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Walt Disney World Presents Reopening Plan to the Orange County Economic Task Force

Today, the Walt Disney Company submitted its plan to the Orange County Economic Task Force in an effort to re-open the Walt Disney World Resort following the coronavirus closure. During this meeting, it was announced that the Walt Disney World Resort would be reopening on a phased reopening schedule beginning in July.

The first parks to reopening will be the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom beginning on July 11. Then, on July 15, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be reopening to Guests.

According to the report given to the Orange County Economic Task Force Meeting, there will be a number of things that both Guests and Cast Members will need to adhere to in order to enter the parks. Here is what we know so far:

  • First, there will be significant limits on attendance. To make sure that this occurs, in order to enter the theme parks, you will need to sign up via an advance reservation system. Disney did not share how that reservation system would work initially, however they did share that they would release that information at a later date.
  • There will be enhanced protective measures put in place. For example, the parks will be requiring face coverings for Cast Members and Guests, and putting an emphasis on hand washing. In addition, there will be sanitation stations available for Guests and there will be and physical barriers where appropriate. For example, Guests will find plexiglass at retail and restaurant locations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • There will be physical distancing and capacity limits enabled at the theme parks, restaurants, retail, attractions, buses, monorails, and other transportation modes. In addition, parades, fireworks, and other events that create crowds will be suspended for the time being.
  • Of course, there will be an emphasis on enhanced cleaning both onstage and backstage across high touch locations and surfaces.
  • Guests and Cast Members will need to have their temperatures taken via contactless handheld devices.
  • There will also be a reduction of Guest and Cast Member contact points. These will include things like putting an emphasis on increasing mobile food ordering, pausing meet and greets with characters, not allowing Guests to enjoy play areas that can be found throughout the park, and contactless payments (like ApplePay, MagicBands, etc).

As Guests get ready to head to the parks, they will see “Know Before You Go” messages provided so they are aware of the new safety protocols. Cast Members will also be on hand to regularly communicate new protocols via the Social Distancing Squad who are there to inspire Guests to follow guidelines. Finally, there will also be signage found throughout the resort reinforcing these messages.

This plan, while approved by the task force, has not yet been approved by the Mayor or the Governor of Florida.

You can watch the meeting here for full details.

Currently, no information was provided about Disney Resort hotels or water parks.

The post Walt Disney World Presents Reopening Plan to the Orange County Economic Task Force appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, Orange County Economic Task Force Meeting, walt disney world

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Disney Parks

How Social Distancing Might Work at Epcot Attractions

We recently looked at ways Disney might use to enforce social distancing at the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios when they begin phased openings at the parks. Today we’re looking at how social distancing might work at Epcot.

As with the other parks, for safety purposes, we’ll assume that guests and cast members are all wearing appropriate face coverings, sanitizer and hand wash stations are readily available, and vehicles are cleaned on a regular, frequent schedule. Another huge area of consideration is the management of queues for rides, which are currently universally configured with guests close together. We’ll assume for now that there will be a virtual queue management system in place, perhaps something like the way Rise of the Resistance boarding was managed prior to closing.

[Please note: I have NO inside information about Disney’s reopening plans, timing, or procedures. These are my thoughts only.]

Epcot poses perhaps the most challenges with social distancing. While the park is large, it’s not particularly ride-heavy. Lots of pull of Epcot is shopping and dining, things that are harder to do in a distanced fashion. And I can barely imagine how the ubiquitous Epcot festivals might be handled. Will they obsessively clean the tops of the many trash cans that guests use as Festival tables?

FUTURE WORLD

Awesome Planet

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Journey Into Imagination

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Living with the Land

The Living with the Land boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.

Mission Space Green/Orange

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. This attraction is nearly enclosed, with guests touching many surfaces as part of the experience. Extra cleaning attention will be warranted.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per clamshell, perhaps leaving every other shell empty.

Soarin’ Around the World

Social distancing might be achieved by loading the attraction at 50% capacity, leaving empty seats between parties.

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth was scheduled to close this week for a lengthy reimagination and refurbishment. Given that Disney’s budget has been hard hit by the extended park closures, it may be that Spaceship Earth remains in its current form for the time being. If this is the case, social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Test Track

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. The touch-intensive preshow area (where guests build their own cars) might be temporarily eliminated.

Turtle Talk with Crush

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

WORLD SHOWCASE

The American Adventure

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along and Impressions de France

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Canada Far and Wide In Circle-Vision 360

Guests stand for this attraction, tending to move around slightly and leaning on the railings. A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. I suspect that areas of the carpet will be taped off, with guests asked to stand only in specified zones.

Frozen Ever After

The Frozen boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.

Gran Fiesta Tour

The Gran Fiesta boats could have one party per row, with rows skipped between parties.

Reflections of China

Guests stand for this attraction, tending to move around slightly and leaning on the railings. A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. I suspect that areas of the carpet will be taped off, with guests asked to stand only in specified zones.

Of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, stage shows, fireworks, shopping, dining, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens. Do you have any theories or predictions? Feel free to share them in the comments.

The post How Social Distancing Might Work at Epcot Attractions appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Epcot, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, social distance

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Disney Parks

How Social Distancing Might Work on Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attraction Vehicles

We recently looked at ways Disney might use to enforce social distancing at the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom when they begin phased openings at the parks. Today we’re looking at how social distancing might work at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

As with the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, for safety purposes, we’ll assume that guests and cast members are all wearing appropriate face coverings, sanitizer and hand wash stations are readily available, and vehicles are cleaned on a regular, frequent schedule. Another huge area of consideration is the management of queues for rides, which are currently universally configured with guests close together. We’ll assume for now that there will be a virtual queue management system in place, perhaps something like the way Rise of the Resistance boarding was managed prior to closing.

[Please note: I have NO inside information about Disney’s reopening plans, timing, or procedures. These are my thoughts only.]

Alien Swirling Saucers

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Disney Junior Dance Party

The Disney Junior Dance Party is a theater-style performance, but rather than fixed seating, most guests sit on the floor, with periods of standing for dance breaks. Even with reduced capacity loading of the attraction, the nebulous use of space could be problematic. This might be possible to run if there were something like circles painted on the floor, with guests asked to stay within their own circle. However, my guess is that this attraction will not open during the first phase of reopening the park.

©Disney

Fantasmic!

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

The Millennium Falcon attraction seats six guests per capsule. Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle. However, the attraction is really meant to run fully loaded, with two pilots, two engineers, and two gunners, all pushing lots of buttons. The capsules will have to be cleaned between each use. We’ll be watching this one closely.

Muppet*Vision 3D

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

The use of 3D glasses for this attraction is a possible issue. Rather than grabbing glasses out of bin themselves, gloved cast members might hand glasses to individual guests. Glasses are sanitized after each use.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Slinky Dog Dash

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per slinky segment.

Star Tours – The Adventure Continues

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

The main Rise of the Resistance vehicles could manage social distancing by loading only one large or two very small parties per vehicle. What’s more problematic is the several pre-show rooms, some of which are quite small, as well as the narrow hallway loading areas. Maximum capacity would have to be significantly less than 50% to allow for guests to maintain distance.

Toy Story Midway Mania

Social distancing could be achieved by loading one party per vehicle.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Social distancing could be achieved by loading elevators at less than 50% capacity with space between and around parties.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

A 50% or more reduction in guest admission per show would allow for parties to distance from each other. Perhaps alternate rows could be entirely taped off. Cast members could ask guests to leave a space between parties.

Of course, even if methods like these do take place, we have countless other questions about character greetings, castle stage shows, parades, fireworks, shopping, dining, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing what happens. Do you have any theories or predictions? Feel free to share them in the comments.

The post How Social Distancing Might Work on Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attraction Vehicles appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Disney Merch Other

Disney Waffle Makers for All!

One of the most iconic Disney breakfast food on vacation is Mickey Waffles. Almost every resort has them available for breakfast, and they often come up as a popular Disney food any time you ask.

With parks and resorts still closed, making Mickey Waffles at home has become a new tradition for some. Recently, Disney has started making waffle makers beyond just Mickey. Here’s some of the waffle makers you can find at shopDisney.

Minnie Waffle Maker

Yes, Minnie gets her due — the Minnie Waffle maker is available on shopDisney for $29.99.

Avengers Waffle Maker

What a “super” way to start your day. The Avengers waffle maker is $39.99.

R2D2 Waffle Maker

Is this the waffle maker you’re looking for? The R2D2 shape really makes me think this would be perfect for waffle sandwiches! It’s $29.99.

Captain America Shield Waffle Maker

This is one powerful waffle! The Captain America shield waffle maker is $34.95.

Frozen Waffle Maker

No, not that kind of frozen waffles–the Disney kind! This one sells for $19.99.

Toy Story Waffle Maker

This is a perfect option for a family with young kids who may not have the appetite for a full-size waffle. Here’s the Toy Story gang in fun shapes for $29.99.

Lightning McQueen Waffle Maker

Ka-chow! This is a “normal shaped” waffle, but with a fun Lightning McQueen tire motif. It sells for $34.95.

Mickey Waffle Maker

And of course if you want Mickey Waffles, Disney has you covered. There’s the “normal” type of Mickey Waffle maker for $34.95 or a flip-style waffle maker that makes thicker, fluffier ones just like you’d find in the parks. This one is $74.95. Even better, it makes 6 small waffles at a time!

Toy Story Pancake Maker

Not a fan of waffles? There’s also a Toy Story pancake maker available for $39.95. It’s okay, I won’t make you turn in your official Disney clout card.

Are any of these items that you’d want to help make your breakfast cooking a little more fun? Let us know in the comments. 

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From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Merchandise, Walt Disney World (FL), Mickey Waffles

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Disney Parks Other

Disney World Park Photos from the Late 1980s

In addition to Walt Disney World park maps from 1989, my recent attic purge also unearthed some photos from that same trip.

As much as Disney fans today love to complain about changes to the parks, my largest impression from seeing these long-forgotten shots is that WDW looks substantially the same as it did 30+ years ago.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICKEY

Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday was celebrated with banners on various transportation methods.

I really miss the character bus that used to stop near the intersection of Epcot’s World Showcase and Future World. This was a terrific way to meet many characters all at once.

MAGIC KINGDOM

These first two photos are from the alleyway on Main Street, on the right as you face the castle, where the silhouette artist is now. I love these bright flowers.

The Haunted Mansion exterior and the burning cabin from the Liberty Belle Riverboat journey are indistinguishable from their appearance today.

These two photos show items that have been discontinued. The first is a submarine from the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction that was located where New Fantasyland is now. And the second is of one of the Mike Fink Keel Boats that used to run near Tom Sawyer Island.

EPCOT

The 1989 exteriors of the Epcot countries look nearly identical to their appearance today.

This was the nighttime show at Epcot – Illuminations – before it was Illuminations: Reflections of Earth.

The exterior of the Imagination pavilion looked the same as it does today.

This is the famed rainbow tunnel in the Imagination pavilion. Every time I see this it just makes me happy.

For an almost fix of rainbow tunnel vibes, I like to take a peek at the similar tunnel on the Disney Cruise Line Dream and Fantasy ships at the entrance to the Vibe teen club. Adults can visit during periodic open house hours. While I sometimes wish that either version were still available on land, I fear that guests jockeying for Instagram photos would cause a daily near riot.

Are you surprised by how much Epcot still looks like Epcot? Do you have fond memories of the rainbow tunnel? Let us know in the comments.

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From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), history