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The Home Where Magic And Fantasies Come Alive.
In early March, the coronavirus pandemic forced Walt Disney World Resort to unexpectedly close its gates for the eighth time in its nearly 50-year history. Now, the “Happiest Place on Earth” is preparing to welcome guests this July with new systems in place to keep park-goers safe.
Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will begin a phased reopening on July 11 with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15. Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen on June 22, while Disney Springs has already begun its phased reopening.
To follow CDC guidelines, Disney World is limiting certain activities and events that draw in large crowds or a high concentration of people indoors. Dining reservations, behind-the-scenes tours, dining packages, and FastPass+ selections are among the canceled services. Shows, parades, and fireworks may also be limited or remain entirely closed.
The biggest change guests can expect to see is the implementation of a new reservation system designed to limit the number of people in the park at any given time. To enter any park, guests will need both a regular admissions ticket and a reservation for the same date.
If you haven’t booked your tickets yet, you may have to wait a while as new ticket sales are temporarily on hold. Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold. New reservations at Disney Resort hotels are also temporarily on hold, although Disney Vacation Club Members can still make new reservations.
To limit shared contact between guests and Disney employees, visitors are highly encouraged to download the My Disney Experience application. Highlights of the app include mobile order service for dining, scannable codes for select restaurant menus, and online check-in at Disney Resort hotels.
Other notable changes include possible temperature screenings upon arrival at Disney Springs or the Walt Disney World theme parks, as well as a mandatory mask policy throughout the entire Disney complex. According to the official Disney World website, all guests above the age of two will require to wear a face-covering that fits the following criteria:
• 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
Guest Writer: Jessica Poitevien
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet has to offer and to share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Email Jessica at jpoitevien@mediacorpusa.com
Jessica is a freelance journalist on a quest to see and experience everything our gorgeous planet offers and share her experiences with her fellow travelers. Jessica has written for several world-class Travel Magazines.