Greetings ~
Last night Disney added some much needed info as they prepare to open Ft. Wilderness campground and the DVC properties on June 22nd. I wanted to break it down for you with what you can expect. I also want to make sure that you know NO ONE (well Disney execs would be an exception) knows how long this particular phase will last. Could it be a week, a month, 3 months? Yes is the answer. All we can do is wait for the next update. Do I think if you have a fall reservation that you need to jump on the worry train about what these opening restrictions mean? NO I think we need to give them time to open and adjust. There is ALOT of info so take your time, read through it, reach out to me with questions. I am always just a click, txt or call away! My family will be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani Village) over the 4th of July weekend so we can bring you in person live updates on what is happening.
Now let’s take a peek at the info!!
Reopening Dates
On June 22, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen. These select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts include:
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
Magic Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will begin a phased reopening on July 11—with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15.
Additionally, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will reopen to Members and Guests on June 15.
Before traveling to Florida, please make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
Please be aware that you'll also need:
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—visit My Plans to get started
A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (and 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 reopen 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)
Also, it’s highly recommended to have:
The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled
Cashless or contactless forms of payment, including MagicBands, which Disney Resort hotel Guests can use to charge purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio
During the initial reopening period, some benefits may be modified or unavailable.
Disney’s Magical Express® Service
Complimentary airport transportation via Disney’s Magical Express service will be available for Guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.
FastPass+ Service
As a result of the COVID-19 impact, FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity for attractions and maintain physical distancing.
Extra Magic Hours
The Extra Magic Hours benefit is unavailable until further notice.
Complimentary Resort Transportation
Before the theme parks reopen, bus transportation will be available between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney Springs area.
When the theme parks reopen, complimentary transportation will also be provided between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney theme parks.
Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, reducing capacity. As a result, you may experience delays.
Minnie Van Service
Minnie Van Service will not be available during the initial reopening period.
Parking
Self-parking will be available. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance. A valid disability parking permit is required. Parking fees apply for Disney Resort hotel Guests.
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
Select dining locations will be available at Disney Resort hotels.
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 & Sports Courts
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.
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.
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.
Temporary Unavailable
The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:
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
Check In Online
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).
Automatic Checkout
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).
Virtual Chat With a Resort Cast Member
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.
Modifications, Cancellations and Refunds
Disney understands how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your visits to Walt Disney World Resort. Please know they and I will be here to help you, as their Cast remains focused on delivering magical experiences and incredible storytelling for everyone who visits.
During this unprecedented period, some of our policies and offerings have been modified:
Rooms and Packages
At this time, Disney is temporarily pausing Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on Guests with existing reservations (Disney Vacation Club Members can still make new reservations). We will resume new hotel reservations after that period of time.
To provide additional flexibility, Disney is waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through October 3, 2020. To modify or cancel your reservation, please contact your travel professional.
If no action is taken for impacted stays, Disney will automatically cancel your reservation within 7 days of the original check-in date and process any refund due to the original form of payment. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines and rental cars, as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans, are deducted from refundable amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages.
