As we get closer and closer to the theme parks reopening, Disney is continuing to release new information. We’ve had the list of opening restaurants at Disney resorts for some time, but now we also know what restaurants will be open at the theme parks when they reopen. Catch all the details below.
Here is the information from the Walt Disney World website:
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 – Reopening July 11
Aloha Isle
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
Be Our Guest Restaurant (Lunch and dinner only. Breakfast is no longer available).
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Square Market
Liberty Tree Tavern
Main Street Bakery
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus
The Plaza Restaurant
Sleepy Hollow
Storybook Treats
Sunshine Tree Terrace
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Animal Kingdom – Reopening July 11
Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
Creature Comforts
Dawa Bar
Dino-Bite Snacks
Flame Tree Barbecue
Harambe Fruit Market
Isle of Java
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Mr. Kamal’s
Nomad Lounge
Pongu Pongu
Rainforest Cafe® at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Restaurantosaurus
Satu’li Canteen
Tamu Tamu Refreshments
Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks
Tiffins Restaurant
Trilo-Bites
Yak & Yeti™ Local Food Cafes
Yak & Yeti™ Restaurant
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Reopening July 15
50’s Prime Time Café
Anaheim Produce
Backlot Express
BaseLine Tap House
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
The Hollywood Brown Derby
The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Milk Stand
Oga’s Cantina at the Walt Disney World Resort
Peevy’s Polar Pipeline
PizzeRizzo
Ronto Roasters
Rosie’s All-American Café
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Sunshine Day Bar
The Trolley Car Café
EPCOT – Reopening July 15
Biergarten Restaurant
Choza de Margarita
Coral Reef Restaurant
Crepes des Chefs de France
Fife & Drum Tavern
Funnel Cake
Garden Grill Restaurant
Gelati
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Joy of Tea
Kabuki Café
Katsura Grill
L’Artisan des Glaces
La Cantina de San Angel
La Cava de Tequila
La Hacienda de San Angel
The Land Cart
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Popcorn in Canada
Refreshment Outpost
Refreshment Port
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
Rose & Crown Dining Room
Rose & Crown Pub
San Angel Inn Restaurante
Spice Road Table
Sunshine Seasons
Tangierine Café
Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kiosks
Traveler’s Café
UK Beer Cart
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
More Information
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 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.
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.
With dining reservations now available to be made via phone for Walt Disney World Resort Guests, Disney has also updated their Dining “Enhanced Technology” to include Mobile Check-In for Dining Reservations.
Mobile Check-In for Reservations: Check in to your dining reservations at select table-service restaurants using the new mobile check-in feature on the My Disney Experience app. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check in!
Now you can check in for dining reservations at select table-service restaurants via the My Disney Experience mobile app! This convenient feature enables you to maximize your vacation time with family and friends—and minimize your contact with others.
Note: Mobile check-in is only supported by devices running Android or iOS with the latest version of the My Disney Experience app installed and location services enabled.
How It Works: It’s easy to use mobile check-in during your visit. All you need is your phone, the My Disney Experience app and a dining reservation at a participating restaurant! Here’s how it works:
When your check-in window arrives, you’ll receive a push notification prompting you to check in via the app. Or, you can begin the check-in process by scanning a QR code located in the restaurant’s lobby. There’s no need to visit the host stand to check in.
From the push notification or QR code, you’ll be able to check in for your reservation—and confirm your arrival time and party details.
Once your table is ready, you’ll be notified to proceed to a specified location.
Disney has recently released a batch of information with brand new opening guidelines for Walt Disney World Resorts. The update gave us a guide for what is and is not available for Walt Disney World Resort Guests upon the reopening for select resorts beginning June 22. If you missed the update, click here. Disney has also shared a new date to give guests with current reservations some piece of mind.
As a reminder, Walt Disney World Resort has temporarily paused Disney Resort hotel reservations. Disney Vacation Club Members can still make new reservations.
According to the Walt Disney World website under Modifications, Cancellations and Refunds Disney shares:
To provide additional flexibility, we are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through October 3, 2020. If Guests need further assistance, they can reach us at the Disney Reservation Center through our online chat feature or by calling our reservation line.
If no action is taken for impacted stays, Disney will automatically cancel your reservation within 7 days of the original check-in date and process any refund due to the original form of payment. Please note that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, including airlines and rental cars, as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans, are deducted from refundable amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages. If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your travel professional.
Keep in mind, while select resorts are opening June 22, the Disney Parks don’t begin their phased reopening until July 11.
Of all the things that Disney has to consider when preparing to reopen Disney World Parks & Resorts, dining issues are perhaps the most complex and present the most significant challenges to providing a safe experience for both guests and cast members. Since the official announcement of a July reopening, we’ve known some general information on changes coming to dining but had very little detail on how Disney would handle new reservations, character dining, etc. Disney has released further information answers many of our questions. Details are below.
Here is the information listed on the Walt Disney World Website:
1 – Changes and Enhancements to Dining
We’re committed to a responsible reopening of Walt Disney World Resort—and we’ve made some important updates and enhancements to our dining experiences based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.
During the reopening period, many dining experiences may be modified or unavailable in order to promote cleanliness and physical distancing.
2 – What You’ll Need
Before you dine at Walt Disney World Resort, please be aware that you’ll need:
Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas—including while entering and exiting dining locations—and can be removed while eating or drinking
Planning to dine at a table-service restaurant in a Disney Resort hotel? A confirmed dining reservation is required for day Guests (those not staying overnight) and is highly recommended for Guests staying overnight at a Disney Resort hotel
Also, it’s highly recommended to have:
The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services enabled
Cashless or contactless forms of payment
3 – In-Park Dining Reservations
At this time, dining reservations are not available. 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.
At this time, Disney dining plans cannot be added to reservations. Check back soon for more information.
6 – Booking Windows
While we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort hotels and theme parks, we are keeping the well-being of our Guests and Cast Members in mind. At this time, dining and other experience reservations at the Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels are unavailable. We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. Select Disney Springs locations are currently open for bookings.
When reservations resume, Guests will be able to make dining and experience reservations up to 60 days in advance to allow guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
In addition, Disney Resort hotel Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days).
Please note: In order to foster physical distancing during this time, upon reopening, our offerings, restaurants and other experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours will be limited in capacity, while other experiences may remain closed.
7 – Health & Hygiene
New measures have been implemented across Walt Disney World dining locations to promote health and hygiene, including:
Enhanced Cleaning: We’ve increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more. Additionally, seating areas, dining areas and pagers will be cleaned between Guests.
Reduced-Contact Menus: Menus will be shared in ways to minimize contact. At quick-service restaurants, menus will be displayed on signage. And at table-service restaurants, you can scan a code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.
Self-Serve Changes: Beverages and other items that were previously self-serve will instead be served by Cast Members.
8 – Enhanced Technology
Use convenient technologies to minimize your contact with others:
Mobile Order Service: A time-saving feature of the My Disney Experience app, mobile order service enables you to order ahead at select dining locations and pick up food during a designated arrival window.
Scannable Codes for Select Restaurant Menus: While at a table-service restaurant, you can use your own mobile device to scan a code for access to the digital menu.
Cashless Payments: At this time, it is recommended all Guests use cashless payment options, including debit cards, credit cards and Disney Gift Cards. Guests can also opt for contactless payment options—such as mobile wallets—or use cash to purchase a Disney Gift Card at Guest Relations and select merchandise locations. Disney Resort hotel Guests can also use MagicBands to charge their purchase to their Disney Resort hotel folio.
9 – Dining Experiences
Additional changes to Walt Disney World dining experiences include:
Menu items may vary. For specific menu information, check the restaurant’s online menu when the restaurant reopens.
Character Dining will not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera.
Dinner shows will not be offered during the initial reopening.
Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks (when open), Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels.
10 – Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds
We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your visits to Walt Disney World Resort and realize some of these changes may be disappointing. Please know we will be here to help you, as our Cast remains focused on delivering magical experiences and incredible storytelling for everyone who visits.
During this unprecedented period, some of our policies and offerings have been modified:
All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
We have made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. If you have an existing Resort package with a Disney dining plan, we will update your reservation to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly. You will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.
11 – Tables in Wonderland
All active Tables in Wonderland Memberships will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed.
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Whispering Canyon Cafe
Roaring Fork
Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Sanaa
Kidani Breakfast at Sanaa
Sanaa Lounge
Maji Pool Bar
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop
Beach Club Marketplace
Martha’s Vineyard
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Trattoria al Forno (this excludes Character Dining, which is temporarily unavailable)
Pizza Window
BoardWalk Bakery
Leaping Horse Libations
AbracadaBar
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
P&J’s Southern Takeout
Meadow Snack Bar
Crockett’s Tavern
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Olivia’s Café
Good’s Food to Go
Gurgling Suitcase
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Kona Cafe
Capt. Cook’s
Pineapple Lanai
Barefoot Pool Bar
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera (please note that the Character Dining experience will be modified)
Primo Piatto
Le Petit Café
Bar Riva
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
The Artist’s Palette
The Paddock Grill
On the Rocks Pool Bar
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Grand Floridian Cafe
Gasparilla Island Grill
Enchanted Rose
Beaches Pool Bar & Grill
13 – Modifications, Cancellations, and Refunds
We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning your visits to Walt Disney World Resort. Please know we will be here to help you, as our Cast remains focused on delivering magical experiences and incredible storytelling for everyone who visits.
During this unprecedented period, some of our policies and offerings have been modified:
All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.
We have made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. If you have an existing Resort package with a Disney dining plan, we will update your reservation to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly. You will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.
