If you have heard, Walt Disney World released plans for a phased reopening before the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force group, the last major Central Florida theme park to do so after finalized announcements from Universal Orlando and Sea World, on May 27th. Additionally, Walt Disney World has received approval from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation as of today, May 29th.
So, as the above says Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open Saturday, July 11, 2020 while EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open Wednesday, July 15, 2020.
Here are some signs Disney will be installing throughout the parks:
As you can see in the next photo, there will be new Park Reservation system will be in place at the start of the reopenings. This means that guests must both have a park reservation and valid admission to the theme park in order to be allowed inside. This will help with limiting capacity and availability of other attractions and experiences.
The website also explains the safety procedures that will be in place for guests attending the theme parks.
Disney Parks Blog posted some important information to help you plan ahead:
New Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations: 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 Passholders will be able to make a theme park reservation before new tickets are sold; we will be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new sales of tickets and Disney Resort hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability.
Dining and Experiences: In order to foster physical distancing during this time, upon reopening, our offerings, restaurants and other experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours will be limited in capacity, and other experiences may remain closed. As a result of limited capacity, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages. We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. We will also shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours: As a result of the COVID-19 impact, the FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. We will automatically cancel existing FastPass+ selections and share any future updates on the service at a later date. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.
A friend of mine had already reserved some FastPass+ tickets but that got cancelled last night. She then received the following email from Disney:
As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits.
To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system.
Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry.
However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new system as well as the process of making new dining and experience reservations. If you have previously booked experiences, you’ll also be provided with first access to make new reservations.
At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.
We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience.
For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services.
Prior to the closure of the Walt Disney World Resort, refurbishment on Spaceship Earth in EPCOT was suppose to begin May 26, 2020. Rumor has it that Spaceship Earth will reopen with the rest of EPCOT on July 15th and no new start date for the refurbishment has been set for now.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
With the reopening of Walt Disney World about a month away, construction projects have resumed around the resort. These projects include the painting of Cinderella Castle, the walkway and bag check area around the TTC, and the Main Gate entrance of the Magic Kingdom.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
With the reopening of Walt Disney World about a month away, construction projects have resumed around the resort. These projects include the painting of Cinderella Castle, the walkway and bag check area around the TTC, and the Main Gate entrance of the Magic Kingdom.
Just wanted to say thank you Rich for keeping our forum going, I know it wasn't easy before this virus but now it must be terrible.
You have done a great job posting everything, Thank You.
I read and hear so much how WDW will not be anything like it was. I keep my hopes up high that this is going to eventually be over and we can all go back and experience the Magic of Disney again like we remember it.
That is the best advice I can give anyone, Keep your hopes and dreams alive and eventually we will all be back enjoying WDW like we did.
Many days I go through the items I saved from each trip and try to relive the good times and dream of the day it will return to normal as we were used to it.
With the reopening of Walt Disney World about a month away, construction projects have resumed around the resort. These projects include the painting of Cinderella Castle, the walkway and bag check area around the TTC, and the Main Gate entrance of the Magic Kingdom.
Just wanted to say thank you Rich for keeping our forum going, I know it wasn't easy before this virus but now it must be terrible.
You have done a great job posting everything, Thank You.
I read and hear so much how WDW will not be anything like it was. I keep my hopes up high that this is going to eventually be over and we can all go back and experience the Magic of Disney again like we remember it.
That is the best advice I can give anyone, Keep your hopes and dreams alive and eventually we will all be back enjoying WDW like we did.
Many days I go through the items I saved from each trip and try to relive the good times and dream of the day it will return to normal as we were used to it.
Thank you Mike. Work has been really busy so I some time don't post as often I would like but this forum is a side job for me. I tried to keep you and everyone else as informed as I can.
I personally believe things will eventually return to normal. They always do with new "normals" adding in. I don't expect it to be right away but as time passes, what seems as odd things now will be normal in a year or two. It will take time as it does after major event, like it did after September 11, 2001.
I also understand why it is taking Disney longer to open WDW than it took Comcast to open Universal. WDW is the size of a of San Francisco and therefore it takes longer to make sure everything is in place and working properly before opening. When you realize WDW is not just a theme park but a large city, then it makes more sense why it is taking Disney longer to reopen the parks.
Prior: Offsite most every other years from 1972 - 2000
Most recent: Offsite 2001 & 2003 / ASM 2006 / Offsite 2009 / Poly 2011 / POR 2013 / CR 2014 / GF 2015 / DS Hotel 2017 / BC 2017 / POR 2018
Disney has released a list of restaurants that will be reopening with the Walt Disney World theme parks when they reopen in July. Here’s that list:
Reopening July 11:
Magic Kingdom Park - Aloha Isle - Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies - Be Our Guest Restaurant - Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe - Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company - Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen - Liberty Square Market - Liberty Tree Tavern - Main Street Bakery - Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - Pinocchio Village Haus - The Plaza Restaurant - Sleepy Hollow - Storybook Treats - Sunshine Tree Terrace - Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park - Anandapur Ice Cream Truck - Creature Comforts - Dawa Bar - Dino-Bite Snacks - Flame Tree Barbecue - Harambe Fruit Market - Isle of Java - Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company - Mr. Kamal’s - Nomad Lounge - Pongu Pongu - Rainforest Cafe® at Disney’s Animal Kingdom - Restaurantosaurus - Satu’li Canteen - Tamu Tamu Refreshments - Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks - Tiffins Restaurant - Trilo-Bites - Yak & Yeti™ Local Food Cafes - Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant
Reopening July 15:
Disney’s Hollywood Studios - 50’s Prime Time Café - Anaheim Produce - Backlot Express - BaseLine Tap House - Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo - The Hollywood Brown Derby - The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge - Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company - Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano - Milk Stand - Oga’s Cantina at the Walt Disney World Resort - Peevy’s Polar Pipeline - PizzeRizzo - Ronto Roasters - Rosie’s All-American Café - Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant - Sunshine Day Bar - The Trolley Car Café
EPCOT - Biergarten Restaurant - Choza de Margarita - Coral Reef Restaurant - Crepes des Chefs de France - Fife & Drum Tavern - Funnel Cake - Garden Grill Restaurant - Gelati - Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company - Joy of Tea - Kabuki Café - Katsura Grill - L’Artisan des Glaces - La Cantina de San Angel - La Cava de Tequila - La Hacienda de San Angel - The Land Cart - Le Cellier Steakhouse - Popcorn in Canada - Refreshment Outpost - Refreshment Port - Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue - Rose & Crown Dining Room - Rose & Crown Pub - San Angel Inn Restaurante - Spice Road Table - Sunshine Seasons - Tangierine Café - Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kiosks - Traveler’s Café - UK Beer Cart - Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Thanks Doc! We were able to get through after a 4 hour wait yesterday and snag 2 days for our up coming trip. It’s good to know what will be open when we get there!
"Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved." — Pooh, Winnie the Pooh
Off the heals of the previous post of which restaurants will be, here's a list of which ones won't be opening but will hopefully be opening at a later date:
Magic Kingdom - The Diamond Horseshoe - Casey’s Corner - Cheshire Cafe - Cinderella’s Royal Table - Columbia Harbor House - Cool Ship - The Crystal Palace - The Friar’s Nook - Gaston’s Tavern - Golden Oak Outpost - The Lunching Pad - Plaza Ice Cream Parlor - Prince Eric’s Village Market - Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant - Tortuga Tavern - Westward Ho
Disney’s Hollywood Studios - ABC Commissary - Catalina Eddie’s - Dockside Diner - Epic Eats - Fairfax Fare - Hollywood Scoops - Hollywood & Vine - Kat Saka’s Kettle - KRNR The Rock Station - Market - Neighborhood Bakery - Tune-In Lounge - Woody’s Lunch Box
EPCOT - Akershus Royal Banquet Hall - Block & Hans - Chefs de France - Cool Wash - Joy of Tea - Kingla Bakeri Og Kafe - Las Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie - Les Vins des Chefs de France - Lotus Blossom Cafe - Monsieur Paul - Nine Dragons - Restaurant Marrakesh - Sommerfest - Space 220 – Coming Soon - Takumi-Tei - Teppan Edo - Tokyo Dining - Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar - Tutto Italia Restorante - Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Disney has also provided a full list of attractions, entertainment, and shopping that will be available when each park reopens.
Let's start with the Magic Kingdom...
Magic Kingdom Attractions: - “it’s a small world” - Astro Orbiter - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin - Country Bear Jamboree - Dumbo the Flying Elephant - Jungle Cruise - Liberty Square Riverboat - Mad Tea Party - Mickey’s PhilharMagic - Peter Pan’s Flight - Pirates of the Caribbean - Prince Charming Regal Carrousel - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain - Splash Mountain - Swiss Family Treehouse - The Barnstormer - The Hall of Presidents - The Haunted Mansion - The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Tom Sawyer Island - Tomorrowland Speedway - Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover - Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid - Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress - Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Magic Kingdom Entertainment: - Main Street Philharmonic - Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with Guest-favorite Disney friends appearing along the parade route—which will include: - The Royal Princess Processional - Mickey & Friends Cavalcade - Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade - A Goofy Cavalcade - Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure
Magic Kingdom Shops: - Arribas Brothers - Baby Care - Big Al’s - Box Office Gifts - Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos - Crystal Arts - Emporium - Fantasy Faire - Hundred Acre Goods - Island Supply by Sunglass Hut - Main Street Confectionery - Memento Mori - Mickey’s Star Traders - Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar - Rubio Arts - Sir Mickey’s - Splashdown Photos - Strollers & Wheelchairs - The Chapeau - Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. - TTC Cart / Wheelchairs - Uptown Jewelers & Cinema - Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
Now, let's look at the attractions, entertainment, and shopping that will be available when Disney's Animal Kingdom reopens.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Attractions: - Avatar Flight of Passage - DINOSAUR - Discovery Island Trails - Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain - Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail - It’s Tough to be a Bug! - Kali River Rapids - Kilimanjaro Safaris - Maharajah Trail - Na’vi River Journey - The Animation Experience at Conservation Station - The Oasis Exhibits - TriceraTop Spin - Wilderness Explorers - Wildlife Express
Disney's Animal Kingdom Entertainment: - Character Cruises throughout the day, with Guest-favorite Disney friends appearing in boats around Discovery River—including the following: - Discovery River Character Cruise - Discovery Island Drummers - Donald’s Dino Boat Bash! - Mickey & Friends Flotilla
Disney's Animal Kingdom Shops: - Africa Hub Cart - African Heritage Wood Carving - Baby Care - Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures - Discovery Trading Company - Garden Gate Gifts & Strollers - Kilimanjaro Safari Cart - Mandala Gifts - Mombasa Marketplace - Out Of The Wild - Serka Zong Bazaar - The Dino Institute Shop - Windtraders
Now, let's look at the attractions, entertainment, and shopping that will be available when Disney's Hollywood Studios reopens.
Disney's Hollywood Studios Attractions: - Alien Swirling Saucers - Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy - Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway - Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run - Muppet*Vision 3D - Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith - Slinky Dog Dash - Star Tours – The Adventures Continue - Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance - The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ - Toy Story Mania! - Vacation Fun (at Mickey Shorts Theater) - Walt Disney Presents Disney's Hollywood Studios Entertainment: - Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with favorite Disney friends appearing along Hollywood Boulevard—including: - Disney Junior Stars Motorcade - Mickey & Friends Motorcade - Pixar Motorcade
Disney's Hollywood Studios Shops: - Celebrity 5 & 10 - Crossroads of the World - Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities - Droid Depot Experience - Droid Depot Store - In Character - Legends of Hollywood - Mickey’s Of Hollywood - Movieland Memorabilia - Once Upon A Time - Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind - Rock Around The Shop - Rubio Arts - Strollers & Wheelchairs - Tatooine Traders - The Market - Tower Hotel Gifts - Toy Story Mania Shop
Now, let's look at the attractions, entertainment, and shopping that will be available when EPCOT reopens.
EPCOT Attractions: - Awesome Planet - Canada Far and Wide - Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival - Friendship Lagoon Boats - Frozen Ever After - Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros - Impressions de France - Journey Into Imagination with Figment - Kidcot (modified) - Living with the Land - Mission: SPACE - Reflections of China - Soarin’ Around the World - Spaceship Earth - Test Track - The American Adventure - The Seas with Nemo & Friends - Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
EPCOT Entertainment: - America Gardens Theatre Presents… featuring popular EPCOT performers such as: - JAMMitors - Mariachi Cobre - Character Cavalcades throughout the day, featuring favorite Disney friends traveling around World Showcase promenade including: - Frozen Promenade - Mickey & Friends World Tour - Princess Promenade
EPCOT Shops: - African Heritage - Arribas Brothers - Art of Disney - Baby Care - Canada Cart - China Kiosk - Disney Traders - Galerie Des Halles - Gateway Gifts - Glas Und Porcellan - ImageWorks - Karamell Kuche - La Bottega Italiana - Mexico Indoor Plaza - Mission: SPACE Cargo - Mitsukoshi - Mouse Gear Temporary Location - Pin Traders – Camera Center - Port of Entry - Puffin’s Roost - Sea Base Alpha Gift Shop - Strollers & Wheelchairs - Tea Caddy - Test Track Simporium - Wood Carver - World Traveler