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PHOTOS: How Walt Disney World will change for the COVID-19 pandemic

After being closed for almost four month due to COVID-19, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will be welcoming guests again on Jul 11, beginning with Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

“Our deliberate and phased approach at Walt Disney World Resort emphasizes multiple layers of health and safety measures,” Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, said in a statement. “We’re taking a multi-pronged approach to our reopening, after considering the guidance of various governmental authorities and health agencies, and recommendations from our team of health and safety experts.”

Although the resort may be open, the experience for guests will look quite different to what a Walt Disney World trip was in the past. Some of the new rules that will be in place include:

  • Limits on capacity in theme parks each day

  • Temperature screenings before entering a theme park

  • Ground markings and physical barriers to promote physical distancing

  • Limited capacity on transportation services

  • All guests, and cast members, over the age of two must wear a face covering at all times (excepting when eating and drinking)

  • Cashless payment options are encouraged, including mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app for dining

While children, and adults, may love taking a photo with their favourite Disney character, traditional greeting and parades are still on hiatus. These beloved characters will still be around to wave at guests throughout the day, but they’ll be saying hello from a safe physical distance.

EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow with reopening on Jul. 15. The Disney Skyliner also resume operation on that date, with one party per gondola.