When Walt Disney World eventually reopens, it’s likely that it will follow the model set by Shanghai Disneyland, with an initial phase of attendance caps and social distancing on attractions. There are dozens of different types of vehicles represented in the Disney theme parks, from individual carousel ponies to spaceships, and everything in between.
Let’s talk about how social distancing might work on each of the attraction vehicles in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
[Please note: I have NO inside information about Disney’s reopening plans, timing, or procedures. These are my thoughts only.]
For safety purposes, we’ll assume that guests and cast members are all wearing appropriate face coverings, sanitizer and hand wash stations are readily available, and vehicles are cleaned on a regular, frequent schedule. Another huge area of consideration is the management of queues for rides, which are currently universally configured with guests close together. We’ll assume for now that there will be a virtual queue management system in place, perhaps something like the way Rise of the Resistance boarding was managed prior to closing.
MAIN STREET USA
Walt Disney World Railroad
Prior to the pandemic, the Walt Disney World Railroad was non-operational due to the construction of the new TRON Coaster happening near the tracks. Depending on the timeline of events, the Railroad may or not be open when the parks reopen. If it is running, social distancing might be achieved by only loading one party per row, only loading alternate rows.
ADVENTURELAND
Jungle Cruise
Loading the Jungle Cruise boats with room for six feet between parties would likely result in just 2-3 parties allowed per vehicle, resulting in giant backups even with reduced park capacity. I think it’s more likely that they’ll stop seating guests in the middle “island” of seating, with about a 50% overall reduction in capacity.
Personally, I’m super curious about whether any social-distancing related jokes will be allowed into the spiel. Too soon?
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Magic Carpet social distancing is relatively easy if they load only one party per carpet.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Pirates boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
FRONTIERLAND
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Larger parties might have their own mine car. Two parties of two could be loaded into a mine car with the middle seat left open.
Country Bear Jamboree
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
Splash Mountain
Parties of four or more could have their own log. Smaller parties could be loaded with alternating open rows.
Tom Sawyer Island
The rafts to Tom Sawyer Island are typically packed tightly on the way to the Island. Real social distancing might require rafts to be loaded only 1/3 full. The Island itself has lots of open space. The possible issue with the Island is that there are enough hidden nooks and crannies where non-compliant guests will likely remove their face masks.
LIBERTY SQUARE
Hall of Presidents
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
Haunted Mansion
The Doom Buggy cars are typically loaded with only one party, so distance is not a problem on the riding part of the attraction. However, guests are often standing close together in the dark during the Stretching Room preshow. A 50 percent (or more) reduction in Stretching Room loading will allow guests to stand further apart.
Liberty Square Riverboat
Seating is minimal on the Riverboat; however, when the boat is fully loaded guests often stand close together around the railings. A 50 percent reduction in capacity would allow guests to stand further apart.
Additionally, there might need to be modifications to the load/unload procedures to prevent guests from close interaction on the narrow internal staircases between levels.
FANTASYLAND
The Barnstormer
Distancing could be achieved by leaving open rows between parties.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
As with the Magic Carpets, social distancing is easy when only one party is loaded in each elephant, as is typical.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
I’m curious about whether Enchanted Tales with Belle will open during the initial stages of park reopening. The last portion of the attraction has bench seating, which could be moved apart for greater distancing. However, much of the attraction involves audience participation with cast members and, of course, a meet and greet with Belle, a “face character.”
While we don’t know this for sure, it seems unlikely that guests will have close interaction with face characters during the first phases of opening.
It’s a Small World
The It’s a Small World boats are substantially the same as the Pirates of the Caribbean boats, with social distancing achieved by placing guests in alternate rows.
Mad Tea Party
The Mad Tea Party cups are conducive to placing guests in individual parties. The ride could be fully loaded with guests having appropriate social distance.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into Hunny Pots.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Social distancing is easy when only one party is loaded in each ship, as is typical.
Prince Charming Regal Carousel
If guests were only seated on individual horses, social distancing would be easy. However, since many younger children ride the carousel, there are often parents that stand next to them for safety reasons. Therefore, a somewhat reduced capacity loading would be necessary to allow people to keep apart.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Distancing could be achieved by leaving open rows between parties.
Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into clamshells.
TOMORROWLAND
Astro Orbiter
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into rockets.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into vehicles.
Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
Space Mountain
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into rockets.
Tomorrowland Speedway
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into cars.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
Social distancing could be achieved by loading individual parties into cars.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
A 50% reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off.
Of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, castle stage shows, parades, fireworks, shopping, dining, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens. Do you have any theories or predictions? Feel free to share them in the comments.
The post How Social Distancing Might Work on Magic Kingdom Attraction Vehicles appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.
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Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, Magic Kingdom
