Yesterday I shared countless examples of the way that Disney examined every step of the guest experience with a lens of health and safety. All of the new policies and precautions are flawlessly integrated and make it easy to have a fun and memorable vacation experience. You can catch up on all of that here:
I’m going to spend the rest of the week sharing all of the stunning pictures and fun we had in the parks, and then I’ll be back to regular programming by the weekend. As I think you’ll see, Disney is still a place for magic, fantasy, family and fun. With such low capacity numbers, it is easy to do all of the attractions, take time for dining, see your favorite characters, have an afternoon break AND just wander around and soak in all of the details. So, without further ado, come play in Magic Kingdom with me…
Magic Kingdom Entrance
This is the entrance plaza at mid-morning. We were some of the only people coming in. There is no need to be at the park for opening!
Magic Kingdom closes as 7PM now, right at sunset and the golden hour. This is my absolute favorite time of day in the park – when the lights come on, and everything is aglow.
This small sign often goes unnoticed, but is one of my favorite details in Magic Kingdom.
Main Street USA
Stepping through the tunnel onto Main Street for the first time in months felt like coming home! We visited the park three times during our stay, so you’ll see photos from all times of day, sunshine and rain.
This is my favorite photo I’ve ever taken in Disney. I caught it just as the Main Street lights came on. If I had to take a photo of magic, this one would be it.
All of the shops along Main Street are open, and the balloons were afloat. You can’t help but smile walking right down the middle of Main Street USA.
My favorite striped umbrella tables were always open and we spent the first 45 – 60 minutes of each day parked right here with our Starbucks.
Moving further down into the Castle hub, the grassy areas are all open as well.
As evidenced by the number of photos of the partner statue and castle, I was so excited to see it without mobs of people.
Cinderella Castle
Speaking of the castle, Disney had just commenced painting it when we were in the parks in January. I didn’t know how I’d like the new colors, but they are gorgeous and vibrant! I thought they looked beautiful coming down the lively and charming Main Street.
The back side of the castle facing Fantasyland was just as stunning. All of the gold detail work here really shows.
Again, at sunset it almost shimmers!
Since the typical stage shows are not running, it was a real treat to be able to freely walk under the castle for a change!
The new colors really make it pop from other lands in the park.
Caught on a drizzly afternoon…
Disney Characters
Disney characters are alive and abundant in the parks! We were charmed by their spontaneous appearances – in their “lands”, in character cavalcades, and when we least expected them!
Tink, seen on a treasure chest float from Frontierland, down Main Street, and back!
The fab 5 seen in an upbeat “Get Your Ears On” celebratory float along the same route.
Goofy and friends dancing down Main Street.
Pooh characters waving to friends from the trolley.
I didn’t catch many of these on film, but we saw characters out in their “lands”. Think Buzz in Tomorrowland and Country Bears out in Frontierland.
Each day when we left the park we caught a different crew up on the train station at the end of Main Street. They all interact with each other, as well as with the guests below.
Magic Kingdom Attractions
I know I keep saying it, but these low capacity tops mean you can pack a lot it. We did EVERY attraction in the park multiple times. I shared all of the specifics on Instagram, and wanted to share fun photos here. Suffice it to say that our average wait time was about 15 minutes. Most rides have a walk on. Nearly all rides in all parks overstated the wait time. If it said 20, it was more like 10, for example.
Fantasyland
We normally hit Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland and then move on, because waits are so high. We took full advantage of these days to do ALL of the attractions. It was so much fun to actually see the darling queues as well. All of the rides and shows are open here, with the exception of character meets.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is a favorite for us, and we got to do Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain over and over again. With the exception of the Laugh Floor, all rides and shows were open here.
Liberty Square
Liberty Square is also one of our favorites – Haunted Mansion is a classic and Hall of Presidents is our top choice to cool off.
Frontierland
Everything is open in Frontierland as well, including rides, shows and Tom Sawyer Island.
The wildest ride in the wilderness…
Splash Mountain will be rethemed to Princess and the Frog, but remains open for now. We splashed down a few times in our week…
Adventureland
Like the other lands, everything here is also open, other than the character meets. Pirates, Jungle Cruise, the Tiki Room, Aladdin’s Carpets and the Treehouse are all long time family favorites.
Magic Kingdom Dining
I covered off on safety protocols for dining, and will follow up with full reviews. We enjoyed being back at our favorites, including…
Skipper Canteen (we ate here twice!)
The Dole Whip…
Pinocchio’s Village Haus…
And, our first dinner at Be Our Guest since the menu revamp a long while back… (spoiler alert, we loved it!)
Let’s Travel & My Services
I have enjoyed hearing from all of you in Instagram and now on the blog… those ready to book a new trip, those that had decided to go on trips already booked and those that aren’t ready to travel but enjoyed having a little magic in their feed.
If you’d like to see videos, photos and my explanations of both safety and magic at Walt Disney World, head over to the Dixie Travels Instagram. Once on my profile page, look for the circles called “highlights”. Safety protocols are primarily captured under “wdw reopens” and then you can click on the circle for each park to see the magic!
We were absolutely blown away by the thoughtful, practical and comprehensive precautions Disney has in place to safely welcome guests and cast members. I don’t have all of the words to convey how special it felt to be back. We laughed, we played, we ate too much, and we felt a level of happiness we hadn’t had in too long. I can assure you, magic is here!
I have missed my job so, so much over the past four months and am thrilled to be back in the business of making magic! Most aspects of planning a Disney vacation look different and now, more than ever, it is crucial to have the most current, up to date information based on personal experience to plan your vacation! I know these parks inside and out and am a small, one woman show. I hope that my love and passion for Disney shows through in every photo, video and post.
When the time is right for your family to travel, I’d be honored to be YOUR advisor. Magic is here!
As Premier Level Advisor with Glass Slipper Concierge, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I offer concierge travel planning for Walt Disney World® Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland® Resort, Disney Aulani Hawaii, Universal, Sea World and to over 40 countries on 7 continents through Adventures by Disney® and National Geographic Expeditions.
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Amanda,
I must admit I have been pleasantly surprised how well Disney has adapted and the new safety precautions and steps they have taken when reopening. From what I have seen and read, things look like they are going well and I cant get over how uncrowded the park is.
Now I know Florida as a whole still has very high numbers but it seems Disney is doing things right. I hope things continue on the right track. If wearing a mask at all times doesnt bother you in the heat then I say now is the time to go. Can you image what it will be like once a vaccine is effective and crowds start flocking in droves again to Disney.
Now is definitely not the time for everyone to go. I do know from both my personal and profession life that people have been and are traveling and continue to look for places they feel are safe to go. I agree that Disney can count as one of those! I never could have imagined this kind of Disney, I have no idea what it will be like!!! xo
Your photos are stunning and I love hearing all the details. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for following along!