Disney World Reopening Update: More Cancellations & June Opening for Universal!
In this Walt Disney World reopening update, we’ll cover the latest meeting by the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force (which includes a bombshell from Universal Orlando), what came from VP Pence’s meeting with Florida’s hospitality and tourism leaders, and more. It’s been a busy couple of days, so let’s get started!
This was the first meeting of the task force since Governor Ron DeSantis held his press conference last week announcing that Florida would enter “Full Phase 1” of reopening the state’s economy. At that time, DeSantis also indicated that theme parks in Florida could submit their detailed reopening plans (which would require a target opening date) for review and approval.
In the lead-up to today’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting, a few Orlando journalists tweeted reports that Walt Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld would all be presenting their plans, including proposed reopening dates. This was quickly picked up by CNBC and immediately caused a spike in share prices of the Walt Disney Company’s stock. A rep for Disney corrected this–but then further reports emerged that maybe they’d be presenting…
Suffice to say, yesterday was a whirlwind day. In addition to this roller coaster of reveals and walk-backs about whether Walt Disney World would present its target opening date and plans at the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting, there was also the successful reopening of Disney Springs, plus Vice President Pence’s meeting in Florida, which was attended by representatives from Disney.
Before we get to the good news, let’s start with the bad: more cancellations for Walt Disney World reservations. The second week of June 2020 is now officially out; park hours have been removed from the calendar and cancellation emails have now gone out to those with vacation arrival dates between June 7 and 13, 2020.
This is consistent with Walt Disney World’s standard practice of week by week rolling cancellations. As with all email notifications from Walt Disney World, it’s entirely possible not everyone impacted received one—either check your spam folder or attempt to view the reservation directly on My Disney Experience if you didn’t get an email but should have.
It also squares with Walt Disney World Delaying New Reservations Until July 1, 2020. At this point, it seems like all of the parks and resorts being operational in June is a long shot. It’s entirely possible we’ll see a phased reopening beginning next month given Universal’s bombshell announcement at today’s Orange County Economic Task Force meeting (see below), but the entirety of Walt Disney World being up and running before July still seems like a long-shot.
On the plus side, the reopening of Disney Springs was largely successful. While there were a couple of odd occurrences, the consensus of social media reports was that crowds were far lower than anticipated and the experience was generally pleasant and smooth (despite the heat and humidity).
We were actually shocked to see so many photos of Disney Springs almost entirely devoid of crowds. We expected pent-up demand to last through (at least) the holiday weekend, especially with no turnstiles acting as a monetary barrier to entry. As we noted previously, concerns about crowds were our main motivation for staying home.
Also yesterday was Vice President Mike Pence’s meeting with Governor Ron DeSantis and executives from Florida’s hospitality and tourism businesses. Per media reports, Walt Disney World advised the vice president that they are considering reopening the parks with a 20-30% cap on attendance.
If Disney Springs is any indication, organic demand may limit the number of guests at or below those levels. We’ve been pretty consistent in our belief that the parks would reopen to a short period of pent-up demand from locals before seeing a lull due to a lack of tourists (resulting from a mix of the lag between booking trips and actually traveling, unemployment & economic uncertainty, and lack of demand for a “compromised” guest experience).
The non-existent crowds at Disney Springs has us wondering whether even our pessimistic projections for Walt Disney World’s theme parks are inflated? Perhaps the safety measures and reduced entertainment will significantly suppress demand, even among locals?
Next, let’s jump to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting (watch here), where John Sprouls, Chief Administrative Officer, and Rich Costales, Executive Vice President of Resort Operations at Universal Orlando presented the reopening plan for their theme parks, which will begin in early June 2020 in a phased soft opening.
Even if you have zero interest whatsoever in Universal, this is HUGE NEWS! The health protocol plans here are certain to be collaborative in nature between Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World. While some diehard fans of both companies project their own aspersions and view the competitors in an oddly adversarial light, that doesn’t reflect reality.
As you might’ve noticed, the reopening health screening procedures and policies at Universal’s CityWalk and Disney Springs were nearly identical–right down to policies and the specific verbiage on the on the liability disclaimer warnings at the two resorts. While CityWalk opened a week earlier than Disney Springs, we would expect similar timing and policies when it comes to the respective theme parks.
In other words, if Universal is opening at the beginning of June 2020, it’s almost certain that Walt Disney World will begin reopening around the same time or shortly thereafter. There are obviously other variables at play, but it’s not as if Universal’s parks will reopen in June 2020 and Walt Disney World will wait until January 2021. Early July for WDW is now the pessimistic prediction, with the more optimistic scenario being that Magic Kingdom (and maybe 1-2 other parks) opens a week or two after Universal.
Universal Orlando’s plan is to open Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Florida, and Volcano Bay to team members on June 1 and 2, followed by Annual Passholders on June 3 and 4, and then to the general public on June 5, 2020.
During the presentation, Universal’s executives laid out a “guest journey” (above) that would stress the importance of communication, engaging guests and building confidence to encourage visitation.
Next up, Universal highlighted their preventative measures plan (above), which was put together with government and health official input, consumer research, competitive benchmarking, scenario planning, and demand modeling.
Significantly, Universal stated that masks will be required at all times for employees and guests. They indicated that if a guest arrives without a mask, Universal would provide a disposable mask free of charge.
Other modified practices are identified above, including the elimination of single rider lines, character meet & greets, and parades. Another noteworthy thing is that 3D attractions will still be operational (contrary to rumors), with glasses for those attractions handed out individually.
Universal indicated that social distancing signage and graphics have already been installed throughout both parks (above) so guests know where to stand and where to avoid.
This is similar to what can be found throughout CityWalk (Walt Disney World has a comparable version of the same at Disney Springs).
Following the presentation by the Universal executives, a presentation was made by local health officials who did a field inspection of Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida earlier today.
In summary, the Orange County health officials team had no concerns about Universal’s plan. From there, the full Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force voted on the plan (with Walt Disney World and other ‘conflicted’ members recusing themselves), approving the plan and essentially giving it the green light to proceed to Governor DeSantis.
Given that Governor DeSantis has repeatedly expressed an eagerness to reopen Florida’s theme parks and other attractions, it seems like a foregone conclusion that he will approve of these plans and the June reopening date. (In fact, it’s likely that Universal executives discussed this yesterday before publicly unveiling the plan.)
It’s also noteworthy that Universal Orlando’s plan only addressed the theme parks and not the resorts. However, it is possible to book hotel stays at Universal Orlando beginning June 2, 2020. It’s unclear whether that’s intentional and the hotels simply were not mentioned during the presentation, or an error.
As we’ve stated previously, we think it’s plausible for Walt Disney World’s theme parks to begin reopening before the hotels, which could then follow in waves. Central Florida locals can sustain theme parks (to a degree) and help get the ball rolling there, whereas they will not sustain two dozen-plus hotels. Tourists will take some time to return for a variety of reasons, the most noteworthy of which is that there’s a lag time between booking a trip and actually traveling.
Above is a look at the tentative reopening dates of other Central Florida attractions. Local health officials also conducted field inspections of most or all of these amusement parks and attractions today (May 21, 2020).
During the task force meeting, neither SeaWorld nor Walt Disney World presented reopening plans. It was previously reported that both parks (in addition to Universal) had prepared plans for the review of Mayor Demings, but he didn’t mention that on the call. Moreover, Walt Disney World’s (newly-promoted) President of Signature Experiences Thomas Mazloum did not speak on the call. Regardless, the news that Universal Orlando will be reopening at the beginning of June 2020, and we’re consequently now much more optimistic that Walt Disney World will begin greeting guests before July 2020!
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 Universal Orlando when those two parks reopen in June, or will you wait? Surprised to see Universal’s three parks reopening at the same time Walt Disney World is cancelling vacation packages? Optimistic that the WDW parks and/or resorts will reopen in July? We welcome a variety of viewpoints here, and will not delete anything on opinion alone. However, 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 incessantly harp on the same point across multiple comments. Respectfully share your opinion and move along.
I think some people will go to either park when it opens, but more will take a wait and see approach. There will be people, despite all the warnings, who will think that the parks will not open unless it is safe. If must be safe if parks are open. Then if someone gets sick, or dies, they will try to take legal action, even though there were disclaimers by the parks. A lot of people have faith in Disney, that they will not open unless it is completely safe. They don’t understand the Health ramifications of a virus. Many people do not even understand whjy they are wearing a mask. They think the mask will protect them and don’t realize the mask might protect other people from them but can not protect them from the virus.
I for one do not think Disney will reopen if they do not believe they have taken all the necessary precautions to try (try being the word emphasized) and keep people safe. The last thing they will want shortly after reopening is a pandemic caused by their park and resorts. I do know why we wear mask. I wear one when I am in the grocery store. I do not wear one when I am out walking though I carry it with me should I need it. If anyone is walking in my direction I either take a different direction, move into the street or put the mask on. Right now I do not happen to be in a climate where the weather is hot and humid. All of us know it will be hot and humid at Disney World in July and August, September starts to ease up. Some people may think they can manage with a mask on. Maybe they can but I seriously doubt I can and I am fairly sure telling a 3 year old or any kid for that matter to keep one on will cause many tempers to flare. No one will enjoy experiencing that scene. We will shortly know if all the people gathering at the beaches this weekend cause a big outbreak. If they do not then I believe being outside without a mask is going to be safe for almost everyone. My hope is this is true and Disney will decide mask on when inside and masks off when outside. To be clear when I say almost everyone it is because there are always going to be people who do not fall in the so called “norm”.
Oh ya they just release that it’s going to be very active hurricane season about 16 this year. After all this rescheduling if your going in hurricane season buy insurance.
Requiring masks for entry and enforcing proper mask usage throughout the day are two very different scenarios. One is possible and the other is laughable. Sorry, but if Disney and officials think that children will keep masks on properly throughout the day, they are dreaming. Add to that the “I paid good money to be here and I’m not going to wear a mask if I don’t want to” crowd, and there will be a seas of faces with no masks, masks on chins or masks hanging off ears. I would also caution people not to be too excited about reduced maximums on the number of people allowed into the parks. A 30% cap on attendance does NOT mean that you’ll only have about a third of the people you normally see in the parks. My understanding that the Disney parks cap out less than a dozen times throughout the year, and the crowds you deal with on a typical day are probably only 50-60% of max. That means that there’s a good chance you’ll still see about half the number of people you normally would, and with social distancing procedures in place for rides (e.g;, spacing parties out with empty seats between them), I’m wondering if this might make wait times even longer than you’d experience on a normal day. Someone else made a great point about everyone huddling together if a summer storm popped up.
Does anyone have news on Disneyland?
I’m from Lisbon, Portugal. Have family in Tampa, and I’ve been going for the past 4 years to my family’s house.
My husband and I have flight scheduled for September. I truly hope by then it’ll be ok for us to travel and go to Universal/Islands of Adventure and Walt Disney World. If we have to wear a mask we’ll do it. We have to do it here in Portugal to go to the equivalent of Publix or Walmart. Why not when we’re there?
We were supposed to go to Disney and Universal in March which was changed to May and now scheduled for end of July. Assuming they lift the 14 day quarantine rule for visitors from CT and are open in July, we have a really tough call. I am OK with the safety measures but really worried about nearly passing out from the heat with the masks or that the lines will end up mostly outside not under cover due to spacing or that one of us does get sick (hopefully mildly) and not pass the temp check and end up isolated in a hotel for 14 days. I am also worried that we will get caught up in attendance limits and lose out on a whole day at a park (not to mention extra money spent on park hopping tickets). My son is entering graduate school to get his PhD in Sept. so this is the last chance to go as a family as his schedule will be tight. Do we go for it accepting a limited experience or delay? I am sick of thinking about this since Feb. when it became clear that March wasn’t going to happen but can’t blow it off as it is a huge sum of money.
This is a tough call. It could be this way for awhile if there is a second wave. Everyone has a different tolerance level about the risk. For me I would rather wait for the whole experience, even if it is a year-18 months later. Only you know what your family’s underlying health risks are. Maybe there is another time like thanksgiving or Christmas or your son’s next year spring break. You have to compare what you want out of the trip vs. what you are spending.
Remember, assuming construction restarts and gets back on track, there will be new attractions added next year too.
Maybe end of August would even be an option too as hopefully kids will be going back to school mid August? But still might not be parades etc. I think masks are here to stay awhile…
Betsy, relax please. Disney will be there for you to visit eventually. Enjoy the family at home and don’t get stressed!
Betsy, relax please. Disney will be there to visit eventually. Enjoy your family at home and don’t be stressed.
I am a pass holder and go usually twice a year and am about a sixteen hour drive away. I’ll wear a mask if it is required. My thoughts are on the buffets at the restaurants. Love a few of them and end up at a couple of them even when not on dining plan. I am thinking they should go to cafeteria style serving with plexiglass in between customer and server and handle the plate down the line. Think that for buffets everywhere. I would think Disney has been thinking about this as well.
All the social distancing in the world won’t make a difference once it starts to pour and everyone is huddled together under an overhang trying to stay dry.
As far as to mask or not to mask I think the Divinyls said it best “There’s a fine line between pleasure and pain”. Know the rules and if you can abide by them before you go. If you can’t stay at home, don’t show up and start whining and try to get out of following them.
I think it’s too soon to re-open. While people are bored and the economy is taking a hit, the cost of lives lost cannot be measured in economic terms. I think at minimum the parks should not re-open until early-mid July. Their are millions of people unemployed-it’s unrealistic to think someone is going to go to a park when most people can’t pay their rent/mortgages or buy food to feed their families. My family loves the parks-we’re universal season pass holders, but I think for at least a few months we’ll err on the side of caution. I wish them well.
Once they stop requiring masks, that’s when people will go. Forcing people to wear masks is not going to encourage many people to attend. And, it’s pointless.
It seems like the Senior Management of DisneyWorld is basing their re-opening decision on facts rather than on “encouragement” from state and federal authorities. I think that is an excellent approach. Let Universal open whenever they want. Disney is still a leader and will make decisions that suit the needs of their guests and their company. That makes me even prouder to be a stockholder.
Additionally, I do not relish wearing a mask in the heat of the day as we meander through the parks. However, I want to stay healthy and protected from those who sneeze and do not cover their mouths so I am willing to be uncomfortable. So many folks are not first time visitors to the parks so perhaps they need to rethink their priorities and chose two or three “rides” to go on instead of insisting that they do “everything” on that particular trip. That may be the new normal as they approach the planning for their trip.
While I understand what you’re saying, I think that approach is really only viable for locals. If I lived in Central Florida and had an annual pass, I could see myself putting on a mask and going to the park with the understanding that I would have to pick just 2 or 3 attractions and then call it a day.
However, I live several states away. As such, despite the fact that it is not my first time and won’t be my last time, there is no way I am going to spend my hard-earned money and precious few vacation days on a Disney Trip where I only get to do a handful of things each day.
If I am taking time off of work and going to the considerable expense of buying plane tickets, booking a hotel, buying park tickets, paying for food, etc. etc, etc. then yes, I want it to be a good trip. I would rather postpone my next trip for a year or even two, until I time when I can reasonably expect a Disney World that is at least closer to normal, than waste my money and PTO in the name of reasonably lowered expectations.
Maybe if I was independently wealthy and retired I could justify the time and money for a sub-par Disney trip, but I’m not, and I can’t. For me, cancelling is a far better option than “rethinking my priorities.”
I love disney and cant wait for it to reopen. As a physician I agree with the policy that everyone wear a mask. I have already prepurchased the disney masks on the disney store website. Are mask hot. sure but that is the new normal.
I am an annual passholder to both disneyworld and disneyland. Usually we hit disneyworld in the winter and disneyland in the summer. Cant wait. each has its own unique rides and experiences that the other once does not.
for all the people complaining I and all the doctors in the hospital currently wear 2 masks, eye googles, face shields, bunny suits over scrubs for our 10+ hr shifts sometimes without a break. Certainly we cannot take it off easily to even get a water break. Even before the coronavirus outbreak surgeons wore mask under hot lights for multiple hrs for long cases.
I cannot stand that people complaining. If you don” wear a mask. Don’t come and ruin it for the rest of us.
Dear Kelly!
Astronauts wear full space suits and helmets for their work, to stay safe, do you expect us to wear them too? It is wrong to compare professionals wearing PPO in air-conditioned buildings to families with young children trying to wear masks all day long in FL heat and humidity. It’s definitely taking things out of context. I am not complaining, just choosing not to go while mask requirement is in effect. I am not local, we live across country, just air fare for our family of four costs a small fortune. We are not paying the kind of thousands it takes for our family to have a Disney vacation, if we have to wear masks all day. Hopefully, central Florida locals and those willing to have a “temporary abnormal” experience at Disney will be able to sustain it for a while.
I just read on another blog and saw photos that monorails can be seen up and running. That is VERY good news! I wonder if rides and attractions are also up and running on the inside to prepare for an opening.
Long shot here. Call me Mr. Optimistic – I say parks open early June with resort stays following late June. I have no idea or insight into this, just hoping for the best.
I just can’t see Disney “allowing” Universal to open June 5th while the Disney parks remain closed. Disney is to announce their plans next week. I also wonder if they just wanted to delay their announcement to give Universal their time to shine and thus giving Disney a solo announcement.
“I just can’t see Disney “allowing” Universal to open June 5th while the Disney parks remain closed.”
Disney is billions of dollars in debt. Universal is doing quite well financially…
I am planning on visiting Universal with my family in July, coming in from Las Vegas. The masks will suck outdoors, hopefully they will change that part of the policy by then.
In as much as I hate crowds,I wonder what it would be like with 30% attendance. I have been there when it’s really quiet but that was the norm then, just walk onto rides. I remember wondering why they had FastPass. I never used one for years after! Well everyone should be safe and that’s the whole idea.
I will not go to a park in 90 degree weather and wear a mask. It makes it very hard to breath and I cant do it.
I am not a fan of opening under these current conditions. I understand that our country, along with the rest of the world has to begin moving again. I am only concerned at what cost. Fake news or not, this pandemic has effected the world. Universal may have an easier time opening up than Disney. I have a trip planned to Disney in early July. I am a newly DVC member and frankly I am not about going to Disney anytime soon. Florida may have handled the pandemic much better than some other states. This is an international issue. I don’t know how much Universal depends on international customers. So it may not effect them as much. To announce the reopening date a day before the W.H.O. releases the most positive cases in a day thus far. I just don’t feel it’s a great idea.
Personally, I cannot wait to get down to Florida and visit WDW. Masks, no Mask, whatever, as long as I can get to the park! If Masks are the way for now, then great. it will deter some not to come having the numbers low and I can hopefully get on the rides I want. if you have an issue with the masks, don’t complain, just do not come until they allow visits without them!
My family had been saving for our April 2020 trip for 3 years to take our 3 young kids. We rebooked for September, but there is no way they (1 of which has special needs) will wear masks all day. And we cannot justify spending that kind of money for a fraction of the experience. I’m devastated. We’re not locals (we ‘re about 17 hours away!) and this would have been my tenth trip. I LOVE WDW, but I can’t subject my family to masks and a watered down experience for the money it’s costing us. (PS. Your content is always so helpful and spot on! We enjoy following you and appreciate the work you put into this!)
As a local, who would love to visit WDW and EPCOT, I will not be medically tested by some teenager and forced to wear a mask in the heat of a Florida summer. I don’t mind the distancing, but the other requirements are unacceptable to me.
I have attended City Walk and I look forward to Universal reopening the parks. I am a pass holder and I will go there. My only concern with the new rules is the requirements to wear masks in the hot sun all day long, even if your 20 feet away from someone. I only spend two hours at City Walk and left as it is very hot to wear a mask in heat during the summer. It makes for a not so great experience. I have no problem wearing it inside but I think they need rethink the outdoor requirements or they will see reduced time spent at the parks.
Can Louisiana residents enter Florida and not be subject to the 14 day quarantine? I see old articles about it but can not see a current policy?
Good question. Ohio just lifted their recommendations for travel in and out of the state.
Tori, Louisiana is still subject to the quarantine rules as of now. The travel advisory can be seen here https://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/current-travel-safety-information.html and gets updated daily.
I have the same question regarding New Jersey residents
If you are not a Florida Resident expect to be Quarantined for 14 days as per Governor Ron DeSantis. You can do what you want but I would until they go through all phases and fully open back up to normal. With out Temperature checks, gloves, masks, 6 feet apart.
No.
On March 24, 2020, Governor DeSantis directed all individuals entering the state of Florida from the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into Florida or the duration of the individual’s presence in Florida, whichever is …