Setting the Stage
I was so blessed to be able to be at Walt Disney World for it’s historic closure date March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was an emotional last day as Cast Members and Guests alike navigated an ever changing world. If you’d like to hear more about my personal experiences being at WDW during the closure, please look for my blog post March 2020! That being said upon their re-opening July 11, 2020 and after sending lots of guests to WDW in it’s initial re-opening, I couldn’t wait any longer. I HAD to go check out what the Most Magical Place On Earth looked like during this complex time. I am SO GLAD that I did!
Making a Plan
After two weeks of hearing about everyone’s back to Disney trips, I made a decision…and a phone call. I reached out to a travel friend. Here’s how that conversation went.
Me, “Hey! Do you want to go to Disney?”
Travel friend, “Sure. When?”
Me, “Next week.”
Silence.
Travel friend, “Are you serious?”
Me rolling my eyes already booking flights.
So for those of you who are Disney lovers, you know planning is a PROCESS, often times planned a year in advance. Well, this was done in under a week and was probably one of my favorite trips EVER! Like I do for all my guests, I hounded the app to see wait time trends, kept moving my dining as reservations came available, called the resort to make specific room requests, etc.
Welcome Home!
From the welcoming wave from the Cast Members as we walked down Main Street USA, to the newly painted Cinderella’s Castle, to the minimal crowds due to the capacity restraints, my return to Magic Kingdom was nothing short of MAGICAL!
One of my FAVORITE changes that I was a bit uncertain about was the elimination of the parade at Magic Kingdom. I don’t know a Disney fan that doesn’t look forward to hearing the music and seeing their favorite characters parade through the park and down Main Street USA. With social distancing I can’t imagine what a logistics nightmare that would have been for Disney, so being Disney they came up with an inventive way to showcase the characters, the cavalcades! These cavalcades are sweet mini parades that literally pop up out of nowhere. Once you hear music playing, you learn to RUN like the ice cream truck is on your street, sprinting for a glimpse of the cavalcade and whatever special characters are present. It is truly MAGICAL!
Take a look at “A Kingdom Of Dreams” Cavalcade featuring all of your princess favorites as well as the fairy Godmother!
Was Mickey there? Of course! It wouldn’t be Disney if the Mouse himself wasn’t there to welcome us! It’s a Good Time Cavalcade
I also was REALLY not looking forward to seeing Cinderella’s iconic castle altered, but WOW, it really blew me away how much I loved it’s vivid new look!
Safety Features Explained
For those of you who don’t know, I am one of the co-hosts of a podcast Mouse House Weekly. I love talking all things Disney and Disney Travel Planning with my co-hosts! So when they found out I was headed back to Disney, they switched gears from our intended topic and decided to ask me questions in a trip report format so everyone could learn about the modifications guests would see traveling to Disney World during what we affectionately refer to as “The Corona Rules”. If you are interested in the changes and safety procedures, I encourage you to take a listen!
Click to Listen: Episode 30
Attractions
With park capacity as limited as it was we were able to accomplish every attraction that we wanted to and then some! I will say that having a plan is still necessary to accomplish as much as we did, however wait times are fantastic and it felt like I was in a Fast Pass line for each attraction. I will say that even though you may see other blogs showcase photos of guests socially distanced OUTSIDE the ride queues, these lines moved rapidly and definitely came in under the posted wait times. My guess? Disney hasn’t quite figured out how to estimate social distance queues. Bottom line? If you don’t mind wearing a mask and this isn’t your first time at Disney, you will find this “new normal” spoils you. Truly I may be ruined for life.
Dining
Honestly wasting time at a Table Service meal is probably the worst thing you can do when trying to maximize these limited park hours, however we couldn’t resist the pull of Be Our Guest. For the foreseeable future, Be Our Guest (which is generally a Quick Service option for breakfast and lunch) is now a Table Service for Lunch and Dinner with a set prefix menu and price point. That’s kind of important to know if you are used to an ala carte lunch menu. The beauty (no pun intended) of the prefix lunch? Beast makes an appearance and women and children everywhere swoon!
Celebration Time
So the actual “reason” for my trip is vast. I REALLY truly just missed Disney, I wanted to see what everything looked like upon it’s re-opening so I could share details with my guests, I wanted to EXPERIENCE the low crowd capacity, and it just so happened to be my 22nd anniversary! ❤
Check out these adorable milkshakes The Plaza made for us!
Topolino’s Terrace
The absolute highlight of our trip was the adorable and delicious character breakfast we enjoyed at Topolino’s Terrace located within the Riviera Resort. From the amazing staff to the incredible view to the adorable costuming on everyone’s favorite characters, this is by far my favorite character option! (I know that there are only two right now, but I mean period!)
Epcot
So to make up for the closure during the infamous Flower & Garden Festival, Epcot not only left up some of the topiaries but left the merchandise out for all those who like to collect it as well! Likewise Disney spoiled us all by starting Epcot’s Food & Wine festival EARLY, albeit a modified version, thus the name “Epcot’s A Taste Of Food & Wine”. For all the haters, yes Epcot is transitioning AND with the modified festivals it’s not what we are used to seeing, but while slightly underwhelming, it’s fine and hey, Disney is OPEN people!
The highlight of our day? Our anniversary dinner to an old favorite…
Hollywood Studios
This park has long been one of my favorites and I can’t explain WHY?! When asked I try to explain my favorite shows and attractions only to talk myself in a circle because most of them are fairly new. (within the last few years) So what’s the attraction? Well besides the GREAT shows which are temporarily suspended, this park has two of the coolest lands: Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge! Yeah. See. To top it off, Hollywood Studios also is the home to Mickey’s first attraction. That’s right! Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is Mickey’s first ever attraction and boy I’m glad they waited. The technology used and the theming is so incredibly sweet that every time I ride it (and I ride it at least 3 times per visit) I leave with a smile on my face and one though in my head…Walt would have LOVED this ride! <3. I love it so much that Dr. D and I had to theme it up for a cute anniversary photo!
Star Wars
This was Dr. D’s first time in Galaxy’s Edge and it was a thrill of my lifetime to get to see him experience it for the first time. From flying the Falcon (we were the only two in the ride) to his shock and awe over Rise Of The Resistance, I won’t soon forget his excitement! This land is truly a wonder for any Star Wars fan!
Cheers to 22 ‘ears continues on Batuu!
Animal Kingdom
One more park, one last chance to share how much I LOVE Disney! This was Dr. D’s first time in Pandora and to say he was a fan was putting it mildly. Usually a 2-4 hour wait, Flight of Passage is a phenomena worth the wait, but not right now…FoP is showcasing 10-15 minute wait times all. day. long! You can fly a banshee as many times as your heart desires or until the motion sickness finally sets in! This was actually my first time through the general queue (I have always had a Fast Pass+) and I was so impressed with the storytelling involved!
Since Animal Kingdom doesn’t have an abundance of attractions, I had anticipated this park to have the longest wait times at attractions, but contrary to my initial belief this park was the least crowded of all. You truly feel like you have the run of the park!
So for my big reveal….believe it or not I have no pictures of it either…I, the girl who is deathly afraid of roller coasters, rode Expedition Everest. It all happened so quickly. We were told that I could wait in line with Dr. D and leave like a rider switch child as he got on the ride or I could stay and ride. The cast member also indicated I’d have at least 8 minutes to decide as they were cleaning the ride vehicles and likely we’d have a pause in our wait time. Nope. I walked right up to the ride. To give credit to Disney’s AWESOME cast members, I told the boy prior to seating us in the vehicles that it was my first time and that I’m not a fan of roller coasters and to his credit (as during COVID they aren’t supposed to do this) he held me aside and put us in a middle car so I would feel as much. BLESS HIM because holy intense Yeti. (insert big eyes) It goes backwards, in the dark, very fast, and I loved it! (pats self on back)
Like I’d leave you without a food photo??? Not likely! Satu’i Canteen for this gal, as per usual. It’s the best quick service restaurant (value for your money) on property if you ask me!
I sure hope you loved my COVID trip report! Remember I’m not just a blogger, I’m a vacation planner, so my tips & tricks are saved for my guests! Want to be one? If you’re ready to travel, contact me and let’s get you on your way with a complementary consultation! After that there are NO fees for my planning services if booked with me AND there are no up-charges to your vacation. I’m paid via commission by Disney!
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