News Walt Disney World's COVID-19 reopening plans announced - July 11

[Javier Antonio Nisa Avila]

@LuvtheGoof @donsullivan Thanks for your explanation. Now I understand many more things. I am a consultant lawyer in technological solutions for companies and now many things fit me. I understand that if there is a new computerized reservation and control system under development, it will accelerate its start-up. However, they could explain something else and take users as a beta tester. The truth would be incredible to participate in something like that, I appreciate the explanation.

I only have one doubt, park hopper continues existing or will be disappear?

Thanks and sorry for my point of view, It was not meant to be negative.

 

[Gravydeen]

I'm not sure what we really know about the reservation system and what is speculation at this point. So as far as we know the new reservation system has not started yet for anyone right? I assume they are still working on creating it or they maybe have other issues they have to resolve before they open it up. For those of us that are already inside the 60 day window do we expect the reservation system will suddenly open with no warning or do we think we will be given a heads up prior to? I also guess there will be certain people that have access to the system before others. There are also those that will not be given access at all. It would be nice for someone to summarize what we do know versus what is speculation.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

@LuvtheGoof @donsullivan Thanks for your explanation. Now I understand many more things. I am a consultant lawyer in technological solutions for companies and now many things fit me. I understand that if there is a new computerized reservation and control system under development, it will accelerate its start-up. However, they could explain something else and take users as a beta tester. The truth would be incredible to participate in something like that, I appreciate the explanation.

I only have one doubt, park hopper continues existing or will be disappear?

Thanks and sorry for my point of view, It was not meant to be negative.

I don't think they will be able to allow someone to park hop whenever they feel like it during the park reservation period. More likely, you would have to have a separate reservation, and their system might prevent anyone from reserving 2 parks on the same day, unless they allow you to select an arrival time. We won't know how robust the system is for that until they actually role it out. My feeling is that, during the park reservation period, park hopping will not be allowed. Being AP holders, we park hop every single day of our vacation, but if they restrict it, oh well, we'll adapt and move on. Being DVC, we've done multiple resort only trips, and have no problem with skipping the parks totally on a particular visit. There is simply so much to do besides the parks that can easily fill a week long trip. I know that lots of people only care about visiting the parks during their trip, but maybe some will start looking at everything else that is offered, and find plenty to keep them busy on a non-park day.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm not sure what we really know about the reservation system and what is speculation at this point. So as far as we know the new reservation system has not started yet for anyone right? I assume they are still working on creating it or they maybe have other issues they have to resolve before they open it up. For those of us that are already inside the 60 day window do we expect the reservation system will suddenly open with no warning or do we think we will be given a heads up prior to? I also guess there will be certain people that have access to the system before others. There are also those that will not be given access at all. It would be nice for someone to summarize what we do know versus what is speculation.

This is the official e-mail:

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, lwe will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry. However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new system as well as the process of making new dining and experience reservations. If you have previously booked experiences, you’ll also be provided with first access to make new reservations.

We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.

So what we know for sure is there is a new reservation system. All existing ADRs and FP reservations are wiped. EMHs and FP+ will not be returning at all right now. Disney Dining plan will not be returning at all right now. Guests with a resort room and park tickets will be given the opportunity to use the new reservation system before new tickets are sold and they will be directly contacted with instructions on what to do so it won’t just start without people knowing. We have no firm info on when the park reservations will become available, how far in advance and for who. That’s all up in the air. Right now they are still in the process of wiping old ADRs and FPs from the old system.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I'm not sure what we really know about the reservation system and what is speculation at this point. So as far as we know the new reservation system has not started yet for anyone right? I assume they are still working on creating it or they maybe have other issues they have to resolve before they open it up. For those of us that are already inside the 60 day window do we expect the reservation system will suddenly open with no warning or do we think we will be given a heads up prior to? I also guess there will be certain people that have access to the system before others. There are also those that will not be given access at all. It would be nice for someone to summarize what we do know versus what is speculation.

They've already said that people with existing Disney resort reservations will get first crack, and that more information is forthcoming. People without reservations will not have access to the new system until they open the resort reservation and ticket sales to everyone. While they have not specifically mentioned it, that I can find, no off-site hotel reservations will have access either - only on-site hotels. They also haven't really mentioned the hotels near Disney Springs as having access either, but that may be worked out with them in the near future. They've told the AP holders that reservations, at first, will be hard to come by. That is one of the reasons why they are doing AP previews, though that only helps the locals, and not those of use that don't live there.
I would imagine an email will be sent at least a day or two before it goes live, so that people can prepare to start clicking. People will have to be patient, and understand that for the next few months, you simply may not get everything you want on the day you want it, and there will be little chance to change things on the fly or with short notice.

 

[AugieMorosco]

This is the official e-mail:

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, lwe will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry. However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new system as well as the process of making new dining and experience reservations. If you have previously booked experiences, you’ll also be provided with first access to make new reservations.

We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.

So what we know for sure is there is a new reservation system. All existing ADRs and FP reservations are wiped. EMHs and FP+ will not be returning at all right now. Disney Dining plan will not be returning at all right now. Guests with a resort room and park tickets will be given the opportunity to use the new reservation system before new tickets are sold and they will be directly contacted with instructions on what to do so it won’t just start without people knowing. We have no firm info on when the park reservations will become available, how far in advance and for who. That’s all up in the air. Right now they are still in the process of wiping old ADRs and FPs from the old system.

I just received an email notifying me of my Topolinos cancelation. Odd that I had 12 dining reservations canceled but got an email about this one specifically.

 

[Gravydeen]

They've already said that people with existing Disney resort reservations will get first crack, and that more information is forthcoming. People without reservations will not have access to the new system until they open the resort reservation and ticket sales to everyone. While they have not specifically mentioned it, that I can find, no off-site hotel reservations will have access either - only on-site hotels. They also haven't really mentioned the hotels near Disney Springs as having access either, but that may be worked out with them in the near future. They've told the AP holders that reservations, at first, will be hard to come by. That is one of the reasons why they are doing AP previews, though that only helps the locals, and not those of use that don't live there.
I would imagine an email will be sent at least a day or two before it goes live, so that people can prepare to start clicking. People will have to be patient, and understand that for the next few months, you simply may not get everything you want on the day you want it, and there will be little chance to change things on the fly or with short notice.

I wonder at what point we will know all of the changes. Our existing resort package is for the first week things are reopened. Surely prior to then Disney will announce what experiences will be closed and what will be opened before walking in the gates. There is no good reason to keep that a secret for too much longer. We are due to pay in full for our package in another week and a half. I would like to know a lot more before doing that. I don't want to pay any more before I even know if I can make reservations for the parks. Is that too much to ask? My gut tells me we may know a lot more sometime this week.

 

[CastAStone]

This is the official e-mail:

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, lwe will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any dining reservations, experience reservations and FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry. However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There’s nothing you need to do at this time. We’ll be contacting you soon with details on this new system as well as the process of making new dining and experience reservations. If you have previously booked experiences, you’ll also be provided with first access to make new reservations.

We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time.

So what we know for sure is there is a new reservation system. All existing ADRs and FP reservations are wiped. EMHs and FP+ will not be returning at all right now. Disney Dining plan will not be returning at all right now. Guests with a resort room and park tickets will be given the opportunity to use the new reservation system before new tickets are sold and they will be directly contacted with instructions on what to do so it won’t just start without people knowing. We have no firm info on when the park reservations will become available, how far in advance and for who. That’s all up in the air. Right now they are still in the process of wiping old ADRs and FPs from the old system.

FWIW this is the email I got as a guest with a reservation and no tickets. Notice the differences, which I've underlined.

An Important Walt Disney World Update ‌ ​

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new measures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. ‌ To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Theme Park and Disney Resort hotel experiences, including the temporary suspension of Extra Magic Hours. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Unfortunately, these new measures have also required us to cancel any dining and experience reservations you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry. We’ll be contacting you shortly regarding our new dining and experience reservation window which will accommodate selections up to 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit. ‌ At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time. ​

 

[pdude81]

I just received an email notifying me of my Topolinos cancelation. Odd that I had 12 dining reservations canceled but got an email about this one specifically.

Same here. Only ones I got a specific email about were Topolino reservations.

 

[Mainahman]

We just got a push notification in MDE app explaining the cancellations further. All of mine but our Yak and Yeti are gone. They are 3rd party, and if that stays my wife will be beyond happy. Its her favorite.

 

[Rider]

That's really the only new detail it contains.

"Select third party dining reservations and experiences may not be cancelled. "

 

[durangojim]

I got an email for every one of my ADRs over the last 30 minutes. V&As, brunch at California Grill, Topolino's, gone, all gone!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

This might be old news at this point but I confirmed with some friends "on the ground" in Orlando that mask coverings are not required if you have a beverage. What they're seeing at Disney Springs is people buying a drink at Starbucks and then carrying it around with them as a prop but never actually drinking it so they don't have to put their masks on.

 

[peter11435]

This might be old news at this point but I confirmed with some friends "on the ground" in Orlando that mask coverings are not required if you have a beverage. What they're seeing at Disney Springs is people buying a drink at Starbucks and then carrying it around with them as a prop but never actually drinking it so they don't have to put their masks on.

Mask coverings are required at all times expect when eating or drinking.

Having spent several hours on two occasions at Disney Springs since the reopening, I can say that I saw very few people not properly wearing masks. A few people with their nose exposed and a single couple with their masks pulled down to their chins. The only people I observed with masks off were those actively dining and those walking with beverages lowered them to drink and then covered themselves again. As with anything if you’re looking for abuse you will probably find some, but it is definitely the exception and not the rule.

 

[Lilofan]

This might be old news at this point but I confirmed with some friends "on the ground" in Orlando that mask coverings are not required if you have a beverage. What they're seeing at Disney Springs is people buying a drink at Starbucks and then carrying it around with them as a prop but never actually drinking it so they don't have to put their masks on.

I would be curious if there are more dogs that are in the park to help guests with their "anxiety".

 

[mhaftman7]

These are the same people that stand in the guest services line for hours ********, instead of enjoying the vacation with their families over $19.87 in “displeasure.”

I’d love a thread just to read/write about these.

 

[BlackCauldron]

We just got a push notification in MDE app explaining the cancellations further. All of mine but our Yak and Yeti are gone. They are 3rd party, and if that stays my wife will be beyond happy. Its her favorite.

Same here. All my dining was wiped, except for Yak and Yeti. But I specifically received an email regarding the cancellation of my Homecomin' rezzie - not the others. What's even stranger is that my Yak and Yeti rezzie is for 6:30 PM - which is now 30 minutes after AK is supposed to close.

 

[Di$neyCPA]

Any insiders have insight on when park reservation system will go live? @WDW Pro @marni1971 @Magic Feather

 

[CastAStone]

Any insiders have insight on when park reservation system will go live? @WDW Pro @marni1971 @Magic Feather

I’m not an insider but my understanding from a friend of a friend (so take it for what it’s worth) is “once it’s working the way we need it to”

 

[GoofGoof]

This might be old news at this point but I confirmed with some friends "on the ground" in Orlando that mask coverings are not required if you have a beverage. What they're seeing at Disney Springs is people buying a drink at Starbucks and then carrying it around with them as a prop but never actually drinking it so they don't have to put their masks on.

This is not true. In the Disney Springs opening information they clearly stated that if you had a beverage or snack and were walking around you could pull your mask down while biting the food or sipping the drink but it had to be immediately replaced. You cannot just walk around all day with a drink cup and no mask. The reports that I have seen from DS all said that masks were being enforced. If that type of behavior starts up Disney could very easily change the rule to no walking around with food or even delay the park opening. I have no desire to be in a theme park with a mask on, but that’s the rule so if you want to go you have to follow it. Advocating people attempting to skirt the rules is just going to ruin this for the people who want to go and are willing to follow the rules.