Even First Order Officers need to sanitize their hands… All four Walt Disney World theme parks have reopened. At the same time, the COVID-19 numbers are through the roof in the state of Florida. Disney has set safety protocols in place, but they will only make a difference if people follow them. Here’s what we can do.
When packing your bag for the day, put things into clear zipper bags. I use gallon sized bags. Put umbrellas, aerosol cans, and metal drink containers on the top so that you can easily take them out. The new system should allow you to walk right through, but if there is a question and someone wants to inspect your bag, you will have to take everything out. If it’s all in clear bags, it will be easier for the Security Cast Member to see, and you will be able to quickly put everything back in when you’re done. An added bonus is that the plastic bags will protect your items when (not if, this is Florida) it rains.
Another thing that you should do before you leave is to make sure the My Disney Experience App is updated. Check also to make sure that you have a card linked for Mobile Ordering. You can add a card when you place the order, but this will save you some time. Mobile Ordering is the preferred method of payment at the moment.
If you’re a rope dropper, you’ll most likely arrive before the park opens to the general public. Disney will usually allow you to scan you MagicBand or ticket ahead of time and head inside the park. You’ll then wait. Find a place away from other groups. Remember, we’re supposed to stay six feet away from those who we haven’t been around.
Face coverings are required at Walt Disney World for anyone who is two years old or older. Disney is not allowing any exceptions to this rule. Make it easier on the Cast Members by wearing your face mask properly. It must cover your nose and mouth, if it’s not someone will say something to you. The Cast Members do not like reminding people to wear them properly, so do this one thing for them. The only time that you’re allowed to take it off in a park is if you are dining, or if you’re in a Relaxation Station.
Speaking of dining, keep the mask on when you enter the restaurant. If it’s quick service, you can remove it once you have your food and are seated. If it’s full service, keep it on until your server brings your water. If you get up for any reason, put the mask back on.
The Cast Members are doing their best to keep things clean and disinfected, but we can also use some common sense. When my daughter and I were at PizzeRizzo, there were some tables that had not been cleaned. Instead of making a big deal of it or pulling out my handy dandy alcohol wipes, we just found a different table.
There are markers in the queues that clearly state where people should stand to allow for enough distance between parties. These have been carefully measured to best utilize the space. Keep that amount of distance between yourself and the party in front of you, even if the line is moving. At each park we’ve been to I’ve had at least one person who walked right behind me instead of leaving some space. When the line is stopped, make sure that the space is maintained. If the party in front of you is taking up more than the allotted amount, stay one extra space back. It’s better to have a little bit too much room than not enough.
There is hand sanitizer everywhere! There is a dispenser before loading and not long after you get off of each ride. The Cast Members are not reminding people to use it before getting on, so make sure that you do. I’ll use it both before and after each ride. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
The stores are tricky. Cast Members are keeping the capacity limited, which is good. Many places also now have a one-way flow, with the entrances and exits both marked. Once you’re inside the store, though, you can’t control the behavior of others. Keep your distance from other parties. This has honestly been the hardest place to social distance, because people see something near where you’re looking and come and stand right next to you. We can do better.
With no end of the night shows, there haven’t been large crowds leaving the parks at the end of the day, at least not when I’ve been there. When leaving, you will still want to maintain your distance from other parties. Stay back, or walk widely around people who are walking slower than you are. Keep your mask on until you reach your car. The rules don’t go away just because you exited the park.