Walt Disney World closed its gates in March as the coronavirus pandemic took hold. But now, as lockdowns ease around the world, the iconic Florida resort has announced plans for a phased reopening. If you’re dreaming of a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth, here’s what you need to know.

Following in the footsteps of Shanghai Disney Resort – which reopened in a limited capacity in May – Walt Disney World Resort’s various parks will begin to welcome visitors throughout July. At present, the Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park are slated to reopen on 11 July, while EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be hot on their heels, opening again on 15 July.

The resort’s Disney Vacation Club properties, including those in Vero Beach, Florida, have already reopened with special measures in place for the protection of guests (outlined further on). A full list of resorts reopening between now and 14 October can be found here.

Leading the way, Disney Springs – Walt Disney World’s sprawling dining, retail and entertainment complex – began a phased reopening back in May. Measures including temperature screenings and barriers to aid with physical distancing are in place, as they will be throughout the resort. You can check the Disney Springs website for the full list of shops and restaurants now open.

First and foremost, Disney is reminding guests to check Florida travel advisories and restrictions before their trip. Advice for travellers to the state can be found at floridahealthcovid19.gov. Needless to say, the park confirms that those people “under isolation or quarantine orders” should not travel to Walt Disney World Resort.

To protect guests and ensure physical distancing is possible, numbers will be managed by a brand new reservation system. When the parks reopen in July, visitors will need both a dated park reservation and a valid admission for the same park on the same date to be permitted entry. This photo shows masked park-goers arriving in the recently reopened Shanghai.

All existing ticket holders will be able to make a Disney park reservation from the end of June, and guests are being prioritised depending on their plans. Those who hold both a hotel package and a theme park admission will be able to make a reservation from as early as 22 June, whilst those with a park ticket only can make bookings from 28 June. You can check the website for further details.

You can make your bookings online from the date that applies to you. This involves creating a Walt Disney Account and “linking” your existing admission (and that of each member of your party) to that account. From here, you can book entrance to a park on a date that suits you. Step-by-step instructions are given on Disney’s website. Note that you'll not be able to "park hop": if you want to visit more than one park, you'll need to make a separate reservation for a different day. Equally, if you have a multi-day ticket, you'll need a park reservation for each of your planned days. 

Dedicated Disney fans with a Walt Disney World Annual Pass will not automatically be guaranteed entry to the parks – they’ll still need to make a reservation. Some pass types will also be subject to block-out dates and the total reservation days held at any one time will be capped. However, on the plus side, Annual Passholders will be treated to a sneak preview of the parks as they reopen (details will be shared soon). Full details on the terms for Annual Passholders can be found here.

Brand new ticket sales for Walt Disney World’s theme parks are on hold for a little longer, as Annual Passholders and those with existing bookings will be prioritised first. Beginning 28 June, all guests will be able to purchase admission to Disney parks and hotels packages, but they won’t be able to make a dated reservation until 2021.

All park-goers aged two years or older will be required to wear a face covering at all times (the only exceptions are swimming and eating). Staff will be masked too. The resort requires that masks fully cover your nose and mouth, fit snugly around the face and allow you to remain 'hands-free'. You can check the full requirements here.

Before being granted access to a park, you might have to undergo a temperature screening. No-touch thermometers will be used and if you or anyone in your party displays a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or above, you will not be permitted entry. Disney strongly advises that you check the temperatures of yourself and your group before beginning your journey to the resort. Employees will also complete temperature checks from home before arriving at work.

Physical distancing is a key part of Disney's reopening plans and the resort reminds guests that masks and temperature checks are not a substitute for this. Look out for signs and ground markings (in queuing areas, for example) to help you navigate the parks as safely as possible. Physical barriers will also be in place in some spots, such as around check-out areas in shops.

To aid with physical distancing measures, guests are being asked to go cashless where possible. As well as using debit and credit cards, guests can buy a Disney Gift Card (pictured) and use this for future transactions. MagicBands mean those staying at Disney Resort hotels can charge purchases directly to their room too. Now take a look at these historic photos of Disney parks around the world.

Extra Magic Hours typically allow guests at some Walt Disney World Resort hotels to spend time in the four parks outside of regular operating hours. At present, this benefit is on hold. The FastPass+ service – which lets park-goers reserve attractions and experiences at no extra cost before their visit – is also paused for now.

Meeting Mickey and the gang is a rite of passage for die-hard Disney fans and families will be pleased to know that their favourite characters will still be at the parks. However, close-up character meet and greets will be on hold for now. Other “high-touch” experiences, such as makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, are also currently unavailable.

Any events that encourage large gatherings won’t be going ahead at present – that means Disney’s famed firework shows and colourful parades are off the cards for now. The resort has said that experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours will be cancelled too.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – a landmark special event that takes place throughout the fall – has also been cancelled. Disney said: "We determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment."

Although park-goers will have plenty to keep them occupied, sports fans might be disappointed to hear that ESPN Wide World of Sport will remain closed for now. Mini golf locations are closed across the resort too. Disney hasn’t yet announced when these might reopen.

Good news for gastronomes, though: a modified version of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will go ahead this year. Festivities – under the new name “A Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival” – will begin in July, as the parks reopen, and continue right up to the fall. Guests can expect a Covid-secure event with foodie marketplaces, floral displays and musical performances.

As the resort reopens, Disney says that while some amusements will be subject to limited availability or closure, "most attractions will be available at each park". Disney has already name-checked a handful of rides and attractions that guests will be able to enjoy: these include big hitters such as Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom Park, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT's landmark Spaceship Earth (pictured).

According to Disney, the best way to organise your trip and keep up-to-date with openings and changes is with the My Disney Experience App. The app also offers remote services in order to aid park-goers with physical distancing (more details are outlined further on).

As with Disney’s parks, you’ll need a reservation to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel. Equally, all new bookings are currently on pause in order to prioritise guests with existing reservations. Bookings will resume for the public once these have been honoured. Remember that a hotel booking won’t guarantee access to the parks, either. You’ll need a separate dated reservation and admission for that. Pictured here are Disney’s Beach Club Villas.

To minimise time spent at the front desk, guests are encouraged to use the My Disney Experience app to check-in to their room. The app doubles as a digital room key too. When your stay comes to an end, you’ll be automatically checked-out, so you can skip the lobby queues once again. You can also use the app to virtually chat with a “Cast Member” if you encounter any problems during your stay.

Disney has ramped up its cleaning of “high-traffic” communal spaces and private rooms at its resorts, paying special attention to areas including elevators and restrooms, as well as objects like handrails and benches. A “light” room-cleaning service that involves removing rubbish and wiping down surfaces is also available every other day during your stay, but you can decline this if you wish. Some in-room amenities (such as glassware) will be packaged for your protection too.

Some services will be unavailable at Disney’s resorts during their first phase of opening. These include things such as dry-cleaning, shipping services and in-room celebrations. Bell-hop services will be altered too. Porters will be able to deliver luggage as required but will not be able to accompany guests to their rooms. Remember you can use the My Disney Experience app if you require extra assistance. Discover what the future of travel could look like here.

Attractions, experiences and available facilities will vary from resort to resort and schedules will be shared with guests during their stay. Confirmed closures across resorts include arcades, dog parks and playgrounds. Initially, character experiences, campfires and rentals at the marina will also be on pause. Pictured here is the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

During your stay, resort pools will operate with reduced capacity in order to allow for physical distancing. Feature pools may also have reduced hours. Note that Stormalong Bay, the mammoth water park area at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts (pictured), will be closed in this phase of the reopening.

Guests will still be able to take advantage of free bus travel between Disney’s hotels and its parks. However, distancing measures will mean reduced capacity so plan accordingly and be prepared for a wait. At this time, Minnie Vans (pictured) will not be in operation. You’re welcome to self-park at Disney’s resorts, but the valet service will be on hold too. 

Changes will affect restaurants at Disney’s parks and resorts too. Firstly, any day guests wanting to eat at a table-service restaurant at a Disney resort hotel will need a confirmed dining reservation. It’s recommended but not required that overnight guests have one too. In-park dining reservations will not become available until later. Note that all visitors must wear a face covering to walk into and around Disney’s restaurants.

Scannable codes will give diners access to digital menus on their devices (note that some restaurant menus might be altered or reduced) and self-serve areas will be out of bounds for now. At some venues, you’ll be able to order ahead on the My Disney Experience app to save on waiting time. Physical distancing measures mean that attractions including dinner shows and character dining experiences will also be on hold and restaurants will operate with reduced capacity. Pictured is The Boathouse restaurant at Walt Disney World's Disney Springs.  

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