Strategies to navigate the new WDW normal

[Have3Kids&aHusband]

The staggered park openings is allowing us to relax a bit in the morning on our Epcot day since it doesn't open until 11. But we were trying to go with the flow for meals this trip and had originally only 3 dining reservations. Well now we will probably have to plan more meals since limited capacity. Still waiting to see if some of the restaurants listed on other sites as will be opened will be added to the Disney site. For example Chef Mickey's listed as family style. Since we're now at CR we were thinking eat breakfast there one day on one of our HS days or Epcot day. Also, only doing Epcot one day. We usually did Epcot and hop over to MK one day and on a AK day do that in the morning and hop over to Epcot for the evening. Definitely going to be different.

 

[JM23457]

How can you give strategies for the "new WDW normal" when the parks haven't even opened? How does anyone know a single strategy yet?

You plan based on what you do know, and what you think is likely to happen. The Allies had a strategy for storming the beaches at Normandy before they actually did it. We can strategize, too.

 

[Ksquared]

I think those of us who are not going right when the parks reopen will benefit greatly from those that do - we will be on the boards searching for hints and helpful strategies for our park days. I also think as time goes on, procedures can change. Bottom line, everyone will have to go with the flow a bit if they want to enjoy their time at Disney whatever that looks like

 

[Jess.stw]

The boats allow plenty of fresh air. I expect they will run the monorail at about half-full.

even less. They have said one party per door! So if each party is two people that’s 4 per car!

 

[MouseMamaToMany]

Despite crazy heat, face masks, and the ever-changing COVID situation, I’m happy to be headed back at the end of August. I did just buy a box of 50 disposable face masks after reading so many opinions about them being the coolest and most breathable. I like the idea of being able to stick a bunch in my bag and change to a new one whenever it feels necessary. I’m definitely thinking about the best hydration strategy too, as I think that will pose the biggest challenge. Frequent air conditioned breaks, along with chugging water at every available opportunity will be vital. A UV resistant umbrella seems like it might be a really good idea too. Normally I won’t use an umbrella in the parks due to the crowds- it just feels a little rude to me. But if the park is at 20% capacity? That might make it feasible.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

One of our strategies is eating some dinners out of the parks after they close since they are closing so early. We drive though so I know not everyone can do that. But it will help us to maximize time in the park, and give us different dinner options. The night we go to AK, we are planning on having dinner at Medivial Times. Teppan Edo isn’t going to be open, so we are looking at Benihana one night. We don’t have Boston Market or Macaroni Grill where we live anymore. Ect.
we are also bringing the fans that hang on your neck and can be directed into your face, as well as , a mister, and cooling bands that you soak in cold water. We will also bring many different masks. It really does help to cool down if you switch out masks when they get moist with respiration.

 

[osufeth24]

even less. They have said one party per door! So if each party is two people that’s 4 per car!

oof. I mean I get it, but it's going to be a nightmare getting to MK

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

I completely agree about the paper masks! I know everyone wants to be cute with their custom cloth face masks (haha) but DH and I went to Silver Dollar City in Branson MO on opening weekend, and the paper mask was BY FAR the way to go in a theme park. Much lighter and more breathable than any cloth mask I have.

We were there too! We liked the paper masks and we have some very lightweight polyester masks we got off wish that are cotton lined with a pocket for a filter. And those were ok. I just hope Disney is better staffed to explain how the lines work. I was really happy SDC did not use switchbacks, but they really needed someone to explain the lines to people because it created a huge cluster, especially around Powder keg.

 

[acebatonfan]

Heading in September and already getting the family's battle plans ready. I got those cooling cloths on our last trip, so I'll definitely be bringing those with me for this trip, even if it's to just put around my neck or provide a distraction for my younger sister (ASD, when we don't know how she will tolerate wearing a mask). I'm currently browsing portable fans on Amazon that have a decent battery life and I can throw into my backpack also (I found one fan that will last for 14 hours on high speed). I'm using the heat and humidity here on the east coast to test out cloth masks and find out which ones are the most breathable. We are staying at BLT, so I made most of our days MK and Epcot days. We also have a car, so traveling outside of Disney is also possible should the crowds be really bad. The general plan is to get to the parks early, leave mid-day to rest, and then go back to the park or DS in the evening.

I'm actually looking forward to having a more laid-back trip.

 

[BruinsDad]

I think those of us who are not going right when the parks reopen will benefit greatly from those that do - we will be on the boards searching for hints and helpful strategies for our park days. I also think as time goes on, procedures can change. Bottom line, everyone will have to go with the flow a bit if they want to enjoy their time at Disney whatever that looks like

I agree. I'm really interested in the early reports on queues and wait times. Even if AK capacity is limited to 10,000 people, I expect all of them to head to FOP first. Resort pools will be popular with the parks having limited hours. How are they going to manage that? I'm also curious about the transfer times to get from resorts to parks as well as dining experiences. Thanks in advance to all the Summer travelers whose experiences will help the rest of us make the best of it.

 

[TomorrowlandKD]

You plan based on what you do know, and what you think is likely to happen. The Allies had a strategy for storming the beaches at Normandy before they actually did it. We can strategize, too.

You're right. Normandy on D-Day is exactly like wondering how we're going keep our meals flowing at Chef Mickey's with masks on.

 

[krisp66]

I am usually a Type A planner -- start here, go here, schedule everything in order -- who likes to fill every minute from rope drop to fireworks. So I'm taking my visit in September as a challenge to myself to slow down and savor whatever is available. Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what the parks are like with less happening and more time to savor details. I think just the slower pace and fewer hours will help my family.

One strategy that we hope to keep is sitting down to lunch each day at a table service restaurant: for my teens, AC and iced tea are as good as a nap without having to take time to leave the park. We'll see what happens with ADRs once our 60 day window opens. I hope it's do-able!

 

[one_cat]

I am usually a Type A planner -- start here, go here, schedule everything in order -- who likes to fill every minute from rope drop to fireworks. So I'm taking my visit in September as a challenge to myself to slow down and savor whatever is available. Maybe I'm a Pollyanna, but I'm kind of looking forward to seeing what the parks are like with less happening and more time to savor details. I think just the slower pace and fewer hours will help my family.

One strategy that we hope to keep is sitting down to lunch each day at a table service restaurant: for my teens, AC and iced tea are as good as a nap without having to take time to leave the park. We'll see what happens with ADRs once our 60 day window opens. I hope it's do-able!

For us the ADRs will make or break our vacation. I’m planning that we will do more dining than usual. I hope they don’t limit it.