May 27 - Walt Disney World is presenting its plans for reopening after being shuttered along with Florida’s other theme parks since mid-March because of the new coronavirus.

 

Disney World and also SeaWorld Orlando will present their proposals for phased re-openings before an Orange County task force today, May 27, said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. If Demings signs off on them, the plans will be sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval.

 

Last week, Disney World allowed third-party businesses at its Disney Springs dining and shopping complex to open with new restrictions.

 

According to reports from WFLA in Tampa, WDW is hoping to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.

 

All workers and visitors older than two at Disney Springs must wear masks, temperatures are checked at entrances to keep out anyone with a temperature 100.4 degrees (38 degrees Celsius) or higher and a limited number of people are admitted to allow social distancing at the high-end outdoor shopping area with restaurants, movie theatres, a bowling alley and a Cirque du Soleil theatre.

 

Theme park visits will be very different in the wake of COVID-19, with everything from social distancing to reduced capacity at the park. Last month Florida’s Orange County Emergency Recovery Task Force outlined some of the potential changes coming to theme parks as they begin to reopen.

 

Universal Orlando presented its reopening proposal last week to county officials, saying it was aiming to reopen June 5.

 

Officials approved those plans and sent them to the governor.

 

Universal also has opened up its dining and entertainment complex with restrictions similar to Disney Springs.

 

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

With files from The Associated Press and Travelweek

 

 

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