Disney World Resort Reopening Changes & Know Before You Go Info
Walt Disney World has released new “Know Before You Go” temporary policies and operational changes for its resorts reopening in June. In this post, we’ll share the latest news and offer speculation about what this means for other WDW hotels. (Updated June 16, 2020.)
This comes after Walt Disney World allowed guests with reservations between now and June 21, 2020 to modify their reservations, and change their trip with check out dates up until December 31, 2020 (meaning the vacation must be completed by the end of this year). This allows eligible guests to retain their 35% resort discount, but with the colossal catch that they need to opt for either Fort Wilderness or a Deluxe Villa Resort.
Today’s update starts with a list of resorts that are reopening on June 22, 2020. These select Deluxe Villa Resorts include Bay Lake Tower at Contemporary Resort, Boulder Ridge Villas at Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom — Kidani Village, Beach Club Villas, BoardWalk Villas, Old Key West Resort, Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Riviera Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, and the Villas at Grand Floridian Resort.
As expected, Walt Disney World indicates that both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required–and confirms that a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access.
However, still no info on how park entry reservations will work, when they’ll be released, or if resort guests will have priority access (which is how prior capacity restrictions have worked). This is one of the big question marks about Walt Disney World’s reopening for many readers and, unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a little longer for the answers.
We are closely watching for any updates about the park entry reservations, monitoring both 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!)
Hotel Cleaning
The resort Know Before You Go page does offer new info about resort cleaning. Walt Disney World indicates that there will be increased cleaning in high-traffic common areas areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.
As for guest rooms, those will undergo thorough pre-arrival cleaning, with special attention paid to high-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles and floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between guests.
Inside guest rooms, there will be extra linens and towels wrapped in single-use packaging, individually wrapped glassware, double-cased pillows, and additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging.
During guest stays, rooms will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which will include removal of trash and used towels, replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom, wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces, as well as vacuuming (as necessary).
Hotel Transportation
Transportation has been a common question, and we also have an update on that. First, Disney’s Magical Express service will be available as normal for guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.
Bus transportation to Disney Springs will operate once the hotels open. Transportation to theme parks will operate once those reopen in July. The page does not specify whether the monorails, Skyliner, or boats will run once the parks reopen. (We assume they all will, albeit with reduced capacity.)
Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, which will reduce capacity. As a result, you may experience delays. Minnie Van Service will not be available during the initial reopening period. Self-parking will be available; valet parking won’t be available.
Hotel Pools
Whether hotel pools will reopen has been another common question, and we now have some answers to that. 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, and select poolside activities may not be available. Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period.
Other Amenities & Entertainment
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
- 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
- Fitness centers will operate with reduced hours and capacity
The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:
- Arcades
- Campfires
- Character experiences
- Dog parks
- Electrical Water Pageant
- Marina rentals
- Pin trading
- Playgrounds
- Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
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
The rest of the “Know Before You Go” page for resorts covers familiar territory. Info about face masks being required everywhere except while swimming or dining, wellness (temperature) screenings, plus a reminder to make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. (As far as entry to Florida goes, the tri-state quarantine order expires on July 7, 2020–that’s the only one that would impact arrivals.)
If you want to know about dining modifications, consult our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reopening ‘Know Before You Go’ Info post.
Commentary
Unfortunately, we still don’t have info on which regular hotels will reopen, or when reservations will be accepted. A big part of the delay is undoubtedly Walt Disney World’s ongoing negotiations with the NBA. (We now know that Major League Soccer is Coming to Walt Disney World, and they’ll use the Swan & Dolphin Resorts.)
As you’re probably aware, the NBA is coming to Walt Disney World to finish its regular season and playoffs, and will likely be staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Gran Destino Tower (for more, see our recent post: Coronado Springs Likely Host Resort for NBA at Disney World Starting in July).
Disney Vacation Club has now confirmed that Animal Kingdom Villas — Jambo House will not reopen immediately (despite being available for booking). Here’s the warning you receive when attempting to book Jambo House on DVCMember.com:
“Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House will not be open during this initial period. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village will initially welcome home Members and Guests. Member Services will contact Members with confirmed reservations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House to transfer their existing reservations to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.
Over time, as the volume of reservations increase, inventory will be expanded to include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House. Upon the reopening of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, some amenities such as restaurants and merchandise locations will likely remain closed until the rest of the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens. However, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, merchandise locations and restaurants will be available.”
It bears underscoring that not every Walt Disney World resort hotel is going to reopen with the parks. This is even absent the NBA, Major League Soccer, and whichever other professional sports end up coming to the ESPN Wide World of Sports and renting out entire resorts. (We’re hoping for Jelle’s Marble Runs, a competitive marble-racing league.)
Disney CEO Bob Chapek stated that not all resorts would reopen right away. The least likely resorts to remain closed are those within walking, monorail, or Skyliner distance to the parks and Deluxe Resorts with Disney Vacation Club add-ons. The most likely to stay shuttered are resorts that only offer bus transportation to the parks or those that do a lot of special event business.
All of these new Walt Disney World resort hotel policies are a lot to digest, and still leave a lot of unanswered questions. On the plus side, Walt Disney World recognizes this and is waiving change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through October 3, 2020.
This makes it more or less risk-free to maintain your reservation until the last possible minute, assessing new info and future policies once they’re released to determine whether it’s the right time for you to visit, or if all of the changes are “too much” (and that might already be the case for a lot of people). Regardless, we’ll keep you posted and share more details on all of this once specifics are confirmed!
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
Will you be booking a resort reservation for Walt Disney World this summer or fall, or are these rules/restrictions/policies going to cause you to postpone? Still waiting until more is known about the theme park entry registration? Surprised that Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House is not going to reopen? 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!
I’m going to assume that there have been an incredible number of cancellations judging by the number of hotels opening at the start of this. It makes sense with so many people out of work or working reduced hours. The doesn’t include the people that simply don’t want to take any chances, no matter how small.
We were booked for the end of June at the Grand Floridian and moved it to the end of July at the French Quarter about a month ago. It will be interesting to see where they can place us unless they plan on opening our resort before July 24th.
I do feel as though Disney could do a bit more for people that have been moving around things, had things cancelled, and are getting a lesser experience. Granted, my daughter and I could care less about the parades and fireworks, but every single thing for the most part is up in the air. This is going to be the third time I’ve had to move things around and it is a bit frustrating going on a vacation and not knowing what is or isn’t going to be available. It would be nice if they offered something such as a modest discount this trip or something like free dining on another trip (although I’d upgrade it to Deluxe).
Truth be told, I’m constantly thinking about waiting until next summer to go back to Disney and taking my daughter up to Maine instead. Unlike a lot of other states, here in New Jersey we are still locked down in a lot of ways e.g., no haircuts, no outdoor/indoor dining, must wear masks, and most stores closed. A part of me wants to go somewhere that doesn’t require a mask and we can feel human again for at least a week.
Very well put. I agree with you.
Hi Tom,
I love this blog btw, it is my go to for Disney info for sure.
Just to clarify, if I have a Disney resort reservation and park tickets for everyday of my stay in September, reserved through Disney as a package, I may get to Disney world and not be able to get into the park? Or will I know that in advance via the new reservation system when it comes out?
Based on the released info about the reservation system, once it is up and running people will have a 30 day window to make park reservations (unclear if resort guests will be able to book for the length of their stay starting 30 days before their first day like with FP+). So you will be able to know if you can make park reservations before you show up. Disney just doesn’t want people to think that a resort reservation guarantees them access to the parks if they don’t make park reservations, because they know people will show up to the hotel with no park reservations and now they can point to this statement when they get complaints.
I’m an out of state AP who booked a solo Labor Day weekend flight after reading your Dawn of a Temporary Disney Era posts. The big annual trip my SO and I planned was supposed to be in May and we rebooked that for next year. I wasn’t planning on going back at all until then but you made a really solid case for it in those posts, and as an essential worker I am stressed out beyond belief and just need to get away if only for a long-ish weekend. I don’t mind a resort only trip if it comes down to it, I’ve seen and done it all anyway and I am very curious to see how everything plays out. With the airlines’ current booking flexibility and my considerable stash of frequent flier points and banked travel funds from other canceled 2020 flights I have very little to lose.
Why close Stormalong Bay? It’s a huge pool. Social distancing should be easier. This is probably going to be the kicker that causes us to cancel out trip since we knew park acces was going to be more limited.
I think you answered your own question. SAB is a huge pool that requires far more lifeguards than any other feature pool. Also, for now, SAB is only closed for the pre-park opening period when only people staying at the Beach Club Villas would be able to use it, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t open such a huge pool for such a small number of guests.
Another reason, and Tom would likely know more, is that I think part of the maintenance fees for DVC owners at the Beach Club go towards SAB based on the percentage of DVC guests using it compared to cash guests at the Yacht and Beach Clubs. If only BCV guests were using SAB I could imagine maintenance costs significantly going up for owners there based on that time.
Bell services WILL deliver to your room ????
What would Walt say about the way all this is being handled?
Sea Dog, Walt would have had plenty to say regarding Disney World’s growth and changes. This is a man who forbade Annette Funicello from wearing a two piece bathing suit in anything Disney related. Too revealing he said.
Walt was a man who knew how to make cartoons and wonderful animated films, but knew very little about budgets or taking care of his employees (e.g. demanding long workdays and fighting against unionizing). Disney World was in the midst of severe financial difficulties before Eisner came aboard and gave it a major facelift. Walt always left the financial problems for Roy to deal with. Their business ran in the red for years.
When all is said and done though, I have to believe that during a global pandemic, Walt Disney would stress safety for all. Contrary to what many believe, Disney World is a vacation resort and not considered essential to sustaining life. And saying that does not make Disney fanatics (of which I am one) happy at all.
He would say “they’re doing their best” and “stop making cliché statements about ‘what I would do’ or ‘I’m spinning in my grave'”
Did I read this correctly? No Electrical Water Pageant, but no mention about fireworks. Will there be fireworks then?
And once again, I’m happy Disney can recoup a fraction of their money with NBA, but now we possibly have to give up resorts for soccer leagues? I get it, but it bums me out. And no club level. I’m still HOPING to go August 27th, but I lean more towards cancelling with each announcement. Disney on people! It’s all we can do.
Such a shame how this re-opening has to be. Given what we’ve learned about the virus it all seems like such a huge overreaction.
Agreed
Disney used to be called the happiest place on earth well that is not certainly no longer. more like the last place anyone should ever want to go. Wearing a mask is not fun at all can wait for anyone who is crazy enough to go in the hot and humid weather with these stupid masks, No character meet and greets, no parades, no fireworks. What is the point of going? there is no reason at all to go. The least disnesy can do is lower the admission prices. Get rid of the masks and bring back the character meet and greets, fireworks and parades then it will be worth it.
I thought the rides were the draw. The meet and greets, parades and fireworks do nothing for us childless millennials. The atmosphere, rides and food are enough. I do however agree that Disney could lower its price Or offer some stellar deals, especially with the money they are going to make of NBA and MLS.
I’m a millennial with a child and I agree. The characters provide nice atmosphere but they aren’t a big draw for me. The parades being gone is a benefit for me. I’ll definitely miss the fireworks. But the reason we go is the rides the food and the atmosphere, all of which will be more or less intact. We’re keeping our trips.
And I am a boomer (albeit almost gen x) with two teens and a college-age kid and even when they were much younger the characters weren’t the main draw for any of us. Of course we like them and have great pix, have done the major character meals etc. We like fireworks and parades but agree that it’s the atmosphere and the rides and the restaurants and the resorts that keep us coming back! So far we are still hoping to come in November pending the state of the world, the virus etc.
I’m disabled and use a power chair, so I could never see the freaking parades anyway because someone was always shoving their kid in front of me, so I won’t miss them at all.
You do know “the happiest place on earth” was self-created and self named. lt is an advertising slogan
When EF Hutton talks, people listen.
Coke, it’s the Real Thing.
People didn’t come up with that and DisneyWorld adopt from public domain. TWDC created it and put it on the plaque before the park opened.
People babble that phrase with accusation, like TWDC defaulted on a contract.
We live in the UK and are a group of 5 adults and 3 children. We are booked in for May 2021 at All star music resort and the uncertainty of how long these new regulations will last are making us consider whether we need to cancel. We do not feel it will be worth the money when the parades, character dining, meet and greets and fireworks are a massive part of why we love disney! Plus we do not want to walk around with face masks on and having to social distance! Does anyone have any thoughts on whether all these restrictions could be lifted by May 2021?
So we have reservations at AKL in August…No name after it of being a certain part…not trying to sound stupid but is it supposed to be open? My dad tried telling me a guy told him that disney canceled his vacation in September. .please take this with a grain of salt because I am skeptical it is true…can anybody confirm that has happened to them in that far advanced? From what Ive read and seen they have been waiting at least 3 to 2 weeks out if not even sooner….
I need to vent a bit, so please don’t get too upset with me. I get there’s a pandemic going on and certain changes need to be made.
Wear a mask. Fine. Wasn’t happy about it, but understandable. No characters, parades, or fireworks. Shorter hours for parks being open and no fast pass. Little more upset, but ok I guess.
Cancel experiences and dining. Ok. They need to get a new system in place. Again not happy but makes sense and we can reschedule. So they said.
Lose our carefully chosen hotel because of basketball. Really not happy but Disney will probably give us an upgrade to compensate because that’s what they usually do.
Now no more club level rooms (we got this instead of a Dinning Plan which Disney also took away). All of the perks of staying at a Disney Resort gone. Heck even the perks of a normal hotel are gone. The hotel rooms sound so sterile it reminds me of being in a hospital.
Disney said that they were still going to make this a magical experience for their guests. I don’t see how. They keep taking things away and not giving us anything in return.
On top of that they still haven’t answered alot of questions. Like what about park hopper? Everyone assumes it will be gone but no one can do anything about until Disney makes an official announcement.
If I hadn’t bought plane tickets I would have already canceled. This so unbelievable frustrating.
And if covid has Disney that worried they should have said the park will only be open to Florida residents, Vacation club, and season pass holders.
People would have been disappointed but I think most people would have understood. Then we could rebook it and start planning again.
Instead there’s this huge mess with tickets being extended depending on so much it’s ridiculous block out dates, park reservations, refunds with too many stipulations.
Honestly right now Disney World doesn’t sound fun for anyone.
I really wish they wouldn’t use a DVC resort for MLS. Inventory is already an absolute disaster for the rest of 2020 with owners scrabbling to use points.
It is very worrisome right now. We are booked for September and I’m guessing i won’t know for sure if we’re going up until maybe 2 weeks before (if Disney still keeps it’s 7 day cancellation policy.) I was fine with most things, until I heard nba and mls are going to be there. I know Disney needs the money and it could help to give them the startup money to reopen more, but with all the cancellations and “potential” moving us from gran destino, it feels like Disney doesn’t care much about all us guests. The sports leagues are more their priority. Idk. These are just strange times.
I understand your vent, and agree.
But I don’t think “Disney said that they were still going to make this a magical experience for their guests.”
We have an August split stay between AoA, off-property, and then a final night at All Star Movies. 5-day park tickets.
Since it doesn’t look like those resorts will open and we can’t afford deluxe, I hope that doesn’t mean we’re out of luck for this trip!
We have reservations at Beach Club club level for our ten year wedding anniversary in September. However, if club level services are temporarily unavailable and Stormalong Bay is closed I’m not sure it makes sense to go unless they discount the club level room rate that we had already paid.
I really hope this is not the end for the water parade.
We are very nervous about this, as well. It’d be the “perfect” opportunity to quietly retire Electrical Water Pageant. Then again, WDW could’ve retired it fairly quietly at any point in the last ~40 years and they haven’t. Here’s hoping that doesn’t happen now!
No!!! Don’t take away the electric water pageant. We love it and this makes me nervous also!
Oh I hope not!!!!!
I do not care about the rest of the parades or firewotks But I absolutely love the electric water parade. Am NOT going to be happy if that is cancelled because there is no reason for it. Crowds do not gather in one place for it. They are all spread out.
I have hotel and ticket reservations in August and I received an email the end of May which said….”However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new system”….so will see what happens!
I am very optimistic about this new system they are going to have! It seems like it should work out well! Fingers crossed!
Our Reservations are for July 13th til july 22nd we have 7 day park hopper tickets and we got the same Email at the end of May , hopung to hear something soon ,
Thank you for all of the updates! My son and I were supposed to go in March but we’re rescheduled for October! As of now, we are still going! It’ll be a different trip from previous ones but we will make the best of it!
We have resort reservations July 18-30. Room only no package or dining plan we are annual passholders . No email nothing ( yes I checked spam)
Well my daughter won a prize vacation and we were supposed to go next week, we have emailed with no response so I called the number on Disney’s website and the lady did pull up the reservation which is for Disney Caribbean resort, but when she noticed it was a prize she said sorry I cannot help, call the number in email, WE DID, its not working. I feel we are being discriminated due to it being a prize pkg, this was going to be my daughters and granddaughters and mine dream vacation and we cannot get anyone to help us, very sad to be treated this way ☹ï¸
What organization awarded the prize?
If the company which offered the prize is no longer answering the phone, that’s a big problem. The company may have never paid Disney for the trip. Did you ever get a valid DISNEY confirmation number? If you did, maybe Disney can look it up for you. If you didn’t, it sounds like you were a victim of a scam. Contact your better business bureau to see if they have any information about the company which promised you the trip. Good luck!
Ask to speak to a supervisor at Disney when you call Disney’s general reservation number and maybe that person can tell you what is going on. Otherwise, try the Guest Services telephone number. If they have a record in their system, they should be able to accommodate you. I have been going to Disney for years and certain offers go through different phone numbers even though the website lists only one telephone number. For example, if I have a bounce back offer then the regular reservation number usually does not handle modifications.
The prize is thru Disney prize vacation, they are the ones who have been handling everything and yes we have a reservation confirmed, I will definitely ask for a manager on Monday
Sounds like a super scam. Their good at making things seem legit these days. The only way is to speak with a supervisor.
If you have a Disney confirmed reservation, I think you WILL be okay. I know you are probably frustrated. However, I just read they are now allowing modifications for reservations through June 22. If you tried to do anything with a reservation a couple of days ago, Disney wasn’t doing anything for anyone. Supervisors are usually available during all hours they are open. Just something to consider: If this is your once in a lifetime trip and Disney does allow you to reschedule it to a later date , you might want to do so. There is going to be so MANY magical things missing at Disney. However, if you just care for the rides, then it won’t matter. Let us know how it turns out.
Any word yet on when Splittsville in Disney Springs will be reopening?
A note about Jambo House: With Club Level service suspended, there will need to be a modification of room bookings for DVC Club Level rooms. Guests will need to be moved to other non-Club Level rooms or DVC would need to change the number of points required to book the Club Level rooms that no longer have Club level amenities. However, I do not know if a reduction in the number of points required would be possible because then the point allocation would no longer add up to the number of points sold at the resort.
So with no club level service I wonder if the rate will be reduced to a regular room rate. We have club level room reserved at the Polynesian end the end August.
Got cancelled in April and rescheduled for August and just cancelled that. We are not paying all that money to fly from mass to Florida for a trip with that many regular events and activities closed, never mind that we wouldn’t come if we had to wear masks. Rebooking for next year hoping that everything is open by then