Comfort Levels

In these crazy times, we’re told constantly what we should and shouldn’t be doing. Wash your hands, and don’t touch your face. Wear a mask, but still stay out of groups. Keep away from other people! Somehow, amid all of this, Walt Disney World has managed to reopen all four theme parks, Disney Springs, and some of the resorts and restaurants. Disney has found a way to allow us to follow the guidelines and still visit the most magical place on Earth. I’ve said it before, I feel safer at Disney right now than I feel anywhere else except for my own home. I am very cautious, but I don’t hesitate to go to the parks.

That said, we all have our own comfort levels through this pandemic. Some people don’t take it seriously at all, while others won’t leave their homes. Most of us are somewhere in between.

For me, my comfort level means that I don’t want to ride anything that I would have to put the restraints over my head. It’s probably a good thing that I don’t like large roller coasters! Even though I know that Disney is cleaning the rides often (I’ve heard repeatedly that it’s every two hours) but I still think that it’s too big of a chance. I don’t fault others for riding, but it’s not something that I am comfortable with.

Let me be honest, I’m glad that the Disney water parks haven’t reopened. I haven’t been to any other area water parks, but there is one that I drive by all the time where people are just too close for comfort. Since masks aren’t worn on slides or in the water, I would be terrified. My daughter went to Aquatica a few weeks ago, and she told me that I would have hated it. She is careful, but she said that there were times when she was sure that she was at risk. She doesn’t plan to go back for a while.

One of the things that makes me feel safe at Walt Disney World is that most of the guests are following the rules. Yes, there are people who will still stick out their noses or who stand too close, but 99% of the guests are just happy to be back. Cast Members are always quick to remind rule breakers of what they need to do, but most of the time the other guests have been great. Thank you for that.

I also need to say something about the many children that I’ve seen at Walt Disney World. Most kids have been great about keeping their masks on and not trying to move too close in line. I hear people complain (mostly in other Facebook groups) that their kids will never keep masks on, but countless children have done just that. I think that the shorter wait times have helped some. I also think that the kids are just so happy to be at Walt Disney World that they will do what they need to so that Mickey will be happy with them.

Even though it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been there, I’ve also felt comfortable at Universal Orlando Resort. I’ve heard that the crowds have started to grow (reservations aren’t needed there) so I’m not sure if things have changed. I didn’t have a great reopening experience at SeaWorld Orlando, but I’m willing to give the park another chance because much of it is open-aired. Busch Gardens Tampa is a different story. I was so unimpressed with how the guests were ignoring the rules that I won’t be back for a while.

Another place where you need to weigh what you’re comfortable with is dining. I’ve eaten indoors at Disney since they’ve reopened, but I’ve picked off hours. In Florida right now a dining room can be at 50% capacity, but that’s still too much for me. My daughter and I have been planning our park meals after the typical lunch hour, and it has paid off for us. There haven’t been a lot of other guests in the dining rooms when we’ve been there. The only full service restaurant that I’ve been to since the reopening is House of Blues at Disney Springs. I’m fine with quick service for now. Some Disney restaurants are small, and I don’t want to take a space from someone else, only to leave because I didn’t feel comfortable.

My point is this. Before heading to Walt Disney World, weigh what your comfort level is. Decide ahead of time what you feel comfortable doing, and the things that you will skip. Be ready to make slight adjustments as well. At the parks we’ve gotten out of line because the people behind us were standing way too close instead of on the next line, and they were not wearing their masks properly. We got back in line a little bit later and rode without issue. Be ready to do the same thing, if necessary. Walt Disney World is doing their part to keep us as safe as possible, but it is ultimately up to each of us to do our part as well.