Disney World Reopening Complete Guide + Videos

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We were thrilled to hear Disney World was reopening after the coronavirus shutdown. We were there on July 11 for the Disney World reopening of Magic Kingdom and on July 15 for Epcot.

We know there are a lot of changes, but a lot of the Disney magic is still there. This is our complete guide to Disney World reopening.

Disney World Reopening of Magic Kingdom Video

I was there for the Disney World reopening of Magic Kingdom Park. It was amazing to see the pink Cinderella Castle and ride some of my favorite rides like Thunder Mountain. You get to come along with me on this reopening day.

You can also click here to come along with me as I visit Epcot for Disney World reopening and Epcot Food & Wine Festival.

Disney World Reopening Facts

Before we talk about our experience on opening day, let’s go over the safety measures for guests visiting Disney World during the phased reopening.

New Guidelines for Disney

Park attendance limited in accordance with CDC guidelines for physical distancing using a park reservation system (see below) for the first time.
To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required
Face masks with loops are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members. (see specifics, below). Face coverings are required as an Orange County ordinance.
Temperature screenings are required in some locations.
Some experiences—including theme parks—may be modified or unavailable to allow for physical distancing and limited contact
Helpful technology and the My Disney Experience app will help you make the most of the magic

New Requirements for Guests

To manage attendance during this reopening period, while also helping guests plan ahead before their arrival, Disney introduced the new Disney Park Pass system for the first time. During these safety protocols, all guests with valid admission are required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool.

To enter a park, both a park reservation AND valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for each person in your party ages 3 and up (limit one park per day).

Face masks are required for all guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members in public places. Bring your own face mask and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming.

All face masks (whether disposable or reusable) must:

Be made with at least two layers of breathable material
Fully cover the nose and mouth and secure under the chin
Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the Guest to remain hands-free

At this time, based on guidance from health authorities, neck gaiters and open-chin triangle bandanas are not acceptable face coverings.

Top Things to Prepare for Your Visit for Disney World Reopening

Here are the top things to know as you prepare to visit.

When theme parks reopen, park attendance will be limited in accordance with CDC guidelines for physical distancing using a new park reservation system (see below).
To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required
Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members.
Temperature screenings are required in some locations.
Some experiences—including theme parks—may be modified or unavailable to allow for physical distancing and limited contact
Helpful technology and the My Disney Experience app will help you make the most of the magic

What is Different for the Disney World Reopening

There are so many things that are different, but even with these differences the Disney magic is still there. Here are a few things that are different.

Face Masks

We already talked about face masks. You are required to wear a face mask during your day at the Disney Parks, except when you are eating or drinking. They also have Relaxation Stations where you can come in and relax without your face mask. You still have to keep social distance, but this is a great way to relax a bit without the masks.

The Disney Cast Members wore face masks and face shields. This did make communication with Cast Members a little tougher. There were several times I had to ask Cast Members to repeat themselves when giving us directions.

Temperature Checks

Disney partnered with Avent Health to provide temperature screenings at the Disney Parks and Disney Springs. Everyone in your family will get a temperature check to enter. The thermometer is held a couple inches from your head.

If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, you and your party will be asked to leave. The temp checks were a quick process. It only took a few seconds to check our entire family.

Social Distancing

Disney does have floor markers and signage everywhere reminding you of social distancing during COVID-19. You will see these anywhere there would be clusters of people. This includes the temperature testing, security, queues, merchandise shops, quick service, etc. Just friendly reminders to keep the distance between fellow guests and Cast Members.

You will also find social distancing on the rides and shows. For rides like Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, Disney Cast Members will have your family in your own vehicle. For rides like Jungle Cruise, your family would be separated from other families with plastic separators. Disney did an excellent job of social distancing.

Use Mobile Ordering

Disney recommends Mobile Ordering for any quick service location. We always use Mobile Ordering, just because it saves you so much time. During reopening, this is key to ordering food at the Disney Parks.

I only saw Mobile Ordering at places like Cosmic Ray’s and Pecos Bill at Magic Kingdom. I even saw Cast Members helping guests set up the app and use it outside the restaurant. Disney recommends adding the My Disney Experience app and ordering food via Mobile Ordering.

Disney Characters

The Disney Characters are such a major part of any family vacation to Disney. The character experiences are different at Disney World for reopening, but just as magical!

The Disney Characters do keep the social distance. This means you can get a “social distancing” selfie. You will not be able to give hugs or get close to the characters. They do keep the proper social distancing.

You can see the Disney Characters throughout the Disney Parks. You may see a character parade down Main Street USA, Anna and Elsa in a parade at Epcot, or StormTroopers at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. They may be in a parade, on a stage, on a balcony, or in the distance.

These experiences can be just as magical. One of my favorites was with Winnie the Pooh at Epcot. He was waving at guests near Journey into Imagination with Figment. He was on a hill next to a tree. He was waving to guests and pausing for selfie pics. He was dancing, playing hike and seek with the kids behind a tree, and just having fun. I loved watching the kids interact with him. It was one of my favorite Disney Character experiences ever.

Hand Sanitizer & Hand Washing Stations

Disney does an excellent job of providing resources to keep your hands clean. They have large signs next to all restrooms, as a reminder to wash your hands. They also have extra portable hand washing stations throughout the parks and Disney Springs.

You will also find hand sanitizer throughout the merchandise shops, quick service locations, restaurants, snack kiosks, and more. You will also find hand sanitizer before you enter a ride line, right before you board the attraction, and after you get off the ride.

Limited Capacity

Disney is providing limited capacity at the Disney Resorts, Disney Springs, and at the Disney Parks. In addition, there is even limited capacity at restaurants and stores at the Disney Parks.

Disney Park Pass Reservations

Disney now requires a theme park ticket AND Disney Park Pass reservation to enter the Disney Parks. This new reservation system helps keep the Disney Parks at limited capacity. Disney is reserving a select number of entries for Annual Passholders, Disney Resort guests, and Theme Park visitors.

When planning your Disney World vacation, you should check the Disney Park Pass calendar first to make sure there is availability for your favorite parks. If there is availability, you can start booking your Disney Package and then make your Park Pass reservations. This is a new step in the Disney World planning process for visit Mickey Mouse.

You Disney Park reservation and theme park tickets are still attached to your MagicBands. You will still use your MagicBand to gain access into the parks (without using your finger print).

No FastPass+ Reservations

During the Disney Parks reopening, there are no longer FastPass+ reservations. To double check wait times, pull up the My Disney Experience. You can click on the map to see the current wait times for the rides and attractions.

Even though FastPass+ reservations are gone, the wait times are fantastic. With limited capacity, the wait times were not long. We walked on Peter Pan with a 5 minute wait, Mine Train was only 20 minutes, and Thunder Mountain was only 15 minutes on reopening day. We love walking right on our favorite rides, without a wait. You normally have to pay for a premium special event party to walk right on these rides without a wait.

Disney World Tickets

When Disney World initially reopened, you were not able to purchase tickets. You can now purchase tickets. Just remember, you need tickets AND a park reservation to enter Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Purchased Tickets for Canceled Vacations

Did you purchase Disney World tickets, before the closure? We may be thinking . . . now what?

Multi-Day Tickets

If you have a partially used, multi-day Disney World tickets purchased through June 6, 2020 (with a valid use period from March 12, 2020 onward) you will be automatically extended to use on any date through September 26, 2021. This gives you plenty of time to come back to Disney World to explore the parks.

If you’re still unable to use the ticket by September 26, 2021, Disney will apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for use on a future date.

Florida Resident Tickets

If you purchased a Florida Resident Discover Disney tickets, you can use this ticket through September 30, 2020.

Disney World Reopening for Resorts

We are excited to say the Disney World Resort hotels are reopening, too. Many of the Disney World Resorts are already open (Disney Vacation Club properties) and available for booking (even last minute).

Here is a list of the Disney World Resorts that are open and ready for visitors.

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Some additional Disney Resorts will be opening in phrases this summer and fall. These Disney World reopenings include:

July 20 reopening for Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
August 24 reopening for Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
September 21 reopening for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
October 4 reopening for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
October 14 reopening for Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
November 1 reopening for Disney’s Art of Animation

Plans to support physical distancing and enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of the reopening.

During our visit to Disney’s Riviera Resort, we noticed these Disney World reopening procedures.