10 tips for your first day back at Walt Disney World

(Note: This story was updated on April 1, 2021)

Walt Disney World’s reopening is introducing all to a new way of visiting a theme park. One with social distancing, face masks and other health and safety rules.

These changes you experience will include how you approach your visit. In some way, the new parks procedures make us all newbies to visiting the parks.

Here are 10 tips to help you navigate the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios for your first visit or first re-visit.

1. Download the My Disney Experience app and log in: This might seem a little simplistic, but if you’ve never used the phone app before, now is the time to start. The app allows you to check-in at your resort, get into your room; make dining reservations at table-service restaurants and check-in without having to go to the stand; get on a waitlist for some restaurants, allows you to mobile order at a quick-serve restaurant; directs you to make a park reservation and if you have an iPhone, you can now use it to enter the theme parks instead of a MagicBand using the new MagicMobile feature. Your phone is going to be your lifeline. In addition to the app, most dining locations now have QR codes that you can scan to see menus. Pro tip: Always have a charger in your daypack to keep your phone going until the end of the day.

2. Understand the new security procedures: Do not stop. Just keep walking. You will be asked to take out umbrellas and hard cases for your eyeglasses. Keep keys and phone in your pockets or in the bag. Otherwise, keep walking. If you beep, you will be asked to go over to the side. The new Artificial Intelligence machines look for certain things and if items can not be recognized or they are not allowed the machine will beep. We suggest keeping all of your electronics on the top of your daypack because you will be taking them out of your bag if buzzed.

3. Bring at least one backup facemask or buy another in the park: You need a face covering on Disney property (this includes all the resorts and Disney Springs), and this rule is being enforced. There are two reasons for the backup mask: heat and water. Your mask may get soaked with perspiration, and you will want a backup. Rain is the biggest enemy of facemasks, and Florida is known for its afternoon thunderstorms. Once the mask gets wet, however that happens, you will want another. You may want to bring different styles of mask, as some are easier to breathe through, and everyone seems to have a different preference. Pro tip: Store the backup masks in a plastic bag in your daypack. This will keep them fresh and dry.

4. Bring breath mints: Let’s keep the jokes to a minimum. Yes, we all brush our teeth before leaving the house for the day, but you are going to be out for an extended period of time and will still be eating and drinking. If you like the smell of your coffee or spicy food, you might be smelling them longer than you think with a mask on. 

5. Look down when in line: Whether you are waiting in line for a temperature check, getting into the park, or in line for a ride, keep looking down for the social distance markers that show where you and your party should stand. This can be difficult in some darker queues, especially when it’s bright outside. It’s also not always obvious where the markers are in some of the more winding queues. Don’t feel that you need to run to keep up with the people in front you. Speed is not going to get you on the ride any faster. Pro tip: To help cut back on bunching up, don’t move forward until you actually see the next social distancing marker is clear. Also, if your party numbers four or more, you might want to leave an extra social distancing marker between you and the group in front. If there is a single line, four people will take up the entire space between the two markers.

6. Create your own social distancing when needed: Everyone tries to social distance. The markers on the ground area very helpful, but when there are no markers, some areas can get clogged up with people, even with diminished capacity in the parks. So, it is up to you to create the social distancing you want. You might need to slow down, go left, go right or go down a different aisle in a store. If you see a large group, avoid them.

7. Use the Relaxation Stations: There will be a number of locations throughout each park where you will be able to remove your mask while maintaining social distancing. Some are outside and some will be in air-conditioned locations. Some of these places will be large, but others are not, so watch your surroundings.

8. Expect lines in unexpected places: Social distancing has brought a number of unexpected. You might find yourself waiting longer to go into a store than on a ride. In addition, the only “virtual lines” are for stores, because the number of people inside is limited. Also, when mobile ordering a meal, don’t expect to scope out a table while waiting for your order. You will be standing outside the establishment until your food is ready, and then you’ll be allowed to go in, collect your order, and head to an available table. Some tables will be blocked off for social distancing. Pro tip: Do not wait until you are starving to eat. The wait could be longer than anticipated.

9. Where to find characters. One of the most delightful things about the “new” Disney parks experience is the character interactions. Without meet-and-greets and parades, characters are making unscheduled drive-bys or stepping out onto balconies to wave to guests. So keep an eye out for these magical moments. Check here for character spotting for each park. Pro tip: In many cases you can take a selfie with the characters behind you or have a friend take the photo.

10. Your theme park daypack should include: In addition to what you might normally bring to the theme park — ponchos, sunscreen, sunglasses, tissues — make sure you also bring the previously mentioned extra face mask and breath mints. Also consider bringing wipes to keep your glasses or sunglasses from fogging up, as well as hand sanitizer and some disinfectant wipes. Yes, you will find hand sanitizer stations throughout the parks, and, you will see cast members constantly wiping things down, but these are useful and may help you feel a bit better yourself. Also, remember to wipe down your phone once in a while. 

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