Return to normality tracker

Bullseye1967

Is that who I am?
Premium Member
The site that shall not be named is reporting that housekeeping is back to pre-pandemic schedule (daily, full service) at a number of deluxe resorts and is soon to add another set of resorts (mostly Deluxe/DVC). Can anyone confirm or refute?
The monorail resorts AK and Boardwalk And BC are.
 

Disone

Well-Known Member
The current housekeeping service at the deluxe hotels is every other day. It is a full service every other day. A full service entitles a full clean of the room including remaking the beds and vacuuming, but does not necessarily include a linen change unless needed.

DVC resorts like the Riviera have not "gone back" to a daily housekeeping service because the Riviera, like all DVCs, was never at a daily housekeeping service. The DVC resorts have continued to follow their contractual obligations for housekeeping.

The Grand Floridian resort is however at a daily housekeeping service and that is the only deluxe hotel that is truly automatically providing daily housekeeping service.

If you ask at the other deluxe hotels they will likely give it to you. However, the policy is housekeeping service every other day.
 

Bullseye1967

Is that who I am?
Premium Member
The current housekeeping service at the deluxe hotels is every other day. It is a full service every other day. A full service entitles a full clean of the room including remaking the beds and vacuuming, but does not necessarily include a linen change unless needed.

DVC resorts like the Riviera have not "gone back" to a daily housekeeping service because the Riviera, like all DVCs, was never at a daily housekeeping service. The DVC resorts have continued to follow their contractual obligations for housekeeping.

The Grand Floridian resort is however at a daily housekeeping service and that is the only deluxe hotel that is truly automatically providing daily housekeeping service.

If you ask at the other deluxe hotels they will likely give it to you. However, the policy is housekeeping service every other day.
The resorts I listed above are at full housekeeping. This has been confirmed by members of this forum currently staying on property.
 

WDWVolFan

Well-Known Member
Now that things seem to be moving along quite quickly, I thought I would put together a return to normality tracker. If you don't see it here, it is most likely because it has reopened and is not significant enough to call out specifically.

Please post updates/corrections as you see them and I will update this original post.

This is NOT a refurbishment/unexpected downtime tracker, which is why you may not see things listed like Club Cool, Main Street Confectionery or the Walt Disney World Railroad that are closed due to reasons unrelated to COVID-19.



Key:
✅
Resumed normal operations
🕘
In progress/Scheduled
*️⃣
Rumored to return/be announced imminently
❌
Suspended/COVID Policy Active
🛑
Confirmed/likely permanent change

General Operations
✅ Removal of outdoor masks
✅ No longer making park-wide COVID-19 announcements
✅ Removal of indoor masks for vaccinated guests (June 15)
✅ Rope drop
✅ Removal of COVID-19 signage (exception: transportation regarding masks)
✅ Annual Pass sales

✅ Normal/pre-pandemic park hours
✅ Early Theme Park Entry
✅ Extended Evening Hours

🕘 Normal capacity (phased increase in capacity over unknown period of time; Most recent increase: Jun 16)
❌ Normal park hopping operations (currently only after 2PM; subject to availability)
❌ Removal of indoor masks for all guests
❌ Return to normal housekeeping protocol
🛑 Park Pass System ("here to stay" per Chapek's latest comments on it)

Cast Member Specific COVID-19 Measures

✅ Removal of cast member outdoor masks (optional)
✅ Removal of cast member face shields (optional)
✅ Removal of indoor cast member masks (optional)
✅ Removal of shops plexiglass between CM and guests (optional)
✅ Removal of QSR plexiglass between CM and guests (optional)
✅ Can take photos with Guest smartphones
✅ Removal of plexiglass between CM and guests on CM driven vehicles
❌ Direct in-person pin trading with Guests


Parks
✅ Magic Kingdom
✅ EPCOT
✅ Disney's Hollywood Studios
✅ Disney's Animal Kingdom
✅ Blizzard Beach Water Park
❌ Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Main Product Offerings

✅ After Hours events (August 10; Boo Bash)
✅ FastPass-like offering (Genie+ coming this Fall)
❌ Holiday parties
🛑 FastPass+

Transportation
✅
Skyliner cabins shared amongst strangers

✅ Removal of plexiglass
✅ Removal of distancing
✅ Removal of monorail capacity limits

✅ Removal of bus capacity limits
✅EPCOT Monorail
❌ Parking lot trams
❌ Minnie Van service (resort; new signs spotted at theme parks, will return)
❌ Minnie Van service (airport)
❌ Valet Parking
❌ Removal of masks (except ferries)

🛑 Resort Airline Check-In service (suspended indefinitely)
🛑 Disney's Magical Express luggage delivery (suspended indefinitely)

Attraction COVID-19 Measures*
✅
Single rider

✅Removal of distancing
✅Loading every row
✅ Pre-shows
✅ Removal of plexiglass from outdoor queues
✅ Removal of plexiglass from indoor queues (removal in progress, should all be removed shortly)
✅ Removal of plexiglass from ride vehicles (removal in progress, should all be removed shortly)
✅ Playgrounds reopened
✅ Interactive queue elements

Attractions & Experiences
✅ Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Fireworks
🕘 Meet & Greets (modified, distanced experienced returning)
❌ Kiss Goodnight at Magic Kingdom
❌ Parades (currently replaced with cavalcades; specific parades listed below)
❌ Main Street vehicles

❌ Citizens of Main Street
❌ Henna artists/Face painters
❌ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

The Boneyard
Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station
Coca-Cola Polar Bear Photo Op Experience
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
Main Street Vehicles
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
A Pirate's Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas
Star Wars Launch Bay
Star Wars Launch Bay Theater
Turtle Talk With Crush
Captain Hook's Pirate Crew
Carriage Rides
Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-A-Long
Motorized Boat Rentals
Specialty Cruises
Surfing Programs at Typhoon Lagoon
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf
Backstage Magic
Behind the Seeds
Caring for Giants
Disney's Family Magic Tour
Disney's Holiday D-Lights
Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour
Disney's The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains Tour
Disney's Yuletide Fantasy
Epcot Seas Adventures Aqua Tour
Epcot Seas Adventures DiveQuest
Epcot Seas Adventures Dolphins in Depth
Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
Gardens of the World
A Path Less Traveled Tour
Pirate Adventure Cruises
Savor the Savanna: Evening Safari Experience
Sense of Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Starlight Safari at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
The Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour
Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour
Ultimate Nights of Adventure VIP Tour
The unDISCOVERed Future World
Up Close with Rhinos
Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom Tour
Wild Africa Trek - Mid-Day
Wild Africa Trek - Morning
World Showcase: DestiNations Discovered
Casey's Corner Pianist
Citizens of Main Street
Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade
Flag Retreat
Let the Magic Begin
Main Street Trolly Show
Main Street Philharmonic at Storybook Circus
Meet Ariel at her Grotto
Meet Alice and Wonderland at the Mad Tea Party
Meet an Out of this World Friend in Tomorrowland
Meet Characters from Aladdin in Adventureland
Meet Cinderella and Elena at Princess Fairytale Hall
Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Side Show
Meet Dashing Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete's Silly Side Show
Meet Gaston Near his Tavern
Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
Meet Peter Pan in Fantasyland
Meet Rapunzel and Tiana at Princess Fairytale Hall
Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theatre
Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at the Thotful Spot
Once Upon a Time
British Revolution
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays - Candlelight Processional
Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival - Garden Rocks
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Celebrity Chefs
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival - Eat to the Beat Concert Series
Entertainment at Canada Mill Stage
Jeweled Dragon Acrobats
Matsuriza
Meet Anna & Elsa at Royal Sommerhouse
Meet a Favorite Pal at the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
Meet a Wonderful Friend in the United Kingdom
Meet Belle in France
Meet Donald Duck in Mexico
Meet Joy Near Imagination in Future World West
Meet Minnie Mouse near World Showcase Plaza
Meet Mulan in China
Meet Pluto near Main Entrance
Meet Princess Jasmine in Morocco
Meet Ralph & Vanellope inside ImagineWorks at Epcot
Meet Snow White in Germany
Sergio
Serveur Amusant
Viva Mexico
BB-8 Astromech on Duty
Beauty & The Beast Live on Stage
Celebrity Spotlight
Citizens of Hollywood
Disney Junior Dance Party
Disney Movie Magic
Fantasmic!
Green Army Drum Corps
Green Army Patrol
Fireworks & Nighttime Spectaculars
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple
Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!
Meet the Incredibles at Pixar Place
Meet Disney Junior Pals in the Animation Courtyard
Meet Sully at Walt Disney Presents
Meet the Toys in Toy Story Land
Mickey and Minnie Starring in Red Carpet Dreams
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
Star Wars Launch Bay: Encounter Darth Vader
Star Wars Launch Bay: Meet Chewbacca
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Wonderful World of Animation
Donald's Dino-Bash!
Finding Nemo the Musical
Fireworks & Nighttime Spectaculars
Harambe Village Acrobats
Kora Tinga Tinga
Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost
Meet Pocahontas on Discovery Island Trails
Meet Russell and Dug at Discovery Island
Meet Timon and Rafiki at Discovery Island
Pandora Drummers - Swotu Waya
Pandora Rangers
Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe
Up! A Great Bird Adventure
Viva Gaia Street Band
Exposition Park
NBA Experience at Disney Springs
Paradiso 37 Entertainment
Stargazers Live Entertainment

Resort Offerings
✅
Arcades
✅ BoardWalk games

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
✅ Yehaa Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge

Disney's BoardWalk
✅ Atlantic Dance Hall
✅ Jelly Rolls

Disney's BoardWalk
ESPN Club, Live Radio Sports Show

Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Disney's Spirit of Aloha

Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Entertainment at Scat Cats Club

Dining Offerings
🕘 Removal of distancing (distancing being phased out; possibly gone entirely June 15)
❌ Tables in Wonderland
❌ Dining Plans
❌ Normal character dining
❌ In-person quick service restaurant orders (currently mobile only)
❌ Regular menus (currently family style at many restaurants)
❌ Buffets
❌ Physical menus

Restaurants
✅ BoardWalk Ice Cream (replaced Ample Hills Creamery)
✅ Tusker House
✅ Casey's Corner

✅ Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
✅ Ohana
1900 Park Fare
Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Belle Vue Lounge
Boatwright's Dining Hall
Boma - Flavors of Africa
Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar
Catalina Eddie's
Cheshire Café
Cítricos Lounge
Columbia Harbour House
Cool Ship
Delicious Disney: A Chef Series
The Diamond Horseshoe
Dine with an Animal Specialist
Disney Early Morning Magic - Fantasyland
Disney Early Morning Magic - Toy Story Land
Disney's Perfectly Princess Tea
Dockside Diner
Eight Spoon Café
End Zone Food Court
Epcot Forever Dining Package
ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill
Fantasmic! Dessert & VIP Viewing Experience
Fantasmic! Dining Package
Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing
Frozen Ever After Dessert Party at Epcot World Showcase
Funnel Cake Cart
Garden View Tea Room
Golden Oak Outpost
Grandstand Spirits
Happy Landings Ice Cream
Intermission Food Court
Jiko - The Cooking Place
Jiko - Wanyama Safari
Jiko Wine Tasting
Kat Saka's Kettle
Kona Island
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery
Let's Go Slurpin'
Magic Kingdom After-Fireworks Dessert Party
Neighborhood Bakery
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Pepe by José Andrés
Pizzafari Family-Style Dining
Prince Eric's Village Market
Restaurant Marrakesh
Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes -Temporarily Unavailable Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes -Temporarily Unavailable
Riverside Mill Food Court
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room Tea Experience
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Scat Cat's Club
The Smiling Crocodile
The Smokehouse at House of Blues
Spyglass Grill
Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party at Disney's Hollywood Studios
Tangierine Café
Taste of Magic Kingdom Park VIP Tour
The To-Go Cart
Toledo - Tapas, Steak & Seafood
Tortuga Tavern
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto
Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace
Trail's End Restaurant
Tune-In Lounge
The Turf Club Bar and Grill
Typhoon Tilly's
Victoria & Albert's Chef's Table Dinner
Victoria & Albert's Dinner Queen Victoria Room
Victoria & Albert's
Victoria Falls Lounge
Warung Outpost
Wonderland Tea Party at 1900 Park Fare
Yachtsman Steakhouse

Shops
✅ Removal of distancing
✅ Souvenir Home Delivery
❌ Souvenir Pick-Up
❌ Souvenir Resort Hotel Delivery
Agrabah Bazaar
Big Top Souvenirs
Briar Patch
Casey Jr. RailRoad Mercantile
Curtain Call Collectibles
Harmony Barber Shop
Main Street Chamber of Commerce - Package Pickup
Newsstand

Hotels
✅ Disney's BoardWalk Inn (July 2)
🕘 Room service (available at some resorts)
🕘 Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (July 19)
🕘 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Jambo House Villas (August 26)
🕘 Disney’s All-Star Music Resort (September 16)
🕘 Club Level, Grand Floridian (September 16)
🕘 Club Level, Contemporary (September 26)
🕘 Club Level, BoardWalk Inn (September 26)
🕘 Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside (October 14)
🕘 Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter (October 28)
🕘 Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort (December 9)
🕘 Club Level, Coronado Springs (December 16)
🕘 Club Level, Wilderness Lodge (December 16)
Is Park Pass the BS nonsense that you may have a hotel reservation but not be able to get into a specific park?
 

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
Is there anything with this to account for the reduced capacity of restaurants or does it simple look at a restaurant's status as open or closed?
 

Disone

Well-Known Member
The resorts I listed above are at full housekeeping. This has been confirmed by members of this forum currently staying on property.
Well that's going to lead to some disappointment because I know a housekeeping manager who works at Disney's boardwalk. I also know one who works at Disney's Polynesian resort. And they both just confirmed every other day service. Not daily.

The project is called housekeeping 3.0 ( pronounced three point oh) and it's providing housekeeping service every other day.

Also please refer to Disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-update/resorts/ for confirmation. But also know that my experience here is firsthand and not from the website.
 
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Disone

Well-Known Member
My understanding of what Disney said was every day trash and every other day cleaning. They might as well do trash daily while they’re doing the Post-Mandalay-Bay security checks.
Yes at a DVC resort your trash would be pulled daily, but your housekeeping service would still follow the every fourth day ( but could be either a full service or a trash and towel just depending on timing) contractual obligations. It would not be every day. But I suppose in that scenario there's some room to interpret that as daily housekeeping service, but it's not. It's a trash service daily and a some type of housekeeping service every fourth day.

At a regular Walt Disney world rooms, It's a full-service every other day. No trash is removed in between days.
 

Bullseye1967

Is that who I am?
Premium Member
Yes at a DVC resort your trash would be pulled daily, but your housekeeping service would still follow the every fourth day ( but could be either a full service or a trash and towel just depending on timing) contractual obligations. It would not be every day. But I suppose in that scenario there's some room to interpret that as daily housekeeping service, but it's not. It's a trash service daily and a some type of housekeeping service every fourth day.

At a regular Walt Disney world rooms, It's a full-service every other day. No trash is removed in between days.
Full housekeeping is now back at several more resorts.

 

Disone

Well-Known Member
Full housekeeping is now back at several more resorts.

Oh vey, these headlines are misleading. But I think I get what you're saying now.

Full service housekeeping has returned.

Daily service Housekeeping has not. Full service yes but only every other day. And so for me It is inaccurate to say this is the pre-pandemic housekeeping. It is not. Pre-pandemic housekeeping was daily and current housekeeping at most of the resorts is not

Only the Grand Floridian is currently offering a daily full housekeeping.
 
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dreday3

Well-Known Member
Oh vey, these headlines are misleading. But I think I get what you're saying now.

Full service housekeeping has returned.

Daily service Housekeeping has not. Full service yes but only every other day. And so for me It is inaccurate to say this is the pre-pandemic housekeeping. It is not. Pre-pandemic housekeeping was daily and current housekeeping at most of the resorts is not

Only the Grand Floridian is currently offering a daily full housekeeping.

Oh I get it. Full housekeeping as in all the cleaning, but only every other day.

Sneaky sneaky...
 

castlecake2.0

Well-Known Member
They are hosting another housekeeping job fair April 4th with $1000 hiring bonus and starting at $16 (possibly $17) hr. So it does look like they’re really trying to get back to normal l, even though a lot of chains have said they’re all but abandoning traditional housekeeping.
 

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
They are hosting another housekeeping job fair April 4th with $1000 hiring bonus and starting at $16 (possibly $17) hr. So it does look like they’re really trying to get back to normal l, even though a lot of chains have said they’re all but abandoning traditional housekeeping.
Meanwhile I don’t know if I should add daily housekeeping to the Deluxe Resorts as back in the Index. It’s confusing, trying to compare what’s back vs pre-pandemic Disney. Right now I only have Grand Flo as back.
 

Disone

Well-Known Member
Meanwhile I don’t know if I should add daily housekeeping to the Deluxe Resorts as back in the Index. It’s confusing, trying to compare what’s back vs pre-pandemic Disney. Right now I only have Grand Flo as back.
Accurate. Only Grand. But they are trying for the rest and have been for awhile now. I think it will come in due time.
 

James Alucobond

Well-Known Member
Yeah, I would leave the others as incomplete unless they announce traditional housekeeping is never returning, which doesn't seem to be their intent. I would imagine the entire monorail circuit at the very least will be completely back in short order.
 

castlecake2.0

Well-Known Member
Has anyone heard about the return of the Harmony Barber Shop?
Nothing yet, from what I remember the cast at the barber shop are classified cosmetologists, so I’m not sure of the operating structure there and if they come from the entertainment dept or the spa department, both of which are not fully back yet. Grand Floridian Spa recently reopened but still isnt offering full service yet so I think we have a while still.
 

mattpeto

Well-Known Member
Nothing yet, from what I remember the cast at the barber shop are classified cosmetologists, so I’m not sure of the operating structure there and if they come from the entertainment dept or the spa department, both of which are not fully back yet. Grand Floridian Spa recently reopened but still isnt offering full service yet so I think we have a while still.
We know that @lentesta is anxiously waiting for the Harmony Barber Shop to reopen. His haircut is probably the only way to get past Smursday.

I'm sure Disney wants to reopen Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique as their first-priority as cosmetologists, that's a revenue generation machine monster. Why are they waiting? My best guess is that's it the combination of numerous factors (staffing, merchandise, and still being guarded a bit with the pandemic because it's still a mess overseas).

I'm going with a summer prediction return for both of these those...
 

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