Has anyone actually preferred Disney World during Covid/masking?

[CampbellzSoup]

It doesn't bother me if it's not 90 degrees. After having to wear one daily I don't even notice it much anymore. It would be nice when this is over for people to wear them when they are sick though.

absolutely when your sick wear one

 

[ars0525]

I forgot to add I haven't been sick. Have spent 8 various days at Disney since they reopened in July & not a single symptom or anything. VERY unusual! It seems I always get sick after I go in early December every year, but not this year (I even went Thanksgiving weekend too with bigger crowds). I also don't see sick people in the parks like I used to. So to me that is a HUGE perk!!

 

[Heather07438]

We didn’t prefer but appreciated its differences since the only choices were accept or decline a visit. We tried to look at which changes were pros to us, like lower attendance, personal space and relaxing more with the slower pace. We enjoy having different experiences across our trips so pandemic WDW checked off a box on that bucket type list. Even tho some of our favorite things were missing (fireworks, Fantasmic, etc) there was plenty left that we still weren’t able to get thru everything we had wished.

 

[Orion Nebula]

We didn’t prefer but appreciated its differences since the only choices were accept or decline a visit. We tried to look at which changes were pros to us, like lower attendance, personal space and relaxing more with the slower pace. We enjoy having different experiences across our trips so pandemic WDW checked off a box on that bucket type list. Even tho some of our favorite things were missing (fireworks, Fantasmic, etc) there was plenty left that we still weren’t able to get thru everything we had wished.

I was hoping to enjoy lower attendence but then it ended up packed the first week of March. /sigh

 

[DVCjj]

I think missing attractions etc. vs low attendance and masks...I would take the low attendance and masks any day.
I have gone 3 times during Covid and had a great time each trip. Love the distancing.

Personally I like the masks and will continue to wear them. Not only am I old (have vaccine #1 and will have #2 by May trip) but it's so obvious that there's been far less flu and colds all around. Shockingly so. I'm convinced that the Asian way of wearing masks is advantageous for both the wearer and the person nearby even though I think it's being down to be polite to others.

 

[Heather07438]

I was hoping to enjoy lower attendence but then it ended up packed the first week of March. /sigh

Yeah that stinks, sorry. I don’t think anybody expected all of March to be bonkers and now April looks like more of the same. Without the lower crowds/attendance it’s harder to reconcile all that’s changed or missing.

 

[disney-inspired]

I think the people who would enjoy it more than BC (before covid), would be those who don't like to plan so much ahead of time. The elimination of EMH and fast passes means less things to configure when planning your park strategy.

 

[Nabas]

It may sound crazy, but I'm wondering if there are any of you who actually preferred it in some way.

We greatly prefer no FastPass line!

No thongs strolling past you while you suffer in the Standby line.

Lines can be very long (physically) but they move at a pretty good pace.

But go soon if you want to enjoy it. The rumor is Disney will soon be bringing a pay-to-play FastPass system to Walt Disney World.

 

[Nabas]

I was hoping to enjoy lower attendance but then it ended up packed the first week of March. /sigh

We've been a few times since the reopening.

WDW was empty for the first few weeks. You could ride Flights of Passage 5 times in about an hour. (Not joking!)

Late January was pretty good. Not like July but then WDW will never be like that again.

We also went in March and, like you, experienced heavy crowds.

Still, it's relative. We went in March 2019 and there were many places where it was difficult to walk.

 

[luv2cheer92]

I think the people who would enjoy it more than BC (before covid), would be those who don't like to plan so much ahead of time. The elimination of EMH and fast passes means less things to configure when planning your park strategy.

I loooove planning. Like thoroughly enjoy planning every single detail, even though I know I pretty much never follow the plan. But I still loved my Covid trips just as much, if not more.

 

[wdwcoltsfan]

We had APs so we have gone a few times since the reopening. We aren't going back until the restrictions are lifted.

Pros-
I didn't have to plan FP or dining
We were able to enjoy some time with our adult children and their spouse/fiancee
Cavalcades were cute
Not hearing "please fill in all the available space"
More people using hand sanitizer

Cons-
Masks
Dining options not being open
Live shows not operating-this is also sad because people are out of work
No fireworks-we don't always watch them, but it was a first visit for 2 people in our group
All of our pics we are wearing masks
Not being able to walk around and drink coffee or eat a Mickey bar...
Hearing the announcement about wearing masks, etc
No trams at the park
No stretching room--for our 2 newbies

I don't want the 6' markers to remain and have distancing be required, but I do hope people will continue to be mindful of personal space and not crowd while in lines. I can get claustrophobic and appreciate not being crammed in with a lot of people. We don't ride the busses or monorail regularly, but I can appreciate people not wanting to be crammed in.

There are too many minor things(and a couple major ones) that make it so we will choose to wait to return. It isn't the same and for us, it isn't better.

 

[ScubaCat]

WDW was empty for the first few weeks. You could ride Flights of Passage 5 times in about an hour. (Not joking!)

I was there beginning of August. I walked directly on to Peter Pan at 2:30 in the afternoon. That's certainly a moment that I'll never forget

 

[DISowned]

We are APs and have been going every month since reopening and it has been wonderful. I'm dreading the crowds and hassle when things are back like the "before times". After a year of social distancing I shudder to think of being in that mass exodus heading out of magic kingdom onto the ferries after fireworks.

In the past few months, waits have never been too bad as long as you avoid the holiday weeks (40 minutes or less for most E-ticket attractions). Crowds do seem to be trending up though - it's getting harder to get reservations for experiences like Savi's workshop.

I love the spontaneity of just popping down to the park one day and not having to have planned months in advance to be able to enjoy it. I'm loving how fast the lines move without a fastpass queue. I also personally don't mind the masks except for maybe not being able to understand some cast members without the lip reading.

 

[ChimneyJim]

We've gone twice since re-opening. Thanksgiving week and late February. The masks aren't a big deal. Not planning Fastpasses is wonderful. The lines are typically shorter than posted. Not having fastpass has made our touring more leisurely. I certainly don't miss the 180 day ADR. Hope that never returns.

 

[JFox]

When people ask me what is different now I tell them; no parades, fireworks, shows or character greetings. They ask, then why go? I have never been into any of those things so I don't miss them. I love the social distancing and always felt like people were always right up on me in lines. The masks, while inconvenient are a small price to pay.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I agree with whoever mentioned the lower density of people. I also, having social anxiety myself, have appreciated the distancing. The masks, meh? Can't say I've ENJOYED them, but they're fine, necessary and tolerable. However, we do avoid hotter weather.

I appreciate that QS mobile ordering is so popular now (well, required). I believe it was severely underutilized before. I also like how, with the pickup times being staggered and lower park capacity, there is always someplace to sit for those larger, indoor QS. On the other hand, I want more locations open and more menu variety back for all dining.

 

[katyringo]

I don’t prefer it now. Want lots of things back.

we did enjoy the character calvacades and hope those stay.

 

[Nabas]

We are APs and have been going every month since reopening and it has been wonderful. I'm dreading the crowds and hassle when things are back like the "before times". After a year of social distancing I shudder to think of being in that mass exodus heading out of magic kingdom onto the ferries after fireworks.

Same here.

I greatly enjoy not having to plan my day around FastPasses.

I greatly enjoy not seeing hundreds of people walk past me with their FastPass while I go nowhere in the Standby line.

I greatly enjoy a Standby line that keeps moving at a decent pace.

I greatly enjoy (due to social distancing) not being bumped in line by people in front and behind me.

I greatly enjoy being able to walk through some of the more crowded areas (such as Fantasyland) without having to weave through crowds.

I greatly enjoy not having to battle everyone for a spot on a bus after the nighttime show.

I greatly enjoy not standing in line to enter the park, waiting for the person in front of me who can't get their finger scan to work.

Pretty much the only thing I won't miss is wearing masks.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I like the fact that the buses aren't full and the Beach Club marketplace is usually empty. I also like having less people at the resort. But other than that, I miss a lot of things.

We are annual passholders and have been to WDW several times with the Covid restrictions. There aren't a lot of places that are open and feel as safe and as fun as WDW. We've managed not to get Covid in spite of being on full flights and going to all the parks and some restaurants. I miss the fireworks and the shows most of all and can't wait for them to return.

 

[JiminyCricketNJ]

I was hoping to enjoy lower attendence but then it ended up packed the first week of March. /sigh

We went over President's weekend in February. We expected crowds and we got them. Did not like waiting 2 hours for FOP (when it was posted as 40 minutes shortly after opening), since we would have hopefully used a FP for that. In MK, Adventureland was packed at all times, near Magic Carpets, Aloha Isle, etc. Pirates always had crazy wait times. I do like the distancing in lines as some others have said; it's nice not to have people on top of you in lines. But I miss meeting characters and fireworks. We were just glad to be vaccinated and enjoying time in the parks. At the end of the day, it was a different experience, no complaints.