Disney, SeaWorld announce plans for Florida parks to reopen

SeaWorld and Walt Disney World will reopen in Orlando, Florida, in June and July after months of inactivity because of coronavirus pandemic, according to plans a city task force approved Wednesday.

proposals will w be sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval.

plan calls for SeaWorld to open to public on June 11. Disney plans a tiered reopening, with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening on July 11, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15. Last week, Universal Orlando presented its plan to reopen on June 5. That plan also has been approved by Orlando task force, which sent its recommendation to goverr.

“We are developing a series of ‘kw before you go’ communication vehicles and our objective is to reinforce our health and safety messs to guests before y arrive on our property so y are aware and prepared for new environment,” Disney’s senior vice president of operations, Jim McPhee told task force.

He also said parks would open with limited capacity, but he didn’t specify number of guests who would be allowed in initially.

Disney World also plans smaller, soft openings prior to July 11, but specifics were provided.

SeaWorld is planning an employee appreciation event on June 10 before opening to public next day, said Interim CEO Marc Swanson.

When Disney Springs, a complex of restaurants and shops near Disney World, reopened, company formed “social distancing squs,” which McPhee said have been popular with guests.

He said y are “a dedicated team of highly energetic and informative cast members who are committed to engaging and inspiring our guests to follow appropriate guidelines.”

Both parks said y will require guests and employees to wear face coverings and social distancing will be enforced throughout ir properties. Guests and employees will also undergo temperature checks before entering parks. Disney employees will be required to do temperature checks before heing to work, McPhee said. y’ll also undergo temperature checks at park, he ded. Fever is one of symptoms of coronavirus.

An inspection team from Orange County visited SeaWorld and Disney on Tuesday to see wher proposed plans would be in compliance with guidelines recommended by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials from parks told task force.

Earlier this month, Shanghai Disneyland became first of Disney’s me park resorts to reopen, with severe limits on number of visitors allowed in, mandatory masks and temperature checks.