Disney World opens despite coronavirus: Park Restrictions

Disney World has reopened two of it's four parks despite a massive surge in coronavirus cases in Florida. The Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opened on Saturday, 11 July, with more than 10,000 positive cases confirmed in the state on the same day.

On Friday, 10 July, the state broke its previous record of 11,000 positive cases in a 24-hour period and there seems to be no end in sight to the surge. 4,000 people have died in Florida due to the virus. Disney closed 16 weeks ago and is said to be losing almost €1 billion a month.

Epcot and Disney's Hollywood Studios, the remaining two parks, are expected to open on 15 July.

"The world is changing around us, but we strongly believe that we can open safely and responsibly," said Josh D'Amaro, Disney's theme park chairman, in an interview with the New York Times. "Covid is here, and we have a responsibility to figure out the best approach to safely operate in this new normal."

Disney World: park restrictions

The limited tickets for July have been sold out and reservations are required to visit. On Thursday, bloggers, annual pass holders and employees were invited to visit the park and one commented that there was loads of social distancing, plenty of hand sanitiser and she said everyone was wearing masks. Masks are mandatory and social distancing is strong encouraged in the park.

One area where tourists can’t visit is ESPN’s Live World of Sports because NBA players are holed up there inside the bubble before their restart.