My Solo Disney Trip Thoughts!

 It has been longer than I wanted between posts, but things got super busy right before my trip, and then I was in Florida, and it was right back to being busy again after I got home. 

It has been a week since I was at Disney World. I had an amazing time, and felt quite safe the entire time. It was nice to be back in the Magic again, and it was nice to get some time alone. 

During my stay, I put together some of my thoughts, and I'm here to share them with you today. 

Magical Express - I took Magical Express from MCO to my resort. While waiting to board a bus queues are spaced apart from each other to maintain distancing and guests in each queue are physically distanced with the help of ground markers.

Check In - Online check in is strongly encouraged, and as long as there are no issues you can go straight to your room once you arrive at your resort. My room was not ready when I arrived, but I was able to go to the front desk and get my room assignment.

Enhanced Guest Room Cleaning - Disney is always cleaning, but now they’re taking it a step farther. Guest rooms are being cleaned even more, so much so that the TV remote is cleaned and sealed in a plastic bag when you arrive.

Transportation - I have taken buses and the Skyliner so far. Bus queues have physical distance markers, and once it’s your turn to board the bus the driver will assign you a section to sit in to ensure that physical distancing id maintained. On the Skyliner, it is only one party per gondola and the queue has physical distancing markers as well.

Temperature checks - Before being allowed to enter the parks and Disney Springs each guest must have their temperature checked. All you have to do is walked up, they scan your forehead, and then as long as your temperature is not 100.4 or above you’re good to go.

Security - Disney has a new security check in place that is replacing bag checks. Guests must remove items that could set the scanner of (battery packs, umbrellas, keys, cameras, cans of sunscreen, etc.) from their bags and hold them out in front of them as they walk through the scanner.

Park Entry - Just as before, scan your Magicband at the scanner. The only change is that you no longer scan your finger.

Masks - Masks must be worn by guests ages 2 and up. They must cover your nose, mouth and chin, and be work at all times. The exceptions are when you are eating or drinking and are STATIONARY! You may also remove your mask in relaxation stations and when swimming. Signage about proper mask wearing are all throughout the parks, and when characters are around, or when you’re at a photo spot (like the Castle) cast members have signs that remind you to keep your mask on while taking photos. There is also signage, and announcements, that inform guests that if they do not comply with the mask requirements they will be asked to leave.

Physical Distancing - Here at Disney it’s physical distancing. Signs are placed around the parks to remind guests to keep a minimum of 6ft between themselves and other parties. Throughout attraction and transportation queues physical distancing markers can be found on the ground to help guests maintain the proper distance.

Hand Washing - Hand sanitizer dispensers are located near dining locations, as well as during attraction queues, and at attraction exits. You can also find hand washing stations throughout the parks that have foot activated sinks.

Dining - Many, but not all, quick service, and some table service, locations have mobile ordering available. There are some locations that are only allowing mobile ordering. Order your food on the My Disney Experience App, wait for the notification that says that your food is ready, and then pick up your food at the designated pick up window.

Food and Wine Festival - The Food and Wine Festival is happen right now at Epcot! There are LOTS of options! Some booths (The Donut Box, The Alps, Spain, and Islands of the Caribbean) may only be open on weekends, but there is still so much food to try!

Crowds - While crowds are apparently only at 25% of what capacity is, it is still crowded. There are some occasions where it is difficult to stay 6ft apart from other guests. There are a lot of families, a lot of kids, and even little babies.

Wait times - Some waits are shorter than they normally would be, some are not. Lines for attractions are extending beyond the normal queue confines to ensure physical distancing can be maintained. This means that some queues may go through other attraction’s spaces (the Haunted Mansion queue goes through the lower area of the Liberty Square Riverboat right now and the Buzz Ligtyear Space Ranger Spin line can go through the Laugh Floor Queue Space), which means that Laugh Floor and the Riverboat are not open.

Characters - Since regular character meet and greets aren’t possible, character cavalcades are the next best thing! I love seeing characters, but waiting in like to meet them or waiting for an hour before a parade just to have a spot is no fun. The cavalcades are random throughout the day at each of the four parks and allow you to see characters, but not have to wait a long time to do so! Also, at various times throughout the day characters like Jack Sparrow (near Pirates of the Caribbean), Chip and Dale (Frointerland), and Buzz Lightyear (Tomorrowland) can be seen at Magic Kingdom. Winnie the Pooh and Joy (near Journey into Imagination) and Alice (UK) can be seen at Epcot.

Other guests - Other guests are the wildcard. Disney has done everything they can to aid guests in following the rules. Cast members cannot be everywhere, though. If a CM sees someone that is too close to other guests while in line, or not wearing a mask properly (or at all) they will make sure that the issue is fixed. There are guests that do not pay attention to the physical distance markers and get too close or think that they do not need to wear their mask, or wear it properly.

Overall, Disney is doing everything in their power that guests have a magical, but also safe, experience. As long as you pay attention, wash your hands, and wear your mask you’ll have a magical time.