The magic is returning!!
FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE Know Before You Go Information, please visit this page.
**The following information may be outdated.**
The reopening of Disney World has been richly anticipated since the moment the parks and resorts closed in mid March 2020.
Disney announced the plan to return to the magic on May 27, 2020 with the phased reopening of resorts and theme parks.
The following dates are part of the Phase 1 reopening of Disney World and other Disney properties:
- June 15: Disney Vacation Club properties in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina
- June 22: Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- July 11: Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom theme parks
- July 15: Epcot and Hollywood Studios theme parks
Disney Springs began phased reopening on May 20. On May 27, three Disney-owned and -operated stores and venues will reopen: World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order), and the Marketplace Co-Op.
REOPENING OF DISNEY WORLD
** Updated as of June 20, 2020 **
Directly from Disney: “When our theme parks reopen, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system on DisneyWorld.com that will require all Guests to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry.
Over the coming weeks, we will be making some necessary updates to prepare for the launch of this park reservation system.”
To manage attendance during this reopening period Disney is introducing a new Disney Park Pass system. During this time, all guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using this new online tool on DisneyWorld.com.
Here are a few important details to know about this new system:
- You will need a My Disney Experience account, as this is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed.
- You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account.
- If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to this My Disney Experience account beforehand, as well.
HOTEL RESERVATIONS
Before traveling to Florida, please make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. Disney has said, guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
Here’s some additional important information to help you plan ahead:
- Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort Guests
- 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
Current Hotel Reservations
Disney has requested Guests with existing reservations for 2020 are temporarily paused as Disney works on a new, updated system and works with guests who have existing hotel reservations.
New Hotel Reservations
New reservations for 2020 are temporarily paused as Disney works on a new, updated system and works with guests who have existing hotel reservations.
Resort hotel reservations will resume at a date TBD.
If you’d like to be notified when the reservation system resumes, send me a request here.
2021 Resort Hotel Reservations and Packages
2021 resort hotel reservation basic packages and room-only reservations were available earlier in Spring.
New reservations for 2021 have been temporarily paused.
Planning a New Trip for Next Year: By June 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as the phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets.
To be first in line to secure your spot when 2021 reservations are available again, let’s start with a quote request or a complimentary consultation call.
TICKETS
Disney will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system that will require all Guests to obtain a reservation for park entry in advance.
Disney Park Pass system: All guests with a ticket or Annual Pass will be required to make a reservation in advance for each park entry, using the new online tool on DisneyWorld.com.
Once you’ve logged into their My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit.
Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time.
Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability.
Availability can change until the reservation is finalized. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations. Guests with existing tickets that include the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option have options available to them for ticket modifications and cancellations.
Disney hopes to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.
Existing Packages with Tickets
Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; Disney will be reaching out to guests soon to provide additional details. (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations.)
as of 6/20: Beginning this week, Disney will reach out to existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders with more information on when they will be able to check availability to make their park reservations.
The Disney Park Pass system will open to these guests in phases, beginning with those with future Disney Resort and other select hotel stays.
New Ticket Sales
Disney has temporarily paused the sale of new tickets.
as of 6/20: Later this summer, Disney will resume sales of 2020 tickets and Disney Resort hotel arrivals, based on availability of park reservations, while they continue to provide guests with existing tickets and Annual Passholders the opportunity to make park reservations for 2020 dates.
DISNEY PARK PASS SYSTEM
Here’s how to use the Disney Park Pass system—and start planning for your return to the magic!
Important Details
- Reservations are limited and subject to availability and are not guaranteed until a reservation is finalized.
- At this time, Guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations.
- A park reservation must be made for each day of entry. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit.
- It’s highly recommended that you make your park reservation as soon as you complete your ticket purchase, as availability can change until the reservation is finalized.
DINING
Resort hotel Guests who purchased Dining Plan, have a Dine/Experience Reservation and tickets.
As Disney plans for the reopening of the resort hotels and theme parks, they are keeping the well-being of Guests and Cast Members in mind. To that end, they introduced new measures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits.
Unfortunately, these new measures have also required Disney to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations, and FastPass+ selections Guests may have made.
Dining Reservations
All Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) are being automatically canceled for the remainder of 2020.
Guests will receive notification via the email linked in their My Disney Experience account.
Disney plans to reopen the dining reservation system with updated availability closer to the reopening of the theme parks.
Going forward, the Advanced Dining Reservation date will shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window, allowing Guests to make plans closer to their visit dates.
When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry, and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant.
Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
Dining Plan
Disney announced they will cancel and will temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans as part of a resort reservation package.
Current reservations with dining plans will be automatically revised and guests will be notified with their updated package pricing or refund confirmation (for guests paid in full).
For guests who had been offered a Free Dining Plan earlier this Spring, the price of their package will be adjusted to reflect a 35% savings on the room portion.
FASTPASS+
The FastPass+ service has been suspended for the time being as Disney plans to use the additional queue space to manage capacity and physical distancing.
FastPass+ selections will automatically cancel and reflect as such on guests’ My Disney Experience accounts.
EXTRA MAGIC HOURS
Extra Magic Hours have been temporarily suspended.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, reducing capacity. As a result, you may experience delays.
Resort Transportation
- Monorail: Opening July 11
- Ferry Boats: Opening July 11
- Disney Skyliner: Opening TBD
- Minnie Vans: Opening TBD
- Buses: Opening June 22 and July 11
- Before the theme parks reopen, bus transportation will be available between Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs area.
- When the theme parks reopen, complimentary transportation will also be provided between Disney Resort hotels and Disney theme parks.
Magical Express to/from Orlando International Airport
Complimentary airport transportation via Disney’s Magical Express service will be available for Guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.
Ride Share Services
Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available and continuing to take steps to keep both drivers and riders safe.
Minnie Van Service – available through Lyft – will reopen at a date TBD. Minnie Van Service will not be available during the first reopening phase.
Parking
Self-parking will be available. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance.
EXPERIENCES
“Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort Hotels, restaurants, and other offerings may be modified, limited in capacity, and subject to availability or closure.”
Some experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date.
In addition, “high-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds, and Character Greetings will remain temporarily unavailable, but Characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight you during your visit.
Theme Park Experiences
Updated June 20, 2020
As we get closer to the reopening dates, Disney has shared a few details about the attractions and entertainment guests will be able to experience when they return
Rides
Most attractions will be available at each park – for example:
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Magic Kingdom Park: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean
- EPCOT: Spaceship Earth, Soarin’ Around the World, Frozen Ever After, and Test Track presented by Chevrolet
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain and Avatar Flight of Passage
Characters
Characters will appear in new and different ways that bring a smile to your family’s face while also being mindful of physical distancing.
From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom Park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard, each area will come to life throughout the day.
You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!
Looking beyond our beloved characters, several musical groups will also return. Your family can look forward to seeing Main Street Philharmonic at Magic Kingdom Park, plus the Mariachi Cobre and everyone’s favorite funky drumming crew the JAMMitors at EPCOT, just to name a few.
Specialty Parties and Events
Updated June 18, 2020
As Disney prepares for the reopening of their theme parks next month, they are taking a measured and deliberate approach to the planning that applies appropriate new health and safety measures.
Following guidance from government and health officials here are the adjustments for upcoming fall events:
EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
One staple of the fall season at the Walt Disney World Resort is the annual EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Disney has cooked up a creative, modified festival experience: “A Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!”
This new take on the foodie festival will debut July 15 and continue through the fall, offering over 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii, Hops & Barley, and Islands of the Caribbean, spaced out around the park.
And, if you’ve ever imagined a world where the floral fun of Flower & Garden is sprinkled in with the global goodies of Food & Wine, here’s your chance – guests will be able to see our newest topiary, Remy, in the France pavilion and find Flower & Garden merchandise.
For scavenger hunt fans, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt returns. And stay tuned as Food & Wine merchandise joins the fun later on after the festival begins.
There will be plenty of music to enjoy at America Gardens Theatre with local EPCOT entertainment such as Mariachi Cobre, the JAMMitors, and more. These fan favorites will spread out their performances throughout the day, giving audiences more options to enjoy them.
- The “Eat to the Beat Concert Series” has been canceled based on physical distancing guidelines.
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
While assessing another fall special event, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades, and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment. With that in mind, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Guests who have already bought tickets to these events will be assisted with refunds over the coming weeks.
Keep up with all things related to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in the exclusive Facebook group for the party.
Disney H2O Glow Nights
Additionally, Disney H2O Glow Nights, the nighttime special ticket event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, will not take place for the remainder of 2020.
Guests who have already bought tickets to these events will be assisted with refunds over the coming weeks.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Looking ahead to the holiday season, this may spark questions about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which includes the Candlelight Processional.
Disney is monitoring the new environment closely and will make a decision on these events as we all continue to learn more from government and health officials.
Keep up with all things related to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the exclusive Facebook group for the party.
HEALTH AND SAFETY UPDATES
Disney’s health and safety team has taken a close look at the experiences at hotels, from resort and room cleaning to check-in, dining, and entertainment, so you can have a magical visit with peace of mind.
For the most up-to-date information, Disney has pulled together a list of Know Before You Go protocols and best practices.
Throughout the Property
- You’ll find an expanded number of hand sanitizer and hand washing locations across the resort and theme park properties
- Limited-contact services – Mobile Order, cashless options, and Magic Bands – are in place and encouraged at shopping and dining locations
- Face coverings are required for Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining
- Temperature screenings are required in some locations
At the Resorts
- Use Online Check-in service at select locations and
- With redesigned bell services, luggage will not be left in unoccupied rooms, you must meet your luggage at your room
- Select services at restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers, and other public areas, will be adjusted to enable preventive measures and physical distancing
- On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room—so you don’t have to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).
At the parks
- To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required
- Some experiences—including theme parks—may be modified or unavailable to allow for physical distancing and limited contact
- Helpful technology and the My Disney Experience app will help you make the most of the magic
At the restaurants
- Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant’s online menu when the restaurant reopens.
- Menus will be shared in ways to minimize contact.
- At quick-service restaurants, menus will be displayed on signage.
- And at table-service restaurants, you can scan a code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.
- Beverages and other items that were previously self-serve will instead be served by Cast Members.
- Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
- Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
- Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
- Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
- Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs, and select Disney Resort hotels.
Temporary Unavailable
The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:
- Arcades
- Campfires
- Dog parks
- Electrical Water Pageant
- Marina rentals
- 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
MY DISNEY EXPERIENCE APP
Disney strongly recommends that you have the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled.
And additional technology can help you make the most of the magic during your visit!
Highlights include:
- Mobile Order Service for Dining: Please order ahead and save time at select dining locations using mobile order service, a feature of the My Disney Experience app. Disney highly recommends that you use this service during your visit.
- Scannable Codes for Select Restaurant Menus: While at a table-service restaurant, you can scan a code to access the digital menu.
- Online Check-In at Disney Resort Hotels: Please begin the check-in process in advance online or with the My Disney Experience app. You’ll get a room-ready notification so you can bypass the Front Desk. When your room is ready, you can use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room!
NEW App Features
Beginning June 22, you can chat with a Resort Cast Member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during your stay. This new feature will offer convenient support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the Lobby or stand in line.
Ready to start planning your next visit to see Mickey and friends? The perfect vacation begins with scheduling your complimentary consultation. Click here to request a time for us to chat. We’ll discuss the details and what your vacation priorities are. I’ll give you my suggestions and explain how we can best work together to plan the vacation of your dreams.
