Reopening Walt Disney World During Covid-19

By Casey Starnes
27

Updated February 7, 2021

I traveled to Walt Disney World when it reopened on July 11, 2020.

It was a trip like no other!

And, I returned early October for another visit. Then again in December!

My intention with sharing my experiences in this post and several others is to show you what Disney Parks and Resorts look like right now.

I’m not here to talk you into visiting.

I’m not here to tell you to stay home.

My job as a blogger is to share relevant information so that you can decide if the time is right to visit Walt Disney World.

Let’s take a look at what you need to know.

Air Travel

I flew from San Diego to Orlando with a total of four flights in my itinerary.

This post details air travel during COVID-19.

Walt Disney World Theme Parks

I visited all four parks during my trip.

This post shares everything you need to know about the theme park experience.

This post shows you exactly how to move through each park’s attractions – in the most efficient way possible – while FastPasses are not in use.

Walt Disney World Resorts

I spent 6 nights at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Go here for details on what has changed – and remained the same – at Disney Resorts.

Masks

While in Orlando, I tested several masks to see what works best for long days in the heat.

Click on this link to see what I tested and which I recommend, with details on where to purchase.

Would I Visit Again During COVID-19?

Absolutely.

In fact, as soon as I got home in July, I booked my trips for October and December of 2020.

For the best discounts, concierge service, complimentary price monitoring, and so much more, contact the only travel agency I recommend, Get Away Today. They’ve been planning trips for over 30 years now. And, they’re the first agency Disneyland partnered with! Get Away Today books 3-4 trips to WDW each year for me as well as many long weekends at Disneyland.

This link gets you started with a no-obligation quote.

Visiting both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort? Save more when you bundle your package. Details here.

Price Monitoring is a huge advantage you’ll receive with Get Away Today. This email came in recently for my December trip:

If you are ready to travel, Walt Disney World might be a good option for you. There’s a lot to know, however, so definitely book your trip with a trusted agent who has been to WDW during COVID-19. (My contact at Get Away Today, linked above, has been three since July 2020 when the parks reopened.)

Photos

For soooooo many photos from my experience with more tips for your visit, go here and here.

Halloween 2020

  • Decor and festivities will be in place from September 15 – October 31, 2020.
  • Disney shares the scoop on the season here.
  • There will be no Halloween party during 2020.
  • Minnie’s Halloween Dine begins September 25, 2020 at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios.
  • This link details the Foodie Guide for Halloween at Walt Disney World this year.
  • This link has information on additional dining options returning Fall 2020 to Magic Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios.

Holidays 2020

  • Decor and festivities will be in place from November 6 – December 30, 2020.
  • Disney shares the scoop on this here.
  • There will be no holiday party during 2020.
  • Holiday Foodie Highlights for Disney Springs are detailed at this link.
  • 2020 features a Christmas Tree Stroll through Disney Springs (rather than previous years’ Christmas Tree Trail). Read through this post from Disney for details.

I’m back in the parks early December to share more with you!

Questions?

Leave me a comment.

If I don’t have the information you’re looking for, I’ll find out who does.

Take a look at how Get Away Today can help with your vacation

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27 COMMENTS

  1. Hi Casey,
    We are thinking of planning our first Disney World trip. We have a special needs son who utilizes the DAS pass. Is that available at the Disney World parks at this time with COVID-19 changes?

  2. Hey Casey! We will be in WDW for the first time ever on January 5th! Do you think all of holiday will be down by then? I really want to see everything without overlays for our first trip!

  3. I am planning a trip December 29- Jan 3 and don’t really see a big discount perk to staying on site. This is our 10th+ trip but first during COVID. I have reached out to your suggested travel agent. But if there isn’t really great savings would you still stay onsite? We do usually stay onsite but with no early entry and dining being a challenge I just wonder if off-site should be considered?

    • I would still stay on site for the convenience and safety. See how the cost comes out and compare it to what you could accomplish off site, but consider daily transportation. That has always added up for me.

  4. I’ve never been to WDW, is it crazy to plan a trip there for just two weeks from now? Oh, should I give myself more time to plan? P.S. I have a family of 4, two of which are 12 and 15 years old.

  5. I have heard conflicting statements on wait time accuracy. Some have said the times are half of what are listed some say they are spot on. What did you notice? Going on 10/19.

    • Hi, Jana.

      Nothing on Disney property has changed at all. They’re going by their own rules for now. I’ll update this post as things develop.

      Please let me know if I can do anything else for you.

    • MagicBands are still included in your Disney vacation package for December 2020. I would get them if you have a package.

      Without FastPasses, they’re not an absolute necessity. But, they’re still helpful as your park ticket, room key, etc….plus for purchases.

      I leave on Friday for my October trip. I’ll be sharing lots more then!

      • Our trip is about 3 weeks away. Covid numbers are rising. Is it crazy to be travelling at this time? Especially a theme park?? You said you felt safe on your other 2020 visits, has your opinion changed about traveling to wdw with the large uptick of cavid cases???

        • Hi, Adriana.

          Good question. It’s a personal decision, of course, and a complicated one.

          I visited on reopening day in July when numbers were quite high. I returned three months later in October and numbers were lower. And, I leave in three weeks to visit again. I have no intention of cancelling.

          While I can’t make this decision for you, I will share that I felt safer at Walt Disney World – both in the parks and at my resort – than I have anywhere else since everything began in March.

          Disney has done an excellent job taking care of guests and responding to issues as they arise. I felt more protected there than shopping at Target, putting gas in my car, etc etc.

          I hope this helps a bit!

  9. Hello, I watched your Instagram on WDW and noticed you showed some parade footage. On the Disney website it says there are no parades. Are they happening randomly? Or not happening at all? Thank you for all your information!

  11. I went to the Shop Disney website to check out the masks. They all had 1 to 1 1/2 star reviews, but I was unable to pull up what the reviews actually said. I have trouble breathing through a mask due to lifelong sinus problems, so I look for masks that are easiest to breathe through (probably like everybody). I can’t stand breathing warm/hot air, like under covers in bed. Do you recommend the Disney masks for me?

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