Disney World Reopening FAQ & Info
Walt Disney World’s theme parks will reopen in July 2020 with new health safety protocol, modified operations, limited capacity, reservations for park entry, and more. A lot of these changes were announced without detail, and have raised more questions than they’ve answered. In this FAQ, we’ll attempt to clarify, share everything you need to know, and speculate on some of the unknowns. (Updated June 15, 2020.)
Let’s start by bringing you up to speed on everything that has happened in the last week. First, Walt Disney World announced that Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will reopen on July 11, 2020, with Epcot and Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15, 2020. Prior to all of the parks reopening, Disney Vacation Club properties will reopen on June 22, 2020.
Following those bombshells, Walt Disney World Announced All Reservations Will Be Cancelled—Free Dining, Restaurants, FastPass+ & Dining Plan. We’ve also seen Park Hours Cut Significantly for Reopening. Additionally, WDW released “Know Before You Go” Resort & Restaurant Info. These are just a handful of changes—with many more likely to come. Against that backdrop, let’s dig into the Walt Disney World reopening FAQ with answers to some of the most common reader questions. (Fair warning, there’s a lot of “we don’t know” here.)
When will advance reservations for visiting the parks open?
Walt Disney World has not yet announced an official date for this, or any details about how it’ll work. Our expectation is that Disney IT is scrambling to build a system for it, and the website will quietly debut early one morning (like release day for deals) with no official announcement until it’s been live for hours, and some days are potentially already fully booked. (In Disney’s defense, this practice is done to prevent its servers from crashing…and they’re still often overwhelmed.)
We are closely watching this, monitoring the official app and website for the slightest changes and will immediately send our subscribers a heads up when the new theme park reservation system launches. (Sign-up for our free email newsletter here!)
Who will receive priority for booking reservations for park entry?
Initially, guests with existing tickets (including Annual Passholders) who purchased before the reopening date was announced.
Going forward, we suspect on-site resort guests will have an earlier booking window–similar to FastPass+ or Advance Dining Reservations in the past.
What does this mean for Park Hopper tickets?
We don’t know.
Intuitively, an advance reservation system would seem to be incompatible with Park Hopping unless organic demand is regularly capacity for all four parks. The problem with that is Walt Disney World won’t know it’s the case until the parks actually reopen. Our expectation is that Park Hopping will temporarily be halted during the first phase of reopening, and guests who have already purchased Park Hopper tickets will be refunded the difference. However, this is just a guess.
Will the parks have capacity limits?
Significant ones.
Walt Disney World has not released official numbers, but in an interview, CEO Bob Chapek indicated the first phase of reopening would limit attendance to 20-30% of normal capacity. Queues, restaurants, and attractions will also operate at 50% or less of their normal numbers.
Will being a resort guest guarantee access to the parks?
Per Walt Disney World, no.
As a practical reality, we believe it will. Resort guests have never been guaranteed access to the parks, but it’s always been the case that phased closures applied to everyone else before applying to resort guests. Our expectation is that the park reservation system will work similarly, and that Disney’s answer here is a CYA response.
What will that do to crowds?
In theory, they should be lower even with reduced capacity on rides, restaurants, etc. After a brief period of pent-up demand, there’s also the possibility that fewer guests than the capacity limit will want or be able to attend Walt Disney World.
This is something we discuss in part 1 of our Dawn of a Temporary Disney Era.
Will there be soft openings of the parks?
Yes.
Walt Disney World has announced a soft opening period for affinity groups (Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, Florida Residents, Club 33, Golden Oak, etc.
How will those work & when will they begin?
We don’t know.
We assume these dates will likewise require advance online registration. Our “wishful thinking” start date would be June 22, as that would give DVC members with resort reservations a chance to use the parks during their stay. However, that’s a very long soft opening period, and might be a bit far-fetched.
When will the clock start ticking again on Annual Pass expiration dates?
We don’t know.
Shanghai Disneyland is not restarting the clock during its Advanced Reservation Period, which means any dates an AP visits during that period are essentially a bonus. This approach makes sense given that registration is required and access is not guaranteed, nor is it unlimited or available per the original terms of the purchase.
The new policies are arguably a unilateral contract modification that goes beyond what’s contemplated by any reasonable change of terms provision or disclaimer. Accordingly, our expectation is that Walt Disney World will not restart the clock until after the reservation period has ended. That’d be the legally prudent and guest-friendly course of action, but we truly do not know what Disney will do.
Are ticket refunds being offered?
No, and that’s a pretty firm (and controversial!) no.
Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with usage window impacted by park closure, or date-specific theme park tickets purchased through June 6, 2020 with a valid use period beginning March 12, 2020 or later, will automatically be extended to use any date through September 26, 2021. If you are unable to visit by September 26, 2021, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date. Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through September 30, 2020.
When will DisneyWorld.com accept new bookings?
We don’t know a specific date, but it’ll be after the new theme park reservation system launches.
Our guess is sooner rather than later. Vacation packages and resort bookings are Walt Disney World’s primary revenue generator, so there’s every incentive to reopen reservations for packages ASAP.
Will guests be required to wear masks?
Yes. Per local public health expert guidance and CDC recommendations, guests are required to wear masks for the safety of other guests and Cast Members. Same goes for Cast Members.
This applies to all guests ages 2 and older. Walt Disney World plans to offer “relaxation zones” where guests will be able to remove their face masks for relief from the summer heat, away from crowds and foot traffic.
What if you have a disability that prevents you from wearing a face covering?
Walt Disney World has not yet addressed this specifically. Disney is likely to allow modified face masks to the extent feasible (think face shields).
However, the ADA requires no “reasonable accommodation” for face masks, as doing so would pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others. This comes directly from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
When will the mask requirement end?
We don’t know. The ‘safe’ answer is when the CDC and local health agencies lift the requirement or revise it.
The earlier possibility is that the mask requirement is loosened for outdoor and open air spaces at some point, while masks required in queues and all indoor spaces. Either way, our guess is that the mask requirement will remain in place, in some form, through the end of 2020.
Why isn’t Disney letting guests choose whether to wear masks?
Probably due to the latest CDC guidance, which strongly encourages cloth face coverings or masks in public, at events or gatherings. Per the CDC, cloth face coverings are meant to protect other people in case the wearer is unknowingly infected but does not have symptoms.
Cloth face coverings are for the benefit of others, and are mutually beneficial when worn by both parties to an interaction–which means that guests wearing masks help protect Cast Members. Moreover, recent research by the University of Cambridge shows that even homemade masks can prove 90% effective at preventing transmission, and a policy of total face mask adoption can still prevent a second wave.
When will fireworks, parades, and other entertainment return?
We don’t know.
As with the mask requirement, this largely hinges upon CDC and health expert guidance. With that said, these are quintessential components of the Walt Disney World experience for many guests, so even though eliminating entertainment saves money, our suspicion is that Disney will be eager to reinstate this offerings as soon as it’s safe to do so.
What’s the status of meet & greets and character dining?
As we’ve previously reported, character dining has been canceled, as have meet & greets. Modified character experiences, likely in the form of smile & wave shows, will supplant direct character interactions for the time being.
Additionally, Topolino’s Terrace will offer a modified character dining experience–the only one at Walt Disney World.
Will big discounts be offered for the reduced experience and shorter hours?
That remains to be seen.
For more, read our recent Dawn of a Temporary Disney Era – Crowds & Discounts. In short, we strongly believe aggressive deals are on the horizon…but it might take some time.
Which reservations are being cancelled?
All restaurant, FastPass+, Disney Dining Plan, and other experience reservations are in the process of being cancelled.
Existing resort hotel reservations are not being cancelled.
Through when?
For as far out as bookings have been accepted. Since these all have different timeframes (60 days out for FastPass+, 180 days for ADRs, etc.), the end dates vary.
Some Disney Dining Plans have been sold via international sites and group bookings for next year–those are being cancelled through September 2021.
What I haven’t received a cancellation email?
Check your spam folder–you might’ve already received it.
If not, you probably will. Walt Disney World has a huge backlog of cancellations to process, and it takes time to process. It’s also possible your reservations were cancelled and you didn’t receive notification, so check My Disney Experience.
What if my reservations are still in My Disney Experience?
Then they haven’t been cancelled…yet. Again, Walt Disney World has a ton of cancellations to process. Throughout the closure, Disney was cancelling reservations for a week or two at a time, and even that was hit or miss timing-wise. Now, months of cancellations are occurring simultaneously.
There’s also the chance your third party restaurant reservations will not be cancelled.
When will regular hotels reopen?
Previously, Walt Disney World issued a statement that resorts would begin to reopen on July 11, 2020.
That has since been removed from the official site with no word on when hotels will actually reopen. We would expect hotels to begin reopening around or shortly after when DVC resorts open.
Will all hotels operate?
Per CEO Bob Chapek, no. This has not yet been confirmed by Walt Disney World officially, but he’s the boss, so…
Our expectation is that several resorts will not reopen immediately. Likely candidates for extended closures include Coronado Springs & Gran Destino, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans, and the All Stars. This is not an official list, nor is it exhaustive. Demand will dictate a lot.
What happens to my reservation if I’m booked at a resort that remains closed?
Walt Disney World’s longstanding policy when moving guests due to overbooking, refurbishments, etc. is to offer a lateral or better option.
This means that you’ll receive a resort of equal or greater value when being relocated. This is what happened when resorts were closed post-9/11, and we’d expect it to again be the case.
Will hotel pools be open?
For the most part.
Not all resort pools will reopen right away. Most notably, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club will not reopen on June 22.
When will Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach?
We don’t know.
Walt Disney World hasn’t released any info about the water parks. Universal reopened Volcano Bay with fewer restrictions than its theme parks, so this could be more a matter of demand and/or staffing than safety. We wouldn’t be surprised to not see Disney’s water parks return until the 2021 season.
Has Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party been cancelled?
Not yet.
Given that the main draws of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are a parade, fireworks, and stage shows–entertainment Walt Disney World is cancelling during normal hours–we suspect that, at minimum, August and early September party dates will be cancelled. It’s also possible that the event will be heavily modified.
What about other special events?
Other events have been cancelled.
Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours, Disney Early Morning Magic and Disney H2O Glow Nights will be automatically refunded.
When will the Disney Dining Plan return?
We don’t know.
We suspect it’ll be back long before September 2021 (the date through which it’s currently cancelled), and we fully detail why towards the beginning of this Disney Dining Plan Info post.
Lots of “we don’t know” answers here…when will we know?
We don’t know.
Just kidding. Answers should come in three phases. First, when Walt Disney World makes additional announcements about the online reservation system for park entry, etc. Second, when Disney starts accepting new vacation package bookings. Third, when soft opening previews begin and we can see how things work in practice. Finally, a couple of weeks after official reopening happens and we can see how things ‘settle’ into place and actually operate after pent-up demand is exhausted and the system has allowed for test and adjust.
In other words, we should know more between mid-June and late July 2020. If you’re traveling in August 2020 or later, have some patience and let the answers come to you. That’s difficult right now as everyone is craving more certainty and details, but these are unprecedented times, and if you’re wanting to visit a popular theme park in the midst of a pandemic, some degree of flexibility and understanding is going to be necessary.
This should answer most of the questions that readers have been asking about the reopening of Walt Disney World. In some cases, those “answers” are simply our best guesses and speculation, but in a lot of cases that’s the best we can offer. There have been a lot of questions in the last week, so if we didn’t address yours, we apologize. Please post in the comments below and we’ll answer more as they’re asked!
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
Have any questions we didn’t answer with the above FAQ? Do you agree or disagree with our speculation? Other thoughts or concerns? 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!
Will the Christmas pagnent at Epcot be cancelled this year as well?
Has something officially been released about the cancellations of the H20 events AFTER the reopening dates? Our tickets are still showing in our reservations for the last party available (8/29). I’m wondering if they won’t be doing anything with those events until whether or not they will be opening the waterparks. Also- I feel like with so much being cancelled/modified at the normal parks, it would be smarter to open the waterparks to drive some people to them during the hot summer/fall months. The CDC has released statements saying that chlorine/bromine and other concentrated pool chemicals “deactivate” the virus and it can’t be sustained in those conditions.
You’re right that the virus can’t be transmitted through the chlorinated pool water, but it can still be transmitted from person to person as people are standing and gathering close together. The problem is that pools don’t allow for swimmers to wear masks, so unless you can keep people separated in pools by at least 6 feet, they may be problematic. I suppose Disney could limit numbers allowed in the pool….
I was thinking about the fireworks. The projections are really what encourage people to gather at the hub and Main Street. If they did the fireworks without projections, people could watch spaced out throughout the park.
That said, one problem with having fireworks is that massive crowds of people try to leave at the same time, right after fireworks. I wonder if there would be a way to mitigate that somehow, such as some sort of incentive for staying in the park once the fireworks are over.
Is there going to be any dining available? My reservations are at the end of October.
I hope that they manage to do some parades, I saw the move it shake it parade in Shanghai On a vlog which is a much smaller park so if they can run it there then hopefully Orlando will follow.
Plus I’m pleased that Universal have managed to do character meets but still so again hopefully Disney will take note of that also.
Do you think buffet meals will go ahead?
Buffet restaurants outside the parks are going ahead with someone serving the food.
You mention ADA when referring to Masks, what is ADA?
Tom do you think if things continue to improve and potentially Florida goes into Phase 3 that Disney May relax some of the restrictions on opening?
I struggle to understand if the state has reached phase 3 ( I know they may not do) and restrictions outside the parks are all getting as back to normal as poss and potentially universal as well that Disney will then be implementing all the same restrictions.
Sorry didn’t read my post before submitting!
Universal have done character meets while still socially distancing
The American Disability Act, I believe. Basically, there are certain things businesses must do to accommodate disabilities, such as having a ramp for people with wheel chairs. I believe what Tom was saying was that there is nothing in the ADA that requires Disney to give exemptions for masks.
This morning I got my revised booking email. It still included the park hopper option on our tickets, so I’m hopeful that will remain. I’m thinking that will mean you’ll have to try and get your park reservations for all the parks you plan on visiting for each day. I’m very hopeful that MNSSHP remains for our trip. Even if it’s modified. The only thing we’d miss would be the parades
Has anything been said regarding the food and wine festival? It was our primary reason to book a September trip
We’re in the same boat as you. I’m even happy with a scaled down version. Just hoping they won’t cancel this year.
I don’t think they’ve released anything on it. Honestly, I think they can do it if they find a way to keep people from gathering in large groups. Maybe if they create spaced-out queues like they do for the attractions, they could keep the festival.
Central Florida has seen a significant spike in corona virus cases recently. What is your opinion on what Disney would do if guests visiting the parks begin to contract the virus also?
It’s important to keep in mind # of cases vs. percent positives. Florida has had an increase in cases but an overall decline in percent positives (so that means significantly more people are being tested but overall the percent of people with the virus is going down). The way media is reporting on COVID is very misleading, I personally find it frustrating and wish they would be more clear.
What about military tickets we bought have to be used by Dec 15 , 2020 . And if can’t book before school starts Aug. 8 , 2020 .
We won’t be able to go before that date due to school s schedules and sports and grand children different states because vacation times differ so we always go when school is out . Had originally scheduled May 2020 cancel due virus reschedule to June 27 – July 6
Still on reservation and can’t modify or do anything . What aim I suppose to do . ?
I had a reservation for June 17 at Boardwalk. Got an email from Disney last night that I could call and modify my reservation. I called this morning to re book for after the parks open and was successful! What I was told was that only villa type rooms would be open at the resorts for August, no regular rooms. I was not given a specific discount but the cast member was able to offer me a studio villa for approximately what I originally paid for a basic room and quoted a one bedroom villa as just a little bit more expensive. I had originally booked a basic room at Boardwalk with the summer 25% off discount. Hope that helps anyone with questions!
Just curious – your reservation was for June 17, when did you receive the email? I have a reservation for June 27 and thus far when I have called to talk about rescheduling, I’ve been told it’s not possible – but your experience gives me hope that they will reach out and allow me to reschedule for a couple months down the road.
Good to know. I am hoping I can stick with Wilderness Lodge and get a studio in the fall.
I have a reservation at Wilderness Lodge with a check in date of June 20. I received an email yesterday informing me my reservation falls in the closure period and told me I could call to cancel or modify. I thought the modify part sounded interesting. I haven’t called yet but plan to soon just to see what they say.
I called the number in the email and got through with basically no wait. I moved my June reservation at Wilderness Lodge, woods view room with annual passholder discount, to a Copper Creek Villas studio room in October. The price per night almost doubled and I could not get any discounts. I cut my trip down to a long weekend. I am basically looking at this as a place holder. If I can get a decent discount on the room, if they have eased up on some of the restrictions, and/or if I can change back to a less expensive room, I’ll go. If not, I will cancel and my pass will expire. I hope this info helps others with making changes.
I have some more specific questions about ticket extensions. We have two-day date-specific park hopper tickets beginning on June 16th. We are not able to use them in this calendar year. If we use them by September 26th, 2021, does that mean that we would not have to pay a difference regardless of what day of the year we use them, but after Sept. 26th it would only be considered a credit towards the purchase of new tickets in which we would have to pay a difference depending on the current price? (Sorry, that was a mouthful!)
The other question I would then have is do we need to take any action and notify Disney, or can we just let the money/tickets sit until we are ready to use them?
Thanks again for taking the time for all of us out here. Our family really enjoys reading! Looking forward to the day we can return to the parks! (For reference it is my husband and I plus our 8 children, current ages 15 down to infant.)
Our reservations are 7/15 to 7/19/2020. We have been notified that we have first access to the reservation system. Our concern is actually getting a reservation for every day we are there. After Mr. Chapek made the statement regarding “the lucky ones” will have a silver lining. Reminds me of slot machines. Do you have any thoughts regarding getting reservations? Thank you!
I have reservations for December-those reservations are still ok? I am a DVC member, will they accommodate the opportunities they offer in December.
I’m not sure if someone else has commented on this, but Disney has set aside areas for “mask breaks”–areas where you can go and take off your mask.
For those of you like me who are hoping that requirement eases over the coming weeks and months, I think this is a first step.
“Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through September 30, 2020.”
I have a hard time understanding the rational behind only allowing Florida Resident tickets through Sept 30. It seems that park offerings will still be limited at that time and this would put a sour taste in Florida residents that had plans for the Spring to utilize these tickets and now won’t have the chance. I wish they would extend, even with black out dates, through next Spring so those guests could get the full offering (hopefully) of Disney’s amenities and experiences.
I would like to have a definitive answer on what a “new” resort reservation is. We are DVC but traveling with my cousin for her family’s first trip (I know, but she is determined). We went from March to May to June and then had July 3-11 booked (my family at Beach Club hers at Caribbean Beach). She had a package booked with tickets and dining and when we rebooked to June she got the free dining offer.
On the day of the park opening announcement I was able to move my reservation, not to Beach Club, but she has not been allowed that opportunity. We fell between the last round of closing announcements and the actual opening date. So, IMHO, she should not be considered a “new” reservation and should be allowed to rebook before the park reservations open.
But wording so far has lead me to believe they are moving around reservations that begin after July 11th to accommodate resort closings, but are washing their hands of the people that fell in between. That they would need to wait until after those with reservations or current tickets have made park reservations. I think this is cruel and told Disney so in an email. I did get a call back from them and I politely expressed my desire that the people who are putting the pieces back together know that there are travel parties being separated and that I feel people who already had a reservation should be able to rebook before park reservations begin let alone actual New reservations open. They thanked me for my input and asked for my cousins confirmation number to note in the record, but as expected did not have actual answers.
Apparently WDW’s application to reopen was just officially approved by the state. In addition to the many other plausible reasons offered by this blog, maybe that’s why some of these systems hadn’t started yet (like the park reservation system, especially for the people with July trips that are coming up, and details about the soft openings). Even if the approval is just a rubber stamp, I can see why Disney wanted to hold off until it was official before making these changes available to guests. What a mess it would’ve been in the off chance something wasn’t approved, and they had to walk back one of their new procedures right away.
With the sports leagues (NBA & MLS) both looking to have “seasons in a bubble” that will take place at WDW starting July through potentially October(!!) I would imagine that Coronado Springs, Gran Destino, and All-star Sports will also be closed to the general public as those will be sequestered for the sports leagues. I think the NBA has already announced they’re going to use Coronado Springs.
Looks like my prior comment is awaiting moderation and I think I know why. A few weeks back I saw some very negative comments in another article by another “Rick”. That was definitely not me. I have been participating for a while and would never do that. So I will try changing my name here.
Thanks Tom for updates. We are annual Passholders and reservations at Polynesian last week of August. We were finally going to try Victoria and Alberts for dinner but that reservation was cancelled. Like most things during this pandemic we will wait and see.
I have no clue why your comment went into moderation. There are a few words that trigger it, but none were in your post (at least, not to my knowledge). Either way, your comment was approved. Sorry about that! 🙂
Thanks Tom. I just wanted to be sure I wasn’t tagged as a troll or something like that.
Thanks Tom for updates. We are annual Passholders and reservations at Polynesian last week of August. We were finally going to try Victoria and Alberts for dinner but that reservation was cancelled. Like most things during this pandemic we will wait and see.