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

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, California, remains closed.

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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.

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Walt Disney World: July 11

Disney plans to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15. The Orlando parks will have social distancing and wellness measures, including temperature screenings, wearings masks, keeping guests six feet apart while lining up for attractions and a guest reservation system to limit capacity.

Fireworks, parades and character meet and greets have been suspended. Disney World also isn't selling any new tickets for now -- instead, it will focus on guests who have existing tickets and reservations, like those who made bookings prior to the pandemic and had to postpone, as well as annual passholders.

Disney World resorts and hotels will begin reopening next month, starting with Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on June 22. 

Disney Springs shopping and dining area reopened May 20 with limited parking, fewer entrances, temperature screening before entry, masks required, physically distanced lines and barriers, reduced hours, no entertainment and more sanitization and disinfectant. Disney-owned stores and restaurants in Disney Springs began reopening May 27.

Disney World's fireworks show is on hold, though the Magic Kingdom has a planned reopening date of July 11

Disney

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

California is currently in stage 2, with some retail, shopping centers, dine-in restaurants and hair salons allowed to reopen in May. California will begin entering phase 3 on Friday, June 12, allowing some schools, bars, gyms, day camps and professional sports to reopen, a report June 5 says.

With Disneyland likely a part of stage 4, the question is when there might be therapeutics -- a vaccine isn't likely until 2021. According to one report, theme parks could be pushed into Stage 3 if the rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations remains stable.

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

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

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 -- Japan began reopening in late May, with schools, restaurants and most other businesses now open again. An update on June 4 from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea said it will decide a reopening date once the government's guidance has lifted.
  
• Disneyland Paris: September 2020 -- France is one of the hardest-hit European nations. French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe reopened stores and schools as of May 11, beaches 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." You can get a refund if your planned trip was booked to take place prior to July 14.
• 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.

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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.

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