All About the Walt Disney World Phased Reopening (& What it’s Really Like)

Earlier this year, Disney made the difficult decision to close Walt Disney World due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After being closed for 4 months, Disney announced in May that they would begin a phased reopening of Walt Disney World in July. Since then, many guests have been able to return to the magic of Disney. While many people were eager to return right away, many others were also anxious about what the experience would be like. Not to mention, wondering how Disney would keep guests and Cast Members safe as the coronavirus pandemic continues. With many new health and safety policies and protocols, Disney has been able to safely reopen these last few months. We recently went down to experience it all for ourselves! For those who are still curious, here is everything you need to know about the Walt Disney World Phased Reopening!

Brittany Sharing All About the Phased Reopening at Disney World

How Has Disney Safely Reopened?

Of course, Disney couldn’t just reopen the parks and immediately go back to a pre-coronavirus world. Disney made many changes to the park experience to keep guests and Cast Members safe. Along with increasing cleaning efforts, Disney introduced a significant number of changes to Walt Disney World. While many people were disappointed with the changes, Disney feels these were necessary steps to be able to reopen Disney World! The changes they are implementing are in accordance with guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. All of the measures Disney is taking promote cleanliness, physical distancing and reduced contact.

Face Coverings

All Cast Members and guests ages 2+ at Walt Disney World must wear face coverings (masks). Guests need to bring their own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when eating or drinking (while stationary) or while swimming. Select relaxation areas are available within the parks where you can remove your mask.

Disney also has requirements for what type of mask you must wear. They must fully cover your mouth and nose, and allow the guest to remain hands-free. Masks have to fit snugly but comfortably against the side of your face. They must be secured with ear loops or ties. Finally, they must be made of a breathable material. They can be either disposable or reusable. Neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not accepted. Be sure to bring a mask that fits the requirements!

We recommend bringing 2-3 masks with you, that way you always have a spare one to swap if one gets wet or dirty. We really didn’t mind the masks too much (except when it got really hot a couple of days). We just got used to wearing them. For more about our experience, click here to read our experience of what it’s like wearing a mask at Disney World!

Temperature Screenings

Additionally, upon arrival at Disney Springs or one of the Walt Disney World theme parks, guests undergo a temperature screening with a no-touch thermometer. Those with temperatures 100.4 F or above and their party will not be allowed entry. It’s also recommend that you check the temperatures of everyone in your party prior to leaving home. This is a very quick and easy process! There was never a line and we always breezed right through this step.

Physical Distancing & Limited Contact

A key component of the plan for safely reopening Walt Disney World is to enforce physical distancing in the parks. Reduced contact between guests and Cast Members, as well as between guests, is key in reducing the spread of COVID-19. For the most part, we found people followed these rules appropriately although we did have a few times where people got uncomfortably close to us. Overall though, Disney did a good job of enforcing the guidelines. Some of the ways Disney has implemented this include:

Signage and ground markings have been installed throughout the parks. These will advise guests on how to navigate common areas while practicing physical distancing.
Physical barriers have been added in places where physical distancing is not possible. This includes places such as at a cash register or at Guest Relations. These barriers will be similar to those that have been installed in stores across the country.
Cashless transactions will also be strongly recommended to reduce the passing of currency between guests and Cast Members. Alternative payment options such as credit, debit, gift cards, mobile wallets and MagicBands will be available instead.
Physical Distancing on rides has also been implemented. How this is done depends on the type of ride vehicle. Some rides will have certain seats marked off for use while other seats will remain empty. For other rides, each party will get their own ride vehicle.

My Disney Experience App and Use of Technology

The My Disney Experience app was already an integral part of the guest experience in the parks. Now, there is even more emphasis on the app and Disney is encouraging it’s use in more circumstances. We really enjoyed all these changes and felt they were well-implemented in the parks and resorts. Here are some examples of how the My Disney Experience app is being used:

Mobile Order

Mobile food ordering has been a huge timesaver for guests who take advantage of it. Click here to read our post all about this service, how it works and why we love it. This service has expanded to even more restaurants and is required at many locations. At many quick service locations, you will place your order on your mobile device and then wait outside the restaurant until the order is ready. Once you get the notification that your order is ready, they will then allow you into the restaurant to enjoy your meal!

QR Code Menus

Scannable codes for select restaurant menus is a new option that is now available at many table service restaurants. Rather than providing physical menus, guests can scan a QR code on the table to access the digital menu via their device. This eliminates the need to touch a menu.

Online Check-In

Online Check-In at the resorts is another pre-existing feature that has now been expanded. This service allows guests to bypass the front desk by checking in on the My Disney Experience account. When your room is ready, you will be notified through the app and can head straight to your room. You can even open the door with the app! This reduces contact between guests and the Cast Members at the front desk, as well as reducing crowds in the lobby. We loved this feature, it made our arrival to our resort so smooth!

Park Pass Reservation System

In addition to a park ticket, guests now also require a park reservation to be able to enter the parks. This allows Disney to reduce capacity and limit the number of guests visiting each park on a given day. Park Pass reservations can be made in advance via your My Disney Experience account. Be sure to check availability before you plan your trip, as they CAN sell out. You can check Disney’s Park Pass availability calendar here.

Everything You Need to Know About Park Pass Reservations

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Park Pass Reservations

Parades and Fireworks

In order to maintain physical distancing, Disney is still modifying or suspending select experiences. Disney is not offering parades or nighttime spectaculars right now because of their tendency to draw heavy crowds. We have no details on how soon these quintessential elements of the Disney experience will return to the parks.

For the time being, Disney has replaced parades with Character Cavalcades, which bring the magic of Disney characters to guests in a new way.

Restaurants and Dining

Dining Reservations

Along with the reduced capacity in the parks, Disney will also be managing capacity and maintaining physical distancing in restaurants. This means there may be less availability, so we highly recommend making reservations in advance. Reservations now open 60 days in advance (previously it was 180 days). Note: for Disney Resort guests, this means 60 days in advance of your resort check-in date (for all other guests, it is 60 days in advance of the day of the reservation). Upon reopening, not every restaurant was open. As crowds return, Disney continues to open more restaurants. Here is a link where you can see which restaurants are currently open in the theme parks and resorts.

Character Dining

Character Experience at Hollywood & Vine

In order to accommodate physical distancing, traditional character dining is no longer available. Modified character dining experiences are available at 3 select restaurants, with more coming soon. Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort and Garden Grill at EPCOT opened back up in July. Hollywood & Vine then opened in September. We experienced this one shortly after it reopened, you can click here to read about our experience at Hollywood & Vine shortly! Another modified character dining experience will reopen at Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contempoary Resort) in December.

Dining Plans

Disney has also decided to discontinue the Disney Dining Plans at this time. Any resort package that included a dining plan had it removed from the reservation automatically and a refund issued. At this time, we still don’t know when Disney will begin offering them again.

FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours

Disney is not offering their FastPass+ service during the Walt Disney World phased reopening. Disney is using the additional line space to help maintain physical distancing between guests in the queue. Additionally, Extra Magic Hours are not currently available either. There is not currently any information on when FastPass+ or Extra Magic Hours will resume.

Character Interactions

Mickey and Friends Flotilla during the Phased Reopening at Disney World

Socially distanced characters at disney world

Minnie Cavalcade - the Phased Reopening at Disney World

Chip and Dale during Disney World phased reopening

In order to maintain physical distance, traditional character meet and greets will not be available when the park reopens. However, Disney stated in their plans that “characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight our guests”. We were so excited to see what Disney had planned! After visiting Disney World for ourselves, we were so happy with how often we got to see characters. The new Character Cavalcades really keep the magic alive in the parks, plus all the surprise character sightings added even more magic and excitement! We probably saw more characters on this trip than we saw on pre-COVID trips, since we don’t usually do character meet and greets often. Click here to read all about the Characters at Walt Disney World during the Phased Reopening!

Reopening Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Disney Resort Hotels Reopening Dates

Since there is still reduced capacity, Disney has not reopened all the resorts yet. After an initial opening on June 22 (DVC Resorts and Fort Wilderness) Disney has been opening resorts in phases. As time goes on, Disney continues to announce new opening dates for more of their resorts.

You can click here to find the opening dates for Disney’s resort hotels!

Guests who are booked at a resort that will not be open are being moved to another resort of equal or greater value. When Disney decides to reopen all the resorts will continue to depend on demand and the park capacity.

Magical Express

Disney’s Magical Express service resumed on June 22 when the first resorts open. Later, Disney announced that they were suspending the Magical Express luggage delivery service. This means that guests now need to collect their own luggage from baggage claim before proceeding to Magical Express.

Overall Thoughts on Walt Disney World Reopening Plans

Many people were extremely excited when Disney announced the Walt Disney World phased reopening. However, many people were also disappointed when they heard the plans. A visit without character meet and greets, parades and fireworks would be a very different Walt Disney World than the one that closed in March. However, the world has changed a lot since then and Disney parks have to change with it. With the implementation of these measures, there has been a fairly smooth and safe Walt Disney World reopening.

As time goes on, many of these requirements will be loosened. However, some of these measures may be part of the ‘new normal’ and might be here for the long term. Disney vacations may look different now, but Disney remains focused on delivering a wonderful experience for everyone who visits. Despite the changes, we had an incredible time and were so happy to be back to the magic. Let us know what questions you have about our experience!

Planning a trip to Disney World but don’t have a travel agent yet? Josh is an agent at Wish Upon a Star with Us Travel and would love to use his expertise to help you plan your vacation!

Fairytale Wonders