What It's Like Traveling To Walt Disney World as a Family Right Now

Walt Disney World has endured several changes within the last year. From adapting to new health and safety protocols to gearing up for the 50th Anniversary, things may look a little different since the last time you were there. Knowing how things have changed can help you ensure you're following all the new rules, as well as make sure you take advantage of all Walt Disney World has to offer you and your family.

In addition to having a valid theme park ticket for anyone over the age of three, Walt Disney World is also requiring visitors to register through their new Park Pass Reservation system. Guests must select which park they intend on visiting on the day they plan on going. This helps Walt Disney World maintain its 35% capacity cap that has been instated by the state's phased reopening plan. This is great for guests because it means you don't get all the way to the front gate before learning you're not allowed in.

Spring Break is a popular time of year for travelers to visit Walt Disney World. This coupled with the Resort having to operate only at 35% capacity means there is a good chance for guests not to be able to buy last-minute tickets. In order to visit one of the four theme parks or the Resort's only open water park - Blizzard Beach, guests must have a valid park pass and park pass reservation for the day they intend to visit.

Park Hopping was reintroduced at the beginning of the year, but there are a few changes. Most importantly, guests have to wait until 2 pm to park hop to their second park. Visitors must still have a valid theme park, park-hopping ticket and make a Park Pass Reservation through the Walt Disney World system for the first park they intend on visiting. Guests then have to enter this park before making their way over to the second park.

As soon as you book your tickets and hotel room, go ahead and download the My Disney Experience app. This helps to keep everything related to your vacation all in one place. Plus it will be a great asset to have on your phone while at Walt Disney World - helping you to join virtual queues, view any ride photos through the park's Photopass service, see maps of the hotels and theme parks, learn wait times and more. Plus parents can add and manage their child's ticket within their profile - children over the age of three will still need their own valid park ticket and park reservation to visit.

There are over thirty hotels in multiple price ranges across Walt Disney World Resort. Each has its own theming and amenities to be aware of, but a comprehensive list can be found here. Staying on property also allows guests to have access to the multitude of free transportation options Walt Disney World provides. Currently, Extra Magic Hours and FastPass+ Planning has been suspended due to COVID-19, but they are expected to return later this year (at least for the Extra Magic Hours).

Walt Disney World has made the check-in process a breeze for guests. As long as your confirmation has been added to your My Disney Experience app, you will receive notifications about your hotel room. The app will update you when your room is ready, where it is located on the property and your phone can even be used as your hotel room key. This means waiting around at the Front Desk can become a thing of the past.

Kids - although adults really love this too - can enjoy the unique theming of each of the Walt Disney World Resorts. From giant statues of Pongo and Perdita (the dog parents in 101 Dalmatians) at Disney's All-Star Movies to the brand new Moana-themed rooms at Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Parents can relax knowing that Disney tailors its lodgings knowing that families are a core demographic. This means rooms are equipped with bathrooms with a tub (perfect for those traveling with little ones), a separate vanity area with two sinks (ideal for multiple people getting ready in the morning), an extra pillow and blanket in a sanitized bag is provided in the closet, a table and chairs (great for pizza delivery when it returns), a mini-fridge and a crib upon request. The crib is a mini crib, but standard-sized sheets can easily be added if you prefer to bring your own.

Most importantly is the tap water. Florida tap water has a unique taste about it that many do not enjoy. It might be a good idea to bring your own drinking water or grab a few water bottles from the gift shop.

Walt Disney World is making an effort to reduce its single-use plastics. This means the little hotel shampoo and conditioner bottles are no longer provided. Instead, these toiletries are attached to the shower wall in large dispensers. For those giving a little one a bath, it can prove a little tricky trying to use this shampoo while also wrestling your toddler.

Furthermore, there is not liquid soap provided by the sinks - only bar soap. Parents know that littles often have a multitude of utensils/pacifiers/bottles/etc. that need to be washed on a regular basis. Bringing your own liquid soap can really help if you use it in your daily routine.

Amenities differ among each of the properties, so it's important for guests to check on these before they book. But there are a couple of things each resort has in common - a large, often themed, resort pool can be found on each property as well as smaller pools located throughout the property; restaurants; gift shops; and resort transportation.

With the reduced capacity mandates, some of the hotel pools have reached capacity during the day. Guests are then asked to provide a phone number where they can be contacted when space is available.

Walt Disney World boasts ample transportation options - from water taxis to buses to the monorail to the new Skyliner which debuted in 2019. Once again it's important to check with your hotel as to which transportation is provided.

If you do choose to drive and park at one of the theme parks, it's important to note that if you pay to park at one theme park, you can use the same pass at any of the other theme parks for the day (a great option if you are planning to park hop).

There's plenty to keep you entertained at Disney Springs - filled with popular shops, restaurants, the Aerophile and even the Cirque du Soleil theatre (currently "Drawn to Life" production is on hold and no shows are currently running).

Many restaurants and shops are requiring guests to join a virtual queue by scanning in a QR code posted outside the entrance. Social distancing markers can also be found throughout the property to help aid visitors in maintaining their distance.

Temperature checks are mandatory at all theme park entrances and even at the entrance of Disney Springs. These are quick and contactless.

Security checks have always been mandatory before entering, and even with the temperature checks, entering the parks has never been so quick. A big reason for this is due to the fact that bag checks are now a thing of the past. With new security checkpoints, guests no longer have to wait as each bag and stroller is checked before entering.

For those entering with a stroller, one parent should be prepared to stay with the stroller while the other takes all bags with them through the security checkpoint. The adult with the stroller will also need to go through the security checkpoint, but the stroller (and child) do not.

All guests aged two and up are required to wear a mask. Just recently however, Walt Disney World announced that face coverings can be removed if guests are outside and taking a picture. Guests can also remove their masks if they are eating, drinking or swimming.

Social distancing is highly encouraged throughout each of the parks. Markers are set up through queue lines and lines have been elongated to accommodate the new space required. Walt Disney World has had to think outside the box in some areas, like for Peter Pan's flight where guests now tour through the neighboring Columbia Harbour House restaurant. Plexiglass has also been installed in some lines to help separate guests.

FastPass+ is currently unavailable to guests except for those who have a handicap.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is arguably one of the most sought-after new lands and getting a coveted spot in the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance can prove to be more challenging than anticipated. For a complete guide, TravelPulse writer, Brooke McDonald has outlined a step-by-step comprehensive tutorial.

Trust us: the ride is worth the hassle and lives up to the hype.

The rider switch option is available on many of Walt Disney World's rides and allows one adult to stay behind with whoever in your party doesn't wish to go on the attraction. Both members of the party will need to find the Cast Member in charge of the Rider Switch option - oftentimes found at the FastPass+ entrance. After tapping into the queue with your magic band, the rider who plans to stay behind initially can then walk around the park. When it's their turn to ride, they'll return to the FastPass+ entrance, tap in to show they were apart of the Rider Switch program, and make their way through the FastPass+ line to near the front of the line.0

Apple user guests now have the option to use MagicMobile instead of a Magic Band while at Walt Disney World. Located in the My Disney Experience app, this allows visitors to tap into each of the theme parks (if they have a valid theme park ticket and park reservation).

Not all restaurants and quick-service restaurants are currently open - as mentioned previously some, like the Columbia Harbour House are being used for queue lines. But many of those that are opened are requiring guests to place their order through the My Disney Experience app. Once your order is ready, then you'll be allowed to enter the line to pick up your food and find a seat.

Currently main of the character meet and greets are on hold. But that doesn't mean you don't get to see your favorite character in the parks. Small cavalcades run through main thoroughfares. At Epcot, you can expect to see a trolley full of princesses or Mickey and Minnie riding in a convertible. Winnie the Pooh has also been sighted frolicking in the greenspace. At Disney's Animal Kingdom characters ride along the waterways surrounding the Tree of Life. And small parades take place down Main Street, U.S.A. as well as Hollywood Boulevard. Characters can also be seen periodically at the upper platform of Main Street, U.S.A.'s train station.

Using a stroller at the theme parks is a breeze. Strollers are quickly checked at the entrance of the parks and Walt Disney World even has a stroller rental service if you don't want to travel with your own. And although there is plenty of stroller parking located throughout the parks for when you want to go on a ride - you may want to mark your stroller in a unique way to find it easily upon returning.