On July 13, the NBA and NBPA announced that two players had tested positive for COVID-19 and had returned home to isolate per CDC guidelines. Since then, all 346 players in the Walt Disney World “bubble” have been tested again and all tests came back negative.
Of the 346 players tested for COVID-19 on the NBA campus since test results were last announced on July 13, zero have returned confirmed positive tests.
In the event that a player on the NBA campus returns a confirmed positive test in the future, he will be isolated until he is cleared for leaving isolation under the rules established by the NBA and the Players Association.
NBA players within the Disney bubble are currently staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, and Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
While staying at the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, an interesting announcement on the resort TV caught our attention.
Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests had been reportedly getting scammed while staying at the hotels. Guests were asked to confirm their address and credit card information over the phone. Shortly after, fraudulent charges take place on these guests’ credit cards.
It appears Disney is now warning guests about revealing personal information and is now providing personal security tips.
The tips include:
Do not give your credit card information if you did not initiate the call. Use caution when disclosing your credit card number over the phone.
Always keep your credit card numbers and receipts secure and out of public view.
In just a few more days, we’ll begin welcoming the first guests back to the theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, starting July 11 with Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and followed July 15 by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re continuing to prepare for these openings in a measured and deliberate way, implementing health and safety measures with cast members and guests in mind.
As you may recall, earlier we had temporarily paused 2020 ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel bookings so we could focus on helping existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders plan their visits with the new Disney Park Pass theme park reservation system. We are glad to share that beginning tomorrow, July 9, we will resume ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel bookings for 2020. Guests will soon be able to purchase new tickets and plan future visits throughout this year with the Disney Park Pass system, which we are using to help manage attendance during this reopening period.
For those looking to make their plans right away, please note that tickets and Disney Resort hotel bookings may be released at different times throughout the day tomorrow. In addition, we will use virtual waiting rooms as needed to manage the high volume of guests looking to plan their visits.
All guests with valid admission are required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, so be sure to check the park reservation availability calendar before purchasing any new tickets and then go directly to DisneyWorld.com/DisneyParkPass after your purchase to make your park reservations. Reservations are limited and subject to availability. Please note that, during this phased reopening, some tickets, ticket options and Disney Resort hotels are unavailable, but there are still a variety of options to choose from.
Though the experience may be different than the last time you visited, there is so much to look forward to, with many favorite attractions and dozens of entertainment offerings, including special new character cavalcades and the Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.
If you’re planning a visit for this year, we recommend checking out our “Know Before You Go” page at DisneyWorld.com/Updates, where you’ll find tips and information like how to make park reservations after purchasing your tickets.
Already seen testing on various lines throughout the latter half of the extended parks closure, the Disney Skyliner will be back in full swing starting July 15.
While we were aware that transportation to the parks would resume upon the reopening of the theme parks, we now have confirmation that all three lines of the Disney Skyliner will be in operation for the reopening of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Hours for the Disney Skyliner are slated to be 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM for EPCOT, and 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort, which will be reopening on July 10, and Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is now open, will have transportation to the two newly-reopened parks. (Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will not reopen until July 29, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will not be reopening until August 12.)
Other forms of theme park transportation will also be available, albeit on a limited basis, via Monorail, ferryboat, and resort buses.
As Walt Disney World prepares to reopen their park doors to guests on July 11th for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and then on July 15th for Epcot and Hollywood Studios, they are taking great steps to help ensure the safety of their guests and cast members. Here is what Disney is doing throughout the resorts, restaurants and soon parks to keep everyone as protected as possible.
Face Masks
All Disney cast members will be greeting guests while wearing face masks. This is to help protect guests as well as the cast members themselves. It is Disney’s policy that all guests 2 and older wear face masks while visiting Walt Disney World Resort. Guests will be expected to wear masks at all times except when dining, swimming or in one of the rest areas in the parks. There are specific guidelines regarding what type of masks guests are expected to use as well. The biggest requirement is that masks do have to be secured with ties or ear loops. Keep this in mind when purchasing and planning for vacation.
Temperature Checks
Guests coming to Walt Disney World can expect to have their temperatures checked prior to being allowed into the parks or Disney Springs. Disney is saying they will be using “no-touch thermometers” in order to ensure those having a temperature of 100.4 F or above will not be allowed into the parks. This will also be used for cast members each day they come to work.
Social Distancing
As we are experiencing throughout the country right now, Walt Disney World will also be implementing social distancing. Not only will signs be up and around to help remind guests to keep their distance from others, but from what we have seen from Disney Springs as well as Disney’s international parks ground markers will be used throughout queues. We believe that social distancing will also be used on rides. Social distancing will also be used in restaurants throughout property as a limited number of guests will be seated and tables will be spread apart to allow distancing.
Hand washing
Prior to the parks closing we started to see Disney implement more hand washing stations throughout the park. This will be a trend that continues once the parks open again in mid-July. Disney will have more hand washing options as well as hand sanitizer throughout the park giving guests more opportunities to wash hands and keep themselves safe.
Resorts
Walt Disney World DVC resorts were able to open earlier this month allowing guests to come back and enjoy the magic. With this opening, we were able to see and learn more about what steps Disney is taking to protect guests at the resorts.
Guests are highly encouraged to use online check-in limiting face-to-face interactions and allowing guests to head right to their rooms. Disney is also going to a cashless system right now asking that guests have a form of payment such as credit card, gift cards or MagicBands set up to reduce contact.
Disney has also announced enhanced cleaning methods will be used during this time at their resorts. Not only will high-touch areas such as railings, elevators, benches and tables be cleaned often, but new measures will be taken in guests’ rooms.
Attention to high-touch items in guests’ rooms will be a focus of cleaning. Items such as remotes and door handles will be cleaned with great care. We have also seen items such as remotes wrapped in individual bags following cleaning to help ensure safety. Floors will be cleaned in between each guest and housekeeping will only come every other day to limit access to the room.
Finally, if guests need something while staying at a Walt Disney World resort, guests can utilize the new chat feature on the My Disney Experience app. This allows guests to communicate with cast members regarding needs, questions or concerns without having to have face to face contact.
Restaurants
Along with Disney resorts, a few Disney restaurants were opened throughout the property as well as at Disney Springs. Disney has set up measures at these restaurants to help keep everyone safe.
Mobile ordering was a secret that many didn’t use in their My Disney Experience; however, now Disney is highly encouraging guests to use this service during vacation. This again reduces the interaction needed between guests and cast members to keep everyone safe.
At table service dining, guests now can check in through the My Disney Experience app eliminating the need to check-in at the host stand. Guests can now notify the restaurant through the app that they have arrived and will receive a push notification when their table is ready.
Also, at table service restaurants, beside limiting capacity and social distancing tables, guests will use QR codes to access a digital menu. If this isn’t an option, then paper menus are given. Both methods can help keep guests and cast members safe with less communal touching of materials.
Another step being taken at Disney food areas is regarding refills. Guests will no longer be allowed to refill their own cups; however, cast members will be there to assist.
Parks
Once the parks open in July, Disney has gone through great lengths to ensure protecting guests heading back to the magic. Not only will Disney parks be taking the steps discussed above such as face masks, social distancing and temperature checks, Disney will be limiting park crowds. To help keep guests and cast members safe and to help them following the above guidelines, Disney has put in place a new park pass reservations system. This system has guests with tickets book a specific park for each day of their ticket. By doing this, Disney is able to help manage crowd levels at their parks and keep guests and cast members safe.
Along with the park pass reservation, Disney has stated that they will be diligently cleaning those high-touch areas throughout the parks just like in the resorts. Railings, tables, benches and even park ride systems will be cleaned to help keep guests safe.
As guests start to head back to the magic, Walt Disney World is working hard to help ensure guests are protected and safe during their stay. From new exciting systems to help manage crowds, to face masks and social distancing, Disney is ready to welcome guests back and help them have a magical and safe time in their favorite place.
