Today we are covering Walt Disney World’s plans for reopening as presented today to Florida’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. The phased reopening is proposed to start with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT on July 15th.
Magic Kingdom Entrance
Proposed safety measures for the opening include limiting guest capacity in the theme parks with a new guest theme park reservation system among other protocols. The limited capacity in the park will help to accomplish physical distancing between guests, and Walt Disney World will also rely on its cast members to help implement these new measures.
Jim MacPhee, Senior Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, presented the plans to the Task Force, sharing the following: “Cast Members will be trained to positively encourage guests to practice the correct behaviors and demonstrate them themselves.”
Guest Relations Cast Member in Disney Springs
And one of the ways that will be accomplished is through something called Social Distancing Squads — a dedicated team of “highly energetic cast members” (also referred to as Safety Ambassadors) who will be present in every park.
Disney Springs Safety Ambassadors © Disney
The theme parks will not actually deliver the debut of the Social Distancing Squads to Walt Disney World. A Squad has been present in Disney Springs since its reopening, and Jim MacPhee shared that the team has been “a huge hit” with guests.
Disney Ambassadors in Disney Springs
Additionally, he stated: “As always, our exceptional cast members will engage with our guests to make the experience as real and as magical as possible.”Â
We will continue to keep you posted on these and other safety measures proposed for the reopening of Walt Disney World as this story continues to develop. To learn more about the current status of Disney parks and destinations around the globe, you can visit any of the links below.
Disney Park Reopening Details and Info
Click HERE for the All Latest Updates
Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World!
TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System
ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures
Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information
We’re Visiting ALL the Reopened Disney World Hotels and Have All the Need-to-Know Details
We’re LIVE in Disney World's Magic Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We’re LIVE in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We Got a FIRST LOOK at Disney World’s New Character Cavalcades and Entertainment!
Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World
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What do you think about the Social Distancing Squad in the parks? Please let us know with a comment!
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While I always applaud Disney’s inventiveness, the Social Distancing Squad concept seems to be a spin on mask policing. The concept that there will be active surveillance and likely active confrontation – it’s a vacation vision that doesn’t feel like a vacation to me.
I understand Disney feels they need to take these measures to psychologically make everyone feel safe, regardless if that feeling needs to be met for all cast members and guests. It’s disappointing that it’s gotten to this point.
Will not spend 1,000’s of dollars on a very limited experience I have been to Disney a ton of times and have enjoyed myself every time so I will wait this out before returning I can appreciate Disney’s concern to keep people healthy but when they throw a disclaimer out that they r not responsible is u get covid-19 then why put restrictions in place like wearing masks that is a deal breaker for me so to me the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH is not to me right now so those who want to go and spend your money for next to nothing good luck waste of money at this point and time wish Disney well I will return some day just not now
All for it!!! I will feel so much better knowing that the safety measures will actually be enforced (or at the very least strongly encouraged and emphasized) rather than just given lip service. I mean, as a society we all agreed to stop at traffic lights for the safety of everyone while we’re driving, and you would get a ticket for running a red light in Disney World the same as anywhere else and no one would blink an eye. Wearing a mask and social distancing is the 2020 version of stopping at a stop light. I know Disney cast members will be as tactful and positive as always, while also keeping us all safe and psychologically comfortable :))))
People who feel a mask is right for them should wear one. People who feel a mask is not right for them should not be forced to wear one. If wearing a mask were a benefit you wouldn’t need the mask police.
It is truly amazing that people still do not understand that wearing a mask is not to protect them but to protect others.
@Paul
That’s not the issue at all, masks don’t do anything, that’s straight from a recorded interview with Dr. Fauci. We don’t wear masks for anything else and the mortality rate for this keep getting revised downwards. What’s truly amazing is how many people believe everything the media is telling them. I work on a Covid 19 response team. I work with thousands of people daily, no masks, none of my 34 people have gotten infected. We also have confirmed cases as early as Thanksgiving, this has been here a lot longer than you’re led to believe.
The one thing that concerns me is, in ‘social distancing’ going to essentially ‘break up’ families? In my case, my wife and I don’t have kids which would indicate a family bond, as opposed to us appearing as unrelated adults. Would we be constantly harassed that we are standing too close together, especially in lines?
@Steve
If you were a burn patient would you want a constant flow of unmasked people hovering around you? How about having surgery with no one in the operating room wearing a mask? They are wearing them to protect you, from them. Same thing.
@ some people in general
A lack of punctuation could totally change the meaning of what you are trying to say. It makes it difficult to read.
Mask are fine in a hospital. But on vacation? Not so much
If you are with family members it is ok to. be close . You have to have good judgement .All about not getting the virus . Be smart do the right thing but enjoying !😄