With data showing some decline to the health crisis in Florida, the Governor is looking to local professionals for a plan to reopen the state.
Cinderella Castle
The Re-Open Florida Task Force has been discussing guidelines to present to the Governor for the reopening of the state. Recently, they sent in their recommendations as a three-phased plan. Each phase in the Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery opens different industries a little more over time, and the document specifically addresses the opening of theme parks like Disney World.
Keep in mind, this report has been submitted as guidelines — that doesn’t mean that the Governor will institute them or that they will be mandatory.
Epcot Monorail
As we mentioned, the plan is three phases, and to move on to the next phase the state has to show a continued decline in the health crisis. Benchmarks include syndromic surveillance, epidemiology & outbreak decline, and health care capability. Success in these measures means that the next phase can begin.
Florida is currently in “Phase 0” meaning that large sporting events and theme parks are currently operating under restricted business measures or (like Disney) have been closed.
Phase 1
Phase 1 of the plan would maintain caution against travel along with limitations on social gatherings. For theme parks specifically, the plan details that they “will remain closed.”
Tower of Terror
It is possible that outside-of-park restaurants, like those in Disney Springs, could open during this phase with operation at no more than 50% capacity along with distancing measures such as keeping parties separated by at least six feet. This phase also details that recreational businesses like movie theaters, concert halls, and bowling alleys could reopen with limited capacity and strict safety protocols.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is marked by the suggestion that individuals may resume non-essential travel while limitations remain for social gatherings and vulnerable populations. This is also the phase where theme parks may consider reopening with capacity limits, strict distancing, and proper cleanliness measures.
Walt Disney World’s Epcot
If these guidelines are used, Disney World could potentially have the option of opening at this time. Also included would be the reopening of bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Restaurants and recreational businesses would be able to return to 75% capacity.
Phase 3
The final phase of reopening offers fewer guidelines for social gatherings and populations. The plan says “Theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing protocols.”
Though there are new safety guidelines suggested, Phase 3 also allows bars, pubs, and nightclubs, restaurants, and recreational businesses to reopen fully with limited distancing protocols. Beyond that, it will be up to individual businesses how they would like to manage new protocols and procedures.
Disney Springs
You can read the full three-phase plan here. We will report in as soon as we have the official guidelines from the governor and dates for the reopening of the state. As of now, it looks like Florida will potentially move to a Phase 1 on May 4th.
It is important to note that, while the Re-Open Florida Task Force has members that represent Walt Disney World, there has been no official word from Disney on their future reopening procedures. And while these recommendations were outlined in a report to the governor, they do not represent the official guidelines of the Orlando theme parks.
Click here to learn more about specific guidelines for the reopening of Florida theme parks.
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What do you think about the phased reopening of Florida? Tell us in the comments.
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The governor specifically said yesterday that he didn’t want to open movie theaters yet. Has that opinion changed today?
Getting the sense that Disney is setting a very calculated and cautious timeline, not rushing things. That’s good to see.
What will this mean for tourists from Europe.
I booked a 4 week vacation tot Florida that includes 2 week in WDW.
We do not no what to do.
What is your advice
Is it better to change our vacation plans to next year.
@thomas
I’m not giving advice, but if states aren’t opening to travel within the United States, you probably should look the limitations on international travel. If you can’t fly into the United States, it doesn’t matter if Disney World is open or not. I’m from NY, I can only go to Florida IF I quarantine in place for 14 days. That’s not going to help me for a vacation trip.
Also, you should look at your financial commitment. Right now, will you get all of your money back? Can you postpone flights for a year, etc.? I don’t know if I would depend on just looking at Walt Disney World & Florida.
Also, if the phases limit entrance to parks or hotels, who will win that lottery?
I have a trip in 19 weeks, I’m not sure we’ll be able to go. Not because we physically can’t ourselves, but the big picture has a lot of limitations for an American. I feel really badly for you & your family. Especially if this may be DVC related.
Let’s go already. Open up the economy. People need to work. Enough is enough. It’s easy for politicians and celebrities to say, “Everyone needs to stay at home.” Yeah, we don’t have your money and your multiple houses to fall back on. For states that have high outbreaks, such as Massachusetts, NY, NJ, etc. yes, of course, be more cautious, but for the majority of states, let’s go already!
Thank you so much for your updates. We really enjoy them.
I read that once the parks open back up ( Epcot is our favorite ), that Disney is going to request that folks over 65 not visit.
Well, we have been Annual Pass Holders for years, and I’ll never see 70 again.
I’m physically able to get around the parks, without any assistance. We’ll make a couple of trips around Epcot, especially during the Food and Wine Festivals.
My wife, and I are from St Petersburg FL, our daughter and son-in-law, and adult granddaughter and her boyfriend, who are from Ocala FL, celebrate birthdays , anniversaries , Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas at WDW. ( and any other observance we can come up with).
We are very sad we can’t be there for the Mother’s Day Character Brunch, this year.
We thoroughly enjoyed the brunch at the Swann last year with Chip and Dale.
I previously inquired about our Passholder magnets, we always collect at the Flower and Garden Festival, and I was informed that a decision on how the magnets would be distributed this year, has not been determined.
We have a collection of magnets, cutting boards, coasters, and popcorn buckets, etc.
So I certainly hope that Walt, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and the rest of those Magical Characters , don’t think for one minute that they can keep this young 65+ passholder away.
We miss WDW so much.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
Tom and Cathy
Ryan, movie theaters are NOT opening. There is a lot of incorrect information in here. If people want to know what is going on in Florida then they need to Google “Florida Governor DeSantis plan”. Get it straight from the source. Not DFB.
Many of us think it’s way too early for all these openings. If you want to risk your health, go for it! And please do not tell me they are going to be disinfecting everything…..that is impossible….they can’t keep up with that once they open, no matter what capacity. People just constantly touch things. No thank you. People will see when the numbers start to go up again. Remember, it’s the politicians, corporate reps, millionaires and billionaires pushing to open things up…NOT the doctors and experts. Get it?
@jackie
First is that everyone stays save where in the world they life. This is something that hits everyone in the world.
And a trip like this can be done a year later.
We can get back our money from our airline.
And I going to call Disney next week.
And I pray for all of you there in America . Stay safe
There were press reports going around the during the opening of the parks, that a phase in of who would be allowed in the parks would also happen, with Florida residents only allowed in the second phase followed by national and International guests in the third phase. Anyone else hearing the same thing?
Everyone please do yourselves a favor. Social distance, and stay home until the orders are lifted. More importantly, don’t disinfect every surface in your home unless you are caring for someone with COVID or the flu.
Our immune systems need to stay strong. Get out side and garden, Play in the dirt, hug your family as long as they don’t work with COVID patients. A lot of what we’ve been told to do will seriously compromise our immunity to the everyday bugs we’ve developed antibodies to. Stay away from sick folks, but don’t go overboard with Cloroxing everything.
Lastly, don’t fear getting on a flight. Those planes have never been cleaner, and all have better air than your home or office due to the HEPA filters. Think O.R. filtered air.
Who cares how Disney tries to open.. NO one should be going there until next year! I worked for Disney for 11 years, and can tell you there are TOO MANY PLACES for kids and adults to touch! It will be impossible to keep it all disinfected! But if you want to go, go for it…you could become one of the statistics! Floridians won’t go, that’s for sure! WE know better!
Hi I’m booked up for middle of September only really going to to do animal kingdom .
Will Florida be in phase 3 by then .( I hope so ) UK should be almost back to a new normal .
All airports should do screening and testing and testing should be free
Yes he did say that however this happened yesterday here.https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/pinellas-county-movie-theaters-reopening-florida-phase-one/67-ff632317-15fa-48a5-80d3-79524997df9f
Hello, we are annual pass holders, and I’ve asked several times prior to today, 05/24/2020, what is WDW going to do about our Flower And Garden magnets ?
Since the festival is closed now, and as of June 1st, is officially ended, what is WDW doing with our magnets ?
WDW has sent magnets to us in the mail in the past, why not now ?
My wife and I would like our Donald Duck (2) and Orange Bird (2) magnets .
Since we can’t come and get them ( we live in St Petersburg FL. ), why not send them to us ?
Harold, I believe they planned to send them in the mail, but I have no additional update. We will post if we get an update.
The task force is meeting this week regarding Disney opening. I would guess they would open in June with limited capacity just like Universal. Universal opens first with pass holders and some invited guests and then 2 days later to the public. I went to Disney Springs on the 20th and although not much was opened on the first day I had a wonderful lunch. Much more of it opened on the 27th. They set up temperature readings right in the parking lot and we wore masks. Vacation rentals are ongoing but each one has to be approved by the Governor. Currently they are not allowing rentals from New York, New Jersey or any hotspots. They still have the self quarantine however I am not sure how they monitor it. I am pretty sure we will be hearing something this week.