We’ve been visiting Walt Disney World regularly since the resort’s reopening in July, and part of the reason we have felt safe going was because of the ease of access, short lines, and great social distancing potential. Every trip felt like a VIP experience because you could virtually go on any ride without much of a wait, walkways were clear, and it felt like the theme parks were open just for you (except for Hollywood Studios which has been a mess). But as time has gone on, the number of guests in the parks has clearly increased significantly… We knew it was coming, we just didn’t expect it to be this soon! In today’s WDW Update, we’ll take a look at the extension of the Park Pass Reservation system, construction around Magic Kingdom, and our first rough visit to the Magic Kingdom since the park reopened. Even though our trip was a bit difficult, there’s still some great stuff to see, so let’s set a course for as much magic as we can find . . . 

Park Pass Reservations Extended to 2022!

“Park Pass” is one of the many new terms of 2020 we’ve become accustomed to. Since Walt Disney World reopened in July, all guests are required to make Park Pass Reservations in advance of their planned park visit. Previously, the calendar for these reservations ran through September 2021. But with Fall 2021 resort and vacation bookings now available, Disney has extended the calendar to cover that time. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

It seems like reservations for Disney visits are here to stay for quite some time, as the calendar is now extended through mid-January, 2022!!! 

Moving forward, this method of advanced park planning would allow Disney to better-prepare their side of daily operations, such as cast scheduling, and opening additional dining locations to accommodate guests (more on that later). One thing we don’t have confirmation on is park-hopping, we sure hope it returns soon. We miss the days of switching parks to have dinner at Epcot. 

New Passholder Perk

This week, Walt Disney World opened its first-ever pop-up store exclusively for annual passholders! Temporarily taking over the Germany Pavilion’s Der Teddybär shop in EPCOT, the pop-up offers special goods, steep discounts and a free gift with purchase. Check out our coverage from the shop’s opening day below: 

NEW Annual Passholder Pop-Up Store Opens at EPCOT

In the Biiiiiig Blue World…

While Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is slated to re-open on November 1st, a lengthy closure of the resort’s largest pool area was just announced.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

The Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will undergo refurbishment from January 11th through early April, 2021. The resort’s other pool and water playground areas will remain open during that time. 

Guests of the resort should expect to see and hear construction, but noise should not be heard from guest rooms between dusk and 9AM. We can hear your thoughts . . . why wasn’t this scheduled during the resort’s long closure? We are just as curious as you are. 

(If you’re staying here within the next few months, enjoy the Big Blue Pool while you can!)

[Virtual] Frozen Fun

If you can’t make it to the parks to get your Frozen fix, Frozen Fan Fest returns this Sunday for a virtual playdate that you can attend and enjoy from the comfort of your home. Frozen Fan Fest is an exclusive day of virtual family fun for Frozen 2 fans! 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

The event will feature newly curated content complete with digital adventures and immersive activities, including family-friendly crafts and exciting new Frozen 2 product offerings. From wintry watercolors and sing-alongs to cooking and American Sign Language lessons; all five elements from Frozen 2 are covered in the day’s events.

For the full schedule of events and materials checklist, click here!

You can follow along on Disney.com/FrozenFanFest on October 18th at 9AM PST, 12PM EST

When One Festival Ends… Another One Starts!

The Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival will officially end November 22nd, making way for the Festival of the Holidays to begin just a few days later on November 27th! That’s only five days to reset the festival booths and decor for the holiday season… we look forward to seeing the festival change-up! The Food and Wine Festival has been running since the park reopened in July, the longest in the park’s history.  

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

And speaking of Christmas, we saw some trees and decor making their way out of storage behind Magic Kingdom… They are stored in giant sections and then pieced back together. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Don’t forget, the holiday season officially starts November 6th at Walt Disney World! Read all about it below:

NEWS: Christmas *Not Quite* Canceled at Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom Mania

This week, I returned to WDW after a little break! As always, I visited on a mid-week day, hoping to beat the typical weekend crowding… but this time I got it all wrong.

Before we get into the park, here’s a look at the new Magic Kingdom parking entrance sign! The sign is receiving a bit of a facelift in time for Magic Kingdom’s 50th anniversary next year. Looking at the waves above the parking booth, the new shades look rather regal, similar to Cinderella Castle’s new blue hues.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
You can see the new colors on the left – royal blue, rose and yellow golds – followed by the flat white and gray palette ready for new paint in the middle, and the older turquoise colors on the right.

After passing through, we made our way to the Kingdom!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

From here, it doesn’t look like too many guests are in the park today. On a typical pre-COVID day, this area is congested with people taking photos or waiting for their group to enter the park.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
A new sign has been added around the parks, further clarifying and reminding guests of the mask policy

We had a reader request additional coverage on the WDW railroad – however, the railroad is currently closed due to TRON Lightcycle / Run construction. Plus, the Main Street train station is closed off for the time-being. But a friendly cast of characters wave from above!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Stopping into the Emporium to see what’s new… 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

… Some of the Halloween merchandise is on sale! Psst – annual passholders save an additional 30% on top of the sale price!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
You know I picked one of these up. After the passholder discount, it came out to be $7 + tax!

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, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Back out on Main Street U.S.A., a glimpse of the castle and slightly larger crowds:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

We’re really missing Casey’s Corner and the resident piano player, Jim Omohundro, who’s played here for over 30 years. We hope he tickles those ivories one day soon!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
The social distance markers on the ground here are for the refreshment cart, which is now parked outside the main entrance of Casey’s.
, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Two more weeks of Mickey pumpkins! Halloween party music is now playing throughout the area of Main Street… gets us in a spooky good mood!

Passing the Crystal Palace (which is still closed), Pooh & friends dressed in their adorable Halloween costumes wave to guests and pose for photos from the restaurant’s terrace:

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Making our way over to Fantasyland… the crowds really start to pick up!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

While there are still emptier pockets in the park, there are highly congested areas too – more than we’ve seen since the park’s July reopening. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

1:30PM… time for lunch! With so few dining options to choose from right now, we opted for mobile ordering at Pinocchio’s Village Haus. 

Approaching Pinocchio’s, we saw a massive line forming. This was for those who have already mobile ordered, and are waiting to go inside to pick up their food once it’s ready.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

After placing our order, and confirming we were ready to pick up our food at our designated time slot, we waited in this line for 20 minutes . . . in the unshaded Florida heat:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Finally, a cast member checked our order number and we were escorted to the entrance. We waited another 10 minutes inside to retrieve our order. Once our food was picked up, the table hunt began. After searching and searching, we ended up sitting outside at a table (in the sun, without an umbrella). This was the first dining struggle we’ve experienced since the park’s reopening, and it was also difficult to maintain physical distancing throughout… it’s time to open up more dining options!

Back into Fantasyland, more congestion and some refurbishment scrims above It’s A Small World:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

As far as dining locations go, popular quick service options like Casey’s Corner and Columbia Harbor House remain closed. While others, such as Friar’s Nook and snack carts throughout the park, are only open on weekends. But if there are just as many guests on a weekday now, why not open them up? It’s not like Disney doesn’t know exactly how many people have scheduled a Park Pass for the day. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
We miss your loaded buffalo mac and cheese, Friar’s Nook!

Just next to Friar’s, Storybook Treats is open! Another Halloween treat can be found here; the Poor Unfortunate Souls ice cream float. This ended up looking very different from the advertised image . . . brown and white in the image and . . . um . . . royal blue in real life . . . 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Cream cheese soft-serve with black raspberry syrup and Coca-Cola – this was a great-tasting concoction when sipping all of the ingredients together.

The soft-serve itself wasn’t the best part. I was expecting something reminiscent of cheesecake, but it didn’t taste like any cream cheese dessert I’ve ever had. But I’m glad to have tried it, and especially glad for the Coca-Cola which saved the individual unpleasant flavor. And beware, this dark blue treat turns your mouth blue!  

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Just across the way, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was posted at a 50-minute wait:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

The [physically-distanced] line wrapped all the way around the attraction, back towards Gaston’s Tavern:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Heading into Storybook Circus, we’re reminded of another closed gift shop:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

We also really miss hopping aboard the WDW Railroad for a ride or two around the Kingdom:

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But, at the end of Storybook Circus, we can get a good look at what’s keeping the WDW Railroad closed… the TRON Lightcycle / Run coaster is really coming along!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

We planned to catch a ride at the Tomorrowland Speedway for an even better glimpse at TRON later on. In the meantime, we made our way to Gaston’s Tavern for some Lefou’s Brew… it’s been too long. Back into Fantasyland we go!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

We waited in line for about 15-minutes before ordering:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Be Our Guest’s Grey Stuff Cupcake is also available here! 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Since all of the tables inside were occupied or blocked off, we sat outside – this time under an umbrella! Small miracles. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Something doesn’t look right…

I don’t want to be that girl, but they changed the foam in Lefou’s Brew… and sadly, it’s for the worse. While the frozen apple slush and slight marshmallow flavor remain the same, this new passionfruit foam is very sweet, has less of a creamy consistency, is less tart and contains more of an artificial taste than the previous one. It may seem silly, but the change really impacts the slush’s overall taste— it’s just too sweet now.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
I’ve always considered Lefou’s Brew a staple park snack, and I’m sad to say I won’t be ordering it again.

For reference, this is what the Lefou’s Brew looked like before:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Since it’s spooky season, we had to get at least one Haunted Mansion ride in! To Liberty Square…

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

The line for Peter Pan’s Flight trailed all the way down past the Tangled Restrooms, switching back in front of Memento Mori’s side entrance:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Since Memento Mori offers some popular merchandise in a smaller locale, there is often a line to enter:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Guests also congested the area in front of the Haunted Mansion… 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
The wait for Haunted Mansion was posted at 50-minutes.

…but the standby queue starts back by the Liberty Square Riverboat entrance (the Riverboat is currently under refurbishment). 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

After singing along with the spirits, we headed for Tomorrowland!

We heard the Lunching Pad had re-opened, which means the beloved cream cheese and jalapeño pretzels would be available again! Sadly, this is another location that is now only open on Saturday and Sunday:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Work continues on the Peoplemover upper support beams (Have we recently said we really miss the Peoplemover?! Because we do!)

After a 45-minute wait to rocket through Space Mountain, we took a spin around the speedway for a look at TRON Lightcycle / Run construction.

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Cast members actively sanitizing ride vehicles

We can see pieces of the white canopy on the ground, waiting to be installed atop the support beams:

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Here’s what it will look like when complete . . . 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

And here’s what it looks like now . . . 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

The layout of the beams and track gives us a sense of what the LED canopy will ultimately shape up to be…

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Plus, we have Shanghai Disney’s version to look up to!

TRON Lightcycle Power Run   

It’s just about 6PM, closing time. Let’s make our way back to Main Street!

Passing back through Fantasyland, we’re reminded of another closed attraction:

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Would you prefer a character meet & greet or a classic dark ride here?

A few castle glamour shots, because I mean… look at her!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

It’s a few minutes past 6, time to head home…

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

… along with everyone else!

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much? , Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Honestly, these weekday Magic Kingdom crowds felt like a normal day at the parks, pre-COVID. More people are comfortable in returning to theme parks, it’s only getting busier and busier.

How Much Is Too Much?

We had a good month or two where the parks were almost empty, some lands were complete dead zones, and many attractions were essentially “walk-on”… but gone are those days. Don’t get me wrong, we want to see the parks thrive, bustling with working Cast Members and guests enjoying themselves.

You might think that Disney has increased its guest cap, and it may have, but Disney CEO Bob Chapek insists that the parks are still capped at 25% capacity. 

The thing is, there is less to do overall. Fewer attractions, fewer options for dining, no fireworks or nighttime spectaculars, and to top it all off . . .  no park hopping. There are fewer places to divvy up the crowds, so everyone is doing the same things; there are long lines and congestion almost everywhere. With these increased crowds and a need for social-distancing, there simply must be more places for guests to occupy in order to make everything feel more safe. Disney shouldn’t be considering their theoretical pre-COVID capacity when coming up with these numbers, but rather the actual current capacity of the park (open rides, shops, and restaurants). Disney really needs to reevaluate the point at which crowd levels create unacceptable wait times and social distancing disruptions. If 25% capacity is truly what I experienced this week, then Disney has no room to further expand capacity until they have significantly added extra places for crowds to go. 

So here’s the big question: with most of the headliner attractions now averaging 60-90 minute waits, is it time to bring back a version of FastPass+? Perhaps without standby lines on those attractions?

The way things are at the moment, a visit to WDW is feeling less and less “safe” to me. We hope for Disneyland’s sake that the California inspectors didn’t pick last week to examine how the Florida parks are operating. This isn’t the example that Disney wants the state of California to see.  

We hope to see Disney adapt a little more quickly to the increased crowds and uncomfortably long lines in the very near future.  

Last week, before Bob Chapek confirmed that the parks are maxed out at 25%, we asked what level of capacity you were comfortable with. A majority of you picked the 50% option. But at that level, lines would be over 3 hours for major attractions, and restaurants would be clogged beyond hope.  

Nearly 13,000 of you voted: 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?

Given what we now know about the current maximum capacity, are you still comfortable with double the crowd volume we showed you above?  

Save On Future Theme Park Travel

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Let’s Hear From You Folks!

Are you worried to see the uncomfortably large week-day crowd conditions at Magic Kingdom? Weekends are even crazier. Should Disney open enough additional ride, restaurant, and shopping capacity to handle more guests? What are your solutions? Are modified FastPass or Virtual Queuing an option? Pre-scheduling rides for guests? Not allowing guests to get in line if it reaches a certain length? Are you excited to hear about holiday activities on the way, or concerned that it will just further increase crowding?

I still enjoyed myself, but less so than on previous visits and with a much higher level of frustration and concern. Our team is keeping a close eye on park conditions and we encourage you to share your own thoughts in the comments below. 

, Walt Disney World Update – How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?