After the COVID-19 pandemic kept the Walt Disney World parks closed until mid-July, along with a relatively quiet summer season, Disney’s theme parks will shorten opening hours for fall.
It was recently reported that Walt Disney World had reopened to visitors on Saturday, July 11, with a number of safety protocols in place. These protocols were set to protect both cast members and visitors in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Now Disney is looking ahead to the fall and planning to shorten the opening hours.
Reduced hours from September 8, 2020
In a normal year, Disney’s theme parks normally roll back their operating hours after a busy summer season. It usually isn’t surprising if hours are reduced following the Labor Day holiday weekend. However, this has not been a normally busy summer season. The reopening allowed fewer visitors to the theme parks and many fans stayed away due to the coronavirus pandemic.
So why is Disney reducing the theme park hours following this quieter summer season? Theme Park Insider theorizes Walt Disney World does not anticipate a return of visitors to Orlando this fall. Disney likely also doesn’t anticipate enough of an increase in local visitors to justify continuing its current operating schedule. As can be seen below, the hours will be sharply reduced from the normal summer hours.
New schedule from Tuesday, September 8
The following is the new operating schedule from September at the various theme parks:
The Magic Kingdom will be open from 9 am – 6 pm (from 9 am – 7 pm)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom hours will be 9 am – 5 pm (from 8 am-6 pm)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios open hours will be 10 am – 7 pm (from 10 am – 8 pm)
There will be no change to Epcot’s opening hours, which will remain as 11 am – 9 pm.
According to the Walt Disney World website, Epcot will change its closing time to 7 pm in October. However, it was also stated that Animal Kingdom’s opening hours will return to 8 am – 6 pm in October.
As at the date of writing, Walt Disney World has not posted theme park opening hours from November onward.
As we look towards reopening our domestic parks and resorts, the well-being of our guests and cast members remains a top priority. Learn about Disney Parks’ commitment to health and safety measures on the @DisneyParks Blog: https://t.co/pniCSviXOb pic.twitter.com/rgKtBUr1OK
— Disney Parks News (@DisneyParksNews) July 7, 2020
A reminder of safety protocols at Walt Disney World
For those who have not yet visited Walt Disney World since it reopened, the following safety protocols were put in place to protect cast members and visitors alike. Temperature checks are performed at the entry gates and contactless payment is encouraged.
While in the theme parks, face masks must be worn at all times, and hygiene stations with hand sanitizers are placed throughout the parks. The only exception with face masks is when eating – and this must be done in a stationary position. Guests are not allowed to walk around the parks while eating their snacks or drinking. At present, all enclosed rides are likely to stay closed. Other rides now operate with clearly marked empty rows or seats between groups of visitors.
The Disney characters are a popular draw at Walt Disney World. Visitors can still view and greet the cast members and can take photos, but no hugging or touching is allowed.
Despite the shorter hours coming in September, enjoy a trip with the family to Walt Disney World, Even with all the precautions, visitors can still have a wonderful experience!
The post Walt Disney World To Drastically Reduce Park Hours From September 8, 2020 appeared first on Tourist Meets Traveler.