Walt Disney World has announced the beginning of their slow re-opening process!
UPDATE: 5/16 Added details about Disney location openings on 5/27 and health details.
It will begin with the opening of third-party operating participants (non-Disney owned restaurants and stores) at Disney Springs on 20 May 2020.
During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours.
Disney states:
As we continue to monitor conditions, and with the health of Guests and Disney Cast Members at the forefront of our planning, we are making several operational changes. Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests, limited-contact Guest services and additional safety training for Cast Members.“
Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date.
The First Step – Opening Locations
This is the first small step in the long return to more normal operations.
The locations that will be opening on 20 May are:
- 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
- Anthropologie
- The Art Corner by Artistic Talent Group
- Basin
- Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
- The BOATHOUSE®
- Chapel Hats
- Chicken Guy!
- Columbia Sportswear
- Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
- Earl of Sandwich®
- Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear
- Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC
- Free People
- Frontera Cocina
- Happy Hound
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company®
- Lucky Brand
- Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
- Pandora® Jewelry
- Paradiso 37 Entertainment
- Pelé Soccer
- Planet Hollywood
- The Polite Pig
- Pop Gallery
- Ron Jon Surf Shop®
- Royally Yours by Arribas Brothers
- Sanuk
- Savannah Bee Company
- Sosa Family Cigars
- STK Orlando
- Sugarboo & Co.
- Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs Marketplace
- Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs West Side
- T-REX™
- UGG®
- UNIQLO
- UNOde50
- Volcom
- Vera Bradley
- Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
- Wine Bar George – A Restaurant & Bar
- YeSake Kiosk
- ZARA
The Disney operated locations at Disney Springs to follow About a week later.
Dont forget: Disney Springs Military Discounts
Second Step
Disney has announced that some Disney owned shops and restaurants (World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op) will open on 24 May 2020.Â
Next Steps
What happens next depends on how Disney plans to phase back into full operation.
Local/Florida day guests might be the first to get to experience the theme parks again as WDW eases back into operation. This is most likely if people are not allowed or unable to travel by air.
Another possibility is Disney World opening up their resorts and then the parks a day or so later and limiting park entry to only on property guests only. This way they could distribute and control guest numbers in individual parks by assigning guests to a park each day.
Details
For the May openings the following are in effect:
- Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, Guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime Garages. All surface lots will be closed. Disney will also reduce the number of entrances for Disney Springs to four locations: Orange and Lime Garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge and ride share location.
- Appropriate Face Coverings: All Guests 3 years of age and older, along with Cast Members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs. This is an important part of protecting both our Guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).
- Temperature Screenings: Once you arrive at Disney Springs, you and your party will be required to undergo temperature screenings. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance; those who again measure 100.4 degrees or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party. Disney encourages you to check temperatures of yourself and your party prior to leaving home, as an extra layer of precaution.
- Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: To maintain appropriate physical distancing throughout Disney Springs during this initial phase, Disney will limit the number of Guests visiting the property, as well as within each location. In addition, ground markings will help promote proper distancing when queuing is necessary. We will also add physical barriers in select places where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing.
- Cleanliness: Disney will increase cleaning and disinfection procedures in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. We will also have hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer available, and encourage you to use these frequently.
- Cashless Transactions: Disney is recommending you use cashless payment options whenever possible during your visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. You can also opt for contactless payment options or use cash to purchase a Disney gift card at the Welcome Center and select merchandise locations.
Stay Tuned
All we can do is stand by to see what Disney announces next.
Disney Springs has a re-opening page.
Share your thoughts on re-opening in the comments section below!
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