Physical Distancing & Safety Measures in Disney World Attraction Lines
As one of the health safety precautions for resuming operations, Walt Disney World has modified all ride and attraction queues in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios. Here, we’ll share photos of the physical or social distancing measures, including plexiglass barriers & ground markers that have been installed in lines. We’ll also cover our experiences and how guests have adapted to the changes.
Walt Disney World’s official “Returning to a World of Magic” page covers the three guiding principles of the modified operational guidelines and health safety measures: enhanced cleaning, reduced contact, and physical distancing. That same page touches upon temporary adjustments are in place to promote physical distancing.
Most significantly for attractions, there are signage and ground markings. In the lines for rides, “please wait here” strips have been installed. Additionally, physical barriers have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing guidelines. As DisneyWorld.com doesn’t show examples of either, that’s what we’ll be doing here, plus detailing our extensive experiences with these in the parks…
This post is one of many to come that will form the basis of our forthcoming modified 2020 Walt Disney World planning guide. This series is aimed at helping you determine both whether you’d feel safe visiting Walt Disney World later this year or early next, and whether it’s worth visiting WDW with so many modifications in place.
Let’s get started with a look around some of the queues at Walt Disney World while also offering some random commentary that hopefully you’ll find helpful in assessing your own comfort levels…
To begin, perceptions of safety are a personal matter, which is important to underscore. We have felt comfortable in every modified queue at Walt Disney World, but that’s predicated upon our risk tolerances and personal experiences thus far.
We’ve found that the “please wait here” markers are installed at appropriate distances, plexiglass barriers exist in virtually all switchback locations, and guest adherence to rules has been exceptional in our experiences.
While we don’t carry a tape measure with us to the theme parks, the “please wait here” markers are easily 8 or more feet apart, with greater distance when it comes to indoor queues.
In some cases, these markers are significantly more than 8 feet apart, as Walt Disney World has accounted for proper distance in all directions. Meaning that if the queue winds around or doubles back, the markers account for this.
This has actually resulted in some minor challenges for us.
There are locations where the physical distancing markers are at the edge of a blind corner, and it’s difficult to tell whether the party ahead of us has moved forward to the next marker, or has just started to “drift” forward.
The latter is actually fairly common, especially as many guests are glued to their phones while waiting in line.
To remedy this “problem,” one of us moves forward to scout the next marker while the other holds the previous spot. This is an approach we recommend, as it prevents the party behind you from moving to your slot…and you being left without a marker, and (potentially) inadequately distanced.
While a lot of people are preoccupied with their phones, we haven’t had any real issues (beyond the minor drifting) with this while waiting in line.
Most guests have enough peripheral vision and situational awareness to stand on a marker and play on their phones. Multi-tasking at its finest!
The bigger issue with guests on phones is while navigating walkways. It takes some time to unlearn old habits, and many people don’t account for the extra space for physical distancing while walking around in “autopilot” mode.
Fortunately, the parks are veritable ghost towns, so there’s sufficient space pretty much everywhere in open areas to avoid others. It just requires that you be more mindful in some areas, as not all guests will be.
In general, we’ve felt safest in the outdoor queues. This is in large part because they have the best air flow and are more open.
Slinky Dog Dash is a great example of this–we’d do that attraction again and again because the main queue is covered but outdoors, with plenty of airflow, thoughtful spacing, and plexiglass barriers.
However, we’ve also noticed that once outdoor queues get into overflow territory, with markers beyond their permanent infrastructure, distancing is not quite as good.
The best example of this is another attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. There are tape markers in the park’s central courtyard to accommodate hour-plus waits, and we’ve seen some cases of guests being a bit too lax with spacing.
Another example of this is Frozen Ever After at Epcot, which has a relatively short indoor queue but overflow that extends pretty far beyond Norway’s border.
In both cases, nothing we’ve observed has been major or egregious (and this occurring in outdoor settings gives us less pause), but it’s still worth pointing out. We’ve seen enough to say with confidence that guests “perform” better within the confines of the structured queues.
It’s also worth noting that attendance is really low at Walt Disney World right now, with most parks not filling to even their reduced capacity.
Consequently, few full queues (let alone overflow areas) are being used right now.
Posted wait times are down considerably across the board, and even those are dramatically inflated. Right now, the longest wait you’ll have is likely Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and even that could be only a 20-30 minute line if you do it first thing in the morning or at the end of the night.
Come October through December (and beyond), things could be different. (Although that feels increasingly unlikely given Florida’s rising case numbers, which are causing many guests to push this year’s trips into 2021.)
Avatar Flight of Passage is a good example here.
To our knowledge, this is the longest queue at Walt Disney World–to the point that the posted wait time is 10 minutes simply because it’ll take you that long to walk the line.
We’ve yet to see 95% of this line in use. Despite that, Walt Disney World has added “please wait here” markers on both sides of the bridge to Africa.
This means there’s the expectation that–at some point–waits for Avatar Flight of Passage will be significantly longer than their current 10-30 minutes.
Sticking with Avatar Flight of Passage, it’s a queue where physical distancing has been done really well, with an abundance of markers plus plexiglass barriers.
We felt safe throughout the queue, including the pre-show rooms (the more annoying of which is not currently running, with two rooms instead running the safety spiel).
However, we felt less safe on the attraction itself, as each party is only separated by one banshee. That’s at least 6′ of distance, but it still made us uncomfortable.
Again, it’s worth underscoring that perceptions of safety are personal. We’ve spoken with friends who also rode Avatar Flight of Passage and didn’t think anything of this until we mentioned it (and even then, weren’t bothered). We aren’t claiming to be “right” and them “wrong.” It is what it is–your mileage may vary.
If there’s an attraction you want to do that potentially concerns you, the best option is doing it right at rope drop, or the last hour the park is open.
It’s always true that wait times are shortest at park opening and closing, but we’re seeing particularly short waits the last hour of operations. Due to the summer heat, limited attraction lineup, and having to wear face masks all day, most guests are leaving well before park closing.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is another attraction that’s both really well done and also potentially problematic. We cover this at length in our Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Report: Struggles & Success!
Our experience with this attraction was flawless–absolutely zero complaints. However, this attraction has been plagued by breakdowns, and if you’re in line when this occurs, it could mean a 30 to 90 minute wait standing or sitting in the same spot.
Again, your mileage (and personal comfort levels) may vary, but our recommendation would be to exit the queue in the event of any attraction breakdown. In the case of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, speak with a Cast Member on the way out about re-entry.
In the case of literally any other attraction, the time you’ll waste by waiting out a breakdown is more than the currently low posted wait times. You come out ahead by bailing.
Prior to Walt Disney World reopening, there were some attractions we had reticence about doing. High on that list was Haunted Mansion due to its confined pre-show spaces.
However, Walt Disney World obviated our concerns by eliminating the pre-show and making this section part of the queue. While it might hurt the attraction experience, in this time of temporary abnormal, it’s a necessary measure to ensure safety.
Overall, this about sums up the modified queues and temporary safety measures that Walt Disney World–what’s necessary to ensure guest safety. Without exception, the altered queues have been exceptional and made us feel comfortable in every line. Guests also deserve a lot of credit, as the vast majority have been following the rules and standing on the markers.
Even though ride capacity has been reduced, our waits in line have been incredibly short due to dramatically reduced attendance. It also helps that FastPass+ has been eliminated, so lines are constantly moving. That may seem insignificant, but it both helps make the wait pass quicker and minimizes the time you’re spending in any given spot. All things considered, we give high marks to Disney on the modified queues!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you been to Walt Disney World since the parks reopened? What did you think of the modified queues? Did you feel safe? Anywhere you felt unsafe? Other thoughts, tips, or unique lines we didn’t address? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Are they still doing the fingerprint entry?? If so are they cleaning it between each person?
In the financial world, assuming greater risks yields the potential for greater rewards. Everyone has different levels of risk they are willing to take with their monies. Same here with entertainment, I suppose. It would be interesting to see the correlation of those willing to take larger risks for financial reasons versus the same for entertainment reasons.
We had a different experience on flight of passage. Our family of 4 was in one group, a girl by herself was in the middle group (just her for the whole section of banshees) and a larger family was in the last group. The only two times that I felt uncomfortable with distancing were on soarin – one seat and a tiny plexiglass didn’t do it for me – and in line at big thunder – the inside ramp with people in line above.
I have to say that I am VERY MUCH looking forward to my socially distanced vacation this fall. I only hope that the line spacing is something that continues. Having been born in raised in the great American Midwest, line crunching gets to be a bit too close for comfort.
So Tom, I see your still deleting any posts that have a negative connotation concerning Disney operations and the Parks Safety or Lack of It! Keep in mind that those you give a false sense of security and bring back corona to Grandpa and Grandma, will be your doing!
Your other comment is right below this one, and was when you posted this comment.
It was flagged for moderation and subsequently approved within 10 minutes of your submitting it. No comments to this post have been deleted.
Very classy reply, Tom. Honestly, I don’t know how you deal with commenters some days. All that hostility from people who get the benefit of all your experience and insights — for free. Thank you for your writing. I don’t have to always agree with you to appreciate you very much.
Respectfully, I believe you mean you are “stunned” by ignorance – stuned (probably pronounced: stooned) is not a word.
My comments often go into moderation –and j understand it’s because a word or two have been “flagged”–and Tom is very quick to approve! People should not take moderation so seriously.
I am here now in disney and have been to all four parks.
I can’t believe all the plexiglass barriers everywhere and the social distancing.
Also the cast members wearing face shields and masks.
The place is so empty its impossible not to distance.
I feel less safe on my knucklehead state of NJ.
Now I wouldnt go anywhere else in florida however.
People shouldn’t make claims until they experience what disney is doing firsthand.
And pictures of lines can be deceiving..and look like people are not distancing. Cast members are doing a great job enforcing this.
Just want to say that you all that believe these so called Safety Measures will actually prevent anyone from contracting Corona Virus if a infected person comes within close proximity to you, mask or no mask, it can enter your eyes very easily! No chance were going until a vaccine.
Hi Tom! Thanks for all the amazing posts on Disney since reopening. Do you think that realistically, club level may open later this year? We have a trip in November at gran Destino towers. Club level. I know this question does not go with this post exactly. But, didn’t know where to insert it at. I’m thinking they could do modifications to Club lava. Such as, the cast member wearing gloves and a mask and serving your plate of food. We would take the food back to our room versus eating it inside the club level lounge. Going to try to eat outside as much as possible.
Personally, the plexiglas barriers don’t make me feel much safer. Apparently the virus floats in the air for some time. So either the barriers are going to keep it confined to where you’re walking or else it’s just going to go above the barriers. Either way there’s still particles floating in the air indoors which don’t get dissipated the way they do outdoors, so they’re more concentrated indoors. So the barriers kind of remind me of the airport security, most of which looks to me to be primarily to reassure travelers.
YMMV, of course.
We just wrapped a resort stay + Universal Studios. (We didn’t think we’d be able to get tickets / park reservations for WDW and by the time they resumed sales we decided to just do Universal this time instead). Universal did an excellent job and we felt safe – good spacing in lines and employees enforced mask requirements. That said, crowds were incredibly light and I think it’ll be tougher with more people.
As for resorts, we stayed at three (OKW, Vero, and SS). All resorts enforced masks and pool areas were empty enough that it was easy to keep distance.
Disney Springs also enforced masks and restaurants were decently spaced (we always ate outside). I did feel like we had to manage our distance ourselves though if other groups got too close.
Ironically, visiting the hotbed of the pandemic gave us a big relief from the pandemic. We were able to enjoy ourselves in empty parks and pools and felt safe. We did rent a car to avoid buses and other shared transportation. We never really set foot anywhere that wasn’t Disney or Universal. But if all the studies about masks are right, the parks should be pretty safe places right now.
Tom you should do a review on the resorts (during this time period). Physical distancing there was more of a challenge than the parks imo. I stayed at the Contemporary last week. The elevator situation was not good. At peak times it could take up to 20 minutes or more to get an elevator up to your room. Many people were getting beyond frustrated. This was due to a one party or 4 person limit per elevator. I’d recommend staying at a resort with fewer floors.
We’ve done a few resorts stays and have yet to have that issue–but we’ve also done ‘shorter’ resorts.
I mentioned elsewhere that I thought this would be a problem at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Gran Destino Tower, but never even thought about Contemporary. Thanks for the heads up on it!
The elevator situation at the Contemporary was atrocious. It took forever to get one – and the fact that you can’t use the stairs made it that much worse since there was no other option (we were on the 6th floor and would have happily walked). Multiple times we had to give up waiting for an elevator on the 4th floor, go down to the 1st floor and try to get an elevator up since most of the time those would empty out – except when people started taking whatever elevator came by and then going to the 1st floor just to go back up. Multiple times during our stay cast members started taking groups back to the cast elevators to get the lines down.
Tom, I’m curious about the execution of Rise of the Resistance. I could be remembering incorrectly, but that cell that you get rescued out of seemed small. How are the parties distanced in there? Are they loading one party at a time?
Two parties per interrogation cell, and it appeared they were trying to avoid putting larger (4+ person) parties together. In our case, it was us and a single rider in there.
Thanks for the insight! Sounds like they are handling things as best they can.
I understand worrying about theming is (at best) tone-deaf given the circumstances. But how permanent are the plexiglass barriers? Will they be able to be easily removed in a couple years? I can’t imagine Disney (or guests) will want lingering reminders of the virus once the crisis is over.
We’ve been paying close attention to that, and with only a few exceptions, they look like they could be gone overnight without a trace.
There’s a fine line between lingering reminders of a virus and lingering reminders of safety. We (at least most of us) still need to take our shoes off before entering an airport terminal almost 20 years after a failed attempt to detonate a shoe bomb on an airplane. A solid percentage of the population will never EVER be fully relaxed about flying due to 9/11 and subsequent terrorist incidents — which killed less people worldwide than COVID-19 has killed on any given day in the past few months. While it’s a very imperfect analogy, my point is that while COVID-19 may indeed be vanquished by a vaccine and/or treatments, they psychology of this pandemic will likely persist for decades — so Disney and other like-minded companies may realize the benefit of keeping things like plexiglass barriers simply for the sake of guests’ mental comfort and psychological well-being.
So it sounds like the parks are doing well, and based on prior posts, it appears that the resorts are doing well. I realize you probably don’t use it anymore since you live in Florida, but would you feel comfortable taking the Magical Express, or would you Uber/Lyft, or would you pay to rent and park a rental car to get from MCO to DisneyWorld (assuming you would be able to get a relatively empty flight)?
I’d personally err on the side of caution and rent a car, but I’d also consider using Magical Express and staying at a Skyliner Resort or in the Crescent Lake area. I don’t think I’d do Uber/Lyft at all right now.
I see Tom mentioned the skyliner resorts. How is the skyliner working right now? One family per gondola? Also wondering about the monorail and how that’s working with social distancing. Sorry if this was discussed in a previous post.
I rode in on Magic Express. We were spaced out on the bus and left within 15 minutes of loading first passengers. Helps that there were only a few parties waiting.
Also, Skyliner is running one party per gondola.
We took Magical Express to and from the airport – we had about 6 rows between us and the next party on the way to the resorts. Going back there was only 4 other people total on the bus (and we did a split stay between the Boardwalk and Contemporary so we could walk most of the time and only had to take a resort bust for Animal Kingdom). The only thing we felt uncomfortable with was that they bring you back to the airport to early – we were at the gate 2 and a half hours before our flight and didn’t totally feel comfortable with all the things we saw others doing at MCO. We have TSA pre-check, so when we go on our own to the airport we rarely have a reason to arrive more than an hour before our flight, so driving we could have avoided sitting in the terminal for so long.
I kind of never want the plexiglass barriers to go away. Obviously they detract from the theming, but the idea of never having someone next to me being close enough to sneeze or cough on me is veeeery appealing! Do they make the indoor spaces hotter? Or does the physical distancing help keep the temp down?
Those spaces are air-conditioned, so I don’t think the plexiglass has much of an impact on temperature.
My first day back (July 12th at MK) in the Jungle cruise line I got caught in “no man’s land” between the stand here markers where there was about 12 ft between markers due to switchback lines. My fault…I wasn’t paying proper attention. Luckily the line moved quick and then I have been paying proper attention since. I leave an extra marker space in front of me when the group ahead of me is 3 or more because they take up 1/2 the space between markers. At HS, I rode MRR on Saturday and there was no pre-show. It’s a cute ride even without it but I feel that no pre show takes away from it. (I saw pictures from the CM preview and they had the pre-show running then so I was disappointed I didn’t see it.)
“I leave an extra marker space in front of me when the group ahead of me is 3 or more because they take up 1/2 the space between markers.”
We do the same. It’s a good practice–I’d also encourage parties of over 4 to subdivide themselves and stand on separate markers.
Thanks for such a thoughtful and detailed analysis! I’m curious if there is reason to believe the parks will become busier when the Silver Pass for Florida residents is out of its blackout dates. I believe it is the annual pass most locals would have, but they currently cannot use it due to blackout dates. Do you have any thoughts on that issue?
Because a far greater percentage of attendance is Floridians right now, any localized trends are going to have a disproportionate impact (as compared to a normal year) on crowds.
That includes Silver Pass blockouts ending–but it also includes school going back into session, weather patterns, and more. Crowds are *so low* right now in 3 of the parks that I don’t think there’s a point in the next 3 months that’ll make things bad. (Maybe weekends in October?)
It’s going to take tourists coming back in large numbers for there to be a significant impact on crowds…and that could take a while.
I have weekday pass so can’t go till August – was thinking crowd would be bigger then – but maybe those that got to go in July will take a break in August
I usually only go late afternoon/evening hours so I’m looking forward it!
Thank you Tom. This post made me feel a little better.
What have they made of the fastpass lines, just blocked off or turned into extra queue space? Also, still allowing riding sharing/switching on most rides?
I’ve heard they are using it for rider swap and disability access passes.