Disney during the 'rona

"Jay, the practical enthusiast" (jay-m) 09/01/2020 at 16:40 • Filed to: None

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Last Sunday (8/30) we went to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. A friend of ours has been telling us how empty it has been and how we’ll likely never see it like this again. We used to go to the theme parks all the time but the coronavirus has changed all that. I was skeptical and still nervous but as Florida’s cases have recently dropped dramatically we decided to give it a go.

Summer is the worst time to go to the theme parks. Usually they are packed with tourists here on summer break and there is no escape from the relentless sun, heat, and humidity. Sunday’s forecast was high 80s, high humidity and a 60% chance of rain. It was actually much nicer than that. The skies stayed overcast all day which dropped the temperature down to more reasonable low 80s. The rain only really affected us once for about 10 minutes (we got soaked). For a summer day outside when you didn’t want to be a hot sweaty mess it was close to perfect.

We left home at 8:30 and pulled into the parking lot 40 minutes later. Here was the first indication that this was going to be nothing like we had ever experienced before. Every single time we’ve come to Disney you park, try to remember which lot you parked in, and follow the throngs of people to the trolley that will take you to the monorail. Often you have to wait in line for the trolley, just to wait in line again for the monorail. There was no trolley. We were parked directly in front of the monorail station. This parking is normally reserved for VIPs and anyone who pays extra for “preferred” parking. Now it is just the general parking lot. And there really weren’t any throngs of people, at least not like we were used to.

The only car related content. The monorail is behind me.

As we walked the short distance toward the station there was an employee telling everyone to make sure to wear their masks at all times. No one needed to be told this as everyone already had their masks on. Before we could line up for the monorail we had our temperature checked and then the usual security check. The line for the monorail was spaced 6 feet apart and only one family was allowed per car. But the trains were running every 2 minutes so the line went much more quickly than usual.

Social distancing reminders were constant and everywhere. Every line had clearly laid out marks on the ground letting you know where to stand. Employees were all over the park walking around holding signs asking guests to wear masks and keep 6 feet apart. Everyone followed the rules. The only exceptions were standing in one place eating or drinking and children under 2 (we couldn’t keep the mask on our 22 month old).

This was as crowded as it got all day.

Wearing a mask was probably to worst thing about our whole day but it was our own fault. We didn’t test out our masks in advance. We used the nice masks we already had been using which were great for short shopping trips where we stayed inside air conditioning. We didn’t realize just how hot they would make our faces outside. Although the weather was otherwise perfect for us, our nose and mouths were dripping in sweat all day long. My advice would be to test your mask beforehand or buy masks that advertise that they keep you cool.

Now this is where the story gets even more surreal. I’ve been to Disney more than 100 times. The last time I was there it was so packed we only rode 2 rides all day (and spent the rest of the time watching shows and other attractions). I’m used to waiting an hour and a half for a 90 second ride but I hate it. As much as I love taking the family to the theme parks I dread all the time wasted standing in lines. Theme parks = long lines.

Notice how far apart the people in line on the bridge are and how empty the boats are. This was every ride.

Another angle showing how empty it was.

The longest line of the day for us was the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train at a claimed 35 minutes (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad had a claimed 40 minute wait but we didn’t do it). Otherwise 5 – 15 minutes was average. Many of the rides had no line at all. There were mazes set up to enforce social distancing that meant it took a couple minutes just to walk up to the ride, but once you got to the front you just hopped on the ride.

The Disney app showed 24 attractions open. We got to do 16 of them. In 1 day. And because of the child swap our 2 older girls did 4 of the rides twice. The park closed at 7 so even though we were there all day it was really just 9 ½ hours. Take 30 minutes out for lunch and that means the kids rode 20 rides in 9 hours. If you have ever been to Disney you know just how absurd that number is. On a good day you might be lucky to average 1 ride per hour. If we didn’t have the baby we could have done every single available ride in one day.

Before you go there is only 1 thing you need to know (besides the mask rule). The number of guests are limited so you have to make a reservation online . Before you can make a reservation you have to have confirmed tickets. This means you can’t just show up, but you can decide to go that same day as long as the park is not sold out. Even with the limits on guests most parks are not selling out. The only exception is Hollywood Studios because of Star Wars. But it wasn’t sold out on Sunday and even when it does you can usually still make a reservation 2 days in advance.

smobgirl > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 17:01

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I’m a Universal Studios passholder and had to go to FL for work back in...June? I’ve done some after hours events where it was slow but it was incredibly empty. They really did a great job of enforcing masks ( and hand sanitizer before each ride) and I felt better there than at, say, Walmart.

We only skipped the Hogwarts Express because each party was getting their own train car so the line was just moving  really slow. Every other ride was a really short wait or a virtual line.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > smobgirl 09/01/2020 at 17:21

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Last year we had season tickets to Universal. We only got to go on Hagrid’s Motorbike once because the line was always 2 hours. I’d love to see what it’s like now. Seeing the park empty is just so surreal.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 17:23

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Well, I’ll be damned.  People in Florida following directions!

smobgirl > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 17:28

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So that one has a virtual line, where you sign up for a time slot through the app and come back later . The first time we did it in June (around lunch-ish) it was still about half an hour to process everyone through the locker area and check their virtual passes. Second time (evening) we pretty much walked on.

I definitely waited in a three hour line for it soon after it opened though.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 09/01/2020 at 17:29

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I was going to make a joke how they must all be from other states , but the sad reality is Florida is really hurting for tourists. 

Future next gen S2000 owner > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 17:35

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My brother and his family go to Disney a bunch. I’m not sure I’ll ever go. Maybe once for the girls. I probably won’t go to another theme park in general.

I love roller coasters but like you pointed out, the wait just kills it. I don’t really want to spend a bunch of money to stand in a line. If the line was 30 minutes or less, maybe but 90 minutes is ridiculous .

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 17:35

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Yeah......same story all over the world :(

Jay, the practical enthusiast > smobgirl 09/01/2020 at 17:42

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I just can’t imagine waiting 3 hours but I wish I had rode it more than once. It was awesome.

Jay, the practical enthusiast > Future next gen S2000 owner 09/01/2020 at 17:45

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Well, now is the time. I made a list of our wait times:

The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh (less than 3 minutes)

Mad Tea Party (no line)

Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train x2 (30 minutes first time then child swap)

Dumbo the Flying Elephant (no line)

The Barnstormer x2 (no line)

Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid (no line)

It’s a Small World (about 10 minutes)

Peter Pan’s Flight (about 5 minutes)

Prince Charming Regal Carousel (15 minutes because of cleaning time)

Mickey’s PhilharMagic (15 minutes)

Tomorrowland Speedway (10 minutes)

Space Mountain x2 (5 minutes)

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (15 minutes)

Swiss Family Treehouse (no line)

Jungle Cruise (no line)

Splash Mountain x2 (15 minutes)

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 18:31

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I like this new reality where a major theme park is about as densely populated as a small town farmer’s  market.

Everything else about it is shit tho. Lol

Just last year I discovered that I love water parks, I’d never really been to one since I was little and only remembered cracking a tow nail open on one slide. But at 29 years old I went to two water parks last year and fell in love. So I had planned to go to several this year. COVID sure put a kink in that plan.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 18:31

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That sounds amazing 

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Jay, the practical enthusiast 09/01/2020 at 18:50

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I would go to Disney sooner than a smaller outfit like the local Six Flags (always one of the more jank ones around). And I would not step foot in a water park this year. That looks amazing though. I remember riding the Rockin Roller Coaster three times in a row because the line was short when I went years ago but everywhere else there were very long lines.