This week at Walt Disney World, Disney makes BIG changes to mask and social distancing policies, after hours testing suggests that nighttime spectaculars could be coming back soon, plus all theme parks raise capacity!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal reopens another hotel, plus a new Tribute store is set to open soon!
1. Masks now optional for guests in outdoor areas
The biggest change this week at Walt Disney World has been the removal of the mask mandate for all outdoor areas of the resort. Guests will still have to wear a mask upon entering the theme parks and throughout all attractions, in all theaters, theatre entrances, in transportation, transportation entrances and all indoor locations.
Walt Disney World has updated its website here to reflect this change in policy, and has included a handy graph that includes when and where guests can remove masks. For the time being, Cast Members will still need to wear masks in all settings.
Individually-packaged disposable masks are being distributed to attraction entrances at Magic Kingdom for guests who may have misplaced theirs while outdoors.
2. Social distancing winds down on rides and at shows
In addition to the new mask guidelines, Disney is also winding down social distancing measures on several attractions, including the newly reopened Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King, which is now seating parties closer together and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is now seating guests in every row.
3. All Walt Disney World theme parks increase capacity
Guests looking to visit Walt Disney World in the next few weeks may be pleasantly surprised to find additional availability for Disney Parks Passes as Disney has announced that it has already raised the previously announced 35% capacity cap to a higher percentage and added that theme park capacity will be raised even more in the near future. No specific numbers have been released, but we’d guess the new capacity limit is fairly high considering the availability of Disney Parks Pass reservations right now.
4. After hours testing indicate fireworks could be returning to Epcot soon
After hours tests have been going on over the past week at EPCOT that include background music from both EPCOT Forever and Harmonious, which may indicate that nighttime shows could be resuming in the near future. This would certainly be an opportune time for Disney to bring back these shows considering the reduced social distancing measures and increased capacity, so hopefully we’ll learn more about the when nighttime entertainment can return soon!
5. Disney parks report massive loss during most recent quarter
Disney released their second quarter financial results this week, and unfortunately it looks like the theme parks segment of the company lost over $967 million, with domestic parks losing $587 million, and international destinations losing $387 million. Disney estimated the bottom line negative impact from COVID-19 this quarter on the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products division as a whole to be $1.2 billion. However, as capacity now increases across the parks, the third quarter results for 2021 will hopefully look more favorable for Disney.
6. Walt Disney World Guest Services Twitter account comes back online
Though Walt Disney World reopened its theme parks last July, its dedicated Guest Services Twitter account @WDWGuestService, did not come back online in 2020. However, it looks like as of this week this Twitter account has begun responding to guests again, so if you have questions or concerns about your Walt Disney World visit, you can now interact with them here.
7. Universal, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens all end mandatory masking outdoors
Just like Walt Disney World, all of the other major theme parks in central Florida, including Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have made wearing masks optional in outdoor areas. Social distancing efforts at these parks are also winding down as well, which should help these parks deal with rising summer crowds.
8. Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites reopening again
Image: Universal
Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites has announced that it will be reopening on May 26, 2021. This hotel had previously reopened last summer before closing again a few months later, but it looks like this time this hotel will stay open for good as guests flock to Universal Orlando Resort this summer.
9. Jurassic World Tribute Store set to open soon
A new Jurassic World Tribute Store will be coming soon to Universal Studios Florida with a board simply saying “Coming Soon” situated outside. The store is located in the same area as the former Mardi Gras tribute store, near to the Revenge of the Mummy Ride. As of yet no official details or opening date have been announced but we are expecting that it will be open in time for the opening of the VelociCoaster next month.
