What to Expect on a Visit to Disney Springs During Reopening

After many long months of being closed, Disney World is finally starting to reopen! Although the parks are still closed, the opening of Disney Springs gives us a glimpse of what a trip to Disney will be like for the foreseeable future. While Disney Springs started gradually reopening in May, here is what I experienced when I went in mid June.

The first thing to note for visitors looking to enter Springs is that masks are required. While there are some areas you can take them off to eat and drink, your mask will be worn during most of your visit. Yes, this includes when you are walking around outside. In the Florida summer heat, this can be very tough. Sometimes I may duck into an extra shop just to get some cooler air. However, I did see many people walking with drinks not always returning their mask over their mouth after every sip. I was a little surprised to see that not too many cast members seemed to be around to remind these guests to put their masks back on, but overall everyone was pretty good about wearing them when they walked by other people.

Before entering Disney Springs, you will have to pass a temperature check. In the Orange Garage, you will head to level 2 for this check before heading across to the shops. Many parking spaces on this level are blocked off in order to allow space for the temperature checks to be performed. In typical Disney fashion, you will be greeted by many happy cast members who are ready to direct you on your way. A divider is up in order to split those entering and exiting Disney Springs.

Signs are up everywhere to remind Guests of safety procedures and social distancing. You will see big posted signs outside, as well as signs inside individual retailers. There are even extra hand sanitizing stations scattered around so you can feel completely comfortable.

While crossing bridges, arrows line the ground to direct walkers to stay to one side. Outside retail stores there are often spots to stand on the ground while you wait to enter. Each retail location has a limited capacity so sometimes you may have to wait your turn outside. Overall I was usually able to enter right when I arrived, but I did have to wait to enter one smaller store.

With the parks and other merchandise locations being closed so long, the big attraction here is World of Disney. This store also has a limited capacity. When it first reopened, I saw photos of lines and heard of queues to get in, but I didn’t see much of this when I went. On a Sunday afternoon visit I did see a line to enter that curved around the building, but all of my other visits were during the week and I was always able to walk right in!

Although it is strange walking around a relatively empty Disney Springs, I must say how lovely it is to shop inside World of Disney right now. While this store is usually crazy busy with families shopping in every corner, now it is so empty! It is so nice being able to shop and walk around in this peaceful and empty setting. The store is so clean and organized!

I will say though that I have not been inside at its full current capacity level, so I would like to see just how busy it can get right now. Extra space has been set aside in order to allow the lines to the register to spread out more. I haven’t seen any of this space actually needed for the line yet, but again I have not been inside probably anywhere near full capacity.

Plexiglass has been installed at the registers not just in World of Disney, but at most locations around the property. I don’t know if everyone else has this problem too, but between the masks on both me and the worker in addition to the plexiglass, I find it incredibly hard to hear. I was buying lunch and with the music playing in the background, I could not hear a word the girl was saying to me! With the masks on you can’t even cheat and watch the other person’s mouth. I just starting guessing the next logical statement for our interaction and hoped that was actually what she was asking; “No drinks please… Yes that will be all. Thank you.” Awkward!

Shops and restaurants have been gradually reopening on their own since the original Disney Springs open date. Some restaurants like Earl of Sandwich allow you to dine in, while other places like Starbucks are currently just to go.

While some of my favorite things about Springs are not currently available (no free chocolate samples at Ghirardelli!) there is still some pretty awesome Disney magic here. To remind people of social distancing policies, two stormtroopers walk above some of the shops. If you stick around long enough they may even call out to you!

It’s so exciting to see Disney finally starting to reopen again. Stay tuned for more posts on what the parks look like when they start to reopen their gates!