By Elly Molina ’23   

As a big fan of Disney World, and unable to visit because of closures, I was excited to learn that it opened again, but safely – with COVID-19 protocols in place. 

My family and I traveled to the Magic Kingdom for a week of fun – though it was different from ever before. The good news is that because the park is operating at 50% capacity and fewer people are traveling during the pandemic, the wait times for the rides are significantly shorter.  Eating at the park is also very different. All park visitors order food through an app and are notified when their order is ready. The restaurants that are open, follow social distancing protocols by keeping every other table open and six feet apart. 

Other safety protocols in place include hand sanitizing stations throughout the park and markers placed – not 6, but 12 feet apart for visitors to social distance. This is probably done to accommodate the many who use strollers or electrified chairs, and Disney World is ADA compliant.

There are no pictures with Mickey Mouse, no poses with Snow White, no fireworks, or grand parades, but none of this can take the magic out of the Magic Kingdom.