The Disney Springs website posted new information regarding opening the shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Disney Springs will in fact be opening several Disney-owned locations on May 27 as we reported earlier this week. Those locations will include both shops and restaurants, such as World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order), and the Marketplace Co-Op. As we had already reported, a number of third-party shopping and dining locations will open beginning May 20, including Chicken Guy!, Blaze Pizza, Planet Hollywood, and other favorites.
With this development, Disney Springs provided extensive details on a number of health and safety measures. The site lists six “key things to know before arriving at Disney Springs” for all visitors, employees and Cast Members:
- Limited parking and reduced entrances
- Temperature screenings prior to entry
- Face coverings required for everyone
- Physical distancing practices including physically-distanced queues and physical barriers
- Temporary operation modifications, including reduced hours at select locations and no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas
- An increased focus on disinfecting and sanitation, including the addition of hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers in key areas
A video has also been added on the Disney Parks Youtube channel detailing “what you need to know about the phased reopening of Disney Springs,” covering these same six key items. These new safety measures have been developed based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.
Parking and Entrances
During this initial phase, Guests will be directed to self-park in the Orange and Lime garages; all surface parking lots will be closed. At opening, we have also reduced Guest entryways to 4 locations: Orange and Lime garages, along with the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and the rideshare location. Guest access to Disney Springs from the Grapefruit garage will be restricted.
Temperature Screening and Health Checks
All Guests are required to undergo temperature screenings upon arrival at Disney Springs, and Cast Members and third-party employees must complete both a health screening and a temperature check at home, prior to coming to Springs.
Guest screenings will undergo temperature screenings upon their arrival/entry to Springs in the following locations:
- the second-floor exits of Orange and Lime parking garages
- the Marketplace Entrance (to serve Guests from the Hotel Plaza Boulevard Pedestrian Bridge and the rideshare drop-off lot)
Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will not be allowed entry; those in their party will not be allowed entry either. In addition, the video recommends checking your temperature before you leave home as an extra layer of precaution.
Face Coverings
All Guests ages 3 and older must wear face coverings. This is a BYOMask policy; the Disney Springs website clearly states that guests must bring their own face coverings and wear them at all times, except while dining. The site does not indicate what would happen if a guest does not follow this policy; however, as noted below, some Cast Members will be specially training on engaging with guests around safety measuress. Cast Members and employees are also required to wear appropriate face coverings.
Physical Distancing and Capacity Measures
The number of guests and Cast Members will be limited “at any given time for each location.” This includes both total number of guests admitted into Disney Springs, as well as limits on the number of guests allowed inside each location at one time. Additional measures include:
- Directional signage to encourage guests to move safely throughout Springs, as well as ground markings to promote proper physical distancing in queues.
- Some Cast Members will receive specific training on engaging with guests to promote physical distancing guidelines in common areas and queues.
- Physical barriers have been added in areas like cash registers and at Guest Relations where it is difficult to maintain strict physical distancing guidelines.
Additionally, it is recommended that guests uses cashless and/or contactless ways to pay, such as credit cards, debit cards, Disney Gift Cards, Disney Rewards® Redemption Cards and mobile wallets—including Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. The site mentions that guests can purchase Disney Gift Cards at select locations to be able to pay without cash.
Cleanliness and Sanitization
High-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more will receive increased cleaning and disinfection. Additionally, Disney Springs will open with hand sanitizer and hand-washing locations.
Operational Modifications
Though it is presented as one of the six key things to know, neither the website nor the video provides any additional details on “temporary operation modifications, including reduced hours at select locations and no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas.” The video directs viewers to www.disneysprings.com/reopening/ for operating hours.
Further, the sites explains that guests may see other changes to retail, dining, and other experiences. Additionally, Cast Members and employees will receive ongoing training and reinforcement through the reopening.
For additional information, the site directs guests to Frequently Asked Questions about the reopening of Disney Springs as well the Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules for more details.