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!
We are staying at the Caribbean Beach in September and I see there are not a lot of food options. Are you still able to go to other resorts to eat? Can we eat at counter service locations at other resorts? I really don’t want to do table service every night 🙂
Just quick I’m out the door to Magic Kingdom.
We are at Caribbean right now. Loving it. Plenty of eating options and you can go to other resorts to eat but having a reservation is always best and needed if you’re driving into the resort. Quick service no res but enter by walking in form a park or from here to Riviera or use a skyliner or a bus to toehr resorts. No microwaves in rooms because of the covid but there are refrigerators and coffee pots.
Gotta go.
We have a DVC reservation for the end of September and I can’t find anywhere what items will be available in our room i.e. coffee maker, cook ware, laundry basket, toaster, etc. I did see that paper plates and cups along with plastic utensils were provided but is that all? Will we unable to cook some meals in our villa? Not a huge deal but if I need to bring some items with us I want to be prepared.
If you have a studio, you’ll have a toaster, coffee maker, plasticware and paper plates/cups/bowls. No laundry basket (those are only in one bedrooms and larger). You have a microwave oven in a studio. In a one bedroom, you’ll still have the full kitchen with flatware and dishes, pots and pans. Just the same as always.
For those of you with resort reservations for this year – Disney resorts are closed for the rest of the year!. You will be offered Saratoga Springs Villas or the Campground or you can pay to stay at the other villas at a 35% discount which is still high and only select Villa restaurants are open. Cleaning service is usually every 4 days and is limited.
Housekeeping for DVC points reservations or cash reservations made through DVC discovery four days. If you book on cash through Disney Reservation Center, you’ll get the kind of limited housekeeping every other day.
Hi Stacy,
Our trip isn’t until August 27th (maybe). Good luck! Hopefully between the 22nd, 24th and 26th it will all get squared away for everyone. I can see how those of you that have early reservations need to know whats going on! This is all a lot to take in, many things stacked up.
Does anyone know when resort guests can purchase tickets if they do not have a ticket package?
I received an email today from Disney about tickets and park reservations. The link for more info says resort guests that need to purchase tickets can call beginning on June 24th to add tickets to their vacation package. Hope that helps!
Tom – Any thoughts/guesses about being able to leave the park you have reserved and coming back in the evening?
Curious if leaving means someone else would be able to take our place with the risk of not being able to get back in later the same day if the park hits capacity.
I was told by Disney that you can leave and return. Although there is no park hopping at this moment you will be able to go to a water park as well as the one park you choose for that day.
Do not know if you have to sign up for the water park or not.
Mickey 1928 – thank you!
That’s good news about the water parks! I was hoping they would be open.
Hi Dana, when is your stay for ? We are scheduled to arrive July 13—16 staying at Caribbean Beach (we have tickets we purchased outside of package for those days) we extended our trip through a DVC rental for the 16-18 at Boardwalk, they haven’t sent me any emails ?! We want to purchase one extra day ticket. I haven’t gotten any emails from Disney , only the one about cancelling dining plan that I added on to our stay. Carribean beach is still closed , every time I call they don’t have any answers , it’s so frustrating because we are keeping our trip scheduled the way and have no idea other then finding news here ! I’d be in the dark if it weren’t for this blog
Stacy – our trip is for August 16th-22nd.
I wonder if I received the email first because we have a resort reservation with tickets already in our vacation package? And therefore our date for park reservations is June 22nd. The email and link for more info didn’t mention anything about DVC members.
I would try to call them Monday the 22nd and see about adding your park tickets. Even if they don’t let you add them yet, they should be prepared with an answer of when you can, since that is when the park reservations begins opening up.
I did see room only guests can call to add park tickets on the 24th, but I’m not sure if that applies to DVC guests.
Good luck!
We do have the park tickets linked already to my Disney experience . They are linked with the reservation. So strange . (5( 4day) park tickets linked to each family member .
Stacy – ok, the info page says ticket only holders can begin making park reservations on June 28th; but again doesn’t mention DVC members. I’d definitely try to call because I would assume the cast members will have more info starting tomorrow.
Not sure if this link will work for the info page I’m referring to, but here it is: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/park-reservations/?CMP=EMC-1195041596%7C275980239&cid=PDM205215&bid=1110056759
Just because they are opening doesn’t mean I feel safe to go. As a DVC member it’s already difficult to get reservations within 6 months. I pushes my plans to spring 2021 and low and behold I even got a first time stay at my Home Resort the Polynesian.
Are the Hoop Dee Doo and luau canceled?
I am wondering how The Governor can make plans to host the Republican Conventionwith the tristate quarantine order still in place.
Deb C, do not feel sorry for Disney in anyway through this situation. It is a multi billion dollar over charging conglomerate and will be more so as things reopen. Disney lost cheap cast members from college programs and that is suppose to make folks sensitive to Disney’s finances. Um nope!
Exactly. Disney has gouged people for money over the past years and keeps raising prices and pays cast members nothing!.
Tom, as a recent fan of Jelle’s Marble Runs I (respectfully of course) disagree. If I knew Dairy Dash was staying on property while I was there I’d just be freaking out the whole time and try to find and take pictures with them rather than spend any time in the parks! Which of course now makes me think about going to the parks and seeing Dairy Dash there. Ok ok fine you convinced me. BRING THE MARBLES!
Hi! Love your blog! Read it daily!
Is there any chance that you know if its ONLY going to be the Villa sides open or will the Hotel portion be open, too?
We have a Beach Club Resort trip booked for end of August-September. No offense to DVC, but I’ve stayed in a Villa room at Boardwalk and the furniture was broken and the beds were awfully uncomfortable. We vowed to only do normal hotel rooms after that, especially since they cost the same or less at times. I just keep seeing “Villa” in all of the updates. What’s the word if you know??
I’m sorry but here’s what’s bothering me, Our home Resort is AKL and that’s where I want to be when my trip comes up in July. I really don’t care about the NBA or MLS and where they need to stay!! I’m a DVC member and I pay for my taxes and dues and I don’t see why they even have to consider changing my reservation!!! I get the whole Covid-19 is one thing and I can accept changes because of that but not because they need to House a bunch of sports players!! That’s unacceptable and Disney is going to have to do better!!!!
We have two sets of reservations: June 28 to July 4 at Art of Animation. Disney actually called us last night asking if we’d like to switch to Fort Wilderness Cabins at the same cost or change the reservation to another location at our cost. We declined. The cabins are lovely but not for us.
Our second reservation is July 4 to July 10 for Animal Kingdom Lodge. I don’t know where they’ll put us, but I plan to keep this reservation. Grand Floridian would be lovely, but we’re open.
Yeah . Don’t blame you. Fort Wilderness is full of snakes.
I am heartbroken by the mean spirited comments, like Anon. I am a single parent who is splurging to take 2 adult children, 1 child and grandchild on our dream vacation. I can only afford to go every 5 years. We love Disney. I cannot afford to stay at the Grand Floridian so we stay at the CHEAP hotels because we shower and sleep there. Every second is spent at the parks. I am waiting to hear how much more I am expected to spend to keep our vacation. $6K without airline tickets may be cheap to you but for some people its a lot.
Why not just cancel this year and go next year instead when everything should probably be open again? It would be more fun for you and your family and you could probably still book your Value resort.
@DebC, many of us (speaking for myself also) have bought airline tickets . Between my husband , myself and 4 children that’s 6 tickets , round trip . $2000 in airline tickets that we have already rescheduled once and booked them once we heard the resort was opening and would be when we have our trip planned . Not going I would loose money. We work hard for our money and can’t afford to just say screw $2000 . I could care less about masks , or the limited experience . We lost a trip to Disney land Paris this year , this was our back up after that fell through , we booked at a moderate resort that is also not open . For some of us it’s not as simple as wait until next year .
same with me and my Family , we are booked at All star Movies , for July 13th thru
July 22nd , , the last time and first time we were at Disney World was 5 years ago
we have Two rooms booked as we have 4 Adults and 1 child , our rooms are costing us way over 6000. plus Airfare , I Pray we wont need to Pay more to get changed to another Hotel , All Stars Music doesnt seem to be opening , waiting to get an Email
I should just call as that is just 4 weeks away, would be nice to know something .
Kim – if they have to move you from an All-Star resort due to it not opening, then they will not charge you more. If anything, it’ll work out great for you because you’ll likely get a higher tier resort at no additional cost!
I do not want a Deluxe Room. All as I want is a room equal to room I booked for 4th of July when we come in October at a price closed to what I would have paid.
Will the Lion King and other live performances still run?
I’d like to thank Disney for upgrading us from value to Saratoga Springs no charge from June to July before the parks open.
When I looked into changing the dates I was offered 35% off of the new price but currently the only hotels open through DEC are Deluxe and they are very expensive. I don’t say that as someone who can’t afford them but as a fact. They are expensive and it would be nice if Disney had at least one value and/or moderate to switch people to. I think they would if they had the staffing and training but the reason they open up the deluxe resorts first is they have to for the DVC people. I’m sure they will have at least one of the less expensive resorts open by August so till then take the deluxe in Dec and switch over later on maybe you’ll still get the 35% discount but maybe not. My Disney rep didn’t have that answer.
We also have two weeks in August so we have that booking adventure to look forward to.
Someone in one of the blogs referred to the value and moderate resorts as “cheap hotels” in saying that people who booked a “cheap hotel” shouldn’t expect to get a free upgrade to an expensive resort.
I think it’s unfair to those resorts and the people who use them. I for one spend no time in my room except to sleep and shower. We take two weeks and explore everything so anything else makes no sense. I think Dave Ramsey would approve.
But calling them “cheap hotels” is wrong. They are inexpensive, economical, affordable, reasonable, nominal, popularly priced, low cost etc. Cheap makes it sound like a Motel 6 or worse. Disney’s value resorts are really nice rooms and nothing like truly “cheap” Motels.
I agree with that same person who went on to say people should expect to pay the difference when rebooking a new date into a deluxe resort. She’s right but I agree with everyone upset that Disney isn’t offering a choice for an inexpensive resort and leaving us with a take it or leave it situation.
No one, Disney nor it’s guests, asked for this pandemic so too neither should be penalized.
This is refreshing to hear . We have a trip booked on July 13-16 at Caribbean beach , we have been worried about what our options will be . So they will let us move and not charge more ? Or do we pay the difference ?
Exactly! They should open up at least one value and one moderate to be fair instead of dumping people into timeshares to cross-sell to. Nobody likes Saratoga or campgrounds because of inconvenience.
Which value resort did you have before they offered you Saratoga?
We were at All Star Music. We now have one of the 60 Treehouses. 3 bedrooms for my wife and I. They’re a part of Disney history so we’re looking forward to being there.
Susan Anderson, YES on the fireworks!! I was thinking the exact thing. I paid for a theme view, cl at the Contemporary , a big splurge, if I could see the fireworks I would be content!
I never comment on these things, but there are so many people calling Disney greedy for requiring you to rebook at a higher rate, I feel like I need to put in my two cents. Fundamentally, Disney is a company. They only can work if there is a profit. If they are being forced to lower capacity, then they need to make their money from fewer guests. It makes sense that Disney wants guests to come who pay for Deluxe resorts (and can probably spend more on their vacation overall) than those who can’t and are looking for a cheaper vacation. It is simply basic economics – supply and demand. Less supply (park capacity being lowered) means demand (and price) goes up.
To Anon:
What you just said makes absolutely no sense.
First. When you put down your first downpayment on a Disney vacation even if the prices go up for everyone else they won’t go up for you because you paid for them before the price increase.
Second a lot of people are being kicked out of hotels because of the NBA. If Disney can’t afford to pay for our upgrade then the NBA can.
Third. An upgrade wouldn’t matter anyway except for room size as they took all of the perks away.
Fourth there is no supply and demand. Disney isn’t taking any new reservations right now. By not lowering their prices or giving free upgrades they are losing money.
The reason is because people that visit once a year or less are the people that will spend tons of money buying their overpriced suviniors or paying for the experiences.
One thing you have to remember is that Disney makes zero dollars on DVC members other than perhaps dining, park admission, shopping. They have already paid for their room with their points. Same with the guests who rented points. The majority of the DVC resorts are booked on points, so no money coming in on those guests. DVC members often have already paid for their park admission long before they arrived with annual passes, so no more money coming for park admission. During this time, Disney is paying for cast members to work the resorts, work the parks once they open. Plus it probably isn’t cost efficient to open all the resorts, but to fill up the DVC resorts with as many cash paying guests that they can in the unused DVC villas. DVC annual fees will still pay for the operation of the DVC resorts, but no new money will come in.
So once again, Disney is a company out to make money. They only give away stuff when they can’t fill the rooms they have open. Right now they aren’t opening all those rooms because they don’t have the cast members to work them and the money to operate them. With no College Program, they have lost hundreds of cheap cast members, too.