Walt Disney World made history today and presented their reopening plan and reopening date — after months of closure — to the Florida Orange County Task Force for initial approval.
Magic Kingdom in Disney World
Disney World has reopened many locations in Disney Springs, their shopping and dining district, this week, and will be reopening all four theme parks very soon!
Disney World Theme Park Reopening DATES
Walt Disney World Resort has proposed a reopening date for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11th, and a reopening date for Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. If this proposal is accepted, the parks will be open to guests on these dates.
Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World
The task force committee voted to approve this reopening plan. Updated: Mayor Demings has approved the proposal as well. Now, Governor Ron DeSantis must approve it.
Disney World Theme Park Reopening DETAILS
Disney shared that they will have soft opening preview dates and that they will share more information on this soon. Once the parks reopen, Disney will implement a new theme park reservation system. This system will require guests to reserve their arrival in advance to assist with capacity limits. While few details were shared during the meeting, it is important to note that Shanghai Disneyland is currently using a reservation system.
New health and safety procedures will be similar to the ones being implemented in Disney Springs. Some of these protocols will include required face masks for guests and Cast Members, increased social distancing protocols, enhanced cleaning and sanitation, and required temperature screenings for both guests and Cast Members.
©Disney
Disney also mentioned that select experiences will be modified and that there will be no parades, fireworks, or character meet and greets for the time being.
Mickey Mouse
Disney did share that characters “will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests.”
You can read MORE about these experiences being temporarily suspended here.
Disney Ticket Sales Information
Disney has updated their website revealing a few more pieces of important information. Disney will not only manage attendance through a theme park reservation system but they will also be pausing NEW ticket sales AND Disney Resort hotel reservations.
Disney Ticket Center
This is so they can “focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations).” Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make these reservation requests in phases BEFORE new tickets go on sale.
Disney Hotel Reopening Information
The Walt Disney World website states, “pending approval from government officials, the phased reopening plans we submitted calls for Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels to open beginning July 11 for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.”
“Additionally, Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and guests and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen on June 22. Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will also open to members and guests starting on June 15.” More plans on Disney’s new resort physical distancing measures and cleaning protocols will be implemented at these locations as well.
Get ALL the details on Disney World’s proposal and new processes here.
More Disney Park Closure Details and Info
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Would you visit Disney World on reopening day? Let us know in the comments.
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Opening day? Not a chance!
Is there any news on the Disney hotels?
Details about what a reopening would look like are being shared at this time and will be updating you with all the info — stay tuned!
I think this needs to be edited to say “Details about what a reopening would look like are NOT being shared at this time and will be updating you with all the info — stay tuned!
See, nothing about resorts. More garbage. Not a word. So that would make almost …FOUR MONTHS of supporting closed DVC resorts. Fantastic!
Not if masks are required…..not in FL in July! I can just see the large amount of ppl suffering from heat exhaustion.
July?! ?? We had to cancel our May trip and rescheduled for the end of September! I’m really hoping (especially for my four kids) that this actually happens and we can go. I’m assuming masks will be required to enter parks?
Would this be just for state visitors, national visitors or international visitors? Does this mean the resorts will open the same time?
It depends on what their maximum capacity percentage is.
Of course I would!
not sure about anyone else but a mask in Central Florida in the summer? No thanks, will wait till a vaccine is available. They better have lots of medical staff for the guests and cast members passing out.
What about shows???
Canceling my reservation for August
With the limitations they’re putting in place, they may as well not even bother. No fireworks or character meets? Who is going to actually come from outside of the semi local FL area to get a heavily decontented experience?
No we won’t be going till things get back to Normal. We canceled our Oct —2 week trip to WL.
No parades , Half the capacity in restaurants, Fireworks, meet n greets, face mask required, and taking my Temperature when it’s 100 degrees outside already , of course I will have a high
Temperature.
That is not the “Disney Experience “ I want.
Absolutely!! I’ve had reservations before closure – July 12-17th. I am elated!!
What are the water parks plans for opening
but masks still required. And no parades/shows etc? Looks like im going to need to cancel our Sept. Trip :/ :/ :/
Any dates for the Disney resorts?
I won’t be able to attend due to passholder block out dates but I’m excited that the parks will be opening up soon. It’s up to each of us to be safe and smart during these unpredictable times but this gives me hope and a little of joy. Let’s help and encourage each other to be safe as we return to our happy place!
No info regarding the resorts?
Caterina, nothing so far.
Will Resorts be open before parks. Everything keeps saying parks. What about the resorts?
Thanks for the updates!
Very excited. The exposure can take place anywhere at least here people will follow safety protocols. I hope the Disney resorts and pools open by August.
Some of the greatest family memories we’ve made have been at WDW. While these protocols may be necessary, my attitude is to avoid this experience. I don’t want the memories that would come from wearing a mask in the parks (even for photographs).
Do you think I’m safe if I have hotel reservations and park tickets for the end of October? I wonder how hot it is in Florida in October exactly. Those masks ?
Masks and temperature checks make it safer than going to the grocery store. I’ll be there!
Why not open up June 8th, we are coming and was really hoping that the magic kindom would of been opened by the 12th, has to open a month after we are in Florida, so disappointing!!!!!
Nope, not wasting two years of saving up for this experience!!! Taking the “magic” out of the magic kingdom… consider our September trip canceled. If my kids can’t meet Mickey or watch fireworks….AND have to wear a mask in the FL heat, Disney can give me back my money. Nope, nope nope!
With all of the shows and events they’ll be canceling and the hassle of wear omg the useless godforsaken masks, they need to lower their ticket prices.
My daughter has asthma and can’t wear a mask. Does that mean she can’t go to WDW? That’s stupid. The whole mask thing is ridiculous!
This will definitely be a different experience for a while. I don’t think I will be comfortable coming down for a bit. We are from Canada, so the exchange alone is hard enough for a “normal” trip, not a limited experience trip. If I was a Floridian though, and had an annual pass, i would probably feel comfortable in August, after a month of trial and error.
If you need more details please go to the WDW website where I pulled this detai on Resorts:”Additionally, Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to Members and Guests on June 22. Disney Vacation Club properties in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will open on June 15.”
We have reservations at Grand Flo for last week of July into August…. If must wear Face Masks, No Parades, No fireworks and no characters then the amabiance of the park will be changed completely. We will cancel and wait until things are lifted. We were there in February 2020 and had a great time. My fear is that it will be a longtime before we return to that atmosphere. If Disney keeps things the way they are for long then I feel for those DVC members. For the Vacation club they joined will not be the same as to what they signed up for.
From Disney World’s website, Disney Resort hotels to open beginning July 11 and Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to Members and Guests on June 22.
Disney Vacation Club properties in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will open on June 15. Disney Springs has begun a phased reopening. Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort Hotels, restaurants and other offerings may be modified, limited in capacity and subject to availability or closure.
I have reservations for mid-July both at Beach Club and Vero Beach. I’m so happy that there will be limited opening even with restrictions. Something to look forward to again!!
Is Hilton Head Disney scheduled to open?
Any news on the bars at the hotels like the jellyroll when it will reopen ?
Margie, Hilton Head opening June 15. Info coming soon on DFB!
Aaron, we’ve got it.
Misty, only time will really tell what things will be like in October. As for the climate in Florida in October, I’m sure you can find historical data online. 🙂
I wait are all the resorts not opening until the 22nd? Or is it just the campgrounds?
Will Annual Passholders whose passed expired during the closure be notified separately via email or will we have to call WDW?
Why would people go sit in a hotel? What does this mean for DVC members? Will we be penalized for cancelling reservations scheduled for the end of June/Beginning of July when parks are not open? I used 213 banked 2018 points, will I now loose them? Finally, what about those of us (yes me) who are from NYC and must quarantine for 14 days. Will we suffer for cancelling our reservations?
Thank you AJ!! A while back, Disney was talking about 65 and over being encouraged to visit during later phases – have you heard any scuttlebutt along those lines? Thank you so much!!
Not a fan of temp checks – it makes no sense and really means nothing. The mask is a deal breaker….will either find a new place to vacation or wait until this is not required. My hunch is that many will not want to wear a mask and Disney will have to change in order to get people in the door. Time will tell.
Weekday annual passholders. Looks like we can go back starting August 10th. That will work for us.
I’m somewhat amazed at some of the comments, especially regarding the masks. The mask is not for your personal protection, it is for other people around you. If you are asymptomatic, meaning you have the virus but none of the symptoms, you can pass it on it through a cough, sneeze, singing and, yelling.
Heck ya I would! July 11th is my birthday lol…I’ve had a trip planned for September 10-15 so I’m stoked!! Even with the restrictions I’m looking at the positive…what an experience it could be with so many people scared to go?! The park is MINE!! *insert evil queen laugh here*
Susie, no word from Disney about this.