Now we are cooking with gas!
This past week was full of post-COVID-19 reopenings. Two of the hardest-hit areas of the Parks with the new COVID-19 restrictions have been dining locations and entertainment spots. Although the Parks still do not have 100% of these spots reopened, during this past week significant progress was made in the reopening process.
Governor’s Comments May Not Immediately Impact Park Operations
If you missed it, World of Walt detailed Florida’s Governor DeSantis’ desire and approval for theme parks, like Disney World, to lift their COVID-19 restrictions and begin the process of normal operations.
These changes would include:
- decreased emphasis on social distancing (although still very much in play)
- expanded Park capacity levels
- increased capacity at indoor dining locations
- possible reintroduction of entertainment such as shows and nighttime fireworks.
Disney Calls The Shots
However, the process of reopening Walt Disney World to its pre-COVID condition could be a long process.
Given the amount of Cast Member retraining, number crunching, and safety protocols that would need to be in place, it’s safe to assume that Disney will continue an action plan that is slow-moving and methodical.
Even with Governor DeSantis’s approval to lift COVID-19 restrictions, Disney can still operate in a manner in which they deem to be under a best practice model. The worst thing that could happen to Disney (or any theme park) is a rush to get back to “normal” and an outbreak within the Parks to occur.
For now, let’s take a look at all the Disney Magic that returned to the Parks this week!
Magic Kingdom
- Bwana Bob’s Kiosk (Adventureland)
- Adventureland’s Spring Rolls Cart
- An hour extension in Magic Kingdom‘s operating hours for certain weekends in October
EPCOT
- Cast Members are doing prep work on a number of kiosks around the Park
- Germany’s Sommerfest
- UK’s Yorkshire Fish and Chips (and the addition of tables and chairs in the area)
- Norway’s Kringla Bakeri
- France’s Chefs de France (October 8th)
- Operating hours for EPCOT will move to 12 noon – 8 pm for the Christmas Season
Hollywood Studios
- Hollywood and Vine (soft reopen)
- “For the First Time in Forever”-Frozen Sing-A-Long Show (reopens October 5th)
- An hour reduction in Hollywood Studios operating hours certain weekends in October
Animal Kingdom
- Thirsty River Bar
It appears over the next several weeks, the list of reopened shows and dining locations will continue to grow. Keep checking back in with World of Walt for an updated list on the reopening.
Excited Disney World is reopening more food locations?