When Disney World reopened, it implemented a number of rules regarding social distancing and more to keep guests and Cast Members safe.
Queue lines for rides and other areas around the park now contain social distancing markers aimed at keeping guests apart from each other at an appropriate distance. Some of those distancing rules have revolved around the entrances and exits to some of the stores in its parks. But now, we’re noticing that some things regarding distancing and store entrances might be changing.
When Disney World reopened, we saw many stores implement rules to keep traffic flowing one-way. That means some spots have been designated as only entrances, while others are exits. This is generally being done to try and prevent people from crossing in a fairly tight space too closely to each other and to handle the flow of traffic in the area.
But, now it seems like things might be changing. Recently, we’ve noticed that Disney seems to be easing up entrance restrictions for some of its shops. For example, today while we were at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we stopped by Riverside Depot. These doors used to be exit only, and you can even see one sign on there indicating that it used to be an Exit Only.
But, now it seems some of those “Exit Only” signs have been covered, and guests were being let in through those doors.
We’ve also seen this taking place on some days in the Emporium in Magic Kingdom, and at Celebrity 5&10 Shop and Once Upon a Time in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We feel like we’ve been seeing this happen more this week, although we’ve seen it happen sometimes at select spots in the past too.
We’re not exactly sure what’s causing this change and whether it will continue at these spots or start being implemented elsewhere in Disney World. We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and see if we notice these changes taking place at more stores in the future. Stay tuned for all the latest!
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Have you noticed any other unique changes in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
Johnny says
The charade is over. People aren’t really distancing anymore. Disney is adjusting to avoid creating problems.
They’ll cling to the mask thing because it’s literally in your face but everything else, like the max 4 rule, no one is bothering with.
Su Goods says
If you can believe the new’s media reports: Millions have been vaccinated against Covid, millions are known to have had Covid, thousands are suspected to have unknowingly had Covid, studies originating from the summer of 2020 state three feet of distancing is adequate with masks, the younger you are the less likely you are to get a severe case of Covid, and you can easily and safely be around others that have immunity or vaccinations. Maybe WDW has professionals following the science and making changes to return to pre-Covid ways of doing things. Two thumbs up for that!! I am looking forward to fast passes, increased attendance, concierge services, park-hoppers, and luggage service (until January 1, 2022) on the Magic Express .
Jennifer Staplin says
Is the DFB Guide to dining available in a print format?
Stacey C says
This didn’t just start. I noticed this on my last two trips, both in February. There were no “guards” at the gates, shooing you away from exits. Most of the exit only signs were still up, but nobody was enforcing them. I saw almost nobody clicking in headcount. Now, we avoid the weekends, so this was during the weekdays, but it totally surprised me because in January it wasn’t like that. This occured at MK, AK, and Epcot.
DFB Sarah says
Hi, Jennifer. The DFB Guide is only available as an ebook.
Mimi says
What do you think policy should be once more and more people are vaccinated?