updated!
Check back here for a rundown for both Epcot and Hollywood Studios later in the week!****
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