Now that we have a reopening date for Walt Disney World there will be new safety measures in place for Cast Members and Guests.
We have a full look at Walt Disney World’s proposal to the Orange County Recovery Task Force.
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Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney World, Disney World Proposal, Disney World Reopening, Health and Safety Protocols
Now that Disney World has announced it plans on reopening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th along with Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th, we also know some of the modifications the parks are planning on implementing.
Magic Kingdom Sign
According to Disney’s reopening proposal which took place this morning, Disney World’s theme parks will temporarily suspend its parades, fireworks displays, or character meet-and-greets upon reopening.
Disney World presented the following chart at this morning’s Orange County Economic Task Force meeting where it proposed its gradual reopening plan including tentative reopening dates. Due to social distancing concerns, Disney World has decided to “temporarily suspend its parks, fireworks, and other events that create crowds.”
©Disney
Disney World stated they will also be “temporarily suspending high touch experiences such as meet and greets and playgrounds.” Disney has also shared that “characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests.”
It’s Mickey!
At this time, we don’t know when Disney World plans on resuming these guest experiences or if substitutions will be made. When Shanghai Disneyland opened earlier this month, parades, fireworks, and other entertainment offerings were suspended initially, but some stage shows have already resumed while new character processionals had been added throughout the day.
See what progress Shanghai Disneyland has made since its reopening here!
Happily Ever After
Disney World’s gradual reopening plan has been approved by the Orange County task force, but must be reviewed and finalized by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ before it’s official. We’ll let you know more details as soon as Disney provides additional information.
Disney World plans on using a new reservation system upon its reopening! Learn more about it here!
Are you surprised Disney World isn’t planning on offering these guest experiences right away? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, cancelled, Character meet and greets, character meetings, crowd levels, crowds, Disney World, distancing practices, firework shows, fireworks, modified guest experiences, no parades, now fireworks, parades, performances, reopening, shows, social distancing, suspended performances, temporary closure
Walt Disney World just presented a reopening plan to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force with a proposed reopening date of July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and July 15th for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Walt Disney World
This proposal was approved by the Task Force. Now it must be approved by Mayor Jerry Demings before it is presented to Governor DeSantis for final approval. Disney World’s presentation today included the parks’ initial plans for reopening and those details are outlined below.
Disney World’s proposed plan would reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom to guests on July 11th. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios would follow with a reopening on July 15th. There will be soft opening preview days which Disney will share details about on a later date.
Disney World will be using a reduced capacity for theme parks, restaurants, retail, attractions, buses, monorails, and other transportation so that guests can appropriately physical distance.
Monorail at Disney World
To visit the theme parks, guests will need to use a new theme park reservation system. Guests MUST have a reservation in advance and new information is coming soon. It is important to note that Shanghai Disneyland is currently using a reservation system, which you can learn more about here.
You can read MORE about the new theme park reservation system here.
Disney has broken up their Health and Safety Protocols into five different priorities — Enhanced Protective Measures, Physical Distancing, Enhanced Cleaning/Sanitation, Temperature/Health Screening, and Limited-Contact Enhancements.
©Disney
Let’s take a look at the specific measures within these categories.
Like in Disney Spring, Disney will require face coverings for guests and Cast Members while on property at Disney World. Cast Members will be issued reusable face coverings, just like they have been in Disney Springs so far. Guests will HAVE to wear their masks as a mandatory measure but they are looking at potential “relaxation zones” where folks can remove their masks for a moment.
©Disney
Hand-washing and sanitizing stations and signage reminders will be posted throughout the theme parks, both on stage for guest access and backstage for Cast Member access.
Points of sale will have plexiglass barriers installed for all retail and dining locations to protect guests and Cast Members in areas where distancing cannot be maintained.
In addition to reduced capacity for the theme parks as a whole, Disney will be discouraging large gatherings. The initial reopening will see the temporary suspension of parades, fireworks, and other events that could create crowds.
Disney Springs
Cast Members will see modified and enhanced backstage areas so that they are able to distance while on breaks and in backstage environments.
Both on stage and backstage areas will see more frequent cleaning across high touch locations and surfaces.
Guests will be required to have their temperatures checked at the Main Entrance to the theme parks. This will be done with a 3rd party company using contactless, handheld devices — muck like the methods in Disney Springs.
Spaceship Earth
Cast Members who are guest-facing will receive on-site temperature checks. All Cast Members will be expected to engage in daily at-home temperature checks and health assessments prior to departing to Disney World.
Read more about our experience with temperature checks in Disney Springs here.
Restaurants and retail will see cashless transactions enabled and contactless payments will be encouraged through MagicBands, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Mobile Order will also be further enables at separate locations.
Mickey Mouse
Some notable high-touch experiences will be temporarily suspended as well such as meet and greets and play areas.
Disney’s focus on informing guests with the new health protocols is with strategies that are focused on education, communication, and engagement. They are looking into “know before you go” strategies for guests so that they are aware of protocols prior to their arrival.
Disney Springs
Once they arrive in Disney World guests will be reminded of protocols and key points will have signage to remind guests of changes as well. Cast Members will be crucial in focusing on the wellbeing of themselves and guests.
Magic Kingdom
Current guest-facing Cast will be trained on engaging guests and reminding them to follow health and safety protocols. This will be in addition to a dedicated “Social Distancing Squad,” like the one deployed in Disney Springs, to assist guests in staying safe.
We will continue to keep you updated with more details of this developing story.
For more information about the current status of Disney Resorts and destinations around the world, click here or visit the links below.
Do you have plans to visit Disney World or Universal Orlando soon? Let us know in the comments.
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Filed Under: Disney Entertainment, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney springs reopening, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world resort, Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, Orange County Task Force, reopening, Universal, Universal Orlando, universal orlando reopening, Universal reopening, walt disney world resort
When Disney World reopens in July some of your fan-favorite offerings will not be available.
We shared the news earlier when the Disney World theme parks will reopen.
In the meeting with the Orange County Task Force Jim McPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations shared more information on what the Disney World theme park reopenings might look like.
Some of the items missing from the Disney World Reopening are:
You can read the full plan below.
McPhee also mentioned that he is going to limit crowds from forming in the parks with specialized Safety Cast Members like they are using in Disney Springs. Also, Walt Disney World will be utilizing a new Guest Reservation System Upon Reopening the Theme Parks.
“As you all might imagine, there has been a great deal of work put in to get the Walt Disney World Resort and our Cast Members ready to reopen in this new environment for our July 11th opening,” McPhee shared. “We rethought many aspects of our operation to help enhance safety and provide a great guest experience.”
“We’re now implementing this work and proceeding with training and development so our Cast is ready for this road ahead, and soon we will be welcoming our guests back. We believe this thoughtful, methodical, and phased ramp-up strategy for our property is the right path. Together we hope everyone will do their part to bring the magic of Walt Disney World back into this new environment.”
Shanghai Disneyland had the same restrictions in place but over the past few weeks started reopening those fan-favorite offerings.
From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, character meets, Disney World, Disney World Reopening details, Disney World Reopens, Fireworks, Parades
Just moments ago Disney World submitted their reopening plan to the Orange County Task Force.
These plans included an opening date of the Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom on July 11th & Hollywood Studios and Epcot for July 15th.
Soft openings will occur before those opening dates with cast members and invited guests.
Jim McPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations says that theme park reservations will be required in advance of visiting the Disney World theme parks.
You can read the full reopening plans from the Orange County Task Force meeting below.
Here is the video from the meeting:
On May 26th, 2020 Walt Disney World was reviewed by Field Inspectors to gain approval for reopening.
The Orange County Task Force is expected to vote on whether to submit the plans for approval to Mayor Demings.
Once May Demings approves of their plans, they will then be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval.
Stay tuned to more details…
From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney World, Disney World Reopening, Governor Ron DeSantis, Mayor Demings, Orange County Task Force
