Walt Disney World Theme Parks Propose Mid-July Reopening, SeaWorld Seeks June 11
ORLANDO (CBSMiami) -- Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando presented their plans for phased reopenings before an Orange County task force on Wednesday. If approved, Disney World's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would begin reopening on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios would reopen July 15.
SeaWorld is looking to reopen on June 11.
If Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings signs off on them, the plans will be sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval.
The County has already approved a plan for Universal Orlando to reopen to the public on June 5 which includes temperature checks, mandatory masks and reduced capacity.
Officials approved those plans and sent them to the governor.
When Disney reopens, guests will need to reserve park entry in advance, cast members and guests will get temperature checks, character meet-and-greets will be paused and play areas temporarily closed.
Disney will also reduce capacity on attractions, in restaurants and in retail stores as well as methods of transportation.
Guests and cast members will be required to wear face coverings and parades, fireworks and other events that create crowds will be temporarily suspended.
The parks' existing digital "magic" wristbands will allow food orders and other payments to be cashless and plastic barrier use will be increased.
Disney is also creating a "social distance squad" to make sure new rules are enforced, in a friendly way.
With 77,000 workers, Disney World is central Florida's biggest employer.
Last week, Disney World allowed third-party businesses at its Disney Springs dining and shopping complex to open with new restrictions.
All workers and visitors older than 2 at Disney Springs must wear masks, temperatures are checked at entrances to keep out anyone with a temperature 100.4 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) or higher and a limited number of people are admitted to allow social distancing at the high-end outdoor shopping area with restaurants, movie theaters, a bowling alley and a Cirque du Soleil theater.
Universal also has opened up its dining and entertainment complex with restrictions similar to Disney Springs.
Earlier this month, Shanghai Disneyland became the first of Disney's theme park resorts to reopen, with severe limits on the number of visitors allowed in, mandatory masks and temperature checks.
(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
