A Special Walt Disney World Offer For Guests Impacted By Park Closures

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Even though we do not know when the parks will open yet, Disney World has just released a special Free Dining Offer for guests who booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel from March 16th through May 31st, 2020.

Here are the official details:

Eligible Guests can take advantage of a vacation package offer that includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission and a FREE Disney Dining Plan – valid for arrivals most nights June 1st through September 30th, 2020 when you book through May 31st, 2020.

This offer is valid only for Guests who booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel from March 16th through May 31st, 2020 (even if the park opens before then). Offer not valid for reservations canceled before March 1st, 2020.

The Disney Free Dining Package offered depends on the level of the resort you are staying in.

The breakdown is as follows:

  • Value Resort – Quick Service Dining Plan
  • Moderate Resort – Quick Service Dining Plan
  • Deluxe Resort – Disney Dining Plan

Guests wishing to upgrade your dining plan can do so for an additional fee.

Important Details

  • Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
  • Advance reservation required.
  • Length of stay is 2 nights-14 nights
  • Ticket requirements: 2-day minimum; all ticket types included (i.e., Base, Park Hopper, Water Park & Sports, Park Hopper Plus
  • Offer excludes the following room types: campsites
  • Children ages 3 to 9 must choose from the children’s menu, if available.
  • Gratuities are not included.
  • Theme park admission is required for some dining locations.

This offer is subject to availability. Everyone in the same room must be on the same package. Theme park tickets valid for admission beginning on date of check-in and must be used within a limited number of days, depending on the length of stay and ticket.

For more information contact Disney or your travel agent.

WDW Golf Courses Remain Open Amidst The Pandemic

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Despite the closure of all Walt Disney World Resort hotels and theme parks, there’s one segment that, oddly enough, remains open throughout the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its requisite stay-at-home orders––the golf courses.

The website for Golf WDW currently lists the following announcement at the top of their home page:

Walt Disney World® Golf is open!
Golf and FootGolf operations remain available on our regular schedule. We continue to closely monitor recommendations by health officials and have implemented measures to help ensure the well-being of all who visit and work at Walt Disney World® Golf. We recommend continuing to visit our website for further updates to our schedule.

Guests are still allowed to book tee times due to the fact that golf is considered a form of exercise, which is allowed within the recent stay-at-home mandate. Given that guests practice social distancing while golfing, this would technically break none of the rules established by the mandate.

The online reservations page explains some of the social distancing guidelines in place:

Thank you for choosing to play Walt Disney World® Golf, we look forward to welcoming you to the “Happiest Place on TURF!”

In the interest of social distancing, we would prefer that you pre-pay for your tee time, thus minimizing your human interaction and touch-points at the golf course. Please select that option before finalizing your online reservation today. Additionally, Cash purchases will not be accepted at this time. Only Credit/Debit Card or Apple Pay purchases will be permitted. Thank you for your understanding!

Do note that since all Walt Disney World Resort hotels are closed, in order to access to Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, you must have a prior reservation. Reservations can be made online or by calling (407) WDW-GOLF.

“Shades of Green” To Close Due to Coronavirus Concerns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Shades of Green, a resort on Walt Disney World property fully owned and operated by the United States Department of Defense (DOD) for members of the military and their families, has announced that it is closing out of concerns for the current ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The resort will be asking any of its current guests to return to their home station as soon as they can make the necessary travel arrangements, with all cancellation fees now waived. As far as when they’ll be taking reservations again, new arrivals will be accepted after May 15th. Of course, this is not an official reopening date for Walt Disney World, but merely an estimate of when this specific resort expects to reboot its operations.

Shades of Green has since updated their home page to include information regarding the closure:

Shades of Green will temporarily close in response to the Coronavirus

The safety of our guests and staff is our primary concern at AFRC Resorts. Shades of Green will temporarily close to ensure the health and well-being of service members and their families during the COVID-19 crisis. Despite our best efforts to serve guests through this situation, it is now apparent that this crisis requires collective action to slow its progression in the United States. Guests will be asked to return to their home station as soon as they can make the necessary travel arrangements. We are waiving any cancellation or early departure fees for reservations during this time.

There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Shades of Green Resort.

Shades of Green will continue to accept reservations for new arrivals after May 15th. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and will make a determination to reopen in coordination with our partners at Disney World Resorts when it is safe for our guests and staff.

We will continue to support our staff and military community the best we can during this temporary closure. If you have questions regarding your reservation, please email us at guestsupport@shadesofgreen.org

We encourage all of our military guests to limit their travel during this time. All the world-class attractions, beautiful golf courses, and relaxing vacation amenities will all still be here when this crisis is finished and it is safe to travel once again. We look forward to having you stay with us in the very near future.

Walt Disney World Closed “Until Further Notice”

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

We’re sorry to report Disney fans… but Disney has announced they will be extending their park closures due to COVID-19 / Coronavirus concerns. This doesn’t come as much of a shock as state-wide shut downs and government quarantine requests continue. It is however painful for us Disney fans that can’t wait to step foot in our favorite parks once again! Here are the details below as shared by Disney:

This notice was shared via Disney Parks News, an official Disney Twitter feed:

Also, according to the Walt Disney World website:

“The safety and well-being of our Guests and employees remains The Walt Disney Company’s top priority. As a result of this unprecedented pandemic and in line with direction provided by health experts and government officials, Walt Disney World Resort will remain closed until further notice.” You can click here if you have questions on how to cancel your vacation.

As we wait for the joyful day when we can once again stroll down Main Street U.S.A., take flight on Soarin’, and Rise against the Resistance, we do wish all our fellow Disney friends stay well and stay safe!

Hong Kong Disneyland Updates Annual Pass and Park Ticket Extensions

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Amid the Coronavirus outbreak in China, we’ve seen both Shanghai Disney Resort as well as Hong Kong Disneyland Resort both close due to the virus and to keep the public safe.

Today, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort released further announcements regarding the extension of annual passes (what they call Magic Access) past the originally set March 30th extension to April 30th. All tickets through August 30th are now extended through August 31st.

A special update has been issued to the Hong Kong Disneyland website:

Temporary Closure of Hong Kong Disneyland Park

As a precautionary measure in line with prevention efforts taking place across Hong Kong, we are temporarily closing Hong Kong Disneyland Park out of consideration for the health and safety of our Guests and Cast Members. We are in close contact with health authorities and the government about the situation and will announce a reopening date once they determine it is advisable.

The Standard Park Tickets are valid for six months from the purchase date. If needed, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will assist in the refund for Guests who have purchased tickets for admission to Hong Kong Disneyland park or have booked a resort hotel. For more details or enquiries, please send an email to guest@hongkongdisneyland.com.

Hong Kong Disneyland closes amid China's coronavirus outbreak ...

Day Tickets and In-Park Products

  • For unused Park Ticket and other date specific product, including meal voucher and Disney Character Buffet Dining Plan, with expiry date falls between January 26, 2020 and August 30, 2020 (both dates inclusive), the expiry date will be automatically extended to August 31, 2020. Guest shall use the same Ticket or Product confirmation for entry/usage before the extended expiry date.
  • For Guests who have purchased Park Tickets through one of the Resort’s direct channels, including our official website, Main Entrance ticket booths and Disney Reservation Center, please contact the Disney Reservation Center at guest@hongkongdisneyland.com with Guest name and confirmation number to request refunds for unused tickets.
  • For Guests who have purchased Park Ticket through our official WeChat Mini Program, Fliggy Flagship Store and the Resort’s official travel partners, please reach out to your original ticket purchase channel and raise the refund request for unused tickets. Hong Kong Disneyland will provide the best possible assistance as appropriate.
  • The above refund arrangements also apply to park-related products and services, such as tour products, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experiences and meal vouchers in the Park.

Hotel Bookings

  • For Guests who have booked resort hotels for one of the days that Hong Kong Disneyland is closed, through one of the Resort’s direct channels, including our official website and Disney Reservation Center, please contact Disney Reservation Center via email to guest@hongkongdisneyland.com with Guest name and confirmation number for refund or cancellation requests.
  • For Guests who have booked a resort hotel stay for one of the days that Hong Kong Disneyland is closed through our official WeChat Mini Program, Fliggy Flagship Store and the Resort’s official travel partners, please reach out to your original booking channel for refund or cancellation requests. Hong Kong Disneyland will provide the best possible assistance as appropriate.

Magic Access Annual Membership

  • Guests who are holding unredeemed Magic Access confirmation (for new membership only) or Magic Access Certificate with expiry date falls between January 26, 2020 and April 30, 2020 (both dates inclusive), may present the original confirmation or Certificate for redemption at designated location(s) in person within 3 months from the reopening date of Hong Kong Disneyland Park. Each Membership Card is valid for one year from the issue date.
  • The Magic Access membership validity dates will be extended according to the membership tiers. Details will be announced on the official website in due course. Thank you for your continued support to Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.