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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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Disney Food Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

What to Expect When Dining at Walt Disney World Following Coronavirus

A big part of the Walt Disney World vacation for many is dining. Disney has recently shared details of what Guests can expect to experience when looking to dine while visiting the resort following the closure due to the coronavirus. Enhancements made to the dining experiences are based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.

During the reopening period, many dining experiences may be modified or unavailable in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing. In addition, Guests ages 2 and up will need to wear face coverings in all public areas, including while entering and exiting dining establishments. These coverings can be removed while eating and drinking.

For those looking to dine in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you will need to have a confirmed reservation, particularly if you are a day Guest.

When the parks reopen, in order to dine at table service locations, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation. Keep in mind these reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

When Guests visit a restaurant moving forward, they will notice that Disney has increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. Additionally, seating areas, dining areas and pagers will be cleaned between Guests. Menus will be shared in ways to minimize contact. For those eating at quick-service restaurants, menus will be displayed on signage. At table-service restaurants, you will have the ability to scan a QR code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.
Items like beverages that were previously self-serve will instead be served by Cast Members.

Additional changes to Walt Disney World dining experiences include:

  • Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
  • Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
  •  Restaurants 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 locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels.

At the end of your meal when it’s time to pay, you’ll strongly be suggested to use cashless payment options, including debit cards, credit cards and Disney Gift Cards. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options like mobile wallets. Disney Resort hotel Guests can also use MagicBands to charge their purchase to their room.

Disney did announce previously that Disney Dining Plans have officially been cancelled. If you had booked the Disney Dining Plan, you will be refunded your money and those who had Free Dining will have that part of their reservation cancelled. In addition, if you did have an Advance Dining Reservation made prior, they have also been cancelled.

The post What to Expect When Dining at Walt Disney World Following Coronavirus appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, News, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, dining, walt disney world

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Disney Guides Disney Parks

What To Expect at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels Following Coronavirus

The Walt Disney World Resort officially reopens to Guests with Resort Hotel reservations on June 22. A few weeks later, the theme parks will officially reopen, with the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopening on July 11 and Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15. With that being said, there are expected to be a number of changes that will occur that will definitely impact your vacation. Here is what you need to know.

General Resort Hotel Knowledge

First, before you even think of traveling to Florida, you need to make sure that travel is allowed to Florida from the state you are visiting from. You’ll want to visit here to find out additional information and if your state is listed as one of the ones that there is a quarantine order from, you cannot enter the Walt Disney World Resort.

In addition, those 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 also must not enter the Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Resort Guests may be subject to additional screenings. In addition, prior to leaving home, you should check the temperatures of everyone in your travel party—including you.

In order to visit a resort hotel, you’ll also need to have a confirmed room reservation or a confirmed dining reservation for those visiting – not staying overnight. Face coverings are required for each Guest age 2 and up. These must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated at a dining location.

If you wish to enter a theme park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required. Do keep in mind that a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee a Guest theme park access.

Check In/Check Out

It is strongly recommend that Guests use Online Check-In Service in advance. 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.

On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room, so there will be no need to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).

Cleaning

Hotel Guests will be able to enjoy peace of mind knowing that their rooms will be thoroughly cleaned prior to arrival and serviced during your stay. Additional attention will be paid 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
  • Guests will find in their rooms 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 a Guests’ stay, rooms will receive 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 choose to decline every-other-day service.

In addition, there will be increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.

Parking and Transportation

As far as Resort Hotel benefits are concerned, as or right now, Disney’s Magical Express will still be available and will remain complementary for those arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport.

For those who drove to the Walt Disney World Resort, self-parking will be available and parking fees will still apply for Disney Resort hotel Guests. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance.

Prior to the theme parks reopening, for those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, bus transportation will be available to and from Disney Springs. When the theme parks do reopen, complimentary transportation will also be provided between your Disney Resort hotel and the theme parks. Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place and there will be a reduction in capacity, which may mean it may take longer for buses to pick up Guests.

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

Resort Services

Some Disney Resort hotel services will be modified or unavailable during the initial reopening period, based on physical distancing and health guidelines. These will 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

Amenities

Feature pools will be open, but 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 be available at select Resort hotels. Unfortunately, Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas.

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

The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:

  • Arcades
  • Campfires
  • Dog parks
  • Electrical Water Pageant
  • Marina rentals
  • Pin trading
  • Playgrounds
  • Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Additionally, the following special offerings 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

Additional Notes

As a reminder, it was previously announced that FastPass+ will not be available for Guests, as the additional queue space that was used by FastPass+ will be used to manage capacity for attractions and maintain physical distancing.  In addition, Extra Magic Hours is also currently unavailable.

The post What To Expect at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels Following Coronavirus appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: News, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, walt disney world, Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

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Other

Josh Gad and GMA Surprise COVID-19 Heath Care Worker and Her Daughter

Josh Gad and GMA Surprise COVID-19 Heath Care Worker and Her Daughter. Ashley and her daughter Paige have sacrificed several months of time together as Ashley works hard in Pittsburg, PA to help COVID-19 patients and has not had a single day off since February 2020.

Good Morning America caught wind of Ashley’s story and wanted to help bring a little Disney magic to their day by organizing a conversation with Josh Gad after finding out Paige is a HUGE fan of Olaf and the Frozen franchise.

Photo Credit: GMA

Between reading bedtime stories on weeknights to help kids sleep, recording Olaf shortsfrom home to share with fans, and preparing for his busy future film schedule, Josh has been juggling all his tasks and still manages to make appearance on talk shows, news programs, and appearances in the Disney Family Singalongs! Whew, don’t forget to take a break once in a while Josh.

In the video, GMA host T.J. opens the video by first interviewing Ashley, then Paige, about all the hard work Ashley is doing for her patients About midway through their conversation T.J. brings up Paige’s love for Olaf and then surprises the pair with an appearance by Josh Gad himself! Gad shared a supportive message for Paige and Ashley and the two are left rather speechless during the whole exchange. At the end of the segment, Ashley shared a recorded video of Paige after the interview was over and she is simply bouncing with joy!

You can watch the adorable exchange in the video shared by Good Morning America below:

Oh. M. Goodness, isn’t Paige the cutest?!? She was clearly very excited to get to talk to Olaf and is supportive of her mommy’s hard work to help keep people safe and healthy! We loved seeing the joy on her face after months of sacrificed time together. Thank you Ashley for your dedication and work.

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Disney!

Featured Photo Credit/Source: Good Morning America

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, TV, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Frozen, GMA, Good Morning America, Josh Gad, Olaf

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Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

Your Next Disney World Vacation Might Actually Be a Vacation

We finally have some news about when Walt Disney World will begin their theme park (starting July 11) and resort (starting June 22) reopening. Along with those critical dates, we also have a bit more information on what the initial phases of reopening will look like.

Exploring Fort Wilderness can be a great way to relax.

At least at the beginning, there will fewer activities that draw stagnant crowds. This means no parades or fireworks and limited character greetings. Guest capacity will be reduced (you’ll need a reservation to get into a theme park), meaning fewer lines and shorter wait times. It’s likely that you’ll be able to get through all the available park attractions, even multiple times, in a single day, or even part of a day.

Additionally, park hours are changing. Epcot is starting out opening the entire park at 11:00 a.m., rather than its usual 9:00 a.m. for the Future World attractions. Even with Extra Magic Hours, the Magic Kingdom will be closing at 9:00 p.m. at first, a contrast to the usual post-midnight closings during the summer.

All of this means that there will simply be fewer things to do in the theme parks and less time available to spend there.

It’s a truism that many guests complain about needing a vacation from their Disney World vacation. If you were in pre-COVID kamikaze theme park mode, you may have found yourself up for rope drop in the wee hours of the morning and then running straight through until the Kiss Goodnight. During a long trip to WDW in February 2020, I averaged over nine miles a day of walking, trying to work in all the available activities. With the new hours, required park reservations, and reduced number of attractions, that ride-or-die, I’ll-sleep-when-I’m-dead mode of WDW touring simply won’t be possible for a while.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s a good thing. A formerly hectic Disney World vacation will look a little more like a relaxing Disney Cruise Line vacation, where you have some structured activities, along with lots of time to just chill.

For example, on a Disney Cruise Line sea day, my family will typically go to some of the planned events like onboard classes or entertainment, but we also spend lots of time reading books on our stateroom verandah, playing board games, watching movies, napping, and generally being lazy. While we are more active with touring during shore days, we tend to leave DCL vacations relaxed and refreshed. This is not always the case with our Walt Disney World vacations.

If you are planning a Disney World vacation this summer, you will likely have more down time than previous trips. I encourage you to think of that time as a gift – a way to reset the former frenzied mode of touring. Consider ways to build more relaxation into your vacation: sit by the pool and read a novel, take a leisurely bike ride around Fort Wilderness, play card games with your family, or take a boat ride on Bay Lake.

The slow restart may be just be the vacation your vacation needs.

The post Your Next Disney World Vacation Might Actually Be a Vacation appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, walt disney world