Disney World Announces Official Reopening Dates
It’s a big day for Walt Disney World, which just announced reopening plans and official opening dates for Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom, followed by Epcot & Hollywood Studios. This came in a comprehensive presentation to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. In this post, we’ll share the details, including temporary health safety protocol, rules, plans for soft opening opening, guest reservations, and more.
Regular readers of our Walt Disney World Closure & Reopening Updates know we’ve been following these weekly OC task force meetings since they began. It’s been an interesting albeit tedious process. These virtual meetings typically run over an hour, with early ones containing a bunch of nonsense and only a few worthwhile nuggets of info. However, even those provided insight into Walt Disney World’s plans days or weeks prior to the same announcements via Disney’s official channels.
The last couple of weeks, Orange County TV has become must-watch television (well, YouTube–watch for yourself here). It has gone from only a few dozen streaming viewers for each meeting to a few hundred last week to thousands this week. For good reason, as the stakes have gotten higher and the substance of the meetings more compelling…
Last week, the bulk of the meeting was devoted to Universal Orlando Resort’s comprehensive reopening presentation. Executives from Universal highlighted their preventative measures plan and laid out a “guest journey” that would stress the importance of communication, engaging guests and building confidence to encourage visitation.
More significantly, Universal dropped the bombshell announcement that Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay would open for employee previews on June 1 and 2, followed by an Annual Passholder soft opening on June 3 and 4, and then to the general public on June 5, 2020. This accelerated timeline surprised a lot of people, us included.
Although initially rumored to be presenting their own reopening plans at that meeting, both Walt Disney World and SeaWorld waited until this week’s meeting to do the same.
Rumors have since swirled that Disney leadership was caught off-guard by Universal’s announcement. Supposedly, this process has been less collaborative in nature than previous security and health safety plans, which were designed in tandem by the three major players in the Orlando theme park market.
We cannot speak to the veracity of those rumors, but it’s worth noting that Universal Orlando isn’t alone in moving fast. The same day of Universal’s big reveal, Legoland Florida announced it would reopen first on June 1, 2020. Last Friday, FunSpot Orlando announced it had already opened (you read that correctly), and Gatorland followed suit the next day.
Roughly one-dozen area water parks and smaller scale amusement parks or attractions have likewise received approval to open–before the end of this month or first few days of June.
SeaWorld Orlando presented its plans first during this week’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. During this, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment announced a general public reopening date of June 11, 2020 for SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove. (With an operational employee appreciation day prior to that.)
SeaWorld also shared specific “enhancements” to park operations, including mandatory masks for guests & employees, physical distancing, temperature screenings, and more. (All pictured above–pretty much identical to what Universal announced last week.) Notably, SeaWorld will not have an advanced reservation system for entering the park–also the same as Universal Orlando.
As for Walt Disney World, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings appeared on CNBC late last week and confirmed that Walt Disney World would submit their proposal and plans this week, which would be scheduled for presentation at today’s task force meeting.
Disney further corroborated this yesterday, with a tweet confirming they would present phased reopening plans today. With SeaWorld’s presentation finished, all eyes turned to Walt Disney World…
Even though we know what health security & safety measures will look like thanks to the opening of Disney Springs (and due to announcements by WDW unions), a number of questions remained to be answered today.
Would Disney present plans for a TBD opening, or reveal a target date as well? Would all parks reopen simultaneously, or just Magic Kingdom at first? What limitations would be placed on park capacity? Would advance registration be required for entry? How would this work for Annual Passholders? What about the two dozen-plus resort hotels? Would Walt Disney World reopen to Florida residents first, or everyone?
Well, we now have answers to these questions. At least, some of them…
Presenting for Disney during the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force was Walt Disney World’s Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer. He shared Walt Disney World’s reopening plans, beginning with opening dates.
The big news here is that Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will officially reopen to the general public on July 11, 2020. Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot will officially open on July 15, 2020. Prior to these dates, Walt Disney World will host a series of Cast Member previews and soft opening days for select audiences to ramp up operations. The details of these preview days will be announced at a later time.
For the official opening dates, Walt Disney World will employ a new theme park reservation system for visiting, the details of which will also be shared at a future date.
Additionally, Walt Disney World will utilize the above health and safety protocols, including mandatory masks, temperature screenings, physical distancing, enhanced cleaning & sanitation, and the reduction of contact between Cast Members and guests (including encouraging Mobile Ordering, contactless payments, etc.)
We’re not going to linger on any of these details, as this is all pretty much identical to what’s already happening at Disney Springs and what was revealed weeks ago by the Walt Disney World unions.
If you haven’t read our previous posts about the reopening of Disney Springs, here are photos and videos of what it looks like, and here’s what you can expect in terms of temporary health screening & safety requirements.
More significantly, Walt Disney World confirmed that it will temporarily suspend parades, fireworks, and other high-density entertainment during the first phase of its reopening.
Likewise, character meet & greets, playgrounds, water play areas, and other areas where physical distancing is impossible or impractical will be temporarily suspended during phase one.
All of this will be reinforced and effectively conveyed to guests well before they arrive at Walt Disney World via new education, communication, and engagement strategies.
Presumably, this will begin when guests book vacations or, if already booked, via push alerts and email notifications sent to guests. It will continue via the My Disney Experience app, in-park signage, and new Cast Member teams that will communicate with guests.
Walt Disney World concluded its presentation by reiterating some behind the scenes plans taking place to train Cast Members, educate the public, and prepare the parks for their soft opening dates and official reopening dates in July 2020. The approach was described as methodical and deliberate.
This still leaves questions unanswered for anyone contemplating a summer vacation to Walt Disney World. Most notably, they did not address its resort hotels in the presentation, nor did it offer even a vague timeframe as to when the soft openings will begin.
As we’ve said before, Walt Disney World’s two-dozen resorts will likely open in phases. Deluxe Resorts with Disney Vacation Club properties will likely be first, then non-DVC resorts connected to the parks by non-bus transportation (Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Yacht Club), followed by everything else.
The process of hotels reopening could take a few months. There might even be some resorts that don’t reopen this year at all if there’s a lack of demand (think Coronado Springs, the All Stars, Port Orleans Resorts), in which case guests with bookings at those properties would be relocated elsewhere.
UPDATE: Walt Disney World Announced Opening Dates for Hotels & DVC Resorts!
With Walt Disney World starting its official process over a full month after Universal Orlando, it’s entirely possible that the “unofficial” opening will begin far earlier. This could include a few days of Cast Member previews followed by a couple weeks of the soft opening time that targets DVC Members, Annual Passholders, and Florida residents. This is an approach that has previously been discussed during these task force meetings, so it’s not exactly far-fetched.
During a longer preview timeframe, Walt Disney World could refine its approaches and have operations more polished before tourists with vacation packages arrive in full force (well, more like reduced capacity force). This would also give Disney more time to scale up operations, getting some of the hotels open for the bigger mid-July opening. The last few paragraphs here are merely our speculation, not anything discussed during Walt Disney World’s presentation. In any case, we’re expecting a deluge of additional news for Walt Disney World directly via official channels in the near future (possibly later today, possibly when Governor DeSantis approves the plan). We’ll keep you updated once we know more!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be visiting Walt Disney World right away when the parks reopen in July or will you wait? Surprised by the details of Disney’s reopening presentation to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force? Optimistic that things will be “back to normal” at Walt Disney World sooner rather than later? A variety of viewpoints are welcomed here, but we will not tolerate insults, arguing, or politically-charged comments. Don’t ruin a 95% fine comment with an unnecessary cheap shot—that 5% will get it deleted. Additionally, please do not debate the efficacy of masks or other health safety policies–all such comments (for, against, otherwise) will be deleted. Those arguments are played out and isn’t the appropriate forum for that. (Saying you will or will not visit in light of certain measures is fine.)
Hi Stephanie,
The CDC does in fact recommend wearing cloth masks. “This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity–for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing–even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.” And Dr. Fauci’s comment is outdated, but in line with CDC guidelines when it was made. At the time, they hadn’t found the now understood link in transmission, and they were desperately trying to secure what few masks we had for medical professionals.
Masks are mandatory in many places, including where I live. And yes, it’s overlooked. But you know what? I take PTO to go volunteer as a med tech at one of my city’s sars-cov-2 testing sites. It’s hard working outside in the heat, with gear that doesn’t fit, reusing disposable respirators and headgear, double-bagging hot hands with gloves two sizes too small. And I live in a rich city! But for me, it’s just one day per week of that. For friends and neighbors who are doctors and nurses, it’s 6 days a week, 12+ hours/day. All with ill-fitting gear and reusing disposables. That deserves respect.
I know that masks can be uncomfortable. I’m sweating within 2 minutes of putting my respirator on, and with regular cloth masks it’s maybe 10minutes. But wearing them is about protecting others, not ourselves, and about stopping the spread of this virus. If you can’t do it for others, maybe you can do it for all the strata of healthcare professionals who are taking this pandemic on the chin. Let’s bring an end to this, no matter where you live.
A little discomfort isn’t much to ask.
Amen to that.
Thank you for taking the try and make this understood.
AGREE!
for how much they are canceling (parades, fireworks, character experiences & parties) I feel the cost should reflect that. Why would we pay thousands like past visits for half the fun? Instead of required masks, I would have rather seen Disney make guests sign some sort of liability waiver, a ‘play at your own risk’ and don’t sue us. I don’t think Disney Springs is a ghost town because people are scared to go out, I believe it’s because no one wants to wear an unnecessary mask in the heat. If they lifted this to optional, I bet numbers would start inclining
Signing a waiver won’t stop the spread of the virus. That is the whole point of precautions.
Even a cloth over your face reduces risk by 18%. Masks DO offer protection – however in fairness a mask has an effectiveness time limit –
If masks don’t prevent you spreading germs why do we wear them in the OR etc?
GC,
Nobody wears masks like we do in the OR. You touch your mask, you go scrub in again. You don’t wear the same one all day constantly manipulating it with your hands.
I’ll sign – hate masks and all they stand for – being lied to by politicians.
I 100% agree and am fully disappointed! How am I supposed to make my 3 year old wear a mask? It’s SO hot and humid! I feel this is creating more of a safety risk by not being able to breathe
There are studies and articles including from the CDC / WHO and interviews with Fauci stating that they are not needed or effective. It gives a false sense of safety and can actually harmful for you to be breathing into for 8+ hours a day. Common sense if you think about it but most of us are not thinking for ourselves right now. In July/Aug/Sept you already feel like passing out in the Orlando heat. Adding masks to the equation is going to cause a lot of difficulty breathing. It should at least be optional. Read through these comments and see how many medical professionals agree it’s not a good idea or necessary.
We are booked in to stay at Pop for a month at the end of September. We have already cancelled the DCL part of our trip but I’m starting to think it’s not even worth coming over from Australia. The costs are huge and it sounds like it’s going to be really disappointing.
Hi Stacey, booker to arrive 3rd October from Australia. My second trip and my friends first. We still hold some small (albeit delusional) hope it will be better but even being allowed to leave the country makes that small hope fade. Plus, the thought of memory maker photos of us wearing masks… ugh. We want the fireworks, the parades, the characters, the buffets. And like you say, for the cost (and travel!) it takes to go, well, it’s inevitable we will rebook once we get notification from Qantas our flights aren’t going ahead. Which is another couple of months away I am guessing. We will look at end of Feb or early May. Will you reschedule?
I would also consider whether or not international travels bans will be lifted in the US by September – I would say not hugely likely. If it were me I’d postpone until 2021. Given the current situation there should be little financial impact to you do that, plus more time to save. I can understand your disappointment – we are Australian too and would have been gutted to cancel a trip as we usually only take them every few years. We just happened to be incredibly lucky our trip fell last year before this all started. Good luck with your planning and I hope you get to experience some Disney Magic soon.
We are thinking of rebooking for the same time next year. We have been several times before and the thought of it being any different breaks my heart. I love the fireworks and hadn’t even thought of the photos.
We were going to re book for earlier next year but it’s goi g to take a long time for them to get back to normal and I know that the weather in October is amazing. I love doing the Halloween parties too but there would be restrictions on that too. I just don’t think it’s worth the $25,000 we have already paid to lose so much disney
$25k, seriously? What is that trip, like 2-3 months?
@Mrnico – My Disney trips have cost about that in the past, and that was for only 2 people (I think Stacey is talking about the cost for a larger family). Coming from Australia – where our dollar is worth only about 60c to yours – plus wanting to go for a decent period of time to make the 25 hours of flying (for us) worth it means usually a 3-4 week trip. Our last trip we did both parks for 2 weeks for about 15K but that was SUPER BUDGET accommodation and splitting meals etc…(oh and included spending money). Disney is an expensive hobby for us Australians 🙁 🙁
@Stacey Richardson – I like Halloween time too – and I’d hope by October next year things would be back to normal. Best of luck with deciding and changing your plans.
The CDC actually suggests the wearing of masks. It’s everywhere on their website.
I completely agree. We have reservations in December. IF masks are required, we will not be going.
Masks are actually effective (why do you think that masks are required in hospitals?) and I’m glad they will be required at WDW, but it’s your choice to not come.
I bet a large majority of people taking umbrage at the mandatory face mask policy would be some of the first to want to sue Disney if they got sick while visiting the parks because they didn’t enforce restrictions. The strict policies will, I assume, only be relaxed when people show they are being sensible
I agree, the face mask does nothing. Please people educate yourselves. That is not indifference to others. You do you let me do me and everyone will be happy. I will not force my 3 or 4 year old to wear a mask. I will not come for a Disney experience that is only partial. It’s way too expensive for that
I agree with you 100% no way are we going with the Mask wearing being enforced. Like you said no way is a 3 or 4 year old child going to wear a face mask and what about kids with Asthma. No Way. I will cancel first.
We somehow managed to get our week long Disney vacation in under the gun the last week of February before all hell broke loose with this virus. I feel terrible for all those folks and families that are having to cancel or postpone what almost always is a guaranteed home run vacation experience. We all can only hope that time eventually heals the pain where many of these experiences can be enjoyed again like they always were in the past at Walt Disney World. You have to try and think positive because the alternative just makes thing worse, think about planning a future vacation when things improve, when things start returning back to normal, the reward at that point will be well worth the wait.
I changed our early July reservation this morning to July 23-27, not knowing they would stop taking any reservations. So we have a hotel reservation for split stay at Pop and YC, but no dining or fastpass+ reservations.
We have reservations starting July 23rd and fast passes and dining booked. If they let us go we are going! Fingers crossed!
We have reservations end of November/first of December time frame. We have decided that if there is anything short of 100% open and fully functioning, we are going to cancel. I just can’t see spending that much money & not getting the full Disney experience.
We have reservations for mid-September but because of Disney’s new cancellation policy we will have to decide by August 16 whether we will go or not. If I understood the cast member correctly, we would lose all the money we have already put down if we don’t make a decision by then. I agree with Cheryl. Unless we get 100% we’re not going. I couldn’t stand wearing a mask for 20 minutes in the heat the other day at Home Depot, there’s no way we are going to put ourselves through entire days and nights at Disney like that.
Thank you for this update! Wondering how resort hotel reopening would intersect with the NBA’s plan to restart their season using WDW as a “campus” and playing the games at Wide World of Sports. Do you think there will be some hotels that will be NBA only? Four Seasons and perhaps another Deluxe?
Those overpaid crybabies should stay at the All-Star properties. They are the worst ones, so let the paying guests get the better resorts.
@Mrnico: yes, I’m sure all those >6’ tall millionaires will be happy to sleep in double beds.
JUST SAY YOU ARE STAY AT A ALL- STAR HOTEL AN THEY ARE NOT OPEN (RUMOR) DO YOU GET UPGRADED AT SAME COST
My family doesn’t do the typical Disney things most people are upset about losing right now….parades, fireworks, character meets and etc. However, that changes for the 6 hours at the Halloween party. While we enjoy Disney at other times, the party is a major highlight of our year and for that we make an exception. We would be disappointed if there weren’t those things allowed at the party and probably wouldn’t pay for a special Halloween ticket this year. Last year, they offered a special ticket for coming after 12pm and that was perfect for us. We each have certain must-do things and then the rest we play by ear. Perhaps flexibility will be a skill people will learn during this time. You can make a different vacation, at the same destination, something really special if you stop focusing that it has to look a certain way.
The one thing that I would like people to consider (and what is the top concern for us) is wearing a mask in the Florida “summer”. It is so flipping insane. We use to live in Florida on the coast where there’s a constant breeze. But interior Florida is, as my Dad would say, “hotter than the hubs of Hades”. No breeze and nowhere to hide from it’. We support masks and social distancing as a necessary reality now. But social distancing will force waiting in line to be a completely different animal…long, fierce and will cause so many health issues. You will be forced to wait even longer without protection from the heat , which is bouncing back twice as hot. I worry for everyone, young and old. It will cause so many people to have a heat stroke. And just “simple” dehydration will happen quickly and it is difficult to bounce back from that. Again I fully support these health protocols but just want people to understand that there are things that can derail a vacation and put your family at risk for other things. And masks will cause heat to be trapped and the air you breathe will be hotter too. That will definitely up your chance for heat stroke.
All of that being said, I would love to go. We have had a hard Spring. My father passed away in early March and we got back home just as schools and businesses were closing. All these many weeks, we have fantasied about going. We just want to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and watch the animals. And go on a few rides. A long time ago, we went there after another family tragedy. We realized that Disney is a feeling of comfort for us. A time for our family to bond and recharge. We also realized that the less we did during our trip, the more we focused on having fun. We never can understand that people cram so much in all day long and every day. It’s hard to make connections with each other when you are battling crowds and the clock. Just a suggestion from a converted Mickey Minimalist.
Hi is this planned reopening just for American residents or is it for worldwide guests. Many thanks