What Disney Is Like in 2021

Hi friends! I wanted to put this post together to share what protocols I noticed Walt Disney World parks have put into place to keep everyone safe while enjoying the happiest place on Earth. Now I know, most people are probably still pretty apprehensive to visit theme parks or largely populated places so hopefully, this post can put some of your worries at ease!

Back in my college days, I worked at Walk Disney World, so I know what time of year is the “best” in the sense of least foot traffic. Personally, January February is best as you can ride pretty much anything your heart desires without too long of lines. That’s why my husband and I thought if we wanted to get a trip to Disney in this year, this would be the time to give it a go. Below I will list out all of the steps Disney has put into place to keep all of their guests and cast members happy, safe, and able to enjoy the magic.

First things first – the parks not only require tickets but also specific park reservations

This way Disney can control, and limit the number of guests visiting each day. If you purchase a park hopper pass then you have to reserve your first park and cannot “hop” to the second until after 2 pm. – Which is also dependant on park capacity for that day and availability.

Parking

When entering the park’s parking lot, you are guided into your spot as normal but each car is parked with an empty row in-between. For example, you are guided to drive-thru, then someone will park behind you, and then they skip an entire row before parking the next guests so that when you exit your car, no one is next to you. They then later fill in those spots.

Entering the Park

We visited 3 parks on our trip and the trams were not in use at any as parking was so close. You pass a few signs stating 2 layer masks are required and then pass through a temperature screening and security. No bags are checked unless you beep. I beeped because I had a DSLR camera in my bag. After that, you either head to the ticketing booth to get your bracelet/card or head straight to the entrance.

6 ft apart

All lines or potential queue areas have markings on the ground as to where to stand to be 6 ft apart. While visiting the parks everyone was super mindful and respectful of this policy which was so great. They also have arrows in eateries as to which direction to pass and assigned exits and entrances to keep from passing and to control capacities.

Eating

All quick-service restaurants have QR codes to order from outside. This way, you are not in a line inside, you are not ordering or paying face to face and all you have to do is pick up your food and or drinks. Tables are marked off as to which are usable and which must remain vacant, condiments are all single-use packets, and plates, straws, etc. are paper decomposable composite, or otherwise disposable. P.S. eating is the only time you can have your mask off at the park.

Masks

All cast members have masks on, all of the time. The ticketing booths, food stations, quick service food, shops, etc. all have plexiglass to protect you and the cast members. You must keep your mask on at all times as well. Out walking in the parks, and on rides. The only time you can remove your mask is if you are stationary, eating. This is strictly enforced, and they do not allow you to walk around while drinking in Epcot. You have to stop, preferably in their seating or high-top table designated areas to drink your beverages or enjoy a snack. This goes for photos as well! You must keep your mask on for photos while out and about in the parks, so make sure you wear a cute one; it’s going to be in all of your photos. And if it’s not, don’t worry they sell them literally all throughout the parks for around ten dollars.

Payment

Electronic payment is all that is accepted at this time. This meaning apple/google pay, and cards no cash is handled at any location.

Sanitizing & hand washing stations

Sanitizer is everywhere. When you enter a ride or eating establishment, right before you ride a ride, as soon as you disembark a ride or attraction, and at the entrance and exit of the gift shops, restrooms, literally everywhere.

Hand washing stations, along with sanitizing stations are placed strategically all over the park as well! The handwashing stations include soap and water for you to use. That way you do not have to enter a restroom or eatery to thoroughly wash your hands.

Rides

Now as I mentioned, January-February normally runs a lower guest count, in my opinion, at the parks so I figured with COVID that would stay true and for the most part, it was. Epcot and Animal Kingdom had virtually no lines. This meaning 15 minutes to 25 at the most per ride, some with no line at all. The only park I felt was busy was Hollywood Studios due to the new Star Wars additions. Keep in mind, all rides have 6 ft line indicators, rows of seats are skipped on rides, Plexiglass is placed on bench rides and some queueing areas, and interactive waiting entertainment is disabled. Areas where doors would normally close you in to watch a short pre-ride video remain open and you are always spaced out. Personally, I didn’t feel this took away from the experience in the slightest in case you were curious if this hindered the entertainment aspect of the ride experiences.

Characters

So this is one of the biggest changes I noticed while at the parks. The princesses rode by on a plexiglass divided carriage so that you could see them wave by, and we saw Winnie the Pooh playing in a fenced-in little “meadow” at Epcot with his butterfly net. These are opportunities to take pictures of the characters but hugging and autographs/up-close encounters are not going on at this time. I’m honestly quite happy they found a way to still incorporate them into the park experience safely.

Limited merchandise handling

This was a big one for me. I love that they integrated signs throughout all of the gift shops asking for you to not handle, or limit your touching of merchandise. This way items can stay clean and to stop the spread of unnecessary germs.

Consensus

Disney has always been a clean park to visit, and with all of these added measures, you can imagine its pristine state. I felt safe the entire time we were at the parks and had such a fun experience, while still practicing social distancing at the happiest place on earth. I hope this answered a few questions, eased some minds, and maybe will sway you to book that trip!