The magic is back but it doesn't feel quite the same. Disney World reopened over the weekend, and the photos coming out of the resort are kind of eerie. It was the first time in almost four months that the resort was welcoming guests into its theme parks and things are looking a little different. On Saturday, July 11, the gates to the Magic Kingdom and the Animal Kingdom flung open their doors to let guests experience the Disney magic once again. However, the experience of the giant theme park resort was altered to meet the current realities of the world. Cast members (Disney employees) were wearing masks, guests had to have their temperature checked before they even entered, and social distance was maintained and enforced throughout the park. No parades down Main Street USA or nighttime fireworks. Editor's Choice: 6 Brand New Shows & Movies On Netflix That Audiences Are Totally Loving The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom certainly didn't feel like a typical summer day at the theme parks. In normal times, the parks are packed with people from all over the world, coming from near and far to experience the magic of the huge theme park resort. Disney World normally prides itself on giving its guests a chance to escape the outside world, but that world has now, at least temporarily, been modified to keep everyone within their gates safe. View this post on Instagram Wear.Your.Mask.(plz). Or. Don't.Come.To.My.Kingdom. #castmember #cast #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disneycm #disney #disneyworld #disneycastlife #disneyprincess #dcp #disneycollegeprogram #waltdisney #waltdisneyquotes #wdw #wdwimagines #waltdisneyworldflorida #disneycastmembers A post shared by Nicole Elizabeth (@happilyevernicole) on Jul 12, 2020 at 7:09am PDT An Instagram user posted a picture of a deserted Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom. "Seriously, where the hell is everyone?" she wrote in the caption, as the train on the roller coaster was running entirely empty. View this post on Instagram 🏔๖ēຟคrē ໐f thē ฯēti! 🏔 • ~ No, but seriously guys... where the hell is everyone?! Maybe they got lost on the expedition.. or maybe the yeti is in a foul mood like us because it’s Monday 🤣🤷🏻♀️ #mondaymood • • • #bewareoftheyeti #happymonday #monday #disney #disnerd #ak #dak #disneyworld #wdw #disneysanimalkingdom #orlando #florida #yeti #rollercoaster #viewingpoint #scary #beware #coaster #fun #asia #memories #disneywithdrals #youtuber #youtube #takemeback #happyplace #home A post shared by ‘Disney Life With Lauren’ °o° (@disneyfan_9) on Jul 13, 2020 at 12:24am PDT Another user was able to sit on a deserted Main Street USA, something that would be impossible to do at this time of the year. View this post on Instagram Don’t know if I’ll ever see Magic Kingdom as empty as it was on Friday. It was such a surreal experience and looking forward to coming back in a few weeks. Mask by @lizzie_in_adventureland A post shared by K E L L I E (@my.disney.years) on Jul 12, 2020 at 8:52pm PDT At least the socially distant crowd at the Magic Kingdom were able to get a more intimate view of the new Cinderella's Castle, which was repainted during the park's shutdown. View this post on Instagram ❤️ Home is where the heart is ❤️ 🏰And my heart belongs to Disney! . 🎉Yes, I visited Disney World now that it’s reopened, and I loved every minute of it! It’s been an extremely long time since I visited my happy place! 😷 I wore a mask, everyone wore a mask, and I felt very safe. Everybody maintained a safe distance from one another. There were multiple hand sanitizer dispensers located before boarding and once you leave the rides as well, I probably cleaned my hands 30+ times. There was such low crowds around, which meant I can go to any ride I choose with very little to zero wait time! I literally walked straight into space mountain, nobody was behind me or ahead of me, I had the entire ride to myself which actually scared me 😂😂 my only complaint was how incredibly hot the weather was. Orlando sun doesn’t play! ☀️ . 🐭🏰 Visiting Disney is a personal decision, and I wanted to go. I’m glad it’s open ✅ . . • • #cinderellacastle #cinderellascastle #disneyshopping #disneyshop #disneyig #disneyblog #disneyblogger #wdwstyle #minnieears #disneymerchandise #disneymerch #disneyreopen #disneyopening #shopdisney #disneybound #disneybounding #disneystyle #minniestyle #disneylifestylers #minniegirl #bestdayever❤️ #ohhappydays #mainstreetusa #disneyathome #disneydecor #imissdisney #disneylovers #novababe A post shared by Christina Elle (@iamchristinaelle) on Jul 12, 2020 at 7:21pm PDT So far, no official reports or complaints have come in during Disney World's opening weekend. The resort is slowly reopening in phases, with Disney Springs being the first to do so back in May. If all goes well, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT will follow within the next week.
