It’s a whole new world in Disney Springs now that some of the shops and restaurants have started to reopen!

With temperature checks, physical distancing, face masks, and more; we’re getting a LOT of questions about how to navigate the newly reopened Disney Springs. Well, you know us. If you’ve got questions — we’ve got ANSWERS! That’s why we’re taking a look at some of the frequently asked questions that we’re getting from our readers so that you have a FULL understanding of what it’s like to spend a day in Disney Springs!

So, without further ado, let’s get to those FAQs!

Where can I park?

Disney Springs is now operating on a reduced schedule. As of right now, hours of operation are 10AM to 10PM. Yesterday, the Orange parking garage was the first to open around 8:30AM. The Green parking garage was only to be used after the Orange garage filled up. These are the only two areas where guests are currently permitted to park at Disney Springs.

There weren’t Cast Members around directing people where to park, but there were some Cast Members on mics welcoming guests back when we arrived and guiding folks to the temperature screening area.

Learn more about Disney Springs’ new reduced hours here

What time should I arrive?

After figuring out which parking garage was open, we arrived shortly after 8:30AM yesterday. Our wait time getting through the temperature screening was minimal (since very few people were around). The screening process was super fast and efficient (which we’ll touch on more in a sec), while the line to pass through the checkpoint had social distancing markers indicating where guests should stand before they were called forward.

Keep in mind we arrived VERY early — before many of the businesses at Disney Springs were open. While some stores and places to grab a coffee such as Starbucks and Joffrey’s opened at 10AM, several shops and restaurants didn’t open until 11AM.

If you’re planning on visiting one of Disney Springs’ third-party businesses, check its website for their most current hours (which might not be the same as Disney Springs’ hours). You may not want to wait around as long as we did although we saw many folks waiting in line (while social distancing) for stores and restaurants to reopen.

What’s the capacity like and how is Disney Springs’ limiting it?

In addition to reducing its hours, Disney Springs is limiting its capacity.

Once the designated parking garages (Lime and Orange) are full, guests are not allowed to park and enter Disney Springs. This includes those with dining reservations.

Where is Disney Springs conducting its temperature screenings?

Checkpoints are located in four areas: inside the Orange and Lime parking garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard pedestrian bridge, and at the Rideshare drop-off location. 

What if the parking garages are full and I have a dining reservation?

Once Disney Springs’ parking garages are full, that’s it. Even if you have booked a dining reservation, you won’t be allowed in until a space opens in the lot.

But luckily if a guest is unable to make their reservation because Disney Springs is closed due to capacity, we DID find out the dining guarantee charge will be waived.

Are temperature screenings mandatory?

All of Disney Springs’ new safety guidelines and procedures including temperature screenings and wearing face masks at all times are mandatory. If you don’t want to have your temperature taken or wear a face mask, you won’t be allowed to enter.

All guests and Cast Members, including vendors and construction workers, must follow these new safety measures for the duration of their stay.

Click here to familiarize yourself with all of Disney Springs’ new safety measures and procedures!

What is the temperature cut-off at Disney Springs?

To be allowed inside Disney Springs, your temperature needs to be under 100.4 F.

Does Florida’s heat affect temperature readings?

Disney knows many guests might have concerns about Florida’s heat impacting temperature screenings. That’s why professional healthcare workers from AdventHealth who are trained in using touchless thermometers are conducting the screenings.

If someone’s temperature is over 100.4 F, they’re taken off to the side and given the chance to “cool down” in a tented area before they are rescreened. If they still have a temperature over 100.4F or higher, they will not be allowed into Disney Springs and their party is not allowed entry either.

Click here to learn more about Disney Springs’ temperature screenings — including IF they’re accurate AND the science behind them!

Is Disney providing face masks for guests?

If you accidentally forget your face mask at home, Disney MIGHT be able to help you out but don’t count on it. They told us they did have an extremely limited supply of face masks, but that guests ARE responsible for having their own face masks.

If you don’t bring your own mask, you might not be allowed inside. Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear a face mask, but everyone else is.

See PHOTOS of what Disney Springs’ new shopping experience looks like here!

Are there masks available to purchase?

As only a few third-party retailers have reopened at Disney Springs, we found only one store that was selling face masks yesterday.

Vera Bradley is selling cotton face masks (the elastic kind) which cost $8 each. We’ll keep on eye out for face masks at other Disney Springs stores, especially Disney-owned locations such as World of Disney when those locations start to reopen May 27th.

Read more about the face masks being sold at Vera Bradley here!

Do I still need to wear a mask outside?

Guests and workers must wear face masks at all times, both indoors and outdoors. 

There are a few exceptions, though. When you’re seated in a restaurant, you can remove your mask because tables have been socially distanced. IF you get up to leave or use the restroom though, you’ll be expected to recover with a mask.

Click here to learn what our experience with wearing a face mask in Disney Springs was like!

What about walking around with coffee or a snack?

So, if face masks are required, how do you walk around sippin’ or snackin’? This question has definitely been on our mind since we found out that grab and go places like Sunshine Churros and Joffrey’s Coffee would be opening.

After speaking with a couple of Cast Members yesterday, we were told if you’re holding a snack or a drink, you’re permitted to lower your mask to take a bite or a drink, then recover as long as you keep practicing social distancing. If you’re not eating or drinking, Cast Members will advise you to put your mask back on.

See PHOTOS of what it’s like to dine in a recently reopened Disney Springs here!

Can you pull your mask down for pictures?

Based on our understanding of the guidelines issued by Disney Springs, removing your mask for any reason other than eating or drinking isn’t advisable.

How is Disney enforcing mandatory masks after guests have entered Disney Springs?

Face masks are required for all Cast Members and guests during their entire visit, and because everyone over the age of three is wearing one, it’s pretty noticeable when someone isn’t.

Walking around Disney Springs yesterday, we saw several types of Cast Members were monitoring the crowds ensuring guests were being safe. This included the AventHealth care specialists who took our temperatures, as well as Disney security officers, custodial workers, and the team of new health and safety ambassadors we recently learned about called “greeters.”

Click here to learn about when you do and do not have to wear a face mask at Disney!

What are the accommodations if you have a disability or health condition that prevents you from wearing a mask?

Children under the age of three aren’t required to wear one, but everyone else is. When we asked, we were told there are no exceptions to this requirement.

Is World of Disney open?

Since World of Disney is owned by Disney, it is not open yet. Only third-party shops and restaurants have begun to reopen. For the complete list of retailers that have reopened in Disney Springs, click here. For reopened Disney Springs restaurants, click here.

World of Disney and other Disney-operated businesses are expected to reopen May 27th while the rest of Disney World’s theme parks and hotels will remain closed until further notice.

Can you still handle products/ try on clothes?

As we checked out some of the stores yesterday, we noticed many of the newly reopened businesses were still allowing guests to touch their products. A sign at Arribas Bros. asked guests to limit their handling of merchandise and stated more items were available behind the counter.

Basin was allowing guests to test its bath and body products using its in-store sinks while Uniqlo was allowing guests to try on clothing in every-other fitting room, to maintain distance requirements.

See more of our shopping experience in Disney Springs here!

Are the ferries running?

For now, it appears the ferryboats are not operating in Disney Springs.

And although The Boathouse had originally announced they would resume giving rides in their vintage Amphicars, we haven’t seen any of them sailing around quite yet either.

What surprised us the most about the reopening?

Having attended the partial reopening of Universal Studios’ CityWalk last week, we pretty much knew what to expect in terms of going through temperature screenings, having to wear face masks all day, and what a dining experience inside a restaurant would look like. Disney Springs made all of these procedures seem as normal as possible while ensuring guests and Cast Members were acting responsibly.

We were really curious about what the reopening was like from a cast member’s perspective, which you can read more about here. All in all, we were glad to hear so many of them felt comfortable and happy to be back at work! We did hear from a few Cast Members that their biggest question of the day was less about the new procedures and actually why World of Disney was still closed!

How will pin trading work?

We spoke with a Guest Relations Cast Member and confirmed that there is no pin trading at Guest Relations, or any other location around Disney Springs at the moment. However we were told that there should be some form of pin trading (likely using boards) when the Disney-owned stores reopen, possibly near the Marketplace Co-Op area.

The Disney-owned stores are scheduled to reopen starting on May 27th, so we’ll be sure to check then and report back!

Click here to see which Disney-owned stores will be open on May 27th!

Is there live music in Disney Springs?

There is not currently any live music or entertainment available in Disney Springs.

The Cast Member we spoke with also said they haven’t yet been told if or when live entertainment will resume.

Click here to see what the Disney Springs crowds were like a few days after reopening

Is Homecomin’ still offering brunch?

While select third-party restaurants did begin reopening on May 20th, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ has not yet reopened. Even though it’s still closed, we did notice that the restaurant has started construction on a new outdoor patio bar called Homecomin’ Shine Bar and Social!

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for any reopening information for Homecomin’!

Click here to check out the new Shine Bar construction!

What is the protocol if one person in your party has an elevated temperature?

Guests with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or above will be directed to a tent with their entire party, where they may rest for a few minutes and then have a secondary screening. If the second screening still shows an elevated temperature the guest and their entire party will be asked to leave.

Do we have to replace our mask with a new one after eating or drinking?

Guests are allowed to remove their masks while dining, and are also permitted to temporarily pull down their mask to take a drink or a bite of food while walking around Disney Springs.

Guests are not required to use a new mask each time theirs is removed to eat or drink — they may continue to use the same mask.

Check out our 7 tips for wearing a face mask in Disney World!

How are the crowds?

In general, our team has experienced light crowds since Disney Springs has reopened. Although, we did notice that there were more people on Saturday, May 24th, which could be attributed to the weekend crowd, especially since it is a holiday weekend.

But, even the weekend crowd wasn’t too overwhelming, and we were still able to maintain distance from other guests. However, crowd levels may change after Disney-owned stores reopen May 27th.

Are people social distancing?

In our experience, yes, we have found other guests to be diligent about social distancing.

Plus, Disney has posted additional Cast Members throughout Disney Springs to help ensure social distancing protocols are being maintained and assist with any questions.

Click here to learn more about the health and safety Cast Members at Disney Springs

How strict is Disney on masks and temperatures?

Disney has been very firm about the required face coverings and temperature screenings. All guests aged three and older are required to wear a face covering and any guests without a proper covering will be turned away. Guests are required to keep their mask on at all times, except while eating or drinking, and we have seen a Cast Member address a guest who had removed their mask and require them to put it back on.

On a similar note, temperature checks are required for all guests before they may enter. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees and above is allowed to attempt a second screening, but if their temperature is elevated again, they will be asked to leave, along with their entire party, without exception.

We will continue updating this post, so if you have any BIG questions we haven’t answered, reach out to us on social or in the comments below! 

Have any questions we missed? Ask them in the comments!