Changes Coming to Disney World Hotels Ahead of Reopening

by Jessica Montevago June 10, 2020

As Orlando’s Walt Disney World readies to reopening some of its resort hotels this month, the company outlined new health and safety requirements that will be put in place for guests.

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and select Disney Vacation Club properties, including Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village, Disney’s Beach Club Villas and Disney’s BoardWalk Villas will reopen to guests on June 22.

Guests, ages 2 and older, will be required to wear masks in all public areas at any Disney Resort Hotel. The only exceptions will be while they are swimming or dining.

What Is the Post-COVID-19 Theme Park Experience Like?

Day guests, those not staying at the hotel overnight, will need a confirmed dining reservation.

Disney is recommending that guests use online check-in to ensure physical distancing, and all guests will be automatically checked out of their rooms.

There will be increased cleaning in high-traffic common areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, and restrooms.

Complimentary resort transportation to Disney Springs will resume when the hotels reopen, and will be available to the theme parks when they reopen in July. Physical distancing measures will be implemented on the buses, leading to reduced capacity and likely longer waits.

Disney also said that a hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access. The parks, which start a phased reopening next month, will use a new system that will required guests to have a reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date to enter the parks.

FastPass+ service will be suspended during the initial reopening so the additional queue space can be used to manage capacity for attractions and maintain physical distancing.

Extra Magic Hours, Minnie Van Service, and in-room celebrations will be unavailable until further notice. Additionally, 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, Playgrounds, Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be the first theme parks to reopen at Disney World on July 11, followed by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15.