food IS a theme park
Have you ever been surprised by Disney World? We sure have.
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire
This week we learned about the return of a favorite transportation method, we saw a return to pre-pandemic life, and we even witnessed a derailment (yes!). Check it all out here (and more!).
Over the past 2 years, we’ve seen a variety of requirements and regulations throughout Disney World due to the ongoing global pandemic. When the parks first reopened in July of 2020, temperature screenings were in effect, as well as physical distancing and mandatory face masks almost everywhere. That has now changed to masks being optional in most locations for vaccinated guests, with some exceptions (such as on enclosed transportation).
Mask sign
Another health and safety measure we’ve seen around Disney World is plexiglass barriers up in a lot of spots where guests would be close to each other or to a Cast Member. Some of that has been removed, but some has remained up in the parks, so let’s take a look at the current plexiglass situation in Disney World!
A number of changes to the health and safety procedures have been implemented in Disney World this weekend.
Tower of Terror
As of today, temperature checks are no longer required for entry to the parks, and face masks aren’t required in outdoor areas. And we noticed some changes to certain attractions as well!
Disney is constantly making changes to how it socially distances guests throughout the parks.
Pandora
And plexiglass is a whole SAGA. Moral of the story: Disney seems to be moving towards seating every row on rides. The slower rides tend to get a plexiglass shield between those rows — think Frozen Ever After or Living with the Land. The speedier rides don’t. And in Disney’s Animal Kingdom today, we noticed another attraction was getting that plexiglass makeover.
Disney’s constantly adjusting their procedures throughout the parks.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Lately, we’ve noticed Disney has stopped socially distancing rows on many of their rides. And while slower-moving rides like Frozen Ever After or Living with the Land have installed plexiglass shields between rows, that has not been the case with roller coaster-like rides such as Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster. And recently, we noticed another fast-moving ride has gotten the same treatment.
As Disney World continues its phased reopening, modifications have taken place in order to accommodate more guests in certain areas. Without FastPass+ and with the necessity of separating parties by six feet in queue areas, those lines can get mighty long! Since capacity increased last year and more guests are starting to travel again, those lines are only getting longer.
Cinderella Castle
Disney has remedied the ever-growing wait times by shifting from a model of every other row being loaded with guests to a model of EVERY row being loaded with guests.
Disney World reopened to the public following its temporary closures on July 11th, 2020. A lot has changed since then, and that has meant learning how to adjust to many of the new protocol and health guidelines implemented over the past several months.
EPCOT
While we’ve grown accustomed to many of the changes and can go about our day as if these changes are second nature to us, OTHER changes still have us riding the struggle bus. Let’s take a look at the changes that we’re still having a hard time adjusting to, even months after they’ve been implemented in the parks!
Plexiglass is slowly but surely taking over Disney World.
Plexiglass on Flight of Passage
Plexiglass has been added to an increasing number of attractions both in the lines and on the rides. And, as plexiglass is added, wait times tend to decrease! Well, as we escaped to one of our secret less-crowded places at Disney World, we noticed that the ride to get there had a plexiglass makeover.
Disney World has implemented a lot of changes since its reopening last summer.
Magic Kingdom
Mask mandates, social distancing, and plexiglass barriers are just some of the health and safety guidelines in place. Many Disney World experiences have been affected by these changes. These changes, like adding plexiglass to certain rides, are designed to make guests safer due to the global pandemic, but they can definitely alter the guest experience on some attractions.
As you’ve probably noticed, health and safety measures have been pretty consistently changing since the reopening of Disney World.
Hollywood Studios
Don’t believe us? Just look at ALL the changes to the Disney World face mask policy! We do our best to keep you updated on every single change that we see and how they’ll affect your vacation. Now, we’re wondering about a change we’ve noticed on a few attractions and whether or not it’s had that big of an impact on wait times!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
