Phew! What a week —well, two months— it’s been! But we’ve got Disney World magic to share with you. There’s some small news from Animal Kingdom, big news from Disney Springs, as well as some fun and informational aerial views, taken high above the parks by our own Bill Zanetti!
Disney Springs
Perhaps our biggest WDW news this week… the first sign of Walt Disney World reopening… Disney Springs is set to begin its phased opening on May 20th! First and foremost, all guests and cast members are required to wear face masks. In addition to government official guidelines; Disney is ramping up cleaning procedures, reducing direct contact, and conducting additional safety training for cast members.
UPDATED! Disney Springs Begins Phased Reopening May 20th at Walt Disney World
But Disney Springs won’t be the only mall area open in Orlando. Things are starting to slowly open up around here. Though, shoppers don’t see to be out in abundance:
Orlando Begins to Reopen – Our Trip Down International Drive
Passholder Email – Better Late Than Never?
Many WDW Passholders received this email on Friday…
The link brings you to a letter from Dr. Pamela Hymel, Chief Medical Officer for Disney Parks, originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog on May 5th.
Here’s some key info, and a few examples as to how the Disney is preparing to re-open their parks, resorts and stores:
“Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.
Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.”
What do you think folks? Will this help keep employees and guests safe in the parks?
Soarin’ Over the World… And Beyond – Aerial Views
MiceChat contributor, Bill Zanetti, took to the sky yesterday to capture these images for you above the Walt Disney World Resort.
EPCOT has removed the floating flower beds, another sign that Flower & Garden Festival won’t be extended after the park reopens. You can also clearly see that the old Fountain of Nations has been removed and filled in.
A Moana water experience and space-age looking festival building would take up the cleared area . . . if that still happens at all. Bob Chapek is reviewing all the budgets now to see where cuts can be made.
Gone forever is this view:
The Guardians of the Galaxy’s show building is completely enclosed and painted. You can see just how HUGE this complex is. That’s the entire old Universe of Energy building, PLUS the giant new show building for the coaster:
The Magic Kingdom has a big project too, the TRON coaster.
The show building and coaster track are in. The decorative translucent shell will be installed next.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Roundup Rodeo BBQ is going in at the top center of this photo. It is scheduled to open sometime in 2020.
The Flamingo Crossings development and the Disney College Program dorms are in view below. There are some fancy new dorms under construction.
That’s the Magic Kingdom parking lot expansion below. The “Lake Mickey” you see in that photo is what used to be the WDW Speedway.
Disney World Reopening Surveys
Disney wants to know when you are ready to return! And so do we.
How would you answer the one below?
Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations
Disney has updated their website notifications about the park shutdowns to include a statement about reduced capacity and safety procedures when the parks reopen:
Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.
Additionally, attractions, experiences, services and amenities may have limited availability or may remain closed. We will provide more information as it becomes available. We reserve the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds. Please also see our policies regarding cancellations by Guests.
Our focus remains on the health and safety of the entire Disney community—including the well-being of the Cast Members who are caring for and securing our parks and Resorts during the closure. We’re currently evaluating new and enhanced safety measures to help us all stay well. Learn more about these measures.
Additionally, the earliest booking dates for the WDW hotels has been pushed from June to July 1st.
Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels are currently closed and a reopening date has not been identified. For Guests who are interested in modifying their existing travel dates or making a new reservation for a future vacation, reservations are currently available for travel dates July 1 and later. As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.
Small Wonders at Animal Kingdom
More Animal Kingdom babies just keep comin’! This week, Dr. Mark introduced 2-month old Asha, a Mountain Zebra Foal. We can’t wait to see these beauties grazing amongst the Kilimanjaro Safaris savanna soon!
Are You Ready To Plan Future Magic?
Special comeback rates are now available at some of your favorite hotels and are discounted up to $100 off their regular nightly rates.
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park shutdown concerns and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available:
Price Protection – If a better special comes out after you have booked, you’ll get the better deal.
Peace of Mind – Make hotel changes, reschedule dates, drop nights, change ticket vouchers and more, as many times as you’d like for a small, one-time fee.
Layaway Plan – Lock in your 2020 or 2021 Disneyland Resort vacation for just $175 down. By booking early, you secure your availability and have the flexibility to pay as you go. Make as many interest-free payments as you’d like, whenever you’d like, with final payment due just seven days prior to travel.
Give your family something to look forward to:
Visit Get Away Today HERE Or fill out a request form and they’ll call you back: Vacation Information Request Form HERE
Let’s Hear From You!
Do you see a July 1st reopening for WDW Parks in the cards? Should the Flower and Garden Festival be extended through the reopening of Epcot? What do you think the chances of the Epcot Festival Building getting cut is?
We look forward to your thoughts and encourage you to check back with us later this week as we bring you more aerial views from other Orlando parks!