Visiting a theme park during the pandemic
As many people are starting to plan future vacations, readers are starting to reach out to ask me what it is like to visit Walt Disney World right now. As I visited recently, I wanted to share my experiences so you understand the current safety protocols, what to expect when you visit Disney as well as some ups and downs so you can make an informed decision.
When Walt Disney World reopened to the public in July of 2020, it looked like a very different place. Temperature tents, social distance markings on the ground, plexiglass dividers and very few guests. In fact, the parks were so empty the first few weeks it felt like a ghost town.
As time goes by and shots are becoming available, you are more likely to experience a bigger crowd. While Disney is limiting capacity (currently capped at 35% of the maximum capacity), the parks are certainly not empty any longer. When it comes to the guidelines and rules that have been put in place to protect the public (and Disney’s employees) from spreading the Covid-19 virus. I would like to share with you some important information that will come in handy next time you visit.
Temperature checks
Before entering a Disney park, you will go through a temperature check station where an employee will scan your forehead with a touchless thermometer. It is important to know that employees are also checked daily for your safety.
Use of masks
Personally, I was glad to see that masks are required everywhere on Disney property. These must be actual masks double layer or more, bandannas or neck gaiters are not allowed. They may not have ventilation valves, holes or mesh material. All guests ages 2 and up must wear them indoors and out except at the swimming pools, mask relaxation stations, or while actively eating or drinking while stationary and socially distanced. This means you cannot eat or drink while walking around. All Disney cast members wear masks too, and many wear face shields in addition.
Social Distancing
You will see markers on the ground 6 feet or more apart anywhere people may gather – ride queues, cash register queues, shop entrances, sitting or eating areas. Plexiglass dividers are often used as well. I noticed that throughout the park, tables have been removed, spaced out, or marked off so that the remaining tables are distanced from others.
Impact on experience
In addition to enhanced cleaning, sanitation, temperature checks and masks, it is important to understand how your experience will be impacted so you avoid confusion when arriving. I heard many people were upset as they felt many activities were gone but they were still paying a high price for the tickets. While nearly all rides are up and running (the exception being those that go down due to need for repair or scheduled maintenance), many of the live shows and nightly fireworks have not yet resumed, so if you are one that prefers shows overrides, you might be disappointed.
Generally, meeting Disney characters, posing with them for photos and getting autographs is a big draw. Due to the pandemic I noticed that traditional character meet and greets are not available. There are still many opportunities to see the characters throughout the parks, but with the required distance. Rather than one lengthy parade each day, you will see many mini-parades of 2-4 floats at a time. I was a little bit confused on the right time to catch them, as the times are unpublished to discourage guests from forming crowds to wait for them. I felt this created a bit of confusion amongst guests.
In general, wait times are not as long as in years with no pandemic. The posted wait times often seem high, but in reality, they are usually much lower. You might think lines are longer than they actually are when you see them extending well beyond the ride building. This is deceiving because family groups are spread out with a minimum of six feet between parties. In general, I was glad to find out that wait times are very manageable right now.
Overall, although several activities have been modified and you will certainly not get the full experience with all the parades and fireworks, the magic of Disney is somehow still there! With the last year, we have all had dealing with the pandemic, it feels great to still have some magic and happiness that only Disney can make us feel.