Disney World Reopening Update: Hotels Not Opening, Cast Callbacks & Universal Crowds
In this Walt Disney World closure & reopening update, we’ll share the latest news about restaurant, resort, and park operations. This includes details about the NBA & MLS coming to WDW, a surprising potential resort closure, which restaurants are recalling Cast Members, and a preliminary look at crowds from Universal Orlando’s first days of being open.
Let’s start with professional sports at Walt Disney World. Major League Soccer players have approved a revised collective bargaining agreement, clearing the way for MLS to become the first major professional sports league in the United States to return to play. The players agreed to substantial financial concessions, including salary cuts and a reduction in bonuses.
This deal allows the MLS to move forward with its plans for a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, which will begin in early July. All 26 teams will play three group-stage games, with the top two team in each group advancing to the elimination rounds. Only the group-play games would count in the regular-season standings. As with the NBA, there will be no spectators, but games will be televised…
Walt Disney World will host Major League Soccer players and staff, with roughly 1,000 people housed in a Disney resort (rumored to be Coronado Springs or Animal Kingdom Lodge) for up to 35 days beginning in the final week of June. Plans call for each team to play three games apiece in Orlando, with 16 advancing to knockout stage.
Everyone inside Major League Soccer’s “closed environment” at Walt Disney World will undergo regular testing, paid for by MLS. A wave of new infections would force MLS to end the tournament prematurely. This plan should be officially confirmed and announced sometime next week.
Next up, the NBA. It’s not worth a separate article since the details are exactly the rumors shared in our recent post: Coronado Springs Likely Host Resort for NBA at Disney World Starting in July. This week, the NBPA has now approved the return to play scenario “near Orlando,” with 22 teams resuming the regular season and playoffs beginning July 31, 2020 and concluding, at the latest, on October 12, 2020.
Other details still need to be worked out by the NBA and Players Association before an official announcement comes next week. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA plans to keep 1,600 people in bubble site at any given time. Player families will be allowed to arrive after first-round of playoffs, likely three members at a time, as other players leave the bubble.
NBPA sources also stated that it is mandatory for players to stay on the Walt Disney World campus during play. Additionally, players will not be allowed to visit the theme parks during play, nor will the family members that join them. (In several amusing tongue-in-cheek tweets, Disney super-fan Robin Lopez expressed that he’s not too keen on that.)
As we’ve previously covered, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort & Gran Destino Tower will almost certainly host the NBA. Recent rumors have suggested this is the only resort they’ll need, which is a surprise to us given all of the staff and employees necessary to support operations and broadcast games.
Nevertheless, this rules out Coronado Springs being open to regular guests until at least mid-October 2020. However, we should (once again) reiterate that Coronado Springs probably was not going to reopen to regular guests during that timeframe regardless.
Coronado Springs is Walt Disney World’s primary convention resort, and those have all been cancelled for the fall season. Without that business, it’s simply not practical to reopen the resort–it’s easier to relocate guests booked for Coronado Springs to a different Moderate or Deluxe Resort.
Even though the NBA will only be using Coronado Springs until mid-October, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the resort remain closed to the public until 2021. Perhaps Gran Destino Tower alone will reopen in time for Christmas 2020.
In other posts, we’ve mentioned that other resorts might not reopen, with likely candidates being Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House, the Port Orleans Resorts, and the All Star Resorts. We’ve been speculating about some hotels not reopening right away, which Disney CEO Bob Chapek confirmed in an interview with CNBC last week.
Our list of possibilities is entirely speculative, based on transportation utilized, lack of Disney Vacation Club villas, special events the resorts host, and past precedent. In the case of past precedent, Port Orleans French Quarter closed entirely for ~6 months after 9/11, and Port Orleans Riverside operated a small fraction of its rooms.
The oddball here is Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House. While this hotel only offers bus transportation to the parks, it’s not a big host of special events. Most importantly, it has ~200 Disney Vacation Club rooms.
This is not a huge inventory of rooms, but it’s more units than the Villas at Grand Floridian (VGF). Plus, as identified in our DVC Point Pool Problem post, Disney Vacation Club is going to need all the capacity it can get for the next couple of years due to the prolonged closure.
Intuitively, it thus does not make sense for Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House to be closed. We’re truly puzzled by this, and as such are still treating this with a good amount of skepticism. However, right now you cannot book any Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House DVC villas between now and the end of December 2020.
By contrast, even resorts that are historically much more popular have a lot of availability in late June and July, plus scattered availability throughout the year. (There are some days when literally all room categories are available for the VGF.)
Originally, it was rumored that Major League Soccer would be using Animal Kingdom Lodge for its accommodations. That’s still a possibility, but a tournament in July wouldn’t explain the lack of availability through December 2020.
On top of the availability issue, Cast Members have not been called back to work at Jambo House restaurants, so there’s no sign they’ll be operating in any capacity (with the odd exception of the Mara at breakfast–that could be kitchen support for Kidani Village, which is opening).
We have no concrete reason to believe that Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House will not reopen–perhaps Disney is waiting to release DVC reservations for some reason? In other words, we’re still highly skeptical about this, but where there’s smoke…
When it comes to resort restaurants reopening, the Local 737 Union for housekeeping and food & beverage Cast Members has shared a list of restaurants & resorts to which Cast Members are being called back.
At these locations, Cast Members will begin working on June 14, 2020. You can see the full list for yourself on that Facebook post, but they’re all locations at Disney Vacation Club resorts and their sister properties (notably, Yacht Club is included) plus Fort Wilderness.
Continuing with news from local union leaders, Unite Here Local 362 revealed that most of its members will report back over the next few weeks, with some being shuffled around and given the option of transferring to help with voids created by the lack of Cultural Representatives at Epcot and College Program participants. (As well as moving from locations that won’t be operating to ones that will.)
Eric Clinton, who leads Local 362, gave an interview to the Orlando Sentinel in which he stated that Walt Disney World doesn’t plan to bring back seasonal workers or resume the Disney College Program immediately. “If anyone thinks that college program workers are coming back anytime soon, they are mistaken,” Clinton said.
Regardless of the park, around 8,000 Cast Members will be called back June 14-21, 2020. Some degree of retraining and pre-opening prep-work will be necessary, including cleaning and installing social distancing markers, signage, and other health safety infrastructure.
Nevertheless, the early callback date range has us wondering how early soft openings will begin at Walt Disney World. The end of June doesn’t seem out of the question, which would be a big win for those with DVC reservations prior to the parks officially opening.
On the topic of soft openings, Universal Orlando held its Annual Passholder previews earlier this week and had its official public reopening yesterday. After seeing photos of congestion and crowds during the AP previews, we opted to stay home yesterday out of an abundance of caution. Instead, we watched from the sidelines, somewhat regretting the decision.
By all accounts, both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure were dead yesterday. It shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that AP previews would see disproportionate crowds, as the chance at being first plus the perception of exclusivity is a strong draw for theme park fans. Still, it appeared to be a pretty stark contrast.
We’ve been saying for a while that claims of pent-up demand are overblown. Theme parks that cost money to attend and have a reputation for lines/crowds are very different from (free and open-air) beaches or (free and open air) public parks. However, even we didn’t expect pent-up demand to be this low on day one of being open to the general public. The greater test might come this weekend, when most locals are off work. (It’s still early, but thus far things don’t look busy today, either.)
In fairness, some local schools are still in session; crowds could pick up in the coming weeks once all students in Florida are out of session for the summer. Moreover, attendance could increase once Walt Disney World reopens. On the other hand, more competition for the local audience may have the opposite effect, too.
The question really comes down to when tourists will start to return to Orlando. We’ve offered a ton of thoughts and speculation on this (most recently in the Dawn of a New Disney Era). Suffice to say, we don’t think it’s going to be a matter of flipping a switch come July–or even this fall.
The best case scenario is crowds starting to return to some semblance of normal by the holiday season. More likely, it’ll take much longer than that (see our recent Post-Reopening Crowds & Discounts post) for both Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World to see crowds even close to what they were last year.
If you have questions about the closure, including policy changes and what we know thus far, please consult our Walt Disney World Reopening FAQ & Info, which should answer most inquiries. If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip, 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 the NBA and MLS playing at Walt Disney World? Thoughts on resorts that might remain closed this summer and fall? Think Jambo House actually will remain closed, or is that some sort of error/oversight? Have you been to Universal Orlando yet? 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!
Just talked to DVC member services and the rep knew nothing about members possibly being moved from Jambo House. He also could not tell me anything about possible changes for the Kilimanjaro Club Level. I’m a little more than six weeks out from my reservation and a lot depends on having some certainty about my stay.
Any guesses on transportation?? I have tried to get answers in transportation would be running or magical express running as we would be flying.
@Kristine I am also wondering about transportation and magical express! It’s usually just two of us going now so taking a Lyft or Uber from the airport is ok but Magical Express is just so easy and effortless and gets us into the Disney bubble right away!
One plausible reason for Animal Kingdom Lodge not reopening early would be that it would be one of the resorts where guest experience would suffer most in the absence of the international Cast Members present. They really help bring a “sense of place” to Animal Kingdom Lodge that would be weirdly absent and off-putting to us without them.
We just talked to our travel agent about our hotel. Unfortunately we booked Coronado Springs. And she told us what you have been saying. That they give you a new room in the same category hotel and more often than not they will upgrade you, not downgrade. Disney isn’t a fan of downgrading.
Which unfortunately makes things very difficult for us and I’m sure a lot of people including Disney. Because we got a club level room and Coronado is the only moderate hotel to offer that. Which they just started doing.
And to us the club level was what we got instead of a meal plan. So we are a little nervous about where they are going to put us and if we will still have club level.
Just curious but is anyone else in the same situation?
We have club level booked for November at Coronado. I have been trying to get information regarding what happens if it’s not open…in terms of will we be upgraded to another club level room, deluxe resort or refunded the difference and moved to a regular moderate resort room etc. I have been unsuccessful so far getting any information.
Hi, my husband, son and I are scheduled yo be at the Coronado Springs the end of July beginning of August. Our daughter and her family was going to go and be at a Port Orleans resort but they have 3 children that haven’t been there are will most likely reschedule for next year when hopefully masks will be optional, character meets and dining as well as night time parades etc will be there. We are waiting to see what they do with our reservation and where they put us as to whether we go back down again this year or unfortunately reschedule and miss this year.
There is definitely pent up demand. The problem is it’s for a good, fun, real experience. No one wants to pay premium dollars for the minimal experience they are offering. Masks in 90 degree heat. No character experience. Subpar dining options and availability. No fireworks or parades. People want to go, but not like this. We held out before finally canceling our dream trip to both parks. Now if they offered compensation, lowered the price, maybe. But what they are now offering is a sad excuse for a premium theme park.
I would say The pent up demand is real. There are just other challenges aside from health concerns.
1) Distancing. Why be the guinea pigs? Why go when you know you’re paying hundreds for the pleasure of half the experience and the dreadful experience of being masked up? It is also a signal that it’s not okay to go. Masks = perceived danger.
2). Places are open, but is it acceptable to go? In other words are employees simply showing up but cursing your existence because they believe they’re risking their lives every moment so you can have a dole whip?
We need to accept that it is okay to do things again before we see anything return to familiarity.
We have AK Jambo House in first week of October with our DVC points. If Disney moves us, that will be the last straw for our vacation. After the cancelled tours, cancelled dining reservations, no parades, fireworks, or park hopping, getting booted out of our dream room at AK is definitely the end. We will have to try and use our points here in CA which was nearly impossible pre-COVID. I can’t imagine how difficult it will be post-Covid.
We have DVC reservations for Jambo house on mid July and Thanksgiving. They’re still showing as Jambo House in MDE.
That a lot of shifting around if Disney does keep Jambo house closed to decides to reserve it for MLS.
We are also booked at Jambo house for July and in December. I really hope we aren’t moved to another resort. We booked both reservations at 11 months. We purchased DVC this year and haven’t stayed yet so it will be a bummer not to stay at our home resort. If we are switched to another resort, not having the Savannah view we booked will be a big disappointment to my 2 and 5 year old who have talked about staying at AKL everyday for months.
I’d like to know if any workers are currently being called back to restaurants with a character interaction component? For example Artist Point Storybook Dining, Chef Mickey, Park Faire.
I believe that I read all character dining was postponed for now as it is hard to social distance when kids are running to the characters.
You also have to figure that as of right now, no one is likely to be coming from outside of the United States. That takes a sizeable chunk of attendees out. Personally, I know as a Canadian that our border is still closed to nonessential travel, and even once it opens up again, it seems there will be a mandatory 14 day quarantine upon return to Canada. That’s a long time on top of the actual vacation, not to mention paying top dollar at Disney for a diluted experience.
Tom. We have reservations at Port Orleans Riverside the 3rd week of October. We picked the resort because of reviews and it being quiet and access to eat at Restaurants we like in Disney Springs. Where do you think they would move us to if that resort is closed?
We are booked in November in the French Quarter. I pray they don’t close Riverside!
We are booked for September. At CBR. I have looked but can’t find info about park hopper tickets. I purchased them. Wondering if Disney will allow PH. Anyone know?
We are the same: September, CBR, PHs. Been seriously considering canceling.
Tom, when do you think that 6ft apart, mandatory masks, and no meet and greets will be relaxed? I know it would just be a guess, but we are trying to figure out when to reschedule our trip when things are reopened. We were scheduled for last March, rescheduled for September, and now thinking we need to postpone again. We were planning to stay at the Grand Floridian for a week and do not want to shell out the multi-thousands of dollars for a limited experience. We understand the restrictions, but want a full experience for my little grandaughters…ages 4, 6, 8. Thank you, Tom for your input. We know you don’t have a crystal ball and it would only be an educated guess, but your educated guess would very appreciated.
Thank you for keeping us informed.
I’d be happy if they keep the 6 ft rule forever! That way I’m unlikely to be knocked around by those enormous backpacks people forget they have on
Honestly, I think it depends on what happens with case numbers. If cases drastically increase at any point, the park is likely to move backwards and perhaps even close again. If cases stay stable even after things open, they will move ahead to a different opening phase, increasing some offerings. Rinse and repeat.
I could be very wrong here, but if cases are stabilizing for summer, I can’t help but wonder if we’ll see increases again in the fall and winter. It makes me wonder if Disney might temporarily loosen some restrictions in the late summer and early fall, only to tighten them back up or even close again a few weeks/months later. That’s all just the guess of a random person on the internet, though.
Florida just had its largest single day increase. Our numbers are not going down. Masking is likely here to stay for some time. Our climate is not helping as much as one would hope.
i can’t see both the NBA and MLS staying at the same resort, regardless of size. i would wager both leagues would be against potential spread across either league in case someone would test positive and neither would want to risk exposing their own people.
The timelines aren’t the same, though. MLS is late June through late July, whereas the NBA is late July into October.
The question is whether there’s overlap–we don’t know that yet. Even though AKL is nicer, Coronado is better suited to hosting both leagues.
fair points. but if there is any potential for any overlap, you can bet both leagues, particularly the NBA, would shut that possibility down and demand separation.
Thanks Tom. Is there any speculation when the park reservation system will open or dining? I find it interesting how well Universal has communicated to guests vs Disney. Makes me want to spend my money there, but love Disney too much.
Tom,
it’s all good news. And yesterdays job reports make this all the more interesting going forward. Combine that with the latest virus report that it seems to be weakening and I think we can look forward to a really good summer that includes Disney. One thing I don’t understand is why WDW wouldn’t open one of the value resorts? So many people choose to hold down their costs by using them and spend the money saved at restaurants and parks. My wife and I decided that since we only use the room to sleep we’d stay at Value resorts. We like to visit for 2 weeks, take our time enjoying the Parks and other opportunities like horseback riding, miniature golf, the water parks and we eat and visit different resorts each trip. I’m all up for being upgraded and given a 35% discount to boot so my question is not a complaint I just don’t see why they wouldn’t open one.
Any insight?
Simply a matter of demand and the resorts previously having big chunks of rooms being blocked off for events. The All Stars host groups throughout the year and those events have been cancelled.
It’d be pretty easy to not reopen All Star Sports (for instance) and shift all those guests over to Music or Movies, while still not maxing out the occupancy of those two resorts.
Some of that good news about economy Has been rescinded as if this morning. Someone made mistakes. Virus very much alive in my state. I sound like such downer but I’m not going back to DW until there is a vaccine. Be safe and tread slowly.
We are DVC members and have a one bedroom villa booked for two weeks at Jambo House. If Jambo House doesn’t reopen by then, I hope they give us a choice of where we can be relocated. Any idea how that works?
I left out we are booked in November.
We’ve been relocated from DVC reservations in the past because they (somehow?) overbooked, and there were a few options given.
My expectation is that they’d start by simply moving as many reservations as possible over to Kidani Village. After that, I’m not really sure. Relocating guests on this scale would be unprecedented for DVC resorts–which is a big part of why I’m still skeptical that Jambo House won’t reopen. It just doesn’t pass the smell test.
Trying to guess at how the next 6 months will look is like picking the winning numbers for the lotto. Lots of people that would normally visit Orlando have other things to think and worry about as their vacation funds are a little upside down. Thank you for continuing to provide updates!!
I’m puzzled by AKL Jambo as well. As a DVC member, I booked a one bedroom value villa with my DVC points for a week in August. Very curious to see what will become of this reservation?
Out of curiosity, when you check My Disney Experience, does your reservation code still reflect Jambo House or does it show Kidani Village now?
Hi Tom – I just checked my app. Reservation still shows Jambo House, one bedroom value villa. Hmmmm…
Tom –
We are staying at Port Orleans Riverside the week of August 1. If the resort doesn’t open, will our reservation be canceled or shift us someone else?
Thanks!!
We’re staying there also (in September). I believe they would move us to another resort. Let’s see what Tom says.
They’ll relocate you to a different Moderate or Deluxe Resort automatically. In the past, this has often entailed an upgrade (never a downgrade), but with so many reservations being shifted around, I wouldn’t count on being bumped up a tier.
If you’re not satisfied with the change, you can always call and request something different.