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Military Disney Tips Blog

By Military for Military

Ears of Experience Military Disney Vacation Experts
Home » Blog Posts » Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

By Steve 7 Comments

Well, we’ve made our second trip back to Walt Disney World since they re-opened late this summer after being closed in reaction to the 2020 virus.

You can read about our first trip back which took place shortly after WDW re-opened near the end of the summer. There we detail all of the measures that are in place during this abnormal time.

In this post we will be noting the differences from our last trip and making new observations.

This second trip back took place in mid-November 2020.

UPDATE 6 Feb – 2021 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets

UPDATE 3 Dec – Disney has announced 2021 Disney Armed Forces Salute Info

Hollywood Studios and Epcot at the Caribbean Station

I’m Smiling Inside…

Since the first trip some things have changed at WDW, but sadly most have not.

While Florida has been at Stage 3 for quite a while, with no State mask mandates, Disney has stuck firmly to requiring masks and enforcing social distancing rules.

Hollywood Studios and Epcot at the Caribbean Station

See our Planning and Executing Your Walt Disney World Vacation During These Trying Times post for all of the specific details you need to know.

This post will be an overview and our general thoughts and observations.`

General Info

Since our last trip attendance levels have increased as more people have become comfortable with traveling again.

When Disney World originally re-opened they set their temporary new maximum theme park attendance at 25% of normal maximum capacity, they have recently increased this to 35%.

During our first visit we experienced attendance levels that were probably at 5 to 15 percent of max capacity. This trip, levels were much higher, with Hollywood Studios (still the busiest park) maxing out for park reservations (no more available) on 4 of the days we were there.

Please keep in mind that in normal times, Disney World’s theme parks are almost never at 100% capacity and are closer to 40% to 60% much of the time.

The levels we experienced now look more like average normal attendance, but with all the stringent social distancing measures in place the atmosphere was definitely not magical!

Attraction queues stretch way out into the parks due to less of the queue switchbacks being used inside the attractions and the 6 feet required between parties in line.

Wait times have increased on all rides from the very short waits this summer to 60 to 120 minutes or even more for all of the big E Ticket rides like Flight of Passage, Slinky Dog, and Run Away Railway.

We found some wait times to be exaggerated and some not, with no way to tell which was which. For example: a Big Thunder 45 min posted wait time only took only 15 minutes from getting in line to exiting after riding, while a 45 min posted wait at Jungle Cruise took right around 40 minutes to board our boat.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

A Disney supervisor confided in us that while they have increased the maximum attendance allowed in the parks, they have not increased manning to cope with it.

Virus Reaction and Measures

Temperature!!! Our last trip was in August/September and temperatures were in the very high 90s with real feels around 103! This trip it was much easier (though not enjoyable) to wear masks with temps in the high 70s and low 80s.

Almost all mask and social distancing measures we noted during our first trip are still in effect, with the new addition of signs in the theme parks and additional PA messages that guests not wearing approved masks properly will be asked to leave. We did not observe anyone being asked to leave in our 7 days there.

Almost all cast members are now wearing plastic face shields (like you wore in shop in high school) over their full face and mask. Only a few did this our first trip. It is often very difficult to hear what they are saying causing you to have to sometimes get just inches from each other in order to hear them. So much for social distancing… Put a Plexiglas shield in between and communication is often impossible. At the Beaches and Cream take out window both I and the cast member had to bend down and put our faces by the small pass through at the bottom of the plexiglas to talk to one another.

One step in the right direction is the removal of signs outside Resort Hotel elevators stating only 1 party or no more than 4 people who share a room can ride together. And elevators are now again are stoping on intermediate floors to pick up others, which they did not do last trip.

We were able to experience some pool time during this trip as Stormalong Bay is now open. Once you enter the pool area and are inside the fence, masks are not required.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

Transportation

Air travel has picked up to about 50% full flights from almost no one on board, though the Orlando Airport still looked empty.

Our bags were again off of the conveyer and waiting for us when we arrived at baggage claim. Checking your bag at your departure airport and having them arrive in your Disney room is still not an option.

Disney’s Magical Express service was still excellent with reduced numbers of separated guests on board. Wait and corresponding travel times were not noted to be any longer than normal, in fact both trips waits were shorter than normal.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Orlando International Airport, evening 19 Nov 2020

On property bus service is still less than ideal with not enough buses for the right parks during each theme park opening rush.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

The Skyliner Station at Caribbean Beach is still a nightmare!

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

The line to board the Skyliner for Hollywood Studios and Epcot at the Caribbean Beach Station. The line starts at the bottom of the hill by the bus.

Those arriving at the Caribbean Beach Station via Skyliner from other resorts during theme park opening hours are required to go to the back of the line of those waiting to board at the Caribbean Beach Station after having already waited in line at their departure station.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

The Hollywood Studios and Epcot line at the Caribbean Beach Station continues to the bottom of this opposite hill and back and then into the station a ways.

There were 4 or 5 buses standing by at the Caribbean Beach Station if you wanted to take one to Epcot or Hollywood Studios instead of waiting in line for the Skyliner. If I’d wanted to take a bus I’d have done so at my resort, not walked to the Skyliner, waited in line then ridden the Skyliner only to then board a bus at the Caribbean Beach.

Disney needs to solve this problem!

How about FastPass for those who already waited in line at their origination station!!! Merge these guests into the brief line in the station. Don’t send them to the end of the Caribbean Beach line!

See our Skyliner Page for more info.

We did not use the monorail or any watercraft this trip.

The walkway from the Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom has finally opened!

Disney World Resorts

There are some changes at the resorts from our first trip besides the elevators we mentioned earlier.

Some dining locations remain closed, which somewhat to severely impacts your options depending on your location. Specifically at the Epcot Resort area there are only 3 restaurants open for all 3 resorts (though there are also a couple grab and go locations).

Thankfully, Room Service has resumed. When your food arrives it will be placed (along with the bill) on one end of a rolling cart that will be pushed towards you in your doorway. The server will be on the far end of the cart.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Maid service remains at every other day unless you decline and the service is only towel and expendables replacement and a vacuuming if needed. No bed service. And you can not receive maid service if you are in the room, though they will hand you the items you need at your door.

Disney World Security

The very positive changes noted with no bag checks and the fast walk through metal detectors we reported on after the last trip remain awesome!

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Disney World Theme Parks

As noted before, crowds have increased especially Friday afternoon/evening and the weekend with locals augmenting the on site guests.

We recommend avoiding Hollywood Studios and Epcot on the weekends, and even taking Saturday as a pool/down day as we did this trip. We hit Animal Kingdom on Sunday and it was fine.

Hollywood Studios and Epcot at the Caribbean Station

Magic Kingdom Cavalcade

The new Cavalcades, small surprise groups of characters in a mini parade, are still going strong.

These are not scheduled so people won’t congregate waiting for them. You just have to listen for the loud music to start up along parade routes.

Routes:

  • Magic Kingdom: Through Frontierland, Liberty Square, around the hub, and then down Main Street
  • Epcot: Around the World Showcase
  • Hollywood Studios: Up Hollywood Blvd, around Eco Lake, and out to the left of Star Tours
  • Animal Kingdom: Cavalcades are on pontoon boats that circle the park on Discovery River
Hollywood Studios and Epcot at the Caribbean Station

Epcot Princess Cavalcade

Other characters will pop up in a location where you can’t get near them, but might be able to pose for a pic with them in the background. The also appear on balconies.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Regularly scheduled attraction refurbishments are still taking place.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

The Rivers of America in the Magic Kingdom, drained for refurb.

The Liberty Square Riverboat in the Magic Kingdom is being refurbished as is the waterway it travels on. Also in the MK My personal favorite the WedWay People Mover is being refurbished.

Epcot is still a mess in Future World, with the center spine still demolished and long detours around it.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Frontierland Relaxation Station

Relaxation Stations, where you can take off your mask are still open in the theme parks, but as we noted before, you are allowed to stop anywhere, stay socially distanced and take off your mask to sip your water or nibble a snack. We did this extensively both trips. You are not allowed to do this while moving!

Many merchandise locations are closed, putting pressure on the ones (especially the big ones) that are open. This causes sometimes long lines just to enter locations such as the Emporium on Main Street through their single entrance.

We recommend getting to your chosen theme park very early and getting some of the most popular rides accomplished before the lines build. You might want to take a mid-day break as we’ve noted that the parks tend to empty at dinner time and remain so. Disney has also noted this as they are bringing back Park Hopping after 2 pm starting 1 January 2021.

Disney World Restaurants

Mobile Order has expanded to even more Quick Service locations and to some Resort Hotel Table Service ones as well for take out.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Grilled Cheese and Loaded Tots at Beaches and Cream

More dining locations have opened, though not all.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs was Much more busy than we experienced last trip. Mostly due to locals. Especially on Friday afternoon through Sunday night.

You are much better off going on weekdays!!! Or early on the weekends.

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

Disney Springs Guest Relations Office

World of Disney has long lines to enter. We experienced a 45 minute wait to get in on Friday evening. The store actually looked to be at normal capacity inside! However lines to check out were horrendous!

Our Second Trip Back to Walt Disney World

In Closing

I used to brag that going on a trip to Walt Disney World was a magical experience where you could forget the outside world. A real important thing for our community!

Sadly I can’t say this is true at this time. All the measures Disney has put in place constantly remind you of the covid debacle.

As I’m finishing this post up Disney World had all 4 parks reach capacity last weekend. The measures in place make these normally low crowd levels hard to take.

We can’t wait for Walt Disney World to get back to the Real Normal after this Temporary Abnormal! It just isn’t the magical place where you can forget the worries of the outside world it was just 8 long months ago.

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio.

Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link.

 

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Filed Under: Walt Disney World Tagged With: Special Events, Walt Disney World

Comments

  1. Suzanne Coppola says

    1 December 2020 at 12:09

    Loved your trip report. We live just 20 mins from the parks and so we have gone as soon as they opened. I agree about the lack of magic. Can’t wait for this to be over and the masks to come off. I miss all of the performers too. Question for you….have they announced the salut tickets for 2021 yet?

    Many thanks for all you do for us.
    Wishing you a very merry Christmas and magic in 2021

    Reply
    • Steve says

      1 December 2020 at 12:24

      Hi Suzanne,

      They have not announced anything about salute tickets for 2021, other than the 2020’s being extended through 26 Sept 2021 (purchase by 18 Dec 2020). or about resort discounts past 18 Dec 2020.

      I’ve written to Bob Chapek about these issues and have not heard back. The last time I wrote to Disney management, earlier this year, I never heard back but they did take action.

      Reply
  2. GINNY FISH says

    29 December 2020 at 13:14

    I can appreciate your wish for Disney to get back to their “normal” magical experience, but I also appreciate that the Disney company is taking the CDC warnings very seriously. I would rather be a little uncomfortable (I experienced WDW during Thanksgiving week and, yes, it was not magical) and be less likely to be exposed to covid. As is very obvious by our culture that is insistent on being ‘free’ to do as they please and continuing to spread the virus by having close-contact gatherings and not wearing masks, loosening the restrictions at the World would only cause the parks to shut down again. That would not be cool! Let’s have some patience while the solution is being worked out. I had to make the very difficult decision to be alone for Christmas, instead of driving the 800 miles to be with my grandkids, just to keep everyone safe and healthy.

    Reply
    • Steve says

      29 December 2020 at 13:42

      Thanks for your comment Ginny,

      One of the great things about the United States (so far, but perhaps not on this topic) is that we are all free to have and express different thoughts. That’s what we in the military have sacrificed for.

      Reply
      • Pam Ashworth says

        1 January 2021 at 22:32

        Yes sir! Thank you! And, you are here to tell about your experience at Disney so that’s kinda the point.

        Reply
  3. Dennis Carroll says

    18 February 2021 at 08:32

    Good morning Steve,
    I am planning on taking 12 of us to Disney World in February 2022, am I able to purchase 6 Salute tickets during this military discount season and another 6 in September when the new discount is announced to cover all 12 in the family? Will I be allowed to activate mine and the other 11 at the first park we enter?
    Retired Lt.Col. US Army

    Reply
    • Steve says

      18 February 2021 at 11:08

      Hi there Dennis,

      The 2021 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets expire on 17 Dec 2021. They will not be valid in 2022.

      If there is a 2022 Salute Ticket offer whatever limits they impose on ticket purchases for that offer is what will affect you in Feb ’22. I’d expect 6 total as always.

      Being a retiree I know it is not you your spouse and 10 dependent children, lol. So you would not be eligible for the large family exception.

      So with just 6 Salute tickets you’ll need to get 6 of the other varieties of military discount tickets which are discounted way less. Any children in the party (3-9 yers) should use the less discounted tickets before any adults do as theirs are cheaper…

      See:

      https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/regular-military-discounted-magic-your-way-tickets/

      https://www.militarydisneytips.com/blog/military-discount-theme-park-tickets/shades-of-greens-stars-and-stripes-tickets/

      Note these have just become available again and I have not updated the prices listed on my site. I will get to that today though!

      Reply

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