So many changes that are currently in place at Disney, will make your head spin! Literally! I didn't know that I couldn't exit out the same door that I came in, planning your vacation down to the park that you are going into? WHAT? Mobile ordering, no passing your phone to a photographer to not pay for photo pass, and masks masks masks!
First thing that was the biggest change that put me into PANIC mode - Park Reservations! What? I have to make a reservation to what, get into whatever park I want! AND I can't park hop! What is this all about? !?!?!?!?! I am so used to waiting till last minute, like the morning of, to see where I want to go for the day. Usually we have dining reservations in a park, but we HOP over to it! OYE! My first thought was this is going to be insane. But afterwards, spending the time there with this new system and during the transition back to park hopping, I LIKE IT! I think this is genius, for crowd control and monitoring the numbers closely. That is my personal opinion, I know that there are different opinions out there, which is great, this is just mine.
Lets talk about dining. This, this is different. Really different. There are pros and cons to the new systems for quick service, but isn't that the case for everything? Lets list the cons first. Make sure you have ample battery on your cell phone, the ordering process is now "virtual" through your MDE app. Also have a credit card or gift card stored and ready to go. There is now waiting to get into quick services if you don't have an order placed. The cast members will insist that you use your MDE. Now onto the pros!! There is no insanity inside quick service locations anymore! There are seats available! You don't have to hover and wait for a seat! It's wonderful!! You can also order with allergies through the app! We used mobile ordering constantly in the parks and at our resort! I fell in love with it! On my way to a quick service, I literally can place my order, when I was close I would let them know I was arriving. It would be a few minutes till my screen turned the "blue" that stated my order was ready. When it was I would just walk to the nearest cast member and then they would direct me to which lane my order was waiting for me. To our family, we became familiar with the new system and fell in love!
Table service dining is all pretty much the same with the exception that you can now only make your reservations at 60 days prior to your trip rather than 180. There is a limited amount of availability due to the restaurants keeping that social distancing and of course keeping it safe. It is really easy to use the check in service from your MDE app. They will ask you the same questions as if you were coming up to the desk at check-in. It also gives you the opportunity to readjust the number in your party if just 2 out 3 are arriving, or if they have space, it will offer you up to another person to join. Menus inside the table service restaurants are all done by scanning a QR code, so make sure that your device is capable of the scanning. There are disposable menus available if needed. The servers are not only in face masks that cover from chin to nose, but also wear a shield. BONUS! The chefs are also in personal protection equipment, which I loved! It literally has become a part of the new normal at Disney.
Now that I have brought up the new normal, lets talk about the mask situation. Disney is observant to those not wearing their masks properly. They will give you a friendly reminder to make sure that your mask is on properly. Disney requires two layer ear looped masks that cover your nose and mouth. There is no exception. All persons in the park age 2 and up must wear the mask properly. As you are entering each park, there are cast members who will kindly remind you the masks that are acceptable if you have on one that is not. There are vending machines out close to the first temperature check where you can purchase a disposable mask. I am going to lay this out there. There is no arguing with the cast members about the mask, none zip zero zilch, so it's not worth it. Plan accordingly if you are going to the parks and can not wear a face mask. Best advice I can give. No one will have a magical memory.
Back to the new stuff! The buses are running more frequently, but that is due to spacing on the bus. Not going to lie, I only rode the bus once during this last trip, but it was so much calmer than normal. They do ask that everyone sit since there are enough spaces for everyone. There are dividers on the bus so the driver can assign seats that put families together!
Last but not least, those temperature check tents. They have this down and it's quick! There are cast members there with the medical staff to help keep things moving swiftly. At dining locations for table service you will also have your temperature checked as well as at Disney Springs.
I have a few more areas to touch on, but we will save that for the next post! Stay tuned to see how Capture the Magic works, scan and go on your app at two stores, and also how the resorts are doing during this time of new change.
Thanks for reading!
