The World of Disney Is Reopening in Disney Springs Today With 3-Hour Virtual Queues!

If you're looking for information related to the current closures and their effect on the Disney Parks, click here for all the up-to-date details and click here for answers to dozens of reader FAQs.

We took you with us last week to the re-opening of third-party stores and restaurants in Disney Springs. And now, select Disney-owned stores and restaurants are beginning to open back up again today.

World of Disney

Although we’ve already discussed the new health and safety measures in place throughout Walt Disney World’s shopping and dining district, we’re starting this visit with a look at the amount of guests ready to return to the World of Disney.

Before diving in, the World of Disney was scheduled to open at 10 AM this morning. And the next few pictures of the lines to enter the store below were taken BEFORE 9 AM.

Front of World of Disney Line

The picture above is simply the front of the line. Note that the line (still before 9 AM) wound around past Dockside Margaritas, if you’re familiar with the set up of the Disney Springs Marketplace. If you’re not familiar, these pictures below should give you some idea!

Lines around World of Disney

Lines to enter World of Disney

There are certainly lots of social distancing signs and markers around Disney Springs to keep guests and Cast Members safe. The World of Disney already had a long line of stickers on the ground last week, indicating that maybe the store would be busy when it re-opened.

Markers outside of World of Disney store in Disney Springs

A line queue had also been added for today.

Markers on the ground and line holder outside World of Disney

And, as far as anticipating those crowds… boy, were they right!

Lines this morning

When we arrived before the store even opened, there was already a crowd of people waiting outside to visit the biggest Disney store in Walt Disney World. Since there weren’t quite enough markings on the ground for all the people there, additional tape was placed on the ground to denote physical distancing markers.

Additional Tape on the ground

Once the tape ran out…

Duct Tape Markers

… Cast Members began to advise guests to stay 6 feet apart from the group in front of them until more tape arrived.

To make sure that guests can maintain a safe distance while shopping, only a certain amount of people will be let into the World of Disney at a time. To help implement this, guests are asked to put their names in for a Virtual Queue to receive text updates 15 minutes prior to when they are able to visit. A Cast Member is located at the front of the store to enter guests into the virtual queue.

World of Disney

So, you are able to stroll around the rest of Disney Springs while you wait for your time to enter.

Outside of the World of Disney

At press time this morning, we were learning of possible wait times of up to three hours to enter the World of Disney. As for us, we were able to get in at 11:30 AM (after our 8:45 AM arrival, and after receiving our initial virtual queue sign-in text just after 9 AM).

Inside World of Disney

Of course, due to the capacity measures, it was easy to maintain social distancing once inside the store, even with the large number of guests in Disney Springs today.

Inside World of Disney

And we’ve got a lot more to share from the World of Disney, from our shopping experience to the merchandise available, and we hope you’ll stay tuned for more posts from Disney Springs today!

Take a look at all the stores open in Disney Springs and our experience shopping here!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2022 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2022 to save 25% off the cover price today!