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!
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