How A Pandemic May Affect Your Disney Vacation

Walt Disney World has announced major changes for when they reopen in July 2020! For all the details, please see our post on Walt Disney World Reopening Information!

Disneyland has postponed their reopening! For all the details, please see our post on Disneyland Reopening Information!

UPDATE: Walt Disney World has continued to update health and safety protocols as more people have gained access to the COVID-19 vaccine. For the latest information, please visit Walt Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” page.

Walt Disney World has announced their proposal for reopening the theme parks. Currently, the Magic Kingdom and Epcot are scheduled to reopen on July 11, 2020. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen on July 15, 2020. Extensive social distancing protocols will be in place including reduced capacity, as described in the slide below. Masks will be required for all guests and cast members. Temperature checks will be required upon entering each park. A team of Cast Members known as the “Social Distance Squad” will be in each park to assist guests. Parades and fireworks are cancelled for now.

Walt Disney World will also be implementing a theme park reservation system, more information to come in the days ahead.

Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and Guests on June 22, 2020. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen on June 22, 2020. Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will also open to members and Guests starting on June 15, 2020.

Walt Disney World Reopening Information Social Distancing

Disneyland will remain closed until further notice. Walt Disney World has suspended new ticket sales and resort reservations for 2020 to allow them to focus on assisting guests with existing reservations. Guests can book 2021 packages.

Please note that all of this information is as of the time of writing. For accurate, up-to-date information, please refer to the official links below! And always check with your physician for medical questions.

What is the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Pandemic?

Let’s go straight to a reliable source for this information! From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

“A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not the same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.”

The primary symptoms of COVID-19 are Fever, Cough, and Shortness of Breath. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid exposure to people who are sick, wash your hands (with soap and for at least 20 seconds), and avoid touching your face.

How is CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Affecting Disney Cruise Line?

Disney Cruise Line has suspended all sailings through and including July 28, 2020. The Disney Magic has had sailings suspended through October 2, 2020. The Disney Wonder has suspended sailings through September 14, 2020.

On March 8, 2020, the CDC issued the following health alert: “U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship. CDC notes increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships and prevented passengers from disembarking. In some cases, local authorities have permitted disembarkation but subjected passengers to local quarantine procedures. While the U.S. government has evacuated some cruise ship passengers in recent weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities.”

Disney Cruise Line has adjusted the change/cancel policy for most guests traveling between now and July 31, 2020.

For guests who were scheduled to sail on cancelled cruises, they have the option to choose between a full refund, or a 125% future cruise credit that must be sailed on within 15 months of their original sail date.

Still planning to sail once Disney Cruise Line resumes operations?

Here are a few more things to keep in mind!

“Currently, any Guest or Crew Member who has traveled from, to or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau, South Korea, Italy, Iran or Japan, within 14 days of departure will not be able to board our ships.
Any Guest or Crew Member who has been in contact with someone from these areas, including Guests with connecting flights in these locations, also will not be able to board, nor will anyone who has helped care for someone suspected of having or diagnosed with the coronavirus (COVID-19), or who is currently subject to health monitoring for possible exposure. Guests who have air travel booked through Disney Cruise Line will automatically have their flights rebooked on an alternate route. Guests who booked their own air travel arrangements should contact their airlines directly to make the appropriate changes.
As is always our practice, we screen all Guests and Crew Members before they board, and anyone who feels unwell with gastrointestinal or flu-like symptoms (fever over 100.4º F, chills, cough or difficulty breathing) will not be permitted to sail.
In addition, all Guests and Crew Members will have their temperature checked by a nurse with a no touch thermometer prior to boarding, regardless if they are symptomatic or feel unwell. Additional medical screening will be required for anyone with a temperature of 100.4º F or greater, and they along with their travel party may be unable to sail.
For cruises that include a stop in Nassau or Castaway Cay, please note that The Bahamas will not allow anyone to disembark in any Bahamian port if they have been to China, South Korea, Italy or Iran in the past 20 days prior to arrival. These Guests may be able to sail but will be unable to visit The Bahamas.
For cruises that include a stop in Jamaica, please note that in addition to the locations noted above, officials there also will not allow Guests who have traveled from, to or through Singapore within 14 days of arrival to come ashore. These Guests will be unable to sail.”

In addition, Disney Cruise Line has implemented additional training for crew members on preventing the spread of infection, increased extensive cleaning and sanitation of public areas, and will continue with health screenings prior to boarding.

How is CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Affecting Walt Disney World?

See Announcement Above!

Walt Disney World is planning to reopen the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, 2020. Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are scheduled to reopen on July 15, 2020. No announcement has been made regarding when the resorts will reopen.

How is CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Affecting Disneyland?

See Announcement Above!

Disneyland was planning to reopen on July 17, 2020. That reopening has been postponed.

How is CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Affecting Other Disney Parks Around the World?

Shanghai Disneyland reopened on May 11, 2020. Extensive restrictions are in place including reduced capacity, required mask usage, temperature checks, health QR code checks, and spaced out queues.

All parks have announced reopening dates at this point.

What About Adventures by Disney?

Adventures by Disney has cancelled all trips through the end of August 2020.

If your trip is cancelled by Adventures by Disney, guests can choose to reschedule or receive a refund. If a guest chooses to cancel by choice, the usual cancellation terms and conditions would apply.