It’s been four months since Disney World in Florida closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and although the theme park has tried to keep enthusiasts calm by distributing their recipes during downtime (including, speaking doling, Dole Whip), what are enthusiasts? the hunting later is the reopening of the park. And while the Californians have yet to wait, the Floridians, the wait ends tomorrow.
Despite a recent buildup of coronavirus cases in Florida and many states across the country, Walt Disney World theme parks are expected to begin a slow reopening tomorrow, July 11, starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Meanwhile, Epcot and Hollywood Studios are expected to sign up for the fold next week on July 15.
Saturday’s reopening will mark the first of a Disney theme park in the United States; Disneyland and California Adventure reportedly aimed to reopen July 17, but this is delayed “pending local and state government approvals,” according to Disney’s website. That said, for Californians who want a Disney solution, the Downtown Disney District has begun to reopen.
But let’s go back to Orlando: consumers are now required to use the Disney Park Pass reservation system, and CNN Travel reports that availability may be uneven. However, for food and drink people, the big question is, once admitted, what will the food scene look like?
Disney World has combined a complete page committed to “Dinner: Know Before You Go”, and beyond explaining how the fun will be different, two important settings stand out. First, as with the rest of the park, face coverings are mandatory for everyone else over the age of two and can only get rid of them when eating or drinking. Second, for those with a day pass, dinner reservations are required at table-service restaurants at Disney hotels. Regulations also seem to stipulate that you’ll also want a dinner reservation at table-service restaurants in the park.
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Finding a position to eat will be more complicated than in the past. Disney explains: “During the reopening period, many culinary reports may be changed or unavailable to announce cleanliness and physical distance.” Specifically, of the 39 indexed recovery features for Magic Kingdom, 24 have been indexed lately as “temporarily unavailable”. Dinner displays and maximum food are also off the table.
But once you’re fit to eat, Disney makes every effort to make this party as hygienic as possible. The My Disney Experience app offers mobile and registration orders for reservations. Menus can also be viewed on your cellular device with scannable codes. Cashless bills are encouraged and Disney has worked to reduce contact with menus and self-service stations. In addition, of course, the park promises more advanced cleaning, indicating that “seats, dining rooms and pagers will be cleaned up among the guests.”
Overall, yes, Disney will be another time you visited as a child. But when it comes to the ‘new normality’, Disney World reopens with a lot of rules you’ve probably used to. Don’t expect to hug your favorite mouse.