Walt Disney World Reopening Information – Everything We Know So Far

Walt Disney World has submitted its proposal for a phased reopening (emphasis on phased) on May 27, 2020, to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force.  

Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will be the first parks to reopen on July 11th. 

Epcot and Hollywood Studios will reopen on July 15.

Disney Springs has already begun its phased reopening on May 20th and continues to see more restaurants, bars, and shops gradually reopening as well.  

Here is a full list of everything currently open at Disney Springs!

There is still a lot up in the air and many questions still need to be answered. Below are the top things you need to know or might be wondering about Walt Disney World reopening. 

Reservations for Theme Parks

Disney World will require theme park reservations for visiting. Disney has paused new ticket sales and resort reservations for right now. The hope is that they can focus on people who already have reservations and tickets to get them on the theme park reservation system. The exception to this rule is DVC members, who can still make new reservations.

Passholders and existing ticket holders will be able to make theme park reservations before new tickets are sold. Once this happens, they will resume ticket sales and resort reservations. 

Important things to know about the new reservation system:

• • You will need to have a My Disney Experience account
  • You will need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass linked to that My Disney Experience account
  • If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, make sure that is also linked to the My Disney Experience account

Once everything is linked together, you will be able to access the calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. You need to make a reservation for every day you plan to go to the park, as long as you have a valid theme park ticket or annual pass. Make sure you link your families and friends through your My Disney Experience accounts so you can arrange theme park entries at the same time.

Guests will not be able to park hop when the parks reopen. You can only select one park per day. If you have existing tickets with the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option you can either modify them or cancel them. 

This reservation system is currently open for guests with resort reservations. Annual passholders can reserve beginning June 26 and new ticket sales and all other guests can reserve on June 28. 

More information about what this includes will be released.

Changes to Fall Events

Disney has announced that they have canceled Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Since they would not be able to put on the stage shows, host a parade, or set off the fireworks, they decided it made sense to cancel the party. 

Epcot Food and Wine Festival has not been canceled, however, it will be a smaller version of what it normally is. They are calling it a Taste of Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival.

To read more about the fall changes, check out this post. 

What about my dining reservations?

Disney is canceling any existing dining reservations. They have changed the booking window from 180 days in advance to 60 days in advance. You will be able to try and make those same reservations again. However, Disney will be updating the reservation system with the new limited capacity for each restaurant and experience.  

Guests who have a resort reservation or a canceled dining reservation will be given priority rebooking once the new system is in place.

Want to know what restaurants are currently open or will be opening? Check out this post! 

I booked a Disney Dining Plan, now what?

Disney will not be offering the Disney Dining Plan and will be removing and refunding them from reservations that they currently exist on, through September 26, 2021. Please note, only international bookings are currently open for 2021. 

If you booked a plan that included free dining, you will receive an automatic cancellation and can rebook your vacation for a later date with a 35% room discount.

FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours

Disney World has announced that both FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours will be suspended as they reopen. The reasoning for both is to help maintain proper physical distancing. They plan to use additional queue space to manage the capacity. 

Are masks required at Walt Disney World? 

Yes. Disney Springs has already implemented this rule and it will extend into the theme parks as well. Both guests and cast members will be required to wear masks. If you do not bring a mask, one will be provided for you. 

Will there be temperature screenings? 

Yes. There will be a contactless thermometer. Guests with a 100.4 degree temperature or higher will be given the option to go cool down in an area and try once more. If the temperature is still too high they will not be allowed in the park. 

Will Disney entertainment operate normally? 

No. At least not at first. Under Disney World’s first phase there will be no parades, fireworks, character meet & greets, playgrounds, makeover opportunities or water play areas. 

However, Disney said that characters will be in the parks, you just can’t enjoy a meet & greet. 

How will dining restaurants work? 

Restaurants at Disney World will have a limited capacity and mobile ordering will be highly encouraged. 

If you are dining at a Disney resort you will need a confirmed reservation if you are not a guest at the resort and is highly encouraged if you are staying overnight. 

They will not reopen in-park dining right away. When it does reopen you will need a valid park ticket, a reservation to enter that park, and a dining reservation. 

Disney Vacation Club Resorts

Disney Vacation Club resorts will reopen to members and guests on June 22. Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will also reopen on June 22. The Disney resorts that will reopen are:

• • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
  • The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

It is important to note that just because you are staying at a Disney hotel does not guarantee admission into a theme park. You will still need a reservation for the specific park you want to go to that day. 

Vero Beach Resort in Florida and Hilton Head Resort in South Carolina will reopen for members and guests on June 15.  

What other precautions is Disney taking? 

Just like at Disney Springs, the theme parks will have a team of cast members there to act as ambassadors to remind guests to practice social distancing. 

There will also be hand washing stations around the parks and hand sanitizing stations. 

They will not require a fingerprint when you scan into the park. Simply scan your MagicBand or ticket and enter. 

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More information will be added as it is released. 

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