Typically we go to Disney two or three times per year for anywhere between three days and one week. I always anticipate large crowds at Disney. So when I heard Disney’s phased re-opening was going to be half capacity, I jumped on the opportunity to make a resort reservation.
Over the years, I have been told by some wise people that expectations are premeditated resentments. For me, when I know what to expect, I am more understanding when things don’t go as planned.
I did some due diligence in planning, and we considered Airbnb‘s. To have guaranteed park admission, however, you must stay on property and have a current park ticket. I follow several different social media information groups about Disney travel to stay on top of what’s going on in the parks, by people who are currently there.
Reservations and Fast Passes
To make park reservations, you must have the My Disney Experience App downloaded to your mobile device. Although fast passes are not available at this time, the My Disney Experience App is needed for all dining and park reservations. It is also necessary for the virtual queue at Hollywood studios for the new Star Wars experience and ride, Rise of the Resistance. My boys deem Galaxy’s Edge a must-see event.
Food and Dining
While you’re at Disney during the pandemic, I found that it was easier to plan the park for the day around what our dining plans would be. Some places we enjoy a sit-down meal and some we enjoy the quick service better. This trip, we were lucky enough to get a reservation for Be Our Guest a little after midday for a sit-down lunch. Although the Beast does come out to the middle of the room while you’re dining, he is elusive to pictures. We found this to be the same with all the character meals. The characters are not available for autographs and only socially distanced photos.
There are several quick-service restaurants that we enjoy at different parks. Dining is where the My Disney Experience App comes in handy because you will have to scan a QR code for a menu and place your order online to pick up inside. At that time, when your meal becomes available, they will allow you to enter the restaurant and find a place to sit. Masks are to be on, covering your mouth and nose, the entire time unless you are actively seated at a table eating.
Wait Times
During the pandemic fast passes are not available, nor is park hopping an option. During our visit, we experienced less than average wait times on every single ride.
The longest line posted said 75 minutes; however, the wait time was only 45 minutes, and this was at a newer ride in Hollywood Studios. Hollywood is the busiest park and has the most significant lines because they have several new attractions. The Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run in Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway located where the great movie ride used to be, and Slinky Dog Dash to be exact. The lines seem to move rather quickly, and social distancing was simple using markers at 6 feet intervals, spots for groups around rooms, and also partitions between the queue lines. We also found automatic hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and exit to every ride.
Shopping
If you enjoy shopping, look for the stores to be less crowded. Resort drop off, and guest service pick up has been suspended for the time being. So, if you purchase something in the park, be ready to keep it with you the remainder of the day. We found the stores are the most challenging place to social distance; however, cast members are doing their best to keep the crowds low.
My Family’s Experience
From my research, not a single COVID-19 case has been linked back to Disney. Cast members are regularly cleaning behind people. Face coverings are required everywhere, including outdoors, unless you are sitting while actively eating or drinking. Cast members will ask you to adjust your mask correctly. The ones we wore are by a fellow Disney lover and local business in Pensacola, Dream Along With Us. They were great for the kids because they could hang around their neck and adjustable in size.
It’s that time of year when Disney is open for fewer hours during the day. Typically they decrease after Labor Day when school starts back. That said, I feel that there are more than enough hours in the day to see the parks. We do miss the lights at night time. And most of all, we miss seeing Tinker Bell fly from Cinderella‘s castle to Tomorrowland, followed by fireworks overhead.
Disney was a good idea for my boys and me. However, in my opinion, if you’ve never been before you might miss some of the magic. The stretching room, entering the Twilight Zone, moving around being fumigated before taking flight on a banshee and firework shows that light up the sky like daytime are all on hiatus. If you’ve been before, these are must-see events, and if you haven’t, then you may want to wait for the next phase of re-opening. These are experiences you will not want to miss.
Fun fact: Disney is the largest consumer of fireworks in the world!
