In just two days Disney released a ton of information on the new theme park reservation system, updates on fall special events, attraction, and entertainment updates, MagicBands, and recreation such as special tours and experiences. We will be diving into these changes over the next several days. Keep reading to learn 20 details you might have missed from the recent news about Walt Disney World’s phased reopening.
1 – Disney Resort Guests Get the Perk of Getting Reservations First
Not surprisingly, Disney is giving its Disney Resort guest the first crack at theme park reservations. This is to be expected and the right thing to do for people with existing travel plans. Reservations for Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests with valid theme park admission can make reservations can begin to make reservations on Monday, June 22, 2020.
2 – Park Hopping is NOT Available
While it has been rumored and expected, Disney confirmed that there till be no park hopping during the initial reopening phase. Guests will be able to select one park per day. Visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations. Disney hopes to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.
3 – You’ll Need to Make Reservations for Each Day of Entry
When the reservation window opens, be prepared to make reservations for each day you want to visit. We recommend you start with your first choices first and then work your way down. So, if you want to visit Magic Kingdom on a particular day, try that first and then make reservations for the other parks in the order you want to visit.
4 – Annual Passholders May Only Reserve 3 Parks Days at a Time Unless You’re a Disney Resort Guest
Disney annual passholders are eligible to make park reservations on June 26. Note that you can only make theme park reservations for up to 3 days at a time. However, annual passholders staying at select Disney Resort or other select hotels with valid Theme Park admission are eligible to make theme park reservations for their entire resort length of stay.
5 – Existing Ticket Holders
Existing Ticket Holders without resort reservations can begin to make theme park reservations on June 28, 2020.
6 – Disney Resorts Will Have a Phased Reopening As Well
The Walt Disney World resorts will also undergo a phased reopening. Not all resorts will be reopening and the reopening of many is spaced out. Below is the tentative schedule listed on the Walt Disney World website.
Please note that given the fluidity of the current environment, these dates are subject to change and Guests’ reservations could still be modified to other Disney Resort hotels if needed.
- July 10 – Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- July 29 – Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- August 12 – Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- August 24 – Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- September 21 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- October 1 – Disney’s BoardWalk Resort
- October 14 – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Given the current situation, there are some Disney Resort hotels and other areas that are not, as of this time, being scheduled for reopening yet.
7 – Spaceship Earth’s Refurbishment Has Been Delayed
Spaceship Earth was scheduled to close on May 26 for a lengthy refurbishment as part of the reimagining of Epcot. Disney has confirmed that they have paused its planned refurbishment and it will be available in its current state.
8 – Other Confirmed Attractions
Most attractions will be available at each park. Here are the confirmed major attractions that will be open.
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Spaceship Earth
- Frozen Ever After
- Test Track
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Avatar Flight of Passage
9 – Expect to See Characters in the Parks in Different but Familiar Ways
Disney Characters will still be in the parks to entertain and delight guests. From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park to processions along World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, each area will come to life throughout the day. Disney characters have interacted with guests this way before. Click on the photos below from 2004 and 2005 to see the characters at Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
10 – 2021 Resort Packages and Tickets Available Soon
By June 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as the phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets.
11 – The Reservation Window is through 2021
Park reservations will be available through September 26, 2021, based on your Resort stay and ticket eligibility or ticket eligibility window. This doesn’t necessarily mean that reservations will be required for that long. It simply means that as people book their 2021 packages and tickets, they can make their reservations right after they book. This gives guests the opportunity to book their theme park reservations well in advance and gives guests peace of mind that they will be able to visit the parks.
12 – 2020 Tickets and Reservations Opening Up Later This Summer
Later this summer, Disney will resume sales of 2020 tickets and Disney Resort hotel arrivals, based on availability of park reservations, while we continue to provide guests with existing tickets and annual passholders the opportunity to make park reservations for 2020 dates.
13 – Fall Special Events Canceled
With so many park experiences being temporarily suspended Disney announced that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series, and H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon have been canceled. Note that if you purchased Halloween Party tickets or H2O Glow tickets, refunds will be given.
14 – A Modified Food & Wine Festival Coming
A modified Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will kick off on July 15, when Epcot reopens. This shrunk down version will feature 20 global marketplaces (usually there are over 35) and will continue through the fall. As soon as we learn more about “Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival”, we’ll update our audience.
15 – A New Epcot Scavenger Hunt is Coming to Epcot
Some floral fun from the Flower and Garden Festival will be around the modified Food & Wine Festival as well as Flower and Garden merchandise. For scavenger hunt fans, you can look forward to a new experience that celebrates the best of both festivals: Flower & Garden and Food & Wine.
16 – Christmastime Events are Safe – For Now
The good news is that no decision has been made about how Holiday Season events will be impacted or canceled. We’ll update you on this when we learn more.
17 – Tours, Special Dining Experiences, & Recreation Activities Impacted
We’ve already learned about certain resort activities being modified or canceled. But we also learned that miniature golf, surfing activities, spas, salons, and the Harmony Barbershop will be closed unavailable during the initial reopening period.
You might enjoy backstage tours such as Backstage Magic, Behind the Seeds, and Wild Africa Trek. Disney confirmed the park tours will be unavailable. We also got a definitive list of special dining and nature experiences that will be impacted.
18 – Complimentary MagicBand Distribution Ending in 2021
Complimentary MagicBands for Disney resort guests will end this year. Beginning with arrivals January 1, 2021, and beyond, resort guests will not receive a complimentary band. This is because a new system will be rolled out in the My Disney Experience app that will bring key features to your smart devices. Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and Disney will be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future.
19 – Small Change in Disney Photo Pass Service
Note that to promote cleanliness, physical distancing, and reduced contact, Disney PhotoPass photographers will not handle Guests’ personal devices such as cellphones and cameras like they have in the past.
20 – Annual Passholders Will Have the Option to Cancel Their Passes or Get an Additional One-Month Extension
With all of the changes in the parks, many annual passholders have expressed concern about being able to enjoy the parks. Disney has now addressed those issues and is giving passholders either a one-month extension on their passes (on top of the four months the park was closed) or the option to cancel the pass. See the details below.
If you are an Annual Passholder that has paid in full, your options include:
- You will receive a one-month extension to your pass (unless you choose one of the alternative options below). This additional month (on top of the four months the park was closed) will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account in October 2020.
- Alternatively, and in lieu of the one-month extension, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to cancel their annual pass and receive a partial refund.
If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan, your options include:
- You will receive an additional one-month extension to your pass (unless you choose the alternative option below). This additional month (on top of the four months the park was closed) will automatically be processed and visible in your My Disney Experience account in October 2020. Please note that monthly payments are scheduled to resume with park opening on July 11, 2020.
- Alternatively, and in lieu of the additional month extension, Passholders on the monthly payment plan may choose to cancel their annual pass and waive their monthly payments due after August 11, 2020. Any payments made between July 11, 2020, and August 11, 2020, will be retroactively refunded for those that select this option and all future payments would be stopped.
