When Disneyland and Disney World might reopen following COVID-19 closures

With its theme parks closed indefinitely during the spread of COVID-19, many are wondering when Disneyland and Walt Disney World will reopen. The theme parks in Anaheim, California and Orlando, Florida have been closed since March 12 due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.

Until they reopen, you can enjoy theme park content through the Disney Magic Moments website like virtual ride-throughs of attractions, Disney World’s Happily Ever After fireworks show, a viewing of Disneyland’s new Magic Happens parade and sing-alongs with the Dapper Dans from Main Street.

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The following dates are estimates based on current information available from nations, states and counties, with Disney Parks not responding to a request for comment. Speaking on May 5, Disney CEO Bob Iger said it’s too early to predict when Disney will be reopening all of its theme parks across the globe, though. “We are evaluating a number of different scenarios to ensure a cautious sensible and deliberate approach to the eventual reopening of our parks,” he said during a Disney earnings call.

Read more: When will my city reopen? Here’s what life could be like after lockdown ends

Disneyland, California: “Once therapeutics have been developed”

As part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to reopen California, Disneyland and other theme parks will likely fall into the final category of those allowed to resume operations in stage four:

1. Safety and preparedness — more testing, contact tracing, PPE, hospital surge capacity; making essential work environments as safe as possible; preparing workforce guidelines
2. Gradually opening some lower-risk workplaces with changes, like retail with curbside pickup, manufacturing, offices where telework isn’t possible, the next school year potentially starting in July or August, childcare facilities for limited numbers
3. Opening higher-risk environments with adaptations and limits on size of gatherings, for example hair and nail salons, gyms, movies, sports without live audiences, religious services
4. End of stay at home order — reopening highest-risk experiences and venues, including concerts, convention centers, sports with live audiences, once therapeutics have been developed

Gov. Newsom didn’t give a timeline for each stage, but California began stage 2 on Friday, May 7, opening up some retail with curbside pickup and manufacturing businesses. As of May 18, some shopping centers and dine-in restaurants were allowed to reopen.

A vaccine isn’t likely until 2021, although the FDA issued an emergency authorization to use remdesivir as a COVID-19 treatment Friday.

Also affected by its closure is the opening date of Disneyland’s new Marvel-themed land Avengers Campus, which has been pushed back indefinitely from the original planned July launch.

Read more: 6 things not to do when coronavirus quarantine and lockdown end

Walt Disney World, Florida: July 2020

With Florida a little more lax on lockdowns — Gov. Ron DeSantis began reopening the state on Monday, May 4, although people are being asked to stay 6 feet apart and limit group size to 10 — Walt Disney World is much closer to reopening. Disney World’s website is now taking reservations from July 1. Reservations are pouring in already — on Tuesday, over 2,000 bookings were made at Disney Resort hotels in Orlando. 

The Disney Springs shopping and dining area will start reopening in phases on May 20. There’ll be limited parking, fewer entrances, temperature screening before entry, masks required, physically distances lines and barriers, reduced hours, no entertainment and more sanitization and disinfectant. On May 27, it will begin opening Disney-owned stores and restaurants, like World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger  for mobile order and the Marketplace Co-Op.

Orlando’s Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force outlined guidelines and mandates for theme parks, specifically mentioning Disney World. At large theme parks, it’s recommending two guidelines: tape markings of 6 feet apart in lines for attractions and encourage staff who are aged 65 and up to stay home. 

Mandates involve Disney capping its capacity at 50% in phase one, and 75% in phase two; touch-less hand sanitizer at all entryways, turnstiles and attraction entries and exits; and wiping down all railings and surfaces after every single use. The task force also said there must be temperature checks for staff prior to their shifts, and staffers with a temperature above 100.4 will not be permitted inside Disney World. All employees with flu-like symptoms must stay home.

Disney Parks across the world

Both Shanghai Disney and Hong Kong Disney closed in late January, followed by the Tokyo Disney Resort in late February. Disneyland Paris closed March 12.

• Shanghai Disneyland: May 11 — Disney CEO Bob Iger announced May 5 that the Shanghai park would reopen Monday, May 11. It has limits on attendance, a reservation system to gain entry to the park, an entry control system, social distancing requirements, tape markings keeping guests distanced while in lines for rides, masks, temperature screenings, contact tracing and government-required health procedures. Shanghai began opening restaurants and stores on March 9 in Disneytown, Wishing Star Park and at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel, requiring all guests to undergo temperature screening, present a green Shanghai QR health code at dining venues, constantly wear a mask and “maintain respectful social distances at all times.”
• Tokyo Disney Resort: Post-June 2020 — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has extended the nationwide shutdown until the end of May. An update from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea May 8 said it postponed deciding a reopening date from mid-May until the government’s guidance has ended.
• Disneyland Paris: September 2020 — France is one of the hardest-hit European nations, with French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe reopening stores and schools as of May 11, beaches on June 1 and restaurants and cafes June 2. Public events with more than 5,000 people are against the law until September. The latest update from Disneyland Paris came on May 15, when it noted the parks would “remain closed until further notice.”
• Hong Kong Disneyland: Unknown — Hong Kong’s guidance for coronavirus doesn’t mention theme parks, but its guidelines for mass assemblies include hand sanitizer in all public areas, surgical masks, cleaning and disinfecting common items and floors and providing PPE to anyone who’s designated to take care of visitors who fall ill. Hong Kong has limited public gatherings to four people and advised social distancing of 5 feet. While Hong Kong Disneyland Park remains closed, Disney’s Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre is still open.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.