Now that Walt Disney World is open again, things may look a little different Walt Disney World health & safety protocols and extra safety measures are in place at the resorts, the parks, transportation and even dining locations. These measures are in place to help keep guests and cast members safe. It is clear that they are committed They also help ensure that you have a great trip at the most magical place on earth! Here’s a look at some of the changes and enhancements you will see on your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Resort Wide Health and Safety Protocols
Face coverings are required for everyone ages 2 and older will be required. The only exceptions are when eating or drinking, and then guests must be physically distant and stay stationary. Face coverings are also not required when swimming at the Walt Disney World resorts.
There are also new hand washing stations and hand sanitizer locations around so guests can stay sanitized throughout the day. WDW is also encouraging contactless pay and have set up plexiglass barriers at most cast member points of contact. Guests and cast are required to remain 6 feet apart when possible. To help with these guidelines, character meet and greets have been suspended as well as parades and fireworks.
Walt Disney World Health & Safety Protocols In The Parks
In order to carefully manage attendance, to enter any of the four parks all guests must have a park ticket, as well as a Park Pass Reservation. Park hopping has been suspended for now, so all tickets are limited to one park per day. Once your ticket has been linked to your My Disney Experience account you can select the Park Pass Reservation System and choose the dates you would like to enter each park. After that, you’re good to go!
Before you can enter the park of your choice you will have a temperature screening. If any guest has a temperature above 100.4 they will not be allowed to enter the park. Once you are in the park there are plenty of safety measures in place. Hand washing stations have been set up throughout the park as well as hand sanitizer pumps. Hand sanitizer is also available at the entrance and exit of every attraction. All attractions, shops, and restaurants have 6-foot markers when guests are in line and signs about safety measures.
Walt Disney World Health & Safety Protocols While Dining
Eating at Disney has changed as well. One of the biggest changes is that the only character meals still available are Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort, and Garden Grill at Epcot. Both will be a modified experience to ensure physical distance. For any quick-service dining locations, guests must order their meals ahead of time using the My Disney Experience App. When the app says your order has been prepared you can go into the restaurant and pick up your food at the designated location. Seating is available but only at physically distant tables.
For table service meals, guests now can make a reservation 60 days in advance. It is highly recommended to make a reservation for any table service meal. Some table service meals are now offering a mobile check in through My Disney Experience. When you arrive at your dining location there will be a sign in the lobby with a QR code you can scan. When you scan the code, it will ask you to confirm your party size and time of reservation, then notify you when your table is ready. Menus for table service restaurants are now available only through QR code. Each table service restaurant is operating at reduced capacity and all tables are physically distant. In addition, guests will have a quick temperature screening prior to being seated.
Walt Disney World Health & Safety Protocols at Resorts
When you are staying at a Disney Resort you are now encouraged to check in through your Disney app. Make sure your resort reservation is linked to your My Disney Experience account and you will be prompted to start your mobile check in. On the day of your arrival you will be notified through the app when your room is ready. The app will tell you your room number, location, and can even unlock your door! When you are in your room you will see enhanced cleaning procedures are in place. In each room, there is a diagram listing all the places that receive enhanced cleaning, and items like toiletry pumps and remote controls have been placed in sanitized bags. When walking throughout the resort face coverings are required for anyone age 2 and up unless they are in the pool area.
Disney’s increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo thorough cleaning—with attention to:
- High-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles
- Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
- Floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests
Inside your room, you’ll find Individually wrapped glassware, double-cased pillows, and additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging. And during your stay, your room will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which will include:
- Removal of trash and used towels
- Replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom
- Wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces
- Vacuuming if needed
- You can also decline every-other-day service
Health & Safety Protocols Transportation
Disney Transportation options like the bus, monorail, water taxi, and Skyliner are still available with limited capacity. There is no boat transportation from Grand Floridian, Contemporary, or Polynesian Resort. Water transportation is available at Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness at a limited capacity. Monorails will only be going to Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, and Polynesian resorts. Temperature checks are required before boarding the monorail system. Physical barriers have been installed in the monorail cars and throughout the busses to help separate different parties. Bus seats are now numbered in groups and signs have been made to block certain seats off for physical distancing. The Skyliner will only have one party per car.
As you can see Disney is working hard to keep the cast and guests as safe as possible. But even with all the extra safety measures Disney still feels as magical as ever. Disney has always done a great job of making guests feel as if they were in another place, and now is no different. Now guests feel like they are in a place where they don’t have to worry. Where everything is clean and safe and they get to relax and enjoy a vacation! And that’s what Disney is all about.
Are you interested in visiting Walt Disney World this year or next year? Contact The Magic for Less Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for a no-obligation price quote. A destination expert travel agent can help you plan a vacation based on your wants and needs. Their fee free service helps you plan with less stress, less time and less money.
