Know Before You Go – Your Next Trip To Disney

Many people are heading to Disney for spring break, so I researched things you should know before your next trip to Disney.  It will be much different from past trips.  It was this time last year that we were planning to take our family vacation to Walt Disney World for spring break.  We weren’t able to go because of the pandemic, so now we are getting excited as we prepare for a new adventure this year.

A year later, I am grateful that we are able to traveling by plane again to visit our favorite place.  I have been working so hard with very little time off and really need an escape.  We have traveled by car for vacation last summer; but we are in need of our Disney fix.

Pack Your Masks

This is the biggest change that is strictly enforced on all Disney properties.  You must wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth, and you cannot wear bandanas, gators, or masks with a vent.

There are a lot of cute options around that you can choose from to coordinate with your attire.  I found some great KN95 masks to use on the plane from Amazon.  I also found a lot of cute Disney masks from various Etsy shops that support furloughed Disney cast members.

Pack several masks to use throughout your day in a zip lock bag to keep them clean and also bring a bag to put the used masks into.  It’s also a good idea to bring some disposable masks to keep on hand.  When you return to your hotel, you can wash them and hang them to dry for the next day.

Expect Different Experiences

If you have been to Walt Disney World prior to the pandemic, things are much different now than they were then.  While some things may not be available like they were in prior years, there are some nice additions and modifications to what you may have been used to.

Riding Attractions

Prior to going to Disney, many people would make their dining reservations and fast pass selections.  They are fun things to do as part of your pre-trip preparation.  With the parks operating at a 30% capacity right now, they are not offering the ability to book a fast pass.  The current wait times for several major attractions are an hour at the longest for the most popular big attractions.

Events That Are Taking Place

During these current months until July, Epcot is hosting the Taste of Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival like they have in previous years.  This year it is running the longest it ever has, now ending on July 5.  This event will still offer the different outdoor kitchens with wonderful food from various locations around the world.

Some live entertainment shows are taking place throughout the world showcase during the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.  From concerts in the America Garden Theatre, to the Jammin’ Gardeners at the Canada Mill Stage.  This festival is one of my favorites that takes place in Epcot.

Events That Are Not Taking Place

Fireworks and parades are still on hold at this time.  I don’t know yet when they will return.  I was hoping they would be back for the summer; but it could be wishful thinking.  But in lieu of the traditional 3:00 and night time parades, there are cavalcades that pop up throughout the parks with characters and singing that you can still enjoy.

Live entertainment like the many live dancing and singing shows in Animal Kingdom are currently on hold.  But I do have some good news!  The Festival of the Lion King will be coming back to the Animal Kingdom during this summer.

runDisney is also not holding their races at this time.  The Star Wars Dark Side race weekend usually took place in April; but this year it is now converted to a virtual race.  The next race in line is the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend; but we have not heard anything about registration or if the event will even take place this year.

That leaves us with marathon weekend registration.  This too, is usually the time of year that the registration opens up for the popular race weekend.  As of today, there is no mention of the 2022 race weekend at all.

Anything that involves getting a large crowd together in one tight space is understandably not a wise idea at the present time.  But there is an end in sight, and I’m anxious for new changes and openings to happen throughout the year.

Modifications at the Parks

The first, most important thing to note is the change to how and when you can visit one of the four theme parks.  You must have a room reservation, an annual pass, or purchased tickets in order to make a reservation for the theme park you wish to visit.  This means you have to plan your trip before taking the trip.   You can’t come and go to any park you want anymore.

Park Hopping is still allowed; but you can’t leave your park and enter another park until 2:00 p.m.  You have to check which park will allow entry to park hop to by checking the Park Hours calendar and the My Disney Experience app.  It’s important to realize that the entry to the second park depends on the park’s capacity limitations.  You will be notified in real time via a push notification from the My Disney Experience app.

Hotel Accommodations

Not all of the hotels are open yet.  The remaining hotels that are not open yet are listed below with their projected opening dates. In addition to this list below, the Boardwalk is also closed at this time without a reopening date.

When you arrive to your hotel, you will have a more touch less experience.  Your magic band or the My Disney Experience app can be used to unlock your room.  You can use online check-in and direct-to-room service for information about your room.  When you receive a notification that your room is ready, you can go directly to the room and you don’t have to stop at the front desk of your resort.

You have to wear your mask at all times when you are not in your room.  This also means walking to the pool and at the pool deck.  Once you are seated in your chair or swimming, then you can remove your mask.

Dining

You can still dine at many of your favorite restaurants, but there are no longer buffets and self-service stations.  The dining plan is no longer being offered by Disney.  Buffets are now family style options; and self-service items such as beverages and other options are now served by cast members instead.

At quick-service restaurants, menus are displayed on signage, and you can also pre-order using mobile ordering. At table-service restaurants, you can scan a code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.

The My Disney Experience mobile app now offers a mobile check-in option for select table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Guests receive a push notification on their mobile device when their table is ready; they can also begin the check-in process by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

There is no longer a dining plan available as there was in the past.  You can continue to make reservations to your favorite locations ahead of time.  Tables in Wonderland is also not being sold at this time; but they are honoring the discounts with the program for members who had one prior to the closure.

Masks are required in the dining location, even as you wait for your food to arrive.  Once you begin eating, then you can remove your mask.

Are You Planning A Trip To Disney this Year?

There appears to be a light at the end of this year long tunnel and more opportunities are opening back up again to allow us to experience the magic of Disney.  It’s what you make of it, so remember to have a open mind and patience for the modifications that have been made to keep us safe.

Click here for more detailed information from Walt Disney World regarding their Covid precautions.  Please feel free to reach out to me for any questions you may have before I go!  Don’t forget to follow my adventures on my Facebook and Instagram stories!