Walt Disney World Cast Members Prepare To Welcome Guests Home!

In just 5 days Walt Disney World begins their phased reopening! Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopen on July 11. EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopen on July 15. We simply can’t wait! And it look like from this video, the Disney Cast Members are just as excited! Check out the video and details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.

“With just eight days until we reopen our first theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, tens of thousands of cast members have been straightening up our nametags (and grabbing our face coverings!) as we begin to return to work. As we count down to the phased reopening of our theme parks, we’re looking forward to welcoming our fellow cast members home to begin training in preparation for reopening. 

And this week, that special moment finally arrived for a group of our theme park cast members as they put on their nametags, reunited with their work locations and fellow cast, and began their first days of training to learn new health and safety protocols. With the return of every cast member, and at the conclusion of every training session, you can feel how passionate and ready the team is as we get one step closer to the first theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort welcoming guests home.

Many of us are returning to places that look and feel a little different, and collectively, we’re dedicating thousands of hours to health and safety training because we know that it will take all of us working together to responsibly create the magic once again.”

Though our world may look a little different as we return to familiar and cherished places, we’re eager to open the gates and navigate this new world together with health and safety top of mind. Take a look at some of the first special moments as cast returned to their favorite parks and began prepping to welcome guests home with a smile in their eyes. 

Walt Disney World Releases Phased Reopening Dates for Resort Transportation

“START YOUR ENGINES!” Walt Disney World took to Twitter today to release phased reopening dates for resort transportation as they “gear” up for the parks phased reopening.

Disney Parks Twitter states: “START YOUR ENGINES! Our transportation cast members are “gearing” up for the phased reopening of our resort transportation. We look forward to getting everything running!”

The dates are as follows:

  • Buses: June 22
  • Monorail and Ferry Boats: July 7
  • Skyliner: July 15
  • Minnie Van Service &Watercraft: “Stay tuned for return dates”

As the parks begin their phased reopening on July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Disney’s Hollywood Studios), it’s good to see most forms of transportation will be up and running.

Annual Passholders were told via the preview registration email confirmation that transportation would not be available. It looks like this has changed for resort guests!

Disney Skyliner Will Be Resuming On July 15th

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.

Orange County Officials Say Decision to Reopen WDW Rests with Disney

With the news of Disneyland Resort cancelling their previously announced July 17 reopening date due to the State of California, many guests are wondering what the future holds for Walt Disney World with Florida’s COVID-19 spikes.

CNN Business and Politics Corespondent, Cristina Alesci, took to Twitter to announce the following:

Alesci tweets: “JUST IN: An Orange County official tells me the county has no plans to revisit a decision to reopen Disney’s parks in Florida. “That decision rests with @Disney officials and the governor,” says a county spokesperson “

Walt Disney World is scheduled for their phased reopening beginning July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Hollywood Studios). As Disney fans eagerly await the reopening, the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to reach record highs for the state.

Disney Shares Attractions & Entertainment Details for Phased Reopening of WDW Theme Parks

As Walt Disney World prepares for phased reopening, they have just released more insight as to what guests can look forward to experiencing in the parks! Check out the news below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.

As we look forward to the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort theme parks in July, we’re excited to share a few details about the attractions and entertainment guests will be able to experience when they return. Though these may look a little different than in the past, there will be plenty of magic for everyone to enjoy when Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park open on July 11, and EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios open on July 15.

Most attractions will be available at each park – for example, live your adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with attractions like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. At Magic Kingdom Park, classics such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean are waiting to welcome guests with thrilling adventures for the whole family. Time travelers, take note that the iconic Spaceship Earth attraction at EPCOT will also continue to be available in its current state while we pause on its planned refurbishment, along with other favorite attractions like Soarin’ Around the World, Frozen Ever After and Test Track presented by Chevrolet. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the magic of nature awaits with Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain and Avatar Flight of Passage. 

Young guests on Prince Charming Regal Carrousel at Magic Kingdom Park

If you’re hoping to see some familiar friends or take in the tunes of treasured performers, you’re in luck! Just as you may have seen recently at Disney Springs, our characters will appear in new and different ways that bring a smile to your face while also being mindful of physical distancing. From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom Park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, to processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!

For example, after rocketing through space in Tomorrowland you might see that famous Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear; or discover a captive Captain Jack Sparrow as you traverse the Castillo del Morro on your way to Pirates of the Caribbean. You could cross paths with Queen Anna and Elsa as they venture “into the unknown” on a journey around World Showcase at EPCOT or spy members of the Resistance hiding out from the First Order throughout Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.

'Goofy Cavalcade' rendering

Looking beyond our beloved characters, several musical groups will also return. You can look forward to seeing Main Street Philharmonic at Magic Kingdom Park, plus the Mariachi Cobre and everyone’s favorite funky drumming crew the JAMMitors at EPCOT, just to name a few.  

Read here for details on how to make a theme park reservation; and also check out important “Know Before You Go” information at DisneyWorld.com/Updates. We hope to see you back at the parks, making special memories in new ways.