As states look to implement their own unique reopening phases, we wanted to provide an overview of the key reopening phases as outlined by Florida and California as it relates to theme parks or large events.

How and when a state reopens and where a theme park fits into the larger picture is an important metric in determining when a theme park could reopen. The reason we’re giving as much weight to the state orders is because of how Disney has been wording their closure notices. Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland say that they have closed due to direction provided by government and health officials. Disney is clearly playing this by the book and we anticipate that they will closely follow guidelines set out at the state and federal levels. That said, what are the current orders and phases laid out by each state government that might dictate how and when Walt Disney World and Disneyland reopen?

Walt Disney World

Florida Reopening Phase 1

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that Florida will enter Phase 1 of their reopening plan on Monday, May 4th. In phase one, restaurants and retail locations will be able to open as long as they keep indoor capacity to 25% or less and outdoor seating spaced at least 6 feet apart.

While restaurants and retail locations in Disney Springs could qualify and reopen in Phase 1, Disney sent a notification to their My Disney Experience app to remind guests that Disney Springs remains closed along with the parks and resorts. In the absence of a definitive, public statement, it appears that Disney Springs and the 3rd party restaurant and retail locations will not be open on Monday. The theme parks definitely won’t open in Phase 1.

Florida Reopening Phase 2

DeSantis has not outlined a plan for Phase 2 yet. That said, we do have access to recommendations from the Reopen Florida Task Force that has Walt Disney World President Josh D’Amaro as a member. This Task Force recommends that theme parks are able to open, but with capacity limits, strict social distancing and proper measures to clean and disinfect. It is likely that we’ll start to see the theme parks reopen in Phase 2 with strict public health protocols in place. It’s likely that a Phase 2 experience in a theme park will be unlike anything that we’ve seen before.

As of publish time, there is no definite date for when a Phase 2 reopening would begin. That said, DeSantis has said that phases do not need to last for months. The length of each phase will be driven by health metric data and guidance from medial authorities.

Florida Reopening Phase 3

Again, we don’t have a definitive plan from DeSantis on Phase 3, but it will be the final phase of reopening. At this phase, the Reopen Florida Task Force recommends that theme parks would be able to return to normal operation with limited social distancing protocols. It is very likely that the theme parks will be open in Phase 3.

Disneyland

California Governor Gavin Newsom has laid out all four phases for reopening, which gives us a better idea of what the long-term plan for the state looks like. We’ll put a disclaimer at the front of this section of the post by saying that it’s possible that Disneyland could be exempt from any government phases. While it’s very, very likely that Disney will follow the direction of government and health officials, they were previously given an exemption from a large gathering ban that Newsom put in place before they closed. Of course, this caused backlash for the few hours that it was relevant, so we anticipate Disney will follow reopening plans by the book this time.

Here are the phases:

• Phase 1 – Making essential workforce environment as safe as possible. Non-essential businesses remain closed
• Phase 2 – Creating opportunities for lower risk sectors to adapt and re-open. Modified school programs and childcare re-open.
• Phase 3 – Creating opportunities for higher risk sectors to adapt and re-open.
• Phase 4 – Return to expanded workforce in highest risk workplaces. Requires therapeutics.

According to comments from California Public Health Officer Sonia Angell, large sporting events will be allowed in Phase 3, but without audiences. It is unlikely that Disneyland would open if large sporting events are unable to welcome guests.

With a Disneyland reopening in Phase 3 unlikely, we look to Phase 4 where officials say that conventions and sporting events with audiences can resume. Newsom said that California is still “months” away from Phase 4, which would align with earlier comments made by the Governor that indicated Disneyland wouldn’t open this summer.

It is unclear what changes Disneyland might have to make to the guest experience to reopen, but we assume that Disneyland will adopt and implement procedures put in place at Walt Disney World. With all of the information we have so far, it looks like Walt Disney World will reopen before Disneyland.

As of publish time, Walt Disney World and Disneyland remain closed indefinitely, with both resorts accepting new reservations for June 1st and beyond.

As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com for the latest Disney Parks news and photos. We’ll continue to bring you news and photos, where possible, through the Disney Parks closure due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and will resume our normal coverage once the parks reopen to guests on July 11th!