With Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure reopening on April 30, Disney has released specific guidelines for purchasing tickets. These may not be a surprise to many as they are in place per California’s reopening requirements.
According to these guidelines, the name and contact information of each person who purchases a ticket should be collected for contact tracing purposes. This information must be provided by the person who purchases the ticket, who will serve as the main contact on behalf of their entire party. When a guest purchases park tickets and makes a park reservation, the purchasing guest must confirm the party size, that it will not contain more than three households, and that all members of the party are California residents.
The theme parks will have a limited capacity and only California residents will be allowed to visit. Read our report from last week about California’s updated theme park guidelines regarding masking and queueing.
After months of unprecedented closure, Walt Disney World has presented its 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.
Walt Disney World plans to begin its phased reopening on the following dates:
Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Saturday, July 11
Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT – Wednesday, July 15
Walt Disney World will reopen much like Shanghai Disneyland, on the basis of a reservation system. Guests will have to secure a reservation on the day they intend on attending the park.
The main entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Photo courtesy, Walt Disney World)
Major changes to operating procedures:
A reservation system will be in place and be used to visit the parks.
Required face coverings while on property. This will be enforced by cast members.
Reduced capacity of theme parks, restaurants, retail, attractions, buses, monorails, and other transportation.
Temporary suspension of parades, fireworks, and other events that create crowds.
Temporary suspension of high touch activities such as character meet & greets, playgrounds and water playgrounds.
Disney is also developing “relaxation zones” for guests to break off from the main areas and take off masks in designated spots.
Increased mobile food ordering options will be available, and cashless transactions will be encouraged throughout.
The following COVID-19 General Health and Safety Protocols have been revealed. Signage will be posted throughout the parks and attractions:
Plans were presented during today’s Task Force meeting, headed by Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations of Walt Disney World Resort. The phased reopening proposal has since passed with zero opposition from the Task Force.
Reopening plans will require endorsement from the Orange County Mayor before they can be submitted to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for final approval. You can view the full Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force Meeting from today below:
For a recap of what the current experience is like at Disney Springs, including temperature checks and new social distancing guidelines, click here. Disney Springs expanded its offerings today with the reopening of the World of Disney store, among other Disney-owned and operated restaurants and stores.
Tomorrow, May 27, begins Phase Two of the Disney Springs reopening! It’s going to be an exciting day as this is the first day we get to experience Walt Disney World owned restaurants and shopping since the closure of the parks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before you grab your Mickey ears and head out to do some shopping and dining, you’ll want to know a few things before you go:
Disney Springs hours for Wednesday, May 27, is 10:00am to 10:00pm. So, what’s open? As of May 20, the following list of 40+ venues has been open:
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
Beginning May 27, the following have announced their reopening including:
D-Luxe Burger
The LEGO Store
Marketplace Co-Op
World of Disney
Terralina Crafted Italian (reopening May 29)
Paddlefish (reopening May 29)
Before you go, you’ll want to read up on the following guidelines from Disney Springs. The guidelines apply to Cast Members, Operating Participant employees and Guests. There are 6 key things to know before arriving at Disney Springs, and they include:
Limited parking and reduced entrances
Temperature screenings prior to entry
Face coverings required for Guests ages 3 and up
Physical distancing practices including physically-distanced queues and physical barriers
Temporary operation modifications, including reduced hours at select locations and no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas
An increased focus on disinfecting and sanitation, including the addition of hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers in key areas
COVID-19 Warning: We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Cast Members. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Disney Springs. An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting Disney Springs you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
Guest Parking and Entrances: During this initial phase, Guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime garages; all surface parking lots will be closed. At opening, we have also reduced Guest entryways to 4 locations: Orange and Lime garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and the rideshare location. Guest access to Disney Springs from the Grapefruit garage will be restricted.
Temperature Screening: All Guests are required to undergo temperature screenings upon arrival at Disney Springs.
Guest Screening: During this initial period, Guests will undergo temperature screening in these locations: the second-floor exits of Orange and Lime parking garages and the Marketplace Entrance (to serve Guests from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and the rideshare drop-off lot). Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either.
Employee Screening: Cast Members and Operating Participant employees will be required to complete a health screening and temperature check at home, prior to coming to work.
Limited Contact: Following guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, we have made some temporary adjustments that include limited-contact Guest Services to ensure a responsible and enjoyable environment for everyone.
Face Coverings: All Guests ages 3 and older are required to wear face coverings when visiting Walt Disney World Resort. All face coverings should fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free. Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face. Be secured with ties or ear loops. Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules. Guests are required to wear face coverings at all times, except while dining. The use of face coverings should not be seen as a substitute for physical distancing. Guests must provide their own disposable or reusable face covering.
Physical Barriers: Physical barriers have been added in select places where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing guidelines. These may be visible in areas around cash registers or at Guest Relations, for example, to help ensure proper distances between people.
Cashless Transactions: At this time, it is recommended all Guests use cashless payment options whenever possible during their visit to Disney Springs, including debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards, etc. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options, such as mobile wallets, or use cash to purchase a Disney Gift Card at the Welcome Center (Guest Relations) and select merchandise locations.
Mobile Order Service We’re also recommending all Guests use the mobile order service in the My Disney Experience app at participating locations. With the reopening of D-Luxe Burger on May 27, in addition to the current payment options, Guests will now be able to pay for their mobile order using a Disney Gift Card, Disney Rewards Redemption Card and Apple Pay. *Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple, Inc.
Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures: Managing the number of Guests visiting Disney Springs has been a major consideration as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on recommendations from health authorities and government officials. One of the ways to do that is to limit the number of Guests and Cast Members at any given time for each location. Additional measures include:
Signage: Directional signage has been installed to assist Guests to responsibly move throughout the property. Additionally, ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing when queuing is needed at a location.
Training: We are also training Cast Members to engage with Guests and promote physical distancing guidelines in common areas and queues.
Cleanliness and Sanitization: We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. Additionally, Disney Springs will open with hand sanitizer and hand-washing locations, and Guests are highly encouraged to use these while visiting.
Cast Training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety among Cast Members and Operating Participant employees, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we navigate through the reopening phases.
About These Measures: As part of these efforts, Guests may see other changes to our retail and dining offerings, as well as other experiences. Though it may be different from the last time you visited, these new measures are designed to offer a magical Disney experience in a responsible way. We understand that these times are challenging, and we appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate as responsibly as we can. Together, we can find new ways to have fun while being diligent to maintain proper physical distancing.
Frequently Asked Questions: View frequently asked questions about the phased reopening of Disney Springs—as well as related updates.
With the lifting of emergency declarations across Japan comes the eventual question – How do theme parks reopen safely? US theme parks are facing the same question right now, with Universal Studios Orlando leading the charge on June 5th. It seems that the East Japan and West Japan Amusement Park Associations along with supporting companies that include Oriental Land and USJ have an idea of where they want to begin. As such, they have released their guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19 across Japan’s many amusement and theme parks. Since the Oriental Land Company is a signatory to this, it would seem this is a fair insight in to how Tokyo Disney Resort will operate once it reopens.
These guideline shall be reviewed and revised as necessary, taking into account the trends in the spread of COVID-19 and the opinions of health experts. These guidelines are currently set to expire on January 31st, 2021, but may be extended or shortened depending on the situation within Japan. It’s a ten page document, and there’s a lot to unpack here. So let’s get going!
Basic Infection Controls
Top priorities will include monitoring the health of both employees and visitors, strengthening cleaning and disinfection, and maintaining social distancing of at least one meter apart. However, two meters should be kept apart wherever possible.
Admission restrictions should be in place, both for individual attractions and amusement facilities as a whole. Implementations of advance reservation systems should be strongly considered by facility operators. Additionally, visitors should not be admitted in to parks if they have a fever above 37.5 degrees Celsius or show symptoms of the cold or flu. If visitors feel ill, they should be asked to leave immediately.
In order to maintain social distancing, preparations should be made to keep parties or individuals at least one meter apart. Employees should also stay one meter away from visitors and each other as much as possible. When it’s necessary for employees to be near guests, such as for ride safety checks, face shields and/or masks should be worn and refrain from speak from as far away as possible.
Masks and/or face shields should be worn by visitors and employees. Particularly by employees with regular interactions with visitors. Entertainers who can not wear masks should stay one meter away from visitors.
Visitors and employees should be encouraged to wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or to use hand sanitizer regularly. Extra hand-washing stations and disinfectant dispensers should be installed throughout the park.
To aid in disinfection, hand washing stations or disinfectant dispensers should be installed at every bathroom and every building entrance and exit. Automatic doors, faucets, toilets, and other automated devices, as well as disposable items, should be used as much as possible. Also, high-contact items like guard rails, benches, vending machine and ticket machine buttons, and other locations with frequent contact should be disinfected frequently.
For indoor facilities, windows and doors should be open as much as possible and have air conditioning on to ventilate. If these conditions cannot be met, indoor facilities should be closed or have their capacity severely limited.
Electronic cashless payments and self-checkouts should be introduced as much as possible to lower the rate of cash transfer.
It is assumed that employees will follow the above measures. Employees should also be checked for fever or symptoms before beginning their shift. Proper hygiene should be observed at all times, and uniforms should be washed regularly.
All regulations should be posted on amusement facility websites. Ask visitors to refrain from visiting if they feel ill, have had contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive or is suspected of infection, or has travelled to a country indicated by the Japanese government as high-risk within the past 14 days.
Announcements should be made throughout the day to ask visitors to practice social distancing, good hygiene, to wear masks, etc. For parks with high numbers of foreign visitors, these announcements should be made in foreign languages as well.
Attractions
At outdoor attractions, disinfection should follow the basic principles laid out in the Basic Infection Controls. In addition, visitors should be encouraged to leave empty seats to promote social distancing.
For indoor attractions, the principles for indoor facilities laid out in Basic Infection Controls should be followed as much as possible. Facilities that are difficult to disinfect, like ball pits, should be suspended. As in the Basic Infection Controls, any facility that cannot adequately ventilate should be temporarily closed or have capacity severely limited.
VR attractions and 3-D attractions should be suspended unless it is possible for used items to be disinfected between every use.
Park Entrance
At ticket booths, employees and visitors should wear masks and/or face shields. Additionally, vinyl curtains or plastic dividers should be considered. Cashless payments should also be encouraged.
Encourage use of ticket vending machines, particularly if they are cashless. Buttons and screens should be disinfected regularly, and hand sanitizer stations next to ticket vending machines should be considered.
Ticket checkers at entrances should speak as little as possible, obey the Basic Infection Controls, and stay at least 1 meter away from visitors.
Consider not stationing employees at park exits.
Shops
Suspend business if guidelines for indoor facilities cannot be met.
As with ticket booths, employees and visitors should wear masks and/or face shields and be separated by a plastic divider or vinyl curtain. Cashless transactions should be encouraged.
Children’s fun corners, sample products for trial play, and taste sampling will be discontinued.
Restaurants
As with ticket booths, employees and visitors should wear masks and/or face shields and be separated by a plastic divider or vinyl curtain. Cashless transactions should be encouraged.
Hand sanitizer should be installed at the entrance of every restaurant.
Use disposable containers as much as possible.
Tableware should avoid leftover splashes of water or cross-contamination as much as possible.
Regularly ventilate the interior with windows, doors, air conditioning, and fans.
Avoid allowing visitors to sit across from other guests. Instead, encourage side-by-side seating.
Seats should be spaced apart appropriately, and strongly discourage moving of tables or seats.
For buffets, partition and install coverings to protect food from visitors as much as possible. Gloves and tongs should be used and replaced frequently.
Events/Shows
Theater events and shows should be limited to half capacity in order to properly secure social distancing.
Discourage cheering and yelling of any kind.
Costumed characters should not directly interact with visitors, and visitors should not touch costumes.
Toilets and Smoking Areas
Toilets should be regularly disinfected. Lids should be kept down, if installed.
Hand dryers should be disabled.
Outdoor smoking areas should encourage spacing of at least 1-2m apart. Indoor smoking areas may be allowed to operate depending on criteria laid out in the Basic Infection Controls.
Rental Items (Strollers, High Chairs)
Immediately after returning, disinfect high-contact areas.
Garbage
Garbage handlers should wear face masks and/or face shields as well as gloves. When they remove their gloves, their hands should be washed or disinfected.
Collected trash should be quickly moved to a place where visitors cannot touch it, and employees who manage garbage bags must wear a mask and/or face shield and disposable gloves.
While this doesn’t give us exactly what will happen when Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan reopen, we do know that both operators are signatories and supporters of this guide. Hopefully these restrictions are able to be lifted sooner rather than later.
Disney is ready to welcome guests back to Disney Springs beginning May 20. On May 16, they released a “what you need to know” list. So, before you head out for some shopping and dining, you’ll need to read all the details and watch the video below from DisneyParksBlog. We’ll see you on the May 20th!
Wednesday, May 20, will be a great first step in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, as Disney Springs begins its initial reopening that morning. With the safety and well-being of our guests, cast members and third-party operating participants at the forefront of our planning, we are eager to begin welcoming you back to this part of Walt Disney World. While our theme parks and resort hotels remain temporarily closed, the phased reopening of Disney Springs is a welcome milestone as we navigate through this unprecedented time together as responsibly as we can.
Next week, many of our third-party operating participants will open their doors to Disney Springs guests. On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op. You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information on which locations are open.
Based on applicable government requirements, as well as guidance from health authorities such as the CDC and appropriate government agencies, we are implementing a number of new health and safety measures and operational changes. Rest assured, there is plenty of magic awaiting you at Disney Springs – it just may feel a bit different than before. Here is what you need to know prior to your arrival:
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. We 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. I encourage 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, we 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: We’ve increased 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: We’re 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.
Our cast members are going through extensive new training as we all learn to adjust to these changing times together. To that end, we will have some cast members walking throughout Disney Springs to explain our new procedures and answer any questions you may have. They will also encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of us all.
Everything we’re doing during this unprecedented time is in service of our guests, our cast members and our third-party operating participants, who will also be following these new guidelines in their locations. We are constantly monitoring conditions and best practices, and we continue to learn every day from health and government authorities. As a result, our operational changes and safety measures may change from time to time as circumstances evolve. We want to deliver all the Disney magic you know and love with safety, as always, our top priority.
I understand this is a great deal of change to absorb, and I speak for all of us at Walt Disney World in thanking you for your cooperation and patience during this initial phase. Today’s world is different, and it’s going to require a shared responsibility, with everyone doing their part.
As a reminder, please visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most up-to-date information on available shopping and dining locations, operating hours, new safety procedures and more.
