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NEWS: ‘Social Distancing Squads’ Will Make Theme Park Debut When Walt Disney World Parks Reopen

Today we are covering Walt Disney World’s plans for reopening as presented today to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The phased reopening is proposed to start with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT on July 15th.

Magic Kingdom Entrance

Proposed safety measures for the opening include limiting guest capacity in the theme parks with a new guest theme park reservation system among other protocols. The limited capacity in the park will help to accomplish physical distancing between guests, and Walt Disney World will also rely on its cast members to help implement these new measures.

Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, presented the plans to the Task Force, sharing the following: “Cast Members will be trained to positively encourage guests to practice the correct behaviors and demonstrate them themselves.”

Guest Relations Cast Member in Disney Springs

And one of the ways that will be accomplished is through something called Social Distancing Squads — a dedicated team of “highly energetic cast members” (also referred to as Safety Ambassadors) who will be present in every park.

Disney Springs Safety Ambassadors © Disney

The theme parks will not actually deliver the debut of the Social Distancing Squads to Walt Disney World. A Squad has been present in Disney Springs since its reopening, and Jim MacPhee shared that the team has been “a huge hit” with guests.

Disney Ambassadors in Disney Springs

Additionally, he stated: “As always, our exceptional cast members will engage with our guests to make the experience as real and as magical as possible.” 

We will continue to keep you posted on these and other safety measures proposed for the reopening of Walt Disney World as this story continues to develop. To learn more about the current status of Disney parks and destinations around the globe, you can visit any of the links below.

What do you think about the Social Distancing Squad in the parks? Please let us know with a comment!

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, disney springs, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Physical Distancing, Social Distance Squad, social distancing, walt disney world reopening

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Disney CEO Bob Chapek Speaks About Disney World’s Theme Park Reopening Plan!

Disney World has just presented its reopening procedures to Florida’s Orange County Economic Task Force as well as its proposed reopening dates.

Mickey Mouse

And now, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has just given a brief interview to CNBC with more details about the parks’ proposed reopening dates of July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and July 15th for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

In response to why Disney World will be reopening more than a month after other Orlando theme parks Universal Studios Orlando and Seaworld are reopening, Chapek noted that Disney World is focused on offering a “quintessential Disney experience,” while ensuring safety and sanitation efforts are done “in a responsible way.”

Disney has proposed to start reopening some of its Florida parks on July 11. “We want to make sure that what we present to our guests when we open up is going to be a quintessential Disney experience,” CEO Bob Chapek says. https://t.co/Eb79d3KZZs pic.twitter.com/VUkIT1fFOK

Chapek stated Disney World will be reopening its parks with a “substantially lower number of guests” but when pressed for more specifics on “limited capacity,” Chapek stated unlike Shanghai Disneyland’s 30% capacity limit which was issued by Chinese officials, there isn’t government guidance in the U.S. on how many guests will be permitted to enter Disney World at this time.

Shanghai Disneyland Fireworks Testing

Learn more about Shanghai Disneyland’s reopening procedures here!

That being said, Chapek stated the number of guests allowed inside the Disney World theme parks will be a calculation of the six-foot social distancing guideline set in place by the CDC as well as the square footage of each park.

World of Disney Social Distancing Stickers

Learn more about the safety measures and procedures Disney Springs has implemented upon its reopening here!

So far, we also know parades, fireworks, and character meet-and-greets will be temporarily suspended while Disney World will be utilizing a new reservation system to limit capacity once the parks reopen. We’ll continue to provide you with more details as soon as they’re released.

Follow along with our live coverage from World of Disney’s very crowded reopening here!

How limited do you expect Disney World’s capacity to be? 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, bob chapek, disney ceo, disney ceo bob chapek, Disney World, interview, limited capacity, phased reopening, Reopening Plan, shanghai disneyland

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NEWS! New Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations On Pause for Initial Reopening Phase of Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort has submitted a plan for reopening in a phased process with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening to guests on July 11th and Disney’s Hollywoood Studios and EPCOT opening on July 15th.

Monorail Station at Walt Disney World Ticket and Transportation Center

During the presentation of the plans, it was announced that park capacity would be “significantly reduced” upon reopening to implement physical distancing measures. And Disney has presented additional information about guest capacity with regards to new tickets sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations.

Disney already announced that they will utilize a system that will require guests to obtain a reservation to enter the park in advance. And in addition to this system to help manage attendance, Disney has also stated that — at press time — they are “temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations” with an intent to “focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations.”

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Noting that Disney Vacation Club members can make new reservations at this time, it was also revealed that existing ticket holders as well as Annual Passholders will be able to make their requests for reservations in phases prior to new tickets being sold. Reservations will be limited and subject to availabilty, according to Disney.

Magic Kingdom Park Entrance

In the presentation today, it was noted that additional details regarding the new reservation system will be revealed in the “near future,” and we will be keeping you posted as this story develops.

In the meantime, you can learn more about the status of Disney parks and destinations by visiting any of the links below, and learn more about Disney World’s reopening proposal here.

What are your thoughts on the reopening plans proposed for Walt Disney World? Please let us know with a comment. 

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney resorts, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disnet World Resort, walt disney world reopening

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Parades, Fireworks, and Character Meet and Greets Will Be Suspended Upon Disney World’s Reopening

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

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NEWS! Walt Disney World to Utilize Guest Reservation System Upon Reopening Theme Parks

Walt Disney World Resort has proposed a reopening date to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force starting on July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, and July 15th for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.

Epcot Entrance in Walt Disney World Resort

Among the many safety measures mentioned in the proposal, limited guest capacity is mentioned. And in order to help implement that, Disney is planning to utilize a guest theme park reservation system.

Though details have not yet been announced regarding the reservation system, it’s worth noting that a limited guest capacity measure has already been implemented in Shanghai Disneyland, with guests required to purchase a ticket for a specific date in advance, and Annual Passholders likewise required to secure a reservation.

queue line for Magic Kingdom Monorail

We will continue to keep you informed on these and other proposed measures as this story develops. As a reminder, Walt Disney World (as well as SeaWorld) just made its reopening proposal today — at press time, the proposal has not yet been approved.

To learn more about the current status of Disney parks around the world in the meantime, you may visit any of the links provided below.

What are your thoughts on the proposed reservation system? Please let us know with a comment!

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From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests Reservation System, limited capacity, shanghai disneyland, theme park reservation system, walt disney world reopening