This news story is breaking, and will be updated as new details are released.
UPDATE 5/29/20 3:17PM – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has announced that he has received word that Walt Disney World’s proposed reopening plan has been approved by the state. Plans will proceed regarding the reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11th, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on July 15th.
Source: Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings
_______________________
UPDATE 5/27/20 7:12PM – As per the Walt Disney World website, the hours for Magic Kingdom once it reopens on July 11th will be 9am-7pm, and the hours for Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be 8am-6pm. Once reopened on July 15th, the hours for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be 10am-8pm, and Epcot is scheduled to be open 11am-9pm during the second half of July. On August 1st, Epcot’s posted hours become 9am-9pm.
_______________________
UPDATE 5/27/20 2:41PM – Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has approved Walt Disney World’s proposed reopening plan. The proposal will now go to Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval.
Mayor Demings’ letter to the governor is below.
_______________________
UPDATE 5/27/20 12:25PM – Disney Parks Blog has announced that sales of new park tickets are being paused for the time being so that the needs of guests with existing reservations and tickets can be addressed. At this time, Disney Vacation Club members can continue making new reservations.
Guests with existing tickets, as well as Annual Passholders, will be allowed to make reservation requests in a phased manner before the sale of new tickets is allowed. Disney will be communicating with passholders and those with existing tickets in the days ahead. New ticket sales and new resort reservations will be reopened after that time.
DVC resorts will reopen to members and their guests, as well as Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, will start reopening on June 22nd. Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Resort will also open to members and guests beginning June 15th.
Guests will be required to wear face coverings both in theme parks and in the resort common areas.
__________________________
Jim McPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, formally presented Walt Disney World’s reopening proposal during this morning’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting.
According to the proposal, Walt Disney World would begin a phased reopening for parks beginning July 11th. Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will open on July 11th, and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will open on July 15th.
As detailed in today’s reopening proposal, Walt Disney World will be implementing new safety and measures. As per the proposal, guests will now be required to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing throughout the parks (including in attraction queues), and will be temperature screened before entering the parks. Park capacity will be limited, as will capacity on the various modes of Disney transportation, and in restaurants and shops.
McPhee mentioned that guests will also need to reserve their days at the park. More information regarding the reservation system will be forthcoming.
Walt Disney World restaurants will offer guests increased mobile ordering options. Merchandise locations will feature plexiglass dividers at points of sale, as will food locations. A cashless environment will be encouraged.
Character meet and greet locations, playgrounds, makeovers, parades, and fireworks will temporarily be suspended.
The reopening proposal was approved by the Task Force. The plan will now be reviewed by Orange County Mayor, Jerry Demings. If approved by Mayor Demings, the proposal will be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for his vote.
For additional information regarding the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, be sure to visit our Reopening Information and Updates.
Let Dreams Unlimited Travel help you plan the Walt Disney World vacation of your dreams, at no additional cost to you!
Click here to request your no-obligation quote today.
Watch the stream of the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force meeting below:
Image source: Orange County
Deni loves all things Disney, and, in 2013, moved to the Magic from Maryland. Walt Disney World is her happy place, and she loves getting to share it with others. Deni and her husband of almost 26 years have 2 grown children. Her favorite WDW snack? A Mickey Bar, of course. Is there any other?!
