Walt Disney World to open in phases beginning July

Walt Disney intends to reopen the world’s largest theme park – Walt Disney World in Florida – in phases beginning July 11, if things go according to plan.

Disney wants to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15, according to Jim MacPhee, senior vice president of operations for the Walt Disney World Resort.

When the Disney parks reopen, guests and employees will be required to wear masks and undergo temperature checks. The resort will suspend parades, fireworks displays and other activities that create crowds. It will “enable and encourage” contact-less payment systems, and expand its existing mobile order systems in restaurants.

Disney plans to restrict the number of guests, who will be required to reserve their park passes ahead of time.

Shanghai Disneyland reopened on May 11 with mandatory masks, temperature screenings and social distancing for visitors and employees.

Disney had closed its parks in January, to control the spread of the coronavirus.