I’m often asked if it’s worth it to go to Walt Disney World
at this time, considering all the restrictions and changes. Being your advocate
in travel experiences, I decided the best way to answer this was to experience
this myself. And over what is typically one of the busiest times to visit;
Thanksgiving week, and the week of New Years.
So with plenty of masks, sanitizer, and wipes coming along,
off I went.
Arriving at Orlando International Airport, I found very
little in the way of crowds and no lines at Magical Express. The bus was
uncrowded and other riders well spaced. Of note, during this time Disney is not
handling taking your luggage to the resort, so you will need to be in
possession of your own luggage.
Disney is encouraging on-line check in so you may bypass the
front desk. A text was received with room number before arrival at the resort,
so I headed right there and settled in. As I didn’t have park plans that day, I
explored a bit and found shops open and uncrowded. All areas are well marked for social
distancing and hand sanitizer stations were plentiful. You will need to wear
a mask whenever outside of your room.
Cast members were often observed cleaning. The following are bullet points
regarding to, park visits, dining, and transportation.
·
Parks.
You are now required to
reserve your park days in advance. This needs to be done as early as possible
as parks will fill up. This is especially true of Hollywood Studios. Having a
ticket does not allow entry. You must have a park reservation. Only one park
per day was allowed, but Park Hopping in a modified way will start January 1,
2021.
You no longer schedule fast
passes. You get in line with everyone else, and the trick is finding the end of
the line. It goes on and on…and on…and since everyone is spaced 6 feet apart,
finding the end can be tricky. Look for the cast member with the sign stating
line end, which ride the line is for (don’t laugh, I thought I was in the
Pirates line for quite some time before realizing it was the Jungle Cruise
line), and they can tell you estimated wait time. This is an estimate
and its often way off. The app is the same, with wait times being inaccurate and
crashing often showing no wait times. The lines do tend to be less than
advertised, sometimes by a lot, so just jump in. Be aware that rides are often
shut down for sanitizing so this can create a slow down. Lines are clearly
marked and most guests are respectful in keeping to their place. Ride vehicles
have often been modified with plexiglass dividers and guests are well spaced.
Hand sanitizer stations are plentiful, but I did run across some empty ones, so
bring your own as well.
Masks are REQUIRED.
If you are not able to comply you are asked to visit at another time. This is
enforced with continual park wide announcements. You will be removed from the
park for non compliance. Cast members also enforce this, but please don’t make
their jobs harder by constantly trying to sneak a mask slide.
You may not eat or drink unless
stationary, and you may not eat or drink while in line.
·
Dining.
Quick Service locations are pretty much requiring mobile
ordering. You do this through the Walt Disney World app. It’s a simple step by
step process, and there is signage outside the restaurants with instructions as
well. What’s important to remember is to click the button stating you are there
and ready to pick up. Your order is not prepared until you do this! Many
folks missed this step and cast members were constantly having to explain the
process. When your meal is ready, the screen notifies you and turns purple. You
then show the screen to the cast member and they direct you to your pick up
window. If you’d like tap water with your meal you can request it at this time.
The challenge is finding a place to sit to eat. Table have been removed for
social distancing and there is just not enough seating. I observed many
wandering around to find a place to sit. Because of this I strongly suggest
doing a table service meal at least once a day.
Table Service requires reservations which can now be made
60 days out. Your temperature will be taken and you’ll be seated a good
distance from other tables. Your menu is available online or by scanning a QR
code. Restaurants seem to have paper menus for those who insist. Many
restaurants are on a limited menu. It’s a nice experience to relax over a meal
and have mask removed, so it’s worth the time and expense.
·
Transportation
Magical Express You’ll follow the usual procedure and be
directed toward which bus you’ll take. The driver will assign your seats.
Please note that at this time, Magical Express doesn’t offer the old luggage
service, where your bags are picked up for you at the airport and delivered to
your room. I never cared for this to begin with, as bags often arrived much
later than I’d like. This also means your resort does not take control of your
luggage on departure and handle checking it through to your destination. Bus
drivers still stow your luggage under the bus.
Park Busses You will be assigned seats. There are dividers and notices on seats.
Monorail Your party
will have your own row, or possibly your own compartment.
Skyliner You’ll have
your own car.
Boats Follow
directions for spacing.
This information was accurate as of New Years, but be aware
that Disney is constantly adjusting and adapting.
I thoroughly enjoyed these trips! Visiting Walt Disney World is certainly different, but still offers plenty of Disney magic.