When Will Disney World Reopen?
“When will Walt Disney World really reopen?” and “will the parks stay closed until [insert date/season]?” have become frequently asked questions. This is due to Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and the resort hotels all currently closed. (Updated June 1, 2020.)
With so much uncertainty in the air and people wanting to plan vacations or cancel trips, these questions are unsurprising. Accordingly, we’ve been doing an ongoing series that attempts to offer balance, nuance, and our best guesses with all things considered. To recap, here are questions what we’ve addressed:
- Will Walt Disney World Offer Huge Discounts Once It Opens?
- How Bad Will Crowds Be at Walt Disney World After Reopening?
- What Operational & Health Safety Changes Will Disney Make?
Likewise, you can find regular updates in our Disney Closure & Reopening News & Rumors. In this post, we’ll share official reopening dates for Walt Disney World’s four theme parks, plus the future of the resort hotels, and what operations will look like when they resume. If you want further updates when Disney makes official announcements, sign up for our free email newsletter and we’ll send you notifications ASAP when important new info is released…
The good news is that we have a few pieces of official news in terms of when Florida’s theme parks will begin reopening. First, Universal Orlando that Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and Universal Studios Florida will reopen in early June 2020.
Next, SeaWorld Orlando will reopen on June 11, 2020, as will Busch Gardens Tampa. Legoland Florida has already reopened, as have the majority of smaller regional amusement parks and roadside attractions in the Orlando area and throughout Central Florida. That leaves Walt Disney World as the final park operator to reopen…
For its part, Walt Disney World has already begun to reopen its Disney Springs shopping and dining district.
We shared thoughts and photos from a recent visit there in “Our ‘Ghost Town’ Experience at Disney Springs.” As the title suggests, Disney Springs has not been particularly busy since reopening. To the contrary, it’s been dead most of the time.
When it comes to WDW’s theme parks, fans will have to wait a little longer. Walt Disney World will begin a slow, multi-phase reopening beginning on July 11, 2020.
On this date, Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will officially reopen to the general public.
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 affinity groups (such as Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Florida Residents, Club 33, Golden Oak, etc). The details of these preview days will be announced at a later time.
It’s unclear when these soft openings will begin, but we believe it could happen as early as late June 2020. Walt Disney World could attempt to scale up park operations with the lower stakes, less-demanding local audience.
Disney has also announced that once the parks reopen, advance reservations will be required. It’s likely this will also hold true for the soft opening preview days–we’d expect email invitations with a registration link to go out to affinity group members within the next week or two.
Walt Disney World’s two-dozen resorts will likely open in phases.
It has already been announced that all Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World will reopen on June 22, 2020. When the other hotels will reopen has not yet been announced. Disney initially released a statement suggesting some would reopen on July 11, 2020, but that has since been retracted.
Our expectation is that the first hotels to reopen will be those with DVC add-ons. The hotel side and Disney Vacation Club villas side share infrastructure, staffing, and other resources with one another. It doesn’t make a ton of sense to reopen only the Disney Vacation Club side of the property.
Following the hotels with Disney Vacation Club wings, we’d expect the next phase of resort openings to include those connected to the parks by non-bus transportation (Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, and Yacht Club), followed by the remaining resorts.
There might even be some Walt Disney World hotels that don’t reopen this year at all if there’s a lack of demand or if they’re being utilized for events or other purposes, such as the NBA or MLS finishing their seasons (think Coronado Springs, the All Stars, both of the Port Orleans Resorts).
If that does happen, guests with existing bookings at those properties would be relocated elsewhere. This already happens now when resorts are overbooked, and frequently entails an upgrade.
It’s also worth noting that there is still an executive order requiring residents of Louisiana and the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) arriving in Florida to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days after arrival.
This does not expire until July 7, 2020–it’s unclear whether it will be extended (we doubt it). Plus, most international tourists still cannot enter the United States. This brings up the issue of demand, which will be an obstacle to Walt Disney World getting back to normal.
The complexity of Walt Disney World is another huge variable, and it’ll undoubtedly take the sprawling Florida resort much more time to ramp up operations than it did to wind them down. There are literally dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants, and myriad other components–in addition to the four theme parks. This machine will require a slow restart that’ll take more than a week to initiate.
It’s also problematic that Disney terminated its College Program, clearing out the housing, and sending those students home. The argument could be made that these are moves made to limit liability or cut surplus labor that won’t be necessary when the parks reopen. However, the reality is that they’ve cut or furloughed a lot of labor, and it’ll take some time to get that back.
Demand is another hurdle. Over 30 million Americans have now filed for unemployment in the last two months, and millions of employers have closed their businesses and slashed their workforces. It’s by far the worst string of layoffs on record, adding up to more than one in six American workers. Economists have forecast that the unemployment rate could go as high as 20% in the near-term, and possibly surpass the 25% rate reached during the Great Depression. Consumer confidence is likewise plummeting.
While some of this will bounce back when the economy reopens, some of the damage will be lasting. Americans have already expressed an overwhelming reticence to travel on airplanes and be in large venues right now. Between that and economic anxiety, a majority of Americans may be unable or unwilling to take a Walt Disney World trip right now. That too will likely impact Disney’s reopening plans.
All of this is a very long-winded way of saying (and explaining) that a lot still remains up in the air when it comes to Walt Disney World’s reopening. Even now that we have official reopening dates for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom plus Epcot and Hollywood Studios, there are still many unknowns.
In the last week, we’ve seen Walt Disney World Cancel All Reservations–Free Dining, Restaurants, FastPass+ & Dining Plan. We’ve also seen Park Hours Cut Significantly for Reopening. Additionally, Character Dining Has Been Cancelled. These are just a handful of changes–with many more likely to come. This might leave you wondering what you should do if you have a Walt Disney World vacation planned for July 2020 and beyond.
Ultimately, that’s a personal decision. If the lack of parades, fireworks, character meet & greets, playgrounds, nighttime spectaculars, and other entertainment are important to you, waiting is recommended. If the health safety protocol and requirements are too burdensome or sound like they’ll ruin the magic for you, waiting is also recommended. However, if you want to experience the parks with significantly limited attendance and other advantages, now might be a good time to visit. We cover all of the upsides in our new post, “The Dawn of a Temporary Disney Era.”
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
Do you plan on visiting Walt Disney World in July 2020 when the parks reopen? Hoping to visit earlier for soft openings? Or will you wait until modified operations and restrictions end, and the experience is closer to “normal” again? Do you agree or disagree with our advice and assessment? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
BREAKING NEWS!! Hotels at Ko Olina Resort, including Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa, will close starting Tuesday March 24.
Additionally, anyone coming to the Hawaiian Islands will be under a 14 day quarantine in their residence / hotel / or other arranged accomodations. Failure to comply will result in significant fines.
And how are they intending to enforce that? Is the state going to pay everyone for it? I know a lot of companies are doing the right thing and giving full refunds for travel but not all of them.
April 1st? I’ll bet good money they won’t. No bookie or casino in the world would take that bet, however. Frankly, I’m surprised that they haven’t announced a 2 week extension this weekend (which still might happen today).
The virus continues to worsen, both in the US and worldwide. Italy just hit 793 daily deaths yesterday. If it gets that bad in the US, we’re looking at 5,551 daily deaths here, or 38,857 deaths a week…and that toll could grow.
By contrast, the numbers I’ve been looking at as a guidepost comparison are the US flu numbers, where during the last weeks of February, during a fairly normal flu season, over 400 people died a week from the flu and 3,000 people died weekly from pneumonia (the CDC has these figures on the same table on the same page of its website because so many pneumonia deaths, though not all, were caused by people who developed it from the flu).
I expect anywhere that relies heavily on tourism to be conservative in the length of closure, wanting to reopen as soon as possible. I expect WDW and the rest of the Disney parks to put out a 2-week extension any day, really any moment now.
We are NOT Italy. The U.S. currently (March 22) has as many confirmed cases as Italy had on March 17/18. We’ve had 414 deaths to date. On March 17/18, (when Italy had the same number of cases as we do today, March 22), Italy had had over 2900 deaths – 7 times the number the U.S. has! Everyone feels and prays for Italy, but let’s all just be frank: something is going very wrong in Italy that does not appear to have happened or be happening in any other country. I don’t know if anyone is trying to figure out what or why. I personally believe Disney will extend the closure, but not until fall. Shanghai Disneyland was starting to reopen in phases on March 9, after being closed for 6 weeks. They cannot leave 45,000 employees out of work until fall and can’t keep paying them either. They will do everything they can to reopen as soon as possible.
I agree with you! Their healthcare system is not anywhere near ours! And something IS going terribly wrong over there. Disney WILL be open before fall. My guess is May. Definitely not the fall.
AGREED
With due respect, Italy’s epidemic got started earlier than ours. Ours is spreading faster. The disastrous lack of testing in the US set us badly behind, so our only feasible response is for everyone to stay at home for a minimum of two weeks, probably a good deal longer. There’s still a shortage of tests and a further disaster with a lack of personal protective equipment and equipment. There’s also a problem with panic. For the next month or so, people with ordinary health problems (strokes, heart attacks, new atrial fibrillation, cancer) will not be able to get good care.
We need to replace our lack-of-health care system with something better, perhaps something like Italy. How about universal health insurance? A lot of ordinary people doing essential work don’t have any coverage.
Re-opening Orlando’s theme park and convention/trade show economy is going to be difficult and will likely have to proceed bit by bit. I suspect Disney will have to do some kind of soft re-opening, arranging to have invited groups for small events at partly-open theme parks first.
In bringing people back to work, I suspect that if it takes 18 months to fully return people to their jobs, it might be necessary to have young people go back first. They are likely to get sick, unlikely to die. People over 60 or 70 should be kept away from situations with lots of contact with other people until a vaccine is available. And they shouldn’t travel.
Paul, statistically you are correct. Our data is just behind because our testing is sooooo behind. We do not even know what we are dealing with here in the US.
And based on facts Italy actually has a decent medical system (more ventialtors per capita etc.) . I do hope they can get this under their control asap. It is sad.
We should not sit back and believe that we are superior to any other country or somehow immune from disease.
I was in Italy last summer and the hospitals there were terrible. They also have major issues with sanitation. Don’t believe what you hear on the news.
The Virus is not worsening in China or South Korea. It is actually on it’s downward spiral thankfully in those places. Most Stores and tourist sites have reopened in China and South Korea. Italy is an epicenter now but they are also having other problems in which we haven’t heard the whole story yet. Germany and France are right next to Italy yet their death rates are significantly lower and are managing to plateau the virus unlike Italy.
If people would do what they are being asked to do then this would soon end!!
You should not have to be asked to wash your hands after using the bathroom or cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze you should just know to do it.
Actually, you should get your ass kicked if you DON’T wash your hands without being told to if you’re over 5 years old. I’ve been known to ridicule those leaving a stall after sitting the throne and not washing up as they leave.
April 1? No.
Panic, Panic, Panic is what made so many people jump out on windows during the Great Depression. Calm down all and wait it out with optimism.
I would not expect WDW to reopen until some time in 2021.
2021? I highly doubt that long. I’m thinking more like a late May or early June re-opening. There’s no way 2021 would even be considered.
The company is in debt, their stock and credit rating is tanking. Iger overspent and they are bleeding now. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Iger jumped their sinking ship roughly 2 weeks before the shtf. Disney cannot afford to stay closed that long. The company will tank and the parks will never reopen if that is the case. Either they reopen midsummer or they never will.
I certainly hope it will work out! But note that the Spanish flu of 1918 actually began in early 1918 and lasted until late 1920, and the second wave was worse than the first. Our medical resources are of course much more advanced, but this virus is worse than flu, the world is vastly more interconnected and America is no longer a primarily self-sustaining agrarian society, so that may be a wash. It is not inconceivable that big things we think of as everlasting will be severely diminished or destroyed. People with any disposable income they might throw at a vacation in the next year need to reprioritize immediately. Having Netflix and Amazon must not lull us into thinking this is just a brief inconvenience.
Well that’s some crazyiness! You need to stop listening to CNN’s bleak doomcasting. When we were in Europe last week, it was incredible how stupid and Idiocracy-atic CNN sounded as compared to the even measured BBC news channels. The Disney company will be just fine.
Tom,
This is way too many words to say “you don’t know”. The Pandemic is an ongoing situation which is changing hourly. It is not likely that in two weeks this thing will have just blown over and there is no harm possible to cast members and guests. Disney has no ability to predict how long the parks will be closed but they had to say something at the time. First two weeks then perhaps two more weeks etc.
IRRESPONSIBLE. They dollar should never take priority of patrons’ lives.
I agree. You are putting employees an cast members in danger. Forget the money, it is a multi billion dollar company and no ones life is worth it.
Unfortunately, the dollar is life. The economy is crashing, depression and anxiety over the future are on the rise, and some businesses will never recover. If this goes on for months, people will die from lack of health insurance (lost when they lost their jobs), depression and anxiety (from loss of job, financial stress and being in social isolation), drug and alcohol abuse (caused by the depression and anxiety), domestic violence (again caused by the same) – the list will continue. Virologists and infectious disease specialists know how to stop a virus from spreading, but they aren’t trained on how to value or weigh these other considerations. Disney may not know how to beat a virus, but I think they know what they need to do (and when they’d need to open back up) in order to keep paying the 45,000 employees in FL alone who depend on them (and who are being paid right now by Disney). Disney can’t stay closed for months and pay all those people – they’ll go under as well. Hard choices and risk assessments will have to be made by Disney and the government. When Disney reopens, some people will continue to get very sick and/or die from the virus, but hopefully less than before and less than would die by suicide, overdose, violence or other factors often tied to an economy in a severe depression. It can’t – and will never be – “save all lives from the virus at all costs.” None of us would survive that.
We were at Walt Disney World around January 24-29. One concern I have when they reopen is the finger ID reader everyone is required to use when entering at each park. At the time the news in China was just being told in the media. Of course travel restrictions had not been enforced then and as you know DW is destination from people all over the world. I think there was a lot of potential transmission at that time.
I agree Bridget! In one of the speeches DeSantis made he said he closed some Beaches but left others for local athorities to make the decision. He said there could be a backlash. Seriously!!! Guess he’s thinking about his political career – more important than people’s lives! I turned off the TV. My stomach couldn’t handle him anymore. My mother too isn’t in the best of health – had partial lung removed last year and he’s afraid of a backlash! Italian temper, keep mouth closed – check!
Shark! Get out of the water!
Mrnico, actually we have shark migrations and you can do a search for YouTube drone videos of migrating sharks at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, with plenty of surfers in the water. Possibly also a few manatees.
Martin and St. Lucie Counties are leaving their local beaches open, I think a prudent decision. Indian River County (home of the Disney Vero Beach Resort) is closing them at the end of today.
Many of the beaches are among the few places where it’s possible to be out and about without crowds.
Anyone who thinks they will even be open again in 8-10 weeks is not in touch with reality. Florida has always been behind on things. Obviously tourism is our big money maker which I believe is why our governor delayed in closing down our beaches, clubs, and bars. The beaches were just closed and all non essential businesses were just closed on Friday in South Florida and not everyone has complied. Restaurants just became take out only. The younger crowds on the beach moved onto their boats out to the sandbars so now public boat ramps are closed in Miami. The longer people are out in crowds the more this will spread. I know our state will be on total lockdown soon and we haven’t even reached the peak of the spread. I’m terrified of the economic crash we’ll be facing but I’m more concerned about the lack of restrictions and how that will effect my parents and other older relatives.
I agree with you 100%. How can this kids still be there partying? I feel like it’s time give tickets etc…to them. Force them out! I agree about parks not opening 8-10 weeks either. I’m thinking early June for opening. April and May are definitely no go’s!
I also agree with you. We just left Florida. Marco Island Beach was still open when we left, kids playing volleyball, (really?-they’re all touching that same ball and NOT social distancing.) when we left they were closing the parking lot to the beaches and cutting the beach bus route but did not close the beach. Obviously it is peak tourist season so they are surely worried about the $. The news of the partying and videos of the kids on the news was disconcerting. They need to close the beaches! Look at all the retirees who live in Florida. What are they waiting for? They should be protecting their residents over tourists. When we got home our region is going into lockdown for 30 days. Look what is going on in New York, Illinois, and California-no way it is going to reopen April 1. The lockdowns are just starting. Their will be more. And I think a lot of The NY and Illinois crowd are market for Florida tourists. Heck, who knows if they will even bring in the next batch of interns in May that Tom mentioned are a big part of their workforce. April 1 no way-we won’t even be out of lockdown. June 1 is probably earliest I can even imagine, and that feels overly optimistic.
They closed the Resident’s Beach on Friday at the end of the day and locked the gate to enter the parking lot. All the Public Accesses and county parking lots to the beach were closed on Thursday. But the hotels still have the beach open at the hotel. Marco residents are mad at the City Manager for letting the hotels allow guests on the beach. Bars are all closed and restaurants are limited to take out only. Driving on Collier this afternoon, traffic was light and probably many of the part-timers have headed home. I am a full time resident on Marco.
Congratulations! This article was on the google news / entertainment section this morning!
Hell no. I work in the Orlando Tourist Industry and it would be negligent homicide to open the doors before it’s as close to 100% safe. And I want that info coming from the CDC, FEMA, etc. Not a theme park or, hotel company. â¤
I think you need to take a look at Italy this is not a simple virus and for you to think so is imature and asinine, people like you become super spreaders and can cause untold damage to the attempts to lock down this virus , I would hate to be in your company or your friendship group.
Well, we got screwed, going through a 3ed party David’s Vacation Club buying surplus DVC points over a year ago we starting planning and saving. Lost our reservation and our money $6,000. DISNEY is playing hands off. So much for a “happy place”.
The original owners of those DVC points would have been refunded the points by Disney so you need to go back to Davids and work on getting a refund from them. Disney would be playing hands off on this because you went through an independent 3rd party dealing with DVC owners to rent vacation points from them. But as the original owners of the points have had them refunded to their account Davids should have gone back to them to either claim a refund on the priced paid to use those points or to have the points reissued to Davids for future bookings. In either case you should be receiving a refund directly from Davids regarding this vacation.
They might have had their points returned to them, but points have a shelf life. If they were already banked, they could not be banked again. If they were set to expire on March 31 (April Use Year points), they could not be used after March 31. Some would expire on May 31 and even that might be hard to use. It’s one of the risks of renting a timeshare. If you want a hotel and the ability to cancel at the last minute with a full return of your money, rent a hotel room and not a timeshare. Additionally, the owners of the points were told and agreed to no refunds or cancelations. They may have spent the money they were paid (70% of the owners portion of the price and they don’t get 100% of the total price charged by the brokers) and don’t have any money to repay. I think this could be the end of brokers, especially if they don’t have the funds to repay the renter. Many may be going out of business.
I am a DVC owner who rented out my points that are expiring on May 31, 2020. I’m waiting to see what my guests decide to do, but I will refund their money if Disney stays closed and they have no way to go. It’s extremely unfair of those brokers to keep guests money. If the trip cannot be provided to the guest, then the guest deserves a refund or at least a site credit to use at a later date if that is even possible. DVC as of now will not “extend” expiring points even if Disney is shut down. There has to be other options available that DVC can work out with Disney concerning expiring points.
I understand if they allow banking it will cause a surge of points in the system. Why not make a one time exception and let the expiring points be used at the resorts like they used to do? It’s not a very good value per point but at least it offers something?
I do not believe the Parks will reopen anytime soon due to the health crisis that is occurring across the globe? Im more concerned about the thousands of families who depend on the theme parks as their source of income rather than a cancellation refund or adjusting a vacation to a later date.
I rented through DVC rental a confirmed reservation may 5-10 I made deposit of 2600 when booking balance is due this Saturday. I am not sure what to do. I am convinced parks will still be closed. The agent I am working with said they are so busy with previous reservations and has not reached out to owner. Not sure what to do. If I don’t make final payment no chance of anything being done for me
I was currently working four Disney/ marvel. They shut down production took April 13th. Now they tell us it’s indefinitely. I’m hearing 12 weeks maybe longer before get to go back to work
Agree with Chris. The sooner the majority of healthy people get it, we help society and any future outbreaks. Ido not want to take or rely on a vaccine.
Florida is closing down. The casinos are the latest. So are many beaches, restaurants, shopping malls, whatever. There’s not going to be a wave of reopenings on April 1. In fact, we appear right now to be at the beginning of a sharp, exponential rise in coronavirus infections that will probably leave at least some hospitals overwhelmed (our local Cleveland Clinic claims to be ready).
I guess that Disney may be hoping to reopen in about two months, when infections have dropped from their peak. I think there will be problems for at least a full year. Perhaps to limit contagion, Disney might need to limit theme park attendance and eliminate lines for rides?
I am totally on he same line. I don’t think it is a good idea to reopen son quickly. Disney, please be a responsible leader in this pandemic.
Sue, I completely agree. We cannot stop this. Stop destroying the entire world trying.
I am so sad. MY GRANDSON AND HIS HIGH SCHOOL CHORUS AND BAND WERE SUPPOSED TO PERFORM IN DISNEY SPRINGS APRIL 2nd AND THE FAMILY HAD BOUGHT TICKETS AND WRIST BANDS FOR DISNEY WORLD TO STAY THE FIRST WEEK, PLANE RESERVATIONS AND HOTEL RESERVATIONS
IT IS SO SAD BECAUSE I DO NOT THINK DISNEY WILL REOPEN APRIL 1ST
I agree with you. There’s no way I can see Disney World re-openKing on April 1 and it is very sad that your grandson likely won’t be able to make his trip to Disney World to perform. I’m sure he and everyone going on the trip worked very hard and it saddens me that people have to miss out on such things!
Tom, what are your thoughts about what crowds will be like once the parks re-open? Do you think there will be peak-season crowds during off-peak seasons since so many people had to cancel in the spring, and possibly summer?
I think there will be an initial surge of local Annual Passholders (particularly on weekends) looking to get out after being stuck inside. Other than that, I doubt crowds will be high right away. People cannot plan trips on that short of notice.
There’s more nuance to it than that–probably a good topic for another post!
Yes, this would be a good topic! With your experience, I’d like to hear your thoughts on possible scenarios. We have Disney World tickets for November, and I keep wondering what it could look like at then.
Amy, I read yesterday from a Disney insider that the c-suite of the Disney Corporation expect two to three years before they recover. There will not be a run in the Disney Parks in the aftermath of this catastrophe. The US economy will have been at a complete standstill for as many as 8 weeks. We will probably see 25% unemployment by the time this is all said and done and many small business will collapse under the lack of revenue. I seriously doubt a lot of people will be going to theme parks. I remember going to Disney and Universal in Florida in 2008 in the aftermath of the financial crisis. 5 minute waits and Disney and Universal was a ghost town.