Today is a big day for the Walt Disney World theme parks as the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are officially open to all guests! While this should bring joy to some, for others it means visiting Guest Relations to solve various issues before heading into the parks and today is no exception.
While heading into the Magic Kingdom, we caught a glimpse of long lines as guests crowded together, waiting their turn to speak with a Guest Relations Cast Member.
We watched as Cast Members did their best to walk throughout the line and manage the crowds, which spanned all the way back into the walkway for Disney’s Contemporary Resort:
As a reminder, it’s important to stay six feet away from other parties to help maintain social distancing guidelines.
Conversely, over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, lines at Guest Relations were light.
It’s also worth noting that from what little line there was, guests did a great job maintaining distance between parties.
We did manage to swing back to Guest Relations at the Magic Kingdom around ten minutes later to check out the status of the line and we were pleased to see it had been properly spaced out. Most guests indicated having issues with their Disney Park Pass reservations, or existing tickets.
Now, instead of guests being pushed together and crowding the entrance area, the line wraps around the Guest Relations building.
Will you be heading to the Magic Kingdom soon for its phased reopening? This is the first unwieldy line we’ve encountered so far, but were impressed at Cast Members’ speed and agility in spacing it out and processing any guest requests quickly to have the line progress faster. Have you encountered any long lines at the parks today? Let us know in the comments.
This is awesome to see! We need to slowly get back into some kind of normalcy without the fear of a virus. We know to take precautions just like at any given time when illnesses are out there it’s common sense. Can’t wait to visit Disney in September!
Sure, next year maybe. Definitely not worth dying over Slash Mountain.
Shameful
What enforcement and punishment measures has Disney announced for people who refuse to wear a mask after they get inside the parks?
I heard that you will not get into the park without wearing a mask 😷 no exceptions. If your seen not wearing the mask you will get one warning to put it on and if not you will have to leave the park. I say just stay home until the vaccine is available and hopefully if safe everyone will get it. I know I will ASAP
Please don’t go at this point, the case load in the US is still going up, especially in Florida. Be patriotic and stay home a few more weeks.
I ageee.
Will know in 14 days if this is a good Idea, is Disney going to track all the people that were there, after they go home ?
With the spike in Florida and it now being pretty much the new epicenter, you would have to be a moron to go too Disney. We canceled our trip, the mouse is not worth your life or someone you love.
We had planned a wedding anniversary trip for this October. We honeymooned in Disney 40 years ago and were looking forward to going with our kids and grandkids to celebrate. You are right, it’s not worth it. We figure we’ve been together 40 years, not going to risk losing each other or any of our precious family. We can celebrate next year….hopefully. Please stay safe and healthy park goers.
Sorry that you won’t get to celebrate at Disney this year. But you are very wise to be patient and care about your family’s health.
Florida…you’re nuts!
Ridiculous now they’re even more than 6 feet apart you’re such a freaking turd
Can’t wait for October visit, Disney here we come !
I love all things Disney! But staying home for now. One reason, I don’t think it would be as much fun, having to wear a mask all day, outside, in the heat!, I would probably be hyperventilating ! The main thing, is Florida is having a major outbreak of COVID, and many other states, people are going to WDW from all over! Too much of a risk, right now!
Wow, who could have forseen this!? 🙄
Clearly people are having trouble maintaining the minimum social distancing standards from day one. It happened in cast previews, it’s happening again on opening day. This whole situation is so misguided and is going to make more people sick. It’s frustrating to see photos of crowds in an article repeatedly saying people aren’t crowding up. Stop normalizing this dangerously bad idea.
Just based on the infection rate in Florida right now statistically there will be a surge in the numbers due to the parks opening. Despite the masks and other precautions, there is still an infection factor to contend with. Just like the premature opening of restaurants and bars, it is too soon to reopen the parks. FL is no different than CA right now and they haven’t opened the CA parks yet.
Where is the social distancing?
Disney will be there in 2021 people. Just stay home and reduce your virus numbers like Canada did. Yes Disneybis fun but life is precious. Stay safe USA I want to eventually travel back there once again in future.
Hot and humid wearing a mask sounds like torture. People going are only going for short ride lines or parents that feel bad about kids being couped up in the house for months on end now. Now that Disney knows how long the guest relation line gets they should put more markers on floor that wrap around the building.
That’s too much of a hassle. I’ll wait
How is this a crowd? I used to be a Disney fan and went at least twice a year. They already cancelled the Halloween Party this year. Now they want to mandate what type of mask to wear in the hot humid Florida weather? And in a couple months Disney will wonder why no one is coming and they are loosing millions of dollars in profits. If your scared of a virus stay in your basement please. Let the rest of us people live our lives. And for thoes who want to click the thumbs down button for my comment it just makes me laugh harder when you do. Shelter in your parents basement, myself and normal people have a life to live.
Jason, well said. Couldn’t agree more. DISney is a DISaster right now. Pass the popcorn.
How can anyone even think of going to Disney when the Covid numbers are on the rise? Wait for the consequences in a few weeks.
It looks worse at Guest relations d/t the ticket mistakes. It will even out. Those vlogging from inside today showed it being really sparse.
You can’t really believe people are going to follow guidelines do you? Maybe for a couple of days, but then it will be everyone for themselves. Business as usual.
I’ve taken all the recommended CDC safety precautions seriously since the start of the Pandemic. Truth be told I thought I was being a little overly cautious. Unfortunately I contracted COVID-19 last week and the symptoms are miserable and scary! I was so careful, I have no idea how I caught it.
Stay HOME and STAY healthy!
Save Splash Mountain!!
I don’t care if they gave me free passes I won’t be going to Disney for a long time Sorry Mickey we love you but I’ll have to pass
I’ve seen much bigger crowds at Costco.
With Florida as the new global epicenter of the pandemic I will not be going any time soon
I will wait until all of this is over. We are huge Disney fans but our family’s well being is more important than anything else.
Just so we are all clear….the rest of the world is looking at us with a mix of horror and pity.
Yea,! Its about time! We need se normal in our lives. Great to see it open!
Would love to here some reviews of opening day.
We cancelled our planned trip for this Oct. I’ve been reading the articles about the reopening of the parks. Our state ( Louisiana) has seen an uptick in Covid infection. Bars and other gathering places are back to phase 1… closed. Masks are mandatory and gatherings are restricted to 50 people. Other states have seen upticks also and Fla is one of the hardest hit. I don’t propose people should become hermits, and those who choose visit DW now are certainly free to do so, but I think it’s too much too soon.The cast members appear to be doing an excellent job, but being a frequent visitor…I have seen many times how the heat combined with waits leads to very cranky people. The new rules won’t help those situations. With all the restrictions and changes, it doesn’t seem worth the money or hassle. When we can enjoy the magic to its fullest, we will be the 1st ones in line. Miss you Mouse…til.we meet again …