Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during a pandemic feels a bit different from the norm, but the magic and pixie dust are still alive and well.
Before Arrival
Walt Disney World theme park Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for each day they plan to visit. This is a separate step that must be taken after the purchase of your theme park admission media. At the end of the process, you must agree to a COVID-19 waiver in order to finalize your selection. Plan to reserve your Disney Park Passes as early as possible for best availability. If you have an Annual Passport or admission media that includes the Park Hopper option, you must visit the park you reserved through the Disney Park Pass system first. You may then hop to your second park any time after 2:00 PM.
It’s important for each Guest to have the My Disney Experience app installed on their mobile device prior to arrival. This app is designed to permit mobile ordering of quick-service meals and snacks and to promote contactless payment. Apple Pay is also accepted at many locations throughout the resort.
Transportation, Mask Usage, and Entry Procedures
Face coverings are required for all Guests age 2 and up while riding Disney Transportation and in all public areas of the Walt Disney World Resort except while actively eating, drinking, or swimming. Disney recently issued some clarifications to their mask policy here. Since the specifications of allowable masks may change from time to time, be sure to double check the policy before you pack for your vacation. At the moment, masks must have at least two layers of material with no valves, mesh, or holes. They must fit snugly against the side of the face and fully cover the nose and mouth, while being secured under the chin. They must be secured with ties or ear loops so that Guests can remain hands-free. No exceptions are made for Guests who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. Guests need to bring their own masks from home for the beginning of their trip, but fun Disney masks are available for purchase in gift shops throughout the resort. These are quite comfortable, even in the Florida sun. Mask wearing is strictly enforced, and Guests who fail to comply will be asked to leave.
A temperature scan is performed upon entry to Disney Springs, each Walt Disney World theme park, and table-service restaurants at the resort hotels. The no-touch thermometers are fast and efficient. Guests who have temperatures of 100.4ºF or greater will be directed to a separate area for further screening. Guests who continue to measure above the threshold upon recheck will not per permitted to enter, nor will the other members of their travel party.
Bag checks are being conducted more efficiently and in a touchless manner. Disney Guests pass through the metal detectors/scanners wearing their bags, but Security may ask that umbrellas and metal containers be removed for visual inspection. Those who have endured long waits to enter the theme parks in the past will be pleasantly surprised by the new procedures.
Physical Distancing
Audio announcements and signage remind Guests to maintain physical distancing as much as possible while walking through the theme parks. Markers on the ground indicate where each group of Guests should wait prior to boarding attraction vehicles and entering theaters.
Some attraction vehicles have plexiglass barriers between seating areas while others are loaded with a vacant row or two between passengers. In addition, theater shows have markings to indicate which seats and rows must remain empty. Disney Transportation buses have dividers as well, and the bus drivers assign each party to a specific numbered seating section as they board.
Shopping and Dining
Dining reservations for table-service locations may be made 60 days in advance. Guests should take their Disney Park Pass reservations into account when making their dining arrangements. Hard-copy menus are no longer provided. Up-to-date menus may be found online and are readily accessed via QR code.
Many quick-service locations now require Guests to order and purchase their meals via the My Disney Experience app. Guests may not be permitted to enter the dining area until the app notifies them that their order is ready for pick up. The resort hotel food courts follow this procedure, so it’s wise to order your food as you leave your room. In most cases, you’ll receive the alert to enter the food court just as you approach.
Some resort merchandise locations are now testing order-ahead functionality as well. Touchless purchase methods, such as Apple Pay, are highly encouraged.
Other Changes to the Magic
Disney PhotoPass Service photographers will no longer handle Guests’ personal devices such as cellphones and cameras. This makes Memory Maker an even greater value than in the past, as it’s currently the only way to ensure your entire party is in the photo. Where available, PhotoPass props will be thoroughly cleaned between Guests.
While Disney is understandably quite strict about the mask requirement, a welcome respite may be found within each theme park’s Relaxation Stations. These controlled areas allow a small number of Guests to temporarily remove their masks while remaining physically distanced from other parties. On a hot day, frequent breaks in these designated areas can really help you keep your cool!
Parades and nighttime spectaculars are currently on hiatus, as are traditional character greetings. The parks have come up with clever alternatives, however. My personal favorites are the “character cavalcades,” which are miniature one-float and one-vehicle processionals that happen at random times. They are always a fun surprise.
Character dining opportunities have changed as well. Characters will walk through the restaurants, allowing you to grab a quick snapshot or selfie with them in the distance. They no longer visit each table or sign autographs.
The Bottom Line
Although I regret that it took a pandemic for these changes to take place, I embrace most of them. Physical distancing from other Guests is a pleasant change of pace, and I enjoy having my own “bubble” of personal space. Hand sanitizer stations are plentiful and well stocked, which definitely encourages more frequent use. Wearing a mask is a way of life for many of us now, so being at Walt Disney World is no different in this regard. While I miss the nighttime spectaculars, I definitely do not miss the process of trying to stake a claim for a good viewing spot and trying to beat the rush to the buses as soon as the shows ended. The limit to the number of theme park guests on any given day is also a wonderful change. For the most part, I feel safe in the parks and recognize that Disney is doing all they possibly can to help Guests remain healthy.
Everyone needs to make their travel decisions based on their comfort level, however. The novel coronavirus makes this a very uncertain time, and it’s hard to determine the correct thing to do. As Disney states on their website, there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present, and prospective Guests should bear this in mind.