We have all been impatiently waiting for the Walt Disney World reopening plan to be announced. As we know, all of the Walt Disney World parks have closed since March 16th to help slow the spread of the novel Coronavirus. For several weeks, all of the Disney parks, worldwide, were closed in response to this pandemic. Shanghai Disneyland reopened March 11th with several new policies such as requiring guests to wear masks, have a temperature check, and follow social distancing guidelines. Universal Orlando submitted its plans to the same task force last week to start a phased reopening on June 5.
Walt Disney World Reopening Date
Let’s get right to it. What do we want more than anything? Dates. And we finally have them (atleast for parks)
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen on Saturday, July 11th.
Epcot and Hollywood Studios will open on Wednesday, July 15th.
New Park Reservation System
To manage attendance when parks reopen Disney will implement a new reservation system. Guests will need to make a reservation for dates of attendance and have a valid ticket for that date. Disney will be releasing more information about this process at a later date. They will not be offering new ticket sales at this time. Disney will be contacting current ticket holders and Annual Passholders, allowing them to make reservation requests before new tickets are sold. New ticket sales will resume after that time.
At this time, no new Disney Resort hotel reservations will be taken. They will be focusing on accomidating Guests with existing reservation although Disney Vacation Club Members can make new reservaions. New Disney Resort hotel reservations will resume at t later date.
Disney World Vacation Club Properties and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will reopen to Members and Guest on June 22.
Throughout this phased reopening of the theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants and attractions it should come as no surprise that several experiences will be modified, limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure.
Also, entertainment such at fireworks, parades, shows, basically anything that would create a crowd will be suspended until further notice.
Walt Disney World Reopening Plan
At the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting today Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations presented the proposal for the phased reopening of Orlando parks. Per Governor DeSantis’ Executive Order the plan should identify a proposed date for resumption of operations and proposed guidelines to ensure guest and staff safety. The proposed plan given included dates for a phased reopening of parks, new health and safety protocols, and changes in operations. Mayor Demings requested that Orange County staff perform a field inspection to assess the facility’s ability and readiness to implement their plan. This inspection was completed on Tuesday, May 26th.
During this inspection, they reviewed the parks readiness to implement the plan in regards to:
- employee health screening and best practices
- guest arrival and ticketing
- restaurant operations
- attraction queue management
- signage and communications
- sanitization protocols
This plan will need approval by the Orange county Mayor Demings and Florida Governor DeSantis.
Health and Safety Protocols for Walt Disney World reopening
Enhanced Protective Measures
A layered approach of protocols including face coverings, hand washing & sanitization stations and physical barriers where appropriate.
Guests
- required face coverings while on property
- handwashing and sanitizing stations and signage reminders at appropriate locations in the theme parks
- plexiglass at point of sale in retail and food & beverage locations where distancing can not be maintained
Cast
- company issued reusable face coverings
- sanitizing stations and signage reminders
Enhanced Physical Distancing
Reduction in theme park capacity that enables appropriate physical distancing in the theme parks and appropriate signage of physical distancing requirements as a reminder.
Guests
- reduced capacity of theme parks, restaurant, retail, attractions, buses, monorails and other transportation that enables appropriate physical distancing
- temporarily suspending parades, fireworks and other events that create crowds
Cast
- enhance/modify backstage areas to enable distancing while on lunch/break periods in break areas and backstage environments
Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitation
Build upon existing standards of cleaning with heightened protocols in the theme parks.
Guest
- more frequent cleaning across high tough locations and surfaces in operating areas
Cast
- more frequent cleaning across high touch locations and surfaces in operating areas, including control rooms, break rooms, conference rooms
Temperature and Health Screening
Conduct Guest and Cast temperature checks
Guests
- temperature checks at Main Enterance to theme parks
- 3rd party screening via contactless, handheld devices
Cast
- on-site temperature checks for Cast Members in Guest facing areas
- daily at home temperature checks and health assessment prior to departing to property locations
Limited Contact Enhancements
Reduction of Guest and Cast member contact points
Guest
- contactless payment with Magic Bands, Apple Pay, Google Pay
- enable cashless transactions at restaurants and retail
- further enable mobile order at food and beverage locations
- temporarily suspend high touch experiences such as Meet and Greets and playgrounds
Cast
- enable cashless transactions at restaurants and retail
- temporarily suspend high touch experiences
- continue the practice of providing individual costumes to Cast Members
Disney is committed to keeping Guests informed about all of the Healthy and Safety Protocols before arrival and throughout their visit. They will be providing education to guests before arrival through the MyDisneyExperienc app and at WaltDisneyWorld.com. They will be reinforcing health and safety guidelines & protocols with signage throughout the parks. Cast Members will help to regularly communicate new protocols to Guests. There will also be a dedicated team of Cast Members to serve as a Social Distancing Squad.
Walt Disney World Reopening – Quick Breakdown
- Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will open Saturday, June 11th
- Epcot and Hollywood Studios will open Wednesday, June 15th
- Guests are required to wear face coverings while on Disney property
- Fireworks, Parades and other events that create crowds will be temporarily suspended
- Meet and Greets and playgrounds will be temporarily closed
- Temperature screenings upon entrance to the parks are required
- Social distancing protocols will be implemented
Ticketing for Disney world Reopening
Any valid, unused tickets or park days remaining on a multi-day ticket from March 12 through closure can be used until Dec. 15th. If you are unable to use your ticket by Dec. 15th the value can be used to purchase a ticket for a later date.
Guests who had tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villians After Hours, Disney Early Morning Magic, and Disney H20 Glow Nights from March 16th through the closure will automatically get a full refund.
There will be a lot more information coming out today and over the next couple of weeks. I will update this post as new information becomes available.
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See ya real soon!!!!!
