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Today, Disney’s Epcot park and Hollywood Studios opened their doors to guests for the first time since they closed on March 15. (Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opened on July 11.)
Back in the US, the Florida Department of Health reported another 10,181 cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the total of cases reported throughout the pandemic to at least 301,810, according to new numbers released by the Florida Department of Health.
With Disney World looking to reopen in mid-July, CEO Bob Chapek explains to CNN Business’ Frank Pallotta why the mandatory use of face masks and social distancing won’t spoil the fun.
“The world is a different place, but we feel really prepared to operate in this new environment that we’re in,” Disney chairman of Parks, Experiences and Products Josh D’Amaro told CNN Business on July 11.
At the opening of the Magic Kingdom on July 11, images of long lines at Guest Services — where park attendees sort out any ticket issues before entering the park — circulated on social media as proof that Disney was not enforcing social distancing protocols.
A tweet from theme park journalist Carlye Wisel read:
“haven’t even made it in the gate yet and my heart is pounding out of my chest. just had to squeeze past a lane of opposite traffic while there’s this densely packed line for guest services. this is unacceptable — and I haven’t even made it into the park yet.”
That lesson is one Disney learned the hard way.
What’s happening at Epcot
Today, at the international entrance to Epcot at the back of the park, there was a cast member managing social distancing in the temperature check line.
“This will be the longest line of the day, I promise,” said the cast member monitoring social distancing.
Epcot closed in March because of the coronavirus pandemic. CNN Travel is inside the park today, reopening day.
Alex Menendez/Getty Images
At the gates to Epcot, long lines for temperature checks were the only delay.
Touchless bag screening and tickets decreased interpersonal contact and had no wait at all around the 11 a.m. opening, at least at the international gate.
‘Welcome back!’
Inside the gate, cast members holding flags from the international showcase were waving and greeting guests. “Welcome back!” one said. “Drink lots of water. Eat all the foods.”
Besides modified entry and and an unusually enthusiastic welcome, the scene looks largely the same as it did before Epcot closed in March.
The main difference: all of the photos in front of the park’s iconic dome are of people wearing masks. (Disney said its photographers won’t shoot anyone not wearing a mask.)
At the dome
To get into Mouse Gear, Epcot’s main gift shop, there was a line of about 15 socially distanced groups.
Julie Tremaine
The park is under major construction, as part of the renovation Disney announced at its 2019 D23 Conference. Almost all of Future World is blocked off by construction barriers.
The central plaza just after Epcot’s iconic dome is completely blocked off from foot traffic. To get into Mouse Gear, Epcot’s main gift shop, there was a line of about 15 socially distanced groups at 12:30 p.m.
One thing that’s not under construction: the Epcot dome itself.
That dome houses Spaceship Earth, one of the original rides that opened in 1982 at the debut of Epcot. A refresh of that ride was scheduled for this year — it was supposed to shut down in May — but those plans are on indefinite hold because of the pandemic.
The original ride is still operational, but because of new safety protocols, the interactive touch screen displays people use after the ride is over aren’t available now.