ANAHEIM, Calif. — "The happiest place on earth" is reopening, at least partially. On Thursday, the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim will begin a phased reopening that includes temperature checks upon entrance, social distancing while inside, and other health precautions.

Walt Disney World, in Florida, will begin reopening Saturday with a new reservation system and similar safety precautions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which has been increasing recently in both states with Disney theme parks.

“Though it will be a bit different from the last time you visited, these new measures are designed to still offer a magical Disney experience,” according to the Disneyland website.

In true Disney style, cast members will explain the new health and safety measures to visitors and answer questions.

What You Need To Know


  • Downtown Disney reopens July 9

  • Visitors will need to get their temperatures checked, wear face fasks, and practice social distancing

  • Disney is encouraging cashless payments with debit, credit, and gift cards 

  • Cast members will walk Downtown Disneyland to help explain the rules

Downtown Disney is the park’s 20-acre outdoor mall that includes dozens of restaurants and family-friendly shops, including Salt & Straw ice cream, Black Tap Craft Burgers, and, of course, the World of Disney store that sells toys, souvenirs, accessories, fashions, and collectibles in a space sprinkled with pixie dust.

So what can visitors expect if they go? There are six key things visitors need to be aware of before visiting, according to the Disneyland website.

Parking

Guests are expected to self park in the Simba parking lot and make their way to the Downtown Disney District entrance adjacent to the Disneyland Hotel, near the Earl of Sandwich. All other guest parking will be closed. Visitors who take a ride hail to the park will need to be dropped off and picked up at the Harbor Blvd. guest location or at Downtown Drive.

Temperature Checks

Once they get to the Downtown Disney entrance, visitors will have their temperature checked at a designated security screening location. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 F or higher will need to go to a different location for rescreening. Guests with a temperature exceeding the limit will not be allowed to enter, nor will anyone else who is with them.

Enhanced Cleaning Procedures

Disney says it is increasing its cleaning procedures in high-traffic areas including handrails, benches, tables, handles, and restrooms. It is also providing additional hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers throughout the Downtown area.

Face Masks Required

Guests age two and older are required to bring and wear face coverings while visiting. Disney says visitors must wear their face coverings properly, i.e. they must cover their nose and mouth, fit snugly against the side of the face, and be secured with ties or ear loops. Disney specifically prohibits the use of costume masks.

Physical Distancing

Disney will limit the number of guests and cast members allowed at any given time for each Downtown location. To help visitors maintain their distance, Disney has installed signs throughout the property, as well as ground markings in places where people are lining up.

In places where physical distancing is difficult, Disney has installed physical barriers around areas such as cash registers. When paying, Disney recommends debit, credit, and gift card payments, or mobile wallets, instead of cash.

Dining and Shopping

Disney is increasing its outdoor patio-style seating at select locations. It is also seating parties at tables that are six feet apart, and using digital or single-use menus at many of its restaurants. Some restaurants will also accept online reservations in advance. Disney recommends checking with each individual location to confirm their reservation process.

For shopping, at the World of Disney store and Marceline's Confectionary in particular, Disney says it may use a mobile wait list system to manage the number of guests who are shopping or lining up. Guests can provide their mobile number and receive a text about when they can shop. Those who wish to purchase clothing will not be able to try it on; dressing rooms are currently closed.

"We understand that these times are challenging, and we appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as we navigate through this reopening process," the Disneyland web site said. "Together, we can find new ways to have fun while being diligent to maintain proper physical distancing."

Whether the measures Disneyland is taking will be enough to satisfy Disney fans remains to be seen.

"Our community overall is pretty split frankly on the reopening," said Chad Nykamp, who runs the website DisneyLists.com. "We have a lot of people that are very, very excited to get back to the parks, and a lot of people that say, 'Too soon. I’ll see you in 2021-2022.'"