DISNEYWORLD 2020 – ARE WE CRAZY?

After most of our vacation plans for 2020 got modified, we decided to take a chance, and visit DisneyWorld. With the park changes brought on by COVID, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Before we left we all agreed to not get upset over any modified experiences and to just take it as it came…aaaand…we had a blast.

Even though we missed some of the Disney staples, the overall experience was top notch Magic. It sure does get easier and funner when you don’t have strollers to push around! I don’t recall being bothered by any of the safety measures. Masks, Temperature Checks, Distancing, all flowed as well as it could have. The Cast Members (Disney employees) all were grade A and on top of their game, very commendable considering they are continuing to endure uncertainty.

UNDERSTANDABLE BUMMERS

  • Unscheduled Parades. You just have to be lucky and be out and about around a parade.
  • No Real Shows except for Hollywood Studios – Frozen Sing Along.
  • No Fireworks except for a random blast in Magic Kingdom when the castle changes colors.
  • Ride Safety Measures like protective screens, at times made the ride vehicles have obstructed views, and feel overall less magical.
  • No Character Meet and Greets. Understandable, but a bummer. Characters are out and about, just distanced away from the public.

SURPRISING BENEFITS

  • Shorter waits. The longest actual wait was 60 minutes. We found that the posted wait times were always longer than the actual waits.
  • 6 feet line spacing. There was plenty of room to wiggle it up without affecting others. I vote it stays post pandemic!
  • Limited Capacity = Smaller Crowds. Normally I feel like we might lose a child or 2 to the masses. 25% capacity really helped feel like we could stay together.
  • Dining Reservations. With limited guests we were able to get daily sit down dining!
  • Overall Sane Safety Measures. Cast Members were good about politely enforcing the safety protocols, and the overall vibe around the park was united between guests and staff.

We got to experience Pandora and Galaxy’s Edge for the first time. Man alive, have they done a fantastic job immersing guests in these experiences. Standing in line for Avatar – Flight of Passage was a joy, and I almost wish the line could have moved slower. The ride was phenomenal, essentially an enhanced version of Soarin, a family favorite. We were able to experience Galaxy’s Edge twice, and ride Rise of the Resistance twice. The most jaw dropping ride I’ve ever been on.

Kylee, Jace and Alyx rode pretty much all the rides with me. Alyx was even brave enough to test the Tower of Terror, after sitting out the first time. Kate and Aria enjoyed some much needed leg resting time, or went to other attractions while we rode the more thrilling rides. They don’t just look alike, but are a theme park match made in heaven.

All throughout the trip, little images of imperfect people, making perfect memories were evident. We definitely bonded as a family, and got some well deserved R&R.


Mike Blom