Perhaps you’ve head the BIG NEWS already… Disney has announced that Shanghai Disneyland will reopen on May 11th!
Shanghai Disneyland
Of course, in light of the global situation which has resulted in closures of Disney Parks around the globe (with all others remaining closed until further notice at this time), today’s announcement brings further questions regarding HOW the parks will operate upon reopening. And today, along with revealing some of the procedures which will be implemented at Shanghai Disneyland, Disney also shared a message addressing some of those questions.
Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer Dr. Pamela Hymel, by way of Disney Parks Blog, shared the following statement before diving into some of the possible measures the Disney Parks are exploring: “I’m fortunate to work with Disney’s extraordinarily talented team of health and safety experts who are some of the most experienced in the industry. Together, with our colleagues in operations, and local health and government authorities, we’re evaluating several new and enhanced safety measures to do our part towards helping us stay well while we work, stay, and play at a Disney resort and a Disney store.”
Entering Epcot
Dr. Pamela Hymel is working together with the US Travel Association on a “set of guidelines the travel industry may tailor to their individual businesses” to demonstrate the focus on traveler safety, and she also shares that Disney is currently exploring the plans the company is considering as they prepare for the reopening of the parks, resorts, and retail locations.
World of Disney
Here are some of those measures under consideration:
Phased Reopening
“Certain locations” may include a gradual and/or partial reopening.
The Edison Complex in Disney Springs
One provided example is the opening of retail and dining locations before the opening of theme parks.
Capacity Measures and Physical Distancing
Disney plans to implement physical distancing guidelines based on the guidance of health authorities including the CDC and appropriate government agencies. Dr. Hymel shared this will “likely include” implementing guest capacity measures in order to comply with state and federal guidelines.
@gourmetdyy
Ways to implement these guidelines may stem from current technology, including utilization of the Play Disney Parks App and virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Sanitation
A strategy is being put into place for an increase in cleaning and disinfecting. Currently, they are determining where these should be implemented (citing high-traffic areas as an example) and also which cleaning products and processes will be used.
Screening and Prevention Support
Guidance from the government and the medical community will also inform “enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures” including suggestions regarding PPE — which stands for personal protective equipment (like face masks).
Hand sanitizer station in Disney World
These will be in addition to items such as hand sanitizers and hand washing stations, which we have already seen added, for instance, in Walt Disney World.
Cast Training
New training and reinforcement will be provided for cast members as reopenings approach, with the goal of “further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety” among cast.
Cast Members in Front of Spaceship Earth
Dr. Hymel goes on to share that certain measures are already being implemented among cast with regards to “increasing the frequency of cleaning and disinfection in work areas, adjusting practices to promote physical distancing, and providing Cast with access to necessary PPE, including face coverings.”
Please note that Disney also states that the above are to serve as simply “a few examples of the many areas we are developing plans for,” noting that the company will provide further details as they are confirmed and begin implementation. (It’s also expressed that practices may evolve as the global situation continues to change.)
Dr. Hymel shares this message with readers, as well: “We’re looking forward to welcoming all of you back to our Disney parks, resorts and stores. Until we are together once again, we wish you and your families health, hope, and happiness.”
Mickey and Minnie
We are very much looking forward to the same! And we will certainly keep you posted right here as information regarding reopenings and the guest experience are revealed.
In the meantime, you may catch up on the current information regarding Disney Parks and destinations around the globe by visiting any of the links below.
More Disney Park Closure Details and Info
Click HERE for the All Latest Updates
Disney Parks Closure Extended “Until Further Notice.”
Should I Cancel My Disney World Vacation?
Disney’s Closure Timeline and What It Could Mean For Disney’s Reopening
Your Disney Trip Was Canceled -- Now What? DO'S and DON'TS to Cancel, Get Refunds, and Reschedule
Disney World and Disneyland Closure Questions Answered!
Are Disney World Restaurants Really Just Firing Everybody?! It’s Much More Complicated Than You Think
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What are your thoughts on the measures Disney is considering? Please let us know with a comment.
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I don’t know. This just doesn’t sound like a good time too me.. I suppose if you live near WDW you can hop on over and visit fir the day but for me, flying 3,000 miles for maybe 1 or 2 parks to be open and only getting half the experience and CM yelling at you to keep 6ft apart on one of their loud horns they like to use to yell at people.. not worth the money. I just hope things go back to somewhat normal by November when I’m thinking of going back instead if June.
What about all the germs on the finger print scanner?
I totally agree with Natasha. If I’m spending literally thousands of dollars, I want the whole magical experience that only Disney can do. I don’t want half the experience. I’d rather wait.
We are heading to Disney world in September, our April vacation was cancelled. We are staying at the Animal kingdom lodge. We have been saving for this trip for several years, just hope we get the whole Disney experience.
I feel if the opening is happening in June, let it be Dvc, passholder and those who live in Florida that would book to stay on resorts. If they live outside of Florida then reschedule them to be during the later phases of opening. Keep the fireworks even if the parades is closed.
There was discussion for the phased reopening of Florida residents only in the first phase followed by national residents in the second, then international visitors in the third phase. Capacity levels would be consideredaswell. That sounds reasonable.
I agree with January, 2021. IF they open soon, it will certainly be less than a magical experience, unless they seriously reduce their ticket prices they would never do.
I love Disney. But if you consider the science — and Walt certainly would — it isn’t possible to provide Disney magic and health and safety simultaneously, right now. Float the trial balloons at Disney Springs, which doesn’t charge admission, and where visitors are more likely to accept restrictions. Polish up the parks for a delayed opening.
I work in healthcare and having spent the last month wearing a mask, I can not imagine wearing one for 15 hours straight in 90 degree temperatures. I love Disney World but I’ll stay away until things settle down.
A gradual, safe opening with limits to # of admissions. Bring back the Disney College Programs kids to help with sanitizing and practicing new safety precautions with personal protection equipment.
I’m in an unusual situation, having broken my back the end of February, so I wouldn’t have been able to go to the parks during all the shutdown so far. Should be good to go by the end of May. But of course that’s when summer block out begins. Really looking forward to the first few months of below capacity opening and hoping block out days get adjusted. Pretty sure Disney will get it right, they usually do.
The big problem is how to fill the seats and still give the high level of Disney service that everyone expects. There are over 25,000 rooms on site at the World, and that will be a Herculean task to fill. Prices will have to drop because many Disney fans will put off a trip if prices rise. An all new reimagined World is needed to bring the fans back in the levels that they need to open everything back up like it was. If we think they are going to hire everyone back and fill the house with guests without any improvements as the drawing card, it may take 2 years for that to happen if travel ever comes back to the previous levels.
We go to Disney for the magic! I can wash my hands frequently and not rub against other folks but I’m afraid a face mask in Florida in July would ruin the magic for me. We’re scheduled for June 27, 2020. I hope the magic is preserved in all of this.
I visited Disney World in February 2020. They had too many people there then. Definetly need a new max cap. to be established. No discrimination. Please.
January 2021 seems like a good ideal. No masks. Magic for everyone. I was planning to go back in September. I’ll wait. I have a 6 day military pass but only used 2 days. I don’t believe they give refunds. I enjoyed Animal Kingdom. My prayers for Disney reopening and America and to everyone.
I agree. The experience isn’t going to be the same or satisfactory until it’s normal or new normal. Scheduled for the first week in July. FP window just opened up and nearly every big ticket attraction had none for the entire week. I’ve never had a problem before getting them 60 days out. Always began booking them as soon as the window opened, so that was frustrating and given the above, we are leaning toward canceling anyway. We are already thinking about 2021 though!
If Disney world is going to open before a vaccine, it should be on a first come basis, excluding passholders—only way it would be fair to everyone, limit park visitation numbers and not discriminate based on age or residence—also limiting it to passholders would allow primarily Floridians to enjoy park and limiting revenue to make park sustainable.
Phased Reopening equals a Phased Guest Experience!
People posting a SAFE Reopening are fooling themselves
How is being out in a Theme Park SAFE before a Distributed Vaccine ???
Why not open all the theme parks, etc.? Just book a limited amount in advance and save the other limit amount for how many can enter and exit. Then do the social distancing encouragement as CDC guidelines suggest. That would probably be easier for all visitors?
What about safety while using the Disney transportation?
Buses, monorail, boats…….how can distancing be accomplished, how often will the seats and hand rails be sanitized? I worry more about this issue than being in the parks.
My original trip to DW was in April and we rescheduled for mid June. I love Disney and whatever they offer in June I intend to accept. Disney does such a wonderful job of keeping their guests safe and their visit enjoyable that I have all the confidence in the decisions they will make. The resorts will return to normal prior to the pandemic and you can return then but for me I want to show my support. I really miss them and I want to welcome them back. I want the team members to return to their jobs, the hotels to open and all the restaurants ready to serve us. As my son so often says Disney is home away from home and anytime there’s a chance to go home you take it. Even if things have changed a little.
Probably a very unpopular idea, but how about limited-time tickets, like they have for Early Morning and After Hours? You buy tickets for one park for set number of hours, say 7 am to 2 pm and then you have to leave. The next batch would be from 3 pm to 10 pm. Limited number of people, time for restaurants to clean tables and chairs well. Less people means shorter queues.
You could park hop, but only if you buy tickets for the time slot. More expensive, but safer. Seven hours in one park is a lot of time, if you play your cards right.
We are DVC members and have passes and are scheduled for July and Dec . Hope thing are close to normal for Dec! NOT going in July and wearing a mask, just not going to happen. Will reschedule again if Disney cant get it right