After months of unprecedented closures, guests can once again head on over to AMC Theatres, grab some popcorn, and settle in for a viewing of Ghostbusters on the big screen. Is it 1984 again? No, but it’s felt like decades since we last set foot inside of a movie theater.
For Yesterday only, the theater in Disney Springs offered special 15 cent tickets to various re-runs of popular recent films and some throwbacks, as well.
Outside, social distancing markers were set up along the queue to the ticket windows, however mobile ticketing is encouraged. While old Sonic the Hedgehog posters lined the exterior of the theater, there is an adorable Soul banner…“Coming Soon to Theaters”.
In the Concessions, where there are a few notable changes. First off is a simplified menu for shorter lines and quicker service. Condiments like ketchup, relish, and butter for popcorn are available by request, as are things like napkins, lids, and straws.
Grab & Go items are still available, as are Mobile Ordering Pick-Up windows.
Cash is no longer accepted at the Concessions stand. If needed, guests can use cash at the ticket booth to buy an AMC card, and then they can use that to purchase concessions.
Refills on popcorn and Coca-Cola Freestyle drinks are temporarily unavailable, and Crew Members fill up your drink or ICEE orders.
A new dining “Now” option is available on the My Disney Experience app with a “Walk-up List” service at select table service restaurants.
So, let’s say you’re walking through EPCOT and decide you’re getting hungry but prefer instead of Mobile Ordering, you’d like to sit down at a table-service restaurant. No reservations? No worries! Visit the My Disney Experience App and you’ll be able to see what table-service restaurants have availability around you right now. You’ll then be able to simply add yourself to the “walk-up list” and get ready for indulge your appetite!
Let’s walk through it. First, from the My Disney Experience App home screen click the “+” at the bottom to see these options below:
Click “Check Dining Availability”. Select your party size and date. Obviously, since this is a right now option, you’d select today’s date. You’ll see the new “Now” option as circled in the image below:
You’ll then be prompted to select an available Walk-Up List. Since we are putting this article together in the morning, you’ll see there is nothing currently available for breakfast. Restaurants are noted with “Walk-up list is currently unavailable to join due to high demand”.
When clicking into Kona Cafe, this message comes up noting “Walk-up List is at capacity”:
Hopefully, this new feature will be especially helpful for lunch and dinner in the parks as sometimes it’s nice to take a breather from Mobile Ordering and quick-service venues.
Overall, we’d still recommend making dining reservations for table-service restaurants 60-days in advance. We feel this “Walk-up List” is really for spontaneous meals. Don’t count on it to ensure there will be availability at your favorite restaurant.
After being closed for nearly four months, Walt Disney World theme parks are reopening. A visit to the theme parks may not be for everyone right now, but for some, it can be a great time to experience Walt Disney World.
Here is what you can be expect from a reopened Walt Disney World.
Arriving & Health Screening Prior to Entry
All guests will be required to undergo temperature screenings prior to entering a theme park. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those who again measure 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party.
For Magic Kingdom, the screening will take place at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) if you arrive by your own vehicle or at Magic Kingdom if you arrive by bus. Note that if you park at the TTC, tram service is not available. You’ll need to walk to the front.
Getting to Magic Kingdom from the Transportation and Ticket Center
When traveling to Magic Kingdom from the TTC, you usually have two options available: the monorail and the ferryboat. We rode the monorail to get a sense of how long it would take. Right now each monorail car is limited to 4 groups in each car, two on each side, separated with a screen. All guests must sit. No standing is allowed. You can imagine that the monorail will take longer because so many fewer guests can fit in at one time. The ferryboat also has physical distancing measures in place, but because of its size, the boats can hold more people.
Health & Safety Measures
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice when visiting the theme parks since the COVID-19 global pandemic hit is Disney’s commitment and approach to health and safety. Health and safety reminder signs are everywhere. You’ll find hand-sanitizers and hand-washing stations all over the park. On the ground, you’ll see markers telling you where to stand to ensure physical distancing. Ride vehicles are filled to half-capacity where groups are separated by rows. Cast Members also leave empty ride vehicles in between ones that are filled with guests. Some attraction queues have plastic screens in some areas where physical distancing is not practical. High-traffic areas receive increased cleaning. At the Haunted Mansion, you’ll walk through the stretching room, instead of crowding in with a large group of people. Bottom line, Disney is doing what they can to provide a safe environment for their guests. While Disney cannot eliminate all risk of coronavirus, they have stepped up. Visiting during this time is a personal decision that only you can make for your family.
Remember You Need a Park Reservation
To promote physical distancing, capacity is limited as guests return to Walt Disney World theme parks. Guests with a ticket or Annual Pass must use the new Disney Park Pass system to make a reservation in advance for each park entry. Same-day or even same week reservations are unlikely, especially if you are an annual passholder. You’ll need to plan ahead and get your park reservation as early as possible.
Reduced Hours, No FastPass+, and No Extra Magic Hours
When considering visiting during the phased reopening you need to be aware that a visit like you may be used to is not available at this time. The park will operate with reduced hours. If you check the park hours for July you’ll notice Magic Kingdom has the hours of 9:00 am -7:00 pm. Usually, in the height of summer, the park opens early and stays open late until 11:00 pm or even midnight. You won’t be able to enjoy late summer nights this year. Also, there is no Extra Magic Hours for Disney resort guests. Finally, FastPass+ is temporarily suspended.
Also take note that before the closure, Magic Kingdom would open Main Street USA about an hour early for shopping and dining. That is not the case during the phased reopening. Cast Members are really discouraging guests from arriving early.
Face Coverings and Relaxation Stations
All guests 2 years of age and older, along with cast members, are required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting the theme parks. They must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, except when eating or drinking.
At Magic Kingdom there are three “Relaxation Stations” where guests can sit without their masks on. The tables are spaced well beyond normal social distancing proximity, and a Cast Member monitors the area to ensure that it is not overcrowded. Visiting Walt Disney World in July is seriously hot, and it is nice to have a space where you could take off your mask for a little bit.
Here are the locations in Magic Kingdom:
Tomorrowland Terrace
Pete’s Silly Sideshow (air-conditioned!)
Golden Oak Outpost
Golden Oak OutpostPete’s Silly SideshowTomorrowland Terrace
Characters
Seeing beloved Disney characters is one of the most magical moments of any Disney theme park experience. With traditional character greetings and parades on hiatus during this phased reopening, Disney characters appear in new and different ways throughout all four theme parks.
Here are the different characters that were seen throughout the day at Magic Kingdom:
“The Royal Princess Processional” – Several times daily, favorite Disney princesses travel through the streets of Magic Kingdom. Princess Merida leads the way on her steed Angus, followed closely by a gazebo float and crystal castle carrying Cinderella, Tiana, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Rapunzel and others.
“Mickey and Friends Cavalcade” – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their pals pop up throughout the day, inviting everyone to “Get Their Ears On” as they wave to guests along the park’s parade route.
“Goofy Cavalcade” – With Goofy, Clarabelle Cow, Max, Panchito Pistoles, and Jose Cariocas.
“Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade” – With Gaston, Pooh Bear, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Mary Poppins, and Aladdin.
“Friends of Pooh Bear” – With Rabbit, Piglet, and Eeyore.
Tinker Bell & The Lost Treasure
Cinderella’s Evil Stepsisters – From time to time, guests in Fantasyland may spot the dastardly Anastasia and Drizella and can interact with them from afar while they’re perched on a balcony of Cinderella Castle.
You might also catch Jack Sparrow in Adventureland from time to time.
Stitch was also spotted in Tomorrowland.
There is a very steady flow of characters throughout the day. The cavalcades depart on a somewhat regular schedule of about every fifteen to twenty minutes or so. The cavalcades use the typical parade route by starting in Frontierland and ending in the front of the park at Main Street USA. You would need to avoid this area to miss seeing a character. The characters themselves are great and were interacting with the guests.
Open Attractions
Most attractions will be available at each park when they reopen. Magic Kingdom offers favorites, such as The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain. Splash Mountain is also open allowing guests to experience the attraction in its original form before it closes down for refurbishment and is rethemed.
Here is the full list of available 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
Attractions Experience
I’ve already mentioned the safety measures you’ll find in place in the attraction queues and the loading of the ride vehicles. You may be wondering about wait times because of this. Even with the reduced capacity of the ride vehicles, the wait times are very low. For most of them, you can simply walk on. The app was reporting wait times anywhere from 5 min to 25 minutes. When you compare this with a typical summer day, the low wait times are amazing. On a typical July day at Magic Kingdom, it’s not unusual for the most popular attractions to have wait times over two hours and even up to three hours. Even if the capacity is a bit more, wait times of under 45 minutes is a fantastic benefit of visiting during the phased reopening. If you love the attractions and it is the main reason you visit, then you might want to consider a visit. You’ll be able to get so much done—so much more than “normal” summer day.
Dining
New measures promoting health and well-being are being implemented at Walt Disney World theme park restaurants during their phased reopening. These include enhanced cleaning procedures in seating, dining, and common areas, as well as changes to self-serve options. In addition, mobile technology via the My Disney Experience app is being used in convenient ways to minimize contact, such as Mobile Order at select quick-service theme park locations and Mobile Dine Check-in at select theme park table-service locations, as well as reduced- contact menus at select theme park restaurants. Most quick-service locations were encouraging (basically requiring) guests to use the Mobile Order service. The lower crowds have made it easier to dine as well.
Different but Still Magical
Walt Disney World has always been a place where one can somewhat escape reality and enjoy a break from the real world. While the real-world pandemic has changed the way Walt Disney World operates, the magic of Disney is still there. Yes, things are different. There is still enough of that typical Magic Kingdom experience that brought joy and a smile to the faces of guests. Visiting Magic Kingdom, even with all the limitations and changes, will still be a very magical day. Different yes, but still magical.
Low wait times because of low crowds is a huge draw. However, if you’re planning your first visit, or that once in a lifetime visit, it could be recommended to wait until more things come back like character greetings and especially the fireworks.
Summer Tips
We don’t know how long the phased reopening restrictions will be in place. If you are visiting in the next few hot summer months here are some tips for a more enjoyable experience.
Bring extra face masks for your entire party. You’ll likely get sweaty or you may get caught in a rainstorm. Have extra ones on hand.
Water fountains are still operating throughout the park. You’ll want to stay hydrated, so bring your own container to fill throughout the day.
Many, but not all, quick-service locations will still give out free water. You simply need to ask a Cast Member where to go to get it.
Holiday Events this Fall & Winter
Be aware that if you are planning a visit to Magic Kingdom this fall, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party has been canceled. Read Disney’s statement on the cancellation below:
“While assessing another fall special event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.” Additionally, Disney H2O Glow Nights, the nighttime special ticket event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, will not take place for the remainder of 2020. Guests who have already bought tickets to these events will be assisted with refunds over the coming weeks.
No decision has been made about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney has stated they will continue to monitor the situation and make a decision in the future.
Walt Disney World is getting ready to reopen this Saturday! We’re so excited we can barely contain ourselves! See below as DisneyParksBlog shares a message from Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer regarding the parks commitment to health and safety measures:
As we continue the phased reopenings of our parks and resorts across the world, promoting health and safety for our guests, cast members, and the larger community is a responsibility we take very seriously.
On Saturday, we will continue the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, marking the first of our domestic theme parks to welcome guests back to the magic. While we await California guidelines for reopening Disneyland Resort, and will adjust as necessary, we wanted to share more information on our approach to health and safety in the Disneyland and Walt Disney World theme parks.
We remain deeply committed to focusing on your well-being when you visit or work at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts. From increased cleaning and disinfecting across our parks and resorts, to updated health and safety policies, we have reimagined the Disney experience so we can all enjoy the magic responsibly. We implemented our health and safety measures after considering the guidance of government and local health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in addition to the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health experts.
Together, we are a Disney family, and while COVID-19, and the risk of contracting it, is present in public places, there are many important ways that we can all help promote each other’s safety. As we implement our guidelines at our parks and resorts, we want to thank our guests and cast members for all they do to care for one another by doing their part.
1. Health & Wellness
At Disney, our approach emphasizes a combination of measures to help reduce risk in the carefully managed environment of our parks and resorts.
Limited and carefully managed attendance: All guests will be required to make advanced ticket purchases and reservations.
Reduced capacity and physical distancing: We’re reducing capacity by letting fewer people enter our parks and are adjusting experiences to allow for physical distancing, a key measure reinforced by the CDC. This includes physical distancing in dining experiences, attractions, queues and other locations. Additionally, physical barriers have been installed in areas where physical distancing may be difficult to maintain, like cash registers.
Temperature checks: Quick temperature checks are required for all guests at entry to our theme parks.
Face coverings: We will be requiring both cast members and guests ages two and older to wear a face covering – unless swimming or when eating or drinking – and enforcing this policy across our parks and resorts.
Handwashing and hand sanitizer: We have increased the number of hand sanitizer locations and handwashing stations throughout our parks and resorts.
First Aid locations: Our first aid locations are staffed by experienced nursing staff and have updated their protocols for responding to symptoms of illness.
2. Cleaning & Disinfecting
We’ve updated our already high standards for cleanliness across our parks and resorts, with a special emphasis on areas such as attractions, queues, dining, lobbies, transportation and other common spaces.
Increased cleaning & disinfecting: We’re increasing the frequency of cleaning, especially for frequently-touched surfaces and high-traffic areas. Following park close, each park will receive an enhanced cleaning before guests arrive the next day.
New procedures for resort stays: In addition to increasing cleaning in areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, tables, handles, and restrooms, we’ve updated our procedures for guest rooms at our owned-and-operated Walt Disney World hotels. Before arrival, every room will be given an enhanced cleaning and a light cleaning service (including removal of trash and replenishment of towels and amenities) will be offered every other day during the stay.
3. Technology Solutions
We are tapping into Disney innovation to help promote health and safety for our guests and cast members.
Disney apps: With the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps our guests already know and love, guests can view hand sanitizer and handwashing locations, explore digital menus, and more.
Limited-contact options: From Mobile Order and cashless payments, to Walt Disney World’s MagicBands and online check-in at select locations, we’re offering technology solutions that can make it easier for our guests to minimize contact and maintain physical distancing.
4. Cast Member Training & Workplace Safety
Safety starts with our cast, and we’ve adopted a number of new policies and practices for cast members at work.
Training: Cast members are receiving additional training on both new measures and the continued importance of personal health and hygiene, such as handwashing and of course, staying home when ill. For some, this includes training on how to help everyone who visits to follow new health and safety measures, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing.
Workplace health and safety: We’ve increased the frequency of cleaning in work areas, adjusted our work practices to promote physical distancing, and introduced new protocols for temperature checks and face coverings.
Health screenings: Cast members will self-screen for temperature and symptoms of illness before each shift and will stay home if they are not feeling well.
5. Working Together
Because each of us shares a responsibility for the health of our community, we’re making resources available to make guests aware of our new policies, so they too can do their part.
Guest communication: We’re proactively sharing information with guests about what to expect ahead of their visit to support their planning. In our parks and resorts, we have added signage about personal health and hygiene measures, physical distancing, and more.
Following our guidelines: A special group of cast members will also be present in the parks to explain our new procedures, answer questions guests may have, and encourage everyone to follow these measures to promote the well-being of us all.
“Together We Can Make Today Incredible” campaign: In June, we introduced “Together We Can Make Today Incredible,” a health and safety campaign that spotlights healthy behaviors featuring fan-favorite characters from the Incredibles animated movies. The campaign emphasizes that everyone has an important role to play in health and safety while engaging guests in a uniquely Disney way.
We’re looking forward to upholding this plan each day, and to the return of our guests and cast members to our parks and resorts.
If you have additional questions about a specific experience, we hope that you’ll explore the resources below:
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.
