For some of us, taking the time to shop while on vacation in the Disney theme parks is a big priority. From checking the latest t-shirt releases to looking for a new Disney trading pin to commemorate your trip, shopping in the parks can be a must-do. If you’re looking forward to having the chance to peruse the stores while on an upcoming vacation, I thought that going over the safety measures currently in place in the Walt Disney World shops might be a good thing. We’ll use the Magic Kingdom‘s Emporium as an example, but guests will find the same measures in place throughout Walt Disney World property.
Capacity is not only being limited in the parks these days, it’s also being limited in the shops. If the doors to a shop are open, the shop has not reached capacity, and guests are free to come in and look around. As guests enter a merchandise location, a cast member will make a note of it on an iPad to help track the shop’s capacity numbers in real time. If the doors of a shop are closed, it means that the shop has reached capacity, and guests can check with the cast member posted at the doors in order to join a virtual queue.
When guests are in a merchandise location, they’ll find reminders regarding the current safety measures posted throughout the space. Guests are asked to remain physically distant from others while shopping, to wear face coverings, and to limit how frequently they touch the merchandise.
Select merchandise shelving units have been removed from shops in order to promote physical distancing, although I have to say that it can still be tough to do even with the increased walking space.
When inside merchandise locations, guests are asked to follow the stickers on the floor regarding guest flow. Just like we’ve seen in local grocery stores, the Disney shops are trying to help promote distancing though the use of arrows affixed to the floors.
At each register, guests are asked to wait at the safety marker while the guest ahead of them completes their transaction. Guests are also asked to used contactless forms of payment whenever possible.
At this time, each merchandise location has one way in and one way out. Signs are posted to help ensure that guests know which way to head in order to find the proper way to enter and exit. When a guest leaves a shop, their departure is noted on an iPad by a cast member stationed at the exit.
If shopping’s a must-do during your Walt Disney World vacation, please know that, with a few adjustments, the opportunity still awaits you.
For all of the latest details regarding Disney’s initial phase of reopening, keep an eye on our Walt Disney World Resort Reopening Information and Updates page.
