Saturday evening Walt Disney World released some doozies in relation to the upcoming opening of the Parks. So let’s get into it and see what guests can expect on July 11th.

 

 

Dining:

Walt Disney World Resort is already warning guests that some dining experiences may be modified or unavailable. All experiences will be based on guidance from the local health agencies and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For all dining experiences, you will need:

• Face coverings: For all guests age 2 and up, face coverings must be worn in public, including the entrance and exits of the restaurants. However, you can remove them to eat or drink.
• Confirmed dining reservations: Day guests will be required to have a confirmed dining reservation, while overnight guests are strongly encouraged to make a reservation for dining.

Disney also recommends a cashless or contactless form of payment, and the latest version of My Disney Experience app to make reservations or view the menus.

 

 

 

What Else Should You Know:

• In-Park: Dining reservations are not available at this time. However, these reservations will resume at a later time. When in-park dining resumes, you will need a valid park admission, a park entry reservation, and dining reservation at a table-service restaurant. These dining reservations will not guarantee admission to a theme park.
• Disney Springs: Only select dining locations are accepting dining reservations.
• Dining Plans: At this time, Disney Dining Plans are not available to add to any reservations.

 

Cleaning Standards:

Throughout the Walt Disney World property, there will be enhanced cleaning measures, especially in high-traffic areas like escalators, elevators, benches, and restrooms. Dining areas and pagers will be cleaned between each guest. Menus at quick-service locations will be displayed on signage. At table-service restaurants, a code can be scanned for access to a digital menu. All beverages and other items at self-serve locations will be served by Cast Members.

 

 

Additional Notes:

• Cashless payments: Disney is recommending that all guests utilize cashless payments in the form of Disney Gift cards, credit cards, or debit cards. Other payment options, such as mobile wallets or MagicBands, are recommended for payment.
• Mobile ordering: Mobile order service is available at select locations.
• Menu: Some items will not be available. You need to consult the menu before your visits.
• Character dining and dinner shows: At most locations, these experiences will not be available. Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera will have a modified character dining.
• Private dining and in-room delivery: This service will not be offered during the initial reopening stage.

 

Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds

Disney has modified its refund policies to include:

• Automatic refunds for pre-paid dining and experiences
• Reservations will not be charged a no-show or cancellation fee
• Disney Dining Plans will be refunded if you have paid in full.

 

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Hotels

Along with dining, there have been significant changes to resort reservations. For some guests, they may be restricted from traveling to Florida. Guests who are under quarantine orders are not allowed to enter the Walt Disney World Resort.

All guests must have:

• Confirmed resort reservation: You will want to link your reservation to your MDE app to receive important information for your arrival.
• Confirmed dining reservation: These reservations are required for day guests who wish to dine at an on-site restaurant.
• Valid admission and park reservation: To enter a park, you will need both to enter the park on the same day. A Disney Resort hotel reservation does not give you access to a theme park.

 

Cashless or contact forms of payments are recommended, along with the My Disney Experience app.

 

Staying Safe

Anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected symptoms, or under a quarantine order must not enter the Walt Disney World Resort property. All guests are subjected to additional health screenings.

 

 

Guest Benefits:

During the initial reopening, some of these benefits may be unavailable or modified.

Magical Express Service: The complimentary airport transportation from and to the Orlando International Airport will still be available. However, you are responsible for confirming your airline’s flight schedule.

FastPass+: All FP+ will be suspended as the additional queue space will be used to maintain physical distancing.

Extra Magic Hours: This benefit is unavailable until further notice.

 

Cleaning

With every stay at a Disney Resort hotel, the rooms will be thoroughly cleaned prior to a guest’s arrival. All high-touch areas will be cleaned, including door handles, floors, and TV remotes. Inside the room, extra linens and towels will be wrapped in single-use packaging. Glassware will be individually wrapped. Pillows are now double-cased. You can still receive a light cleaning every day that will include:

 

• Wiping and cleaning of surfaces, such as counters and vanity

• Removal of used towels and trash

• Replenishment of amenities and towels

• Vacuuming if needed

 

You can also decline every-other-day services. However, the cast members have the right to enter the room for maintenance, security, safety, or another purpose.

 

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Transportation & Parking

There have been some changes to the transportation and parking options at the Walt Disney World Resort, including:

Complimentary Resort Transportation: Transportation will be available. 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 be available between the theme parks and the Disney Resort hotels.

All transportation will operate physical distance measures and that may impact capacity. As a result, there might be delays with all modes of transportation

Minnie Van Service: These vans will not be available during the initial reopening period.

Parking: Self-parking will be available, but valet service will not be offered unless a guest with a disability needs parking assistance. A valid disability parking permit will be required. Parking fees will still be required for all Disney Resort hotel guests.

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Resort Services:

A few Disney Resort hotel services will be unavailable or modified during the reopening phase, including:

• Bell services will deliver luggage, but they cannot escort guests to rooms.

• Club-level services will be temporarily unavailable.

• Deliveries will only be made to occupied rooms. Shipping services will be unavailable.

• In-room celebrations will be unavailable.

• Dry cleaning and valet laundry services are suspended, but self-service laundry is still available.

• Resort airline check-in services may be temporarily unavailable.

 

 

Resort Amenities & Recreation

Amenities and recreation at Disney Resorts will be modified based on health guidelines and physical distancing.

Dining: Some resort dining locations will be available.

Pools: Resort feature pools will operate with reduced hours, but all leisure pools will be open 24 hours per day. Pools will operate to reduce capacity with only select poolside activities available to guests. Stormalong Bay will not be available during reopening for guests at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club.

Fitness Centers & Sports Courts: Fitness centers will operate according to local health guidelines. All fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity. Instructor-led classes will not be available. All guests must practice physical distance at fitness centers and sports courts.

Available Recreation: Activities will vary, and the schedules will be available at the Resort.

Merchandise Locations: All merchandise locations will physical distancing from guests with limited capacity.

 

Other Resort Notes:

Limited edition merchandise and new product launches will only be available on shopDisney.

Pin trading will continue through a pinboard, but Cast Members cannot trade pins from lanyards.

Package delivery to hotel rooms or the front of parks will be suspended. Merchandise can still be shipped to your home address.

Dressing rooms are unavailable at this time.

Returns will be accepted at all merchandise locations.

 

 

Unavailable Services:

Some experiences and amenities will not be available during the reopening phase, such as:

• Arcades
• Campfires
• Character experiences
• Dog parks
• Electrical Water Pageant
• Marina rentals
• Playgrounds
• Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

 

Childcare services and special offerings will not be available, including:

• 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

 

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Online Check-In/Out Procedure

In an effort to physically distance, Disney is recommending all guests use the Online Check-In Service with the MDE app.

When the room is ready, guests will receive a notification. You can use the MDE app or a MagicBand as a digital key to enter your room.

For those guests who have not received a MagicBand prior to your vacation, you can use the MDE app to enter your room and visit the front desk to pick up your MagicBand.

For checkout, all guests will be physically checked out so that you don’t have to visit the Front Desk. You can still visit the Front Desk to resolve charges on your hotel folio.

 

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Wow, that’s a lot of information to process for an upcoming trip. The biggest shock might be that a hotel reservation doesn’t guarantee theme park admission. At this point, is there any point to visit WDW with all the limitations? Or will you make the best of the situation and enjoy your trip? Let us know in the comments!