It all begins with an idea.

So many aspects of our lives have changed over the last year or so, including the Walt Disney World experience. After being completely shut down for several months due to Covid-19, the Orlando theme park began a phased reopening mid-July 2020. As annual pass holders, my family and I were excited to get back to Disney, especially as we heard about the limited capacity and low wait times for attractions!

Between October 2020 and June 2021, we made the 8-hour drive to Walt Disney World from our home in North Carolina at least 5 times. Why?? Because, although many restaurants and attractions were not yet reopened, the Disney magic was still there for us. We enjoyed seeing the Cast Members who were so happy to be back to work. We enjoyed being able to take our time strolling down Main Street without the crowds and getting that magical castle photo without strangers in the background. We enjoyed minimal wait times for our favorite attractions, even walking right on to many of them by the end of the day. It was definitely not the Disney we were used to, but it was such a welcome escape from the craziness that was going on in the world!

During our most recent Disney trip this June, we stayed for nearly two weeks- including 10 days in the parks. The beginning of our trip was much like the previous post-pandemic trips, with mask requirements, social distancing markers in all the queues, limited capacity on transportation, etc. However, about halfway through that trip, everything changed. Walt Disney World announced dramatic revisions to their Covid-19 protocols as a result of cases declining and vaccine availability. The day these changes took effect, I immediately felt the Disney experience we are all more familiar with returning. Dividers were removed from attractions and transportation. Masks were no longer required. Rides were being filled to full capacity. Everything started to feel so much more ‘normal’ again!

While I will definitely miss the lower crowd levels and having my personal space while waiting in line, it was SO exciting to witness these huge shifts in operations during our stay. Being able to see the incredible cast perform the Festival of the Lion King show, having the full view of the Magic Kingdom from a monorail with no dividers blocking the windows, and watching those incredible fireworks (returning July 1st, by the way) at the end of a long park day are things we will all appreciate a little bit more after the past year. Disney continues to announce reopening dates for more attractions, entertainment shows, and dining options, which is fantastic news as the parks gear up for the huge 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World this October!