Phased reopening of Disney Orlando

The phased reopening of Disney Orlando theme parks planned from July.

The plan is to reopen Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando on 11th July following its closure due to COVID-19. Confirmation came following the reopening of Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.

Shanghai Disneyland reopened May 11. It was the first Disney Park to shut down, on Jan. 25, following China’s nationwide orders to close public spaces and isolate people at home. Measures included temperature screenings and expanded social-distancing limiting the capacity of ride cars to single riders or riders within the same group or family.

Plans have been submitted to authorities in Florida for the staged reopening of Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.

Managing the parks in a new way

A spokesperson said: “In preparing to reopen during this unusual time, we have to manage our theme parks in a very different way from what we’ve known before. 

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

The gradual reopening will see attendance numbers limited and controlling of the density of visitors to align with guidance on physical distancing. This means that parades and night-time spectacular will return at a later date. 

Ticket reservations

“Because theme park capacity will be significantly limited as we welcome guests back to the magic, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance,” the spokesperson said.

“At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations.

“Existing ticket holders and annual pass holders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold.

“We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time."

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