A guide to navigating the new reality for the parks, dos and don'ts, and what's changed since reopening.
Parades/Characters
Although character meet and greets are closed, and there are no traditional parades, there are plenty of opportunities to see characters you love. Some characters appear sporadically in HS, DAK, and Epcot, but you are almost guaranteed to catch one of the character cavalcades in MK.
Cavalcades are typically one parade float with characters preceded by performers. In MK there were three alternating cavalcades.They alternate between "Boo to You" featuring Mickey and the gang, "It's Good to be Bad" featuring all the movie villains, and "This is Halloween"featuring Jack, Sally, and Oogie Boogie
Performances you will also get the chance to see some of your favorite performers in socially distanced areas. In MK the Dapper Dans can be found singing Halloween favorites from the bridge in Frontierland - this is also where you can find Chip and Dale.
In Epcot the Jammitors can be found performing in the America pavilion on stage instead of their usual spots in Future World.
Attractions/Wait Times
Even though there is limited capacity at the parks, it can still feel crowded. I would encourage visitors not to panic about not having fast passes in future visits. The lines may appear to be long but this is only due to social distancing guidelines. The lines moved very quickly in my experience and were typically shorter than the posted wait time.
One downside to these longer lines is that some backstage areas have been opened up in order to maintain the lines. This can be disappointing for those looking for that complete immersive experience Galaxy's Edge has given us before.
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is the newest attraction at HS and it is an absolute blast. The ride displays jaw dropping technology and is a fun adventure for all ages. One thing to keep in mind about Runaway Railway and other attraction is that there are no longer any pre-shows in order to keep guest flow. Hopefully next year we will get to see the new pre show for Runaway Railway!
Food/Seasonal Offerings
One thing about Disney World that did not change this year is the fantastic dining options. This Fall Disney introduced several new seasonal treats that are available across the parks. If you're a fan of pumpkin spice, I recommend these treats:
Pumpkin Mickey Waffle Sundae @ Sleepy Hallow in MK
Pumpkin Spice Gelato Martini @ Le'Artisan des Glaces in Epcot
Pumpkin Spice Cannoli @ PizzeRizzo's in HS
Food & Wine Festival in Epcot is resuming usual operations this year with the exception of the World Showplace in between the UK and Canada being used for three additional marketplaces. Be sure to try the lobster and specialty mac and cheeses!
& lastly, please wear your mask!
