Fingerprint Scanners Removed and Calming Reopening Concerns

As the Disney Parks welcomed Cast Members and Guests to both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom yesterday, many Disney Guests are anxiously anticipating the reopening of the Disney Park this weekend. However; many Disney fans are still hesitant to travel to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” as the COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Florida. We share an interview from Josh D’Amaro as he shares his thoughts and the Disney Company’s resolve to return to the magic while maintaining strict health and safety guidelines throughout the Disney Parks.

Rising COVID-19 Cases

This week we shared that in a press conference with Florida Governor DeSantis that although Florida’s COVID-19 cases continue to rise, he doesn’t consider the reopening of Walt Disney World to be problem. He stated that Universal Orlando “is doing a great job with safety precautions and Disney’s plans are also sound.” Read more about this press conference HERE. This has created a rather heated debate among Disney fans and many are divided in their viewpoints as if this is a responsible decision for the Disney Parks to reopen.

Interview with Josh D’Amaro

Josh D’Amaro served as the president of the Walt Disney Parks and he was recently promoted as Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Today he shared his thoughts of the reopening of the Disney Parks with the New York Times. In response to many Disney fans requesting that Walt Disney World delays reopening, D’Amaro responds, “The world is changing around us, but we strongly believe that we can open safely and responsibly.”

D’Amaro goes on to explain that when Guests visit the Disney Parks they will understand the great lengths that the Disney Company has taken in order to keep all Cast Members and Guests safe. D’Amaro shares, “This is our new normal. Our new reality. COVID is here, and we have a responsibility to figure out the best approach to safely operate in this new normal. Businesses across the country are open, whether it’s a local pizza shop in Orlando or an airline taking on new guests.”

“We have a responsibility to figure out the best approach to safely operate in this new normal.”

Josh D’Amaro

Reopening of Other Disney Parks

Disneyland Shanghai, Toyko Disney Resort, and Hong Kong Disneyland have reopened to Guests. D’Amaro states that all of these theme parks have reopened “without incident.” Disneyland Paris is set to reopen on July 15th, while Disneyland’s reopening has been delayed from the original reopening date of July 17th.

other disney parks have reopened “without incident”

Josh D’Amaro

The New Normal

We have shared that the Disney Park experience will be very different from reduced capacity, the need for a Park Reservation, mandatory face coverings for all Cast Members and Guests over the age of 2. Guests can expect to hear announcements throughout the Disney Parks urging handwashing and social distancing. Plexiglass partitions are in place throughout the Park and 4,000 hand sanitizing stations have been added.

One of the most interesting changes will be that fingerprint scanners will no longer be in use as Guests proceed through the entrance. This has been a concern for many Disney fans, and this is the first that we have read the these will not be in use on reopening day.

Fingerprint scanners will no longer be in use.

What do you think of the all of the health and safety protocols that Disney has put into place? What do you think of the removal of fingerprint scanners during this initial reopening? Do you think this will also become the “new normal?” Share your thoughts with us on our Facebook Page.