EVERYTHING You NEED to KNOW about Disney's Reopening!

Have you heard?! The magic is OFFICIALLY RETURNING in July!

Here’s everything you need to know as of today, May 28, 2020. (Please continue to check back as updates happen!)

Walt Disney World will begin its phased reopening on July 11th. On that day Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom open up to the public and then on July 15th, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios will open!

BUT things are going to be a bit different from the last time you visited - still magical, but different. Here’s what you need to know before you go! Together we can find new ways to create magical moments—and memories to treasure.

According to the press release "Disney prepares for a phased reopening, they’ve made updates based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies." These measures are being put in place with the following in mind:

Cleanliness
Physical distancing
Reduced contact

Here are the TOP THINGS to KNOW as you Get Ready for your Walt Disney World Vacation:

To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required. (Read below about the new theme park reservation system.)
Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 3 and up) and Cast Members; temperature screenings are required in some locations
Some experiences—including theme parks—may be modified or unavailable to allow for physical distancing and limited contact. This includes parades, fireworks, shows and character interaction experiences. Disney “reserves the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds.” (Read below for more info.)
Helpful technology and the My Disney Experience app will help you make the most of the magic.

A New Theme Park Reservation System

YES! Now there’s one more level of planning, but don’t worry - that’s where I come in as your Disney Travel Agent to help you so you won’t miss the magic!

Here’s what Disney says in regard to tickets, capacity, and reservations to visit the parks:

“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. 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 (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations).”
“Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon.”

Entertainment & Other Experiences

Here’s what Disney says in regard to character meet & greets and other entertainment:

“Certain experiences we know draw large group gatherings – such as parades and nighttime spectaculars – will return at a later date. In addition, “high-touch” experiences {such as Bibbidi Boppity Boutique}, playgrounds and character meet and greets will remain temporarily unavailable, but characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests.”

As details continue to come about, always remember to continuously check back for updates here and in my exclusive Disney Planning Party Facebook group!

COVID-19 Warning & What Disney is Doing to Protect You, Other Guests & their Cast Members

Disney has taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Cast Members. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

Remember, there IS an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

According to Disney, “by visiting Walt Disney World Resort you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.”

Let’s help keep the magic alive and keep one another healthy by practicing Physical Distancing and Limited Contact.

While you’re at Disney Parks, you may notice some temporary adjustments in place to ensure an enjoyable environment for everyone.

These may include:

Signage and Ground Markings: Be sure to notice & follow directional signage and ground markings, which have been installed throughout Walt Disney World Resort to help Guests better navigate common areas while practicing physical distancing.

Physical Barriers: Physical barriers have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing guidelines. These may be visible in areas around cash registers or at Guest Relations, for example, to help ensure proper distances between people.
Cashless Transactions: (I like this one!) It is recommended all Guests use cashless payment options, including debit cards, credit cards and Disney Gift Cards. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options—such as mobile wallets—or use cash to purchase a Disney Gift Card at Guest Relations and select merchandise locations.
Magic Bands!

Disney Resort hotel Guests can also use MagicBands to charge their purchase to their Disney Resort hotel folio. (Gotta love those Magic Bands!)

Helpful Technology:

I STRONGLY suggest that you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled. And additional technology can help you make the most of the magic during your visit!

DO NOT WORRY! As your travel agent, I will help you figure out all this technology BEFORE your trip so you don’t have to figure it out while you’re standing in a theme park and desperately trying not to miss your Fast Pass+ or dining reservation.

Technology Highlights include:

Mobile Order Service for Dining: Please order ahead and save time at select dining locations using mobile order service, a feature of the My Disney Experience app. I TOTALLY recommend that you use this service during your visit & honestly, it makes dining SO MUCH EASIER & less stressful.
Scannable Codes for Select Restaurant Menus: While at a table-service restaurant, you can scan a code to access the digital menu. (I LOVE THIS ONE because I always hated touching DIRTY menus that hundreds of other people touch!)
Online Check-In at Disney Resort Hotels: Please begin the check-in process in advance online or with the My Disney Experience app. (I ALWAYS do this because I want to get to the magic & fun of the parks ASAP! NOT wait at the check-in at the hotel!). You’ll get a room-ready notification so you can bypass the Front Desk. When your room is ready, you can use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room!

Face Coverings and Temperature Check

All Guests ages 3 and up—along with Cast Members—are required to wear face coverings when visiting Walt Disney World Resort. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming.

According to health officials, all face coverings should:

Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Be secured with ties or ear loops
Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

(Photo courtesy of shopdisney.com)

According to Disney:

“Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules. The use of face coverings is not a substitute for physical distancing."

Temperature Screenings

Upon arrival at Disney Springs or at the Walt Disney World theme parks, you may undergo a temperature screening with no-touch thermometers.
Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone showing a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; INCLUDING those people in their party too.

Moral of the story….Before you leave home, be sure to check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.

My Thoughts….

I believe that a full reopening of Walt Disney World and its other properties could take months. My family and I decided to postpone our August trip simply because my children don’t want to experience Disney with a mask on and without the things they love so much - character meet and greets, fireworks and parades. Personally as a mom, I don’t think I can take 6 days of complaining about wearing a mask in Florida’s summer heat. (I'm sorry, but I can only take so much whining.)

However, I am 1000% confident in what Disney is doing and believe that the parks will be safe to visit upon reopening. In fact, Disney is truly the ONLY place I trust to go back to because they have always put the safety, comfort and well-being of their guests FIRST.

Disney concluded its press release by noting that “the company is being deliberate during these phased re-openings, and is encouraged by how guests are responding at Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Springs. Disney is doing its part, and requests that guests do their part too, as everyone works together to focus on safety.”

I truly think that many of the changes we will see as Disney goes through the opening process will become part of standard operating procedure and will only ENHANCE the Disney travel experience in the future and I am SO EXCITED for that.

I will continue to keep you posted on additional developments (I’m TOTALLY expecting more and am on top of it) as they’re released, so continue checking back here and don’t forget to join my private Facebook Disney Planning Party community!

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