Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Springs have already reopened following their COVID-19 coronavirus closures and now Walt Disney World is looking to start moving faster ahead to a sense of normalcy with plans submitted today to open its theme parks on July 11, 2020. 

The proposal submitted today to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force in Florida describes an approach for a phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort starting with Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom opening on July 11 with EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios following suit on July 15. Resort hotel locations will begin opening in phases sooner starting on June 15.

New Safety Standards

As we begin to reach out to our cast members and call them back to work, they will be focused on operating our parks in a responsible way that continues to give our guests opportunities to create magical Disney memories.

This phased reopening will demonstrate a deliberate approach.

  • Limits on attendance and controlled guest density that aligns with guidance on physical distancing.
  • Parades and nighttime spectaculars will return at a later date as well as any other experiences that draw large group gatherings
  • “High-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds and character meet and greets will remain temporarily unavailable,
  • Characters will still be in the parks — socially distanced

Theme Park Reservation System

Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon but what we learned today:

  • A new theme park reservation system that will require ALL guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance to help limit capacity.
  • PAUSE temporarily on new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so guests with existing tickets and reservations can be accommodated first
  • Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; additional reach out will be done soon provide additional details
  • Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations

New ticket sales and hotel reservations after this period of time.

DVC and Fort Wilderness Phased Reopening

Plans to support required physical distancing as well as enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening.

Reopening June 15

  • Disney’s Vero Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Reopening June 22

  • Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Disney Store locations

World of Disney retail shop reopened at Disney Springs shopping and dining complex and in the coming weeks, Disney Stores will begin a phased reopening of operations globally, beginning with a select number of stores in the United States, in addition to stores in Europe and Japan.

Safety Enhancements

  • FACE MASKS: All guests guests 3 years of age and older as well as cast members will be required to wear appropriate face coverings in theme parks and common areas of resort hotels.
  • TEMPERATURE CHECKS: All guests will also undergo temperature screenings prior to entering a theme park; cast members will also have temperature checks.
  • CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS: Recommended around the resort
  • CLEANING and disinfection procedures will be increased in high-traffic areas.

More to Come

Additional information on enhanced health and safety measures and operational changes for reopening locations will be shared soon. These policies are under continuous review and are subject to change as we monitor conditions and receive guidance from health and government authorities.

See it for Yourself

Pending approvals, Walt Disney World theme park phased reopening begin July 11, 2020, resort/hotel phased opening begin June 15, 2020.