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!
Social Distance Solution Game Changer!! Please tell Iger. Along the parade route stamp Mickeys on the ground 10 ft apart. Each FAMILY stands on a Mickey. Not each person! Disney Magic fun for littles to “find our Mickey”. Works for fireworks/shows too!
The idea is think of social distancing by families not by individuals and it’s 100% doable with reduced capacity.
I had planned for 1 1/2 years for a family trip that celebrates my son’s graduation from college and commissioning as an officer in the Army. Our trip was scheduled for Memorial Day week (with Disney Salute tickets purchased before the pandemic hit). I’m hearing that the expiration date (15 December) won’t be extended and that no refunds will be offered. This is very disappointing as I know that I’m not the only military member that has been affected by this.
Well written and informative. Thanks!
Your about 2 weeks behind us in the Coronavirus wave – and we in the UK have been told things won’t go back to some kind of normality until mid June at the very earliest – so I don’t think realistically that Florida will be up to speed by June 1st – although I’d love to feel optimistic- we’re due to visit the US at the end of July but we still don’t feel positive about that as it’s been implied to us that things like travel won’t be back to normal until the end of the year. It’s really hard to know what to think – all I can say is I hope everyone is doing ok
Disney’s June 1 date for selling hotel rooms and admission is looking a bit more realistic today. The much-watched IHME University of Washington model has substantially cut its predicted death toll for Florida, based on new data. Of course that depends on people staying at home. https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/florida
Disney may well be expecting to cut back for this summer.
Do you think all 4 theme parks would be open by June 7th? I’ve rescheduled our trip twice due to this virus
I’m hearing end of June but basically I’m always right you can email me back and say your always right I’m saying June 10 th it will be open
Last week a mom in our town posted that her daughter had received word from Disney World that the College program scheduled to begin in June has been canceled. If Disney is canceling this program, how will this effect the reopening of the parks? Do you think the parks will remain closed throughout the summer months?
The widely used IHME University of Washington model for Florida keeps moving the peak of the epidemic closer in time, now April 14-21, with a long tail, the last deaths being in early July. New York’s epidemic stops at least a month earlier. The Florida outlook will almost certainly change. The past few days have been relatively good. Perhaps that might be the start of a trend as people become more cautious about being out and about.
I think that if Disney re-opens as early as June 1, it will be on a limited basis, perhaps not all the theme parks, certainly not all the Resorts. Measures to limit attendance? Everything will depend on state and county requirements. On the side, Universal is still holding to an April 19 opening date, which looks impossible, and Sea World has lost yet another CEO.
If this is a factor at all, they have cancelled the Disney College program that was supposed to start in June, for summer, and Fall Advantage. Thinking optimistically, this step may just be to prevent thousands of college students preparing to go, only to be cancelled at the last minute, or actually arriving and having to be turned away. It’s also a cost saving measure – something Disney will need to do for the foreseeable future. A more pessimistic view would presume this means Disney intends to stay closed until fall. I sure hope not. I have a “Disney Dream Come True” trip planned in late June for my granddaughter – I will be heartbroken if we have to cancel until next year.
I will say June 1st because they are taking June 1st reservations for hotels and all the way up.
Universal finally announced they won’t open until at least the end of May. The New York Times reports that Broadway theaters won’t open until June, likely later, maybe not until Labor Day.
I have no special information on Florida, apart from subscribing to the Orlando Sentinel, Miami Herald, and Florida Trend, a business magazine whose daily emails are useful but not Disney-centric.
That sucks about the College Program. As a DCP alumni, I wish I’d done it more than once like many do these days but didn’t even think it was an option back then. SO much fun! But I think I may be one of the reasons for some of the rules they have now…
David, Broadway is irrelevant, unless you’re hoping Disney hires some great new talent from closed shows…
Hello, I live in Canada. My trip in September, depends on the exchange rate which is much too high, for the moment .
I have a surprise trip planned for my young children starting June 19th.. I am hoping that it will happen.
Disney Springs Hotels are taking reservations for trips starting June 1st, so maybe that’s a sign of when Disney is planning to re-open?
That might work. Modeling at the University of Washington medical school is providing rough estimates of how the epidemic might work out in Florida. July would be a better bet.
https://covid19.healthdata.org/projections?fbclid=IwAR0H6cwSCwxH_Vq7XicejtKQ-EzwntLVcwLPLRtA3A8p_zwLzPAwC0Mh_nk
They’re opening before July, they can’t stay closed forever.
I just re booked June 10-19 I believe it will be opened by then , yacht and beach and boardwalk already booked
We’re going June 7th-14th. Can’t wait! I think they’ll be open end of May or June 1st!
Heads up: The current governor’s name is Ron. Not Rick.
Like others, I have tough time believing they will be open before mid May. I could see them being very careful and opening June 1. This should give the country over two months to flatten the curve and warm weather should help against the virus a bit also. I still think people will be nervous about being around so many people so Disney may not be as crowded as we think when it re-opens.
Orange County (Orlando) and Osceola County (Kissimmee) just announced stay at home orders effective at 11 PM on March 26 to April 9. I don’t think Disney will be open during that period.
We have July 6 reservations I know we shouldn’t be comfortable but do most agree that they most likely will be open by then?
We have reservations through VRBO and tix for Disney for June 13-21. I have until April 14 to cancel with VRBO…do you guys think I should wait or just cancel now to avoid losing 50% of what I’ve paid. As far as Disney Hopper+ tickets, will we be able to change dates on them if the parks are not reopened by then? Thanks!!!
I’d wait until the last possible moment to cancel before losing money. We should know more in the next 3-4 days
I would cancel a day before the deadline. If Disney reopens, you might get a deal when you rebook.
Hey Lori,
We are planning a trip as well in June 1st week! We aren’t sure what to expect… we are still planning on going and in the next day or two we are getting our fast passes figured out!
I’m hoping it’s all back to normal!!! I don’t want to cancel our trip 🙁
Good luck!!!
Hey Lori- We own a VRBO in Galveston, I would message your host and see what they are doing during this time, we have eased our cancellation policy due to Covid. Communicate with them about your position, and see what their feedback is.
Disney and the rest of the world can’t stay closed forever. Soon enough, everything will have to open back up again and life will attempt to go back to normal. I am guessing Disney will open in mid-May and that seems right to me. 2 months off to help flatten the curve!
I agree with Christie. Mid May sounds about right to reopen. The virus will be something we will be dealing with for awhile. But new anti viral medications will be found to be used until a vaccine is made available. People will have to decide what’s best for themselves eventually. Some will stay away and some will come. I love everything Disney and I will be cautious about going. I’m older and have health issues and will take precautions. Hopefully we will be able to flatten the curve and get back to a somewhat normal life. New reports are coming out that are more optimistic about the peak coming soon. This is a very health concern definitely. Read the interview with Michael Levitt for some good news.
Hey Tom, I thought political opinions were out of bounds on your blog.? It has been one of the few places one can read an honest opinion on something I care about not driven by the right or left. Several comments in this particular discussion are really pushing the envelope.
Big Dave- AGREE!
Ditto
I’ve already deleted a ton of comments on here, but it’s easy to miss them. Thanks for the heads up–I’ll go back and take another look.
You are welcome and thanks. Keep up the good work.
Political is a gray area. When we’re talking about stay at home orders and questionable authority of government agencies at any level to do so, it’s political. But this isn’t really a left or right polarizing issue as far as the question about when the parks will reopen until people start trying to compare these USA to other countries who are not similar to us at all and their reaction/overreaction, etc.
I wish they would just announce it already, what about the people that have trips booked the first or second week of April?!
I know! They know they’re not opening, and to hold it out from the public isn’t right. I had a trip planned to arrive April 1-8th, but I rescheduled for mid June, because I had a gut feeling they would not open in April! They need to announce that they’ll be closed while month of April, because I’m 99.9% certain they will be!
I agree with you I’m going there near end of April with my girlfriend we are so excited to go back again . The workers deserve to help out there costumers out always helpful good people.
Crowds equals disaster no way in gods green earth this place will be opened till summer, keep a safe distance at Disney lol as much as I love Disney it’s done for a while , come to New York State it’s a ghost town and the numbers keep escalating , can’t even get a sit down meal , I disagree with everyone who says it will get better soon , god try to bless but I ain’t counting on it
I don’t think there’s any way they will open within the next two months. I’m looking at mid to late May, maybe even first if June for summer.
I would be happy if it would be April 1 I m a big fan of Disney World but maybe middle of April
You really think the parks (and the world) will be closed for more than a YEAR? No. Not possible. If that happens – we ALL are in WAY more trouble than is even conceivable – there will be nothing left of the economy. No. no. NO.
If we bought our tickets for Disney world on the app, will the give a full refund if park is closed?
No, but you would be able to select a different date for no added cost up to a set date. After that date you would be able to apply the value of your original ticket toward a future ticket.
My mother in law got a refund no problem because she wasn’t able to reschedule to another time.