A Whole New World, Disney during a Pandemic

[lovethattink]

Hey everyone! Welcome to my newest Trip Report.

The Players - Annual Passholders



DH - He’s a huge Star Wars fan! Member of the 501st. Loves the philanthropy side of the 501st and troops to Give Kids the World and Camp Boggy Creek. He’s also loves RunDisney. He tore his calf muscle back in 2016. Doc says he can’t run again. So he speed walks the runs.

DS - He is an amazing teen! He’s an actor, singer, voice over artist, and a theme park enthusiast! He’s acted professionally and voluntarily both on stage and on camera. He’s overcome many obstacles from disabilities. He’s homeschooled. And a huge Star Wars fan!! Favorite character is The Child aka Baby Yoda.

Me - I’m Mom, teacher, cook, chauffeur, cancer survivor, and theme park enthusiast!! Tinker Bell is my favorite Disney character. I’ve been an annual passholder since 1994 or 1995. My first trip was to DLR in high school. And my first trip to WDW was during college. First trip to WDW with DH was 1992.

ETA: Links
Animal Kingdom Passholder Preview Starts Here!

Epcot - First Park Reservation Starts Here!

 

[lovethattink]

Today was passholder preview. We had so many mixed feelings about going. DS and I have been hermits through this pandemic. He’s decided to start the next grade’s school work rather than take a summer vacation. He’s enjoying Netflix Parties and Zoom chats with friends. We’re definitely using our pool more than any other year! He’s also been taking online acting, dance, voice, and piano lessons. And during quarantine there were some really great free classes he took. So while being hermits, he’s keeping very busy.


Making the decision to do the passholder preview was done with a lot of thought and weighing the risk of the virus during rising Covid-19 numbers in Florida.

We arrived at AK to a very long line of cars waiting to park.




They are having cars park using social distancing. So one car would pull in then the next car would pull behind the first. Then parking the same every other space. Once those were filled up, they filled in the in between spaces.

If you are driving, be sure to allow for extra time to park. It was very slow moving, starting and stopping. Without a doubt, our longest wait of the day.

 

[lovethattink]

We followed the people and the signs to temp check and bag check. Here it was harder to social distance. There were 4 people checking temps and everyone went through the metal detectors. You keep your items in your bag.









The Oasis was empty.

Most people were heading to Pandora. We headed towards Kilimanjaro Safari.

Passed by one of the two Relaxation Stations where you may temporarily remove your mask. It was closed, but located at Pizzafari.



I have mixed feelings about an indoor area to remove your mask. While air conditioning will feel great, an outdoor area would be safer from the virus.

We’ll probably stay away from an indoor area without a mask for a while.

 

[coubogle]

Today was passholder preview. We had so many mixed feelings about going. DS and I have been hermits through this pandemic. He’s decided to start the next grade’s school work rather than take a summer vacation. He’s enjoying Netflix Parties and Zoom chats with friends. We’re definitely using our pool more than any other year! He’s also been taking online acting, dance, voice, and piano lessons. And during quarantine there were some really great free classes he took. So while being hermits, he’s keeping very busy.


Making the decision to do the passholder preview was done with a lot of thought and weighing the risk of the virus during rising Covid-19 numbers in Florida.

We arrived at AK to a very long line of cars waiting to park.

View attachment 507864


They are having cars park using social distancing. So one car would pull in then the next car would pull behind the first. Then parking the same every other space. Once those were filled up, they filled in the in between spaces.

If you are driving, be sure to allow for extra time to park. It was very slow moving, starting and stopping. Without a doubt, our longest wait of the day.

What time did you get there to park

 

[A-Rose788]

I’m going to follow along! I’m excited to read a report on the previews!!

 

[lovethattink]

What time did you get there to park

A little before 8am.

I’m going to follow along! I’m excited to read a report on the previews!!

Thanks for following along!

 

[cajunfan]

I can't wait to read your review. And yes, I agree that it is kind of odd to have the relaxation stations inside.

 

[vinotinto]

I would love to get more info on restaurant spacing to ensure distancing between parties. We love to dine out, but indoor dining rooms are making us a little nervous since guests cannot wear masks while eating. Would love to know your opinions about capacity and distancing.

 

[lovethattink]

I can't wait to read your review. And yes, I agree that it is kind of odd to have the relaxation stations inside.

Perhaps that will change over time or as more information is learned about Covid-19? For now, my family will be avoiding it.

 

[lovethattink]

I would love to get more info on restaurant spacing to ensure distancing between parties. We love to dine out, but indoor dining rooms are making us a little nervous since guests cannot wear masks while eating. Would love to know your opinions about capacity and distancing.

In Florida, capacity is set at 50% for indoor dining. They must keep diners' 6 feet apart. Usually there is a sign placed on tables that can't be seated. Menus are disposable. Just as you'll see in future posts, plexiglass is often used to get around the 6 feet rule. Some restaurants have or are soon placing plexiglass between booths where social distancing is not possible, so they can open their booths. Diners do not need to wear face masks. But restaurant staff must. So your server will have a mask on. Some restaurants are using silverware others are using plastic ware. Outdoor dining is permitted in Florida at 100% capacity. Alcohol may be served at restaurants. Bars that don't serve food are not allowed. But just driving by a bar yesterday, I saw a big sign out front advertising their hamburgers. Cashless payments are encouraged.

My opinion, I don't feel comfortable eating indoors yet. I have a big hang up of being indoors with people not wearing masks after reading too many pharmacy and news articles about air conditioning and Covid-19 spread from air flow patterns.

However, while we were at AK, I would have felt perfectly comfortable eating outdoors. There were tables set up where I didn't remember tables before. And foot traffic wasn't right by those tables. I was tempted to eat another breakfast. The sausage, egg and cheese biscuit looked really good and was a great price at $6.99 sold Harambe Fruit Market and Pongu Pongu. Social distancing around the part was very easy. As you'll see in my next post.

 

[lovethattink]

I had heard thru the rumor mill that the park opened around 7am instead of 8. Would love to know if that was true?

As I mentioned above we headed straight for Africa. As we walked by cm, we were warmly welcomed back. About half of the cm were wearing both face masks and shields. And every so often the PA system would remind guests to wear masks and social distance.

One of my DIS friends from the UK asked me if the changes for safety take away from the Disney experience. My answer, not at all. The magic is definitely still there!! And we were met with a magical surprise too (which I'll get to later)!!

If the park opened around 7, my next couple pictures are quite surprising. If it opened at 8, they make sense.

Once we passed Creature Comforts we practically had the park to ourselves.





Stopped on the bridge for some photos





Please note the water bottle in ds' hand. It's frozen. We each had one from home and felt so good to hold it. We woke up to Storm Shield beeping with a heat advisory warning. The feel like temp was to be 109 degrees between noon and 6. DH had to go to work anyway, so we decided ahead of time that 11am would be our departure from the park time.

At 8am it was already hot. The shade felt good as there was a breeze. The sun felt blazing already.

DS' shirt is an Empire Strikes Back shirt made by Our Universe and purchased at World of Disney at Disney Springs. He loves his new shirt!! Actually, he loves any loud shirt. The louder the better.

He's so disappointed that there aren't MNSSHP this year. We had the party pass last year and it was great. While dh and I just winged it. DS searched for the loudest things to wear to the party. He had a few Halloween outfits he was looking forward to wear again! In particular his David S. Pumpkins suit!!

Back to the TR.




We arrived at Kilimanjaro Safari to a 5 minute wait!! We were very surpised!!



There are signs on the ground telling you where to wait. The full standby queue was opened at each attraction we rode. This made for a lot of walking, but made it very easy to social distance.



Next, you can see a cm wearing a face shield and a face mask. Also notice the plexiglass between the boarding rows for the safari truck. Each row was filled with one party. There is a plastic shield between each row of seating. It is aesthetically appealing and does not take away from the Disney magic. It blends in well with the trucks decor otherwise.






The storage area was removed. That area is not aesthetically appealing. Looks like it was just ripped out and forgotten.

 

[MamaMeems]

I’m excited to read along and hear what it’s like with all of the new policies in place. Your comment of saying the magic is still there almost made me tear up! That’s wonderful to hear

 

[eliseisawkward]

TI-28418 here, tell your husband I say hello from Garrison Carida. My former advisor Butch has trooped with the Florida Garrison and says it's a good group down there!

Anyway...I'm excited to read about the (hopefully mostly temporary) changes due to Covid. It's nice to see that it doesn't seem to be ruining the magic! The safari plexiglass looks minimally intrusive, which makes me happy because that could have ended up going very poorly.

 

[Justrose]

I am following along, and I just want to tell you that I love David S. Pumpkins! Your son sounds like someone I would love to be friends with.

 

[lovethattink]

I’m excited to read along and hear what it’s like with all of the new policies in place. Your comment of saying the magic is still there almost made me tear up! That’s wonderful to hear

The magic is there!! No need to worry about

TI-29419 here, tell your husband I say hello from Garrison Carida. My former advisor Butch has trooped with the Florida Garrison and says it's a good group down there!

Anyway...I'm excited to read about the (hopefully mostly temporary) changes due to Covid. It's nice to see that it doesn't seem to be ruining the magic! The safari plexiglass looks minimally intrusive, which makes me happy because that could have ended up going very poorly.

Very cool! I will tell him. It’s because of Disney that he’s in the 501st. Star Wars Weekends sold him. He got approved during the last SWW, but was never able to troop in a SWW parade.

IMHO, everything Disney did to put in safeguards was done very well. There is only one area that could be better, the restroom.

I am following along, and I just want to tell you that I love David S. Pumpkins! Your son sounds like someone I would love to be friends with.

We had no idea who David S. Pumpkin when he bought that suit. But we quickly found out!!

 

[eliseisawkward]

Very cool! I will tell him. It’s because of Disney that he’s in the 501st. Star Wars Weekends sold him. He got approved during the last SWW, but was never able to troop in a SWW parade.

IMHO, everything Disney did to put in safeguards was done very well. There is only one area that could be better, the restroom.

Butch also says he joined the 501st because of SWW. He was able to troop the parade in 2012-15. Sorry your husband missed out, but getting to do all the volunteer work outside the "big troops" is really where it's at for most of us anyway.


Also those David S. Pumpkins pictures are hilarious.

 

[lovethattink]

Butch also says he joined the 501st because of SWW. He was able to troop the parade in 2012-15. Sorry your husband missed out, but getting to do all the volunteer work outside the "big troops" is really where it's at for most of us anyway.


Also those David S. Pumpkins pictures are hilarious.

I probably have pictures of Butch. You’ll have to ask him if he remembers the little kid in a blue wheelchair always at the end of the parade. If so, that was ds.

And thank you!

 

[A-Rose788]

I wish I lived closer! AK is my favorite park and it would be a dream to be there that empty! From the looks of it, the magic is still there- just a little different.
Also, love DS’ shirt!!

 

[lovethattink]

I wish I lived closer! AK is my favorite park and it would be a dream to be there that empty! From the looks of it, the magic is still there- just a little different.
Also, love DS’ shirt!!

I really love living in central Florida!! Not far from all the theme parks, beaches, etc. What do you like best about AK?

The Disney magic is there!! The look has changed, but the feeling was the same to me.

 

[lovethattink]

I got a survey yesterday asking me about my visit to AK.

Some of the questions asked:

Which entertainment offerings did you experience during your visit on July 9?
Character Friends on the water ways (Disney friends wave from pontoon boats), Discovery Island Drummers (on pontoon boats), Feathered Friends in Flight (Caravan Stage Theater), or Winged Encounters (In front of the Tree of Life).

We saw one of these! Which I will get to soon!

How would you rate your overall experience with the Cast Members wearing yellow shirts?

I did not see any Cast members wearing yellow shirts. These CM are there somewhere to help educate guests on the health and safety protocols.

Questions asking if these things reassured me?

Temp check for staff, for guests, number of hand washing and sanitizer stations, limiting the number of people in retail and restaurants, staff maintaining social distancing, screening process to enter, requiring face coverings to be worn by staff, staff always wearing face coverings, requiring guests to wear face coverings, Signs and markers made it easy to understand and navigate? Observed staff regularly cleaning and sanitizing, Maintaining safe distance was easy in certain areas that were more congested or crowded? Signs and markers made it easy to navigate? I observed staff regularly cleaning? Other guests maintaining social distancing? Physical barriers such as plexiglass?

It also asked me if I think the safety procedures are just right or too much?