I cannot even tell you how good it was to be back at the opening of the Walt Disney World Resort this week!
Last Friday we were able to attend the passholder preview at Magic Kingdom, along with opening day there as well.
We were lucky enough to venture into all the parks this week during their opening week! I have to say that this is not a trip that I will soon forget. Just as expected, Disney has it’s “ducks in a row” when it came to social distancing, temperature checks, and new health and safety measures. Cleanliness has always been a hallmark of Disney and to say they took it up a notch would be an understatement. Parks, resorts, and attractions alike had that sparkle we’ve all come to know!
We had all been made aware of a modified experience while visiting during phase one of the resort reopening. So, many different experiences when it came to lines, ordering food, transportation, and character interactions were no surprise. Most of these changes were quite seamless in true Disney fashion, but for the vets that are stuck in our ways, there were a few things to really get used to!
Modified transportation was one aspect that I feel has most been affected by the reopening. With reduced capacity of the resort as a whole, the full scale use of Disney’s massive transportation fleets is simply unnecessary. Monorail service to Epcot was unavailable and reduced passages of the Monorail were evident especially stopping service after 8:30 pm. At this time as well, there is no water transportation. Ferry’s and water taxi type transportation are not being utilized. This changes most for guests in the Epcot area resorts that are currently operational. Also during opening week, the Skyliner was only available for transport to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Buses were limited to about 17 guests per bus……which did not make me sad! Your party was seated together, in numbered seats corresponding to the number provided to you by your driver.
All in all, even with the reduced service, it was a great trade off not to be packed into various forms of transportation with too many of your “closest friends”!
The most noticeable difference with being in lines for attractions aside from the very low wait times was the social distancing markets throughout the queues and on the actual rides themselves. It really seemed that Disney was managing quite well with this phase 1 crowd limit. Parties could be seated together and spaces between ride vehicles were given if you were in line with separate parties. It was actually unbelievable with rides like Flight of Passage and Slinky Dog having wait times of 15 minutes or less. Definitely a great trade off for the required face coverings!
Another change put into play during this first phase is digital menus. QR code’s are provided at each dining location for both quick and table services. For quick service, you scan your QR menu code and place a mobile order for your party. Once you pls em your order, you will stand in a socially distanced line until your host or hostess calls your name. Then you may go i man, pick up your meal, and sit inside the location. At table service dining, you are given a QR menu when you are seated and then your order from the server as normal. Masks can be removed once you are seated at your table.
For most folks going to Disney the biggest questions circulating around our current situation is…..how will characters interact? I knew that Disney would come up with a solution and I was not disappointed. I know folks feel like they are really missing out without full parades or fireworks right now, BUT after experiencing the cavalcades of characters, pop up parades, and even the socially distanced character experiences, I was fully impressed with how Disney is moving forward during this difficult time. Bella, Jen, and I all said at multiple times during our visit that these new types of character pop up experiences had a definite DisneyLAND feel. Magical and unexpected is how I can best describe it! I’ll even go as far as saying I think if you have a little one that may shy away from characters, this is a great opportunity help them warm up to them at a distance. I felt the interaction of guests and characters was so much more of a connection during this trip than I have in the past. It was like the wandering characters and magical surprises of old school Disney.
While I know many have different feelings and convictions about traveling at this time, I am glad that we went. I felt extremely safe in that Disney bubble. Strict adherence to the guidelines laid out by the CDC and Walt Disney World were seen at every turn of our adventure. My confidence in Disney’s commitment to the safety of its guests was only solidified by our return.
On a personal note, I have never had a more emotional trip. Our return after a full four months away from the Magic was both spectacular and gut wrenching. It has been nearly 5 years since I had been away for that long of a time. Few things in this world do I hold as dear as Disney. Upon the closure, I felt like a light had went out in my world. My way of life was completely changed and broken. When I walked back in those gates, the tears of four months poured out on Main Street USA. A thankfulness I cannot fully express came with the rain. My dearest friends and my dearest place. We had made it back. Back to the magic we hold so dear to our hearts. I’m so grateful we got to open up the gates……for the first time in FOREVER!
