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The ULTIMATE GUIDE to the Reopened Disney Springs in Disney World!

On May 20th, Disney Springs began a phased reopening. And we’ve been there every step of the way to see how each business has been adapting to the changes.

Disney Springs

In fact, we’ve been visiting every day so we can report back on all the dining, shopping, and safety info you need.

Since we’ve written A LOT on the subject, we wanted to provide you with the “ultimate guide” to navigating the newly reopened Disney Springs! We have the scoop on all of the health and safety measures taking place as well as where to eat, drink, and shop and how eating, drinking, and shopping will look! Here’s EVERYTHING you need to know!

Entering Disney Springs

In order to help enforce the new health and safety precautions in place, the process for entering Disney Springs is a bit different than we’ve seen in the past.

Temperature Screening

There are differences in parking, where you can enter, and what you need to know and do before you go.

Operating Hours

Disney Springs is officially operating with reduced hours (10AM to 10PM).

Disney Springs

However, those hours are subject to change. To align with Orange County’s temporarily enacted curfew, Disney Springs is operating only until 7PM until further notice.

Parking

Surface parking lots and valet are unavailable. Currently, parking is only available in the Lime and Orange Parking Garages to help reduce capacity, and once these garages are full, guests won’t be able to park there and visit Disney Springs.

Orange Parking Garage

We have seen that the Orange Parking Garage has been opening well before 9AM most days. Of course, this is always subject to change.

Entrances

At this time, there are only five entrances open to Disney Springs, all of which have temperature screening checkpoints.

This Way to Temperature Screening

The entrances are at the Orange and Lime garages, the Marketplace Entrance, the bus loop near Town Center, and the rideshare drop off area.

All your questions about the reopened Disney Springs, ANSWERED!

Health and Safety Initiatives

Guests will notice a number of health and safety precautions throughout Disney Springs, some of which they’ll experience before they even have the chance to enter.

AdventHealth Signage

From what face coverings to wear to what temperature you cannot exceed to what social distancing you’ll see, we’re going to cover all of the protocols Disney has implemented below.

Face Coverings

All guests aged 2 and older are required to wear a proper face covering while visiting Disney Springs — guests without masks will not be admitted.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

These face coverings should cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly, be secured with ties or ear loops, and be made of a breathable material. The face coverings can either be a reusable fabric mask or disposable.

Required Measures Sign

It’s important to keep in mind you must wear your face mask for the entire duration of your visit. The only times you’re allowed to take it off are when you’re seated in a restaurant or walking around with a food or drink in hand, in which case you’re allowed to lower your mask.

Click here to learn when you will and won’t have to wear a mask in Disney World

Temperature Screenings

In addition to mandatory face masks, all guests are required to have their temperature checked before entering Disney Springs. Health care workers from AdventHeath are providing temperature screenings for guests to help ensure accuracy.

Disney Springs

Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and above will not be allowed to enter.

Temperature Check

If a guest does test with an elevated temperature, they’re allowed to attempt a second screening a few minutes later after waiting in a tented “cool down” area. But if they still test above the maximum temperature, they will be asked to leave along with their entire party.

Rescreening Tent

Though there is a temperature check, there is no bag check to enter Disney Springs.

Click here to learn more about temperature checks in Disney World

Increased Sanitation

Guests will find hand sanitizer stations throughout Disney Springs.

Hand sanitizer station

Portable handwashing stations are also located throughout Disney Springs. They’re highly visible and easy to locate, but if you need to use one and can’t find it on your own, ask a friendly Cast Member, and they’ll be happy to direct you!

Click here to see the handwashing stations in Disney Springs

Social Distancing Squads

Speaking of wonderful Cast Members, we’ve had our first chance encounter with the Social Distancing Squad at Disney Springs!

Cast Member

These Cast Members are on hand to provide guests with additional support while ensuring nobody is breaking any rules.

Click here to learn more about these Cast Members

Social Distancing

In order to reduce contact between guests, there are social distancing markers placed throughout Disney Springs.

World of Disney Social Distancing Stickers

While Disney has its own standard set of social distancing markers, other third-party businesses are using their own signage. For instance, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company is using coffee bean floor decals to show guests where to stand and keep them at a six-foot distance.

Joffrey’s Coffee Bean Distancing Markers

Click here to learn more about the social distancing markers in Disney Springs

Dining in Disney Springs

While not all dining locations have reopened in Disney Springs, guests will find a wide variety of options to choose from, with new locations continuing to open.

George Miliotes at Wine Bar George’s Reopening

From new utensil dispensers to contactless menus, and mobile order payment updates, we’ve seen a bunch of new procedures at some of our favorite places to dine in Disney World.

Table Service Dining

Since May 20th, we’ve eaten at STK, The Boathouse, Wine Bar George, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, T-Rex, Frontera Cocina, and more table service spots to see what changes they’ve implemented.

Sever at The Boathouse

Changes at table service locations include, but are not limited to: lower capacity, socially distanced tables, and single-use paper menus. We’ve also noticed some locations providing disposable bags to store our masks, and using contactless payment methods.

digital Checkout at STK

Note that at this time, reservations for Table-Service restaurants can NOT be made through the My Disney Experience app, but certain locations are currently bookable on Open Table or directly through the restaurants.

See what it’s like to dine at several Disney Springs restaurants that have just reopened here!

Quick Service Dining

We’ve also visited Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, Chicken Guy!, D-Luxe Burger, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., Pizza Ponte, Morimoto Asia Street Food, The Polite Pig, Earl of Sandwich, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, The Basket, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, and The Daily Poutine. Yep — we’ve been STUFFED lately!

Pork Rinds at The Polite Pig

In addition to single-use menus, quick service spots are also spacing out their tables, putting up plexiglass in front of cash registers, and limiting capacity in addition to other health and safety measures.

Check out our answers to ALL your questions about the reopening of Disney Springs here!

Snacking at Disney Springs

If you’re feeling thirsty or need a small snack, you’re in luck — plenty of outdoor pop-up bar and snack carts are now fully operational!

Disney Springs Pop-Up Bar Cart

Beyond alcoholic beverages, there are carts selling Mickey Pretzels and Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars! And if you’re jonesing for some Pineapple Dole Whip — the snack you voted as your most-loved Disney foodyou can find it in Disney Springs right now too!

Dole Whip in Disney Springs

And for you folks at home with refillable popcorn buckets, you CAN still get ’em refilled at Disney Springs right now! If you forgot yours at home, Disney is selling some basic popcorn buckets so you can fill up on the good stuff!

Click here to see what it’s like snacking around reopened Disney Springs

Shopping in Disney Springs

World of Disney

As of May 27th, World of Disney is open daily from 10AM to close.

World of Disney

While the first day was CRAZY with over a three-hour wait and a new virtual queue system just to step foot in the store, the crowds have mostly calmed down since then.

Ears Section of World of Disney

Another thing we’ve noticed is the store has been opening earlier on certain days than its posted operating hours.

World of Disney

When we spoke with a Cast Member about why the store was already open (well before 10 AM) she told us they are trying to get a better handle on things and are taking it day-by-day. But your mileage may vary, so don’t count on getting in before the designated opening time!

Click here to learn more about the very busy reopening of World of Disney!

Store Capacity

Both Disney-owned stores and third party shops are limiting the number of guests allowed in a store at any given time. Shops such as Sephora, Under Armour, and World of Disney have reached capacity over the recent week, for example.

Virtual Queue

World of Disney has initiated a virtual queue for busy days, while other shops have guests wait outside in lines.

Click here to see our experience when Under Armour when hit capacity

Social Distancing at Stores

In addition to limiting the number of shoppers, plexiglass shields have been installed at most stores’ cash registers, and queues have been outfitted with social distancing markers.

Please Stand Here Markers at Checkout

Although contactless forms of payment are highly encouraged, most businesses are still accepting cash.

Contactless Payment Sign

We’ve seen signage asking guests to limit the handling of products and we’ve also seen that many larger stores have defined entrances and exits.

What About Samples?

Smelling spices at The Spice Tea & Exchange, playing with Legos at the Lego Store, or trying on a little makeup at Sephora is half the fun of shopping! But what about samples and trying out new products right now?

Sephora

Upon entering The Spice & Tea Exchange, we were offered hand sanitizer. However, we were still able to open jars to get a sense of the 140-plus spice blends! The jars and displays were being regularly wiped down by Cast Members.

The Spice & Tea Exchange

As for Sephora, it’s offering freshly sanitized shopping baskets and wiping down counters, but testers are for display only and all Beauty Bar services are temporarily suspended.

Safety Measures at Sephora

We also recently stopped by the newly reopened Lego Store to get ourselves equipped for Legoland Florida’s June 1st reopening.

LEGO Store employee shows a product to guests

In addition to having just one working entrance, the shop’s interactive touch screen computers have been turned off and bins with build-your-own parts were unavailable.

Computers are shut down in the LEGO Store

Store associates were also on hand to give guests products — we were NOT allowed to grab items ourselves — and guests stood to the side of cashiers when purchasing items instead of in front of them.

Click here to see more of our experience at the Lego Store!

Where to Buy Face Masks at Disney Springs

While we haven’t seen any face masks for sale yet at Disney-owned locations, we have spotted some at American Threads, Vera Bradley, and The Polite Pig.

Vera Bradley Face Masks

The stock at stores is always changing, so you never know what you’ll find at Disney Springs!

Read about our shopping experience at Disney Springs here!

Disney Springs Attractions

The new Cirque du Soliel show, Drawn to Life, has been postponed and other Disney Springs attractions such as the NBA Experience and The VOID are closed.

The Void ©Disney

But there is one attraction you can still enjoy at Disney Springs!

Soar in the Sky on the Aerophile

The Aerophile, also known as the hot air balloon at Disney Springs, IS operating right now!

Disney Springs

Aerophile flights are available for $20 per person. The attraction is enforcing social distancing both in the line and in the balloon. Whereas you could wander the balloon before, now you need to stay in a designated spot while in flight.

The queue area for Aerophile

Cast members also told us they are wiping down the carriage area between parties to keep guests as safe as possible.

Click here to learn more about riding the Aerophile in reopened Disney Springs

Atmosphere

Normally, when you walk around Disney Springs, there are bands playing music and street performers entertaining crowds. But right now, those performances are on pause.

Stormtroopers

But not ALL is lost. In fact, we spotted some particularly intimidating guys enforcing social distancing! That’s right…STORMTROOPERS were patrolling above Uno de 50 recently! They’ve since relocated to the balcony above AMC!

Yes, there are STORMTROOPERS in Disney Springs today!

While it’s a far cry from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, we’ll still take it!

Click here to learn more about these unique security guards in Disney Springs!

As you can see, we’ve been pounding the pavement at Disney Springs to bring you all the details you need for your next visit as well as spotting as much new stuff as we can find!

Be sure to plan ahead for the dining and shopping experiences you want to visit, and you’ll set yourself up for a fantastic day at Disney Springs — even if it does look a little different than your last visit.

What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe at Disney World? Here’s What Our Readers Said!

Have you visited Disney Springs since it has reopened? Share your story with us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. PHOTOS and TIPS: Our FULL Experience From Reopening Day at Disney Springs
  2. PHOTOS: Disney World’s NEW Health Measures — Face Coverings, Distancing Signs, and MORE
  3. Updated! We’re Answering ALL Your Questions About the Reopening of Disney Springs!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, Disney Springs, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, AdventHealth, aerophile, dining in disney springs, Disney Springs Counter Service, Disney Springs entertainment, Disney Springs health measures, Disney Springs Parking, disney springs quick service, disney springs reopen, disney springs reopening, disney springs reopening faq, disney springs restaurants, disney springs shopping, disney springs table service, Disney Springs temperature checks, do I have to wear a face mask?, eating, entertainment, face coverings, face masks, hand sanititzer stations, hand sanitizer, Hand Sanitizer Station, health checkpoints, lego store, lime garage, mandatory face masks, orange garage, Parking, sanitation, shopping, social distancing, stormtroppers, Table Service Restaurants, temperature checks, temperature screenings, wearing face masks, where to buy face masks, World of Disney

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Answering The MOST IMPORTANT Questions We’re Getting From Readers About Disney World Right Now.

A lot is changing in and around Disney World right now as some stores and restaurants have recently reopened in Disney Springs and a plan is in the works for reopening Disney World’s hotels and theme parks.

Disney Springs

That’s why a lot of you have questions about what’s going on and how your future plans at Disney World may be impacted.

We wanted to take some time today to provide you with all the best resources we’ve been compiling over the last several weeks. We’re going to lay everything out on the table and clear up anything and everything we can so that you’ll have all the facts at your disposal.

Here are the answers to the most critical questions we’re receiving from you right now.

What safety measures has Disney implemented so far and are they mandatory?

With the recent reopening of Disney Springs, we now have a better understanding of what Disney World may require its Cast Members and guests to do before entering any of its theme parks (although they haven’t officially announced any new procedures yet for other parts of Disney World other than Disney Springs at this time).

©Disney

What we do know is this: Disney Springs isn’t allowing any exceptions to their new safety measures. That means if you don’t want to go through their health-check, have your temperature taken, and wear a face mask for your entire stay, you won’t be permitted inside Disney Springs at this time.

Click here for everything you need to know about temperature checks in Disney World

Are the temperature screenings accurate?

Professional healthcare workers provided by AdventHealth are conducting the temperature screenings at Disney Springs using touchless thermometers. The easy-to-use handheld devices use infrared light to read the energy your body produces, translating this data into a temperature reading within two-tenths of a degree of accuracy in some cases.

Advent Health Cast Member at Temperature Screening

To be allowed to enter Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F. If your temperature is 100.4 F or greater, you’re allowed to wait off to the side in a tented “cool-off” area and have your temperature re-taken. If it’s still too high, you and your entire party won’t be allowed inside.

Temperature Screening

When discussing potential health screenings for guests entering Disney World, Disney Company Chairman Bob Iger had previously speculated Disney Parks may implement mandatory temperature checks to enter.

Read more about the technology behind touchless thermometers here!

When do I have to wear a face mask at Disney World?

At Disney Springs, guests over the age of three must wear face coverings at all times. The only time you’re permitted to remove them is when you’re seated at a restaurant or consuming a drink or a food item.

Other than those few occasions, your mask must be covering your nose and mouth for the duration of your visit.

The Polite Pig is Selling Face Masks

While Disney Springs is providing an extremely limited number of disposable face masks for guests who accidentally leave their mask at home, they can’t guarantee they’ll have one for you if you don’t bring your own. That means you could be turned away if you forget to have a face mask for each person in your family over the age of three.

Will you be turned away at Disney World? Click here to learn more.

Will Disney World be limiting its capacity?

Yes. It is expected Disney World will reopen with a limited capacity, as it now states on its website. Realistically, it could be some time before the parks operate at their full capacity.

Walt Disney World website screenshot

See how Disney World has limited its capacity in the past here!

Currently, Shanghai Disneyland is limiting capacity to below 30%.

Shanghai Disneyland

Guests must have an advance reservation (either a dated park ticket, or an actual reservation in the case of annual passholders) to enter.

Learn more about the new reservation system Shanghai Disneyland is using here!

Will I be turned away at Disney World if I have a park ticket and a hotel reservation?

While it’s unclear at this time how Disney World will begin to allow guests back in, a few viable options are possible.

It’s Mickey!

Whether it’s similar to Shanghai Disneyland’s reservation system or something closer to the tiered closures Disney World uses during the holiday season when the parks reach their capacity, we hope to be able to provide you with this information soon.

When is Disney World going to reopen?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Now that Universal Orlando, Legoland Florida, and other Central Florida attractions have announced their official reopening plans and dates, Disney World is planning to propose theirs soon.

Monorail at Disney World

So far, we’ve seen many of the first signs we mentioned earlier that Disney World might be preparing to reopen. Florida’s local government has now permitted several small and major theme parks to reopen, Disney Cast Members are slowly being called to work, and Disney Springs has started its phased reopening.

Dole Whip

Click here to read what needs to happen before Disney World can reopen!

It’s unclear what Disney World’s official reopening will be like, but based on what we’ve experienced with Disney Springs so far, we expect Disney World to be very different from how we saw it last. 

Spaceship Earth

It also seems likely that Disney World in Florida COULD reopen sooner than Disneyland in California based on how their local governments are handling the situation. Nothing has been announced at press time.

Could Disney World open first to Florida-residents only? Here’s what we know.

Is my favorite ride or attraction going to be open?

On Disney World’s website, it states some attractions, experiences, services, and amenities may have limited availability or remain closed. That’s a pretty broad statement and we hope to be able to provide you with more clarity soon.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

What we CAN tell you is that looking at Shanghai’s reopening, most of their rides are open to guests. They’ve also changed their character meet and greets — Only parades, stage shows, fireworks, and some play areas with frequent touchpoints have been closed down.

Check out what modifications Shanghai Disneyland has made to its guest experiences here!

What about coming soon attractions? Are they still going open on time?

It’s hard to say…these new projects did experience delays when construction was halted at Disney World. While some attractions were closer to being done than others, it’s unclear how their timelines have been affected.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure was scheduled to open this summer while Space 220 Restaurant already encountered numerous delays pre-closure of the parks.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

And for Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, big plans were in the works for Magic Kingdom including a revamping of Cinderella Castle as well as the new TRON: Lightcycle Run roller coaster in Tomorrowland.

TRON Coaster Construction

Epcot was also left in a precarious spot when the parks suddenly shut down. Plans to close Spaceship Earth had just been announced while much of Future World is currently in the midst of a massive overhaul as part of the big Epcot Transformation. Work also stopped on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. All of these projects and more could be affected, but so far the extent of possible delays hasn’t been revealed.

What can we expect from Disney World in 2021?

Is it even worth it to go to Disney World this year?

That will depend largely on you and your level of comfort. Even if you’ve planned a trip to Disney World a million times before, planning a trip following the closures is going to be more unique with its own set of challenges and problems to work through.

Cinderella Castle at Night

First of all, it’s not going to be the same Disney World from your memories. It will be, but it won’t be. Choosing when you want to visit next is a very personal decision you’ll ultimately have to make based on your comfort level with this whole situation.

Magic Kingdom Sign

If you’re used to traveling to Disney World to attend certain events, festivals, or popular times of year like Christmastime, keep in mind a number of these special things we expected Disney to have announced by now, but Disney has remained quiet.

You might need extra-assurance from Disney before booking a trip if any of these offerings are super-important to you, otherwise, you might want to save your money for when you know they’ll be offered.

Click here to learn more about if it’s worth it to go to Disney World this year!

When is Disney World going to get back to normal?

There has been a lot of speculation floating around about how long it will take the Disney parks to reach their normal attendance levels. Some estimate it could happen as soon as next year while others think it could take even longer.

Haunted Mansion

While all of these analysts’ predictions are just speculation at this point, Disney will only re-open the park to the capacity recommended by the local government and public health officials.

Magic Kingdom

It’s unknown when mass gatherings will be permitted again, but at that time, with the guidance of local and state government, Disney World will most likely start to look and feel a lot more “normal.”

We asked our readers when they’d feel safe returning to Disney World. Here’s what they said.

Should I go to Disney World this year or wait until next year?

There are definite pros and cons to each, which you need to consider carefully before making your decision. If you return to Disney World this year, you’ll get a memorable experience for sure, but whether that’s the kind of memories you’d like on your trip is up to you.

Liberty Belle Riverboat at Magic Kingdom

Attractions will likely be altered, some experiences will likely be missing, and you’ll likely have to wear a mask. If none of that bothers you enough to consider waiting, go for it! If the idea of just being in Disney World again is enough for you, or you don’t have the flexibility to reschedule the same trip later next year, then visiting this year is certainly looking like an option!

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Keep in mind though if you have little ones you want to give a perfect Disney experience, this is a “once in a lifetime” trip for your family, or you’re uncomfortable with the new restrictions, then postposing til next year or beyond is a perfectly viable option as well.

Magic Kingdom

As we mentioned earlier, 2021 is the 50th anniversary of Disney World, so while there will be many new experiences to enjoy if you wait, it’s likely there will be more people too!

Click here to see if you should reschedule your trip for this year or 2021!

We hope we’ve helped you make a little more sense out of these last few weeks and what lies further down the road. Please keep sending us those questions and we’ll keep doing what we do to try and answer them as best we can!

Want to stay in the know about everything happening at Disney World? Sign up for our newsletter here!

Do you have a question about Disney World that we didn’t answer above? Let us know in the comments below and we’ll get back to you!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, construction delays, Disney World, Do I have to have my temperature taken, do I have to wear a face mask?, face masks, frequently asked questions, guardians of the galaxy: cosmic rewind, is it even worth it to go to Disney world this year, limited capacity, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, reservations, safety measures, safety protocols, shanghai disneyland, should I go to disney world this year, should I wait to go to Disney world next year?, Space 220 Restaurant, temperature screenings, Tron lightcycle Run, what’s the deal with face masks, when will disney world be normal again, when will Disney World reopen, will my favorite ride be open?