I don’t know about you, but when I think of happenings and events now, I categorize them as “pre-Covid” (any date up to March 2020) or “post-Covid” (anytime from March 2020 on) and when planning a Disney vacation, this is definitely the case! Last March, just over a year ago, Disney announced that they were closing indefinitely. Disney fans knew what a huge deal this was…I mean, prior to that, since 1971, Walt Disney World had only closed a handful of times due to hurricanes and once in 2001, after the 9/11 attacks.
After 4 months of closure, though, Walt Disney World began welcoming guests back again in July 2020, and in true Disney fashion, the safety and well-being of their guests and cast members have remained the priority. Disney is obviously doing something right, as there have been no outbreaks associated with the parks and resorts being reopened.
So, if you thought that planning a Walt Disney World vacation seemed overwhelming in “pre-Covid times”, you’ll want to read on as there are new things to know and keep in mind when planning a “post-Covid” vacation.
1. What are the health and safety precautions in place at Walt Disney World?
The health and safety of the guests and cast members will always be the driving force behind the implementation and enforcement of these protocols. The following modifications have been made at this time: Disney is running at a reduced capacity, allowing for physical distancing at the parks, resorts and restaurants; face coverings are required; temperature screenings are required upon arrival at the theme parks and Disney Springs; enhanced cleaning and sanitizing procedures are in place; and there is an effort for reduced contact throughout Walt Disney World Resort, including mobile ordering, cashless payments, online check-in and modified housekeeping.
2. What are the face covering requirements?
All guests, ages 2 and older, are required to wear a face covering. As posted on the Walt Disney World website, these face coverings must “be made with at least 2 layers of breathable material, fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin, fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face, be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free.” Please note that guests who would like to eat or drink must be stationary to remove their masks, this way guests are not walking around the parks without masks on. Disney has also created Relaxation Stations in each of the parks, so you can safely take a mask break, while being physically distanced from others. Face coverings must be kept on during all rides and attractions and for all photo opportunities.
3. How is Disney reducing capacity in the parks?
At this time, purchasing park tickets is not enough! Once you have your tickets purchased or your package booked, you need to go into your My Disney Experience account and make Park Pass Reservations for each park day. Without a park pass reservation, you cannot enter a park. This guarantees that Disney will be operating within their capacity limits at each park every day.
4. With experiences modified or temporarily suspended, is the magic still there?
Absolutely! If there is anything that Disney excels in, it is creating magic! Sure, some things have been modified, for example, the normal parades we have all come to love are not happening at the time since Disney is trying to avoid crowds gathering. What is Disney’s answer to this? Character Cavalcades! These are “mini-parades” that happen in each park throughout the day. They do not happen at regularly scheduled times, so just listen for the music and you can catch your favorite characters as they pass by and wave! Honestly, I am a huge fan of these cavalcades and hope they stay around for a while! First, you do not need to scout out a seat on Main Street an hour and a half before the parade starts…then wait for the parade…and then leave Main Street at the same time as every other guest watching the parade. Now, you are walking down Main Street, hear that magical music, move over to the side, wave to Mickey, Minnie and pals and get some fun photos of them before continuing on to your next ride! Secondly, these character cavalcades are in every park! Finally, you may even see a character or two that you may not have seen in the parks before!
5. How far in advance can I book my Walt Disney World vacation package and what is the cancellation policy?
Currently, booking is available up to 500 days from check-in. I always advise guests to book as soon as possible to lock in their preferred resorts and room types. Since capacity is reduced, resorts have been filling up quickly! Also, if ticket and room prices increase, you will not have to pay more because the price at booking gets locked in! Now, your price can always go down if an available promotion is released at a later date. All that is required to book a resort and ticket package is $200/room. This deposit is fully refundable up to 30 days prior to check-in.
So why wait to get started planning your next magical vacation?
Request your free customized quote here!
About the Author, Kathryn Finkelstein and Mickey Travels
MickeyTravels is a Platinum-Level, Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. If you choose to book with me, my services are 100% free! I provide full concierge-planning services, including resort, ticket and dining package reservations, dining reservations, FastPass+ reservations (when this service resumes), enchanting extras reservations, ground transportation reservations, customized payment plans, continual discount monitoring and complete itinerary planning. I am also on call before, during, and after your trip for anything you may need. My goal is to make your vacation as stress-free and as magical as possible for you…so you can enjoy every minute with your family! Follow me on Facebook for the latest Disney news, vacation planning tips and client reviews. Email me at KFinkelstein@mickeytravels.com with any questions.
Make sure you mention that you heard about me from Macaroni Kid and you will receive a little extra “pixie dust” with your travel documents prior to your vacation!
Caption: Pluto and me from one of our family's Disney Cruises!
