When do you think the Disney World theme parks will reopen?

[andypooh]

1) May or June
2) July or August
3) September, October, November, December
4) Not until at least 2021

[Simba's Mom]

It seems that people keep pushing back the possible reopening. It did seem that June 1st was the overwhelming favorite, but now there are more votes for September, October, or November. I know I have reservations in September, but I'm thinking it's quite likely I'll cancel (even if WDW reopens, I doubt I'll feel comfortable going). Fortunately I already have reservations in January, just in case (the odds on that are increasing daily).

[TheVBs]

I'm guessing August, but that's probably way too optimistic.

[Zippy 1]

My DD is scheduled to start an internship at Disney the end of August. As of right now that is still confirmed as her start date.

[magicofdisney]

This is tough to call. I keep hearing that the new normal for society will require an acceptance of social changes (like no handshaking or hugging). I've even heard it say that a return to social activity may first require a vaccine for COVID. I'm simply relaying things I've read or heard about. I'm neither advocating or endorsing any of these ideas or thoughts. Right now, I'm glad I'm not the one who has to make these tough decision because it seems "you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't".

[dnickels]

I mean it's a complete guess of course, but I just don't see how massive gathering locations like Disney or pro / college sporting events can return until there's a vaccine and even if they rush that I think that'll be September-December timeframe from among the options.

[Park Hopper]

So, this is purely speculative with no inside information or sources, not even something I heard from a friend who heard from a friend of a Disney World Buss Driver. I have been thinking about how/when Disney Parks might reopen. I try to be optimistic about Disney World getting back to normal. However, I think it may be some time before that happens. Truly, until there is a vaccine, I think large gatherings may still be restricted. If it looks like the restrictions will last several more months, I see Disney being clever in figuring out ways to make money and operate the parks without waiting that long to completely reopen.

I am not saying this will happen, but if restrictions continue, I can imagine Disney doing something temporary in which selected small groups of people will more or less be escorted through a park, as if a tour in a very controlled fashion. Only a skeleton crew (maybe travelling with the group?) would be required to operate the selected rides and wipe everything down - similar to how many restaurants are operating today with a 10 person minimum or something like that. Multiple groups could be rotated. This would obviously be pricey for those going (to cover the costs involved), but I am always astonished at how much people will pay. Similarly, a certain amount of hotel rooms could be opened. The rooms and transportation could be controlled. Again, I could see this going until they had the green-light to operate as before the pandemic.

I am fairly certain that I would not be able to justifiably afford this, but what do you all think? I have to believe Disney is currently coming up with some kind of plan to move forward under the current environment if they cannot completely bring everything back to normal for several more months.

Again, this is just something I could see happening - I do not have any real knowledge of how realistic this scenario is.

[TheVBs]

I think that's a very interesting idea Park Hopper! I hadn't thought of that possibility, but when I read your post I could see it happening. Small groups, maybe some really specialized offerings, and like you said probably big price tags.

[VacationDisney]

I hope it will be the fall, however, I wouldn't be surprised if it's really 2021

[TikiLounger]

I chose July or August simply because I'm trying to be optimistic. We have a vacation booked for November and I'm not ready to give up my high hopes.

[FenwayGirl]

We are November also (after rescheduling both April and June) Fingers crossed.

[Cinderelley]

Part of Shanghai has reopened.

[PopPhan]

I had initially said the September timeframe, but that is for FULL opening.

With the way things are shaping up, I expect that Disney will try to do a "phased" opening somewhere in the July 4th window. Possibly FL residents and 'local' AP members. Not everything in every park open at that time. I would expect most 'dark rides' will still be closed at this time.

Slowly, after that, open up more attractions - primarily the 'dark rides' - will open slowly. Maybe a couple per week.

Once all rides and attractions are open, they will open up visitation to US residents. Even at this point, entrance will be limited and queues will be monitored for 'social distance' and attractions will have lower 'throughput.'

IF, at that point, there are no major outbreaks, full operation may commence.

I do expect that things like the Food and Wine Festival will be cancelled for this year and the 'parties' - MNSSHP and MVMCP - will have VERY limited entry if they are held at all.

By January 2021, full operation should be the case...UNLESS there is a resurgence during the Fall/Winter "flu" season.

Throughout this period, and possibly for a lot longer, character Meet & Greets will not be available anywhere in the parks.


Just as an aside...I do know of at least one person that is on a CP 'internship' in food service management (?) that is scheduled to begin the program in August. (My brother-in-law's granddaughter. So this is not just hearsay.)

[nicholsbears]

I have reservations for Dec. which will probably be cancelled I don't think anyone will feel comfortable going to a crowded park until there is a vaccine, and that won't be until sometime in 2021 (at the earliest).

[Altair]

It may open sometime this year, but it won't be worth going to until next year.

[MNNHFLTX]

With the way things are shaping up, I expect that Disney will try to do a "phased" opening somewhere in the July 4th window. Possibly FL residents and 'local' AP members. Not everything in every park open at that time. I would expect most 'dark rides' will still be closed at this time.

Slowly, after that, open up more attractions - primarily the 'dark rides' - will open slowly. Maybe a couple per week.

Once all rides and attractions are open, they will open up visitation to US residents. Even at this point, entrance will be limited and queues will be monitored for 'social distance' and attractions will have lower 'throughput.'

IF, at that point, there are no major outbreaks, full operation may commence.

By January 2021, full operation should be the case...UNLESS there is a resurgence during the Fall/Winter "flu" season.

I had a few thoughts reading your post. First, personally I doubt that Disney will open initially to locals/AP holders only, even if still dealing with restrictions. That market brings them only a fraction of their revenue compared with U.S. (non AP holders) and international guests, especially if you factor in hotel reservations.

Secondly, even if the spread of the virus slows during the summer months, it is pretty much a given that there will be a resurgence in the fall and winters months going into next year. This could be a stop-and-go process for a year or more.

I want to be optimistic, but I was telling my husband the other day that I have a hard time wrapping my head around how the Disney parks are going to handle this in the long run. The next year to year-and-a-half will likely still see social distancing to be the norm. Disney would have to limit admissions and eliminate crowding; this is not something that they have had to do in the past and, quite honestly, their model of operation has become quite the opposite.

[1DisneyNut]

Sometime in May possibly June 1st. We can't expect businesses to stay closed forever and lose revenue. Everything will start going bankrupt. The Corona Virus may mutate again and we will have Covid 20 next year. It may be just as bad or not very contagious. Then again we may see another round of Covid 19 still in circulation. We really have no idea what to expect. All I do no for certain is we can't keep shutting businesses down and stopping the economy or it will spiral out of control. The virus will run it's course through the population because it is so contagious. All we are doing right now is slowing the spread down.

[PopPhan]

Sometime in May possibly June 1st. We can't expect businesses to stay closed forever and lose revenue. Everything will start going bankrupt. The Corona Virus may mutate again and we will have Covid 20 next year. It may be just as bad or not very contagious. Then again we may see another round of Covid 19 still in circulation. We really have no idea what to expect. All I do no for certain is we can't keep shutting businesses down and stopping the economy or it will spiral out of control. The virus will run it's course through the population because it is so contagious. All we are doing right now is slowing the spread down.

And that is EXACTLY why things are shut down right now. Slow the spread, take the heat off of medical facilities until a viable treatment plan can be devised. It will be more than a year until there is a vaccine, so treatment is the only, best option. Open up too soon and the cases and hospitalizations will spike and we will have to go through this all over again.

[nicholsbears]

Absolutely correct. We must slow the spread to keep our healthcare facilities and professionals from being further overwhelmed. Some states have not been severely affected...yet, so people in those states are really not in touch with the enormity of it. We must have patience, no matter how difficult it seems. No one likes the current situation, but we must be smart. Social distancing is the only weapon we have right now.

[MNNHFLTX]

Sometime in May possibly June 1st. We can't expect businesses to stay closed forever and lose revenue. Everything will start going bankrupt. The Corona Virus may mutate again and we will have Covid 20 next year. It may be just as bad or not very contagious. Then again we may see another round of Covid 19 still in circulation. We really have no idea what to expect.

Corona viruses are slow to mutate, compared with flu viruses. If they develop some effective vaccines for COVID-19, chances are good they will have a lasting effect for many years to come.