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Some major changes to how you plan your next trip to Walt Disney World are coming. Disney announced on May 27 that it is planning to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15. However, things may feel a little less magical than before at the happiest place on earth.
According to the Walt Disney World website, ticket sales, hotel reservations, dining experiences, FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours have been altered because of the coronavirus outbreak. The resort's parks were shut down in mid-March, and Disney revealed some changes to its previous protocols.
Here's what you need to know to make planning your next trip stress-free.
Disney World is temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort reservations. Accommodating guests with existing reservations will be the main priority upon reopening. Additionally, existing ticket holders and annual pass holders will be allowed to make a theme park reservation before new tickets are sold. Disney is planning to reach out to these ticketholders with additional information.
New ticket sales and hotel reservations will resume after the aforementioned guests are taking care of. The website also noted that theme park reservations will be limited because of the park's capacity limitations.
To maintain social distancing, dining and behind-the-scenes tours will also be limited because of capacity limitations. Because of this, Disney World has canceled all existing dining reservations (including Disney dining plans that are part of packages) and experience bookings through the end of the year. New reservations can be made closer to when the parks reopen in July.
Additionally, instead of a 180-day booking window, guests will have a 60-day booking window to make dining and special experiences plans closer to their visit.
The FastPass+ service, which allows fans to reserve spots in line for rides and other experiences, is suspended. Additional space will be needed outside these experiences in order to maintain social distancing while waiting in line. Disney will automatically cancel any FastPass+ reservations that guests may already have.
Extra Magic Hours, which take place before and after a park opens, will be temporarily suspended to discourage crowds. Parades and firework shows are also canceled until further notice.
Disney said it will be reaching out to the guests affected by the updates with more information on such things as refunds.
Disney Springs in Orlando, Florida, opened on May 20. The shopping and dining complex has social distancing measures and temperature checks in place. Guests and employees are required to wear a face mask, except during dining. Anyone who registers a temperature above 100.4 degrees will be barred from the complex.
Once Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signs off on the plans announced May 27, the Orlando parks will be set to open in July.
Newsweek reached out for comment from Walt Disney World but did not hear back before publication.
