On May 27, Jim McPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations at Walt Disney World, presented the company’s re-opening proposal at the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting.
Below is a summary of the proposed changes. Please note, these are proposed plans and need to be approved by Orange Country and the Florida Governor .
Proposed Reopening Dates
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom have a proposed reopening date of Saturday, July 11. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios have a proposed reopening date of Wednesday, July 15.
Additionally, the parks will have a soft opening for invited guests and cast members in an effort to ramp up capacity.
Limited Attendance and Entry
To control attendance, Walt Disney World will implement a new system in which guests must obtain an advanced reservation for entry.
Further, Walt Disney World is not selling any new tickets to its theme parks. Existing tickets and Annual Passholders will be able to request tickets in phases before new tickets will be sold. Detail regarding the process are forthcoming.
mask Requirements & Temperature Screenings
Guests ages three and over will be required to wear masks at all times. Additionally, guests will have their temperature checked prior to admission into the theme park.
Changes to Theme Park Activities & Protocols
Elimination of Events
In an effort to reduce crowd gatherings, the following activities will be suspended during the initial reopening phase:
- Fireworks
- Parades
- Nighttime spectaculars
- Character Meet and Greets*
- Makeover Opportunities
Please note, while there will be no character meet and greets, characters will still be in the parks
Closure of High-Touch Areas
In an effort to reduce high-touch points throughout Walt Disney World Theme Parks, the following areas will be closed during the initial reopening phase:
- Playgrounds
- Water Effects
- High Touch Areas
Reduction of Touch Points Throughout the Parks
In an effort to reduce touch-points, the following changes will be implemented:
- Greater options for contactless payment
- Encourage cashless options
- Expansion of mobile ordering
Improved Sanitation
In order to improve protective and sanitation measures, the following will be introduced:
- Hand Washing Stations
- Sanitation Stations
Reduced Capacity
To maintain social distance, the following will have limited capacity:
- Transportation
- Rides
- Points of Sale
- Restaurants
- Retail outlets
Plexiglass barriers will also be placed at points of sale and other food and beverage locations.
Communication of Changes to Guests
If your head is spinning with all the changes, worry not! Walt Disney World will be communicating with guests:
- Upon booking
- Via My Disney Experience,
- Upon arrival
- Throughout the vacation
- Through Social Distancing Squads at each park
Further, signage will be implemented throughout the park to remind guests of the new protocols
Disney Lodging RE-OPENINGS
Disney has also announced the following re-openings of their lodging properties
June 15-
- Hilton Head Disney Vacation Club property
- Vero Beach Disney Vacation Club property
June 22-
- All Walt Disney World Disney Vacation Club Properties
- Fort Wilderness Resort and Campgrounds
Guests ages 3 and older must staying at these properties must wear a mask in common areas.
It is important to note that Walt Disney World is not allowing for new hotel reservations during this phase.
Conclusion
There will be significant changes to the guest experience once the Walt Disney World Theme Parks re-open. Will you visit the park while these changes are in effect? How long do you think these protocols will be in place?
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