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Disney Park Summer 2020 Operation Updates

which Disney park is biggest? Middle Class Dad statue of Walt Disney and Mickey in front of Cinderella's castle at Walt Disney World

Last updated 8/3/20

The quarantine and shutdown of much of the world in March 2020 has left many of us in shock and sheltering in place instead of our usual family activities. My family had planned and paid for a visit to Disneyland Paris over Spring Break 2020, which sadly didn’t happen.

Luckily, the world is starting to get back to normal.

I created this page on my website so that I could provide the most up-to-date information on Disney parks. As new information comes in, I will update this page. And I’ll continue to do that until the parks are operating 100% as usual. So continue to check back as new changes happen.

Walt Disney World – Orlando, Florida


RE-OPENING DATES FOR JULY 2020

  • Areas re-opening – Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park only – Reopened July 11, 2020
  • EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Re-opened July 15th
  • Disney Springs – Already open

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED? – Yes. In addition to a valid park ticket, you will also need to book a reservation

CAN I BUY A TICKET NOW? – No. New ticket sales are paused. This allows those who had already bought a ticket or own a season pass to be served first. Hotels are also not currently allowing reservations. A firm date when ticket sales will resume has not been announced.

  • Tickets will no longer be available for purchase 180 days ahead of time
  • Instead, they will limit it to 60 days out
  • This appears to be a permanent change

TRANSPORTATION

Currently opening and operating – Busses, monorail, ferry boats

Skyliner – Resumes 7/15/20

Minnie Van – not operational yet

Watercraft – not operational yet

RESTRICTIONS? – Disney has been vague, but it’s clear that some rides, restaurants, and events will be modified for social distancing or may be temporarily put on hold if modification is not possible.

  • FastPass+ – Temporarily suspended
  • Extra Magic Hours – Temporarily suspended
  • Character Greetings – Temporarily suspended
  • Dining reservations – canceled for now
  • Behind the scenes tours – canceled for now
  • Parades & Fireworks – Not re-starting at this time. No date has been announced for when they will restart

DO I HAVE TO WEAR A MASK? – Yes, a mask is required for all guests age 2 and over at all times except when eating or drinking. That does not mean you can walk around with a drink and not wear a mask, though.

Specifically, they state: “You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you should be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing.”

So plan on eating & drinking sitting at a table in one of the food areas.

WILL THEY TEMP CHECK ME? – Yes. According to a statement released on July 7th, 2020, the park is requiring temperature screenings for all guests at the entry points. (source)

SANITATION & SAFETY PROCEDURES AT THE PARK

  • Employees self-screen temp checks at the start of each shift
  • Online check-ins & cashless systems available throughout the park
  • Frequent cleanings throughout the day on queue areas, dining areas, lobbies & other common areas
  • Overnight “enhanced” cleanings
  • Improved cleaning standards for all hotel rooms in between guests
  • An increased number of handwashing and hand sanitizer stations throughout the parks
  • Social distancing enforced
  • Reduced capacity (they have not said exactly how many or what that means)

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Reopened July 10th:
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Reopened July 29th:
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Reopening August 12th:
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Reopening August 24th:
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

Reopening September 21st:
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Reopening October 1st:
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Reopening October 14th:
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Reopening unknown
Disney’s All-Stars Resorts
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge 
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Disneyland – Anaheim, California

Originally scheduled to open July 17th, 2020, the opening has now been delayed due to the length of time it will take to get approval from the state of California. Disney released the following statement on 6/24/20 (and have not since updated it):

“The State of California has now indicated that it will not issue theme park reopening guidelines until sometime after July 4. Given the time required for us to bring thousands of cast members back to work and restart our business, we have no choice but to delay the reopening of our theme parks and resort hotels until we receive approval from government officials.”

So look for Disneyland (including California Adventure) to receive approval around July 7th, and set a reopen date sometime around the end of July 2020.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Began phased reopening July 9th, 2020

Here are the limitations & restrictions:

  • Parking available at the Simba Lot only
  • Temperature checks mandatory at the entrances to Downtown Disney
  • A mask is required for all guests age 2 and over
  • Social distancing measures in place. This includes queues, seating, and barriers
  • Reduced hours at select locations
  • “High-touch interactive areas” are not in service at this time
  • Increased cleaning & sanitation procedures throughout Downtown Disney
  • Additional hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer stations throughout Downtown Disney

Shanghai Disneyland – China

Currently open and operating under similar limitations & restrictions as what has been announced for WDW.

Reservations required. Expect to maintain social distancing, limitations, and restrictions, and to wear a mask.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland had re-opened on June 18th, but due to changing governmental restrictions, the park will close (for the 2nd time since the pandemic started) temporarily on July 15th, 2020.

The new shutdown is not due to an outbreak in the park but was required by the government. Details on a re-opening date have not been announced.

Tokyo Disneyland

Reopened on July 1st, 2020, including both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Currently using many of the same restrictions in place at other Disney facilities, including:

  • Temperature checks mandatory at the entrances 
  • A mask is required for all guests age 2 and over, except in outdoor areas where social distancing is possible
  • Social distancing measures in place. This includes queues, seating, and barriers
  • Increased cleaning & sanitation procedures throughout the parks

Disneyland Paris

Currently closed with a phased reopening set for July 15, 2020, starting with both theme parks, Disney’s Newport Bay Club hotel, and Disney Village.

Will be using many of the same restrictions in place at other Disney facilities, with some differences

  • Not conducting temp checks
  • A mask is required for all guests age 11 and over, except when eating
  • Social distancing measures in place. This includes queues, seating, and barriers
  • Additional hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer stations throughout the parks
  • Increased cleaning & sanitation procedures throughout the parks