Disney Reopening 2020 – Details & Changes

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As we all know, 2020 is changing the world as we know it, including Disney World. The Disney Parks have reopened as of July 2020!

A lot of things will be different though. I will go through the changes so that you can decide if you will be heading to Disney this year or waiting for restrictions to ease. 

We do think most of these changes are temporary, although I hope they keep the handwashing stations and regular disinfecting! 

Everything is subject to change, and the Disney website will have the most up to date official information.

Safety Measures

As we enter our “new normal”, Disney will be checking your temperature through a contactless thermometer at the main gates before you enter the park.

You will also be required to wear a mask while on property, including on rides for guests 2 years old and older except while dining and swimming. There are designated spots (called relaxation stations) throughout the parks where you will be able to remove masks for a break while being physically distanced.

Rides, restaurants, buses, and other modes of transportation will be running on reduced capacity to ensure physical distancing.

Disney has put up plexiglass barriers at retail and food & beverage locations where physically distancing isn’t possible. 

Hand washing / sanitizing stations are located throughout the parks. 

Hotels

Not all hotels will be reopening right away! Currently open are:

• Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary 
• Beach Club Villas
• Boardwalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge Villas at the Wilderness Lodge
• Animal Kingdom Villas at Kidani Village
• Caribbean Beach
• Contemporary Resort
• Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
• Old Key West
• Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
• Pop Century
• Riviera Resort
• Saratoga Springs
• Grand Floridian Villas

We currently have opening dates announced for a few other hotels:

• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – August 24 2020
• Grand Floridian – September 21 2020
• Polynesian – October 4 2020
• Coronado Springs – October 14 2020
• Art of Animation – November 1 2020

All other hotels not listed at TBD. If you have a stay booked at a hotel that is not scheduled to open within your trip, Disney will move you to an open resort, however you may not get to choose.

 You’ll have to wear a mask in public spaces at the hotels, except in the pool.

Park Hours & Attractions

Park hours will be reduced from the normal we have been used to. In July/August the schedule is currently listed as:

• Animal Kingdom 8am-6pm
• Magic Kingdom 9am-7pm
• Hollywood Studios 10am-8pm
• Epcot 11am-9pm
• Disney Springs 10am-10pm

These hours remain the same for September and October. There are no opening dates for Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.

Disney is famous for changing park hours last minute so keep checking!

Extra Magic Hours will not be available at this time. 

Most rides will be available, but some will not, check out Disney’s website for a list of open attractions. 

Park Reservations

Possibly the biggest change is Disney instituting a park reservation system. You will have to book a spot in advance to enter the parks. Being booked at a Disney hotel does not guarantee you a park reservation. Also having park tickets is not a park reservation. You’ll need to purchase tickets and then make a Park Pass Reservation

You will be required to select one park per day, and reserve a spot. Capacity will be limited for each park.

Reservations are made online (not on the My Disney Experience phone app as of right now). The process is similar to making Fast Pass+ reservations, you will make sure your tickets are linked to your account, select your party and select a date and then the theme park you wish to enter that day. You will agree to the terms and conditions as well as a Covid-19 waiver before confirming. You can make reservations for each day of your vacation. 

Park Hopping

Park hopping will not be available at this time. No one knows when you’ll be able to park hop again, so for now you’ll need to stick to one park per day. 

Dining

There are no Disney Dining Plans available during this time, and they won’t be available until late 2021. Existing dining reservations were cancelled by Disney and you must rebook your dining. Dining reservations are now open 60 days in advance for all on and off property guests.

Not all restaurants will open when the parks reopen. Also Dinner shows and Character Dining will not be available, with the exception of a modified experience at Topolino’s Terrace. 

This list will tell you which restaurants are open in each park.

PhotoPass

Currently you can still buy the Memory Maker package to take advantage of Disney’s PhotoPass Photographers, however they will no longer take photos with your phone or camera.

FastPass+

FastPass+ is another casualty of the “new normal”. You will not be able to make any FastPass+ reservations for your trip and existing FastPasses have been cancelled. We aren’t sure when this will return. 

Character Meet & Greets

Character Meet and Greets will be changing as well. You won’t be able to line up and meet characters as before, but they will be wandering the park for physically distant interactions. 

Parades & Shows

Parades and Nighttime Spectaculars will be suspended until further notice to avoid gathering crowds, however according to the Disney World Website:

“From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park to processions along World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!”

Events & Tours

Epcot Food & Wine Festival

Good News! They’ve come up with a modified plan for Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and it will start right away and continue to run through the Fall. There will still be over 20 food booths, however the Eat To The Beat concert series is cancelled this year.

Also good news if you missed the Flower and Garden Festival before the parks closed, the topiaries will remain up for the time being! 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party & Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This year’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party has been cancelled. There hasn’t been an announcement about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, so check back in the future for updates.

Tours & Special Experiences

Special tours like The Keys To The Kingdom and Caring For Giants are unavailable right now.

You are also not able to book VIP tours at this time.

Spas, The Harmony Barber Shop, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Dessert parties, Pirate cruises, and miniature golf remain closed at this time.

Disney Springs

Disney Springs reopened on May 20th. As of right now, most stores and restaurants have reopened. They are doing temperature screening upon arrival and you must wear a mask except while eating and drinking. Capacity at Disney Springs is also limited. 

Final Thoughts

Disney is going to look and feel different when it reopens. Of course we have no idea how long some of these changes might last. I’m certain that things will be modified in the weeks following reopening. 

I know someday I’ll be back, looking at the castle, wearing Minnie Mouse ears and eating a Dole Whip.