Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom Reopening Review
A fellow agent friend and I traveled to Walt Disney World last week to attend the Annual Pass Preview. We got to see what the airports, airlines, transportation services, hotels, and theme parks are doing to manage the health and safety of their guests.
The #1 thing: masks are required at all times, inside and outside. You can remove them while eating or drinking, but to keep you and everyone around you safe, masks are required.
The #2 thing: I felt very safe with the procedures in place. We flew from the Atlanta airport to Orlando and back, flew Southwest round-trip, rode Disney's Magical Express, stayed at Contemporary's Bay Lake Tower, went to Universal's City Walk, Disney's Disney Springs, and Disney's Magic Kingdom. Temperature checks were required to enter the parks along with normal security procedures.
We sweat a lot, but we had the best time! It was awesome, and when you feel comfortable traveling again, I know you will have an amazing time! I can't wait to help you plan your next vacation!
We enjoyed short wait times, characters showing up at random times either on a stage/a balcony or in a cavalcade. Social distancing was enforced and well marked. If there was a snake in the line, plexi-glass was installed so you weren't on top of anyone. On rides, rows were kept empty between different parties like you see on the Small World boats in the collage. For shows, rows were marked "closed," and seats were marked between parties. See image below at the Carousel of Progress. Speaking of a carousel, see the collage to the left? The Cast Member between the horses is spraying every horse and pole/handle down between rides.
Seeing characters, like the County Bears, was such a fun treat. I have only seen them in the show (Animatronics) or in special parades, so for them to just appear was a great way to get that Disney magic we all crave.
When can I take off my mask?
Dining is one of the best parts of any vacation, and now, it was also a great time to take a rest from the mask. Table-service dining is now a must on your park day; you can enjoy the AC and take off your mask.
At the dining locations, you can scan menus, scan a QR code to check-in to your table-service reservation, or place a mobile order at quick-service locations.
There are relaxation areas to have a snack/take a break from your mask.
We took advantage of these areas!!
Disney Springs and Disney's On-Site Bus Transportation
We shopped till we dropped, and no Disney Springs visit is complete without some Ghirardelli's! We rode Disney's bus transportation from Disney Springs back to our on-site hotel. The social distancing was really easy to maintain! Masks were required on the bus and while you wait in line. Also, in the restaurants and shops, you had to wear your mask and keep your distance. Stores were limiting the number of guests allowed inside at one time, so we waited outside along the "please wait here" ground markings until it was our turn.
As you can see, Walt Disney World is doing things right considering the circumstances.
I would be remiss to not add a section about Universal Orlando; we didn't go into their parks, but we did check out the Hard Rock Hotel and City Walk. Like WDW, we were comfortable and pleased with their health and safety procedures as well.
As you enter the hotels, employees will check your temperature
and give you a colored band (changes each day) to show that you
have been checked and are below 100.4 degrees.
COVID warnings and social distancing markers are throughout the property.
Social distancing continues on the boats that take you between City Walk and the hotels.
So lets get your trips to Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World booked. I can book you through 2021 for Universal Orlando and through 9/26/2021 for Walt Disney World. I was so impressed with both companies, not that I am surprised, during these difficult times; they really put health and safety above all else without skimping on the magic. Let me help you get there! Contact me today!
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