You’ll want to know this before you head to the parks
If you’re planning on returning to the happiest place on Earth during its phased reopening -- you’ll want to study up on the new procedures put into place.
The park will not be the same as when you last visited. From enhanced cleaning and masks to social distancing and ticket reservations, the park has gone through a lot in the past four months.
But we’re here to help you before you don your Mickey ears -- and mask. Speaking of masks, they’re required to enter the park.
To be more specific, all guests two years of age and older, along with cast members, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting the parks.
Officials with the theme park confirmed that some popular face-covering types like neck gaiters, a type of face covering that does not have loops that secure the mask to the face via ear loops or straps, will not be an acceptable form of a face mask to gain entry into the park.
“Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules,” Disney officials explained.
The mask must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times while inside the park but can be removed when eating and drinking.
If you’re traveling from out of town or farther and you’re planning on using Disney’s provided transportation, you’ll want to keep this in mind.
According to Disney, buses and monorails will implement a combination of physical distancing and physical barriers to provide separation between guest parties.
Capacity and guest density is limited and guests are required to wear appropriate face coverings at all times while onboard.
Disney Skyliner will load one party per gondola when it returns on July 15, Disney said.
“For those arriving in their own vehicles, auto plazas will offer cashless payment; parking lot trams will not be available at this time,” Disney officials added.
Keep in mind, the parking lot trams are not in service at this time so prepare to walk.
Before entering the park, all guests will have their temperature taken.
We did the math on how crowded the parks may be upon reopening. To find out how many people could be allowed in each park, click or tap here.
When it comes to shopping, guests are encouraged to use cashless options whenever possible. This includes using MagicBands, debit cards, credit cards, Disney gift cards and mobile payment methods.
Character meet and greets have also undergone a massive change. Forget the one-on-one photo-ops and instead plan to pose for a socially distant selfie. Disney characters will still pop up along the parade routes and throughout the parks maintaining social distancing.
If you want to find out how the park is utilizing its characters in a new way, click or tap here.
Rides will be open with social distancing measures in place for lines. You'll notice riders may be spaced out. Handwashing and sanitizing stations will be available throughout the park as well.
At the end of the night, don’t wait up for the fireworks and light shows. Disney said the nighttime spectaculars are on hold for now to avoid large group gatherings.
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen Saturday, July 11, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot will open July 15. The parks were closed in mid-March as coronavirus cases increased in Florida.