Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 6 months, I’m sure you have heard the news that we are in the middle of global pandemic. At the time of writing this (4th July 2020), the USA is the epicentre of it all. This is a slight issue, given the fact that the place we want to go more than anywhere in the world just happens to be there. However, hope is on the horizon folks.
As I’m sure you all know, Walt Disney World has announced that Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom are due to open on 11th July. Epcot & Hollywood Studios will follow on 15th July, with passholder previews taking place on the 9th and 10th of July. While it is still unknown when international visitors like ourselves will be allowed back into the country, it hasn’t stopped many of us continuing to plan our trips. We have spent many hours on the dreaded reservation system to secure a place! While we are thrilled about the parks finally opening, it will not be without strict measures put into place to ensure the safety of both guests and Cast Members.
Character meet & greets
One of the most memorable parts of any Disney vacation is meeting your favourite characters. However, character meet and greets as we know them will not be happening at Walt Disney World. Disney have confirmed that characters will be out throughout the park, but they will be kept socially distant to guests. You may be able to get a cheeky socially distanced selfie but that’s about it! Most character dining meals have also been suspended. However Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort will continue to do their character breakfast. Although the characters will not come over to your table and interact as they normally would, it still gives you the chance to see some of your favourites.
PPE & screenings
Another issue for many is the fact that face coverings are a MUST at all times for guests aged 2 and above. In the Florida heat this could get very uncomfortable, but it’s a rule that is important for the safety of everyone. It will be enforced by Cast Members and any refusal could result in being ejected from the park. Disney are providing ‘rest zones’ where you are able to take your mask off and relax. Guests are also permitted to remove masks whilst eating or drinking. Upon entering the parks each guest will also have to comply with a temperature screening where a CM will take your temperature to ensure it is under 100.4 degrees. Anything over this and you will have to be retested or asked to leave.
Park hopping
This is probably the change that we’re most disappointed about. Disney has announced that park hopping will not be available when they reopen. At the moment it’s unknown how long they plan to have this restriction in place. With the current reservation system in place guests must book which park they’d like to visit on any given day. They are then only allowed to enter that park. Like many others, we love to hit a park early then go back to the room & relax for a couple of hours before heading to another park for the evening. Or spend most of the day in Magic Kingdom then pop over to Epcot for some dinner in World Showcase. So this new change will take a bit of getting used to!
Opening hours
Extra magic hours for onsite guests have been cancelled, and the park hours have been changed. The hours are as follows:
Animal Kingdom: 8am – 6pm Magic Kingdom: 9am – 7pm Hollywood Studios: 10am – 8pm Epcot: 11am-9pm
As you can see, the new hours are staggered. Each park opens and closes at a different time. Presumably this is to assist with getting resort guests back to their hotel. Capacity on resort buses will be greatly reduced, so this will allow Disney send a large number of buses to each park at closing. Although this change does make sense, it’s a little disappointing now that park hopping isn’t allowed. If you don’t want to hang out at your resort during the evening the only real option is Disney Springs.
Temporarily suspended & cancelled events
A big disappointment for most, the night-time spectaculars will NOT be going ahead and are paused indefinitely. Disney have been quoted on their website saying “any experiences that draw large crowds and gatherings will be temporarily suspended and will return at a later date”. We are yet to have any indication when these shows may return. This is also bad news for fans of the after hours events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party which has now officially been cancelled.
It has not yet been decided whether events near the end of the year such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will go ahead, although this looks unlikely. Fireworks, parades and character meets are what makes these events worthwhile. While these cannot happen it doesn’t make sense for the event to take place. Shows such as Festival of the Lion King are also not scheduled to be happening during the initial opening.
So these are the biggest changes you will see if you’re lucky enough to be visiting the parks in the near future. As we mentioned in a previous blog, if this is your once in a lifetime trip to Disney our advice would be not to go. Wait until the magic is 100% back. Because a lot of what makes the parks so amazing has unfortunately been suspended. If you’re Disney veterans and can get on board with the changes then go for it. Take advantage of the capacity cap and the low crowds that will come with it. It will probably be the only time in our lifetime to experience Disney in such a way!
Will you be going as soon as you can, or will you give it a little while until normality resumes? Let us know!
See you real soon
Josh & Becky
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