Has anyone actually preferred Disney World during Covid/masking?

[pindecisive]

I went to WDW in December 2019 right before COVID19 became a thing. Currently I'm halfway through vaccination and would love to go back in 2022 once we get closer to herd immunity. I still plan to wear a mask, even if the park doesn't require it.

Personally, I've never minded the idea of shelling out more for DL/WDW tickets to have more space. Due to my anxiety, larger crowds and big parades have always brought down the experience for me. I feel similarly to the above that whenever I go to the park in October I regret it. It's just too packed to be fun. I'm curious to see what standard restrictions will be put into place, or if ticket prices will go up, or permanently change due to social distancing.

I love pin trading and it sounds like WDW has removed the CM aspect of it and replaced it with pin trading stations. While that's a bit of a bummer, I'm also hoping that this change will mean the quality of the pins will be higher since they'll have focused locations. In the mid 2000's DL CM's used to be much better about removing scrappers or fakes, so fewer locations also may mean that quality control of the pins during the sanitizing process might go up.

DL is my home park, so I'm really curious to see what they do here versus what differences there will be from WDW.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

We are not parade, fireworks, meet & greet visitors, so our trip this past February was amazing. It was probably the 2nd emptiest trip we've ever taken (the 1st being our Honeymoon right around the 1-year anniversary of 9/11). Masks weren't a problem, and having all that space was great.

It's a shame they've had to close some areas to extend the lines, because I would love to keep the 6' spacing in the lines if it were feasible.

 

[kdonnel]

I have really enjoyed my trips to both Universal and Disney during the pandemic.

I like the lines stretching seemingly forever for several reasons.

• While I previously didn't mind being packed into a line, I have found I really enjoy being several feet away from others in line.
• I like how the lines are always moving.
• I like how the need to preplan the rides for the day is gone. I have had great success just going from ride to ride in whatever order I want and getting to ride as many or more rides as before.

 

[Pyxie]

Well I can't say I preferred wearing the masks. We tolerated them.. BUT, this was the best trip we'd ever taken as a family. Many reasons for that, but I guess I can safely say I do prefer this Disney.

 

[Ensusieasm]

And I just figured out your username! We are in Orono- howdy, neighbor!

And I’m right in between you fellow Pine Tree Staters!

 

[ScubaCat]

I think it's just as everyone has described already - some stuff is better, other is worse. Masks are annoying but tolerable even in 99 degree heat walking from the back of the EPCOT parking lot. Spaced out queues with no FP+ is great (I wish they'd keep it with maybe 1/2 or 1/3 the spacing but obviously that can't/won't happen.) The live shows just aren't my thing for the most part so that hasn't been a big deal, although I do miss fantasmic and the fireworks, and I feel bad for the cast that's been out of work. For my own experience - as long as muppetvision the country bears are performing, I'm good to go!

I live in Chicago and am about to fly back for my 5th trip since July (2nd solo). I'm now 50% vaccinated (2nd shot after I return) but will still utilize my KN95s for the airplane and airports as usual. I'm very grateful they've been open so we could get breaks from here and have something fun to do in the midst of all the insanity and most of the known universe being shut down. I'm grateful for $89 roundtrip flights on Southwest, amazing DVC availability, $25 Chef Mickey's breakfast, and the fact that I renewed our gold APs (**major bummer for those still waiting on them to go back on sale, though. Hopefully soon ) I enjoyed NYE at Epcot with the lighter crowds, although I did miss the crazy atmosphere and the international cast. My solo trip at the beginning of August with the lighter crowds was phenomenal....that was truly a once-in-a-lifetime week!

Overall, I've enjoyed the Covid era at Disney AND am hoping for it to get back to normal very soon.

 

[luv2cheer92]

Your whole experience confirms every fear I have about going back right now. As much as I'm dying to go back, I'm more than happy to wait it out.

Even though many people on this thread have reported very pleasant, and even some of their best trips?
I think it's one of those things that you can't say it will be a negative experience without actually doing it (not saying you said that, just a general comment)

 

[StuckInKS]

I liked the fact that we didn't catch anything while in WDW (never happens, someone at least ends up with a sore throat, if not a fever or dreaded stomach bug) and that we actually got to sit on every bus ride (also never happens). I also did not miss "Please fill in all the available space." However, I did really miss FP and being able to drink a slushy or eat an ice cream on the way to another ride. We only got to ride 2-5 rides per day because of these limitations and the parks closing earlier now (we don't usually get to a park until 2-3pm). So, it is a toss up for me. There are advantages and disadvantages.

ETA: I also like that there is hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. I usually carry a small bottle with us on trips, but it is so much easier to have the kids sanitizer after a ride when it is right there.

 

[StuckInKS]

As far as personal life I never got sick the past year and neither did anyone I know. No colds, no flu's, no strep throat for my kids either. I have never gone through a year with everyone staying healthy before.

Us either. The last time we got sick was at Disney in Jan 2020. Came home, lock down, then mask requirements. Plus I noticed many more people use hand sanitizer now than they used to.

 

[Lilsia]

I like most everything except for the mask and shorter hours. The low crowds are great. Something that I have not seen in almost 20 years. And frankly, things really should have been cleaned better anyway, humanity is filthy.

 

[disneydentist]

We were there in November and will be back in two weeks. Masks are what they are, be it at home or in Disney World. Space in lines was really nice. Same on busses. I don't miss Fastpass+. It was great when you had it but made for ridiculous lines for the headliners when you didn't. We can live with lines that move steadily. It will be nice when more dining opens. Same with meet and greet and show. Some we do, some we don't but they help to spread people out. Just waiting to see if any discounts open up before we book an August trip.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Who likes wearing a mask????

 

[Bullseye]

Went in October and quite honestly the only thing to hate were the masks...which I did! That being said with so many less people than usual, having no FP I waited in less lines than usual. When things go eventually back to normal and the parks will fill up, some kind of FP will resume.

 

[PaladinButters]

Who likes wearing a mask????

I wouldn't say I like it so much as I don't mind at all - just like I don't mind wearing pants. It's just another thing to put on to go outside.

 

[nkereina]

We were there in October when it was less busy than it is now. There were definitely some pros of the current environment.

We enjoyed the spacing at restaurants and in ride queues. Although, we didn't care for the limited menus and mobile order only QS. Also didn't care for our resort's QS being mobile order only.

We half-enjoyed the absence of FP+ because we weren't glued to our phones trying to see how much time we had until our next FP or trying to see if we could snag one. But, the absence of FP+ also meant we waited longer for some rides than we would on a "normal" trip.

I also half-enjoyed the limited park hours. We weren't up at the crack of dawn, and it was nice to have some flexibility with our evenings allowing for some free time to do whatever we wanted. Normally we have things scheduled down to the half hour. Being able to book a last minute Disney Springs ADR on the fly was something we'd never do in the past. But, the con to the limited hours meant that we didn't get as much done in the parks as we wanted to. Park hopping wasn't available when we were there, so I think that would help now.

Absolutely hated the masks, though. I'm not sure if we'll return until that becomes optional. We thought we'd be safe from the heat and humidity in late October, but it was unseasonably hot when we were there (high 80s/low 90s) and the mask made me perspire more than ever. Sunglasses were tough to wear because of the fogging. Because of the humidity, rubbing of the mask, and the perspiration, my face also broke out like a teenager! This all may be mitigated by going in cooler temperatures, but I think its a drag regardless.

Transportation was also a negative for us. We wanted to avoid the waits and crowds so we used Uber more than we ever had. Uber worked out fine, but part of the overall experience for us is enjoying the Disney bus rides (sounds crazy). Taking an Uber takes you out of the "bubble" temporarily, but we thought it was necessary with the current transportation limitations.

 

[Orion Nebula]

Who likes wearing a mask????

It doesn't bother me if it's not 90 degrees. After having to wear one daily I don't even notice it much anymore. It would be nice when this is over for people to wear them when they are sick though.

 

[EpcotQueen]

I will probably continue to wear a mask even after the requirement is lifted. In the past I've come home from trips developing either a cold or bronchitis. My December trip in 2020 is the first time I did not get ill!

 

[mamamelody2]

I went in November 2020 and January 2021. Had a great time each trip!

Shorter hours meant we weren't exhausted all the time.
I'm the FP queen, so I'd be on my phone refreshing for FPs all the time. I hardly had my phone out during those two trips nad really enjoyed looking around and trying to find things I may have missed before.
One party per gondola. Lovely.
Always a seat on the bus.
LOVE not having anybody on my heels in lines.
Cavalcades are super cute and fun!

January especially was truly low crowds. One afternoon, we rode Flight of Passage 3 times in 55 minutes. Totally amazing! Basically the only ride in AK with a line was Navi River Journey for several weekday afternoons.

 

[LiteBrite]

I love pin trading and it sounds like WDW has removed the CM aspect of it and replaced it with pin trading stations. While that's a bit of a bummer, I'm also hoping that this change will mean the quality of the pins will be higher since they'll have focused locations. In the mid 2000's DL CM's used to be much better about removing scrappers or fakes, so fewer locations also may mean that quality control of the pins during the sanitizing process might go up.

There are still CMs involved with the pin trading. I haven't done any trading, but I've seen it - the pin trading stations have a CM at them, the difference is that they don't touch the pin that you are giving. There is a box to put your non-sanitized pin in, and they will hand you the sanitized pin that you choose (you may not touch any of them while you're deciding, I think you just point to the one you want, and/or describe it to the CM).

 

[Dis703]

I wouldn't say I enjoy it more overall. There are some aspects that are better, but others that are pretty disappointing.

On one hand, I really miss the night time shows and fireworks. But, not having them also makes me less concerned about having to be in the parks through closing time with the kids. If they get tired or we do everything else we came for there's no reason to force them to stay up.

Scheduling my park days now I have to worry about the park reservation availability but not so much about which days I do which parks because there aren't really special hours or events to worry about.

I definitely miss FP+, but the standby lines being spread out make them feel like they are moving faster than they are.

Less crowds overall and less crowds in restaurants is nice. But the limited menus are definitely a bummer.

I think if we had to buy full price tickets and we weren't passholders I don't know that I'd be thrilled with the changes, but definitely still enjoy it.