Update on Walt Disney World Reservations
Walt Disney World will begin reopening on July 11, 2020. I know many of you are excited to return to the magic and make new memories. As Disney World takes the next steps forward, it is introducing enhanced health and safety measures reflecting guidance from health authorities and appropriate government agencies.
Here is a summary of what you can expect. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at darren@magicalvacationstravel.com or you can use the Contact link.
Related: No Need For Park Hoppers, FastPass, Dining Plans When Walt Disney World Reopens
Wearing a mask at Walt Disney World: What it's like:
Yesterday I had an opportunity to visit Disney Springs. There are strict guidelines in place to help protect the spread of COVID-19 such as 6 ft. distancing, face coverings, and temperature screenings. There are several other precautions in place as well.
As a travel advisor, I have been getting a lot of questions about wearing masks at Disney so I wanted to share with you some of my experiences so far in an FAQ format.
Disney parks face masks are now available on sites like Etsy and TeePublic. Here’s one from the WDWNT shop featuring Spaceship Earth.
What’s it like to wear a face mask in Florida? Is it hot?
Most of us are used to wearing face-coverings by now so it’s not much of a transition. I didn’t notice that it feels hotter or that is made me uncomfortable. Sure, it would be better without the mask, but having mine on didn’t stop me from having fun.
I do recommend cloth or breathable masks over those light blue paper masks. I find those can get itchy if you wear them for a while. Masks are here to stay, so invest a good one that’s sized right.
ShopDisney has character masks online, available in July. There are few unofficial Disney parks masks on Etsy if you want to show off your Disney spirit. I like these masks from WDWNT.com
What if I need a break from the mask?
It’s no problem if you need a breather. Just find a place to sit down that is isolated. The mask police aren’t out to get you. It’s ok take them off at restaurants to eat, so no one is going to be concerned if you just need a breather. Just be smart, safe, and distance yourself during your break.
Is everyone wearing a mask or just some people?
Everyone must wear a mask to be on property at Disney. There are employees who are actively checking. They will politely remind you if you forget to put yours on but it’s not really a suggestion.
Do kids need to wear masks at Walt Disney World?
Yes, any child over the age of 3 must have a face covering. If you’re concerned about them taking it off or not wanting to wear it, see if you can get them excited about one of the Disney character masks. Allow them to pick one out so they are more committed to wearing it, and offer them a break if they need it.
If you have a question for me that I didn't answer here, feel free to ask!
Disney, Universal Orlando & SeaWorld Submit Plans to Reopen on Thursday
Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld will begin presenting their reopening plans on Thursday, Orange County officials said.
FOX 35 reporter Robert Guaderrama confirmed on Wednesday afternoon with Orange County that the three major Orlando-area theme parks will begin presenting their reopening plans on Thursday.
While all three theme parks will make presentations tomorrow, only Universal Orlando will speak publically. Disney World and SeaWorld will speak at future presentations next week, according to Guaderrama.
Darren Wittko
Vice President To Discuss Reopening Florida on May 20th
Vice President Mike Pence will visit Orlando, FL on May 20, 2020.
According to ClickOrlando, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Orlando and meet with Gov. Ron DeSantis to discuss Florida’s phased economic reopening.
Pence will join in a roundtable with hospitality and tourism industry leaders to discuss their plans for reopening. Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on the same day.
Related:
Disney Springs Phased Reopening, What You Need to Know
Behind the Magic: 5 Secrets of The Haunted Mansion You Probably Didn't Know
At night, keep an eye on the windows, you may notice a ghost or two passing by. Image credit: Walt Disney Co.
Everyone knows The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom Park is a classic and one of the most beloved attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. The 999 happy haunts have been eliciting no-so-scary chills and shrieks since Walt Disney World Resort opened on Oct. 1, 1971. But here are some insider secrets that you may not know.
The Raven - Why He’s There:
In the original plans for the Haunted Mansion, the raven was going to be our narrator as we toured the attraction. It was even going to be a water ride at one point. But it was later decided to have Paul Frees be our ghost host, the voice that we hear today. You’ll still see our fine-feathered-friend four separate times throughout the ride.
We are first introduced to the raven in the stand-by queue just above the Ravenscroft organ. By the way, the graveyard in the queue area is full of references to Walt Disney Imagineers like X Atencio and Marc Davis, just read the tombstones. Thurl Ravenscroft, a voice actor also known as the original voice of Tony the Tiger for Frosted Flakes cereal, gets a little nod on the organ itself. He voices one of the singing busts in the graveyard scene in the ride, the one that resembles Walt Disney.
2. Chess Pieces on the Roof
It’s often said, especially on the Keys to the Kingdom Tour, that Imagineer Marc Davis, an avid chess player, cleverly hid chess pieces in plain sight on the roof of the Haunted Mansion as a nod to his favorite pastime. But in his book The Art of the Haunted Mansion, former Imagineer Jason Surrell writes that this was simply a design element that was popular when the Haunted Mansion would have been built. But Marc Davis is also credited for adding the scene in the Pirates of the Caribbean queue where 2 skeletal pirates are playing chess, deadlocked where neither player can make a move. No matter which version you believe, there are chess pieces on the roof, and they are hidden in plain sight. All pieces but the knight. Why? Because it’s always night at the Haunted Mansion.
Chess pieces are hidden in plain sight on the Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World
3. Park Benches
There are a few park benches located just outside the Haunted Mansion. While most of us sit on a bench to rest relax for a bit, I can’t think of a bench that would make someone more uncomfortable. Look closely, the iron work is actually a serpent with red eyes.
4. The Stretching Room - are you actually going down?
Is this room actually stretching? Or is it just your imagination?
The stretching room is one of the best special effects of any attraction at Walt Disney World. Once inside, the room begins to stretch, leaving us to wonder if we are actually moving down in an elevator, or staying put.
I believe that knowing the effects enhances the magic at Walt Disney World, helping us to appreciate the details even more. But I would hate to ruin this for anyone who doesn’t want to know. If you wish to keep this one a mystery, skip over the spoiler alert below.
Spoiler Alert!
In the Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, the show building, where the ride actually takes place , is on the other side of the Disneyland Railroad tracks. In order for guests to access the ride, they need to take an elevator down to a tunnel, under the tracks. So in Disneyland you’re actually in an elevator. But in Walt Disney World, there is no need to move guests down, so the stretching room doesn’t actually move.
Speaking of the show building, here’s another secret that is sure to impress.
5. The Show Building
Most of us assume the ride takes place inside the mansion itself but this isn’t actually the case. What we see on the outside is simply a facade. Other than the stretching room, the ride takes place in a massive warehouse-style building backstage. And while the Haunted Mansion is set in Liberty Square, it sits right along side “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland.
Here’s a bonus secret: In addition to its home in the Liberty Square area at Walt Disney World Resort, The Haunted Mansion is featured at Disneyland Resort (in New Orleans Square), Tokyo Disneyland (in Fantasyland) and Disneyland Paris (known as Phantom Manor and located in Frontierland). It is the only Disney attraction to be featured in four different park “lands” worldwide.
Related:
What You Need to Know About the Phased Reopening of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort
Update May 19th - Revised List of Disney Springs Restaurants and Retailers Opening on May 20th
The following locations will open on May 20. Hours of operation vary. Please contact the store or restaurant directly for hours of operation.
4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
Anthropologie
The Art Corner by Artistic Talent Group
Basin
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza
The BOATHOUSE®
Chapel Hats
Chicken Guy!
Columbia Sportswear
Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
Earl of Sandwich®
Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear
Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC
Free People
Frontera Cocina
Happy Hound
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company®
Lucky Brand
Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
Pandora® Jewelry
Paradiso 37 Entertainment
Pelé Soccer
Planet Hollywood
The Polite Pig
Pop Gallery
Ron Jon Surf Shop®
Royally Yours by Arribas Brothers
Sanuk
Savannah Bee Company
Sosa Family Cigars
STK Orlando
Sugarboo & Co.
Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs Marketplace
Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs West Side
T-REX™
UGG®
UNIQLO
UNOde50
Volcom
Vera Bradley
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
Wine Bar George – A Restaurant & Bar
YeSake Kiosk
ZARA
Wednesday, May 20 will be the first milestone in the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort! Beginning with some of the Disney Springs third-party operating participants who will open their doors to guests at various times throughout the day.
Disney Springs Reopening May 20, 2020 | Walt Disney World Resort
On May 22, Morimoto Asia will open to guests (one of my favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World) Reservations can be made at OpenTable, not through Disney at this time.
On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen:
World of Disney
D-Luxe Burger (mobile order)
Marketplace Co-Op.
You can visit DisneySprings.com/reopening for the most current information.
Reservations for many of the third-party restaurants can be made on OpenTable to seating times in May. From June 1st onward, guests can make reservations on at disneyworld.com or through the My Disney Experience mobile app.
Disney Springs will reopen May 20, 2020
Cast Members have gone through extensive new training to adjust to these changing times. Disney will have some Cast Members walking throughout Disney Springs to explain its new procedures and answer any questions guests may have. They will also encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of everyone.
Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs
On May 8th I shared with you that Disney Springs will begin the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. but only non-Disney owned retailers and restaurants are expected to open their doors at first.
World of Disney Store to open May 27, 2020 at Disney Springs, Walt Disney World
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE, Local 362, shared that his members are preparing to return to work on May 27th, when the Disney-owned restaurants and stores will officially reopen.
"Some are anxious to get back because the unemployment system [in Florida] is completely broken," Clinton said. On May 20, only sub-contracted shops will be open in the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen,” the union president said. For that, an additional 59 custodians will report back to work on May 24.
Related
How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20
Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs
How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20
Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE, Local 362 on Wednesday told The Hollywood Reporter that park staff have a "mixed bag of emotions" about returning to work: Potential infection is a major concern, but so is not being able to pay rent.
Phased reopening of Disney Springs on May 20, 2020 with limited non-Disney owned retailers and restaurants.
"Some are anxious to get back because the unemployment system [in Florida] is completely broken," Clinton said. On May 20, only sub-contracted shops will be open in the Disney Springs shopping and dining complex at Walt Disney World. The next phase will start seven days later when Disney retail shops, such as World of Disney Store, and Disney eateries reopen, the union president said. For that, an additional 59 custodians will report back to work on May 24.
Disney is treating the safety of both guests and employees with the utmost seriousness, explained Clinton, highlighting some of the precautions that will be put in place. All guests and employees will be required to wear masks. Disney will provide employees three washable masks. Guests will have their temperature checked, and plexiglass dividers have been installed at registers. Guests will swipe their own payments cards, as they will no longer be handled by employees. And custodians will be retrained to pay attention to high-touch areas.
Clinton would not speculate about when the rest of the resort, namely the theme park itself, might reopen, but he did point to the Monday reopening of Shanghai Disneyland Park, noting "what you see there is a lot of what you'll see here." The sprawling China park requires all guests and staff wear masks, has line queues and rides marked for one-meter social distancing and is allowing far fewer guests daily (below 24,000) than the maximum capacity, which is 80,000.
Related
Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs
Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs
Walt Disney World Begins Taking Reservations for July 1, 2020
Reservations for summer travel are already coming in as Walt Disney World began allowing guests and travel advisors to book vacations from July 1st and later on Monday.
As of 7:00 am on Tuesday, June 12, the Walt Disney World website listed that 195 people had booked a room at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort in the last 24 hours. Another 127 guests had booked a room at Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort and 158 guests booked at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
There are three offers guests can take advantage of in July: Sun & Fun Room Offer, Annual Passholder Offer, and a Florida Resident Offer.
In addition, Disney is allowing those with June reservations to adjust their reservation or make a new one for dates starting on July 1st or later.
Walt Disney World resort is currently closed until further notice because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and no official reopening date has been officially announced. However, Disney Springs will reopen in phases starting May 20th.
According to the Walt Disney World website, “theme parks will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.”
To get started on a quote, visit the Online Quote Page. You can also check the Current Offers page.
Walt Disney World Begins Phased Reopening May 20th with Disney Springs
Disney Springs will begin a phased reopening on May 20, 2020. Here's what to know before you go. Other areas of Walt Disney World Resort remain closed, including theme parks and Disney Resort hotels.
Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences, and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.
Disney Springs will reopen on May 20, 2020 at Walt Disney World Resort
Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests, limited-contact Guest Services and additional safety training for Cast Members.
Disney stated it will apply learnings and ideas from leaders in the health and travel industries.
During the initial opening phase, Disney Springs will have limitations on capacity, parking and operating hours. Given this unprecedented situation, Disney is asking for everyone’s patience and understanding as they navigate through this process as responsibly as it can.
Additional protocols and procedures may be announced closer to the opening date. As May 20 gets closer, please check DisneySprings.com for the most current information on operating hours, locations and safety procedures.
Related:
How Disney Springs Will Reopen Safely on May 20
Employee Union: Disney Owned Shops, Restaurants Will Open May 27 at Disney Springs
Behind the Magic: How to Travel Through Time at Magic Kingdom
Today I have a special guest writer, my son Martin who’s in 4th grade. He has been helping with my Behind the Magic posts and wanted to share one of his favorite hidden details at the Magic Kingdom. We hope you enjoy our Behind the Magic post for today!
We have all been to Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom, but if you look very closely you can see some hidden detail that are pretty cool.
This is the Liberty Bell, over by Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. It was made from the same mold as the original Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania.
Walking through Liberty Square towards Frontierland, you travel through time from the when the American Revolution took place to the Gold Rush era over by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. You can tell what year you’re in by reading the building numbers as you walk by.
But first, one of my favorite hidden details in Liberty Square: Look in a round brick building near Columbia Harbour House restaurant and you can see two lanterns in the window. Those are supposed to be Paul Revere ‘s famous signal.
Just outside Columbia Harbour Hous , you’ll notice a tower with two lanterns in the window.
Two lanterns remind us of Paul Revere. Remember the saying, “Two if by sea?”
As you walk toward Frontereland look up at the buildings, you can see that there are numbers on some of the buildings. But did you know the numbers are trying to tell you something? They are telling you what year you are in. If the number says 1876, it means that you are in the year 1876.
Here we see building number 1871, but it also represents the year we are in: 1876.
Look at the top of Pecos Bill, you can see 1878.
Then we get to my favorite ride, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is a mine train rollercoaster in Frontierland. By the time you reached Big Thunder Mountain, you traveled west from Liberty Square by the Haunted Mansion and Hall of Presidents to the Gold Rush period.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad marks the end of Frontierland at the Gold Rush period in time.
When you start at Haunted Mansion and walk towards Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you’re walking east to west in American history.
So that’s my Disney World secret for today. I hope you can check this out when the Magic Kingdom opens.
This Disney secret has been brought to you by Darren Wittko’s son, Martin.
Behind the Magic: Go Away Green Paint
You've probably never realized this (because that’s the whole point!) but some of the no-so-pretty parts of Disney theme parks, like fire hydrants, show buildings, construction fences and some backstage areas, are all painted a lackluster shade of green known as "Go-Away-Green."
Color experts figured out that by using different shades of green paint, some objects do go unnoticed by guests. For more information on Disney using the magic of just the right color, view my post on why many of the sidewalks are stained red at Walt Disney World.
For those of you who like to use Disney colors in your home, the most common green used is Pear Cactus, made by PPG Paints. However, Disney often uses variations of Go Away Green to match a particular area.
Related:
Behind the Magic: Why The Sidewalks are Red at Magic Kingdom
Why did Disney choose red concrete for the sidewalks of Main Street USA at Walt Disney World? Some say it’s to represent a red carpet as you enter the show. Others say it was chosen to make photos look better. Still, others claim it is supposed to represent brick. So who’s right?
Red sidewalks on Main Street USA inside Magic Kingdom create a vibrant contrast with their surroundings.
There are a few reasons actually. When the Magic Kingdom was being built, Disney turned to Eastman Kodak, a research and development company and a leader in photography, for help in choosing the right color.
First, grey sidewalks would be highly unimaginative. We expect more from Disney and grey cement just wouldn’t cut it.
Florida is, of course, the Sunshine State and sun glare off light-colored concrete would cause people to squint. So the color of the sidewalks needed to absorb sunlight rather than reflect it.
Kodak, who was to be a major sponsor of Walt Disney World, performed a study to identify which colors would absorb sunlight, blend in with the surroundings, and yet, make things “pop” in photographs. And maybe, if they got it right, people would love their photos so much, they would buy Kodak film for their cameras once again.
I think they nailed it with the color red they chose. Just look at the contrast between the sidewalks and the gardens. Brilliant! Most visitors don’t stop to question why the sidewalks are red, they just know that their digital photos look visually stunning, even if they have never heard of Kodak Film before.
Related:
Behind the Magic: Secrets of Walt Disney World
FastPasses & Dining Reservations Now Available for June 1st & 2nd, 2020
I’ve been checking for FastPass availability over the past few days to check on some rumors of Walt Disney World opening June 1st were true. My Disney Experience showed no availability for any date in May or June.
However, I just checked again this afternoon and I was able to select FastPasses for both June 1st and June 2nd. FastPasses were showing available in each of the four Theme Parks.
My Disney Experience shows FastPass+ availability for June 1st and 2nd, 2020.
I was also able to make dining reservations for both days as well. Dining options showed available at each of the 4 parks.
Disney has not officially released a reopening date for the parks and they remain closed until further notice. However, this could potentially be a little insight into a possible reopening date. I’ll update this post if I receive any notifications from My Disney Experience.
As soon as Disney makes an official statement as to the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, I will post it here on SaveAtWDW.com
Behind The Magic: Why Disney Doesn't Follow U.S. Flag Code on Main Street USA.
Main Street USA | Magic Kingdom Park
Did you ever notice how many flags and buntings there are throughout Main Street USA at Magic Kingdom Park? In this fictional town, modeled after Walt Disney’s childhood home of Marceline, Missouri, we see red, white, and blue just about everywhere. You may even see the mayor, fire chief, the Dapper Dans, Main Street Philharmonic, and other characters interacting with guests on the street. The entire town has come out to celebrate. Why all the excitement? Because it’s the 4th of July on Main Street USA. In Fact, everyday is the 4th of July, even in March!
Maybe that explains why we have a parade every afternoon and fireworks each evening, hmm.
Every day is the 4th of July on Main Street USA.
With so many flags presented all over Main Street USA, how does Disney honor the U.S. Flag Code? Here’s a secret: most of the flags we see, are not official U.S. flags, they’re props. They don’t have 13 stripes and are missing a few stars. These fake flags do not need to be taken in during inclement weather nor do they need to be illuminated at night allowing Disney to tell the same story consistently every day. It gets a little confusing during Halloween and Christmas but that’s another article.
The flags on Main Street USA are not official U.S. Flags, they’re props.
Flag Retreat at Walt Disney World
Speaking of flags on Main Street USA, since opening day at Walt Disney World, there has been a flag-lowering ceremony in Town Square every day. Yes, this flag is official, that’s why it’s lowered each afternoon. The ceremony often invites an honorary veteran to assist with the flag retreat.
It’s a very touching and moving ceremony, one that is truly a must-see event at the Magic Kingdom. The ceremony will start with a child volunteer who recites the Pledge of Allegiance with the help of the Dapper Dans. The Main Street Philharmonic will be there to play “God Bless America” and the National Anthem. I promise you won’t regret taking the time to go see it.
How do you get selected to participate in the Flag Retreat ceremony at Magic Kingdom? First, you should be a veteran of the United States Armed Forces. Go to City Hall on Main Street USA first thing in the morning and mention that you would like to volunteer for the Flag Retreat. Here’s a great article on AllEars.net written by a veteran who participated in the event. He walks you through the entire process.
Have you participated in this the Flag Retreat at Walt Disney World? If so, share your story below!
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Related:
Behind the Magic: Secrets of Walt Disney World
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