6 Tips You Aren’t Thinking of for Your 2020 Disney World Trip

As Disney World reopens with a variety of modifications, as well as new health and safety protocols in place, many visitors have had to start from scratch when it comes to vacation planning.

Magic Kingdom!

Since there are so many differences in the parks as a part of the new guidelines and regulations, we’ve had to learn tips and tricks to make the most out of our visits to Disney World. 

While we’ve explored Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom during their grand reopenings, we’ve been taking a few notes on the best ways to conquer the parks! And, you’ll need to consider these new tips you haven’t used during your vacation before you head back to Disney World.

Don’t Get to the Parks Right as They Open

We’ve practically made it a golden rule that getting to the parks first thing in the morning is a Disney World must-do. But, now that the parks are operating with shorter hours that start later in the day, plans are being switched up a bit!

Magic Kingdom Parking

Disney Transportation is only running 45 minutes ahead of time, as opposed to the previous 2 hours beforehand rule. Guests aren’t able to park super early to get in line for the parks, so there usually isn’t a way to get to the gates before they open.

Walt Disney World Bus at Animal Kingdom Lodge — Kidani Village

However, when we were able to get to Hollywood Studios an hour before opening, Cast Members asked us to wait in our cars before coming back to the gates half an hour prior to the park opening. But, Hollywood Studios was one of the few exceptions we’ve seen since Cast Members let guests into the parks prior to opening.

Rise of the Resistance

Normally, the parks have moved their opening times to 9AM, 10AM, and 11AM (with closing times also happening earlier than usual). When we’ve been at the parks first thing, we have also noticed that the wait times for attractions are actually some of the highest daily in Disney World.

10 AM Wait Times

Although we’ve normally planned to be there right as the parks open, it’s actually not crucial anymore to make sure your family is there early. Instead, we recommend heading in about an hour later to take advantage of some of the lower wait times, catch the Character Cavalcades, and more!

Buzz Lightyear

That being said, there is one potential exception to this. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Rise of the Resistance disperses boarding groups at 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM, so getting to the park at the 10AM opening does hold some benefit. However, we have had some luck in getting passes at the later 1PM time as well, so for Disney’s Hollywood Studios it’s ultimately up to what works best for you and your group!

Rise of the Resistance

Read more about how Rise of the Resistance is working with limited capacity!

Plan Out Your Top Picks for Each Day in the Parks

Although you may not have to get into Disney Parks right as they open anymore, you might not be able to do everything you want still. Since there is only Stand By available for attractions (except Rise of the Resistance), the wait times have been fluctuating in the parks consistently.

Peter Pan’s Flight

While we’ve seen VERY low 5 minute waits for popular attractions, we’ve also seen them soar over 2 hours, depending on the time of day. Rise of the Resistance is also operating with a modified Virtual Queue that distributes Boarding Groups at 10AM, 1PM, and 4PM windows. They disappear within only a few minutes, so you have to be as quick as possible to snag them after they go live.

Rise of the Resistance

Since FastPass and Single Rider aren’t available at the moment, it’s important to choose your top attractions for the day. While you might be able to get on many of your favorite rides with some of the lower wait times, other attractions may not be as easy to get on during your visit.

Pandora

Before you head into your chosen park for the day, decide which spots are must-do’s for your group! And, if you can conquer all your top rides, that’s only a plus!

Pack Your Bag Differently Before Heading to Disney World

Although we highly recommend bringing water bottles and sunscreen, you’re going to need to pack your bags with a few new items before heading to the parks the next time you’re there!

Hand-Sanitizing Station

Along with extra masks (you never know when you might accidentally lose yours), you’ll want to take some antibacterial wipes and hand-sanitizer along with you as well. We also think that a portable fan can be extremely helpful when you’re wearing those masks during hot days.

© Disney

Read more about our packing tips for 2020 Disney World trips here!

Stock Up on Phone Chargers

Speaking of packing, portable chargers are going to be a MUST whenever you’re in Disney World. You’ll be using your phone frequently to check wait times, join Boarding Groups, use Mobile Order, and more.

Mobile Order

Although the contactless options going back to the park are great, they will probably drain your phone battery pretty quickly. We even recommend bringing more than one fully charged portable charger or investing in a heavy-duty one that can recharge your devices multiple times.

©Amazon

Disney World also uses the FuelRod stations around the parks where guests can swap portable chargers for a new set without risking that their phone battery dies. Previously guests were able to swap the portable chargers for free.

Fuelrods

However, FuelRod has now adopted a Founders Status where customers who used the service before October 26th, 2019 will be able to get FuelRods for free, while everyone else will be required to pay a $3 swapping fee.

FuelRod Station

Read more about the current FuelRod policy here!

How to Wear Your Face Mask on Rides

Since wearing a face mask in the parks is the new norm for the time being, guests are required to wear them on rides as well! Whether you’re wearing sunglasses on an outdoor attraction or 3D glasses an indoor attraction, make sure to put your glasses on top of your face coverings so they don’t fog up!

Face Mask Hack

Read more about our face mask ride hack here!

Take Your Time in the Parks!

Although we’e been used to moving through the parks quickly and efficiently, now’s the time more than ever to take in everything that Disney World has to offer! Since there are shorter wait times and new Character Cavalcades to enjoy, taking a moment to relax while you walk around the park can be one of the best parts of your vacation.

Mickey and Friends Cavalcade

Also, be sure to stay hydrated and maybe even take a break at one of the Relaxation Stations where guests are allowed to remove their masks for a short period of time.

Relaxation Station in Akershus

And, if you’re visiting through the Fall, we highly recommend taking a day to explore all the eats and treats that A Taste of EPCOT Food and Wine Festival will be bringing to the parks!

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival 2020

Although Disney World might be different, we think it’s a time to explore new places and try new things during your next visit to the parks! And, if you use these tips, we think that conquering everything you want to see in the parks might be easier (and more magical)!

We’re answering all your biggest questions about Disney World’s r-opening here!

What tips can you recommend for a trip to the newly reopened Disney World? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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2 Replies to “6 Tips You Aren’t Thinking of for Your 2020 Disney World Trip”

  1. Very informative articles. Thanks. Wish you would do a drive article for people from the western states. Especially northern Nevada.

  2. Very useful tips. Thank you. Certainly, things will be different so urging patience and ‘slowing down’ is important.