We visited Disney’s Magic Kingdom for both cast previews and annual pass holder previews, and today I’m going to summarize the top 5 tips to make the arrival and entering process as smooth as it can be! The Magic is more alive than ever, but before you can get to it, you must first pass through a temperature check and a new security checkpoint system. So here’s what we learned from our recent visits!
Parking
Magic kingdom parking is operating with social distancing guidelines in mind; cars are separated with a parking spot left open between them, following the same structure as before of fill-in in each row, making their way through the lot. The handy dandy tram is not running, so you could find yourself walking for a bit before you get to the temperature screening tents which will be your first stop in the arrival process. Masks required from the moment you step off your vehicle, there are cast members everywhere, who will enforce this.
Tempature Checks
If you made your way to the temperature checkpoint from the back of the parking lot, in the Florida heat while wearing a mask, your temperature could rise, fear not, if natural elements are the cause for your initial screening failure, they will allow you some time to cool down in their cooldown stations and screen again. Remember, if one member of the party doesn’t pass, no member of said party will be allowed in. We screened ourselves at home and again before we left just to be sure!
Security
I think the new security process is way better if you are informed before you go! With all the new guidelines, they will first hand you a clear bag that they ask you to place all electronics in. Let me elaborate on that; all your bags will pass through the metal detector with you, so you must ensure there is nothing in them that would set it off. I was informed of this before we went, so I planned accordingly. At home, we placed all electronics in a Disney reusable bag, along with anything metal like, I put everything in there that I thought could set off the metal detector, my glasses in their case, all electronics including cables and extra battery packs, headphones, wallet, and keys; if I thought it would ring I put it in a separate bag. Once we arrived at security, I placed my electronic bag items into the clear bag they handed us along with our water bottles and gave them to security in a tray they look over it as we walk through the metal detector with our bags in hand. It worked like a charm we went through no problems, and I just placed the clear bag into my electronic bag from home and kept them separated that way. The separation of items I did at home was vital in making the process fast and getting away from the more crowded space quicker. The party before us had to be reinspected because they left their battery pack in their bag, and the one before them had a wallet that caused the metal detector to go off and require a second inspection. So I recommend you just come with your items separated already, to make it a smooth process for you and security.
Transportation
We made it through temperature screening, and security, now we move on to transportation to the magic kingdom. We had two options, the monorail, and the ferry boat, we rode both and felt they were both great options for social distancing; this decision falls more on preference. The monorail is situated where every party gets a cabin; each cabin has screens that put a divider between you and the cabin next to you. As you wait in line, they will assign you a number, you then walk over to that assigned number as posted on the floor in front of the monorail gates. For us, the ferry was just easier for loading on and off with a stroller, on the ferry, there were dots on the ground that indicated where to stand with your party, all staggered with plenty of distance in between. We enjoyed the ferry more for comfort and ease. We emphasized sanitizing our hands as we entered both forms of transportation, and we disinfected as we left them! You will find hand sanitizers everywhere!
Arrival
For both of our entries into magic kingdom experiences, we were met with ipads. A cast member will ask you to tap your ticket or band onto the back of their iPad to gain access. If you have a magic band, use it to make the process handsfree that way, it’s just your band touching the iPad and not your card and hand. We didn’t have to do anything additional besides the tap; usually, the tap was followed by a fingerprint scan, not anymore. The area in front of the entrance is decorated with marks for parties to stand on and keep social distance if the lines we’re to back up.
Stay tuned; we will be dropping blog posts that focus on different aspects of the new Disney way. From dining to attraction experiences, as well as the cavalcades and how to catch them! There are new rules to visit the Disney parks, but nothing takes away from the magical day you will have! You can find our story highlights of our day on our profile on Instagram! We hope this helps better understand the new entry process; we are here to answer your questions. Until the next one! See you real soon, pals.
Have A Magical Day!
Living life magically 
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