Walt Disney World Plans for Reopening
IT. IS. TIME.
This week Wednesday at 10 AM, Disney representatives proposed their reopening plan. Now that we have the details, we want to share them with you.
But before we do... we need you to know that we share this news for informational purposes only. Always know that you can choose when and under what circumstances you want to visit Walt Disney World so if the requirements or the risk right now are not for you, that's OK. Visit a different time. But arguments about Disney's plans or requirements or political arguments may be removed from comments both here and on Facebook.
All right - breathe deep because this is going to be Disney like you've never seen it before...
A Soft Reopening
Two theme parks, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom, will open July 11. This will be followed by the other two parks, EPCOT and Disney Hollywood Studios, on July 15. Disney Springs is already open to limited capacity.
The virus is still around, so unfortunately, it's not going to be business as usual for a while still. There are some important changes and requirements for both guests and Cast Members.
First of all, the parks will be open with a limited capacity. Guests will need to reserve a park they will be in in advance. Speculation is that Fastpass Plus may be suspended for a while as Disney moves to a virtual queue system similar to what is used for Rise of the Resistance. Dining will also have a limited capacity to promote physical distancing.
Here is Disney's information about their new protocols followed by a list of highlights:
Masks required for guests and Cast Members anytime on property
Increased hand sanitizing/washing stations with signs about how to wash hands
Reduced capacity all around (including dining, retail, attractions, and transportation)
Six feet social distancing required
No fireworks or parades or shows of the like that draw crowds (This means no Happily Ever After for now)
Temperature checks at entrance
Cast have temperature check at entrance and also at home with health screening before arriving on property
Increased mobile order dining capabilities
Encouraged contactless payments like Magic Bands or Apple Pay
Increased sanitizing of high touch surfaces
Suspending high touch experiences like character meets and playgrounds (this means no Mickey hugs for now)
Here is the signage Disney will display at park entrances:
And here is the signage Disney will have throughout the parks to remind guests of health and safety:
Disney is also temporarily suspending new theme park ticket purchases so that they can first help those guests who had existing reservations or upcoming reservations and may have to move things around. Which brings us to...
Impacts to Existing Reservations
Because social distancing requires operating at a limited capacity, some existing reservations are being jostled around a little.
Impact #1 - Fastpass Plus - existing Fastpass Plus reservations for dates in 2020 are likely to be cancelled as Disney basically needs to start from zero with calculating ride capacity again. We don't yet know if the limited capacity will simply make Fastpass unnecessary or if Disney will move to a virtual queue system for some attractions.
Impact #2 - Dining Plans - existing dining plans purchased for 2020 dates are being refunded. With limited restaurant capacity, Disney simply cannot guarantee you will get value out of a dining plan.
Impact #3 - Dining reservation window - Moved from 180 days out to 60 days out.
Impact #4 - Dining reservations - You may have guessed from the above impacts that Disney is also cancelling guest's dining reservations in 2020.
Rumor is that Disney is moving to a Park reservation system in which guests at the Disney Resorts need to reserve a park they will in for the day. Once that park reservation is in place, guests can then reserve dining.
Impacts to Disney Vacation Club
The good news is that Disney Vacation Club resorts are opening a little earlier than the theme parks. Walt Disney World Vacation Club properties and Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will open June 22. Again, in a limited capacity.
Disney Vacation Club resorts at Hilton Head and Vero Beach will open June 15.
How does this stack up against other Orlando attractions? You be the judge. Universal Studios plans to reopen June 5 while Sea World plans to reopen June 11.
As always, we hope this week finds you safe and healthy and that as we begin slowly to seek our new normal, you continue to be safe and healthy. Until next time!
