Walt Disney World Resort Not Accepting New Reservations Until July 1st

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

We recently shared the news that Disneyland Resort Hotels are no longer taking new reservations until July. We have learned that Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are following suit. Walt Disney World has announced an official update on their website. Travel agents also received notification from Walt Disney World that they are no longer accepting new reservations until July 1. We too have checked the My Disney Experience App and yes, find that no rooms are available until July.

The main entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. (Photo courtesy, Walt Disney World)

According to the Walt Disney World website:

Need to Adjust Your Travel Plans? Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels are currently closed and a reopening date has not been identified. For Guests who are interested in modifying their existing travel dates or making a new reservation for a future vacation, reservations
are currently available for travel dates July 1 and later. As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings if Walt Disney World Resort opens before or after that time.

To read more from the Walt Disney World website click here.

Here is the update from Disney as received by travel agents as shared by WDWNT.com:

  • Reservation Availability: We’ve announced a phased reopening of Disney Springs area at Walt Disney World Resort, starting May 20. As a reminder, the rest of Walt Disney World and Disneyland theme parks and resort hotels, as well as the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, are currently closed, and a reopening date has not been identified. For guests who are interested in modifying their existing travel dates or making a new reservation for a future vacation, reservations are currently available for arrival dates July 1, 2020, and later. As always, Guests are able to modify these bookings subject to availability if Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks and resort hotels open before or after that time.
  • Cancellations Due to Closures: Disney has been regularly notifying Guests whose Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort hotel bookings are being impacted by our temporary closures, letting them know they may modify or cancel their Disney Resort hotel reservations or Walt Disney Travel Company packages. Disney is asking Guests who didn’t book directly with Disney to call their Travel Professional. We expect that this notification process will continue one week at a time, including any potential reservations cancelled in June 2020.
  • Offers and Tickets: For guests who are interested in modifying their existing travel dates or making a new reservation for a future vacation, reservations are currently available for arrival dates July 1, 2020 and later. At Walt Disney World Resort, guests wishing to make new reservations can save up to 25% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels for stays most nights through August 31, 2020, when they book through August 31, 2020.
  • Please know that no new bookings are being taken on the Walt Disney World summer recovery offer. The Florida Resident Discover Disney ticket is no longer available for purchase. For Guests who have this ticket, the usage window has been extended through September 30, 2020.

We will continue to keep you posted as the news comes forward. Keep in mind, the July 1 date does not mean the parks will open by that date. No official reopening date has been set except for Disney Springs which begins phased reopening on May 20.

Disneyland Resort Hotels Not Accepting New Reservations Until July

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Disneyland Resort Hotels including Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel are no longer accepting new resort reservations until July according to the Orange County Register.

Before this announcement, Disneyland Resort Hotels were accepting reservations beginning June 1 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The news now pushes any new resort reservations back until July.

On top of new resort reservations being pushed back until July, dining reservations and bookable merchandise experiences at the Disneyland resort are also unavailable until the Anaheim parks set a reopening date.

Just earlier today, Disneyland and Walt Disney World have begun cancelling resort hotel reservations for the week of May 24th – May 31st.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure closed on March 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and remain closed until further notice. No reopen day has been announced. We are however thankful to see a reopen date of May 11th announced for Disneyland Shanghai. We eagerly await the safe reopening of Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts.

Man Arrested After Camping On Walt Disney World’s Discovery Island

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

With the current park closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no secret that Disney fans are missing Walt Disney World dearly! Unfortunately, one man decided to take advantage of the closures, and camped out on Discovery Island.

According to USA TODAY, a man named Richard McGuire, 42, from Mobile, Alabama was arrested on Thursday, April 30 after camping on Walt Disney World’s Discovery Island, according to an arrest report acquired by USA TODAY. McGuire has been banned from all Disney properties and charged with a misdemeanor for trespassing.

Discovery Island is located in Walt Disney World’s Bay Lake. It was closed to the public in 1999. The island property remains closed to the public today with “no trespassing” and “private property” signs posted.

According to the Orange County arrest report, officers conducted a search by foot, boat and helicopter and eventually found McGuire. He had been sleeping in one of the island’s buildings and referred to the property as a “tropical paradise.” Robert Ricks, Orange County Police Officer wrote, “Richard stated that he had made entry to the island to go camping on Monday or Tuesday and had planned on staying on the island for approximately one week.”

Cirque Du Soleil Clears “Drawn To Life” Schedule Through June 2nd

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Tomorrow would have been Cirque Du Soleil’s official debut of “Drawn to Life” at Disney Springs. However, after a wave of preview cancellations due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Cirque Du Soleil has now cancelled all performances through April and May, with the first performances now showing on the ticket calendar as starting on June 2.

Cirque du Soleil sent out the following advisory via email to current ticket holders:

Dear Cirque du Soleil Guest,

In light of current events, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group is temporarily suspending the preview performances of Drawn to Life at Disney Springs. This action follows the postponement of numerous Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group shows worldwide in recent days and takes into consideration the most current recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the escalation of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

From the very beginning of the new coronavirus outbreak, the Group took rigorous measures to protect its work teams and the public. Our priority has always been, and remains, the health and safety of our artists, our partners, our employees and our audiences. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation to determine when the show previews will start.

As the performance you purchased has been postponed, we are encouraging you to keep your tickets and contact us to exchange them for a future date.

All tickets that are not exchanged will be automatically refunded within 30 days of the performance.

If you have any questions about Cirque du Soleil resident shows, including Drawn to Life, please write to lasvegas.customerservice@cirquedusoleil.com

We appreciate your support and thank you kindly for your understanding.

Cirque du Soleil
Your Drawn to Life customer experience team

Toy Story Sunrise Views From Parks Around The World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Hollywood Studios

Hello Sunshine! Toy Story continues to be a popular favorite and will likely continue to be just as loved for years to come. Check out these inspiring sunrise views below from DisneyParskBlog featuring Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story at Disney parks and resorts around the world!   

Whether it’s glimmering sun rays filtering through Toy Soldier Parachute Drop at Hong Kong Disneyland or brilliant light rising above Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure park, each location has its own spectacular morning views with a touch of Toy Story magic.  Here are favorites from the archives: 

Toy Story Mania – Tokyo Disney

Pixar Pier – Disneyland

Toy Story Hotel – Shanghai Disney

Toy Story Playland – Disneyland Paris

Toy Story Land – Walt Disney World

Toy Story Land – Hong Kong Disneyland

From our Toy Story sunrises to yours, good morning and as Woody would say, “reach for the sky” this magical Monday.  And remember – “The important thing is that we stick together.” – Buzz Lightyear