After being closed since mid-March, Walt Disney World has finally announced their plans for a phased reopening of the company’s Orlando-area theme parks. As expected, this includes a multi-pronged approach that includes phased openings, mask requirements, and more.
Walt Disney World reopening July 11 with Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, other parks opening July 15
It has been announced that Walt Disney World will begin its reopening with Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom, which will be reopening to guests on July 11, 2020. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen a few days later, on July 15, 2020. All guests who want to attend these parks will need to use a new arrival reservation system, which will debut later. Capacity at all four parks will also be greatly reduced.
Restrictions and requirements
The Walt Disney World experience will look a LOT different for those who visit this summer.
- Required face masks and temperature checks for all Cast Members and guests
- No character meet and greets
- No parades
- No fireworks shows
- All play areas will remain closed
- Ride capacity will be reduced
- Capacity reduction for travel around the resort (bus, monorail, SkyLiner, etc.)
In addition Disney has announced the formation of a “Social Distance squad” that will be roaming the park to remind guests to stay apart from one another.
New ticket sales and reservations are “paused”
According to an update from the Disney Parks Blog Disney is temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so that they can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations).
Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold, and more information should be available soon.
Not all hotels will reopen
After Disney’s initial presentation, in an Interview with CNBC CEO Bob Chapek said that Walt Disney World will have “plenty of hotels that will not be repopening.” but did not elaborate on which ones. He also mentioned that said Disney will not be providing an official capacity number for guests in the theme parks.
However it has been confirmed that, pending approval from government officials, Disney Resort hotels are scheduled to begin reopening starting on July 11. Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and guests and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen a little bit earlier on June 22.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: SeaWorld Reopening on June 11I 4 Disney Springs Locations Still Closed Indefinitely I Europa Park Is Reopening On May 29, Here Is Everything They Are Doing, Including MANDATORY Mask Wearing I Disney Working on Reopening Plans This Week, Announcement Coming Soon I Disney and NBA Confirmed to be Working on Bringing Games to Walt Disney World
