When the parks re-open on July 11th and July 15th, Disney World will be making some changes to how dining, hotels, attractions, and more operate.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
And, Disney dropped some MAJOR news this past weekend about how the resorts will be operating when they open back up again soon.
While we don’t have definitive re-opening dates for many of the Disney hotels aside from Disney Vacation Club resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, we do know what procedures and regulations are going to be followed when they welcome guests again!
‘Ohana Won’t Reopen With the Hotels
When the Disney Parks and Resorts re-open, character experiences will be limited. On top of character meet-and-greets being halted, character dining will also no longer be occurring during this time. One of these places includes ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (parting with that Bread Pudding is such sweet sorrow). We’ll still have to wait a bit longer for our character breakfast or dinner meat feast (including those glorious noodles) over at ‘Ohana.
Mahalo, Lilo!
However, there is one character dining event that will be open when Disney Resorts welcome guests again. So, if you really want to meet some characters while you eat some Mickey Waffles, you can go to Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera at Disney’s Riviera Resort for a modified character dining experience.
Topolino’s Terrace Breakfast a la Art Characters
Details concerning this new experience haven’t been shared yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we learn more.
Read about all the ways Disney dining will be changing this summer!
No More Signature Dining or Dinner Shows
Although many of the Disney Resort restaurants will be greeting guests again during their re-opening, signature dining locations will remain closed for the time being! This includes California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and 1900 Park Fare, Narcoossee’s, Citricos, and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!
Queen Victoria Room at Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
But, don’t worry — you can still swing by spots like Contempo Café for a cupcake or a bite (PHEW!). 
Dinner shows will also be halted at the resorts.
Strawberry Shortcake
That means no Polynesian feast at Disney’s Spirit of Aloha, no unlimited buckets of fried chicken at Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (cue our tears here), and no stomping along to Mickey’s Backyard BBQ!
These are all the restaurants where you will be able to dine in the Disney Resorts when they re-open!
The Best Pool in Disney World Will Be CLOSED!
Although Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club are gorgeous locations to stay in Disney World, the resorts are also home to an AWESOME sand-bottom pool — the largest resort pool on property. While Stormalong Bay is a major pull for many guests picking a Disney Resort, the pool will not be open during guests’ stay. Guests at these resorts will have access to the Beach Club’s leisure pool or the Luna Park or leisure pool at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.
Stormalong Bay
However, other pools at the other Disney resorts will be open with reduced hours, while leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day. At this time, pools will be operating with limited capacity for guests who are staying at the resorts.
You might not be thinking about these things when you book a Disney World hotel!
You’ll Have to Wait for The Next Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Series to Arrive Online ONLY
Although merchandise locations will be re-opening at the resorts, the shopping experience will be changing a bit. While we’ve loved shopping for each Minnie Mouse: The Main Attraction Series or the next limited edition Mickey Ear Hat, new product launches and limited-edition merchandise won’t be available for purchase at the stores.
Ears Section of World of Disney
Since these items sell out pretty quickly and guests go a bit wild for them (Enchanted Tiki Minnie is just too cute!), the resorts are most likely suspending these collections in-store as a means of social distancing guests.
Limited Releases like the Minnie Mouse Main Attraction Collection Won’t Be Released in Disney Stores Initially
Since Disney Springs saw limited edition merchandise at the World of Disney sell out extremely fast with large crowds, it’s possible they decided to forego any in-store limited releases for the time being.
Take a look at all the Disney merchandise you’re going to want to take home with our latest merchandise round-up!
Looks Like You Won’t Be Able to Eat Mickey Waffles in Bed Anymore!
Since the resorts will be using limited operations across the board, Room Service will also unavailable for the time being.
Mickey Waffles!
Since the Disney Resorts will be using limited amounts of cleaning service during guests’ stays, Room Service would just be another way to have in-person contact that’s deemed unnecessary at the moment.
Read our full review of the AMAZING Twilight Feast you (could previously) order to your room here!
Package Delivery Is Taking a Leave of Absence
If you’re shopping around Disney World, the parks usually give you the option to send purchased items back to your hotel for you to pick up or to the front of the theme park. However, guest package deliveries from stores on property will not be happening as a safety measure.
Polynesian Lobby
According to a Cast Member we spoke with, Disney hasn’t confirmed whether this suspension would be extended to delivery for things like Amazon packages or medicine yet.
These are ways you can fix big Disney World disasters!
One of Your Favorite Nightly Shows Will Be Halted!
While Disney’s Contemporary Resort has some BOMB views of Magic Kingdom where you are able to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your hotel room, entertainment will be paused for the time being. Disney World will be temporarily suspending its fireworks, parades, and character meet-and-greets in the parks when they re-open.
View from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
However, Disney has also announced that another piece of nightly entertainment will be closed as well. The Electrical Water Pageant that makes its way around the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake nightly will also be stopped during the re-opening.
©Disney
Although we aren’t entirely sure why Disney World is halting this since the “parade” happens away from guests and can be witnessed from the resorts, Disney might just be starting from scratch with all entertainment.
Take a look at the full list of activities that will be halted at the Disney Resorts here!
You’ll NEED a Reservation to Dine at Table-Service Restaurants!
Now, this is a HUGE change for Disney dining that may affect how you plan your vacation to Disney World going forward! Since the parks will be implementing a new reservation system, Advance Dining Reservations and the Disney Dining Plan have been canceled.
Whispering Canyon
However, once the system is up and running, there will be new ways to book reservations for the restaurants you love (we’re coming for you, Garden Grill). But, there’s a catch — when the table-service restaurants re-open in the parks and resorts, you’ll NEED to have a reservation to visit.
Garden Grill Restaurant
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, you must have a confirmed hotel reservation or dining reservation to even enter the hotel. And, if you’re wanting to eat at one of the multiple table-service locations in the resorts, only guests who have previous reservations will be allowed to dine at the restaurant.
Sanaa
The parks will be following similar guidelines — guests who want to eat at a table-service restaurant will need to have valid park admission, a reservation for park entry, and a dining reservation. Since this system hasn’t been the process at table service locations so far in Disney Springs, we’ll keep an eye on this one for more information as it’s released.
Learn more about the dining reservation information at the Disney Parks and Resorts here!
While Disney is still moving towards releasing more details about what the parks will look like in July, they are doing everything they can to keep guests and Cast Members safe with these changes. We will continue to keep you updated with more news and details about Disney World’s re-opening!
Here’s everything you need to know about Disney World’s re-opening procedures!
Will you be heading into Disney World when it re-opens in July? Let us know in the comments below!
From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney dining tips, Disney Entertainment, disney merchandise, Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Character Dining, dinner shows, Disney, disney dining, disney hotels, disney news, Electrical Water Pageant, Signature Dining, Stormalong Bay
