Walt Disney World’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground is ready to welcome guests back as of June 22 for the reopening of select Disney Resorts. Today, Disney introduced the new barn at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Check out the details, photos and video below from DisneyParksBlog:
With the phased reopening of our Disney Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re excited to welcome guests back to the campground with a fresh new barn at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Our animal care team continues to take great care of our horses, and are thrilled to share this magnificent milestone at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.
Tri-Circle-D Ranch has a long history of housing “The Happiest Horses on Earth,” as it was part of Walt’s vision to bring horses to Magic Kingdom Park much like he did in Disneyland. Tri-Circle-D Ranch was established before opening day of Walt Disney World Resort, making his wish come true.
Back in August, we shared that our horses and ranch team were receiving a beautifully enhanced new barn, with plenty of space for play time, pony rides and more. The new stable features larger stalls for the horses, including 10 additional stalls – all equipped with automatic water stations. The barn is more than twice the size of the original barn with two tack rooms, a wedding harness room showcasing tack for Cinderella’s ponies and the return of the museum dedicated to Walt’s love of horses.
Along with the museum, our horses themselves brought an iconic piece of Disney history back to the barn—the 1907 Dragon Calliope. Walt Disney purchased the horse-drawn musical wagon for Disneyland Park in the 1950s, and it is currently on display at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Watch the horse-powered move below:
ut that’s not all that’s new at Tri-Circle-D Ranch! Last week, we shared the newest addition to our animal collection, Violet, a pony foal born right here at the new stable. Violet is already finding her independence as she plays around in the pastures and enjoys running around with her mom, Elsa, for some quality bonding time.
The ranch is a quick trot away from its original location, just around the corner from the bus loop by Pioneer Hall. To learn more about horses and many of the other animals in our care, visit DisneyAnimals.com.
We were thrilled to announce last week that the Walt Disney World resort hotels would be reopening to guests starting from July 11th. This date matches up with the reopening of Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom on the same date, and before the reopening of EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th.
However, it has been revealed that the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin will not be reopening this early, as their website clearly points out that their closure will be effective right through July 29th.
All existing reservations to this hotel are being offered cancellation or changes without charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival, providing the modifications are made before the resort reopens on July 29th. If you do have a stay booked at the resort between now and then, we encourage you to contact your travel operator.
It is worth mentioning that the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin was one of the last resorts on property to close for the COVID-19 pandemic on March 24th, after slowly reducing operations down to just the Swan Wing as the Walt Disney World closures began to take effect.
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.
Hold on tight Disney fans! We have a LOT to share with you as Disney just released breaking news for Walt Disney World Resorts! As we previously learned, on June 22 select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen. This will be taking place prior to the Disney Parks phased reopening which begins July 11 for Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom and July 15 for EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. As we gear up for the June 22 reopening of the Deluxe Villa Resort & Fort Wilderness, Disney has released several new guidelines and details as a “Disney Resort Hotels: Know Before You Go”.
The Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts opening at Walt Disney World on June 22 include:
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Top Things You Need To Know:
Before traveling to Florida, please make sure that you have reviewed any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
Please be aware that you’ll also need:
A confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival—visit My Plans to get started
A confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (not staying overnight)
Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining
To enter a park beginning July 11, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access)
Also, it’s highly recommended to have:
The latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled
Cashless or contactless forms of payment, including MagicBands, which Disney Resort hotel Guests can use to charge purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio
Wellness Screening:
Persons who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine, or are under quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World Resort Guests may be subject to additional screenings. Before you leave home, please check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.
Disney Resort Hotel Guest Benefits:
During the initial reopening period, some benefits may be modified or unavailable.
Disney’s Magical Express® Service: Complimentary airport transportation via Disney’s Magical Express service will be available for Guests arriving and departing from Orlando International Airport. Many airlines have modified their flight schedules, so please confirm your flight information. If you plan to use Disney’s Magical Express service, contact your room reservation booking agent, or call (407) 939-1936 to make any updates to your flight information on file.
FastPass+ Service: As a result of the COVID-19 impact, FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity for attractions and maintain physical distancing. With that in mind, access to FastPass+ planning is temporarily unavailable. We will share updates at a later date.
Extra Magic Hours: The Extra Magic Hours benefit is unavailable until further notice.
Cleaning:
When you stay at a Disney Resort hotel, enjoy peace of mind knowing that your room will be thoroughly cleaned prior to your arrival and serviced during your stay. Plus, common areas will receive enhanced cleaning.
Common Areas: We’ve increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more.
Housekeeping: Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo thorough cleaning—with attention to:
High-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles
Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
Floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests
Inside your room, you’ll find:
Extra linens and towels wrapped in single-use packaging
Individually wrapped glassware
Double-cased pillows
Additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging
And during your stay, your room will receive a light cleaning service every other day, 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
Vacuuming if needed
You can also decline every-other-day service.
Please note that:
If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member using your Membership to stay, you’ll receive service on the 4th and 8th days, unless you decline that service.
If there is more than one room on your reservation and you choose to decline service, your selection will apply to all rooms on the reservation.
Learn about parking and transportation options at Walt Disney World Resort.
Complimentary Resort Transportation: Before the theme parks reopen, bus transportation will be available between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney Springs area. When the theme parks reopen, complimentary transportation will also be provided between your Disney Resort hotel and Disney theme parks. Transportation will operate with physical distancing measures in place, reducing capacity. As a result, you may experience delays.
Minnie Van Service: Minnie Van Service will not be available during the initial reopening period.
Parking: Self-parking will be available. Valet service is temporarily unavailable, with the exception of Guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance. A valid disability parking permit is required. Parking fees apply for Disney Resort hotel Guests.
Resort Services:
Some Disney Resort hotel services will be modified or unavailable during the initial reopening period, based on physical distancing and health guidelines. Changes include:
Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort Guests
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
Resort Amenities & Recreation:
Amenities and recreation will be modified based on physical distancing and health guidelines.
Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day
Pools will operate with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels
Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests of this Disney Resort hotel may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Fitness Centers & Sports Courts
Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
Fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity
Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing
Available Recreation: Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.
Merchandise Locations: In merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Guests will continue to discover favorite Disney items, with some modifications to the shopping experience that will help us manage capacity and foster physical distancing.
New Product Launches: New collection product launches and limited-edition merchandise will not be available for in-person purchases at Walt Disney World Resort until further notice. As always, Guests can find these items on shopDisney, subject to availability.
Pin Trading: We will continue to offer Guests the opportunity to pin trade with Cast Members through the use of pin boards in select locations. Cast pin trading with lanyards will not be available at this time to maintain physical distancing.
Delivery Option: Package delivery to the front of our theme parks or to Disney Resort hotels will be suspended. However, shipping merchandise to Guests’ homes continues to be available.
Dressing Rooms: For the time being, dressing rooms will not be available.
Returns: In-person returns will be available upon the reopening of our merchandise locations.
Temporarily Unavailable: The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:
Arcades
Campfires
Character experiences
Dog parks
Electrical Water Pageant
Marina rentals
Pin trading
Playgrounds
Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Additionally, the following special offerings and childcare services will not be available during the initial reopening:
Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises, including the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
Fun runs
Wonderland Tea Party at Park Fare
Hula lessons
In-room childcare services
Mermaid school
Special classes and programs—including culinary, cultural and animal programs
Check In Online:
To aid in physical distancing efforts, we strongly recommend that you use Online Check-In Service in advance—online or with the My Disney Experience app. When your room is ready, you’ll get a room-ready notification. Then, you can use either a MagicBand or the My Disney Experience app digital key feature to enter your room! If you don’t receive your MagicBand(s) prior to your vacation, simply use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room. At your convenience, you can visit the Front Desk to pick up your MagicBand(s).
Automatic Checkout
On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room—so you don’t have to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).
Virtual Chat With a Resort Cast Member:
Beginning June 22, you can chat with a Resort Cast Member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during your stay. This new feature will offer convenient support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the Lobby or stand in line.
We previously announced the NBA is coming to Walt Disney World! It has been confirmed that Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will be hosting the games likely beginning at the end of July. Due to the health guidelines, it is believed the NBA will require all players to remain onsite for the duration of the season. The question now is where will they stay? Yesterday there were rumblings that they would be housed at Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House. A day later, that information may have changed.
The new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort opening July 9 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, takes its inspiration from the Disney animated short film “Destino.” (Steven Diaz, photographer)
The most recent reports are coming in from an NBA Reporter name Kevin Smith. Smith states:
First Tweet: “Walt Disney World sources, Disney and the NBA have agreed that Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is likely to be the primary host resort for the NBA when they resume the season. Sources say an agreement may be reached this week, which will allow preparations to move quickly.”
Second Tweet: “Other Walt Disney World resorts remain under consideration to host the NBA, but Coronado Springs offers the best package of rooms, resources and proximity to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Still a possibility that multiple resorts are used for the NBA, per WDW sources.”
A third Tweet shares: “Coronado Springs has over 2,000 hotel rooms between their campus style buildings & the 15-story Gran Destino tower. It all surrounds a contained lake with pools, boating, and walking/jogging paths.. In addition, the property has over 220,000 sq. ft. of convention space attached.”
We’d agree with Kevin, that yes, Coronado Springs does seem to have the rooms and convention space that could house the NBA players. While Coronado Springs is rumored to be the front runner, other rumored resorts include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Four Seasons Orlando.
