Walt Disney World Dining Reservations Available June 30 for Eligible Guests with Prior Cancellations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As Walt Disney World creeps closer and closer to the grand reopening on July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Hollywood Studios), we’ve been waiting for news on when dining reservations will become available for theme park guests.

According to Walt Disney World’s website:

Eligible Guests with Dining Reservations Cancelled During the Closure: If you had an active dining reservation on or before September 2, 2020 that was cancelled as of May 28 due to the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll have the opportunity to make new dining reservations beginning on June 30 up to 60 days in advance of your arrival.

Not new, but you’ll want to keep these details in mind for Dining Reservations as found on the website:

Reservations for Guests Staying at Disney Resort Hotels: Guests with Disney Resort hotel reservations for arrivals through July 10, 2020 can make dining reservations for select Walt Disney World Resort hotel and available Disney Springs dining locations. Call the Disney Reservation Center at (407) 824-1391 to check availability and make reservations. A valid Resort reservation for this time will be required to book your reservation. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member with a Resort reservation for an arrival through July 10, 2020, call Member Services at (800) 800-9800. Online reservations will not be available during this time for this audience and will reopen at a later date for all Resort Guests.

Reservations for All Guests: Online reservations for all Guests will reopen at a later date. Please continue to check back for details.

In-Park Dining: When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

Updated List of Cancelled Events

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

A couple of weeks ago, the big announcement came that Walt Disney World is cancelling Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Disney H20 Glow Nights, and is offering a modified EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival called “Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival”. Disney updated their website to reveal a full list of cancelled events, tours and other experiences as shared below:

Rest & Recreation:

  • Golf and FootGolf are available on a regular schedule at Walt Disney World golf courses
  • ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will remain closed during the initial reopening period
  • Miniature golf will be unavailable during the initial reopening period
  • Surfing activities—including group lessons and private sessions—will be unavailable during the initial reopening period
  • Spas, salons and Harmony Barbershop will remain closed during the initial reopening period

Unique Tours: The following unique tours are unavailable:

  • Backstage Magic
  • Behind the Seeds
  • Disney Private VIP Tours
  • Disney’s Family Magic Tour
  • Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour
  • Disney’s The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
  • The UnDISCOVERed Future World
  • Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour
  • Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour
  • Up Close with Rhinos
  • Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
  • World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered
  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Wild Africa Trek (Morning)

Adventures in Dining: The following dining events are unavailable:

  • Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Tea Room
  • Cake Decorating Experience at Amorette’s Patisserie
  • Circle of Flavors: Harambe at Night
  • Dine with an Animal Specialist
  • Dining with an Imagineer – Cítricos
  • Dining with an Imagineer – The Hollywood Brown Derby
  • Disney Early Morning Magic – Fantasyland
  • Epcot Forever Dining Package
  • Fantasmic! Dining Package
  • Festival of the Lion King Signature Dining Package
  • Highway in the Sky Dine Around
  • Jiko Wine Tasting
  • Rivers of Light Dining Package
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
  • Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Signature Celebration at Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
  • Tiffins Talks
  • Victoria & Albert’s Chef’s Table Dinner
  • Wanyama Safari
  • Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare

Spectacular Sweet Spots: The following dessert parties are unavailable:

  • Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
  • Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
  • Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
  • Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
  • Frozen Ever After Dessert Party
  • Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
  • Rivers of Light Dessert Party
  • Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Nature Experiences: The following nature experiences are unavailable:

  • A Path Less Traveled Tour
  • Behind the Seeds
  • Caring for Giants
  • Dine with an Animal Specialist
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – Aqua Tour
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – DiveQuest
  • Epcot Seas Adventures – Dolphins in Depth
  • Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
  • Sense of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Up Close with Rhinos
  • Wanyama Safari
  • Wild Africa Trek
  • Wild Africa Trek (Morning)

Make-Believe & More: The following experiences are unavailable:

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
  • Captain Hook’s Pirate Crew
  • Character Couture
  • Perfectly Princess Tea Party
  • Pirate Adventure Cruises
  • Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage
  • Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare

Helpful Info For Disney Parks Pass System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

As of June 26, Annual Passholders can begin making Walt Disney World Resort Reservations via the Disney Parks Pass System. All other existing ticket holders can begin making reservations as of June 28. To help with the process, Disney has shared some helpful information.

As a valued resource for Disney fans and guests, we wanted to share a few helpful tips and clarifying details that you can leverage in your coverage of the Disney Park Pass system. 

Please note we will not open new availability at a pre-announced time of day. When the system opens, all Passholders will be eligible to make theme park reservations for up to three days at a time. Or, Annual Passholders staying at select Disney Resort or other select hotels with valid theme park admission will be eligible to make theme park reservations for each day of their stay(s). For example, if an Annual Passholder has three five-night reservations, they will be able to hold up to 15 theme park reservations at one time. 

Click here to watch the header video for more information on the Disney Park Pass system and how to make a theme park reservation. 

We are using virtual waiting rooms as needed to manage the high volume of guests looking to make park reservations for their upcoming visits. We anticipate many Passholders and Guests will begin making their park reservations right away, so wait times may be longer earlier in the day.

Here are a few helpful reminders for those looking to make park reservations:

  • Ensure your ticket or Annual Pass is linked to your My Disney Experience account for each member of your travel party.
  • Please be sure you are searching for available park days within the valid use period of your ticket or Annual Pass. You can view your valid use period under Tickets and Passes in My Disney Experience. All reservations are subject to availability and applicable pass blockout dates. 
  • Contact the Disney Reservation Center via phone or online chat if these tips do not resolve the issue. Please note that we are experiencing a high call and chat volume at this time.

We recognize that theme park reservations will change the way many of our Passholders prefer to enjoy their pass. With that in mind, we are offering alternative options to help Passholders manage their pass, including an additional one month extension to passes that will automatically be processed and visible in My Disney Experience accounts in October 2020. Click here for more details on DisneyWorld.com.

As a reminder, Weekday Select, Theme Park Select, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Platinum Plus and Premier Passholders will have the opportunity to register for a special preview at Magic Kingdom Park or Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park on July 9 or 10. Email invitations with additional preview registration details will be sent out soon.

Full List Of Park Restaurants Available Upon Reopen

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Just in! Walt Disney World releases the full list of Theme Park Restaurants that will be available upon reopen! While dining reservations are not yet available, at least we can begin planning to dine at some of our favorites. Check out the list below.

According to the Walt Disney World website:

In-Park Dining: At this time, dining reservations are not available for in-park dining experiences. Reservations will resume at a later date. When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

When the theme parks initially reopen, the following dining locations will also reopen. Additional carts and kiosks may also be available during your visit.

Magic Kingdom Park — Reopening July 11

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park — Reopening July 11

Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Reopening July 15

EPCOT — Reopening July 15

More Information: When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission and a reservation for park entry. Additionally, you’ll need a dining reservation to dine at a table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.

Orange County Officials Say Decision to Reopen WDW Rests with Disney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

With the news of Disneyland Resort cancelling their previously announced July 17 reopening date due to the State of California, many guests are wondering what the future holds for Walt Disney World with Florida’s COVID-19 spikes.

CNN Business and Politics Corespondent, Cristina Alesci, took to Twitter to announce the following:

Alesci tweets: “JUST IN: An Orange County official tells me the county has no plans to revisit a decision to reopen Disney’s parks in Florida. “That decision rests with @Disney officials and the governor,” says a county spokesperson “

Walt Disney World is scheduled for their phased reopening beginning July 11 (Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom) and July 15 (EPCOT & Hollywood Studios). As Disney fans eagerly await the reopening, the number of cases of COVID-19 continue to reach record highs for the state.