What to Expect When Taking Your Kids to Disney Post-Pandemic

We bought the T-Shirts. We picked the MagicBand colors. We booked the dining reservations and you guys we got into Cinderella's Royal Table. We even got to select the Fast Passes and then just like that, our trip was put on a permanent hold. 

If you were planning a trip to Walt Disney World over the last 18 months, you're probably just as bummed as we are. While we haven't rescheduled our inaugural trip to WDW, we are seriously considering it. Our friend Jessica Pisacane, Dream Vacation Planner with LBAC Travel, visited Disney last month and gave us the first-hand scoop of traveling to The Greatest Place on Earth post-pandemic. 

The #1 question I get right now from families that are considering a trip to visit the mouse “is Disney still magical?” I am happy to report that YES, the magic is still very much alive in Disney! From the moment I boarded magical express and I heard  the excitement and wonder of the kids around me - I knew the magic is always there!  The amazing thing about the unannounced character cavalcades is that it brings the spontaneity back to a Disney trip! 

It was an amazing feeling to be “back home” seeing the cheerful cast members, pop up character appearances and cavalcades, riding our fav rides and enjoying all the Disney snacks! Over all I felt very comfortable with the health and safety protocols WDW has in place!

Here are 15 changes you can expect when visiting Disney World post-pandemic.  

(Regulations and restrictions are subject to change.)

1. All guests age two and up MUST wear a mask at all times while in the parks.  The only exceptions are while you are seated at a table eating or drinking.  
2. You must have a park reservation in order to enter a park. (A Disney resort reservation and valid theme park ticket alone does not guarantee theme park access) 
3. Disney Transportation Magical Express A.K.A. the happy bus is still whisking you away. You will be assigned a seat prior to boarding and only certain seats will be offered.
4. There are designated seats available on park busses and the driver assigns those to each party as you board. 
5. The monorail has one party per section with a “divider” between the two sections that share one car. 
6. My new favorite Disney’s Skyliner can accommodate one family/party per gondola.
7. You can use online check-in service and direct-to-room service, which allows you to get to the fun faster with real-time, room-ready updates—and even lets you use the My Disney Experience app as a digital room key at your Disney Resort hotel!
8. Relaxation Stations are set up at different locations and are  available in all the four theme parks  so you can have “masks breaks.”
9. Temperature scans will be taken before entering the parks. Don’t worry if you have been out in the hot sun! The health screeners have a few tricks like checking behind your ear for an accurate temperature.
10. Hand Sanitizers are located everywhere throughout the parks and resorts. You will see them upon entering parks, before getting on a ride, going into a show , dining , snack carts….everywhere!
11. There are plenty of reminders to stay ‘“physically distant”  from other guests. You will see markers on the ground to help let you know where you should stand behind other guests.  These queues are impressive. you will be amazed on how the line will zig and zag in out of restaurants, though closed attractions, down walkways…..keeping everyone 6 feet apart!
12. We are currently able to make dining reservations at 60 days prior to your vacations. All quick service dining is being done though mobile ordering on the My Disney Experience App. This was a quick and easy process! You select an arrival time, place your order and when its ready you go inside and pick up your food.  Lots of tables available both inside and outside to choose from.
13. There are currently no character meet and greets,  fireworks or parades.  BUT, you will see Character Cavalcades through the day in parks and even at your resort!  These are a magical ,spontaneous, interactive  experience! Each park will offer a different Character Cavalcade surprise.
14. Many of the attractions are doing one party per vehicle or you will find plexiglass dividers and skipped seats to help divide parties and maintain social distancing.
15. Need to get a Covid test prior to arriving back home? There is a Covid Testing Site Near Disney's Animal Kingdom Park. The Florida Division of Emergency Management runs this site. 

Jessica Pisacane is a Milford mom to 4 kids and 2 dogs and 1 cat. She has been a travel advisor with LBAC Travel for 10 years. Her love for Disney and travel led her to her dream job with LBAC Travel. Before becoming a travel planner with LBAC Travel, she would plan all of her family and friends’ vacations to Disney! Her travel specialty is planning family and multi- generational vacations as well as romance travel.