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

[networkpro]

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?

It means that if you have a park hopper or AP you can only enter the 2nd park of the day after 2PM (well its about 1:47 that they really let you in) but you must have first checked into your first park prior to that. It still requires a park pass for the first park of the day.

 

[Disstevefan1]

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

I think this is to prevent someone from using the park hop as a loophole. Someone really wanted to go to the MK and there are no reservations left for the MK then gets one for EPCOT, rope drops EPCOT then immediately hops to MK.

 

[drizgirl]

I think this is to prevent someone from using the park hop as a loophole. Someone really wanted to go to the MK and there are no reservations left for the MK then gets one for EPCOT, rope drops EPCOT then immediately hops to MK.

And? The hassle factor alone is enough to limit the numbers trying this.

 

[Disstevefan1]

And? The hassle factor alone is enough to limit the numbers trying this.

If someone really, really wanted to go to the MK on that day, it's worth the effort. Hence the 2PM rule.

 

[drizgirl]

If someone really, really wanted to go to the MK on that day, it's worth the effort. Hence the 2PM rule.

And that never used to be a problem. I have to think we're close to a point where it won't be a problem again.

 

[Disstevefan1]

And that never used to be a problem. I have to think we're close to a point where it won't be a problem again.

As long as the park pass reservation system exists, we can only hope there won’t be a problem.

Before the park pass reservation system, you could count on one hand the number of days in a year, a park could possibly be closed due to capacity.

 

[Wilbret]

If someone really, really wanted to go to the MK on that day, it's worth the effort. Hence the 2PM rule.

I think it really was more important around the 50th than anything. Seems like they could adapt the rule somehow. I hate it.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Genie+ and ILL have significantly changed the park experience from what it was like in 2019. Even if one doesn't use the new system, and didn't use FP+, I think they would still notice that the new system has changed park goer behavior. Because so many people are now awake at 7am to book Genie+, they are getting the parks earlier.

A related change is the change to EMH. It is no longer 1am hour, but a half hour in all parks every day. With the 3hour PM option only open to Deluxe+DVC, and only 2 days/week.

A third related change is that the park hours, on the whole, appear to have been reduced (relative to crowd size). In 2019, WDW was already in the process of cutting park hours, but there is much room to expand park hours. This is something debated on these forums, so it is hard to say exactly what 'normal' park hours should be based on current crowds, but IMO, current practice still seems to be amiss relative to historic trends from just a few years ago.

It looks like WDW just announced an increase in park hours at Epcot, so maybe things are improving?

 

[Wilbret]

Genie+ and ILL have significantly changed the park experience from what it was like in 2019. Even if one doesn't use the new system, and didn't use FP+, I think they would still notice that the new system has changed park goer behavior. Because so many people are now awake at 7am to book Genie+, they are getting the parks earlier.

A related change is the change to EMH. It is no longer 1am hour, but a half hour in all parks every day. With the 3hour PM option only open to Deluxe+DVC, and only 2 days/week.

A third related change is that the park hours, on the whole, appear to have been reduced (relative to crowd size). In 2019, WDW was already in the process of cutting park hours, but there is much room to expand park hours. This is something debated on these forums, so it is hard to say exactly what 'normal' park hours should be based on current crowds, but IMO, current practice still seems to be amiss relative to historic trends from just a few years ago.

It looks like WDW just announced an increase in park hours at Epcot, so maybe things are improving?

30 minutes doesn't seem like much, but it's worth noting if you are considering off-site, because it can mean you have slim pickings, if anything, until afternoon.

 

[drizgirl]

As long as the park pass reservation system exists, we can only hope there won’t be a problem.

Before the park pass reservation system, you could count on one hand the number of days in a year, a park could possibly be closed due to capacity.

And as thing get fully staffed I assume max numbers will adjusted so it’s only a concern those same few days per year.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

And? The hassle factor alone is enough to limit the numbers trying this.

On many days during the pandemic Epcot opened at 11am, while HS opened a couple hours earlier, so I think it would have been very attractive to hit both parks for rope drop, and well worth park hopping.

People might also want to park hop to Epcot mid-day to eat in the World Showcase. If you can't hop mid-day, then that limits where you are able to eat lunch, unless you book a very late lunch.

 

[drizgirl]

I

On many days during the pandemic Epcot opened at 11am, while HS opened a couple hours earlier, so I think it would have been very attractive to hit both parks for rope drop, and well worth park hopping.

People might also want to park hop to Epcot mid-day to eat in the World Showcase. If you can't hop mid-day, then that limits where you are able to eat lunch, unless you book a very late lunch.

Oh I agree the 2 pm limit is ridiculous.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The changes to “feel” in the parks have nothing to do with masks. It’s the harsh policies run in using a worldwide plague as cover.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

The changes to “feel” in the parks have nothing to do with masks. It’s the harsh policies run in using a worldwide plague as cover.

What other policies do you mean though? Without the masks wouldn't it at least feel normal again? Because the local fairs feel normal again to me as if nothing happened.

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.

We do those attractions anyway, so it isn't a problem for me. I never used my phone to navigate around before so Genie+ is irrelevant for me. I go the old school way, and since no one does it that way anymore it works like a charm. Never big on the meal plan either. Is there still the fireworks and the parades? Because what is left that takes away from the experience that makes you realize it isn't pre-2020?

 

[danlb_2000]

What other policies do you mean though? Without the masks wouldn't it at least feel normal again? Because the local fairs feel normal again to me as if nothing happened.

He is probably referring to things like Park Pass which was put in place to control the number of people in the park when capacity was limited, but may stay around long term.

We do those attractions anyway, so it isn't a problem for me. I never used my phone to navigate around before so Genie+ is irrelevant for me. I go the old school way, and since no one does it that way anymore it works like a charm. Never big on the meal plan either. Is there still the fireworks and the parades? Because what is left that takes away from the experience that makes you realize it isn't pre-2020?

Remember Genie+ has replaced Fastpass, so if you don't do Genie+ then your only option is the standby line. The only full parade left in 2019 was Festival of Fantasy and that will be back March 9th. Fireworks shows at Epcot and Magic Kingdom have both been replaced with new shows that are running. As for other things, plexi-glass still in some of the queues, proper M&G's are still not back, shows like Festival of the Lion King are still running "covid-safe" versions, some restaurants still not open and of course higher prices across the board.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

What other policies do you mean though? Without the masks wouldn't it at least feel normal again? Because the local fairs feel normal again to me as if nothing happened.



We do those attractions anyway, so it isn't a problem for me. I never used my phone to navigate around before so Genie+ is irrelevant for me. I go the old school way, and since no one does it that way anymore it works like a charm. Never big on the meal plan either. Is there still the fireworks and the parades? Because what is left that takes away from the experience that makes you realize it isn't pre-2020?

Get ready for the crowds, brother

All the magic you can buy and getting worse

 

[rct247]

No, it does not feel back to normal.

• Park pass reservations
• Parking hoping after 2pm only
• Masks still on transportation and in first aid locations.
• Some Cast Members still opting to wear masks so less smiles
• Physically distant character meet and greets or less meet and greets.
• Genie+ / Stricter policies on early and late arrivals plus stricter policy on rider switches
• Less entertainment including 2 parks with no major nighttime shows
• Closed gift shops and merchandise shortages at times
• Reduced hours and resort exclusive hours
• Less staffing and lower Cast Member morale due to pandemic fatigue
• Even a few attractions / shows haven't been brought back.
• More expensive

 

[Wilbret]

Is there still the fireworks and the parades? Because what is left that takes away from the experience that makes you realize it isn't pre-2020?

There are no parades until next week (March 9). They have these “cavalcades” with a few characters that pop up. Yes they have fireworks again.

Where’s the magic? It’s in all the little things that are gone. Frequent buses. Towels folded into animals. Fast passes. Wizards of MK. Politeness. Patience. Ride uptime. Not having to use your phone 100% of the time. It’s not just one thing.

At this point, it’s best to find out for yourself how it measures up. Maybe it will be amazing?

 

[Goofyernmost]

And? The hassle factor alone is enough to limit the numbers trying this.

Going from Epcot to MK around noon was always the way I did it. Then I went back to Epcot in the evening. And as someone said it is to try and keep the numbers going from Epcot to MK earlier. I'm not sure why, because the crowds in MK will just get unreal in the afternoon, not many leave early from MK. As a hassle though, what is difficult about walking to the Monorail station?

 

[tpoly88]

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..

it does not feel normal at the resorts at all, no houskeeping and things just feel off. at the parks not have to wear a mask is a game changer (not having a cast member yelling "face coverings" over and over, but again, the lack of staff is apparent with restaurants and the park itself. Especially in Epcot with the festivals, kiosks are half staffed and lines longer than they should be. Going to take a while to ramp it back up. after all that im still happy we can go!