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
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.
Recently, the NBA indicated that they were looking at bringing the NBA season to Walt Disney World and Wide World of Sports. For basketball fans like Brian and Guy, this is a match made in heaven, and they couldn’t wait to talk about the possibility of it happening. Did you miss their live broadcast? No worries–we’ve got you covered. Check out the recording here.
What are your thoughts about the NBA at Walt Disney World? Is this something you’d be excited to have happen, even if you wouldn’t be able to see it in person? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Today, the Walt Disney World Resort shared their initial plans for reopening the theme parks to the Orange County Economic Task Force. With a proposed reopening of July 11 for both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and July 15 for Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, the question that was quickly asked is what about the resorts. Well, we have a bit more information regarding that piece of the puzzle.
According to the Disney Parks Blog, at this time, due to the fact that the parks will see reduced capacity when they officially let Guests return, the Walt Disney World Resort is temporarily pausing new Disney Resort hotel reservations so that there can be a focus on those Guests with existing tickets and reservations. With that being said, beginning June 22, Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and Guests, as well as Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. For those who would like to visit some of the other Disney Vacation Club resorts in either Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, they will be re-opening to members and Guests starting on June 15.
For those looking to stay at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels overall, they will officially reopen on July 11.
To keep Guests as safe as possible, plans will be put in place to support required physical distancing. In addition, there will be enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols that will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening based upon applicable guidance from health authorities and government agencies. Also, Cast Members as well as guests 3 years of age and older will be required to wear appropriate face coverings not only in the theme parks, but also in common areas of resort hotels.
Additional information on enhanced health and safety measures and operational changes for reopening locations will be shared soon. Do keep in mind that these policies are subject to change as conditions are monitored and updated guidance has been received from health and government authorities.
