With Disney World mask free, does it feel like everything is normal again?

[Walt Disney1955]

Just asking, because with the ton of money a trip costs, the masks are a huge buzz kill, especially if you are coming from Canada and trying to escape....................well, everything. I have friends that just came back, just before the mask mandate ended. She didn't care much for having to put one on in the inside rides. I've always felt that ruins the experience and never wanted to be involved in it. But with the masks gone, does it look like WDW pre-2020 to the guests who have experienced it?

Patiently asking and wondering, as a concerned Canadian.

 

[Disney4Lyfe]

I am just glad the CDC said it was safe and now we don't need masks any more. Can characters be met in close quarters again? I want to do a breakfast, but want my kids to be able to hug Mickey

 

[vikescaper]

With park reservations and 2 pm park hopping, things still don’t feel pre-pandemic.

 

[correcaminos]

Going in 2 weeks. Been a few times though with indoor masks required, and next trip federal transportation mandates will still be in place. So you'll need to wait for 3 weeks to get a feel for that. We'll still need them for most transportation.

All said the masks are not what kept it from feeling normal. So many shows and dining options are still missing. Morocco in Epcot for example is a shell of itself. Park reservations suck and so does 2pm hopping. Not everything is back yet and that is more noticeable still. Masks or not, it still is not entirely the same.

 

[eliza61nyc]

With park reservations and 2 pm park hopping, things still don’t feel pre-pandemic.

Unfortunately I think like real life, things aren't ever going back to pre-pandemic. I think covid has given us a new normal.

 

[correcaminos]

Unfortunately I think like real life, things aren't ever going back to pre-pandemic. I think covid has given us a new normal.

In Disney's case on this it's an excuse to not change back IMO and that irks me most

 

[vikescaper]

In Disney's case on this it's an excuse to not change back IMO and that irks me most

I agree. Especially since other parks don’t require park reservations.

 

[NickMaio]

I agree. Especially since other parks don’t require park reservations.

It's a greasy way to manipulate the system, understaffed, and push people into paying for extras that would not really be needed if the parks were staffed properly.

 

[danlb_2000]

Just asking, because with the ton of money a trip costs, the masks are a huge buzz kill, especially if you are coming from Canada and trying to escape....................well, everything. I have friends that just came back, just before the mask mandate ended. She didn't care much for having to put one on in the inside rides. I've always felt that ruins the experience and never wanted to be involved in it. But with the masks gone, does it look like WDW pre-2020 to the guests who have experienced it?

Patiently asking and wondering, as a concerned Canadian.

I have not been, will be going at the end of April, but a lot of things haven't returned to their 2019 state and may never go back. We now have Genie+ instead of Fast pass, park pass reservations, there are still shows that have not reopened of gone back to their original state, not all the restaurants have reopened, not to mention the price increases.

 

[The Mom]

Please stay on topic. The OP wants information on the park experience post masks. This is not a mask discussion thread - one already exists.

I have seen a couple of photos taken by guests who checked in to find unmade beds, old towels and linens on the floor, etc. So apparently lack of housekeeping staff is still an issue as of latter February.

 

[Disstevefan1]

Please stay on topic. The OP wants information on the park experience post masks. This is not a mask discussion thread - one already exists.

I have seen a couple of photos taken by guests who checked in to find unmade beds, old towels and linens on the floor, etc. So apparently lack of housekeeping staff is still an issue as of latter February.

Excellent point, the parks may feel somewhat back to normal, mobs, no distancing, no masks, the only thing is character interaction is missing.

But things like housekeeping; many workers lost to COVID layoffs, probably found better jobs and will not return..

 

[JIMINYCR]

Its not entirely back to feeling normal but with mask restrictions gone it is a step in the right direction. You will still see some guests wearing masks because they arent ready to personally accept that its safe enough. You will feel some affects of staff shortages and have to deal with crowding. For us hearing the Disney music, walking through the familiar Disney paths and streets, being immersed in the themed areas, having the iconic Disney snacks, taking on the fav attractions, helped us completely forget Covid and push it back into or minds so it was irrelevant. Youll enjoy the trip you do if you can accept that there are many thing the same and many are changed but those negatives can be delt with easily. You can focus on the negatives and be miserable. But Disney can still be Disney and theres a lot to be enjoyed. Welcome back from Canada.

 

[Wilbret]

As others have noted, the "essence" of things have changed moreso than any ridiculous masking requirements. What is normal?

Our last WDW trip was Thanksgiving, but we have been to Orlando several times since then to the other parks we visit. Disney remains...different. It's a chore compared to the other parks. You are probably dying to go, so I'd go and see for yourself. It will still be better than doing nothing. ;-) Just be flexible and you'll be okay, honestly. Some days we can ride whatever we want, other days we may ride one thing and experience something new. One day on a recent trip, we spent the ENTIRE day "on the left side of the castle" just because. Some days, your app ordered food takes 1-1/2 hours. Some days it's ready in minutes. Normal isn't normal.

 

[CntrlFlPete]

if wearing mask indoors/on rides is what took away from the experience, well, those choses are optional currently.

We went to the Studios yesterday, some folks still wear mask but most do not.

We generally went to see some of the shows and I find it odd whatever their entertainment rules are. I had been thinking entertainment was slow to return for issues on how things need to be staged (I assumed union rules). Many of the shows I have seen post re-opening have kept actors distanced/no contact.

Well, Sunday, we saw Indiana Jones. Now there, lots of fist bumps among cast, huggin -- just close contact. -- then went to BatB -- Belle and the Beast never come within about 10 feet of each other -- they admire each other from different sides of the stage -- I found it odd that the two shows were so different -- so my take is that entertainment is not there yet.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Thanks for all of the responses, lots of information here. Okay, so I am hearing 2pm park hopping? What is that? Does that mean no park hopping after 2pm? Or before?

 

[Walt Disney1955]

As others have noted, the "essence" of things have changed moreso than any ridiculous masking requirements. What is normal?

Our last WDW trip was Thanksgiving, but we have been to Orlando several times since then to the other parks we visit. Disney remains...different. It's a chore compared to the other parks. You are probably dying to go, so I'd go and see for yourself. It will still be better than doing nothing. ;-) Just be flexible and you'll be okay, honestly. Some days we can ride whatever we want, other days we may ride one thing and experience something new. One day on a recent trip, we spent the ENTIRE day "on the left side of the castle" just because. Some days, your app ordered food takes 1-1/2 hours. Some days it's ready in minutes. Normal isn't normal.

Okay, so the food thing isn't a big issue with me. We mostly bring some food in with us and if we eat something else we just buy it at a concession stand. No big deal. But what do you mean by staying at the "left of the castle" all day? By choice? Or just the crowds?

I would hate to go back, pay all of that money, and not get the pre-2020 Disney experience. That would suck. I just don't get it to be honest. In Canada things are still wacky, but even last summer if the carnival/fair was in town it was normal and everyone acted normal, no masks, etc. Ditto with a water park. Line ups, no masks, nothing out of the ordinary. Why hasn't Disney hit that yet, especially in Florida?

 

[danlb_2000]

Thanks for all of the responses, lots of information here. Okay, so I am hearing 2pm park hopping? What is that? Does that mean no park hopping after 2pm? Or before?

You need to make a park pass reservation and enter that park first, and then after 2:00 PM you can hop to another park without an additional park pass.

 

[danlb_2000]

Okay, so the food thing isn't a big issue with me. We mostly bring some food in with us and if we eat something else we just buy it at a concession stand. No big deal. But what do you mean by staying at the "left of the castle" all day? By choice? Or just the crowds?

I would hate to go back, pay all of that money, and not get the pre-2020 Disney experience. That would suck. I just don't get it to be honest. In Canada things are still wacky, but even last summer if the carnival/fair was in town it was normal and everyone acted normal, no masks, etc. Ditto with a water park. Line ups, no masks, nothing out of the ordinary. Why hasn't Disney hit that yet, especially in Florida?

Things are definitely different then pre-2020, it will be up to you to see how they impact your enjoyment. Most of the direct COVID impacts are now gone from the parks, but the side effects are still there.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

You need to make a park pass reservation and enter that park first, and then after 2:00 PM you can hop to another park without an additional park pass.

Geez, why? I mean, I never hopped prior to 2pm I don't think anyway, but what does this have to do with anything?

 

[Wilbret]

Okay, so the food thing isn't a big issue with me. We mostly bring some food in with us and if we eat something else we just buy it at a concession stand. No big deal. But what do you mean by staying at the "left of the castle" all day? By choice? Or just the crowds?

I would hate to go back, pay all of that money, and not get the pre-2020 Disney experience. That would suck. I just don't get it to be honest. In Canada things are still wacky, but even last summer if the carnival/fair was in town it was normal and everyone acted normal, no masks, etc. Ditto with a water park. Line ups, no masks, nothing out of the ordinary. Why hasn't Disney hit that yet, especially in Florida?

Left of the castle - Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square. Did things we typically neglected like Tiki Room, Country Bears, Tom Sawyer, etc.

It’s normal most places, keep in mind “Disney” is California-led. They were behind the curve.

You won’t get the pre-2020 experience, but it will still be fun, but different.