Disney Parks continue phased reopenings around the world. Today at Walt Disney World Resort, the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopened. Thousands of guests streamed into the parks and enjoyed experienced the magic again. As part of the phased reopening protocols, temperatures were taken before guests were allowed to enter the parks, and face masks were required. Wait times in the parks were short with the lower capacity being allowed. All guests visiting the parks did so via reservations with the Disney Park Pass System.
The day began with an Instagram post from Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro welcoming people back.
Also as the parks reopened, Magic Kingom Vice President Jason Kirk sent a message out saying:
To all who come to this magical place, welcome! On behalf of the entire team here at Magic Kingdom Park, we’re glad you are visiting today. During this unprecedented time, I’d like to thank you in advance for following our guidelines, such as wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing, for the health and well-being of your fellow guests and our cast members. Though things make look a little different than in the past, there is plenty of magic for everyone to enjoy.
Have a magical day!
Jason Kirk
Vice President,
Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom Reopening
Sitting, waiting, wishing. #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/CkOhGSeuYy
— The DIS (@TheDIS) July 9, 2020
Magic Kingdom entrance is moving smoothly with the biometric touch points covered. #WDW #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/NHRwXcZsEX
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) July 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/MouseTransit/status/1281940329093042176?s=20
The princesses are super excited to see everyone! #waltdisneyworld @DisneyParks #SafetyFirst #bestdayever pic.twitter.com/YqsoOwwPR2
— Janice Brady (@bjkbrady) July 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/Blog_Mickey/status/1281938921895665665?s=20
https://twitter.com/SoCalExploring/status/1281955748952436736?s=20
safety measures in place. Reminders by over head announcements & cast members to maintain physical distancing. there will always be some that don’t follow the guidelines. Shame on them! #Disney is doing a great job! #SafetyFirst #wdw #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/j5tYY1v6BD
— Janice Brady (@bjkbrady) July 11, 2020
Here’s the hub at 11am opening day at Magic Kingdom. #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/2kHCymhxCy
— Brooke Geiger McDonald (@BrookeGMcDonald) July 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/thrillgeek/status/1281953765067825160?s=20
Lots of hand washing and sanitizing safety measures at the #MagicKingdom! They are making it super easy for us to visit and stay safe! #backtothemagic #wdw @DisneyParks pic.twitter.com/BN8MahPQ5w
— Janice Brady (@bjkbrady) July 11, 2020
Capacity for the day seems to be "enough to fill the (socially distanced) attraction queues, but still leave the walkways relatively empty".
No exact capacity limits have been announced by Disney or government mandate#WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/Q1zrpo5omM
— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) July 11, 2020
Haunted Mansion queue wraps down by the Rivers of America this morning, all socially distanced #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/5aL3x3sbKU
— BlogMickey.com (@Blog_Mickey) July 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/BrookeGMcDonald/status/1281979046012825601?s=20
https://twitter.com/laughing_place/status/1281966352740343808?s=20
Adventureland at 2:45pm. #MagicKingdom #DisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/mluq7qIHz3
— Brooke Geiger McDonald (@BrookeGMcDonald) July 11, 2020
Relaxation Station in Frontierland at Pirates Adventure. Not too many people using it today.. #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/0Djv5snlLx
— Ziggy Knows Disney (@disneyziggy) July 11, 2020
リラクゼーション・ステーション
トゥモローランド・テラス
半屋外で冷房ありませんが屋根とシーリングファンがあるので涼めました。充電スポットはありませんでした。#diz課 #ディズニー #ディズニーワールド #ディズニーリゾート #wdw #magickingdom #Disneypark #relaxationstation pic.twitter.com/ZpzO1ErMjo— WJTテーマパーク課 (@wjt_themepark) July 11, 2020
Inside the Big Thunder Mountain queue. Plexiglass dividers up throughout to keep guests protected in line. #MagicKingdom pic.twitter.com/e6FaBeLwIV
— Ziggy Knows Disney (@disneyziggy) July 11, 2020
https://twitter.com/SpicySandwichP1/status/1282037922125029376?s=20
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Reopening
https://twitter.com/chipandcompany/status/1281977107002908674?s=20
FoP wait time. Yes!! 5 minutes!#disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #passholderpreview #waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/yvUF7Msjuh
— D-COT (@_dcot) July 9, 2020
Where else would I be today? Every ride has been a walk-on at #animalkingdom at #WaltDisneyWorld pic.twitter.com/UFackhnXaf
— Rick Munarriz (@Market) July 10, 2020
Even Time Travel needs some COVID-19 safeguards! New plastic dividers have been installed on every Time Rover vehicles are the #DinoInstitute (AKA #Dinosaur) at #DisneysAnimalKingdom behind the front row, with time travelers placed in only the first and third rows pic.twitter.com/9tTFR1qeoQ
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) July 11, 2020
Socially distant performances at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.#disney #wdw #animalkingdom #waltdisneyworld pic.twitter.com/c6X2bTjAaJ
— SpaceCoastTrooper (@SpaceCoastTpr) July 11, 2020
#Timon and #Rafiki are cruising around #DiscoveryIsland at #DisneysAnimalKingdom in their very own boat to say hey to everybody! pic.twitter.com/3jwIb5avUc
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughing_place) July 11, 2020
While many were thrilled to be back in the parks, others took a little more to get to enjoy the magic. A line formed outside of the main gate of Magic Kingdom and also Guest Relations as people figured out the details of a new system to enter the park. This led to some challenges near the main gate for social distancing as some confusion developed. Judging by twitter reports, this seemed to have been resolved as the morning moved forward.
As the day progressed, Disney guests found themselves experiencing a similar but different style of Disney magic. This includes unique character experiences and cavalcades, social distance friendly queues that often included plexiglass barriers and signs that reminded of safety protocols. DAPS MAGIC will continue to update this story as the day progresses and the story develops.
DAPS MAGIC will continue to follow the reopening of the parks at Walt Disney World Resort. What do you think of the reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Share your thoughts in the comments below or with DAPS MAGIC on Facebook or Twitter!
