The countdown is almost over. We’re just days away from the July 11th opening of the Walt Disney World Resort. But there are still a lot of questions in the air…
Is Disney World Really Going to Open?
This is the question that many have been speculating about online. Although COVID-19 cases are skyrocketing out in Florida, Walt Disney World is still planning on opening as scheduled. The Disney Parks twitter account shared this video of WDW Cast Members sharing their excitement about returning to their parks.
Walt Disney World Resort cast members prepare for opening with health and safety as a focus. https://t.co/CutO0Tu3h5 pic.twitter.com/hoWsqRWjl5
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 3, 2020
And another tweet sharing the return of WDW transportation services, including the Monorail and Ferryboats resuming operation on July 7, and the Skyliner on July 15. The Minnie Van Service and Watercraft do not have an operational date as of yet. The Buses have been operational since June 22.
START YOUR ENGINES! Our transportation cast members are “gearing” up for the phased reopening of our resort transportation. We look forward to getting everything running! pic.twitter.com/PdWO97Xb1a
— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) July 4, 2020
During a news conference on Monday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was asked about the spike in the state’s COVID cases and the safety in reopening its theme parks. DeSantis expressed that he was not concerned about the rising case rate, nor the theme parks welcoming guests back.
DeSantis said:
“Disney, I have no doubt is going to be a safe environment. I think that where you start to see the spread is just in social situations where people let their guard down. Usually like a private party or something like that.
Theme parks have been doing great, I mean, Universal, look at what they’re doing. And I think that’s the lesson. We have to have society function. You can have society function in a way that keeps people safe, and when you have all the different procedures they have in place… it’s a safe environment.”
DeSantis said he had “no doubt” Disney World would be safe, and called the resort’s reopening plan “very, very thorough.”
But that doesn’t mean things have been going hunky-dory for WDW. This past week, WDW annual passholders on the monthly payment plan were accidentally charged a lump sum for their passes that have been out of commission for months.
@AshleyLCarter1 shared this message regarding the discrepancy.
Official statement from Disney World regarding today’s passholder payment error:
“Passholders on the monthly payment program were incorrectly charged today. We are in the process of reversing these charges and apologize for the inconvenience this caused.” https://t.co/duXa1vCCSP
— Ashley Carter (@AshleyLCarter1) July 3, 2020
Shortly after, Disney sent this apology email to all Passholders:
Those charges have since been refunded or are at least in the process of being refunded. We can assume this was some sort of technological glitch or honest mistake.
But now… it has happened again!
Just today, after most of the first charges have been reversed, some passholders received another lump sum charge. This time around, fewer passholders were affected. However, it does call into question how and why this keeps happening!
Health and Safety Plan
Earlier today, there was a special media call with several Disney executives to reiterate their commitment to having a safe experience at the Disney Parks.
The 5-Part plan surveys a wide breadth of new practices in order to have the safest possible experience. Many of the segments have already been implemented and in use for the opening of Disney Springs, and other aspects are newer in regards to the opening of hotels and theme parks.
There was also an emphasis on the new safety campaign featuring The Incredibles characters. The signage can be found throughout the parks as a reminder for guests to follow the safety guidelines.
This plan is very well developed as a way to keep guests and cast as safe as possible. With cases of infection continuing to soar, safety is extremely important as WDW reopens to the public in just a few days. For more about the details of the health and safety plan, take a look at the article below.
Disney Shares Details on Park Health and Safety Measures for Reopening
Cast Member Park Previews Have Begun!
Yesterday and today, cast members will be putting Disney World’s safety updates to the test with Cast Previews at both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. We’ve seen lots of 6-ft distance markers, relaxation stations, brief character cavalcades, plexiglass barriers added to queues and some ride vehicles, as well as hand sanitizer stations and limited seating arrangements throughout attractions.
We’ll have full reports from both Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom here soon! Be sure to check back!
Both of the “Kingdoms” open for Passholder Previews (which booked up in a matter of minutes) on Thursday and Friday of this week, followed by regular guests on Saturday, July 11th.
EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are set to open a few days later on July 15th.
But ALL park visits for the foreseeable future will require a reservation . . .
Park Reservation Check Up
Speaking of reopening dates, how quickly are Disney Park Pass reservations filling up? Let’s take a look…
As of July 7th, September has a few “yellow” dates, while reservations are completely open and available starting in October.
With some advanced planning, there are plenty of park days available. Just like any reservation, some guests cancel or more may become available. We recommend checking the calendar often if you’re looking for a specific day/park that’s “sold out”. Of course, these are still one park visit per day – no park hopping. Is that a deal-breaker for you?
Now Available: Dining Reservations!
Yesterday, Walt Disney World resort dining reservations have opened up for guests with park reservations! These are available for booking up to 60 days out. (This comes as a relief to many WDW travelers, compared to the previous 180-day notice we’ve become accustomed to.)
For now, dining reservations cannot be made within the My Disney Experience app. The app quickly prompts you to continue booking via disneyworld.com
Once there, simply input the date you have park pass(es) for to view available restaurants.
I can’t remember the last time I saw more than one opening at Be Our Guest… wow!
While that’s it for this update, two of the four WDW parks reopen this week… so stay tuned for lots of followups over these next few days!
Make Future Magic
Theme parks are reopening, and there’s no better time to lock in low rates on future travel. Whether you are ready to travel now, or planning for next year, you won’t find better rates than are currently available.
Our travel partners at Get Away Today are here to help you with your theme park planning and rescheduling plans. We know you’re as uncertain about the future as we are. That’s why Get Away Today is offering the most flexible Disney travel options available:
Price Protection – If a better special comes out after you have booked, you’ll get the better deal.
Peace of Mind – Make hotel changes, reschedule dates, drop nights, change ticket vouchers and more, as many times as you’d like for a small, one-time fee.
Layaway Plan – Lock in your 2020 or 2021 Disneyland Resort vacation for just $175 down. By booking early, you secure your availability and have the flexibility to pay as you go. Make as many interest-free payments as you’d like, whenever you’d like, with final payment due just seven days prior to travel.
Give your family something to look forward to:
Visit Get Away Today HERE Or fill out a request form and they’ll call you back: Vacation Information Request Form HERE
Let’s Hear From You
It’s been quite a while since we have visited a Disney Park, almost 4 months! With the recent Cast Member previews, we’re getting a look at how Walt Disney World is going to operate in this new setting. Are you ready to visit . . . or will you wait? Were you able to score some dining reservations? What do you think of Disney’s 5-part health and safety plan? Let us know in the comments.
And be sure to keep an eye out on MiceChat for our full writeups about the Cast Member preview days at Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom!
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