The Reopening of Walt Disney World: What To Expect & What Has Changed

While Disneyland Shanghai was the first Disney property to close due to the pandemic and the first to reopen, Walt Disney World in Orlando was the company’s first property to reopen in the U.S., back in July 2020.

Prior to reopening, Disney sent an email to Annual Passholders saying, “Soon it’ll be time to return to the enchantment. To laugh. To wish. To dream. To once again sing along with a small world. Journey to a galaxy far, far away. Conquer Everest. And sail through a Frozen land.”

Any Disney fan would get excited to read those words after seeing “The Most Magical Place On Earth” be closed for an unprecedented 118 days. But, travelers beware, there will be some major changes to your next trip to Disney if you are planning on going any time soon.

What Has Changed at Walt Disney World

Now that vaccines are widely available, Walt Disney World has relaxed some protocols (like the 6-foot social distancing rule) to make the park experience more comfortable. Here is what Disney has changed regarding the health and safety protocols for parks:

Health & Safety Protocols

For Walt Disney World to get approval to reopen its parks, the company was required to present a reopening safety plan to the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, then get approval from Orlando Mayor Jerry Demings, and then final approval from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Disney broke up its Health and Safety Protocols into 5 different sections:

Enhanced Protective Measures

As of February 17, 2021, face coverings will be optional for vaccinated guests in both indoor and outdoor locations. Guests who are not vaccinated are still expected to wear a face mask in indoor locations.

Masks are still required for all guests on enclosed Disney transportation including the Disney Skyliner, monorails, and buses. 

Disney classifies a face covering as something that:

• Fully covers an individual’s nose and mouth while allowing the guest to remain hands-free
• Fits snugly, but comfortably, against the side of the face
• Should be secured with ties or ear loops
• Should be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

Note: Neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas will not be accepted as face coverings. 

Unvaccinated guests may remove face coverings while actively eating or drinking indoors, as long as they are stationary and respecting social distancing.

Parks now have more hand washing and sanitizing stations with reminders in strategic locations throughout.

Retail and food and beverage points of sale have plexiglass shields when distancing cannot be maintained.

Hot Tip: Keep in mind that the regular rules for masks and costumes still apply, so adults will not be able to use character masks (like Darth Vader, for example) as a face covering. 

Physical Distancing

To help maintain physical distancing, there is still a capacity limit (beyond the previous 35% self-imposed limit) in the theme parks, restaurants, retail shops, attractions, buses, monorails, and other official transportation options.

Enhanced Cleaning/Sanitation

On top of Disney’s already high standards, parks now receive more frequent cleaning across high-touch locations and surfaces.

This is applied both inside the park as well as backstage for cast members.

Temperature/Health Screening

As of May 17, 2021, temperature screenings are no longer required for guests to enter the parks.

Limited-Contact Enhancements

Disney is prioritizing the use of contactless payments with MagicBands, Apple Pay, and Google Pay by enabling cashless transactions at restaurants and retail stores.

Note: Guests staying at a Disney Resort will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands with their stay.

Finally, there is a temporary suspension of high-touch experiences such as meet-and-greets and playgrounds.

Bottom Line: There are many components that need to operate smoothly for everyone to enjoy the park safely. Disney has a special group of cast members throughout the parks to explain the new procedures, answer guest questions, and encourage everyone to follow these measures.

Reopening Dates

On July 11, 2020, Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom began a phased reopening followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15, 2020.

Currently, there is no reopening date set for the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Disney Springs began a phased reopening on May 20, 2020. Currently, almost all restaurants and retail shops are open with limitations in place. For complete details about what to expect, visit the Disney Springs website.

There was no Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2020, however, guests were able to enjoy seasonal decorations and holiday-themed characters throughout the parks.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reopened on March 7, 2021.

New Reservation System

To adhere to the physical distancing rules that were presented above, park capacity is limited using the following methods:

Revised Park Reservations

Initially, in mid-2020, park capacity was controlled via a new reservation system. To enter a park, guests needed both a park reservation and a valid ticket for the same park on the same date. This was limited to 1 park per day until January 1, 2021, when the Park Hopper option returned. If you had a multi-day ticket, you needed to make multiple reservations.

Previously, guests only needed to show up at the gate with a valid ticket, no reservation required. Now guests will need to first arrive by 2 p.m. at the park where the original reservation was made, and then only move to the next park if there is availability.

Advance Ticket Sales

Select dates are available for purchase. Just be sure to view theme park reservation availability online to make sure that the dates you want to visit are available.

New Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Reservations

New reservations at Walt Disney World Resort hotels are now available.

For a complete list of resort hotels that are currently open, click here.

Dining Reservations

Dining and experience reservations have reopened in limited numbers and the reservation window will go down from 180 days to 60 days in advance.

Guests that have had their reservations canceled will have priority access to rebooking them when the time comes.

Character dining had slowly been reopening with reservation windows opening up 60 days in advance and walk-ups being available at certain locations.

Guests are able to see characters from a distance and be able to take selfies from their seats, but characters will not be visiting individual tables.

For more information about character dining and reservations, click here.

If you will be dining at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will need:

• A confirmed room reservation
• A confirmed dining reservation (if you are not a hotel guest)
• Face coverings for all guests above the age of 2 in all public areas, except while seated for dining

FastPass+ and Experiences

Disney has temporarily suspended FastPass+ and canceled existing FastPass+ reservations to manage capacity and maintain physical distancing.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is using its virtual queue and boarding groups in a limited capacity. Guests have the opportunity to join the queue at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 4 p.m., so no need to arrive at the park early to check-in.

This means that those of us who are over-planners and love a good touring plan will be starting from scratch.

And as mentioned before, there are no Extra Magic Hours, fireworks, character meets, parades, and other events that create large crowds.

Extra Magic Hours are not expected to return as they have been replaced with Early Theme Park Entry for Disney Resort hotel guests.

Hot Tip: Check out the new Disney Genie tool to help you plan your day at the parks.

Disney MagicMobile Service

Disney has introduced the Disney MagicMobile Service which will be an easy way to access MagicBand features via your iPhone, Apple Watch, and other smart devices.

Guests will be able to enter the parks and their hotel rooms, pay for food orders, retrieve PhotoPass photos, (eventually) use FastPass+, and more with their own device or a MagicBand, whichever they prefer.

Transportation

Disney’s Magical Express ended on January 1, 2022. 

Additionally, buses, monorails, and ferry boats are running on a limited basis, with physical distancing being enforced. Again, due to the limited amount of people allowed, delays may occur. The Disney Skyliner opened on July 15, 2020.

Minnie Vans are scheduled to return on June 29, 2022.

Finally, guests with disabilities can rest assured that the Disability Access Service (DAS) will continue to operate the same way it did before.

Hot Tip: If you decide to plan a trip, be sure to check out our recommended credit cards for Disney and Universal.

What to Expect at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Video Credit: Disney Parks via YouTube

Select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground began reopening on June 22, 2020.

The current list includes:

Disney Resort hotel guests have access to Early Theme Park Entry, which allows 30 minutes of early access to any theme park, any day.

Hot Tip: Wondering where to stay on your next trip to Disney? Be sure to read our article on the best places to stay in Orlando for your Disney vacation.

Reservations

Guests with existing reservations at a hotel that is not scheduled to be open can move their reservation to an open hotel at no extra cost, but they cannot choose the hotel.

At the Resort

The Disney health and safety team has looked for ways to keep you and your family safe while keeping the magic alive.

As of June 22, 2020, guests can chat with a resort cast member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during their stay. This will allow guests to resolve issues 24 hours per day, remotely, so there is no need to visit the front desk or stand in line.

Guests can expect to see more online check-in options, increased cleaning in high-traffic areas, more hand sanitizer locations across the property, and many more initiatives.

Leisure pools are open 24 hours per day, but with limited capacity to enforce physical distancing.

Fitness centers are open in alignment with state regulations and may have reduced hours and capacity. However, instructor-led fitness classes will not be available.

In the Room

Housekeeping cast members have received updated training and rooms will receive a thorough cleaning before check-in with a focus on high-touch areas like TV remotes and door handles.

Floors will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between guests and housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms.

During a guest stay, a light cleaning service will be offered every other day that will include trash removal and replenishment of towels and amenities.

Hot Tip: The coronavirus has changed the way we travel — be sure to read Traveling with Kids During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) to be prepared. 

What Will Not Be Available at Walt Disney World

Unfortunately, even though ticket and hotel prices will remain the same, many classic parts of the Disney hotel and park experience are not available, including the following:

For a complete list of impacted experiences, visit the Walt Disney World website.

What to Pack for Your Next Disney Vacation

Packing for Disney under normal circumstances is a daunting task.

Traveling and packing with the coronavirus very present, priorities shift towards safety and sanitation. We should all be familiar with the best ways to sanitize our airplane seats, hotel rooms, and luggage.

A standard travel list, nowadays, will probably look something like this:

Final Thoughts

While the reopening of Walt Disney World doesn’t mean that the threat of the coronavirus is gone, it is a sign that things are starting to come back to normal, well… a new normal.

For many Disney lovers, just stepping foot on Main Street, U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom will bring some much-needed joy that has been missing for so many these past few months.

It is also worth noting that Florida has now lifted all travel restrictions, so quarantine for certain out-of-state visitors is no longer required.

That being said, the classic, magical Disney experience is modified for now, but hopefully, someday soon, it will be back.

For now, we have a safer, socially distant version that will certainly scratch the itch for many Disney fans.

If you are one of the limited number of guests who will have access to the parks, have a safe and magical trip!