Disney World is bringing back the magic!
Walt Disney World in Orlando plans to reopen beginning July 11 according to a proposal presented to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force on Wednesday.
The theme park shared a detailed plan for how they will reopen the park safely amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings will have to sign off on the plans before they can be approved by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks will open on July 11. Epcot and Hollywood Studios will open July 15. The process will begin with soft opening preview days. This will "allow us to launch, learn and adjust along the way," according to Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations.
Guests will have temperature checks upon arrival and are encouraged to do health checks at home beforehand. Visitors and cast members will wear face coverings. The use of the parks' existing digital "magic" wristbands will facilitate mobile food rather than face to face interactions wherever possible and payments will be cashless. They will also be "increasing our use of plexiglass barriers," where close contact is necessary, according to MacPhee. Cast members will be trained in the new protocols before opening day.
The things that will be missing from the Disney World experience may be the toughest for fans to swallow: No parades, no fireworks, no character meet-and-greets.
Anything that tends to attract a tightly packed crowd is off the table for now. Play areas for younger kids will also be closed for the time being.
Despite the many changes, MacPhee said on Wednesday, “Cast members will work with guests to make the experience as real, and as magical, as possible.”
There's also a plan in place for making sure the new rules are enforced — in a friendly way.
Disney is training a "social distance squad," a group of highly energetic cast members who will educate and encourage guests to stay the recommended six feet apart. The tactic is already in practice at Disney Springs, the shopping and dining destination in Orlando, which began a phased reopening May 20, and where MacPhee says the squad has "been a hit." Signs that read "help us protect the magic" will also be placed throughout the parks.
“We hope everyone will do their part to bring the magic of Disney World back into this new environment," said MacPhee.