Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando plans a phased
reopening, with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom parks reopening to the
public on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopening July 15.
Guests will have to make reservations in advance of visiting
the parks.
Disney World senior vice president of operations Jim McPhee presented
the resort’s plan for reopening to the Orange County Economic Recoverty Task
Force on Wednesday. The task force approved the plan. Now, Orange County Mayor
Jerry Demmings must approve the plan and send a letter to the governor’s office
for final approval.
McPhee said Disney’s Orlando parks will open for select
audiences prior to July 11, such as employees, enabling the company to launch
its new procedures, learn and adjust accordingly.
When the parks do open to the public, there will be
“significant limits” on attendance, but McPhee did not provide capacity
details. Additionally, those wishing to visit the parks will have to get an
advance reservation through a new system. McPhee said Disney will share more
information on that system in the near future.
Similar to Universal Orlando,
Disney has established a set of enhanced safety protocols for reopening.
Disney’s protocols are centered around five areas:
• Enhanced protective measures. Face coverings will be
required for employees and guests. Signage will encourage increased hand
washing, and sanitation stations will be placed around the property. Physical
barriers will be used where appropriate.
• Physical distancing. Disney will limit capacity in its
parks to enable physical distancing. Physical distancing will also be employed
through capacity reductions on attractions, in retail locations and in food and
beverage locations. Signage will be used to communicate that.
• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation, both in guest areas and
in employee areas.
• Temperature screenings for guests and employees.
• Limited contact enhancements to reduce contact between
guests and employees.
McPhee said Disney will use a combination of education,
communication and engagement to communicate the new procedures to guests.
Disney has also developed a “social distance squad” to
encourage guests to comply, he said. The squad has been deployed at the
recently reopened Disney Springs
and has proven to be very effective, he said.
SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment also presented its plan
to the task force. It is targeting a June 11 opening date for the public, preceded
by an employee appreciation night on June 10.
Interim CEO Marc Swanson presented the company’s plan for reopening
operations. Face coverings will be required for guests and employees. The
company will also institute physical distancing, enhanced cleaning and
sanitation, temperature screening, work and sick policies encouraging employees
to go home or leave work if they feel ill, and increased Covid-19 training for
employees.
Swanson said park capacity will be managed.