Florida's Disney, SeaWorld parks to reopen within weeks
by Danielle HaynesThe Rev. Daryl Gray of the Clergy Coalition hands out face masks at the Lively Stone Church of God in St. Louis on May 26. Over 125,000 masks were distributed to churches planning to reopen in June. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA lifeguard keeps an eye on swimmers, making sure they social distance while enjoying the water at the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility in St. Charles, Mo., on May 26. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSeveral swimming facilities in the St. Louis area have opened due to extra restrictions because of the pandemic. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStylist Katie Winston (R), cuts the hair of customer Dee Broderick on the sidewalk outside the 7-0-3 Salon in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 26. Although stylists and customers wear masks, the salon has offered customers the option of haircuts outdoors, for those who may have coronavirus concerns. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoEmployees wearing face shields and masks work at the Matsuya Ginza department store, which partially reopened in Tokyo on May 25. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe lifted the state of emergency in the city. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License PhotoPeople gather at Rye Playland Beach in New York City on May 24. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License PhotoOlivette Lanes owner Don Klackner uses a mop to clean the lanes at his bowling alley in Olivette, Mo., on May 19. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoDentist Ronald Sherstoff examines a high-speed drill at his office in Chesterfield, Mo., on May 19. Sherstoff has purchased an air filtration system that destroys airborne viruses that could be caused by the drill, and all staff will use gowns, masks, gloves and face shields to protect themselves. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStudents wear protective masks as they return to the Yankus Korchak Elementary School in Jerusalem on May 18. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoSchool attendance will be voluntary around Israel and classes returning to session will be at the discretion of local authorities. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoServer Tamara Martinez cleans containers at The Soda Fountain containing candy on the first day of operation after reopening in St. Louis on May 18. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSoda jerk Ronell McCollum finishes making a Super Shake at the Soda Fountain. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSalesman Drew Murphy tries out a new mattress on the showroom floor at Mattress Giant in Richmond Heights, Mo., on May 18. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoSales clerk Sarah Rhim stocks shelves with new dresses at Mister Guy for Women Clothiers in Ladue, Mo., on May 15. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoBobby Smith (L) and his wife, Boni Smith, enjoy drinks at an open restaurant in Lake Geneva, Wis., on May 15. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License PhotoThe Wisconsin Supreme Court, backed by Republican lawmakers, overturned the governor's stay-at-home order. Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/UPI | License PhotoOwner Robert Zanti takes a break from getting his restaurant ready for reopening after being closed for nearly two months in St. Louis on May 13. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA man walks into a bakery in Edwardsville, Ill., on May 13. Madison County board members have agreed to reopen the county, officially going against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide stay-home order. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoCook Joe Eisenbraun prepares to wrap a "Heart Attack" sandwich at Crown Candy in St. Louis on May 12. Crown Candy is serving only at curbside until the stay-at-home orders are lifted in Missouri later in the month. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoOwner Andy Karandzieff pours a milkshake at Crown Candy. The popular restaurant has reopened after four weeks. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoA mother and child wear protective masks as they walk down a street in Paris on May 12. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI | License PhotoFrance has cautiously begun to lift its lockdown this week with shops allowed to reopen, including in the capital, which still faces tight restrictions. Photo by Eco Clement/UPI | License PhotoBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson claps outside Downing Street in London to show his support for key workers during the coronavirus pandemic on May 7. Doctors released Johnson from the intensive care unit in mid-April after he spent about a week in the hospital with COVID-19 Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License PhotoShoppers wear masks in the Mahane Yehuda Market in Jerusalem on May 7. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoA security guard checks the temperature of a woman before granting her entrance to the Rami Levy Atarot Mall near Jerusalem. The Atarot Mall is the first Israeli-Palestinian Mall. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoIsrael opened malls and outdoor markets after more than 40 days of closure due to the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoCustomers have their hair washed at JF Hair Co. in Union, Mo., on May 6. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoStylist Chrissy Whitley trims the hair of customer Mark Nolting at JF Hair Co. The salon reopened on May 4 after being closed since March 23. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoPeople visit the beach after the the city relaxed restrictions in Isle of Palms, S.C, on May 6. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License PhotoThe beach reopened for the first time since March. Photo by Richard Ellis/UPI | License PhotoNicholas Calio, president and CEO of Airlines for America, uses disinfecting wipes before testifying before a hearing on the pandemic's impact on the aviation industry May 6 on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jim Watson/UPI | License PhotoWorkers wipe down chairs between Senate committee hearings in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill. Photo by Jonathan Ernst/UPI | License PhotoSenate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., talks to reporters at a distance after the Senate reconvened following an extended recess due to the pandemic on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on May 4. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks to the Senate chambers. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoSen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, talks to reporters as the Senate reconvened. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License PhotoPeter Wolff, owner of the The Gift Nook store, looks down Main Street for customers in St. Charles, Mo., on May 4. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoPeople enjoy ice cream at Kilwins as others walk on the sidewalk in St. Charles. The shop on Historic Main Street has reopened with other selected businesses after being closed for nearly two months by an emergency state order aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoJeweler Tom Wapelhorst arranges a display in his front window at Walters Jeweler in St. Charles. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoDon (L) and Robin Piatt sit on an elevated outdoor porch, toasting each other on their wedding anniversary, at Lewis and Clark's Restaurant in St. Charles. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License PhotoCustomers have lunch inside El Toro Mexican restaurant in Clute, Texas on May 3. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoRestaurants in Texas were allowed to reopen their diving rooms at 25 percent capacity starting on May 1 as the state began easing restrictions based on COVID-19. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoA customer looks at merchandise inside the Boot Barn clothing store in Lake Jackson, Texas on May 3. Photo by Trask Smith/UPI | License PhotoShoppers return to Northpark Mall in Dallas on May 1. Elbow bumps have become the new handshake. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoWorkers open their store in Firewheel Town Center in Garland, Texas on May 1. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoMissed delivery tags hang on a storefront in Firewheel Town Center. While stores and restaurants may reopen under strict health and social distancing guidelines in Texas, many have chosen not to. Photo by Ian Halperin/UPI | License PhotoA hairstylist and his client wear protective face masks and gloves at a salon in Jerusalem on May 1. Israel has eased some coronavirus restrictions, allowing small stores and beauty salons to open, while maintaining the strict social distancing rules. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians wear mandatory face masks and gloves while shopping in Jerusalem. Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians no longer practice "social distancing" but continue to wear protective face masks while visiting a popular entertainment district in Beijing on April 26. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoFlorida has allowed some of the states beaches to reopen, including this one along the Space Coast near Cocoa Beach on April 26. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoA couple from Central Florida stroll along the surf near Cocoa Beach. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoA child wades in the ocean at Cocoa Beach. Photo by Joe Marino/UPI | License PhotoPedestrians walk closely together in Beijing on April 19. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoNewlyweds pose for wedding photos without wearing protective face masks as the government has declared the peak threat of the COVID-19 outbreak has passed in Beijing on April 19. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoA couple continues wearing protective face masks next to a police checkpoint in Beijing on April 15. Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License PhotoGuests watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks show at the Walt Disney World theme park and resort October 29. Disney said it plans to reopen the Magic Kingdom on July 11. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
May 27 (UPI) -- The Walt Disney Company and SeaWorld announced plans Wednesday to reopen their Florida theme parks over the next two months.
Thomas Smith, editorial content director of Disney Parks, said Magic Kingdom Park and Disney's Animal Kingdom will begin a phased reopening July 11, pending an approval by Florida and Orange County. EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios will open July 15 under the preliminary plan.
"In preparing to reopen during this unusual time, we have to manage our theme parks in a very different way from what we've known before," Smith said in a statement. "As we begin to reach out to our cast members and call them back to work, they will be focused on operating our parks in a responsible way that continues to give our guests opportunities to create magical Disney memories."
Marc Swanson, interim CEO of SeaWorld, told Central Florida leaders at a meeting Wednesday that SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica will reopen June 11.
Disney closed the Walt Disney World Resort parks as well as its theme parks in California in mid-March, around the time many states began banning large gatherings of people amid the rising coronavirus spread.
Under the phased reopening plans, the parks will limit attendance to enforce social distancing guidelines. To that end, large group gatherings for events such as parades and nighttime spectaculars will not immediately take place.
To manage attendance, Walt Disney World Resort will implement reservations for park entrance in advance and is pausing new ticket sales and hotel reservations to focus on allowing entrance for customers will existing tickets and reservations.
While characters will still be in parks, meet-and-greets and other "high-touch" experiences, such as makeovers and playgrounds, will also remain closed.
Both Disney and SeaWorld officials said all employees and guests 3 years old and older -- 2 years old and older at SeaWorld -- must wear face coverings in the parks and hotel common areas. All guests and workers will also undergo temperature checks to screen for COVID-19. And Disney is encouraging all transactions to be cashless.
"We're looking forward to reopening our theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and stores and doing so in a responsible way," Smith said. "In this spirit, our destinations will continue to follow enhanced safety protocols based upon applicable guidance from health authorities and government agencies."
Future reopening plans include Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on June 22, and Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Fla., and Hilton Head, S.C., on June 15. Disney hasn't released plans for reopening parks in California.
Disney Springs shopping and dining district in Orlando, Fla., partially reopened on May 20.
Earlier this month, a task force of local businesspersons and health officials approved Universal Orlando's plan to open its parks in early June to invited guests and season-pass holders. After county officials sign off on the plan, it will go to Florida Gov. Ron Desantis for his review.
Universal started its reopening effort May 14 with limited guests -- and required masks and temperature checks -- at its free-admission CityWalk area, which features restaurants and retail shops.
Orlando plays host to 75 million visitors per year, according to state and local tourism officials. As the world's top tourism destination, it contributes to a large extent to the local economy.
