What Will, And Won’t Be Open At Walt Disney World When The Parks Reopen
As we get closer to the magical reopenings on July 11, here’s what will, and won’t be open at Walt Disney World. As previously announced, the magic returns with the reopening of Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on July 11 and then Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot on July 15. As we all learn to navigate these uncharted territories, and as seen with the reopening of Disney Springs on May 20, Disney has gone above and beyond when it comes to the safety of its guests and its cast members.
Most guests are now familiar with the new Walt Disney World Reservation System that is now online allowing you to book reservations for visits to the Most Magical Place on Earth, the Walt Disney World Resort. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your upcoming visit and how to make reservations for you, your family, and friends.
As we all know the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will begin their phased reopenings starting July 11 with Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom and followed July 15 by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney is wisely taking a deliberate approach that includes limits on attendance and controlled guest density to align with guidance from health and government authorities on physical distancing. We’re also using technology to power creative solutions as they develop new ways for guests to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth in this unique environment.
To manage attendance during this reopening period we are introducing the new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool on DisneyWorld.com. In order to be able to visit the parks, Guests will need to make a reservation in advance and details about that process can be found here.
Of course, when things reopen, they will look a little different. Most of your favorite attractions will be open, including Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, which had been slated to go down for refurbishment, but now, Disney has shared that the refurbishment work has been paused.
All of your favorite Disney characters will still be there, and while it may be a few months before we can get our picture with Mickey Mouse or a hug from Chewbacca, we will still be seeing them out and about just in different ways with physical distancing in mind. If you’ve been to Disney Springs, chances are that you’ve already encountered the Stormtroopers who are doing their best to remind us all about social distancing. Disney has announced that they plan on introducing a number of special cavalcades and processions that will feature the characters in the parks much in the way that we have seen the Stormtroopers patrolling from the buildings above. Guests will be able to experience special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom parade route, characters sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT, and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard. 
Plus part of the magic that is Disney is that you never know what awaits you. For example, you may see Buzz Lightyear after rocketing through space in Tomorrowland, or Captain Jack Sparrow in the queue of Pirates of the Caribbean as we have experienced during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or the Disney Princesses waving from the train station or from above as we have seen at Shanghai Disneyland or even members of the Resistance hiding from the First Order in Black Spire Outpost.
Many entertainment acts will also be returning, like the Main Street Philharmonic at the Magic Kingdom, Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors at EPCOT, and more.
Here’s a closer look at what will, and won’t be open at Walt Disney World when it comes to attractions, experiences, and shops that will be open at each park when the parks begin to reopen and a look that, although it hasn’t officially been announced, that may remain in the vault just a while longer.
Magic Kingdom-Opening July 11
Attractions
- “it’s a small world”
- Astro Orbiter
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Jungle Cruise
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- Mad Tea Party
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- The Barnstormer
- The Hall of Presidents
- The Haunted Mansion
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Entertainment
- Main Street Philharmonic
Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with Guest-favorite Disney friends appearing along the parade route—which will include:
- The Royal Princess Processional
- Mickey & Friends Cavalcade
- Fantasyland Friends Cavalcade
- A Goofy Cavalcade
- Tinker Bell & the Lost Treasure
Shops
- Arribas Brothers
- Baby Care
- Big Al’s
- Box Office Gifts
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos
- Crystal Arts
- Emporium
- Fantasy Faire
- Hundred Acre Goods
- Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
- Main Street Confectionery
- Memento Mori
- Mickey’s Star Traders
- Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar
- Rubio Arts
- Sir Mickey’s
- Splashdown Photos
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- The Chapeau
- Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.
- TTC Cart / Wheelchairs
- Uptown Jewelers & Cinema
- Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
Not Announced Yet As To When They Will Return:
- Main Street Vehicles
- Walt Disney World Railroad
- Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak
- Harmony Barber Shop
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- All character meet and greet locations
- Festival of Fantasy Parade
- Once Upon a Time
- Happily Ever After
Disney’s Animal Kingdom-Opening July 11
Attractions
- Affection Section
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- DINOSAUR
- Discovery Island Trails
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
- It’s Tough to be a Bug!
- Kali River Rapids
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
- Na’vi River Journey
- The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
- The Oasis Exhibits
- TriceraTop Spin
- Wilderness Explorers
- Wildlife Express
Entertainment
Character Cruises throughout the day, with Guest-favorite Disney friends appearing in boats around Discovery River—including the following:
- Discovery River Character Cruise
- Discovery Island Drummers
- Donald’s Dino Boat Bash!
- Mickey & Friends Flotilla
Shops
- Africa Hub Cart
- African Heritage Wood Carving
- Baby Care
- Chester and Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures
- Discovery Trading Company
- Garden Gate Gifts & Strollers
- Kilimanjaro Safari Cart
- Mandala Gifts
- Mombasa Marketplace
- Out Of The Wild
- Serka Zong Bazaar
- The Dino Institute Shop
- Windtraders
Not Announced Yet As To When They Will Return:
- The Boneyard
- Festival of the Lion King (this was removed from Disney’s “open” list last night)
- Finding Nemo the Musical
- Fossil Fun Games
- UP! A Great Bird Adventure Show
- Primeval Whirl
- All character meet and greet locations
- Rivers of Light
- Live Performances Throughout the Park
EPCOT-Opening July 15
Attractions
- Awesome Planet
- Canada Far and Wide
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
- Friendship Lagoon Boats
- Frozen Ever After
- Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
- Impressions de France
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
- Kidcot (modified)
- Living with the Land
- Mission: SPACE
- Reflections of China
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Spaceship Earth
- Test Track
- The American Adventure
- The Seas with Nemo & Friends
- Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Entertainment
America Gardens Theatre Presents featuring popular EPCOT performers such as:
- JAMMitors
- Mariachi Cobre
Character Cavalcades throughout the day, featuring favorite Disney friends traveling around World Showcase promenade—including:
- Frozen Promenade
- Mickey & Friends World Tour
- Princess Promenade
Shops
- African Heritage
- Arribas Brothers
- Art of Disney
- Baby Care
- Canada Cart
- China Kiosk
- Disney Traders
- Galerie Des Halles
- Gateway Gifts
- Glas Und Porcellan
- ImageWorks
- Karamell Kuche
- La Bottega Italiana
- Mexico Indoor Plaza
- Mission: SPACE Cargo
- Mitsukoshi
- Mouse Gear Temporary Location
- Pin Traders – Camera Center
- Port of Entry
- Puffin’s Roost
- Sea Base Alpha Gift Shop
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- Tea Caddy
- Test Track Simporium
- Wood Carver
- World Traveler
Not Announced Yet As To When They Will Return:
- Beauty and the Beast Sing-a-Long
- Turtle Talk with Crush
- All character meet and greet locations
- EPCOT Forever
Disney’s Hollywood Studios-Opening July 15
Attractions
- Alien Swirling Saucers
- Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Muppet*Vision 3D
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
- Toy Story Mania!
- Vacation Fun (at Mickey Shorts Theater)
- Walt Disney Presents
Entertainment
Character Cavalcades throughout the day, with favorite Disney friends appearing along Hollywood Boulevard—including:
- Disney Junior Stars Motorcade
- Mickey & Friends Motorcade
- Pixar Motorcade
Shops
- Celebrity 5 & 10
- Crossroads of the World
- Dok Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
- Droid Depot Experience
- Droid Depot Store
- In Character
- Legends of Hollywood
- Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Mickey’s Of Hollywood
- Movieland Memorabilia
- Once Upon A Time
- Sid Cahuenga’s One-of-a-Kind
- Rock Around The Shop
- Rubio Arts
- Strollers & Wheelchairs
- Tatooine Traders
- The Market
- Tower Hotel Gifts
- Toy Story Mania Shop
Not Announced Yet As To When They Will Return:
- Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage
- For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Singalong
- Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
- Star Wars: Launch Bay
- Trials of the Temple: Jedi Training Academy
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- All character meet and greet locations
- Fantasmic!
- Star Wars: A Galactic Fireworks Spectacular
It is important to remember that during the next few months, that some experiences, while available, may be modified, limited in capacity, and subject to availability or closure. And while it will be difficult to not see fireworks light up the night sky, or the Fab 5 dance down Main Street USA or enjoy Mickey’s battle of good vs evil in Fantasmic, we know that they will be back just as soon as it is deemed safe to do so and personally I can’t wait.
Stay tuned right here as we bring you all the updates to the phased reopening of Walt Disney World. What surprised you the most about what will, and won’t be open at Walt Disney World?
