For the first time since mid-March, guests were back at the Magic Kingdom.
Walt Disney World hosted a special preview Tuesday for cast members at both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, giving the parks a chance to test out new procedures aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. This includes face masks for all employees and all guests over the age of 2, physical distancing throughout the park and temperature checks upon arrival.
Like Universal Orlando’s own employee previews last month, crowds were light.
Feels crowded #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/uFS6l8gSpv
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) July 7, 2020
Here’s a longer stroll through the park from the Magic Blitz Podcast.
Join us on an afternoon stroll down Mainstreet USA at The Magic Kingdom https://t.co/G9lJKGRmr1
— The Magic Blitz Podcast (@TheMagicBlitz) July 7, 2020
One major change since the park closed: Cinderella Castle is sporting a new paint job. Announced back in February, turrets now sport a darker shade of blue while the central part of castle has gone from white to a new pinkish hue.
Walking up toward Cinderella Castle #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/gWT8c6rx3w
— Denise at Mousesteps (@Mousesteps) July 7, 2020
NEWS: The classic hues of Cinderella Castle at #MagicKingdom have been replaced ahead of the reopening this Saturday. #WDW #Goldpaint #LoveFL pic.twitter.com/L05NaXqpOz
— InnHouse (@InnHouseUSA) July 7, 2020
I absolutely love the castle – it looks so beautiful against the sky. Can’t wait to chat about all the updates next week on the podcast #CinderellaCastle #MagicKingdom #DisneyPodcast pic.twitter.com/Sb0qiU28JC
— Pixie Dust Fan (@PixieDustFan) July 7, 2020
There were plenty of reminders that we’re living in a pandemic while inside the park. Besides everyone donning a face mask, character interactions are only being done at a distance — and in some inventive ways.
Characters ride by the Castle Hub! pic.twitter.com/JE9TYgTH9I
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) July 7, 2020
Chip & Dale are riding on the water! #Disney #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/VMvOHz6NaH
— JAY-COB (@JayInFlorida) July 7, 2020
Some rides saw significant changes for this COVID-19 era. Plexiglass has been installed in the queue for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, while interactive elements are unavailable at the moment.
And here are the plexiglass barriers in the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train queue. #DisneyWorld #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/lzZWeY4R7K
— ThrillGeek (@thrillgeek) July 7, 2020
The Haunted Mansion has turned the “Stretching Room” pre-show scene into a simple walk-through.
Haunted Mansion stretching room is walk-through only as expected pic.twitter.com/kXH5YnwlcZ
— WDWMAGIC.COM (@wdwmagic) July 7, 2020
On other rides, employees could be seen cleaning ride vehicles between parties.
#CastMembers sanitizing each Small World boat, before guests ride on it- https://t.co/pfZVEdrqYO #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld pic.twitter.com/vv9lPo8YBb
— The Kingdom Insider (@TKIDisneyNews) July 7, 2020
And on Jungle Cruise, plexiglass dividers have been installed inside the boat itself.
#CastMembers sanitizing each Small World boat, before guests ride on it- https://t.co/pfZVEdrqYO #waltdisneyworld #disneyworld pic.twitter.com/vv9lPo8YBb
— The Kingdom Insider (@TKIDisneyNews) July 7, 2020
You would expect Disney cast members to be on their best behavior inside the park. Theme Park Tribune did not hear even anecdotal evidence of anyone violating the face mask requirements. There were, however, some concerns expressed on social media from those in attendance. One person snapped a picture of a not-socially-distant crowd forming in front of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 📷: @mizushitsuji pic.twitter.com/pjN1HISZxW
— AJ Wolfe (@DisneyFoodBlog) July 7, 2020
While Touring Plans noted the Peter Pan’s Flight queue could be problematic when even restricted crowds get larger.
In theory, the queue for Peter Pan can back up at socially distanced intervals into Fantsyland proper. Social distancing is great, but this won’t scale well with even moderate crowds. pic.twitter.com/jS6v3rWv10
— TouringPlans (@TouringPlans) July 7, 2020
The Magic Blitz Podcast captured what look like an animatronic freakout on the Carousel of Progress.
John clearly hasn’t been rehearsing during his vacation time pic.twitter.com/U5dKRYfb47
— The Magic Blitz Podcast (@TheMagicBlitz) July 7, 2020
At Animal Kingdom, the story was largely the same: light crowds, distanced character greetings and new safety measures, including plexiglass in the Flight of Passage queue.
At Animal Kingdom, you can shake your tail feather with Donald, Daisy, Launchpad McQuack, Pocahontas, and Meeko from a safe distance. pic.twitter.com/DNyoXZw16m
— Orlando Informer (@OrlandoInformer) July 7, 2020
Dinoland is a ghost town. pic.twitter.com/h0syjqwp8H
— Park Journey (@Park_Journey) July 7, 2020
Today is the first day of Cast Member previews at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Starting a thread:
Here is a look at social distancing partitions in the Flight of Passage queue:
📷 @OurFLProject pic.twitter.com/HKM3k6THs0
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) July 7, 2020
Employee previews at Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom will continue on Wednesday, followed by previews for annual passholders on Thursday and Friday. Both parks will reopen to the general public on Saturday. Cast member previews will also be held at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 13 and 14 ahead of those parks’ reopenings on July 15.