6 things to watch for the reopening of Disney World

For Disney World’s most ardent fans, tomorrow is indeed only a day away.

After shuttering in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, Walt Disney World Resort is set for a phased reopening at 9 a.m. ET Saturday even as Covid-19 cases explode in Florida.

It’s not the first Disney resort to reopen. Three parks in Asia have already taken those honors. But it’s the first Disney park in the United States to reopen (Disneyland is still closed for now), and CNN Travel will be reporting from inside the park.

Disney World is the biggest of big deals in the theme park universe. And the eyes of the theme park world will be on it this weekend.

Here are six things CNN Travel will be watching on Saturday:

1. Reservations and capacity

Two of Walt Disney World Resort's parks are set to reopen Saturday: Magic Kingdom Park (pictured) and Disney's Animal Kingdom. EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios are slated to reopen on July 15.

The current schedule is for the Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom Park to open on Saturday. EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are set to open on Wednesday, July 15.

Guests must follow four steps to use the system:

1. Get a valid park admission linked to a Disney account you’ve set up online.
2. Register the members of your party.
3. Select a date and a park to attend.
4. Finally, review and confirm your reservations.

You can see current Disney park availability online. Because of pent-up demand and reduced park capacity, your ability to secure your reservation in the park of your choice and the time you want to go could be limited at first.

For instance, at 1 p.m. ET Friday, there were no parks available for annual passholders in July. But August had some availability, especially on weekdays late in the month. People already holding theme park tickets or who have a Disney Resort reservation still have openings and options in July. Right now, spots for Hollywood Studios in July are particularly hard to come by.

As the situation is in constant flux, you might need patience and flexibility at first. Or you might get lucky and snag your top choices right away.

CNN Travel will be looking at how the new system works and what level of crowds Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom attract on Saturday and beyond.

Florida has seen some of sharpest spikes in Covid-19 cases in the United States and the world recently. No one can predict how that might affect things in coming weeks.

2. Temperature screenings

All guests will be required to a undergo temperature screening before entering a theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.

By now, it should be no surprise to theme park guests that they’ll undergo a temperature screening before being allowed in. Here’s what Disney says to expect:

“All guests will be required to undergo temperature screenings prior to entering a theme park. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will be directed to an additional location for rescreening and assistance.

“Those who again measure 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher will not be allowed entry, nor will those in their party,” Disney said.

Julie Tremaine, a freelance travel writer with extensive theme park experience, said she’s concerned about people getting high temperature readings if faced with long waits under the relentless Florida sun.

Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases specialist at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, said it’s very rare – but possible – to get a reading of 100.4 degrees or higher from getting overheated vs. your body running a fever to fight off an infection. He said that’s particularly true of people whose normal temperature runs higher than the 98.6-degree average.

Schaffner said that back-up reading should prevent most problems.

For someone who does pop the 100.4 limit, he said “if that person goes under tent, gets a cool drink, and is permitted to rest, they’ll cool down rapidly enough to past the test – assuming they are not ill and do not have an infection.”

Disney told CNN Travel on Thursday that secondary screenings take place in a cooler, tented area several minutes after the initial reading.

Dr. Shannon Hopson, an endocrinologist in Corvallis, Oregon, shared her second opinion: “You can get an increased body temperature from being overly hot, but I wouldn’t think this would be particularly common.”

Worried anyway?

Hopson’s advice is to make sure you’re well-hydrated before you get in line and shield your face with a hat or a cap with a big brim. She also said set your appointment for a morning arrival if you can so you’ll arrive when it’s cooler.

Hopson is actually more worried about potential Covid-19 carriers that temperature screenings won’t catch.

“The biggest problem with temperature screenings is that they can provide a false sense of security. They’re everywhere. We do them for patients and all staff at my office, but they only catch the sick people,” Hopson said. “We know that asymptomatic carriers can spread coronavirus as well as sick people, so there’s just no way to screen those people out.”

We’ll be watching how temperature checks are going – and how the public reacts to them.

3. Dining

Guests at Disney's Riviera Resort can see Minnie, Mickey and the gang during breakfast at Topolino's Terrace -- Flavors of the Riviera, the resort's rooftop restaurant. During the phased reopening, characters will maintain proper physical distancing while parading through the restaurant.

Like restaurants anywhere else, Disney has had to upend its normal dining experience and find new ways to deliver food and drinks to hungry and thirsty guests.

In a news release, Disney said “new measures promoting health and well-being will be implemented.” You can expect to see “enhanced cleaning in seating, dining and common areas, as well as changes to self-serve options.”

The park has detailed instructions on what diners can expect. A few of the highlights:

– You’ll need a face covering when entering and leaving dine-in restaurants, but obviously they can be removed when you’re seated and you’re ready to eat.

– If you’re a day guest, you’ll absolutely need a reservation for dining at a Disney Resort restaurant. And if you’re an overnight guest, it’s highly recommended.

– Wherever possible, Disney is offering cashless and contactless exchanges.

On hot days, food is often a breakdown point – with tired children especially. We’ll be watching how the eating experience goes, what restaurants open and how the My Disney Experience app works in regard to feeding hungry peeps.

4. Character interactions

Mickey Mouse will star in the "Mickey and Friends Cavalcade" when Magic Kingdom Park reopens.

Perhaps the most cherished memories from a Disney visit are children rushing with mad joy into the arms of a beloved character. Unfortunately, it’s a look-but-don’t-touch policy for character interactions with Mickey and his pals during the pandemic.

But Disney will be making it a visual spectacle.

In the Magic Kingdom, “characters will cavalcade along the traditional parade route throughout the day.” And over at Animal Kingdom, guests might witness “Disney characters setting sail down Discovery River on special boats, such as Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pocahontas and others.”

We’ll be keeping an eye out for how these encounters go. Will the kiddies still enjoy these sightings and be able to live without the hugs?

5. Rides and lines

Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing in attraction queues. And rides won't be filled to capacity.

So there’s not much point in limiting park capacity, requiring masks and keeping characters apart from guests and then letting folks bunch up in attraction lines and on the rides themselves.

To that end, you’ll be seeing signs for social distancing in queues. And rides will be sent out with empty seats, with only people in the same party bunched up together.

In its news release, Disney said it expects to open up very popular attractions on Saturday such as Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Tremaine says to keep in mind there are no Fast Passes for now in the Magic Kingdom. Rides are first-come, first-served.

But in another example of how park guests need to be flexible and on top of details and variations, the highly popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance attraction in Hollywood Studios will be using a virtual queue through the My Disney Experience app.

We’ll be watching how the combo of fewer people in the park vs. social distancing on the rides plays out. Will waits be shorter, longer or about the same?

6. The Disney experience during the pandemic

Ground markings will help promote proper physical distancing outside retail shops. How will such measures go over?

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the reopening will be the reaction of the guests to all the new safety measures. After all, a July 2020 visit is going to be very different than what guests enjoyed pre-pandemic.

Tremaine said, “The safety measures at Universal Studios and Dollywood [in Tennessee] haven’t put much of a dent in my enjoyment of the experience. Hand sanitizer before rides and distancing between parties isn’t that hard to manage.”

But what about a face mask? And in a sticky Orlando summer, too.

“It definitely isn’t ideal to have to wear a mask right now. I know Disney die-hards who say they won’t go back until they don’t have to wear masks. But I think for a lot of people, we’re willing to put up with the heat and inconvenience and discomfort of a mask if it means we get to be somewhere we love,” she said.

“It’s been a really bad few months. If a mask is the tradeoff for a little bit of pixie dust in our lives, so be it.”

Disney has confirmed they are designating specific areas where families can take a break and take off their masks.

Time capsule: Larry Syverson, 69, recently rediscovered his photographs of a trip to Disneyland that he took in 1969 while he was in college with his future wife Judy.

Days gone by: The vintage photos document what the park was like in its early incarnations. This image shows the entrance, with Judy on the right, in pink.

Iconic attractions: The photos feature famous attractions, including It's a Small World, pictured here, and Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Changing times: Some of the rides are still there, others, such as the Tomorrowland Rocket Jets ride and the PeopleMover, pictured here, are long since retired.

Ticket book: Judy kept her ticket from the day. The ticket system was different then: "At that time, when you went in you bought a book of tickets and each ride was a different ticket," Syverson tells CNN Travel.

Different prices: "The prices were like from a dime -- from 10 cents to 75 cents for the big rides," says Syverson. "It's kind of funny to think that you could ride something for 10 cents."

Day of activities: The couple spent 15 hours exploring the park: "We were there from open to close -- from 10 in the morning to one at night -- and we were constantly busy," remembers Syverson. Pictured here: Main Street from the train station

Rides and attractions: The couple were there on the opening day of The Haunted Mansion and also enjoyed It's a Small World. Pictured here: Judy looking at paper flowers in Disneyland.

Adventures old and new: Syverson had seen It's a Small World five years previously. In 1964, he was a Boy Scout volunteering at New York's World's Fair -- where Walt Disney premiered this ride. Pictured here: the Matterhorn Bobsleds ride, which still exists today.

Tomorrowland: The photos are mostly of Judy, but there's the odd one of Syverson. He is pictured here in front of Tomorrowland.

Musical moments: Syverson took this picture of the entrance to Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, which still exists today and is known for its musical animatronic performances.

Water thrills: The Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, which is still a staple of Disneyland California and worldwide.

Return event: Syverson and Judy returned to the park once -- in the '80s with their children, but they haven't been since. Pictured here: the fort entrance to Frontierland, with Judy slightly obscured.

Treehouse delights: Another highlight for Syverson was The Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, pictured. It no longer exists at Disneyland in California as it morphed into Tarzan's Treehouse in the '90s.

Favorite film: As a child, Syverson loved the "Swiss Family Robinson" movie and was thrilled to explore the treehouse. He says he still watches the film today with his grandchildren. Pictured here: Main Street USA

Family connections: "Fifty years later and they enjoy it as much as I did, we laugh in all the same places," says Syverson.

Under the sea: The Submarine Voyage opened in Disneyland California in 1959, based on the first nuclear-powered submarine. It's now become the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

Disney views: Syverson took this photo in Frontierland, the area of Disneyland themed around America in the 19th century.

New Orleans Square: Here Judy is pictured seated at a restaurant in New Orleans Square, another themed land at the California park.

Changing tastes: Syverson knows attractions have changed over the years: "People's interests change and they want more excitement and stuff," he says, citing Universal Studios as an example.

Busy day: Syverson recalls that he and Judy didn't plan their day well and were constantly running from one side of the park to the other. Pictured here: Frontierland.

Tom Sawyer Island: Syverson took this photo in Frontierland from Tom Sawyer Island, which is themed around Mark Twain's novels.

Old rides: This image shows the PeopleMover and the Skyway rides, both of which are now defunct. The Skyway was a gondola-style attraction.

Souvenirs: The couple saved the brochure and map of Tom Sawyer Island, which is dated to 1957.

Recreating the past: Syverson and Judy plan to return to Disneyland in 2020 and may recreate some of their images. Pictured here: Judy in the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Young at heart: "The attractions are still ones that we would enjoy at our age [...] It's a place [where] you make memories and then you always have them to look back on," says Syverson.

Special memories: "So we're really excited about going back there. There's no ending. It's a special place," he says. Pictured here: The Disneyland Opera House on Main Street.

Internet immortality: Syverson enjoys the fact that his photographs are now being shared on the Internet. Pictured here: looking toward New Orleans Square.

Sharing stories: Sharing old family photographs on Flickr -- including photographs of his father in the air force -- is an enjoyable hobby for Syverson. Pictured here: the Double decker bus on Main Street

Lasting legacy: Syverson says he's happy to leave a photographic legacy: "When Judy and I are long gone you know people will look -- 'Oh look at this young couple, having fun in Disneyland' -- it's kind of a cool thing," he says. Pictured here: Judy sitting in front of the Matterhorn

Disneyland in 1960s: View nostalgic park photos

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Martin Lewison, an associate professor of business management at Farmingdale State College on Long Island, New York, offers his perspective as “Professor Roller Coaster.”

“It’s great time to point out that we, as theme park guests, often don’t realize how much work is going on behind the scenes at the entertainment attractions that we visit,” Lewison said. “Even the smaller regional amusement parks are pretty complex operations, and Covid has added another layer of intense complexity over what is already a complicated operation.”

He said guests should keep in mind that “theme park employees also have to be temperature-checked, social distance from each other, wear masks and take meals and breaks in safe situations. They’re also in unfamiliar circumstances. Parks now have a trickier balance between their permitted capacities and visitor demand and staffing.”

His assessment of their efforts?

“What I’ve seen is that the parks have taken on a huge challenge and they’re doing an amazing job with it in a very uncertain new environment.”

Lewison had some advice for people going Saturday and beyond.

The “top tip is always: Make sure that you carefully follow all park rules and regulations, from signage to cast member instructions. If you’re unsure, ask a cast member.”

He said to be prepared for some attractions to not be available. As for the rides that are operating, guests should also expect to see some changes.

For instance, some rides won’t have an entertaining pre-show anymore. These include the Haunted Mansion, which has suspended “The Stretching Room” pre-show for now.

In the end, it’s all about preparation, said Lewison.

“Make sure you have a comfortable mask, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hat, hand sanitizer (just in case, although parks have done a lot to provide it), reservations, phone charger, water … all the usual stuff that improves your day at a theme park.”

Finally – “Have fun! You’re one of the lucky few at a theme park, and I’m jealous!”

CNN’s Natasha Chen contributed to this report.