We recently took a trip to Orlando and decided to visit Disney Springs while we were there! Many of y’all reached out with questions about Disney during the pandemic and how to navigate it. We weren’t prepared to enter the parks (honestly didn’t know what to expect with a toddler and an infant in tow!!!) but after chatting with my friend, Mary Helen, I’m feeling prepared and SO excited for our next trip!!!! I asked Mary Helen to join us on the blog today to share her best tips for traveling to the parks during the pandemic. She’s a Disney travel agent working with Mouse Counselors (#dreamjob) and I’m very thankful she is graciously sharing her insight with all of us!
Mary Helen’s Seven Tips for Traveling to Walt Disney World During the Pandemic
You may think that traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t for you, but it could be one of the very best times to visit Walt Disney World. Disney has been operating at 25 percent capacity since reopening and recently announced that they will be increasing capacity to 35 percent. The smaller crowds, cooler weather, and enhanced safety precautions might just mean it’s the perfect time to plan your Disney vacation! You’ve heard the basics – pack lots of masks, bring hand sanitizer, keep your distance, but here are seven more BIG tips for traveling to Walt Disney World during COVID-19:
- Maximize your time. Because park hours are limited, an early arrival is more important now than ever. Many days, Cast Members will open the park before the scheduled opening. Getting those kids up and out the door early will put you first in line for popular attractions such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in Hollywood Studios. Take breakfast to-go and schedule sit-down meals after early park closings so that you can visit your favorite attractions during the day.
- Let your kids set the pace. With the cost of a Walt Disney World vacation, it can be tempting to rush to ride every ride, see every character, and eat all the food. A trip like that can be exhausting, and all of the planning is meaningless if your kids aren’t having fun. So if you get to Magic Kingdom and they want to ride Dumbo and It’s a Small World back-to-back-to-back, let them. Those are the moments you will remember.
- Utilize relaxation stations. Masks can get hot in Florida, even in the winter. Disney planned ahead and set up socially-distanced (and sometimes air-conditioned!) relaxation stations in each park. They are great places to remove your mask and take quick a break. Familiarize yourself with their locations before you get to the parks so you can take advantage when you need them most.
- Utilize baby care centers. In addition to the socially-distanced rest areas, Disney has permanent Baby Care Centers located in each park. These air-conditioned buildings house private rooms for breast-feeding, changing rooms, kitchens with microwaves and sinks, main rooms with televisions, and baby-care products available for purchase. They are the perfect place for a quick diaper change, nursing, heating up a bottle, or just a baby-break from all the hustle and bustle of the parks.
- Have a plan for meals. Many Walt Disney World restaurants are currently closed due to the pandemic, and several of the ones that are open are offering limited menus. While it may seem attractive to just “go with the flow,” having a plan for meals will ensure that food is available when you get hungry and that you can maximize your park time.
- Embrace the magic! One thing is for sure, without scheduled parades, character greetings, and nighttime shows, Walt Disney World is different than it was before the pandemic. But going in with an open mind and embracing the magic that Disney is bringing to a difficult situation could make this your best vacation yet. When else will you see Winnie the Pooh chasing butterflies around Epcot or Chip and Dale taking a boat ride through Animal Kingdom? The look of wonder on your children’s faces as they see Mickey and Minnie pass by in a spontaneous mini-parade through Magic Kingdom is sure to bring joy during this crazy time.
- Utilize a travel agent. Keeping up with the daily changes Disney is making at their theme parks and resorts is a full-time job. The Know Before You Go section of the Walt Disney World website is seemingly endless. And you could spend weeks researching which parks to visit on which days and which attractions will have the longest wait times, even with reduced park capacity. A travel agent specializing in Disney destinations can help navigate all the little details, plan a daily itinerary customized for your family, and answer any questions you have along the way. And the best part – this service is free to you. You will pay the exact same rate you see on the Walt Disney World website with the added benefit of a Disney expert on your planning team!
Mary Helen Law is an independent travel agent with Mouse Counselors, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She specializes in all Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney. Planning services are complimentary when you book travel through Mouse Counselors.
Email: maryhelen@mousecounselors.com
