Walt Disney World has finally announced it's plans to reopen. However, there are going to be MANY changes to what we are used to and we don't know how long these changes will be in place. We will try to keep this article updated whenever there are announcements or changes to operations at the parks to help you decide when is the right time for you to return.
It has been reported that there is signage in the now-open Disney Springs and it is posted on the website. Disney is making it clear that you visit at your own risk and they will not be held responsible if you contract Covid-19 at their property.
Important dates:
- June 15 - DVC in Vero Beach, Fl and Hilton Head, SC opens
- June 22 - DVC at Walt Disney World open
- July 11 - Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom open
- July 15 - EPCOT and Hollywood Studios open
- June 22 - Disney opens park reservation system
- June 28 - Disney opens resort package and ticket purchases for 2021
- A confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival
- A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (not staying overnight)
- Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining
- Planning to visit a theme park during your stay? Select Walt Disney World theme parks will begin to open on July 11. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access)
Annual Passes
Update May 29, 2020 - Disney issues updates for passholders
Cancellations
For those guests wanting to cancel or modify their reservations due to these changes, you can get Disney's latest cancellation policies on their website HERE
Dining
Latest dining updates can be found HERE
As of June 6, 2020 - Additional changes to Walt Disney World dining experiences include:
- Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant's online menu when the restaurant opens
- Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified character dining experience at Topolino's Terrace - Flavors of the Riviera
- Dinner Shows will not be offered during the initial reopening
- Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed
- Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window
- Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels.
**No word on specific restaurants or experiences being operational
**No word on how buffets will be affected
**No character dining will be offered
**Disney Dining Plan has been SUSPENDED
**Guests who took advantage of the free dining offer are being offered a 35% discount on the room portion of their reservation. People who purchase a dining plan will be refunded that amount.
Experiences
The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:
- Arcades
- Campfires
- Character experiences
- Dog parks
- Electrical Water Pageant
- Marina rentals
- Pin trading
- Playgrounds
- Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Additionally, the following special offerings and childcare services will not be available during the initial reopening:
- Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises, including the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
- Fun runs
- Wonderland Tea Party at Park Fare
- Hula lessons
- In-room childcare services
- Mermaid school
- Special classes and programs—including culinary, cultural and animal programs
Fastpass+ and Extra Magic Hours
**All Fastpasses are being cancelled and will have to be rebooked
Parks
Parks will reopen with many safety changes based on recommendations from the CDC and other government agencies. These changes will include temperature checks, mask requirements, cleanliness, reduced contact and physical distancing. It is also important to note that it seems these will be "requirements" and not "recommendations". “We have strong language,” McPhee (senior vice president of operations) said of Disney’s face-covering policy for guests. “They say they are required.” There will also be squads of "high energy" cast members to strictly enforce the physical distancing policies.
As a result, there will be a significant drop in available experiences. We will try to provide details on individual experiences as information becomes available.
Update June 18, 2020 - Park Reservation System is ready for use.
- Beginning June 22, 2020, Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests with valid theme park admission can make reservations.
- Beginning June 26, 2020, Annual Passholders without a Resort stay can make reservations.
- Beginning June 28, 2020, existing ticket holders can make reservations.
Get full info on the new reservation system HERE
distancing in place
- Character meals have been suspended
- Parades and Fireworks have been suspended
- Shows that draw a large gathering have been suspended
Holiday Parties - Update June 18, 2020 MNSSHP cancelled this year. No word yet on whether MVMCP will be held
Magic Bands - Complimentary Magic Bands for resort guests will be discontinued in 2021. You will be able to purchase discounted bands or use the MDE app or a Key to the World card. Read the June 18 update for details.
Special Events -
Eat to the Beat Concert Series cancelled
Food & Wine will be held in a modified way
H2O Glow Shows cancelled
Read full statement HERE
Magic Bands - Complimentary Magic Bands for resort guests will be discontinued in 2021. You will be able to purchase discounted bands or use the MDE app or a Key to the World card. Read the June 18 update for details.
Special Events -
Eat to the Beat Concert Series cancelled
Food & Wine will be held in a modified way
H2O Glow Shows cancelled
Read full statement HERE
Park Hopping - No park hopping will be available
Update June 21, 2020 - Additional opening dates were announced for the following resorts:
- July 10: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- July 29: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- August 12: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- August 24: Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- September 21: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- October 1: Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
- October 14: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Update June 6, 2020 - these resorts will be open June 22, 2020:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village
- Disney's Beach Club Villas
- Disney's Boardwalk Villas
- Disney's Old Key West Resort
- Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney's Riviera Resort
- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort
- The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort
Check in and Out
To aid in physical distancing efforts, we strongly recommend that you use Online Check-In Service in advance—online or with the My Disney Experience app.
When your room is ready, you’ll get a room-ready notification. Then, you can use either a MagicBand or the My Disney Experience app digital key feature to enter your room!
If you don't receive your MagicBand(s) prior to your vacation, simply use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room. At your convenience, you can visit the Front Desk to pick up your MagicBand(s).
On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room—so you don’t have to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).
Resort Services
Some Disney Resort hotel services will be modified or unavailable during the initial reopening period, based on physical distancing and health guidelines.
Changes include:
- Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort Guests
- Club-level service will be temporarily unavailable
- Deliveries will only be made to occupied rooms
- In-room celebrations will not be available
- Dry-cleaning and valet laundry services will be temporarily unavailable; self-service laundry will remain available
- Shipping services will be temporarily unavailable
- Resort airline check-in service may be temporarily unavailable
Amenities and recreation will be modified based on physical distancing and health guidelines.
Dining Experiences
As of June 6, 2020 - This is the list restaurants that will be operating during the initial reopenig
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
As of June 6, 2020 - This is the list restaurants that will be operating during the initial reopenig
Animal Kingdom Lodge - Kidani Village
- Kidani breakfast at Sanaa
- Maji Pool Bar
- Sanaa
- Sanaa Lounge
Beach Club
- Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
- Beach Club Marketplace
- Martha's Vineyard
Boardwalk
- AbracadaBar
- Boardwalk Bakery
- Leaping Horse Libations
- Pizza Window
- Screen Door General Store
- Trattoria al Forno
Contemporary
- Contempo Cafe
- Cove Bar
- The Wave of American Flavors
- The Wave Lounge
Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
- Crockett's Tavern
- Meadow Snack Bar
- P & J's Southern Takeout
Grand Floridian
- Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
- Enchanted Rose
- Gasparilla Island Grill
- Grand Floridian Cafe
Old Key West
- Good's Food to Go
- Gurgling Suitcase
- Olivia's Cafe
Polynesian Village
- Barefoot Pool Bar
- Captain Cook's
- Kona Cafe
- Pineapple Lanai
Riviera Resort
- Bar Riva
- La Petit Cafe
- Primo Piatto
- Topolino's Terrace
Saratoga Springs
- The Artist's Palette
- On The Rock's Pool Bar
- The Paddock Grill
Wilderness Lodge
- Geyser Point Bar & Grill
- Roaring Fork
- Whispering Canyon Cafe
Pools
- Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day
- Pools will operate with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
- Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels
- Stormalong Bay at Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests of this Disney Resort hotel may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney's Beach Club Villas or the Luna Park Pool and leisure pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
- Fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity
- Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
- Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing
Available Recreation
Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.
Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.
Merchandise Locations
In merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Guests will continue to discover favorite Disney items, with some modifications to the shopping experience that will help us manage capacity and foster physical distancing.
In merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Guests will continue to discover favorite Disney items, with some modifications to the shopping experience that will help us manage capacity and foster physical distancing.
- New Product Launches: New collection product launches and limited-edition merchandise will not be available for in-person purchases at Walt Disney World Resort until further notice. As always, Guests can find these items on shopDisney, subject to availability.
- Pin Trading: We will continue to offer Guests the opportunity to pin trade with Cast Members through the use of pin boards in select locations. Cast pin trading with lanyards will not be available at this time to maintain physical distancing.
- Delivery Option: Package delivery to the front of our theme parks or to Disney Resort hotels will be suspended. However, shipping merchandise to Guests’ homes continues to be available.
- Dressing Rooms: For the time being, dressing rooms will not be available.
- Returns: In-person returns will be available upon the reopening of our merchandise locations.
Virtual Chat with Resort Cast Members
Beginning June 22, you can chat with a Resort Cast Member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during your stay. This new feature will offer convenient support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the Lobby or stand in line.
Tickets
Updated June 18, 2020 - Ticket sales will resume June 28 for 2021. Tickets for the remainder of 2020 will be available later in summer.
Tickets
Updated June 18, 2020 - Ticket sales will resume June 28 for 2021. Tickets for the remainder of 2020 will be available later in summer.
Update June 6, 2020 - Guests must be aware of any travel restrictions imposed by the state of Florida. Those under isolation or quarantine orders may not enter Walt Disney World. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information before arriving.
Transportation and Parking
Magical Express Service WILL be available
Buses WILL be running between resorts and parks and Disney Springs
Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, reducing capacity. As a result, you may experience delays.
Minnie Van Service WILL NOT be operating
Self Parking WILL be available
Valet Parking WILL NOT be available
Water Parks and Mini Golf
No opening dates have been specifically mentioned for water parks or mini golf courses
Update May 28, 2020 - Disney releases this detailed statement on their blog. You can read the full article HERE
You can keep updated on all changes as they are made by visiting the Disney website HERE
To get the latest Disney info and fun every day, join Disney SUPER Fans and Freecycling! on Facebook.
If you need help making or changing your reservations, our travel specialists can help at NO cost to you! For information, visit us HERE or email us at dailypixiedust@castlevacations.net
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