Disney World Reopens As COVID-19 Cases Surge In Florida
MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) -- Four months after closing because of the coronavirus pandemic, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has officially reopened amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Disney's Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opened their gates on Saturday morning.
Epcot and Hollywood Studios are set to welcome guests on Wednesday.
This not the first Disney resort to reopen. Three parks in Asia have already taken those honors. But it's the first Disney park in the United States to reopen.
Want to know what's going on? CNN Travel will be posting updates from inside the Magic Kingdom periodically during the day.
A big deal
Disney World is the biggest of big deals in the theme park universe. And the eyes of the theme park world will be on it this weekend.
Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Park, Experiences and Products, made an Instagram post of "amazing morning" with cast members before the reopening.
Here are some of the things to know about the reopening:
1. Reservations and capacity
Disney has a new way for guests to gain entry, developed in the midst of the pandemic. It's called the Disney Park Pass. And it's a bit complicated. We'll be seeing how that works.
And capacity will be limited. We'll be watching how many people show up, and what it's like in a park with fewer people.
2. Temperature checks and safety measures
Every guest must have a temperature check before entry. Those who register 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher must submit to a second reading. If she or he registers 100.4 or higher again, that person and their party can't enter.
We'll be seeing how that works.
From hand sanitizing stations to face mask enforcement, we'll also be watching how Disney's safety measures are working out. The opening comes during a recent spike in Covid-19 cases.
3. Dining
Like restaurants anywhere else, Disney has had to upend its normal dining experience and find new ways to deliver food and drinks to hungry and thirsty guests.
We'll be watching how the eating experience goes with social distancing in place, what restaurants open and how the My Disney Experience app works in regard to feeding hungry people.
4. Rides and attractions
We'll see what's open and how long the waits are on rides and attractions.
In its news release, Disney said it expects to open up very popular attractions on Saturday such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
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