5
Credit: DisneyUpdate 9:45 p.m. 5/28/20:
Disney World has officially stated that reservations have been paused for all Disney Resort hotels so that Disney can focus on guests with existing reservations for the time being. They have not yet shared when reservations will be available for booking again. Read the official update here.
Update 4:25 pm 5/28/20:
The Walt Disney World has updated its phased reopening information to remove Disney Resort Hotels from the reopening announcement. Now, the website does not state that more hotels will be opening on July 11. Note that DVC resorts and Fort Wilderness will still be opening within a few weeks, according to the website.
It now reads:
Pending approval from government officials, the phased reopening plans we submitted call for Walt Disney World theme parks to open beginning July 11 for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.
Update 12:50 p.m:
The Walt Disney World Resort has confirmed that its hotels will reopen with Magic Kingdom and EPCOT on July 11.
According to the Walt Disney World website:
Pending approval from government officials, the phased reopening plans we submitted calls for Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels to open beginning July 11 for Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.
Additionally, in a press release sent via email, the Walt Disney World resort confirmed that some of its resort hotels will be open in June. Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and DVC resorts will reopen to guests on June 22.
It states:
At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations (Disney Vacation Club members can still make new reservations). Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales and hotel reservations after that period of time.
Additionally, Disney Vacation Club resorts at Walt Disney World will reopen to members and guests and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen on June 22. Disney Vacation Club resorts in Vero Beach, Florida, and Hilton Head, South Carolina, will also open to members and guests starting on June 15. Plans to support required physical distancing as well as enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening.
Original Story, published 5/27 at 11:20 a.m.:
Jim MacPhee, senior VP of operations, shared reopening plans at the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force. News on the resort hotels was completely left out.
Disney World’s website, however still shows hotel resort reservation availability for as early as July 1, 2020.
Related: Disney World Will Reopen Without Character Meets, Fireworks, or Parades
However, MacPhee did shed some light on what guests can possibly expect once the resorts do reopen.
Signage will also be installed throughout the areas to keep the social distancing and health protocols. The Walt Disney World Resort will also be, as a whole, moving towards cashless transactions. These include contactless transactions with the help of Disney’s Magic Bands, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Plexiglass barriers will be installed at retail and food and beverage locations where proper social distancing cannot be maintained. It takes no stretch of the imagination to see plexiglass shields also installed at the check-in and concierge desks of Disney World Resort hotels. Capacity will also be limited.
In regards to cleanliness, Disney promises the installation of more hand sanitizing stations, as well as more frequent cleaning of high-touch areas. Again, it takes no stretch of the imagination to see the cleaning staff constantly at work in the elevators, in the lobbies, and in the restaurants of Disney World Resort hotels.
“We’re now implementing this work and proceeding with training and development so our Cast are ready for this road ahead,” said Disney World’s VP, “Soon we will be welcoming our guests back. We believe this thoughtful, methodical, and phased ramp-up strategy for our property is the right path. Together we hope everyone will do their part to bring the magic of Walt Disney World back into this new environment.”
