Welcome back to the Magic Kingdom! It is cast member previews today, and we have been busy familiarizing ourselves with the new park protocols amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, ready for the park’s official reopening on Saturday. Attraction procedures aren’t the only things which have had to be adjusted, but character meet and greets are now operating differently, too. Earlier this morning, the Princesses were spotted welcoming guests to the park from the Main Street Station, and now, over in Frontierland, the Country Bears are greeting guests from a similar perspective.
They have been stationed away from guests up on this balcony in order to adhere to social distancing rules, which will keep guests, characters, and cast members safe.
The bears are greeting guests from a balcony above the Country Bear Jamboree theatre in Frontierland. Usually, these two would roam through the land greeting guests casually, but it is good to see that they still have a fun presence, albeit above the guests.
Don’t forget to wave hello to the Country Bears on your next visit through Frontierland!
As a way to continue character experiences throughout the theme parks and still able to keep spreading their magic without spreading germs, new park reopening entertainment has debuted the Magic Kingdom in the form of Character Cavalcades. Taking place throughout the day, Guests will be able to view the five different themed cavalcades:
The Royal Princess Processional
Mickey & Friends Cavalcade
Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade
A Goofy Cavalcade
Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure
The “Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure” cavalcade is an adorable way to still see our favorite pixie as she makes her way around the Magic Kingdom. We managed to see her as she was heading into Frontierland.
Tinker Bell rides high atop a treasure chest in this spontaneous character experience.
This is such a nice way to still include characters in the park while still spreading Disney magic. To watch the entire “Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure” cavalcade, check out the video below from wdwnt.com!
During the initial Disney Park Pass system launch, some Annual Passholders reported not being able to make any additional theme park reservations outside of the ones they were able to make tied to their resort booking. Now, Disney has updated verbiage on the site to indicate that Annual Passholders can make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time and for their length of stay if staying at a Disney Resort or other select hotel.
UPDATED – Annual Passholders staying at select Disney Resort or other select hotels with valid theme park admission are eligible to make theme park reservationsfor each day of their stay(s), and now in addition, all Annual Passholders are eligible to make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time on a rolling basis. Once you use a theme park reservation, you can make another reservation for a future date.
It seems Annual Passholders are no longer limited to either 3 Disney Park Pass reservations or a set number of reservations allotted through a resort booking.
If you’re an Annual Passholder, make sure you go in and book your extra reservations!
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.
We are so close to the reopening of Walt Disney World after a nearly four-month closure. Disney has shared with us information on what we can expect to see and interact with characters when the parks reopen this week.
1 – New Character Magic
Part of the magic of a Walt Disney World Resort theme park visit is seeing beloved Disney characters. With traditional parades and character greetings on hiatus to promote physical distancing among guests, theme park character experiences have been reimagined in new and different ways. From cavalcades down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom Park to sailings down Discovery River at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and much more, characters from dozens of favorite Disney stories will surprise and delight guests across all four theme parks. These are just some of the reimagined experiences guests will discover as the theme parks begin their phased reopening.
2 – Magic Kingdom (reopening July 11)
“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.
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.
Goofy Cavalcade – Goofy will star in “A Goofy Cavalcade!” when Magic Kingdom Park reopens July 11, 2020, at Walt Disney World Resort.
3 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom (reopening July 11)
“Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!” – Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Launchpad McQuack wave to guests from their party boat as “Donald’s Dino Bash!” moves from DinoLand U.S.A. to Discovery River.
“Discovery River Character Cruise” – Throughout the day, guests can see Timon and Rafiki or Pocahontas with Meeko, who will set sail on the parks’ waterways.
Discovery Island Drummers – These high-energy percussionists cruise along Discovery River, entertaining guests on the shore with an energetic beat.
4 – EPCOT (reopening July 15)
“Mickey and Friends World Tour” – As guests travel around World Showcase, they may come upon Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto and Goofy all out sightseeing and waving to their friends.
“Frozen Promenade” – Queen Anna and Elsa venture into the unknown around World Showcase, journeying from country to country and waving hello to guests along the way.
5 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios (reopening July 15)
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – While living their own adventures in a galaxy far, far away, guests are likely to come across some familiar faces as they explore Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu:
Heroes of the Resistance, including Rey, Chewbacca and Vi Moradi, may be spotted on platforms above the garage in Black Spire Station or surveying activity around the spaceport where the Millennium Falcon has landed.
A contingent of First Order Stormtroopers join Kylo Ren in patrolling the landing platform at Docking Bay 9 beneath their TIE Echelon assault vehicle.
“Pixar Pals Motorcade” – Some of the biggest stars from Pixar Animation Studios’ films arrive on Hollywood Boulevard, from The Incredibles to Toy Story pals and more. They’ll wave to their fans as they head down the avenue accompanied by a celebratory musical score.
“Disney Junior Stars Motorcade” – Throughout the day, Disney Junior stars including Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins and Vampirina will cruise down Hollywood Boulevard waving to fans from colorful custom convertibles.
