Is Disney World set to close again in 2022?
These past two years have been unlike anything that most people have experienced in their lifetime. In this relatively short period of time, we’ve seen business closures, health and safety concerns, face mask requirements, and other life-changing events.
When theme parks like Disney World and Sea World started closing in 2020, it was obvious that much of the world was shutting down. Since then, they’ve reopened and more or less been operating as business as usual, but a lot of people are wondering if Disney World will close again? It’s understandable that some people are concerned, so we thought it’d be a good idea to discuss what’s going on and what you can expect from Disney World in 2022.
Current Reality of the Pandemic
Since 2020, we’ve seen lots of ups and downs in the way that the pandemic has been playing out. Just as things start going well, it seems that we experience multiple setbacks. This has basically created a situation where every facet of our lives can be a little touch-and-go in terms of being back to “normal.” This is why many people aren’t even sure if they should plan a trip to Disney World because they don’t want their plans to be canceled due to a closure.
Possibility of Disney World Closing in 2022
So, now we come down to the big question – will Disney World close again? Although it’s very important to never say never, there doesn’t seem to be any indication that major theme parks will be planning to close in the foreseeable future.
For evidence of this, we can point to the much more contagious Omicron strain of COVID-19. It has been going around very quickly, yet none of the theme parks have closed in response. This isn’t because parks aren’t being as strictly cautious as with the previous variants of COVID-19. The Omicron strain appears to be weaker and much of the country is being vaccinated.
Safety Precautions at Disney World
Just because Disney World will not close again – or at least most likely – this doesn’t mean that we’re out of the woods or that we can get entirely back to normal. Going forward, you can expect all Disney parks to continue utilizing these additional safety precautions so that employees and patrons can enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth without hesitation:
Park Pass Reservations
Anyone who visited Disney World prior to the pandemic is very aware that the entrance to the park can get quite busy. Many people are there to purchase tickets to enter the park and the lines can get very long. In order to reduce these lines, visitors to Disney World will now need to make reservations in advance. To enter the park, you will need both a valid Park Admission and a Park Pass Reservation.
Face Mask Requirements
Face masks have become a very prevalent part of keeping people safe during the pandemic. When used in conjunction with social distancing – which we’ll get to in a moment – masks can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. While in the park, there are designated indoor areas where a mask must be worn at all times. If in doubt, ask a Disney World “cast member” (that’s what they call their park workers).
Social Distancing Rules
Social distancing has proven itself to be an essential part of keeping the COVID-19 virus at bay. This stops the droplets that a person can expel while speaking, sneezing, or coughing from exposing another person to the virus. There will be many areas that will be designated for social distancing, but the basic rule is to simply stay six feet away from any other person whenever possible.
Modified Meet-and-Greets
Ask any kid and they’ll tell you that one of their favorite parts of going to Disney World has been the character meet-and-greets. Unfortunately, due to health and safety concerns, these have been extremely limited since the pandemic started. Some of the guidelines are loosening up a bit, such as a character breakfasts, but you can expect modified meet-and-greets to continue for a while in certain situations.
Cleanliness and Sanitation
Although the COVID-19 virus can’t live on surfaces for very long, it’s still possible for this to be a mode of transmission. To help ensure everyone’s safety, the park has increased its cleaning schedule for each of the Disney World restaurants, rides, attractions, and other areas. Throughout the day, you’ll see cast members wiping down a variety of surfaces, especially ones that are touched on a regular basis. Plus, spills are cleaned up even more quickly than before.
Hand Sanitizer Stations
The use of hand sanitizer is another very effective defense against COVID-19 because it kills the virus upon contact. Disney World has always made hand sanitizer available, but they’ve added many more stations throughout the park. These are checked on a regular basis and refilled as needed so that you’ll always have access.
What You Can Expect in the Future
The reopening of Disney World has been done in stages, starting with fewer limited hours and several attractions and restaurants starting up again. Although there haven’t been too many announcements on what exactly will be reopening that haven’t already done so, we can definitely expect more attractions and festivities to be added to their schedule. Some of the favorites that you’ve been missing are likely to be returning in 2022.
Should You Change Your Trip?
If you’ve been planning a Disney World vacation, there’s really no reason to delay your trip. Given the long list of precautions being utilized by every Disney park, you can rest assured that the chance of transmission is extremely low. Just follow the rules set forth by Disney World and you’ll have a blast!
Contact World Class VIP for a Disney World VIP Experience
To sum things up, if you’ve been worried that Disney World will close again, this is definitely something that shouldn’t be a concern. The Disney VIP tour guides at World Class VIP can give you updates and assist you with your vacation plans. Our tour guides know the layout of Disney World and the major theme parks in Orlando, Florida, like the back of their hands! We’ll ensure your party visits all of the attractions and shows you desire to see during your vacation!
Simply call our Disney VIP tour guides at (407) 270-3784 today and we’ll get started with a free quote!