Disney Springs in Florida is warning guests ahead of its reopening that visiting the complex means they “voluntarily assume all risk” related to exposure of the coronavirus. The shopping, dining, and entertainment complex will begin a phased reopening on Wednesday, May 20.
A warning on the Disney Springs website reads: “An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By visiting Disney Springs you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.”
Disney Springs has issued health and safety measures that guests and staff members must follow, including wearing face masks and undergoing temperature screenings. The Disney complex will open with limited capacity and parking and with limited operating hours.
Matt Simon, vice president of Disney Springs said in a statement on May 16: “I understand this is a great deal of change to absorb, and I speak for all of us at Walt Disney World in thanking you for your cooperation and patience during this initial phase. Today’s world is different, and it’s going to require a shared responsibility, with everyone doing their part.”
Simon explained Disney’s face mask policy in more detail in his blog post and said: “All guests 3 years of age and older, along with cast members and third-party operating-participant employees, will be required to wear an appropriate face covering while visiting Disney Springs.
“This is an important part of protecting both our guests and our cast. Please be sure you have an ample amount of face coverings for yourself and your party before you arrive, as you’ll need to wear them over your nose and mouth at all times (except when sitting at a dining table).”
Guests will also be encouraged to use cashless transactions and maintain social distancing, including when lining up, for example.
The phased reopening will begin on May 20, when guests will be able to shop at stores including Anthropologie, Pandora Jewelry, UNIQLO, and Zara, and can dine at restaurants including Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, Earl of Sandwich, and Planet Hollywood. A full list of stores and restaurants opening at Disney Springs on May 20 can be found on the Disney Springs website.
More Disney owned shops and restaurants will then open on May 27, including World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (with mobile order), and the Marketplace Co-Op.
However, the theme parks and hotels at Walt Disney World are still closed and an official opening date has yet to be announced. The resort is currently accepting reservations from July 1 and anyone with reservations for June 30 or earlier can amend or cancel their bookings with no additional fees.
