BREAKING NEWS: How Disney World Dining is CHANGING This Summer

Disney World has released more information about what to expect when the parks reopen!

Select Disney Resort hotels will begin to reopen starting June 22nd, and Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom will welcome back guests on July 11th, with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios following on July 11th. In order to ensure the safety of guests, a number of new health measures will be implemented upon reopening, including some NEW info about dining.

Disney has stated that during the reopening period, many dining experiences will be unavailable or altered in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing. Thanks to our friend @ScottGustin on Twitter, we now know some of the changes we can expect.

Guest Requirements for Dining

Disney World table-service restaurants will require guests to comply with the following measures:

Face Coverings

In order to dine in Disney World face coverings are required for all guests age two and up. They must be worn in all public areas, including as guests are entering and exiting the restaurant, but masks may be removed while dining.

Resort Hotel Dining Reservations

Guests who wish to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel must have a confirmed dining reservation if they are not staying overnight. Guests will not be permitted to enter a Disney hotel without either a confirmed hotel reservation or a confirmed dining reservation.

In-Park Dining Reservations

At this time dining reservations are not available for in-park restaurants, but reservations will return at a later date. When in-park dining does become available, guests will need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry, and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant.

New Health Measures

New health and hygiene measures that will be implemented include enhanced cleaning, reduced contact menus, and temporary removal of self-serve items.

Enhanced Technology

Disney will also utilize technology to allow guests to minimize their contact with others. In addition to Mobile Order, select restaurants will also offer digital menus, and guests are encouraged to use cashless payment methods.

Additional Dining Experience Changes

Disney has also noted that guests may experience a number of additional changes. Menu items may vary and guests are encouraged to check online menus upon reopening.

Character dining will not be offered when Disney World initially reopens, with one exception — Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort will offer a modified Character dining experience.

Dinner shows will also not be offered upon the initial reopening.

Dining locations will be limited in capacity and some will remain temporarily closed. Also, private dining and in-room delivery will not be available initially.

Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds

Given the unprecedented circumstances, Disney has modified some of its policies. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded. Also, guests with reservations at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fees. As was previously announced, all Disney Dining Plans have been canceled and are temporarily unavailable.

As the reopening of Disney World continues to approach, we’re keeping an eye out for additional updates and announcements!

Click here to learn about updated transportation policies that will be in place when Disney World Reopens

Will you be visiting Disney World when it reopens? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Buffet, Character Dining, Counter-Service, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservations, dining reservation, disney modifications, disney world dining, Disney World Reopen, Disney World reopening, health and safety, modified experiences, modified guest experiences, Topolino’s Terrace