Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Latest Theme Park Updates Related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic caused ongoing changes to operations and offerings at theme parks and resorts around the world. If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, Disneyland Resort, or other destinations, it’s best to stay up-to-date on the latest operational updates.

At most theme parks and resorts, you can expect to see a few changes from pre-pandemic visits. Look for park-specific details further down on this page.

Although temperature screenings were once required, those ceased at US parks in Spring 2021. There are no mask requirements outdoors; parks recommend that not-fully-vaccinated guests wear face coverings while indoors.

With all of this change, it’s likely that even seasoned park-goers will be a little lost when faced with planning their next theme park vacation. TouringPlans is ready to help. Our researchers are in the parks every day, staying on top of the latest in safety procedures, attendance, park hours, wait times, and best dining options for you and your family.

Walt Disney World (Florida)

Disney reopened Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on Saturday, July 11, 2020. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios reopened on Wednesday, July 15, 2020. Disney's water parks (Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon) have both re-opened, although only one may be operating due to typical seasonal maintenance.

See Disney's Returning to a World of Magic for the latest details, which may change over time. Important details include:

• As of April 19, 2022, there are no face covering requirements on Disney World property.
• Park access requires a reservation.
• Some shows and attractions have not returned.
• Some character greeting spots have returned (with hugs and autographs), and some "cavalcade" mini-parades that showcase many characters still perform.
• Most character meals and buffets are operating similarly to how they were pre-pandemic.
• Fireworks have returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
• Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade returned to Magic Kingdom on March 9, 2022.
• Fantasmic! returned to Hollywood Studios on November 3, 2022.

All Disney Resort Hotels have reopened. Here is list:

• All Disney Vacation Club Resorts and Fort Wilderness opened to guests on June 22, 2020
• Pop Century and the Contemporary opened on July 10, 2020
• Caribbean Beach opened on July 29, 2020
• Yacht Club opened on August 24, 2020
• Grand Floridian opened on September 21, 2020
• Coronado Springs opened on October 16, 2020
• Art of Animation opened on November 1, 2020
• All-Star Movies opened on March 22, 2021
• Beach Club Resort opened May 30, 2021
• Wilderness Lodge opened June 6, 2021
• BoardWalk Inn opened July 2, 2021
• Polynesian Village opened July 19, 2021
• Animal Kingdom Lodge opened on August 26, 2021
• All-Star Music opened on September 16, 2021
• Port Orleans - Riverside opened October 14, 2021
• Port Orleans - French Quarter opened October 28, 2021
• All-Star Sports opened on March 31, 2022.

Disney Springs

Dining and shopping locations in Disney Springs (Disney World's shopping/dining/entertainment district) are open. The new Disney Springs Cirque du Soleil show Drawn to Life was delayed but premiered in November 2021.

Other Theme Parks

• Disneyland (California)
  
  • Disneyland and Disney California Adventure theme parks re-opened on April 30, 2021. Park reservations are required. Initially only California residents were allowed entry.
  • Disney's Grand Californian Hotel re-opened on April 29, 2021. Paradise Pier reopened June 15, 2021. Disneyland Hotel reopened July 2, 2021.
  • Downtown Disney reopened July 9, 2020.
  • Face coverings are not required.
  • Fireworks are back at Disneyland, as are Fantasmic!, World of Color, and Main Street Electrical Parade.
  See Disneyland's Experience Updates page for other important details.


• Universal Orlando (Florida)
  All parks and CityWalk are open. There are no longer temperature screenings, and face coverings are NOT required outdoors by anyone. Guests who are not fully-vaccinated are expected to wear face coverings indoors. Cleanliness and safe distancing are encouraged. Universal Orlando's Safety FAQ has details.
  
  Theme parks, hotels, and CityWalk closed on Sunday, March 15, 2020. CityWalk reopened with limited hours and locations on May 14, 2020. The Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay parks reopened to the the public on Wednesday, June 5, 2020. Volcano Bay was closed again for the winter (November 2, 2020, to February 26, 2021) but has been open more or less continuously since then.


• Disneyland Paris
  Parks, along with Disney's Newport Bay Club and Disney Village reopened on June 17, 2021. See the Reopening Disneyland Parks page for other details.

  (The resort initially closed on March 15, 2020, but was open with some hotels from July 15 to October 30, 2020.)



• Shanghai Disneyland
  Shanghai Disneyland has opened and closed several times since 2022. Definitely check its status before visiting the part. Most recently it closed on November 29, 2022, just a few days after it had re-opened on November 25. Before that it closed on October 31, 2022, after re-opening on June 30, 2022. Prior to that it reopened on May 11, 2020 with limited attendance, physical distancing, and procedures (such as masks and temperature screenings) but then closed again on March 21, 2022.


• Tokyo Disney Resort
  Parks are open with limited hours. See the Tokyo Disney website for information about operational changes.


• Hong Kong Disneyland
  Park re-opened (as it has several times since 2020) on April 21, 2022. Park reservations, physical distancing, a mask requirement, health checks, and other safety procedures may be in place. See the Hong Kong Disneyland website for details.

Disney Cruise Line

All Disney ships are sailing. Cruised resumed when the Disney Dream set sail on August 9, 2021.

See the official DCL Know Before You Go page for the latest details.

Effective November 14, 2022, Disney has no VOVID-19 vaccination or testing requirements for guests on sailings from the United States. Until that date, you guests can cancel a cruise between then and January 2023 with no penalties from DCL.

Starting on October 14, 2022 (or November 7 for the Disney Magic), those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to test before boarding. In addition, unvaccinated guests age 5 and up are allowed to sail but must test negative 1-2 days prior to departure. Guests age 4 and under need not test.

Effective March 11, 2022, face coverings are no longer required by vaccinated guests in most indoor locations on-board. Proof of vaccination (for those eligible; those who can't be vaccinated must submit negative COVID-19 test results) is required to sail. (Previously, a negative rapid test at the port was required to board.)

Some itineraries may be altered because certain ports are closed to cruise ship visitors.

Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort

Reopened June 15, 2020

Disney's Vero Beach Resort

Reopened June 15, 2020

Disney's Aulani Resort

Aulani Resort in Hawaii began a phased re-opening on Sunday, November 1, 2020. Some activities and dining options are suspended or modified. See Aulani's Travel Advisory FAQ for details.

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney has canceled many departures has allowed penalty-free postponements. See the Adventures by Disney Travel Advisory page for details.

Disney on Broadway

The Lion King and Aladdin shows on Broadway in New York City were suspended on March 12, 2020 (along with all other Broadway performances). Frozen on Broadway closed permanently on that date. The Lion King and Aladdin resumed performances in September 2021 as Broadway "reopened," although some performances have been cancelled due to health protocols.

Economic Assistance for Travel Agents

We have an Economic Assistance for Travel Agents article on our blog with details about United States government programs that might be helpful to travel agents.