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Having a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access

Disney Hotel Reservation

There has been a lot of news coming out tonight about the reopening of Walt Disney World. One of the bigger news items is how having a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access…

On the Disney World website under Top things you should know Disney list out details for guests staying at Walt Disney World.

Let’s take a look

Top Things You Need To Know

We made some important updates at our Disney Resort hotels and implemented a number of new health and safety measures.

What You’ll Need

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. Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.

Please be aware that you’ll also need:

  • A confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival—visit My Plans to get started
  • A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (not staying overnight)
  • Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining
  • Planning to visit a theme park during your stay? Select Walt Disney World theme parks will begin to reopen on July 11. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access)

Also, it’s highly recommended to have:

  • The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled
  • Cashless or contactless forms of payment, including MagicBands, which Disney Resort hotel Guests can use to charge purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio

Could you imagine getting all the way to Disney World and you might not make it to the park?

Disney Fans online are quite upset over that bit of news. I understand having to run at limited capacity due to COVID-19 but many people including myself spend thousands of dollars to visit the theme parks. I couldn’t imagine getting all the way there and not having access to the parks…

What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below!

For other changes coming to Disney World next month click the links below.

Source Walt Disney World website

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Places to Stay, Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney Resort hotel reservation, Disney World, Disney World Reopening, Disney World Theme Park Access

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NEWS: Disney World Asking Guests To Change, Confirm, or Cancel Reservations Between June 22 and July 4th

It’s been a busy news day for Disney World!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

While Disney Vacation Club (DVC) properties at Walt Disney World and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground are scheduled to reopen on June 22nd, Disney has not yet announced when the other hotels on property will reopen.

And based on experience from our team, it appears that Disney has started to send emails to guests with reservations at resorts which are not yet scheduled to reopen.

A member of our team currently has a reservation for Disney’s Contemporary Resort with a check-in date of July 1st. The subject line of the email indicates that action is required.

©Disney

The message then informs us that there will be a number of operational changes in place, and asks the reader to review these changes and then confirm, modify, or cancel the reservation.

©Disney

The email also states that if the guest holds a reservation at a hotel that will not be open, Disney is able to help modify the reservation.

©Disney

At the end of the email, there is a blue button that guests can click to review and confirm their reservation. It indicates that action is required by June 12th.

©Disney

Upon clicking the review and confirm button, we were taken to a page that provided us with the option to confirm, modify, or cancel the reservation.

©Disney

When we selected the option to confirm the reservation, we received the following message.

©Disney

When we selected the option to modify the reservation, we received a message that it could not be modified online, and we would need to call Disney.

©Disney

As our team member holds a reservation at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is not among the first group of hotels to reopen, we will continue to provide updates about our experience with the modified reservation!

Get ALL the details about Disney World’s reopening proposal here.

Do you currently have a Disney World Resort hotel reservation? Share your experience with us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Contemporary Resort, Disney News, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney world hotel, disney world hotel cancellation, Disney World Hotel Closure, disney world hotel reopening, Disney World hotel reservations, Disney World reopening, Disney world reopening plan, Reservation Modifications

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NEWS: Disney World Will Launch A NEW Perk for Hotel Guests on June 22nd!

WOW! We’ve just shared a ton of info about all the updates form Disney World about their reopening procedures.

Disney’s Grand Floridian

We told you about updates to dining, new procedures for hotels, how to even get IN a Disney hotel, transportation modifications, and more. Now, we’re sharing info about a new feature for resort guests that will be rolled out on June 22nd.

Thanks to theme park reporter Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) for posting news that Disney is making a bunch of changes. We know know from Disney World’s website that Disney is encouraging guests to skip the front desk when they check in and out of their resorts, but they will still be providing a way for guests to get assistance like they would normally from the front desk.

Starting June 22nd, guests will be able to access a way to virtually chat with Resort Cast Members via the My Disney Experience app. 

Screenshot from Disney

Guests won’t need to wait at the front desk of their resort to ask questions about their stay. Disney even notes that the service will be available “nearly anytime” guests would require it. We’ll keep you updated on this service as we learn more.

Click here to see more of the hotel changes coming to Disney World when it reopens

Will you use this virtual Cast Member chat service? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney opening, Disney World reopening, My Disney Experience, resort cast member

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BREAKING NEWS: How your Disney World Hotel Experience Will Be VERY DIFFERENT This Summer

If you’re planning on going to Walt Disney World when it reopens on July 11th and are staying at a Disney-owned resort hotel, one of the BIGGEST questions on your mind is probably: What resort services WILL and WON’T be available?

Riviera Resort Pool

According to new updates on Walt Disney World’s official website first spotted by theme park reporter Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) on Twitter, certain hotel services will be modified or unavailable during the initial reopening phase.

We just shared that Disney will be requiring guests to have a confirmed Disney hotel reservation or a confirmed dining reservation (if not staying overnight) to visit the resort hotels.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

You might want to reconsider plans for casual resort hopping for now!

Click here to learn more about the new requirements to get into a Disney hotel when they reopen

Disney’s Magical Express

If you’re flying into the Orlando International Airport, there’s good news: complimentary airport transportation via Disney’s Magical Express service WILL still be available!

Disney’s Magical Express Bus

Just make sure you give Disney the most up-to-date information about your stay by contacting your room reservation booking agent or calling 407-939-1936.

Check-In Services

Disney is strongly encouraging guests use online check-in, either on Disney’s website or using the My Disney Experience app. However, standard check-in will be available and guests whose MagicBands are shipped to the resort will be able to pick them up at the front desk as well as unlock their room via My Disney Experience’s digital key feature.

Disney is encouraging online check-in

Guests will also be automatically checked out, so there is no need to visit the front desk when leaving the resort.

What Experiences Will NOT Be Available

Some classic parts of the Disney hotel experience will NOT be available upon reopening. Arcades, campfires, character experiences, dog parks, the Electrical Water Pageant, Marina rentals, Pin trading, Playgrounds, Spas, salons, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will not be operating initially.

©Disney

Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises, the Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare, hula lessons, in-room childcare services, mermaid school, and other special classes and programs will also be unavailable.

Happily Ever After Fireworks From the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage

While Disney guests are typically able to book to in-room celebrations and use dry-cleaning services, bell services, and more, according to Disney some of those will be modified and unavailable. Changes to hotel amenities include:

  • Bell Services are still able to deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort guests to their 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

What hotel services are not available when Disney World reopens

What Pools and Fitness Centers Will Look Like

Other MAJOR changes include pool hour operations. Feature pools may operate with reduced hours and pools will be operating with limited capacity to enforce social distancing. However, leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day.

Guests at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will notice Stormalong Bay will not be available during the initial reopening period. Instead, they will be able to use the leisure pool at Beach Club.

Stormalong Bay

Concerning the fitness centers, Disney has stated that these spaces will reopen according to state and county regulations and may have reduced hours and capacity, and instructor-led fitness classes will not be available. Sporty folks aren’t all out of luck! Fitness and sports courts will be open, with physical distancing in place.

Housekeeping Changes

One of the BIGGEST questions Disney hotel guests this summer will have is: How clean will my hotel and room be?

Room at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

In addition to increasing cleaning in high-traffic areas (think elevators, escalators, benches, tables, etc.), Disney is also giving rooms a “thorough cleaning” before your arrival. Specifically, they mention paying special attention to high-touch areas like TV remotes and door handles, and steam-cleaning and vacuuming floors between guests. Furthermore, housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms.

Housekeeping policies

Rooms will receive a light cleaning service every other day of your stay, 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, and vacuuming if needed. However, you can decline every-other-day service.

Disney World housekeeping changes for reopening

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 in your room before your arrival.

Disney Vacation Club Members will receive service on the fourth and eighth days of their stay, unless declined.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

There are TONS of changes regarding Disney World hotels, and there are bound to be plenty more in the coming weeks! Be sure to keep checking Disney Food Blog, where we’ll give you ALL the latest info you need to know before the Disney World theme parks reopen.

Click here to see changes announced to dining when Disney World reopens!

Will these changes at Disney hotels affect your decision to visit this summer? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. FULL Photo Tour! Disney World’s New Riviera Resort Rooms, Restaurants, Pools, and MORE!
  2. News! Tables in Wonderland Memberships Will Be Extended Due to Disney World Park Closures!
  3. NEWS: Date Announced for Suspension of Disney Transportation in Walt Disney World Resort

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Contemporary Resort, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, changes at disney world, coronavirus, disney hotels, Disney Hotels reopening, disney pools, Disney reopening, Disney Vacation Club, Disney World, disney world hotels, Disney World hotels reopening, fitness center, housekeeping, magical express, pools, walt disney world reopening

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Select Deluxe Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will be the only resorts to reopen at Disney World

Bay Lake Tower

On June 22, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen.

These select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts include:

Additionally, Magic Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will begin a phased reopening on July 11—with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15. Learn more about the reopening of Walt Disney World Resort.

Additionally, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will reopen to Members and Guests on June 15.

Note: Some of the details below may not apply to Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.

We made some important updates at our Disney Resort hotels and implemented a number of new health and safety measures.

What You’ll Need

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. Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.

Please be aware that you’ll also need:

  • A confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival—visit My Plans to get started
  • A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (not staying overnight)
  • Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining
  • Planning to visit a theme park during your stay? Select Walt Disney World theme parks will begin to reopen on July 11. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access)

Also, it’s highly recommended to have:

  • The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled
  • Cashless or contactless forms of payment, including MagicBands, which Disney Resort hotel Guests can use to charge purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio.

Wellness Screening

Persons who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine, or are under quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Resort Guests may be subject to additional screenings. Before you leave home, please check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.

If you need to reschedule your reservation, please call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, please call Member Services at (800) 800-9800.

Disney Resort Hotel Guest Benefits

During the initial reopening period, some benefits may be modified or unavailable.

Disney’s Magical Express® Service
Complimentary airport transportation via Disney’s Magical Express service will be available for Guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.

Many airlines have modified their flight schedules, so please confirm your flight information. If you plan to use Disney’s Magical Express service, contact your room reservation booking agent, or call (407) 939-1936 to make any updates to your flight information on file.

FastPass+ Service
As a result of the COVID-19 impact, FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity for attractions and maintain physical distancing. With that in mind, access to FastPass+ planning is temporarily unavailable. We will share updates at a later date.

Extra Magic Hours
The Extra Magic Hours benefit is unavailable until further notice.

Cleaning

When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your room will be thoroughly cleaned prior to your arrival and serviced during your stay. Plus, common areas will receive enhanced cleaning.

Common Areas
We’ve increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.

Housekeeping
Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo thorough cleaning—with attention to:

  • High-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles
  • Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
  • Floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests

Inside your room, you’ll find:

  • Extra linens and towels wrapped in single-use packaging
  • Individually wrapped glassware
  • Double-cased pillows
  • Additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging

And during your stay, your room 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
  • Vacuuming if needed

You can also decline the every-other-day service.

Please note that:

  • If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member using your Membership to stay, you’ll receive service on the 4th and 8th days, unless you decline that service.
  • If there is more than one room on your reservation and you choose to decline service, your selection will apply to all rooms on the reservation.
  • We reserve the right to enter any room at a Disney Resort hotel for maintenance, safety, security or any other purpose, even if the Room Occupied sign is displayed on the room door. View Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules.

Learn more about housekeeping service.

Transportation & Parking

Learn about parking and transportation options at Walt Disney World Resort.

Complimentary Resort Transportation
Before the theme parks reopen, bus transportation will be available between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney Springs area.

When the theme parks reopen, complimentary transportation will also be provided between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney theme parks.

Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, reducing capacity. As a result, you may experience delays.

Minnie Van Service
Minnie Van Service will not be available during the initial reopening period.

Parking

Self-parking will be available. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance. A valid disability parking permit is required. Parking fees apply for Disney Resort hotel Guests.

Resort Service

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, 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

Resort Amenities & Recreation

Amenities and recreation will be modified based on physical distancing and health guidelines.

Dining Experiences
Select dining locations will be available at Disney Resort hotels.

Learn about updates to dining experiences.

Pools

  • 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
  • Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels
  • Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests of this Disney Resort hotel may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Fitness Centers & Sports Courts

  • Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
  • Fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity
  • Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
  • Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing

Available Recreation
Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.

Merchandise Locations
In merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Guests will continue to discover favorite Disney items, with some modifications to the shopping experience that will help us manage capacity and foster physical distancing.

  • New Product Launches: New collection product launches and limited-edition merchandise will not be available for in-person purchases at Walt Disney World Resort until further notice. As always, Guests can find these items on shopDisney, subject to availability.
  • Pin Trading: We will continue to offer Guests the opportunity to pin trade with Cast Members through the use of pin boards in select locations. Cast pin trading with lanyards will not be available at this time to maintain physical distancing.
  • Delivery Option: Package delivery to the front of our theme parks or to Disney Resort hotels will be suspended. However, shipping merchandise to Guests’ homes continues to be available.
  • Dressing Rooms: For the time being, dressing rooms will not be available.
  • Returns: In-person returns will be available upon the reopening of our merchandise locations.

Temporarily Unavailable
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

Check In Online

To aid in physical distancing efforts, we strongly recommend that you use Online Check-In Service in advance—online or with the My Disney Experience app.

When your room is ready, you’ll get a room-ready notification. Then, you can use either a MagicBand or the My Disney Experience app digital key feature to enter your room!

If you don’t receive your MagicBand(s) prior to your vacation, simply use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room. At your convenience, you can visit the Front Desk to pick up your MagicBand(s).

Automatic Checkout

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).

Virtual Chat With a Resort Cast Member

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.

For other changes coming to Disney World next month click the links below.

Source Walt Disney World website

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Resorts, Walt Disney World, deluxe resorts, Disney World, Disney World Reopen, Disney World Resorts