Unlocking the World
Traveling to Disney Parks during Covid-19: What you need to know before you go
CNN Staff • Updated 1st December 2022
Editor's Note — Coronavirus cases remain high across the globe. Health officials caution that travel increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus. Staying home is the best way to stem transmission. Below is information on what to know if you still plan to travel, last updated on December 1, 2022.
(CNN) — If you're planning to travel to one of the Disney Parks & Resorts around the world, here's what you'll need to know and expect if you want to visit during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basics
All Disney parks around the world are now open to visitors, though Covid-19 restrictions remain in place in many of them.
Disneyland Resort in California reopened on April 30, 2021 with limited capacity at Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park.
Those wanting to visit need to purchase tickets in advance via a new online reservation system.
All three of the California Disney resort's hotels are open.
In Florida, all of Disney World's parks are open. Disney World also requires visitors to make reservations in advance.
As for the Florida park's hotels, all have already reopened.
Hong Kong Disneyland is open. Guests need to reserve their tickets in advance and are required by law to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" app and fulfill the "Vaccine Pass" requirements upon entering the Park and specified premises.
Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are open, along with their hotels. Shanghai Disneyland Park closed again on November 29, 2022, just days after reopening following a previous pandemic-related closure. No reopening date has been announced.
Disneyland Paris is open. All other Disney hotels there are open with the exception of the Disneyland Hotel, which is currently closed for renovations.
What's on offer
The original and, some might say, best, theme parks, Disney's resorts remain a magical experience for all the family. From vertiginous rides to firework displays, and of course the chance to meet classic characters, a trip to a Disney Park makes memories that last a lifetime.
Who can go
Entry to each Disney Park is dependent on local travel restrictions.
For example, the Shanghai resort (when open) can only be accessed by locals or those who meet China's strict entry requirements, including two negative test results taken within 48 hours of departures.
What are the restrictions?
Earlier this year, Disney announced that all of its resorts in the US would lift mask requirements for vaccinated guests.
Those who are not fully vaccinated are expected to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations.
Disneyland has eliminated on-site temperature checks and is allowing guests to "self-determine" social distancing since California has removed distancing requirements.
In the Paris Disney parks, face coverings are no longer mandatory.
Some parks have reduced capacity and require temperature checks on entry.
Guests of the Hong Kong and Shanghai parks need to continue to wear masks in all areas. Tokyo guests are required to wear masks but are permitted to remove them for photos and outdoors if they are away from other people.
What's the Covid situation?
Exact numbers of cases linked to Disney Parks are unclear.
What can visitors expect?
Some Disney parks have resumed their nightly fireworks shows and parades. Schedules and reopening information are available on each individual park's website.
Capacity has been cut in Disney's theme parks, with numbers further limited in restaurants and in queues to prevent overcrowding.
Despite this, guests can still dine in at their favorite restaurants and enjoy the rides, though some character meet-and-greets have been replaced by socially distanced character processions.
Several Disney World restaurants in hotels and theme parks are allowing character dining again. Reservations, highly recommended, are required in some locations.
Disney World's 50th anniversary party kicked off on October 1, 2021 and will last 18 months. Celebrations will be held in all four of the resort's theme parks.
Useful links
Our latest coverage
Disney World has increased ticket prices for the second time in a year, with the new rates coming into force on December 8.
And Disney's new Disney Wish cruise ship set off on its maiden voyage in July.
