In a letter from the Disney Parks Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Pamela Hymel, today, several issues relating to the reopening of the Disney theme parks was addressed.

Magic Kingdom in Disney World

One of the most compelling was the confirmation that Disney is indeed exploring the option of opening their retail and dining locations (e.g. Disney Springs in Disney World and Downtown Disney in Disneyland as well as resorts and shops in some hotels, potentially) before they reopen the Theme Parks proper.

We’ve seen this tack taken already in Shanghai Disneyland, where Disneytown and restaurants in the Disneyland hotel were reopened over two months before Theme Parks. In Hong Kong Disneyland we’ve also seen a character meal reopen in the past week.

Hong Kong Disneyland

In the restaurants and retail locations Disney has already reopened overseas, we’re seeing regulated health checks, personal distancing, limited capacity, and other health protocol enacted.

World of Disney in Disney Springs

While Disney hasn’t officially stated their policies for dining and retail establishments when they reopen, the Chief Medical Officer has noted that priorities could be physical distancing and capacity measures, cleanliness and sanitization protocol, screenings, and phased reopening.