For those of you with questions wondering what it feels like? Here are a few thoughts from the AP preview of MK and just returning home from Epcot today.
Yes, it is still magical! However, you need to be able to cope with the fact it is a different kind of magical than your normal, carefree vacation. If you are good with that, you will have a wonderful time. We were so happy we were back! it was a much needed mental boost. You will forget the stress of the outside world, but it is not your typical full emersion, all day long break from reality.
Masks will drive you a bit crazy now and then. The humidity is what makes masks harder to deal with. Know your tolerance for humidity and extreme heat, my watch said true feel 102+ today. We are local, used to the climate and yet we only lasted 3 hours between breaks. Stay hydrated, just stop and rest now and then. Masks muffle peoples voices and people generally seemed quieter, I didn't hear as much chatter, no foreign languages being spoken. That seemed so strange.
The character cavalcades are cute and brighten the day, there are so few guests, the characters will wave and pose... just for you ...even on main street! rare! ALL the princesses together, dancing around the train station? or maybe out joy riding around world showcase in a fancy carriage pulled by gorgeous horses? magical! The castle make over is prettier than I thought, the blue really stands out against the sky, the gold is tasteful, the pink is not plastic princess, more like faded red bricks.
You can hear the park music and see all the landscaping you never quite noticed before. Not much popcorn smell. More aggressive ducks, squirrels and birds. No rushing to the next FP or waiting around aimlessly for an hour until your next one. You can meander in one direction and ride whatever you come across. No need to criss cross lands in a FP panic. Photography of the park architecture, signs or rides is easy with no one barging into your frame. Not many MM photographers around...
Mobile ordering is mostly easy, no restroom waits, almost everything walk on, hardly any strollers. Shop without stress. Walk freely without the stop and start crowd shuffle. Buy a balloon because you're not going to bop guests in the head.
There is less happy energy from guests and more of a quiet hum. A sense of mindfulness. People either distracted with masks or simply avoiding others. Safety signs, Hand sanitizer stations, plexi glass barriers, CM's with masks and shields over their faces, no smiles to be seen, yes, it feels different, less theatrical.
We felt good about visiting, crowd levels, most of the safety measures. Now and then we would feel a little freaked out, especially at first. We were actively trying to be mindful, used lots of stinky hand sanitizer and just felt happy to be there again.
. So, to this day, resort hopping is not permitted, one cannot go e.g to Enchanted Rose lounge to have a drink (if not booking also an ADR at GFC and not staying at GF), neither pop up to a counter service for a quick meal?
it's hard for all these creative people. Another friend that works at the Nemo show basically is doing a different photoshoot with his outfits and wigs ans his dog each day, they definitely need to get back.
