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Walt Disney World reopens as coronavirus cases surge in Florida

Walt Disney World reopens as coronavirus cases surge in Florida
LOCAL DISNEY FANS SAY THEY ARE READY TO. KELSI: THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH IS BACK. DISNEY WORLD REOPENS SATURDAY, BUT THINGS WILL LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT. >> IT IS HARD NOT TO FIND IT AT THIS POINT AND CLEANING THE RAILINGS. KELSI: NUMBER OF GUESTS, LIMITED, MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRING. PREMIUM PASSHOLDERS GOT A LOOK THIS WEEK. >> I LOVE THE LACK OF CROWDS AND GETTING ONTO RISE QUICKER. >> I THINK IT IS DANGEROUS TO GO THERE. SO MANY PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THE CASTLE. >> WE ARE SEEING RECORD NUMBERS OF CORONAVIRUS CASES OFFICIALS SAY THEY ACTUALLY HAVEN’T TRACKED BACK ANY BIG OUTBREAKS TO ANY OF THE THEME PARKS THAT HAVE REOPENED SO FAR. >> WE HAVE SEARCHED FOR IT AND WE HAVE NOT FOUND IT. KELSI: DOCTOR RAUL PINO WITH THE ORANGE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS HE’S MORE WORRIED ABOUT SMALLER BUSINESSES THAN DISNEY. >> I’M LESS CONCERNED ABOUT DISNEY FOR TRANSMISSION IN AN OPEN SPACE WHERE IT’S GOING TO ENFORCE GUIDANCE THAN PLACES EVEN SMALLER THAN THAT LIKE A GYM WHERE IT’S AN ENCLOSED SPACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE EXERCISING. KELSI: STILL, DISNEY IS TAKING PRECAUTIONS, OPENING IN PHASES. MAGIC AND ANIMAL KINGDOM OPEN SATU
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Walt Disney World reopens as coronavirus cases surge in Florida
“The Most Magical Place on Earth” has reopened after nearly four months with new rules in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opened Saturday, while Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow next week. All of Disney’s Central Florida parks closed in mid-March in an effort to stop the virus’s spread. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando closed around the same time, but reopened several weeks ago after instituting similar rules to protect employees and customers from the virus. The reopening comes as a huge surge of Floridians have tested positive for the new coronavirus in recent weeks.Temperature checks will be given at park entrances, there will be no tram service in the parking lots, and face masks that loop around the ears are mandatory.Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Park, Experiences and Products, made an Instagram post of an "amazing morning" with cast members before the reopening.Here are some of the things that have changed at the park: 1. Reservations and capacityDisney has a new way for guests to gain entry, developed in the midst of the pandemic. It's called the Disney Park Pass. Capacity will be limited.2. Safety measuresAside from temperature checks, the park will have hand sanitizing stations and enforce face mask requirements. 3. DiningLike restaurants anywhere else, Disney has had to upend its normal dining experience and find new ways to deliver food and drinks to hungry and thirsty guests. 4. Rides and attractionsIn its news release, Disney said it expects to open up very popular attractions on Saturday such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.CNN contributed to this report.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. —

“The Most Magical Place on Earth” has reopened after nearly four months with new rules in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opened Saturday, while Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will follow next week.

All of Disney’s Central Florida parks closed in mid-March in an effort to stop the virus’s spread.

Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando closed around the same time, but reopened several weeks ago after instituting similar rules to protect employees and customers from the virus.

The reopening comes as a huge surge of Floridians have tested positive for the new coronavirus in recent weeks.

Temperature checks will be given at park entrances, there will be no tram service in the parking lots, and face masks that loop around the ears are mandatory.

Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Park, Experiences and Products, made an Instagram post of an "amazing morning" with cast members before the reopening.

Here are some of the things that have changed at the park:

1. Reservations and capacity

Disney has a new way for guests to gain entry, developed in the midst of the pandemic. It's called the . Capacity will be limited.

2. Safety measures

Aside from temperature checks, the park will have hand sanitizing stations and enforce face mask requirements.

3. Dining

Like restaurants anywhere else, Disney has had to upend its normal dining experience and find new ways to deliver food and drinks to hungry and thirsty guests.

4. Rides and attractions

In its news release, Disney said it expects to open up very popular attractions on Saturday such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

CNN contributed to this report.