Disney's Magic Kingdom Theme Park Re-Opens July 11
By Jeff Moffitt
@moffittjc (121659)
Gainesville, Florida
May 27, 2020 1:19pm CST
Disney announced plans today to re-open its Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, July 11th, followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on Wednesday, July 15th.
Guess where I'll be on those two days? 
Of course there will be many changes to their operations, but I don't care and will comply with whatever requirements they have in place.
Photo is of Cindrella's Castle that I took at Magic Kingdom this past New Year's Eve.
I'm not worried about crowds, or the possibility of catching coronavirus, because I'm pretty sure Disney is where I caught the virus the first time. What are the chances that lightning would strike the same place twice? haha
If given the chance, would you go to Disney when it re-opens?
Of course there will be many changes to their operations, but I don't care and will comply with whatever requirements they have in place.
Photo is of Cindrella's Castle that I took at Magic Kingdom this past New Year's Eve.
I'm not worried about crowds, or the possibility of catching coronavirus, because I'm pretty sure Disney is where I caught the virus the first time. What are the chances that lightning would strike the same place twice? haha
If given the chance, would you go to Disney when it re-opens?22 people like this
22 responses
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
Yeah, it's a little bit of a hike for you, isn't it? But what about theme parks up near you? Are any of them re-opening?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 May 20
@just4him So it's a small little park, not like a huge mega theme park like Disney or Universal Studios or Sea World? What's the nearest big theme park to you? The only one I can think of that far north is that one in Sandusky, OH. Can't think of the name of it right now.
2 people like this
@just4him (317249)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
27 May 20
@moffittjc We have an amusement park in Green Bay - Bay Beach Amusement Park. I haven't heard anything yet. Here's a little snapshot of the park.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
I can't help you with the free tickets, but you can buy hazmat suits on Amazon! LOL
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
@CarolDM I'm willing to bet someone will be there at re-opening in a hazmat suit. I'm going to keep my eye out and see if I'm right. If I spot one, I'll take a picture and send it to you! lol
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
27 May 20
@moffittjc That really is the only way I would go right now. I love Disney but it is too soon.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107900)
• Marion, Ohio
27 May 20
I have never wanted to go. Have fun.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (107900)
• Marion, Ohio
27 May 20
@moffittjc That is a good idea. Makes for lots more fun. I have never been much for going to any theme parks
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
That's one less person I have to worry about in the crowd! haha
I will make sure to have twice as much fun when I go...once for me and once for you!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
@wolfgirl569 Okay, when I get back I'll let you know how much fun you had! haha
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
I should make it my life mission to get you back to Disney one more time with me!
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
@DianneN Is that better odds than a slim chance?
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
27 May 20
Did you get tested for the COVID-19 antibodies? I'm not a Disney type of gal. Have a great time. Is your gal a Disney kind of gal?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
We don't have anywhere around here that is testing for antibodies right now, but I just read in the newspaper that in about a week a couple of private testing labs here will start offering antibody tests. I plan to get one. I know I've already had the virus, I want to see what kind of antibodies I have built up in my system now!
Yes, my girl is a Disney gal. I wouldn't be dating her otherwise! lol
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
@LindaOHio The first two questions I ask any girl before I even consider dating them: 1) Do you like Disney? and 2) Do you like camping and the great outdoors? If the answer is no to either, I move on.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (181321)
• United States
27 May 20
@moffittjc Good for you...on getting the test and for picking the right girl! :-)
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
@Nevena83 It's just a little virus! How much damage could one little virus do?
2 people like this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
27 May 20
What could possibly go wrong? 
2 people like this
@tammys85 (30131)
• Baltimore, Maryland
1 Jun 20
@moffittjc Right! It looks enchanting in this picture lol. :)
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
@tammys85 It sure does! It really gives it the royal look and feel!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
I've gotten some really great pictures of the castle and some of the rides over the years. I particularly liked this one because of the way the light from the setting sun was hitting the castle.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
Yeah, it's much more magical when you are with a child, because you are seeing the theme park through their eyes when you visit.
@LadyDuck (472000)
• Switzerland
29 May 20
@moffittjc That is a good way to restart, I wonder if they will oblige people to wear masks to play safe. The Federal Healthcare Authority here asked to make it mandatory for everyone when we are in crowded place or inside stores. I always wear mine, most people already do.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 May 20
@LadyDuck Yes, they have already said that masks will be required.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
I am the same way Anna. This is the only place where I would risk being in a crowd. But it looks like they have a really good plan in place to minimize the crowd, and keep people social distanced from each other. I found out today that they will only be letting people in who make reservations, so no walk-ins will be accepted. And they're not selling any new tickets, so only pass holders and people who had previously bought tickets can make reservations.
2 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
10 Jun 20
@moffittjc I've been told I am a Disney freak because I love all things Disney.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
10 Jun 20
@simone10 I’ve been told that myself. I consider it a compliment. Those people that call us freaks are just jealous! Lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Jun 20
Atta girl! It's my favorite place to be as well.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50596)
• United States
31 May 20
I wish that I felt comfortable going. I’d be miserable in a mask. I had plans to go when I was in Florida this summer, but I cancelled my Florida trip. Maybe next year.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
@Tampa_girl7 Disney already said they would set up "mask-free zones" around the theme parks so that guests can take a break and remove their masks for a few minutes to catch their breath. Probably similar to the smoking areas they have set up around the parks.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
The kids and I were just talking about this yesterday. We all agree that we're going to be miserable walking around in that heat and humidity with our masks on.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
Have you been to Holy Land Experience? I haven't, but I driven by it a few times. It looks pretty cool.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
@Elizaby I love the fact that Disney World, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Universal Orlando, Universal Islands of Adventure, Sea World, and so much more are all within a 10-15 minute drive of each other!
@Elizaby (6902)
• Pensacola, Florida
1 Jun 20
@moffittjc Not yet. It has been many mnay years since I have been in that part of Floida but the two are close enough if I get to one while I am in the area I will visit the other
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
28 May 20
@moffittjc
I do not like large crowds. I also like Disneyland but too far away to go there. I am glad they are reopening and hope it will be safe even though you are not worried.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
28 May 20
So I just found out today that when they re-open, guests have to make reservations to attend. You can't just show up and get admitted to the theme park. Disney is not selling any new tickets, only people who have annual passes or who have previously bought tickets can access the park through the reservation system when it reopens.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
31 May 20
@Hannihar Our local blueberry farms are doing the same thing. You have to make an appointment to visit the farm to pick blueberries. I'm glad many of the businesses and farms that have re-opened are taking appropriate safety precautions.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
31 May 20
@moffittjc
It sounds like a lot of people have to make appointments or make reservations like for Disney. Thanks for explaining it Jeff. It sounds like places may be opening up but want to protect themselves and have people make appointments or reservations.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84183)
• Rupert, Idaho
1 Jun 20
Sounds like fun, hope you enjoy! If I was closer and could afford it I would love to go!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
2 Jun 20
@MommyOfEli2013 My kids and I always joke about how miserable a lot of people are in the "happiest place on earth." But in talking about it, we came to the conclusion that it was probably because those people saved up all their money for years for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Disney, only to hate the experience when they get there because it is so crowded. I'm not kidding, it's seriously overcrowded. Wall-to-wall people, like being packed in like sardines. So sad to see people not having a good time knowing that is probably the only time in their life that they will get to go to Disney.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
Disney is definitely getting too expensive. They are already bordering on being unaffordable for most people. And yet the demand for their theme parks continues to explode year after year. People must have to save up their entire lives just to go to Disney once.
1 person likes this
@MommyOfEli2013 (84183)
• Rupert, Idaho
2 Jun 20
@moffittjc I almost got to go to Disneyland back in High School and wished it would have happened cause that was probably my only chance lol. But yes, I do understand about it being expensive, yet people keep going, and everything. Some people probably do have to save up for years at least!
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
28 May 20
If I lived close by I might consider going since they seem to have a plan in place for the reopening. But for me, I'd have to fly and that's definitely not something I would consider any time soon.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (83074)
• United States
29 May 20
@moffittjc lucky you getting into the park before it fully opens once again. It will probably be a lot of fun without the crowds.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 May 20
@Marilynda1225 I hope so. I really hope Disney put a lot of thought into this and has come up with a plan to make the guest experience memorable while also keeping everyone safe.
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
I agree. If I had to fly to visit the theme park, I wouldn't do it. Fortunately, I can drive. It's a quick drive for me. And I found out today that they will only be letting people in who make reservations, so no walk-ins will be accepted. And they're not selling any new tickets, so only pass holders and people who had previously bought tickets can make reservations.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20046)
• United States
2 Jun 20
I would love to go back. I know Chris would love to go back too. Pretty picture.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Jun 20
You two should make plans to go in the near future!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
Big kids or little kids, I don't care where you count me, as long as you let me in! haha
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
That's probably a pretty smart choice. I don't mind the crowds.
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
30 May 20
Glad to see Disney will reopen. We have been huddled in fear long enough now. A little common sense and some restrictions can go a long way toward some normalcy. Of course, there are always some where common sense is not so common, but if rules are enforced, then I would go.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
1 Jun 20
I'm sure authorities will be watching Disney like a hawk, so it is in their best interest to make sure all the guests are following the rules and practicing social distancing.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
29 May 20
I am hesitant about crowds right now, but Disney is one place where I don't feel nervous about crowds. I found out today that they will only be letting people in who make reservations, so no walk-ins will be accepted. And they're not selling any new tickets, so only pass holders and people who had previously bought tickets can make reservations. I am a pass holder, so all I have to do now is wait until they start allowing reservations.
