After two months of closure as a result of COVID quarantine, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida reopened its gates and as soon as towards welcomed visitors to the Most Magical Place on Earth. It did so after all with a variety of modifications and restrictions in place to make sure the well-being and security of its solid members and visitors. Disney additionally reopened as Florida’s optimistic COVID numbers had been rising at an alarming price, creating an ideal storm of dangerous luck and dangerous press. The actual fact is although that different Orlando theme parks had already reopened earlier than Disney and the entire parks have taken extraordinary measures to make sure that they received’ be the reason for the subsequent COVID spreading occasion. Though I wasn’t there throughout opening week, I did journey down just a few weeks later to see for myself what the expertise of visiting the parks is like after lockdown and whether or not or not the magic remains to be there. That is what I found.
What to Know Earlier than You Go
As one would think about, loads have modified since Walt Disney World reopened, and even for those who take into account yourself a Disney professional, you’ll want to perform a little research earlier than your go-to. Previous to reopening Disney, and all different theme parks, needed to submit plans to the state outlining how they might make sure the well-being and security of their visitors whereas nonetheless making an enjoyable theme park expertise. It’s fragile stability for certain and it implies that a bit of extra planning is required earlier than you even guide your flights.
Like all theme parks in the meanwhile, Walt Disney World is controlling the group measurement to round 20-25% regular capability. To take care of these numbers, a brand new park reservation system has been put into place. The reservation itself is free, however, it’s after all essential to even have tickets or an annual cross with the intention to enter any of the 4 parks. An availability calendar has been added to the Walt Disney World web page so you may take a look at what remains to be open to visitors on your chosen dates. There are some things essential to notice about this course. There seems to be better availability for individuals who keep on-site at a Disney Resort resort or one of many Good Neighbor Resorts than for, let’s say, annual pass holders. So for those who’re touring from out of state, it needs to be pretty easy to go to the park of your selection on any given day. Nonetheless, you need to make these reservations as quickly as you’ve gotten locked in your journey dates and bought your tickets. There may be additionally no park hopping in the meanwhile. So, you’re relegated to visiting only one park per day. There are after all professionals and cons to this technique however, personally talking, I actually prefer it. Positive, it’s annoying that I can’t go to Animal Kingdom within the morning and Epcot for dinner, but it surely additionally forces visitors to decelerate and higher recognize every part every park has to supply.
Getting There
I’ll define the assorted measures Disney has applied to make sure the well-being and security of its visitors throughout this public well-being disaster, however in my view the scariest part of your entire expertise was getting there. Perhaps it’s as a result of I do know a big firm wouldn’t put itself at undo legal responsibility or maybe I’ve Mickey colored glasses on and simply inherently belief Disney, however, I knew my well-being can be ensured as soon as I arrived contained in the Disney Bubble. It was every part in between that made me pause. Flying at its greatest isn’t all the time enjoyable expertise, however, add in a pandemic and it’s turned into a form of depressing. Some airways although are doing a greater job than others and after a variety of analysis, I made a decision that Southwest was the best choice for me. They’ve nonstop flights to Orlando from the DC space and have gone to nice lengths to assist keep consolation and well being inflight. Along with their cleansing protocols, boarding is now carried out in teams often and they’re extending their coverage of no center seats so that folk doesn’t should be on prime of one another in flight. The end result was considerably comfy expertise that, whereas not stress-free, didn’t terrify me. So I suppose that’s one thing.
The Guidelines
We stay in several instances with completely different guidelines which are all in place for everybody’s profit. The place I stay, which means sporting masks every time exterior of 1’s house, social distancing, and common frequent sense measures. This isn’t identical all through the nation and so some individuals could also be stunned by the foundations which are strictly enforced at Walt Disney World. It’s incumbent upon the traveler to do their analysis and abide by all the foundations. Disney will not be a public service, we elect to go there by selection. Due to this fact, don’t be stunned when solid members ask you to comply with these guidelines which are there to guard you and others. A few of these new guidelines and protocols embody:
- Enhanced Cleansing – Groups of individuals now spend all of their time cleansing every part of the huge resort, particularly excessive visitors areas like elevators, handrails, benches, and extra. Within the resorts, housekeeping companies have been modified to reinforce cleansing and cut back contact.
- Bodily Distancing – Signage and floor markings are in all places, clearly delineating distances of six toes nearly at each flip. The place not attainable to correctly socially distance, bodily limitations have been erected to additional promote strict bodily distancing pointers.
- Face Coverings – Obligatory for all visitors above the age of two. The masks should be no less than 2 layers, totally cowl the nostril and mouth, and be secured with ties or ear loops. Friends might decrease the masks whereas consuming or ingesting, however, should stay stationary and away from others.
- Temperature Screenings – All visitors getting into the theme parks, Disney Springs and desk service eating places at Disney Resort inns should bear a no-touch temperature screening. These with a maintained temperature of 100.4F or greater won’t be allowed entry.
- Plus way more.
What I Thought Concerning the Parks Expertise
Making the choice to return to Walt Disney World wasn’t a simple one. I had taken a few brief journeys for the reason that finish of strict quarantine and whereas the experiences had been fantastic, they had been oddly demanding. I didn’t know what to anticipate from a COVID-era Disney expertise, particularly since I visited simply as a spike in optimistic instances was introduced in Florida. Admittedly, I had horrible timing. I’m although an accountable citizen, no less than I wish to suppose so, and there have been quite a few precautions I took even earlier than leaving the house. This included testing unfavorable for COVID (and two extra assessments upon my return), packing as many masks and hand sanitizers as I might, and mentally making ready myself for the journey.
It could sound odd to say that I needed to mentally put together, however life will not be what it was and that’s actually true within the journey expertise. For months now we have been taught what to do and to not do with the intention to decrease the specter of contagion. That’s scary stuff and anytime we depart our properties we enhance the percentages of one thing occurring. There’s a cause why so many individuals have reported panic assaults of their native grocery shops – life is horrifying at this time. Then there are sporting masks all day on daily basis. To be sincere, I didn’t suppose this might be a giant deal however after a while it did in actual fact turn into very annoying. Extra about that in just a few paragraphs, however, let me simply say that Disney shouldn’t be your first post-lockdown journey. You want to work as much as it. Sure, Disney is doing every part exceptionally properly, however, you have to be mentally ready for touring, being round different individuals, and every part else that accompanies the journey expertise in 2020.
Okay, the parks! The brief reply is that I had a tremendous time visiting Walt Disney World even with the present restrictions. In actual fact, I’m a part of a rising variety of visitors who love a number of the new laws put into place and the results they’ve had on the general expertise.
Onsite transportation nonetheless exists, simply otherwise. Buses have long been the central transportation artery for Walt Disney World and even in the very best of instances, they’d their points. With COVID although, the bus system is safer however far much less environment friendly. The buses are divided into zones with Plexiglas limitations, with every touring group allotted their very own area. It’s nice for social distancing, however horrible for effectivity. It’s a system that forms of works when few visitors are there, however, ought to these numbers enhance this will likely be a horrible choke level.
Transportation actually wasn’t a difficulty for me although due to the place I made a decision to guide, the Swan. This on-site property is a Westin, managed by Marriott, however, enjoys the entire perks related to any Disney Resort resort. It’s additionally very conveniently situated within the Epcot zone, which meant I might simply stroll to each Epcot in addition to Hollywood Studios. After I did want a bus, they had been plentiful and customarily empty and the few instances I made a decision to as a substitute use an Uber, the wait was only some minutes. The Swan and Dolphin inns are my go-to picks every time I’m at Walt Disney World and staying there was the right selection for my large return to the Most Magical Place on Earth.
For the reason that parks are restricted to around 20% capability or so, the expertise is way nicer than it has been lately. When Disney introduced the Quick Cross system wouldn’t be rolled out together with the reopening, there was a variety of skepticism because it has served as an essential approach to mitigate lengthy wait instances for well-liked points of interest. Really although, with the diminished numbers, there may be little or no want for Quick Passes or some other approach to pace by way of the parks.
I began my return to Disney on the Magic Kingdom; I believed it essential to reconnect with the unique spirit of the Disney Parks and to get pleasure from some pure and harmless enjoyable. At first, I rushed around, nonetheless caught in my outdated methods of attempting to beat the crowds however nearly instantly I observed one thing, hardly anybody was there. Not solely has Disney diminished the group measurement, however, visitors have additionally been very sluggish to return for quite a few causes. With Florida’s doubtful response to the disaster and a prohibition on worldwide journey, for essentially the most half Disney is leaning closely on those that can simply drive to the parks, particularly Florida residents. Within the first few weeks of reopening this has meant, on common, busy (ish) weekends and never very busy weekdays. That was my expertise as properly and whereas I do not know how lengthy it’s going to final, it was great to get pleasure from.
Sights are on a strict cleaning schedule and a mixture of Plexiglas limitations and social distancing markers are in place to make sure visitors don’t by chance work together. Character experiences are on maintain for the second, however, they nonetheless seem all through the parks from a secure distance. Whereas it sounds odd, I a lot desire this and recognize the ingenuity that has gone into planning them. Unannounced brief cavalcades substitute parades and fireworks are on maintain, all to forestall crowds from assembling. The experiences within the parks are very completely different, however nonetheless a variety of enjoyable.
Within the Magic Kingdom, the longest wait I encountered was for the park’s hottest attraction, Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice, and that was just below 20 minutes. Longtime Disney followers will know this attraction normally has a standby wait time of 2-Three hours, so the distinction is stark. I walked on to each attraction I wished to get pleasure from, had lunch, and left loads sooner than I had deliberate. I didn’t depart as a result of I wasn’t having enjoyable, I had a good time, however I had carried out every part I wished to do. This expertise was just about repeated throughout the opposite parks with one exception, Hollywood Studios. As a result of unimaginable reputation of a number of points of interest there, this park has been the busiest however it’s nonetheless actually very manageable.
My Takeaways
I’ve a variety of ideas about my time spent within the COVID-era Walt Disney World. Many guests have all been repeating the identical line time and again, that the Disney Bubble feels safer than their native grocery retailer, and I agree. However, that’s additionally not the purpose. I had little doubt in any respect that when in Disney, I might really feel secure and that they might strongly implement their guidelines. No, the problem for me and 1000’s of others like me is within the getting there. Whether or not you drive or fly, there are lots of contact factors in between leaving one’s house and arriving at the Walt Disney World Resort, each probably harmful. Locals in Florida hold emphasizing the unimaginable well-being measures in place not solely in Disney, however in the entire theme parks and that’s fantastic, however, I had completely different considerations. The difficulty right here is the fact-based worry of going by way of an airport, flying, taking an Uber, checking right into a resort, and so forth. I do know I’ll be fantastic in Epcot, it’s in that Uber backseat the place the actual worry resides.
That being mentioned, for those who’re fantastic with the getting there, as I used to be, then the park’s expertise proper now remains to be a variety of enjoyable and sure, the magic remains to be very a lot there. I admit that sporting masks all day, notably within the warmth and humidity of Florida, was tougher than I had anticipated, however, total it was fantastic and largely a psychological concern. I introduced sufficient in order that I might change them out through the day and that proved to be vital. Sure, snacking and consuming meals is completely different, and nearly every part is now carried out by way of cell orders, aside from sit-down eating places, however that course of too was straightforward. However, it’s completely different and for those who resolve to go to then you need to put together yourself for that reality.
In case you’re a Disney fan and have visited the parks earlier than then I do suppose it’s a enjoyable time to go to that almost all will get pleasure from. Nonetheless, for those who’re contemplating your first ever journey to a Disney property now might be not the time. There are various lengthy cherished experiences on maintain in the meanwhile and although it’s Disney, there may be nonetheless a sure stress working by way of the visitors and solid members alike, making it a bit of extra uncomfortable than it needs to be. No, this shouldn’t be your first Disney expertise however for those who do resolve to go then do your analysis, acknowledge that will probably be a bit of bizarre at first but additionally permit yourself to fall underneath the Disney spell and simply have enjoyable. That’s why I really like Disney so very a lot, for the transient alternative to overlook actual world stressors and in 2020 that has by no means been extra essential.