Things We Look Forward to Doing after the Pandemic Ends
Are you tired of the pandemic? Have you fantasized about all the things you’ll do the moment scientists develop a cure?
Specifically, what will you do during your next vacation?
Everyone’s answers will differ, but here are eight things I look forward to doing at Disney after the pandemic ends.
Hugging Characters
Sure, Cavalcades bring tons of joy into the hearts of park guests.
They’re an excellent substitute for something absent at the parks right now: character greetings.
However, Cavalcades don’t entirely fill the same void as personal interactions.
These random performances cover for the absence of full-length parades at the parks.
What I miss are up-close encounters with Disney characters. I used to hang out and take photos with Olaf, Mickey Mouse, and Merida.
Now, I wave at them from a distance. Yes, it’s better than nothing, but I look forward to warm greetings with my favorite Disney characters one day soon.
Going to After Hours Parties
Disney made some tough choices this year to protect public health.
One of the most heartbreaking calls involved ticketed events.
Once the pandemic started, Disney canceled all its remaining after-hour parties on the 2020 schedule.
That meant Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours, Moonlight Magic, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
You may not remember this, but Disney did manage to host a few ticketed events early in the year.
I know it’s true because I went to Disney After Hours back in January and had a wonderful time.
I’d planned to attend Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on Halloween night, but the pandemic blew up those plans.
I cannot wait until this nonsense has ended when I can return to Disney’s ticketed events. They’re all tremendous, and I miss them.
Using Single Rider Lines
Disney has mastered the art of maximizing ride throughput.
On some rides, guests travel solo, which leaves an open space.
That’s one more person that Disney could squeeze on the ride, increasing throughout by a fair amount.
Attractions like Test Track and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith utilize Single Rider lines to achieve this goal.
Park veterans know that Single Rider provides an excellent opportunity to experience more attractions during a park visit.
Alas, social distancing requirements eliminate the possibility of Single Rider. As it is, Disney’s spacing guests far apart on rides.
So, I anxiously anticipate the return of Single Rider at Disney theme parks.
Character Meals
I wrote an article that will go live in a few days. It lists the character greetings that are currently available at Walt Disney World.
Frankly, there’s more of them than you may expect. I count three available right now and a fourth on December 16th.
Also, a non-Disney property, Four Seasons Resort Orlando – At Walt Disney World, hosts a Saturday-only character breakfast.
However, my favorite character meals remain closed for now. During my next trip (and possibly the one after that), I won’t get to eat at Akershus.
That restaurant isn’t just closed. Disney’s using the space as a mask-less Relaxation Station. So, I won’t be hanging out with Disney Princesses anytime soon.
Then, there’s my choice for the best character meal, Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo & Stitch.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently undergoing renovations that will last until the spring of 2021. So, this one’s probably unavailable until then.
So, I’m stuck waiting on my favorites until the pandemic has gone at least another six months.
Eating Indoors without Worrying
Look, I know that people possess diverse opinions about COVID-19. Some folks don’t worry about getting infected or even spreading the disease.
Others feel differently. They don’t want to risk infection not just for themselves but also for fear of getting others sick.
I fall squarely into the latter camp. In fact, I’ve only had one haircut in calendar 2020.
The last time I ate inside a restaurant was March 11th, the same date that Rudy Gobert and Tom Hanks tested positive for COVID-19.
When I visit Walt Disney World in a few days, I will eat at a couple of Table Service restaurants. I feel safe enough at Disney to do that.
However, I ordinarily pick Table Service eateries for most of my meals. I’m not comfortable doing that during a pandemic.
So, I’ve had to alter my vacation habits on this trip.
As soon as Coronavirus is no longer a serious problem, I’ll happily revert to eating indoors stress-free…and I’m really looking forward to that.
Smiling at People…with My Mouth!
I’m as pro-mask as anyone can be.
I firmly believe that hospitals wouldn’t have used them for centuries unless they helped prevent the spread of germs.
In fact, they don’t bother me most of the time. Once I’ve worn a face cover for a while, it’s like my reading glasses. I forget it’s there.
For that matter, I’ve enjoyed shopping for face masks during the pandemic. I own several that give me a different look each time I go out.
Still, something bothers me about wearing a mask. Whenever someone says something that makes me happy, they cannot tell.
The face covering hides my smile. During a Disney visit, I smile a LOT. After all, it’s the Happiest Place on Earth.
So, I look forward to a time when people can see that I’m smiling at Disney.
Right now, I’m having to say, “You can’t tell, but I’m laughing.” That’s strange.
Watching Fireworks with a Big, Happy Group
One of my best recent Disney memories occurred in the middle of a massive crowd.
I happened to visit Orlando during the week that park officials light Cinderella Castle for the first time.
Disney calls this event A Frozen Holiday Wish, and it’s unforgettable. The Parks Blog even covered the festivities last year. Here’s the video:
Watching this happen in person truly qualified as magical for my party and me. We were far from alone, though.
Thousands of strangers, albeit kindred spirits, watched the display alongside us.
During the pandemic, such an exhibition is impossible. For this reason, Disney has temporarily canceled all fireworks presentations.
I cannot wait until the parks lift this edict and bring back this nightly celebration.
Going to Disneyland
I miss it. Period.
Riding New Roller Coasters
Not everything I’m anticipating at Disney involves the pandemic itself.
At the moment, we’re all counting down the clock until the worst year since the 1940s is finally over.
Healthcare officials predict that the winter of 2021 won’t start any better. We’re likely looking at a vaccine in the summer.
So, I’m also looking forward to a time well past the age of Coronavirus. That’s when we can truly move forward and forget about the current predicament.
For this reason, I’m incredibly excited about Disney’s 50th-anniversary celebration that begins on October 1st, 2021.
As part of the festivities, Disney will unveil not one but two roller coasters.
At EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will become the world’s first storytelling coaster.
At Magic Kingdom, Tron Lightcycle Power Run will define the next decade of Tomorrowland.
I’m quite excited about both, along with all the other anniversary festivities.
Once this party begins, it’ll feel like the pandemic has ended, and we’ve all escaped The Bad Place.
Feature Image: Disney