Great news today, everyone! Walt Disney World has presented their plan for reopening the parks in Florida to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force for approval. Pending that approval as well as state approval, Disney World is reopening July 11, 2020.
Disney World is NOT opening all at once, however. Like everything else, Disney World is going to reopen in phases.
Disney World’s Phased Reopening Approach
Initially, the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will open on July 11, 2020. A few days later, July 15, 2020, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will open.
Disney is very focused on managing this reopening very carefully and more importantly, very responsibly. They’re going to significantly limit attendance and guest density throughout the parks, once they reopen.
A Very Different Theme Park Experience
It’s important that we adjust our expectations to a new theme park experience. Covid-19 unfortunately has not been eradicated, nor do we (yet) have a vaccine. So it is very important that we continue to be careful and prioritize our health and safety. Social distancing, washing your hands, and wearing face masks are going to continue to be very important–at least for the foreseeable future.
Some of Disney’s trademark experiences that draw large crowds are NOT returning to normal operations until further notice. This means there will be no fireworks, parades, or nighttime spectaculars. This also means that experiences that are considered “high touch” experiences are also not returning at this time. This includes “makeover” experiences (think Bibbidi Bobbidi Doo), character meet and greets, water play areas and playgrounds.
To summarize, while the parks ARE reopening, the following experiences are NOT reopening during these early phases.
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- Parades
- Character Meet and Greets
- Fireworks and Nighttime Spectaculars
- Makeover Experiences
- Water Play Areas
- Playgrounds
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Disney has not specifically mentioned popular stage shows that also draw crowds, like the Indiana Jones Stunt Show or Beauty and the Beast. I suspect those will either be limited or cancelled as well. It’s possible Disney is holding off decisions on these types of attractions until they get closer to opening the parks. I also think they may do limited seating to accommodate social distancing. Similar to ideas that have been floated for reopening movie theaters, Disney could close alternate rows, and suggest distance between families or groups. At this point we just don’t know.
Reservations for Park Entry
During this phased reopening of Disney World, Disney is going to require guest to make advance reservations to enter the park. This is how they intend to limit attendance at each park. They have not specifically stated how many guests will be allowed to enter each park once they are reopen; I suspect this is so they can test a variety of crowds as they see how things go. Initially, Shanghai Disney reopened with a capacity of 24,000 versus their normal capacity of 80,000.
While we don’t have official numbers, the Magic Kingdom has a max capacity of 100,000 people. (Personally, I find it pretty unpleasant any where NEAR that crowd level but different strokes for different folks!) I’m expecting that Disney will limit attendance at MK to 30,000 OR LESS during this first phase of reopening. Keep in mind, there are also THOUSANDS of cast members to support guests at the same time.
How to Make Reservations
Disney has not shared exactly HOW we are going to be able to make reservations for park entry. They HAVE indicated that guests with existing tickets and annual passholders will be able to make reservations for park entrance before the system will be opened up for new ticket sales.
Disney has temporarily halted new ticket sales and new resort reservations until they work through the existing and rescheduled reservations. Note: Disney Vacation Club members are the exception to this: they can still make resort reservations. Disney has indicated that they will be reaching out to existing ticket holders and annual passholders “soon” to discuss the process for making park reservations with them. The official statement says “more details about this new reservation system will be available soon”.
What Resorts are Reopening and When?
Disney has announced that Disney Vacation Club resorts in Orlando and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are opening to guests June 22, 2020. In addition, Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina are opening to guests beginning June 15, 2020. These resorts are reopening with new safety and cleanliness protocols in place. In addition, plans to support social distancing and enhanced cleaning measures are in place, according to Disney.
At this time, Disney has not announced when additional resorts will be opening. My prediction is that they will roll out additional resorts as they gradually increase attendance thresholds at the parks. I’m sure there will be a lot of training for cast members at each resort as they prepare for reopening.
Will I Have to Wear a Mask?
Disney is putting various measures in place to protect health and safety of both guests and cast members as Disney World prepares to reopen July 11, 2020.
All guests over the age of three and all cast members will be required to wear face coverings inside the theme parks and in public areas of the resorts. On the upside, Disney is selling really cute face masks (of course!) at shopDisney.com now for pre-order. Check them out below. I mean, if you have to wear one, they might as well be adorable, right?
In addition, both guests and cast members will be required to undergo temperature checks prior to entering a theme park. Disney already has the temperature check system in place for guests entering Disney Springs.
Disney is also recommending cashless transactions whenever possible, encouraging guests to plan on using their magic bands or credit cards to minimize the handling or exchange of (potentially bacteria carrying) cash.
High traffic areas will get additional cleaning and disinfection procedures with higher frequency than other areas. Disney has also stated that procedures will be reviewed and updated frequently as we all get used to the new normal.
What Does it All Mean?
So, the good news: Disney World is reopening July 11, 2020. The not-as-good news is that things are going to be different. But let’s face it. There are a LOT of things in our lives that are going to be different going forward. Perhaps permanently different.
Disney has stated that the phased opening at Shanghai Disneyland has been going very well, and that they are encouraged by the guest response there. Let’s hope guests in Orlando will be as cooperative and understanding.
Disney continues to work with the CDC and other health officials to implement best practices for reopening. I suspect this will be an evolving situation as time goes on, and we all have a chance to see the impact that reopening has on our citizenry. Hopefully, we are going to continue the number of new cases shrink as life gradually returns to normal. However, it is important to recognize that public safety is critical, and should we see a surge in new cases, it is entirely possible that Disney will have to close again.
We’re All in This Together
It is vital that any guests intending to visit the parks in the next couple of months (and perhaps longer still) are prepared to wear masks, practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently and get their temperatures checked.
It is also important that guests weigh their desire to visit the parks against the potential risks to their own health, and the health of others. Finally, it is critical to understand that some experiences will NOT be happening for the first few weeks and months the parks are open. If those changes are going to make you unhappy, or cause you to question the expense, I recommend you reschedule your trip for later in the year or even to next year.
We must all work together to help this phased reopening of Disney and the rest of our country be successful. We must be respectful of the new safety protocols in place for the protection of EVERYONE. Wearing a mask in the Florida heat this summer may not be fun, but it may also help to save lives. I, for one, think that’s a small price to prevent other people getting sick, or even worse.
What We Don’t Know
There’s still a lot we DON’T know, and I expect information will become available in the weeks to come. I know I still have questions about dining and transportation. Are you wondering about Fast Passes and the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance? I’d like to know about shows and the stretching room at the Haunted Mansion. I bet you are wondering about the new Space 220 restaurant at EPCOT and all the other construction projects in progress.
Lots of questions, and very few answers. I’m excited Disney is opening, and I’m anxious to see what’s to come!
Happy Dreaming,
Brooke
P.S. ShopDisney.com is having a great summer sale right now. If you’re jonesing for a little Disney magic, check it out!
Full disclosure: I am a shopDisney.com affiliate. If you visit shopDisney.com using one of my links, and your purchase results in a purchase, I will earn a small commission. This does NOT cost you anything. Thank you!