Wow! Exciting news that many of the Florida theme parks are reopening soon! Are you excited about this opportunity to head back into the parks or are you going to wait a bit?
This week, see when Disneyland could reopen, take a virtual tour on ET, and more.
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
Bob Chapek shared details about the Walt Disney World Resort reopening on Bloomberg.
Could the NBA be playing the rest of its season at ESPN Wide World of Sports? The likelihood is good. What do you think of this plan?
Disneyland will be able to reopen in Stage 3 of the state of California’s reopening plan. The good news…that could be sooner than we think.
In celebration of “it’s a small world,” here is a DIY of mini versions of the iconic signs from the attraction that can be inserted into a potted plant, herb garden, or even into a bouquet of blooms.
Are you missing ET? Here’s an awesome video of the attraction brought to life by a fan.
Have fun with Universal Orlando Resort thanks to their app! They just introduced a new game called “Universal Parks Trivia”.
With the announcement that the Walt Disney World Resort would potentially be reopening the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11 and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15, there were, of course, some things that we didn’t know.
What was announced was that when the theme parks reopen, attendance would be managed through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry. Details about how this system will work will be released later. But how would things move forward for those who already had their vacations planned – especially with things like dining reservations, FastPasses and more. We now have an answer.
First of all, as I had mentioned in a previous article, the Walt Disney World Resort is currently pausing new ticket sales, as well as any new Walt Disney World Resort Hotel reservations. This will allow Disney to focus on Guests who already have tickets and reservations currently scheduled during a time when park capacity will be extremely limited. For those who have already bought tickets and those who are Annual Passholders, they will be able to make a theme park reservation before any new tickets are sold to the general public moving forward. These individual with already purchased ticket media will be contacted soon to provide additional details. New ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations will resume after that period of time.
In addition, due to the need to physically limit Guests, Disney has decided to cancel all existing dining reservations, as well as experience bookings (like the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Savi’s Workshop, tours, etc). When the ability to make dining and experience reservations opens back up, Guests will find that it will be a 60-day booking window, not the traditional 180-day booking window. Those Guests who did have existing reservations will have priority access to rebook dining and experience reservations when they reopen.
In addition, the Disney Dining Plan will be suspended through the end of the year. And those who purchased a Disney Dining Plan for dates between May 28, 2020 and September 26, 2021 will be automatically cancelled. If you have purchased the Disney Dining Plan for your upcoming vacation, you will be refunded that money.
Those who booked a Resort hotel reservation with Free Dining for dates between May 28, 2020 and September 26, 2021 will also see their Disney Dining Plan cancelled and they can choose to rebook their vacation for a later date with a 35% room discount.
In addition, for the time being, FastPass+ will be suspended as the additional queue space that normally gets taken up by FastPass+ Guests will now be used to help manage capacity and maintain physical distancing. Existing FastPass+ selections that have previously been made will be cancelled.
Finally, Extra Magic Hours for the parks will be temporarily suspended.
Disney will be reaching out to those Guests who are affected by these updates with additional information and details on options, including refunds.
Stay tuned to the blog for more information on what new changes are in store for those looking to visit the Walt Disney World Resort as we navigate a world that now has the threat of coronavirus.
Over a month ago I put together a list of my own theories, and theories from many others, about what procedures would be in place whenever Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopen. We received a lot of feedback on our “What Will Walt Disney World Be Like When It Reopens?” post. Since that time, Disney Springs reopened and we got a glimpse of the new temporary reality. Now, the big announcement has come. We can compare the theories we discussed to the reality that will come true in mid-July.
It is important to note that procedures and policies will change as the situation evolves.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols
By Reservation Only – TRUE (!!!)
This is a big announcement. When I wrote about the parks being accessible only by making a reservation to visit on a specific day, I wasn’t 100% convinced it would come true. Alas, Disney did announce that they are implementing a new reservation system for entry into the theme parks. Personally, I am very glad that the Disney parks will be reservation only. Doing so has a lot of positive implications. Obviously it allows for capacity control. But, it also means guest buy-in and education. Guests who make a reservation to visit the parks on a certain day or days will have committed to their plans. And, one can expect Disney to have a terms and conditions section which would review the safety policies. Maybe even guests will have to acknowledge that they will abide by these policies.
One Orlando attraction is already by reservation only: SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove. Perhaps there are some examples of this system that Disney will follow. There will be lots more information about Disney’s theme park reservation system to come, so stay tuned.
Reduced Capacity of the Disney Theme Parks – TRUE
A month and a half after I wrote about this theory, it seems obvious that yes, Disney will indeed have reduced capacity. Disney has not shared what the capacity looks like exactly, nor should anyone expect them to. As described in this CNBC recap of its interview with Bob Chapek immediately following the announcement of the proposed opening dates: Disney CEO Bob Chapek declined to provide a specific breakdown of its capacity reduction on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” Wednesday, noting that there is no governmental guideline like there is in China. He did say the company would adhere to the CDC’s 6 foot social distancing guidelines when limiting attendance.
Controlled Directional Flow Throughout Disney Property – TRUE
In the original post I discussed the potential for Disney to control traffic flow throughout the property. I mused that Disney might even go so far as to control traffic flow throughout the park, like they do during parade time for example. There was nothing about such specific plans in their presentation and announcement. However, Disney Springs already has directional flow implemented in certain high traffic areas, small areas, and certain retail locations have designated entrances and exits.
Walt Disney World Health and Safety Protocols
All Hands Off Deck and Cleaning Stations – TRUE
We already saw this partially come true during the final days of operation at Walt Disney World, and now, with Disney Springs open we’ve seen hand sanitizing and washing stations added. In addition to these new mobile hand cleaning stations, there is increased signage and reminders about the importance of sanitizing and cleaning. Disney announced that high touch areas such as playgrounds would remain closed and certain water effects would be turned off.
Hand sanitizer station at signage at Disney Springs
Reduced Shows, Attractions, and Character Experiences – TRUE
In our original post, the potential closure and reduction of high touch areas and activities was discussed. This is coming to pass as Disney announced all character meet and greet experiences would become an appearance and interactions from a distance. The possible closure of certain shows and other experiences was also mentioned. Disney states that this would be the case with reopening as well. What we didn’t touch on in our original post was the possible suspension of parades or fireworks. Disney has shared that for the time being parades and fireworks will not resume. You can imagine what a social distancing disaster it would be otherwise.
Required Masks and Temperature Screening – TRUE
It comes as no surprise that temperature screenings and face coverings or masks are required for attendance at Walt Disney World theme parks. After all, they are required at Disney Springs and will be required at both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando upon reopening of their theme parks. Temperature screenings at Disney Springs are conducted by one of Florida’s largest healthcare and hospital providers, AdventHealth. What I did not anticipate was the possibility of what Disney is calling “relaxation zones.” To be clear, this is not a definite feature, but Disney representatives mentioned at the Task Force meeting that they were considering creating places where people could take off their masks briefly.
Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols
Designated Days for Each Theme Park – TRUE (Kind of)
In the original post it was discussed if Disney would designate certain theme parks to be open on certain days, in order to reduce costs and control capacity. We also wondered if Disney would even designate certain parks to certain types of guests like Annual Passholders and on-site hotel guests on certain days. This is somewhat coming true, only for a short period of time. The theme parks are not reopening on the same day. The kingdoms, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopen first, on July 11, 2020. Then Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT reopen on July 15, 2020.
Restricting Access to Resort Hotels – TBD
The big piece that is yet to be fully communicated is Disney’s resort hotels. Which ones will open and when? How many hotels will stay closed? One would assume since the parks will be reservation only, that top priority will be given to resort guests. What I mused about in the original post is whether or not Disney would restrict access to the resorts to hotel guests only. This would potentially mean no dining at any of the resort hotels’ restaurants, visiting their merchandise locations, or simply sightseeing.
Additional Considerations
One of the potential operational changes we did not discuss in the original piece was the addition of Plexiglas to ticket windows and registers. Disney stated in their presentation to the Orange County Economic Task Force that barriers were being installed in certain retail and restaurant locations. We also got a peek at some of the signage that will be displayed throughout the parks.
Walt Disney World COVID-19 Health and Safety Signage
As we’ve seen with other theme parks and amusements in their reopening announcements, there will be changes to how attractions operate. Ride vehicles will have certain seats and rows closed. There will be multiple instances, especially in queues, in which travel parties will be kept together and served one at a time, other guests not in the current travel party will be asked to keep a safe distance.
This will be a very interesting time to say the least. We have never seen anything like this in modern theme park operations. I am hopeful that this reopening, with its purposeful safety measures, will help in a variety of ways. What are your thoughts?
From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney covid-19, disney reopening, disney safety, walt disney world reopening
When Disney officials announced that Disney Springs would re-open in phases, I wasn’t sure how long and spread out each phase would be. Now, we have entered the second phase in which some Disney owned and operated locations have reopened – the biggest of which is the massive World of Disney store. This new phase brings a surge of Disney energy back into Disney Springs. A member of our field research team ventured there to scope out what was open and what it is like to visit Disney Springs during this next reopening phase.
Disney Springs Food Trucks Are Gone
Virtual Queue for World of Disney and Marketplace Co-op
Most likely this will not be the case long term, but at the moment guests wanting to enter World of Disney or Marketplace Co-op need to enter a “Virtual Queue.” What that means is that you check in with a Cast Member at the entrance to the store, providing your phone number, and they will text you when it is your turn to enter the store. This is similar to the system that is used for waiting for a table at many full-service restaurants at Walt Disney World. The challenge is that the communication about this from Disney to its guests has not been that great. This resulted in lots of folks crowding around the entrance, unaware of what to do. Our field team counted 359 people in line for the virtual queue, as in to get their name into the system, at World of Disney around 10:45 a.m. on reopening day. I am hopeful that this is purely because of reopening day hype.
World of Disney ExitWorld of Disney Purchases
Other Disney Owned Locations Remain Closed at Disney Springs
Many of the smaller venues that are owned and operated by Disney have not yet reopened. Places like Candy Cauldron and Disney Style at West Side remain closed. We can theorize multiple reasons for this including staffing, the size of the venue, and overall demand each particular retail location not warranting the cost it would take to have it open at the moment. Reopening stores in phases does allow Disney and their hardworking Cast Members to get used to the new procedures before expanding the locations. To our field research team’s deep dismay Amorette’s Patisserie and The Ganachery also remain closed.
Candy Cauldron Remains ClosedThe Ganachery Disney Springs Remains ClosedAmorette’s Disney Springs Remains Closed
Exit Only Doors at Many Locations
To help with social distancing and crowd flow, many location have designated entrance doors and exit only doors. It is interesting to see the signs in place. One has to imagine that this may get difficult to manage if Disney Springs becomes busier over the summer once the theme parks reopen.
Additional Changes at Disney Springs
Required face coverings and temperature scans do remain in place, and will for quite some time. Additional changes to Disney Springs include the elimination of paper guide maps. The brochure stands were removed from the entrances to Disney Springs. The LEGO Store is another location that reopened this week, but the interactive play area remains closed – no surprise there. The Disney Food Trucks were removed from the West Side – goodbye cookie dough food truck, we barely knew thee.
LEGO Store Play Area Closed Disney SpringsDisney Springs Maps and Guides Removed
With all this reduction in offerings at Disney Springs there was one surprising addition: Stormtroopers. These Stormtroopers stood on a balcony in the Town Center, above Ever After Jewelry, with First Order banners draped beneath them. Their addition surprised me immensely. Turns out they are their to provide an entertaining way to get social distancing messaging across. Perhaps they are also a test for how to incorporate this type of entertainment and messaging into the theme parks when they reopen.
Ever After Jewelry Disney Springs Remains Closed – And the First Order has moved in
Our field research team, having visited Disney Springs a few times now, recommends bringing multiple face coverings or masks if you plan to be at Disney Springs long, to help with the heat, rain, and humidity. We also encourage you to be prepared for adjustments in procedures at the situation progresses. We will keep you posted with updates to our TouringPlans blog and social media channels.
Goofy’s Candy Company Disney Springs ClosedDisney Springs Sprinkles Cupcakes ClosedDaily Poutine Disney Springs Is Now Open
As mentioned, it seems Disney could have done a better job communicating the virtual queue process for its big merchandise stores. Other than that, things seem to be going fairly smoothly at Disney Springs, all things considered. Will you visit Disney Springs anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.
With the announcement of the reopening plans for Walt Disney World yesterday, a variety of changes were mentioned that were expected: masks, hand washing stations, and so on. Even the predicted reservation system and reduced crowd levels were mentioned. What wasn’t mentioned, but was updated on Disney’s park hours web site last night, were the changes in park hours.
Here’s the updated schedule currently on the Walt Disney World web site:
Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom will be open, starting July 11, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and Evening Extra Magic hours are listed on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Select dates also have the hard ticket Early Morning Magic in Fantasyland event from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., although this may change.
There will be no parades or fireworks.
Epcot
Epcot will be open, starting July 15, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (This will be a fixed time for all of Epcot instead of staggered opening hours for Future World and World Showcase.)
Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Evening Extra Magic hours are listed on Tuesdays from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.
There will be no nighttime fireworks show.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open, starting July 15, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Morning Extra Magic Hours are not listed for Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Evening Extra Magic Hours are listed on Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
There are no parades or “fireworks and nighttime spectacular” (including Fantasmic!) shows listed.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open, starting July 11, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Morning Extra Magic Hours are listed on Mondays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Evening Extra Magic Hours are not listed for Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
There are no nighttime showings of Rivers of Light listed.
Disney Springs
Disney Springs will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. In all likelihood, by the time the theme parks reopen, we would expect all businesses at Disney Springs to have reopened.
Disney’s Water Parks
As of today, hours are listed for Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach starting on June 11. Both parks are listed as open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and there are still mentions of H2O Glow Nights for Typhoon Lagoon on select nights. Disney had not made any sort of announcement about the reopening of the water parks, and this was not included in their presentation to the Orange County board yesterday. It is possible Disney will make another request for reopening shortly, or it could be that those hours will disappear off of the web site in the future. We’ll have to wait and see.
Why the Change?
Although Disney has not given insight into their reasons for the changes in hours, it is likely for logistical reasons regarding bus transportation at the resorts.
To allow for less crowded buses, you’ll need to run more buses for a park’s opening and closing time peaks. Staggering opening hours means that you can have the same number of buses show up at a resort to pick people up, but they will be able to go to the same location instead of servicing all four theme parks for the same morning opening time.
Staggering opening and closing times may also permit buses to be taken out of rotation for additional cleaning and sanitizing.
For park openings, you will need additional room for people to line up, with appropriate distancing, in queues to get on the buses. Having the surge of people come at staggered times will allow for increased room to spread out the lines for the buses.
For park closings, staggering the times means you can send additional buses to a theme park to try and clear the rush faster to try and avoid quite as many people standing in lengthy queues.
Are These Shorter Hours 100% Certain?
It’s Disney–nothing is 100% certain. It is possible that, as procedures play out with the reopening of the parks, hours could be adjusted. Should hours change, we will keep you updated. In the meantime, more than ever, if you plan a vacation to Walt Disney World this summer, remember to pack your patience.
What do you think of these reduced hours? Would they make you less likely to vacation to Walt Disney World this summer, or are you excited to have “sleep in” days automatically built into your schedule? Let us know in the comments.
