Question for Those That Have Been to Disneyworld Recently

[pattikakes]

We missed our latest trip due to Covid and are thinking about going in the Spring. What are the most major changes we will encounter at rides, restaurants, stores, etc.?

 

[HiStitch626]

This is a good place to start - https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

We missed our latest trip due to Covid and are thinking about going in the Spring. What are the most major changes we will encounter at rides, restaurants, stores, etc.?

We visited last weekend and these are my observations in major changes:
Rides - the "6 feet" spacing out between people in line, the no eating in line policy, lines that stretch way outside of the attraction and wrap around the park
Restaurants - a lot are closed, some won't allow you to enter unless you have a mobile order, there are people just standing around outside waiting for mobile orders, they have allocated doors for "in and out" with CM's monitoring them and they will holler at you if you try to go in the out or out the in
Stores - again, lines that stretch way outside of the store and wrap around the park, only a certain number of people allowed in at one time, allocated doors for "in and out"

I hope that you get to go in the spring!

 

[Marionnette]

We missed our latest trip due to Covid and are thinking about going in the Spring. What are the most major changes we will encounter at rides, restaurants, stores, etc.?

We were there the week leading up to Halloween.

For rides, I would say that if you were a big fan of FP+ and knew how to work it to your advantage, you’re going to be disappointed. Lines are lengthy and wait times were longer than we were accustomed to. Not everyone paid attention to the distancing markers in the queues, especially in those serpentine areas were you were supposed to maintain a bigger distance between yourself and the party in front of you so that you were not standing directly beside someone waiting in another part of the line. Ride vehicles were loaded so that we were never close to another party, but exiting the rides was often a free for all with little to no distancing taking place. Hand sanitizer stations were abundant and it wasn’t very often that we encountered an empty one.

Restaurants were very good at keeping tables distanced. All servers wore both a mask and face shield. Menus were accessed by scanning a QR code from a piece of paper left on your table. Most QS locations utilize mobile ordering, which we found to be quite convenient, especially back at the resort. Finding a place to sit and eat at a park QS location could be a challenge at times.

Stores had lines. Some of them were quite long. Disney has suspended delivery to your resort or to the front of the park. As a result, most guests try to shop at the end of their day, rather than carry packages around with them. We ended up doing less shopping as a result. World of Disney, in DS did a very good job of distancing at the checkouts and those lines moved quickly. But physical distancing while browsing was a challenge. We ended up getting a number of souvenirs at the resort gift shop.

 

[nkereina]

We were there two weeks ago.

For us, the biggest changes at the rides were that the majority of the lines were in makeshift queues outside. This is due to the addition of the 6’ spacing markers in the queues and also to keep people from spending a ton of time waiting indoors in closer proximity. Because of the outdoor lines, we were waiting in the hot sun and in the rain more than we would on a “normal” trip. Plan accordingly for the weather. Otherwise, the rides were normal and there were many instances where we had our own ride vehicle. If we didn’t have our own ride vehicle, there was some kind of plastic barrier separating us. We actually enjoyed this, and it was nice to not squish in queue space “filling in all the available space”. Also liked not having to sit side by side with strangers and single riders.

At restaurants, we had to check in for our ADRs through MDE and had to scan QR codes to read menus. For QS, menus were quite limited and you have to do mobile order. You then have to show proof your order is ready to be allowed into the QS place. Even though there were no FPs to book, we still used our phones quite a bit.

For stores, there were instances where we had to wait to get in. This was most prevalent at Galaxy’s Edge and evenings at World of Disney at Disney Springs. At a certain point in the late afternoon/early evening when DS starts to get busy, they start a queue where you have to line up to get into the store. It’s a very long queue and might look discouraging, but it moved very fast.

 

[lanejudy]

I suggest heading over the the TPAS board for more info about changes within the parks. Particularly, these threads may be helpful:
Here now and just back
and
WDW COVID-19 Operational Thread

I would say the biggest changes are the things that haven't re-opened yet (parades, character meet&greets, live shows, some dining), as well as the parks reservation system.

 

[WEDWDW]

Most common sign you will encounter in Covid World!lol

 

[AnnaS]

Definitely follow the thread with the latest experiences (linked above) or wait until March to ask again. A lot, really a lot can change from now, next week, next month until April. We just returned about two weeks ago and are going back end of Feb. I am sure there will be changes from my last trip.

Even if you are on the fence about going - I would decide about two months prior. Good luck, hope you make it!!!

 

[disney dumbo]

probably will change by then...
we left today...
very hot with masks...
all food is ordered by mobile ordering except walk ups (mickey ice cream, pop corn, etc.) and not immediate, so order earlier than you'll actually show up...
monorail to Epcot not working...
no fireworks...
no parades... but impromptu single float or boat or street car
certain rides closed (refurbishing or covid???)
massive area of construction in first part of Epcot
no character interaction
supposedly less people in park, but heard they upped numbers 30% this weekend.
entry and exit doors for shops (to get to hat shop on main near entrance, had to wait in line to go to candy store and walk back to their shop... crazy! but for safety from covid, okay.

I hear rides are wiped down periodically, but didn't see it happening. Maybe while we were waiting in line. We took our own wipes for rides and hand sanitizer, because sometimes theirs wouldn't work or be empty or too many people using it.

Some rides they board from both fast pass and standard lines... like soaring. If fast pass line is shortest or equal in length, get in it, it will be faster.

We didn't research anything... just wanted to have fun... and it was. But I really enjoyed non-covid times better.

 

[gillep]

We are here now. Lots of changes, some good some bad. Biggest change for us is the lack of park hopping, one park per day just doesn’t work with our touring style, still glad we are here!

 

[Stratman50th]

I'm posting another link for you to read through. It's 37 pages but fun. The camping at Fort Wilderness group is pretty tight and had a "DISmeet" at the Fort in October. I believe the first of the group rolled in around October 5th? and I think I was one of the last, leaving Oct.19th. There's a bunch of day reports from different members at different parks as well as some pictures and videos. In addition to the reports you might also be interested in all the work that @bama_ed put into organizing the event. So skip through to what you want to know, or read through the whole thing if you're bored and want to see what a big shindig with a bunch of folks from the forum here is like. Hope you enjoy!
https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...ess-dismeet-trip-report-october-2020.3812467/
EDIT: Everything up to around page 11 is the gang just getting revved up and excited about the meet. After that It's heading down and arrival if you want to skip the early pages.

 

[mickey0930]

probably will change by then...
we left today...
very hot with masks...
all food is ordered by mobile ordering except walk ups (mickey ice cream, pop corn, etc.) and not immediate, so order earlier than you'll actually show up...
monorail to Epcot not working...
no fireworks...
no parades... but impromptu single float or boat or street car
certain rides closed (refurbishing or covid???)
massive area of construction in first part of Epcot
no character interaction
supposedly less people in park, but heard they upped numbers 30% this weekend.
entry and exit doors for shops (to get to hat shop on main near entrance, had to wait in line to go to candy store and walk back to their shop... crazy! but for safety from covid, okay.

I hear rides are wiped down periodically, but didn't see it happening. Maybe while we were waiting in line. We took our own wipes for rides and hand sanitizer, because sometimes theirs wouldn't work or be empty or too many people using it.

Some rides they board from both fast pass and standard lines... like soaring. If fast pass line is shortest or equal in length, get in it, it will be faster.

We didn't research anything... just wanted to have fun... and it was. But I really enjoyed non-covid times better.

The monorail to Epcot not working was temporary or has this been closed for awhile?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

The monorail to Epcot not working was temporary or has this been closed for awhile?

The Epcot monorail did not reopen when the parks reopened. No announced date on its return.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Signs and announcements reminding you to properly wear your mask or you will be asked to leave. Also, eating or drinking only allowed while stationary. No eating or drinking in queues or lines.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

You will be walking and see people in a line... asking what's that line for? Even though there is less people the lines take just as long. Except for familes the ride cars on are every other row.

 

[Finiamh]

Eating and drinking while stationary was the tricky thing to get used to. I was so used to walking and people watching while mowing down a pretzel.

CMs were walking around enforcing it very well too. I would stop every couple minutes, tuck myself into a corner or off the path, take a bite, then slide mask up and merger back into traffic.

Side note: Universal does not have this rule and you can feel the alert/anxiety level rise in yourself a bit at those parks for that alone.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Remember Roz from Monsters Inc? They're watching, always watching.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Eating and drinking while stationary was the tricky thing to get used to. I was so used to walking and people watching while mowing down a pretzel.

CMs were walking around enforcing it very well too. I would stop every couple minutes, tuck myself into a corner or off the path, take a bite, then slide mask up and merger back into traffic.

Side note: Universal does not have this rule and you can feel the alert/anxiety level rise in yourself a bit at those parks for that alone.

So when Disney first opened they did not enforce it and people were walking around with a straw in their mouth so they did not have to wear a mask they were referred as " sippers". Disney updated the policy soon after. I found myself sitting on curbs or benches frequently to have a drink and to get a little breathing room.

 

[Disneytam]

We returned a few days ago and though we were glad to spend some time with family I did really miss the Disney before Covid.

The eating and drinking while stationary was really tough for us in Epcot. It's my favorite park and we really enjoy walking laps around world showcase while enjoying drinks. Just didn't feel the same this time. We didn't like having so many dinning places closed, and the menus are really small for the ones that are open. I did like, at least at our hotel the take out dining at the quick service places. Very simple and easy.

You really need to have and know how to operate a smart phone. The way things are now there just is no way to get around it.

Be prepared to wait in line for everything. Especially on weekends. We have been going to Disney for a long time and we were just astounded by some of the lines. On an early Saturday morning the line just to get into The Land building went on forever, same with the line to get into the Mexico building. On our last day in the parks we waited over a half hour in a line to get into the caramel store in Germany.

As someone else stated above the lines into the rides are social distanced, the lines coming out of the rides is just a mass crush of people!

I really missed all the performers in all the parks. It just didn't have the same sort of vibe that we have enjoyed in the past. Much more of a go from one ride line to another with nothing to enjoy in between. Look up and be prepared for everything that is not operating. Christmas just didn't feel the same in Epcot without all the different countries having the story tellers. Really missed the street performers at HS and even missed the dancers at AK. We stayed a night at the BWV and it was down right creepy at night on the completely abandoned boardwalk with the hotel being dark and all the restaurants being closed up. This is usually our favorite hotel to stay at in normal times.

At the 2 resorts that we stayed at the main pool was heated but neither of the quite pools were heated at all. At the WL the hot tub was not hot, warm at best.

Remember to bring an extra mask or 2 with you every day. When they get wet they are tough to breath in.

 

[wnwardii]

I would suggest just to watch the Boards and the news that the DIS and other groups publish. Since I have been here this past week, they have announced the reopening of a few restaurants (over the next two months) and bringing back Park Hopper on January 1st. Things are going to be constantly changing between now and Spring 2021. So what I (and others) have experienced may not even be remotely the same as what you could experience in say 3-4 months.

The one bit of advice I would have for anyone travelling to WDW now, set your expectations accordingly. Yes, things are not like they used to be. You can still have a wonderful time and experience "magic".