I had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World for the Annual Passholder preview and observe the new features at Disney World to keep you safe during this time.
1. Temperature Checks – The first thing to be prepared for when entering Walt Disney World is the temperature checks. You will be scanned with a touchless forehead thermometer to make sure your temperature is below 100.4.
2. New Security Procedures – At the TTC (for transportation to the Magic Kingdom) they had a new security booth for you to enter through. Cast Members had you place your electronics in bins and then walk through the metal detector with your bag. If your bag set off the detector (which mine did), they scanned you with the metal detector wand and then had you open your bag and show them different things that might have set off the detector.
3. Tons of hand sanitizer – Even if you don’t bring your own, there are hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They were almost as plentiful as the trash cans.
4. Transportation Options – To get to the Magic Kingdom, you chose between Ferry, Monorail or Bus. I went with the Bus because I find that to be the fastest option when it is available. They had you wait with your party on numbered stickers that indicated your spot on the bus. When the bus arrived, you sat with your party in your numbered section. There were partitions between each numbered section.
5. Turnstiles – When you arrived at the turnstile, they scanned your Magic Band (or ticket) with an ipad and then allowed you through without fingerprint scans.
6. Shopping – Each store within the Magic Kingdom had its own dedicated entrance and exit. You lined up at the entrance where you were offered hand sanitizer before entering (they track the number that enter so that it doesn’t exceed occupancy). Within the store, social distance was encouraged and you were asked to limit the handling of merchandise. At checkout, social distance markers kept you spaced 6+ feet apart. The Cast Member was also located behind plexiglass to add an extra layer of protection for everyone.
7. Attractions – The queues were all set up for social distancing with markers every 6 feet. They also utilized partitions to keep you separated when it wasn’t possible to be more than 6 feet apart (around turns, etc). You were offered hand sanitizer when you entered as well as when you arrived at the attraction. The ride vehicles were seated with Guests at least 6 feet apart. On the boat rides, they used the 1st and 5th rows. I realize it is going to be a while before we hear “fill in all the available space” again.
8. Quick-Service Dining – Mobile ordering was encouraged where offered. At restaurants like Pecos Bill and Pinocchio Village Haus, they had you wait outside until the app said your food was ready. Then you went in and picked up your food and were seated. You are allowed to remove your mask when you are at your dining table. I did notice that tables within 6 feet of one another were marked as unavailable.
9. Table-Service Dining – Check-in on the App is encouraged where available. Waiting outside the restaurant was divided by social distance markers. Hand sanitizer was readily available. Once seated, you were allowed to remove your mask. Tables are either 6 feet apart or every other table is marked as unavailable.
10. Characters – Since traditional meet and greets aren’t available, characters appear sporadically throughout the day in small parades or on stages or porches that are separated by more than 6 feet from the Guests.
So lots of new changes to Disney World but they are all made with Guests and Cast Members in mind.