Disney World Hotel Reopening Dates
With the reopening of Disney Vacation Club Resorts at Walt Disney World only a few days away and theme parks debuting in only 3 weeks, many are wondering when the remaining on-site WDW hotels will reopen. Well, we finally have some answers as to which resorts will–and will not–open later this year, along with dates they will open, and commentary.
To briefly recap, Deluxe Villas and DVC resorts are reopening on June 22, 2020 with the exception of Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House. Disney Vacation Club members have been able to book at these resorts, and most still have plenty of availability for June, July, August, and September 2020. (There’s far less availability for Halloween and Christmas seasons.)
All other new hotel reservations have been paused, with the only options being renting Disney Vacation Club points (we’d strongly recommend insurance if you go this route right now) or booking at third party hotels that have reopened already or will be doing so in the near future (many of these hotels will have priority access to the Disney Parks Pass system). Guests with existing reservations at non-Deluxe Villas have been given a few options…
Guests with bookings between June 22 and July 4, 2020 who are booked at other resorts are being offered adjustments. During this window, Walt Disney World will move guests from closed to open resorts at no additional cost. However, anyone choosing this option won’t be able to pick the resort to which they are moved for this date range.
While there have been rumors that guests with travel dates of July 5 and later are being asked to pay the cost of upgrading, this is not exactly true. Guests may modify their resort choice and choose an alternative, but must pay the difference in cost if picking the resort. Guests with reservations from July 5 to July 10 are likewise expected to be moved to a Deluxe Villa Resort not of their own choosing.
However, beyond that it’s likely that the guest recovery option will not be moving guests to Deluxe Villa Resorts. That’s because several other Walt Disney World-owned resorts will begin opening in phases starting July 10, 2020.
Additionally, starting on June 22, guests with existing hotel reservations at impacted resorts can request assistance in modifying their reservations. (We understand this to mean that guests with resorts booked will be able to call to add tickets to their reservations, but are awaiting further clarification on that.)
Here are the official reopening dates for each of the resorts…
Value Resorts:
- Disney’s All Star Movies Resort – TBD
- Disney’s All Star Music Resort – TBD
- Disney’s All Star Sports Resort – TBD
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – August 12, 2020
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort – July 10, 2020
Moderate Resorts:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort – July 29, 2020
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Gran Destino Tower – October 14, 2020
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter – TBD
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside – TBD
Deluxe Resorts:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House – TBD
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort – August 24, 2020
- Disney’s Boardwalk Inn – October 1, 2020
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort – July 10, 2020
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – September 21, 2020
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – August 12, 2020
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – TBD
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort – August 24, 2020
Deluxe Villa Resorts:
- Animal Kingdom Lodge: Jambo House – July 10, 2020
- All Others Reopening June 22, 2020
Commentary
There are some surprises here and some reopening dates that pretty well comport with expectations and what’s been rumored. The latest NBA at Walt Disney World rumors point to three resorts being used: Gran Destino Tower, Grand Floridian, and Yacht Club. These official dates align with that, even though the NBA arrangement no longer seems like a sure thing.
With regard to other resorts, our previous expectation that we repeatedly stated was that the hotels most likely to reopen sooner rather than later would be any resort connected to a DVC property, any resort with non-bus transportation (Skyliner, monorail, boats), and resorts that don’t typically host special events.
Specifically, we predicted that Coronado Springs, both of the Port Orleans Resorts, and the All Star Resorts would be least likely to reopen right away–potentially not at all in 2020. Based on the ‘to be determined’ dates above, we got 5 of those right.
Given the size and sprawl of the Port Orleans Resorts, with their bus-only transportation to the parks, it makes complete sense for Riverside and French Quarter to remain shuttered. We wouldn’t be surprised if these resorts aren’t back again until 2021, perhaps with some very light rebranding in spots.
The All Star Resorts host a lot of youth groups that host events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. For the remainder of 2020, virtually all of those events have been (or will be) cancelled. So no surprise there, either.
Speaking of events, we honestly did not expect Coronado Springs to reopen right after the NBA was done there. It’ll be interesting to see whether that’s just Gran Destino Tower (which makes complete sense) or the outlying building clusters as well. Perhaps it’s easier to simply keep it open rather than wind down and back up again later.
There are a few other things we definitely didn’t see coming. Chief among them are the delayed reopening dates for Deluxe Resorts that are attached to Disney Vacation Club properties. Given the shared infrastructure costs, it’s very surprising to see Disney’s BoardWalk Inn not reopening until October and others delaying until August.
Wilderness Lodge is far and away the biggest surprise, which does not have a reopening date set at all. This strikes us as especially odd since the main lobby will be open as of June 22, with restaurants and the Copper Creek DVC villas in the main lodge reopening then. (Not to be confused with the Boulder Ridge stand-alone building, which is also reopening in June.)
We’re curious as to what this means for Disney Vacation Club maintenance fees down the road for these properties, as that DVC is footing the entire bill for shared amenities for several months. (Thankfully, we pay ours at Saratoga Springs Resort, which doesn’t have that issue.)
That’s another story for another day, though.
The big thing here is how this will allow Walt Disney World to accommodate guest relocations. At present, it’s unclear how this will work, but it appears that Walt Disney World will proactively require guests to modify, request a modification, or confirm a modification made by Walt Disney World.
Recently, Disney has been requiring guests confirm their visits. If no action is taken for impacted stays, Disney has been automatically canceling reservations within 7 days of the original check-in date. (We already had to do this for our upcoming stay.)
With Pop Century and Contemporary Resort opening as of July 10, 2020–not coincidentally the day before Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopen–this gives Walt Disney World two additional resorts above the Deluxe Villas as a “release valve.”
In other words, if you have a reservation at the All Stars, it’s likely you’ll be moved to Pop Century. If you’re booked at any Moderate Resort, you’ll probably get Contemporary Resort or one of the Deluxe Villas. Art of Animation family suites will likely end up with the Fort Wilderness Cabins or a Deluxe Villa. You get the idea. This only applies to mid to late July reservations; Caribbean Beach and other resorts should provide another release valve/relocation option for August and beyond bookings.
Overall, this should provide some clarity and reassurance to those with upcoming vacation bookings at Walt Disney World. It should also underscore a couple of things that we’ve been stressing. First, Walt Disney World is being slow and methodical with its reopening plans, and is not overly-eager to have everything back up and running this year. As we’ve said before, the remainder of 2020 is like a de facto soft opening for locals, Annual Passholders, DVC members, and very motivated visitors.
Second, on-site occupancy for later this summer and fall remains really low (the second point probably helps explains Disney’s perspective with regard to the first). We’ve already pointed out that there’s a ton more DVC availability than normal. The fact that so many other bookings can be consolidated at just Pop Century and Contemporary should be further proof of this. Once again, this should be viewed as good news by anyone who is worried about Disney Park Pass reservations ‘selling out’ incredibly quickly.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you think about these reopening dates for Walt Disney World hotels? Any surprises on this list for you? Think any of the TBDs will end up opening later in 2020, or are those resorts looking at 2021? If you have an upcoming booking in June or July 2020, has Disney already relocated you? Will you be attempting to visit Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or are you waiting until next year? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
We booked 9 days for this November staying at All Star Sports. We did this in January before all hell broke loose. We booked through Costco Travel. We have lost our taste for this trip, as it has been de-contented beyond belief. (It’s amazing that Disney still wants you to pay for your trip as if nothing happened). I don’t want to be moved to a new resort. I want my money back. What do you think the odds of this are?
Just a head’s up if you have a Family Suite booked at Art of Animation prior to the reopening date. If your party is small enough, you will be automatically switched to Pop Century. I have a group of 10 (split into a room of 4 and a room of 6). The 4-person was moved to Pop, and the 6-person was given a Deluxe Villa. I only found this out upon calling and asking where we would be put. Had to request that we remain on the same property, as we booked together for a reason. After some researching by Guest Services, we were able to get 2 2-bedroom Villas as Saratoga Springs.
I have a booking for Port Orleans French Quarter for August 2021 (moved from August 2020 by UK travel agent). Should we expect that it is likely to be open by then? Not hess as Ed anything from the travel agent about making a change but concerned we will have another last minute cancellation because there won’t be any availability elsewhere. As it’s cost more already, we couldn’t pay to upgrade to a more expensive resort. I can’t get hold of the travel agent so currently planning to give it until the start of 2021 to see what happens. Does this sound like a reasonable plan?
We were booked to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge (non-DVC) and were told the other day by our travel agent that ALK will not be reopening for the rest of the year. When she tried to get us booked elsewhere she was told that our reservation was corrupted, so guest services had to do some tinkering. Smh!!
The happy ending is that we were moved to BoardWalk with no additional charge–what a deal! If you’re willing to still go to WDW after all this have some patience. Disney will still take care of you!
Disney has sent me an email tonight asking me to confirm of im still coming, going to modify or cancel. Im still going. It also said that if my resort is not going to be open a member will contact me on the next moves. They said they will relocate or I can modify. Im gonna let them relocate us. We have our park passes for 5 days and resort stay is 7 days. Cant wait to get there.
by the way suppose to be staying at all star movies
We’re in the same situation (All Star Movie, 9/22). I responded like you did and am just waiting for something to happen.
Tom just call…they moved us to pop centry at no cost after I called
I agree with most, that this has been an epic cluster! I had a trip planned for this past April, that obviously got cancelled, then we took the free dining plan offer and chose to stay at WL, then the dining plan got cancelled, then the whole park resv. system on Mon. took me 3 hours to get my park resv., AND now it looks like I need to switch resorts!!!! With all this said, I’m banking on the low capacity to make this trip worth the headache. I can’t fathom visiting under any other circumstance when the capacity will be so low! I hope I’m not wrong.
I’m currently on hold with WDW, I have a resv. for the WL in Aug., going to see what they offer me in terms of switching hotels in light of WL not re-opening.
Amanda., what ended up happening? I’m curious bc I have a reservation at ASM July 23 and can’t even get through on the phone to be put on hold at this point! Circuits are overloaded.
Got off the phone with Disney last night after a 2.5 hour hold. We had WL reservations in November. Agent told us WL was closed through the end of the year. They helped us rebook at a different resort, but we had to pay the difference. No communication from them prior to the call, I called because I just had a bad feeling.
they upgraded my family to pop century coming from all star movies. They will be closed
Will Disney cancel your reservation if you are staying at Boardwalk (not in the villa) prior to October?
I have been hearing that they are moving guests to open resorts. I called yesterday to inquire about our reservation in August at a closed resort and they told us we had to go through our travel agent for any modifications(however our travel agent said they aren’t responding to her emails and are not providing a phone number for TA’s) so who knows. Causing a lot of stress not knowing specifics with it less than 50 days away to determine if we are even going to go or not.
Hello! Wondering if you have heard anything about reservations at the All Start Resorts since they are not scheduled to open? I have a reservation there starting on 8/12 and have not heard anything from Disney. I am not sure whether to call or wait a bit longer to see what happens. I really don’t want to pay to upgrade with everything that already won’t be available. Lots of anxiety surrounding this trip! Thanks in advance!
hi I’m also staying at all star movies…i got an email asking to confirm if I was still going and they will make the next steps to contact me. It said that you can modify yourself (which probably means you pay) or relocate (which might mean they pick the location at no cost to you. I did see that pop century will be open on July 10 so I think they may relocate most value resort stays there. Waiting to hear back from disney after I submitted that im still goin.
I am actually replying to my own post! I was calling Disney reservations this evening and while I was on hold, I got an email about confirming my reservation. I did, and it said I would be contacted in the near future. I decided to stay on hold and I spoke to a cast member about my reservation. Since Pop Century will be open on my arrival date, my reservation was moved to that resort at no extra charge. She said if like resorts were open at the time of your reservation, you would be moved to the same level resort at no charge. Most moderate reservations will end up at the Caribbean Beach as long as it is open for your arrival date. They are saving a lot of the deluxe resorts for the people they need to relocate due to the NBA taking over three hotels. I was happy I was able to move my reservation at no additional cost. Oh, I was on hold for over 3 hours.
I called and they upgraded us to pop central no charge
Hi Tom, I am on the fence about my early December trip, but why do you think Universal seems to be in a better spot? You can have just an on property hotel booked and you are guaranteed park entry. Is it just that it’s smaller than Disney?
Was just wondering if anyone had an idea as to how far in advance Disney has been contacting everyone to confirm their reservation? Is it by email or phone? Currently have AofA for July 11 so I know that will change. Just curious and READY to get everything finalized.
AE, I read elsewhere that those with reservations after July 10th could begin calling yesterday (22nd). I have reservations at WL July 11th and haven’t received any notifications from Disney. I’m currently on hold with Disney (going on 1.5 hours now). I’ll report back and let you know if what I read is true.
Dan – good luck! May the force be with you!
I have a reservation in August. I haven’t reviewed not one email from Disney about any of the updated information. I had the 6 day hopper with feee dining. It just cancelled automatically. I would not know anything if it weren’t for this awesome website!
AE, I had success! They moved me from WL to Contemporary (main tower, lake view) at the same rate I paid for WL. So, you have to take what they offer to avoid any upcharge. Hope you have success getting moved to an open resort.
Received not reviewed! Apologies
Thanks, Dan!! That’s awesome!!
Lisa – I wish you the best of luck!!!
I already checked into my resort for October 2020 on the app (the resort has a tbd date of opening but I’m all set with check in) I got my park reservations today. So I guess that would be a confirmation that I’m coming no one notified me I’m just proactive and wanted to make sure I got park passes because I already paid for the tickets with the package.
Ugh! This has been such a roller coaster! FINALLY got our park passes sorted out today (what a saga that was!). I thought we were ok with vacation package reservations for Christmas/New Years at the Wilderness Lodge. Any thoughts on the Wilderness opening by the end of the year? If not, where would we be moved to?
I was contacted today by email. My trip starts on July 19th at all star movies
Manda- I received an email tonight as well. I guess we will see what the turnaround time is going to be.
Thanks, Jamie. I am wondering if they will allow me to shorten my reservation as it will now be significantly more expensive without the free dining, or will I lose the reservation altogether. Thanks!
You should be able to change your dates. I went to Disney.go.com logged in, went to reservations and added and extra day of tickets (I had Halloween party Tix that were cancelled and that was my MK day) I had no problem modifying my package. The park tickets actually saved me money from the Halloween party! I’m going in October and the site let me get park passes today…if you have a package it started yesterday to get the park passes. If you have the disney app turn on notifications, you’ll get the newest updates on what’s changing
Hi! We have reservations from Aug 7-17 at POR. We were supposed to have free dining. What will happen if I call and try to change to aug 11-17? Thanks.
Hi karalea!
There is no more free dinning as they took all dinning plans away until 2021. So anyone who bought one was refunded and anyone who recieved it free will get an offer of a 35% discount. Hope that helps!
When I stayed at Wilderness Lodge this past january/February, the top two floors were closed for room refurbishments. Perhaps they’re staying closed until all rooms are finished. It would make sense (the rooms definitely need an upgrade!)
Have you heard any news if the Skyliner will be running when the parks open?
Tom, first time posting, but I’ve followed your blog for years. You’re definitely my absolute favorite place to turn for anything Disney, so thank you for all you do!
I’ve got a split stay between Riverside and Wilderness Lodge for Nov. for my honeymoon. I don’t mind being moved from Riverside (except maybe for the All Stars). I do hope things improve and we can stay at Wilderness. It’s my dream resort! Fingers crossed. I’m looking on the bright side that one park a day and the limited options will relieve the pressure off of being on the go 24/7. We’ll make the best of it!
Interesting news-Tom I really value the information you have posted for the last several weeks. Thank you! Back in December we booked a trip for July 4-8. I waited to activate our tickets and am glad I did. Disney offered us the Wilderness instead of Pop Century and said they wanted us to come (no mention of the free upgrade) but it felt like an expensive shopping trip with only Disney Springs open. We lucked out with a full refund of airfare back in March when the airline changed its flying schedule. I’m not offended by wearing a mask but don’t feel like hassling with it as we wear them now in public. I was hoping Disney would sweeten the pot so to speak with some perk to reschedule but it didn’t happen. No big deal here-we will try again next year when I feel comfortable traveling anywhere.
Tom
Have you heard anything about Ratatouille opening in Epcot?
Thanks
I have a Grand Villa booked for Dec. 7-15 at OKW….do you think I have it? My ressie is still in the system for arrival. I have family in Florida…but will have to fly from Indiana.
Tom, thanks for your information. I eagerly wait for your updates. My husband and I are DVC members and started out trying to go May 28th. Changed that one to June 6th then changed that one to June 22nd. When we found a out that masks are required (in 100+ heat) we made a decision to reschedule February 2021. We’re trying hard to get 6 grands to disney!
You have posted that “AP” are getting refunds etc… while DVC members have not been offered anything. Do you know anything about this?
Thanks again for keeping me updated.
DVC members for 13 years and this year has definitely been unlucky for us. Due to the Colorado “snow cylcone” of March 2019, we rescheduled that spring break trip to March 2020. Disney closed the night before our flight was to depart due to COVID-19. Rescheduled 2ndX to July 1-9 again at Riviera Resort. Parks still not going to reopen and no info about soft opening to DVC members. We have family of 5 with 7 day park passes and had dining plan purchased with disney gift cards. Disney is the winner on this one since we are out way too much money already. So disappointed in Disney’s lack of crisis management planning and lack of communication. They have been in business long enough to know to train for worst case scenarios and closures. We will use our DVC resort reservation only, and will go to Universal since we have to use our flights or lose even more money. Too frustrating working with Disney. Going on a vacation shouldn’t be this difficult and stressful!
Us too, though I’m not a DVC member. We had a celebration Disney trip June 27-July 9. Rescheduled to July 1-13. Then cancelled.
Disney Cruise was cancelled after final payment. Took future credit, but need to use in 2021. We’re “loaning” them a boatload of $$$ for 1 year. (pun intended)
Cancelled Southwest who gave us a future credit. You may want to check with your airline.
Finally, I had the final payment less than a week away when they announced July 11 opening. Didn’t make sense to spend the money for 2 days, so we just cancelled.
Amazed Disney has handled it so poorly. Also amazed they didn’t discount anything. Maybe they’re right, but don’t think the market will come back like they think without discounts.
I agree! Similar situation for us. I don’t even want to go anymore at this point-it’s all been too stressful. Just disgusted with Disney and the way this crisis was handled.