COVID and Disney World - May 2021
So in this COVID world, things are constantly changing. I really feel like that is totally the case these last few months. On our recent trip in May 2021, we expected it to be much different. We expected temperature checks, masks indoors and outdoors, relaxation zones, and plenty of social distancing. But literally days before our trip, that all went out the window. There were still rules, but not quite like we expected. Below you can check out what our trip was like with a lot of COVID rules in place. **Note that a lot of the rules have even changed when this article was published. It is a constantly changing thing. This is just how it was May 2021.
Face Masks
So we were fully expected to wear masks all the time except for the limited exceptions to the rule. But a few days before, the rules changed. We no longer had to wear masks outdoors (expect when in a line or on a ride). After experiencing Disney even with our masks on for just the ride, I could not imagine wearing them all the time. I had a variety of masks including paper ones. We also had plenty of matching ones for pictures on rides. Because the rule was so new, it was still uncertain how it was entirely going to be enforced. For instance, if the queue goes outside of the building, do you put it on then, or when you enter the building? Our question was answered as there are Castmembers standing at the points where you need to put your mask on. Basically when you enter the “official” start of the line, it goes on. So if the line (due to social distancing) is outside too, you can leave it off. By the end of our trip, the Castmembers started holding signs so they did not have to constantly tell people to put it on.
Even on rides, you are still required to wear them. Rumor is you will not get your ride photo if you remove your mask, but I know of people who still got theirs with their masks removed, so I don’t know really. On longer rides, we would hear reminders over the loudspeaker sometimes (i.e Living with the Land, Safari, etc.). I would say most people complied from what we could see though.
Bus Transportation
Bus Transportation was not great. From our experience with buses, they are still zoning you into sections to keep social distancing measurements. We rode the bus for the first time at Beach Club after our morning at Epcot. Our experience was great. The wait was super short, and we were literally the only ones on the bus. Talking with the bus driver, he said it is best to try and get buses well past the morning and before the evening rush. We had plenty of room to spread out and there was not anyone assigning us to a “zone”.
However, our luck wasn’t with us on our second morning. Magic Kingdom opened at 9, but we knew it would likely actually open around 8. I heard people would line up as early as 6:15, but we had to have breakfast. When we got in line at 7:30, and the line was INSANE. This is one of the many places I just can’t understand Disney’s logic. They have you line up in these extremely long lines (maskless if you desire); most people are not social distancing; and then when you get to the bus, they space you out. It just doesn’t make any sense. But I also know that has all changed, so maybe the waits are much better. We waited 40 minutes to finally get a bus. There was a guy telling you where to sit on the bus to allow for social distancing. We were polite and let Melody sit in our lap to allow for extra people to get on the bus.
We rode the bus a few other times without issue, but I was not impressed this trip for sure. I just have never seen lines like that before.
Skyliner Transportation
The Skyliner was completely new to us. While we have been to Disney since it opened, I refused to ride it. But when booking our trip, Pop was the only reasonable option. So I knew we would have to ride it. Our very first morning we had to try it out with our trip to Epcot. Epcot opened at 11, but we heard it would open at 10. We got in line around 9:20, and we had to wait about 40 minutes. The wait was primarily due to it not being opened for Epcot guests yet. Guests were somewhat socially distant, but not 6 feet. The other big thing they did was only put one family per car. So while this was nice due to COVID, it did cause for longer lines.
The same would happen at night when leaving Epcot. We would wait around 30 minutes each night for the Skyliner. All the same reasons as above, of course. The lines were fine during non-peak times. I also can’t imagine sharing a car with strangers with that amount of space though. So maybe that won’t return, ha.
Plexiglass Dividers on Rides
SO let me classify this as the DUMBEST addition ever to a ride. These were not on as many rides as I expected since they had already started removing them from rides the weeks prior. With the use of masks, I just can’t fathom the protection these really provide. They are just an awful eye sore, and I am happy to see them gone!
Plexiglass Dividers in Queues
Another dumb precaution, plexiglass dividers in the queue. Like this was really not logical at all. Every ride we encountered that had plexiglass within the queues did NOT have them on the rides. And the rides were at full capacity…what sense does this make? I can only catch in while in line, but not while beside you on a ride?
Separation on Rides by Families
On some rides, they opted to leave some room in between families on rides. For instance, there was an empty row between my mom and I and another family while riding Splash Mountain. This happened on a few rides. While I still don’t think this is effective when you are already disregarding social distancing, this is a much better way to ride a ride vs the plexiglass.
Other Ride Changes
So some rides assigned you a number and spaced you out in that fashion. On the carousel, your family was a assigned a number, and you went to that row and picked a horse on that row. There were several other rides where you were assigned a number, then that number was your ride vehicle (think Dumbo). Then you have some rides that were entirely normal.
Food Court Changes
The food court was MUCH different than the food courts we have experienced before at our resorts. Previous to COVID, you would find them fairly chaotic at busy times. Finding a seat would be frustrating, and waiting in line was even more painful after the end of a long day. But now that is far from the case. You now need to place a mobile order, and when it is ready, you can enter the food court. This keeps the crowds light and tables easy to find. I was concerned about having refillable mugs, but all you need to do is show them your mug, and you walk right in. We did this a few times to go ahead and get a seat and get Melody settled before our order was ready.
The Crowds
The crowds were a mixed bag. I feel like the crowds were about like they were before when we have traveled in May. At moments, the crowds seemed non-existent, but then during busier times, you could definitely feel it. Even with limited capacity, there is a limited amount of spaces people can go since not everything has fully opened, and with lines extending beyond the normal ride entrances, the crowds look even worse.
Characters
So there are still many ways to see all of the characters you love. We saw many cavalcades throughout our days. We also did two character meals which had the perfect setup for our child who is still terrified of characters. And we also saw them roaming from afar.
Eating in Parks
Eating was much easier than I thought. I was nervous about the forced mobile ordering, but we had no real issues. We did have some moment when things closed earlier than we expected when it came to food, but that was about it. We found some places would let you go ahead and get seated while waiting on your order to be ready (which was nice). While there were still some places you had to wait outside until your order was ready.
Social Distancing
Social distancing was still a joke even though the markers were there. We tried our best to follow them (I am a rule follower after all), but not everyone followed them. It was also crazy when you would have all of these markers, then you would end up somewhat crammed in a room (or even dumped out in groups at the exit). I mean I am sure they provided a lot of comfort early on.
And Real Social Distancing
We found most walk up places (such as Starbucks) the rules of social distancing were always followed.
So I write all of that just to simply share our experience. I am not saying things should be one way or another way, but a lot of what is being done I felt was contradictory of each other. I am fully vaccinated and felt entirely safe. Had we not been vaccinated and all of the rules changed the days before like they did, we likely would have requested to postpone the trip due to safety.
