So You Want to Go Back to WDW For the First Time in Forever: The Ultimate Guide
Pre-Covid, if you were like me, you had every tip and trick up your sleeve for navigating Disney and enjoying the parks. If you haven’t been back to Walt Disney World Resort since it closed in March of 2020 and reopened in July 2020 there are quite a few changes you need to know about before planning your next Disney trip! YES it is different BUT there are still plenty of ways to create those magical moments we all know and love.
TLDR JUMPS/ Table of Contents
Park Reservations
Pre-covid you could just hop on over to any park you felt like going to that day and not worry about not being let in unless it reached capacity unless it was a holiday i.e. New Years/ Christmas. Now, park attendance requires a reservation in addition to your park pass. Disney has confirmed in February 2021 capacity is being limited to 35% and will remain so until at least 2022.
So what does this mean for you? It means you need to plan a little more when picking which days you want to go to the parks and making sure you secure the park you want for each day of your trip!
Using the Disney Park Pass reservation system is very easy and user-friendly. There are three sections to booking park passes (via Disney website):
Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests can make park reservations for dates during their stay for the number of days that they have valid theme park admission.
Annual Passholders can make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time, and for their length of stay if staying at a Disney Resort or other select hotel.
Existing ticket holders can make reservations for the number of days of valid theme park admission.
To easily see if parks are available for any of these categories during your trip simply head to this availability calendar! It will tell you what parks are available and which are at capacity.
To make a park reservation, simply follow the steps below:
Park Hopping
As of January 1st, 2021 park hopping is BACK but with a new look. You still need to make a park pass reservation for the day, so don’t forget to do that first! Once you’ve visited your reserved park you can go to any other park that has availability any time AFTER 2 P.M. that day. Keep in mind, parks closing hours are earlier/ vary.
PRO TIP: Save the Park Hopper Capacity phone number in your phone to see if the park you want to go to has capacity! 407-560-5000
This brings us to reduced parks hours section!
Reduced Park Hours
Long gone are the days of admiring the castle after midnight. Disney has scaled back park hours significantly so be prepared to head to Disney Springs or head to your hotel early instead of hanging out at the park pretty late. This also means no more Extra Magic Hours, unfortunately. Why? With earlier closures and later openings this gives cast members more time for deep cleaning and sanitizing of the parks. Be sure to check your My Disney Experience app for current park hours.
Park Hours for April 5th - April 25th:
Magic Kingdom - 8:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Epcot -11:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Hollywood Studios - 9:00 AM -8:00 PM
Animal Kingdom - 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Park hours for April 25th - June 14th:
Magic Kingdom - 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM
Epcot -11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Hollywood Studios - 9:00 AM -7:00 PM
Animal Kingdom - 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Safety Procedures
Be prepared for new safety measures at the park including:
Temperature checks before entering the parks.
PRO TIP: During the hotter summer days keep your hat off before entering the parks to avoid increasing your temperature before your temperature check. If you have a high temperature before entering and you are not sick don’t worry! There are cool down stations so you can take your temperature again.
My experience with masks: I’ve been going back to Walt Disney World ever since the first day they reopened in summer of 2019. I was there at THE hottest time of the Florida season. I highly advise you hydrate WELL beforehand for one big reason: you can’t just mosey around drinking from your water bottle whenever. Those were the old days. We were SO well-hydrated back then haha! Now you have to consciously stop, remain stationary, find a place where you’re not near too many people and take your mask off to drink before continuing on.
ALSO, summertime in either California or Florida is hot so you’re going to want to pack extra masks to change into!
Face coverings are required for all guests (ages 2 and up). I HIGHLY recommend bringing a few masks and even some disposable masks especially for those hot summer days!
PER DISNEY: Face coverings may temporarily removed while actively eating, drinking, or taking an outdoor photo (maskless photos STARTING APRIL 8th) BUT GUESTS MUST BE STATIONARY (not moving) and physically distancing.
Check Disney’s website constantly for new updates on safety and for a complete detailed list of what is permitted for face masks.
Social/ physical distancing of at least 6 feet is REQUIRED
Cashless/ Contactless transactions are highly recommended in order to reduce high touch exchange (including debit cards, credit cards, and Disney Gift Cards).
Rides are sanitized every 2 hours and this takes approximately 10-15 minutes.
Dining
The biggest thing to note is that not all restaurants are currently open, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience App prior to your trip. Dining plans and free dining have also been suspended for the time being so that is not an option right now. Restaurants that are open have limited dining offerings, experiences, and limited capacity. Let’s take a look at what to expect!
Mobile Ordering
Many of your favorite spots to grab a quick service meal are still open but the biggest change is now most places are requiring guests to mobile order prior to arriving to the restaurant. Mobile ordering has been around for a couple years and pre/post Covid it has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine for a couple of reasons: No standing in long lines, everyone in your party can order at a different place and then eat together, and more time to peruse the menu!
PRO TIP: If you need your meal made-to-order, the Mobile Ordering feature has some customizations i.e. allergies but if something isn’t available to customize GO TO A CAST MEMBER at the location you’re trying to order from and they will have a chef help you!
To mobile order simply follow these easy steps below!
Table Service To Go
Another change to dining in Disney is you can now order take out from sit-down restaurants. This new service is called Table Service To Go. I am LOVING this! If you prefer not to eat in a dining room, limit your contact with others, or simply enjoy eating in the comfort of your hotel room. To use Table Service To Go simply follow these easy steps below!
Dining Reservations
Reservations are just part of your theme park experience from now on! You can book your dining reservations 60 days prior from your hotel arrival date OR 60 days prior to your desired dining date. The easiest way to make a reservation is via the My Disney Experience App. Check out how below!
Self Service
We’re all used to serving ourselves at our resorts but now a Cast Member will be serving you instead to limit contamination and high touch areas. For instance, when you go to grab your beverage a Cast Member will be waiting for you at the beverage station to grab you a drink.
Mobile Dine Waitlist
Another new and AMAZING feature for dining on the My Disney Experience App is the Mobile Dine Waitlist. This works great for parties with less than 7 people. Didn’t make a restaurant reservation? No problem! Some restaurants offer walk-ups and here’s how you can check to do so!
Limited Attractions and Entertainment
One of the biggest things to note is that FastPass is not available right now. With that said, the lines may look long but they are actually shorter more times than not than the posted wait time. REMEMBER: because parties need to be spaced out 6 ft apart the long will appear Be prepared to see physical distancing markers (which I hope they stay because it has been NICE having a little space in line) and stickers showing where you can’t sit.
Pre-Shows
Attractions such as Tower of Terror, Flight of Passage, Rock n’ Roller Coaster, and Haunted Mansion have cut out the pre-show portion to avoid having crowds of guests standing in small spaces. Be prepared to just walk onto the ride from standing in line from now on. Even though this is such an important part to those rides and their stories, in order for Disney to keep the attraction open this is what is available. Hopefully with time we can get it back!
Vehicles
Ride vehicles are now separated by plexiglass, a plastic barrier, or by simply skipping a row. This allows for guests to remain spaced out. I have loved this because now I’m typically only in a ride vehicle with my party!
Stage Shows
Disney hasn’t reopened many of our favorite stage shows but that is changing soon! One of the shows returning this summer is The Festival of the Lion King! A date hasn’t been announced yet but this gives us hope for more shows like ‘Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor’, ‘Finding Nemo- The Musical’, and ‘Beauty & the Beast Live on Stage’ (my PERSONAL FAVORITE!) , to return.
BUT DON’T WORRY! You can still catch some of your favorites like, ‘It’s Tough to be a Bug’ ‘For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration’, or ‘Muppet Vision 3D’. The only difference you’ll notice is now you are spaced out from other parties.
Fireworks
These have yet to return to the parks and for good reason. Fireworks draw big crowds and even though the park day just isn’t the same without Happily Ever After, this is the best solution to keep people physically distanced.
Character Meet & Greets
We all miss and love our favorite characters, ahem Gaston. And when we meet our faves we love to give them a hug which just isn’t possible right now. Character meet and greets are now limited to a physically distanced photo. The three that are out right now at Magic Kingdom are Pooh and Friends and Peter Pan at Crystal Palace, various princess and Mickey and Friends at the train station, and the evil stepsisters Drizella and Anastasia outside of Princess FairyTale hall. In Epcot you can get a physically distanced photo with Queen Elsa right outside of the Frozen Ever After Ride.
Parades
Parades draw in the biggest crowds around Disney so this is no longer a huge event. You can still catch a shortened parade with some of your favorite characters like Mickey, Gaston, Punzie (and more!) about every 30 minutes through Magic Kingdom. The parade starts right next toe Splash mountain and ends by the fire station at the front of the park. You won’t see it on your app or any maps because Disney doesn’t want people waiting or gathering to watch. So just be sure to keep your eyes peeled and camera ready!
Relaxation Stations
Wearing your mask for prolonged periods of time can be grueling and sweaty. You are allowed to remove your mask for a prolonged period of time only while dining, swimming, or in a ‘relaxation station’. These stations can be found around various areas in each park. No need to search! BOOKMARK this page so when you’re on your trip you can easily find each station!
Magic Kingdom Relaxation Stations
Tomorowland – Located at the Tomorrowland Terrace restaurant (outdoors/ covered)
Frontierland – Located at the Golden Oak Outpost across from Pecos Bill’s (outdoors/ partially covered)
Fantasyland – Located at Pete’s Silly Sideshow (indoors/ air conditioned)
Animal Kingdom Relaxation Stations
Asia – Located at the Upcountry Landing across from Up! A Great Bird Adventure (outdoors/ covered)
Discovery Island – Located in Pizzafari Restaurant (indoors/ air conditioned)
Epcot Relaxation Stations
Norway – Located inside Akershus restaurant (indoors/ air conditioned)
United Kingdom – Located next to Rose & Crown and Yorkshire Fish Shoppe (outdoors/ partially covered)
Future World – Located between Mission: SPACE and Test Track (outdoors/ partially covered)
Hollywood Studios Relaxation Stations
Indiana Jones – Located at Indiana Jones Atraction (outdoors/ covered)
Animation Courtyard – Located inside Star Wars Launch Bay (outdoor/ indoor/ air conditioning)
My Personal Thoughts
I think if you feel safe going to Disney World then DO IT! Yes, many things aren’t available right now but that doesn’t mean you won’t still have a wonderful time. To me, your time is what you make of it. When I’m there with my friends and family I’m still making memories and enjoying our time together. Yes, the masks get hot and we get tired more easily, I won’t sugar coat that for you. But that’s just part of our life right now. I’ve had an amazing time each time since last July when the parks reopened and I can’t wait for more trips to come!
