It’s been almost a year since the Disney Parks reopened, and over the ensuing months, a number of health measures have started to disappear. But before we all get ready to Park Hop like it’s the old days, you need to be aware of a few things.
Some health and safety policies are still in place in the Disney Parks, and they will likely have an effect on your vacation if you’ve got one planned for the near future.
These are the Disney World health and safety measures that could significantly impact your upcoming trip!
Social Distancing
First up, social distancing is still a big part of the new norm in Disney World. Since the reopening of the parks, guests had been asked to distance with six feet between other parties. That number has been reduced to three feet, with markers in many locations being moved (or even removed entirely) to match the new policy.
Whether the distancing is six feet or three feet, it can make for longer lines for attractions (in length, not necessarily wait time), and it can be difficult to find the actual end of the lines! Plus, there aren’t as many places to sit or stand to eat with social distancing (which is especially inconvenient during EPCOT festivals).
Capacity Limits
Capacity limitations are also in place both in the park in general and in merchandise shops, pools, and dining locations. You may have trouble getting a Disney Park Pass reservation or an Advance Dining Reservation when you want them.
Additionally, you might notice less availability for places like your Resort’s pool. It’s more important than ever to plan ahead and arrive early for spots that don’t take reservations!
Continued Closures
Beyond that, many locations are STILL closed. Some of our favorite hotels, like Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (both Riverside and French Quarter), have yet to reopen.
The same can be said for some beloved and iconic restaurants. We’re still missing a lot of spots from Casey’s Corner to Victoria and Albert’s. Make sure you check in advance of your trip to see what spots are open, and keep up with AllEars for news of reopening!
Dining Restrictions
The good news is that the new mask policy means guests can eat and drink while walking around the Parks, a recent relaxation that makes it a lot easier to enjoy things like EPCOT’s festival eats and drinks!
Even so, you may still find more tables and chairs available to make stationary dining and drinking more feasible. If you’re more comfortable with this set-up, this lingering impact may actually make your trip better.
Transportation Modifications
Finally, capacities are still limited on most forms of transportation. This can make for long lines and wait times on buses, the monorail, and the Skyliner. We haven’t noticed as many issues with the boats, but some transportation options are still completely unavailable!
Budget a little extra time for travel in case you find yourself waiting in that dreaded 25-minute Skyliner line.
Have questions about these measures? Ask them in the comments!
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I am Hoping an Announcement is made about Dining is made soon. We have a trip in September.
We don’t mind wearing masks when we Required.
I think I will wait till 2022 to go back to Disney World!!!! Hopefully it will all be back to normal by then!!!!
We have been a couple times since the pandemic. Once around Labor Day, and the other just before Christmas, 25% and 35% capacity, respectively. The Labor Day Trip was just a couple days, and absolutely surreal. Frontier Land looked absolutely like a ghost town at 9 am. We rode both Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain within 10 minutes and were one of two couples on each ride. I realized that before lunch, the first full faces we saw were on the animatronics at Pirates of the Caribbean. Weird not seeing the smiles. When we went to Epcot we rode all the rides there within 2 1/2 hours. Not that magical, but efficient, I guess.
The December trip, we took the whole family and three of our friends and stayed at the Polynesian Bungalows. No Fireworks and most of the resort was closed for refurbishment. The Electrical Water Pageant came back while we were there, so that was nice, and I said no fireworks, but there was occasionally one or two shot off every so often in the evenings. The 35% capacity and social distancing in the ride lines made those lines spill out into the streets and the walking areas looked like the parks were at full capacity at first glance. the rides moved fast though, and the wait times were always an over estimation. We are going again June/July, with masks not being required outdoors, and reduced capacity, with park hopping allowed after 2 p.m., I Think it is the best time to go with pandemic measures still in place. Less crowds is always a plus. Yes, we missed the character meet and greets, the shows, the Fireworks, and some of the restaurants and resorts, but their was a time when all we could barely afford was a meal at the T-Rex at Downtown Disney and souvenirs off the discount racks when we passed through on the way back to NC from visiting my wife’s father on the gulf coast. We were used to “roughing it” in Disney. That old resin log with statues of Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and Piglet were a destination spot for a picture every time we went. That and the Buzz Lightyear and Princess statues in front of the World of Disney store were our only character interactions during the economic downturn after the housing bubble burst. We still consider ourselves fortunate to go, as what we have only been able to afford to go soup to nuts in Disney for two or three years up until the pandemic. As far as the people go, that are there, they seem nice, and do try to be courteous in terms of leaving you space. I personally will miss not having folks hit the backs of my heels with strollers when the parks get back to full capacity. Oh, and the skyliner, an absolute blast when you can ride it with just your group of folks. Seriously, there are some positives to going now, at least once before things get back into full swing.
I will be waiting. I enjoyed the dinning and Disney shopping and comfort. I rather go when everything isn’t so limited or so complicated.