Disney World Shares New Reopening Details, Including Transportation

On June 6, Walt Disney World released more details about the phased reopening that begins on July 11, including updates on hotels, dining, and transportation.

There are, of course, a lot of changes that guests will need to digest prior to visiting the most magical place on earth. It’s going to be a very different experience than we once knew, and understandably so.

Even though we still don’t know exactly how the park reservation system will work (yes, you need both valid theme park admission and a park reservation to access parks), here’s the latest information we do know.

In this article

Dining

Face masks required for ages 2+ when entering/exiting dining locations
Reservations required for eating in resort restaurants if not staying there (highly recommended for guests staying there as well)
Suggested that you have contactless form of payment setup (such as Apple Pay)
In-park dining will require park admission, park reservation, and dining reservation
Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park
Restaurants not accepting reservations right now except for select dining locations at Disney Springs
At quick-service restaurants, menus will be displayed on signs. And at table-service restaurants, you can scan a code with your mobile device to access the digital menu.
Beverages and other items that were previously self-serve will be served by Cast Members
Character Dining not be offered during the initial reopening, with the exception of a modified Character Dining experience at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
Dinner shows not be offered during the initial reopening
Dining locations will be limited in capacity. Some locations will remain temporarily closed.
Private dining and in-room delivery will not be offered during the initial reopening window.
Mobile order service will be offered at select quick-service dining locations throughout the parks (when open), Disney Springs, and select hotels
All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded

Transportation

Magical Express will be available
Buses to/from resorts and parks will be available as usual but with reduced capacity
Minnie Van service will not be available
Self-parking will be available
Valet service is temporarily unavailable except for guests with disabilities who may require parking assistance

Hotels

Club level temporarily unavailable
Deliveries only made to occupied rooms
In-room celebrations unavailable
Resort airline check-in “may be temporarily unavailable” Disney says
Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access (must use the new reservation system they’re putting in place)
There will be automatic check-out now (do not have to visit Front Desk, unless you have unresolved charges)

On June 22, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen. The Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts that are reopening include:

Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

It’s still unclear which other resorts will be open when the parks begin to reopen on July 11.

Housekeeping

High-traffic areas like public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and more will be cleaned more frequently
Hotel rooms will be thoroughly cleaned, including high-touch areas (TV remotes and door handles)
Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
Floors will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between guests
Items like glassware will be individually wrapped
Your room will receive a light cleaning service every other day, which includes: removal of trash and used towels, replenishment of towels and amenities throughout the room and bathroom, wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces, and vacuuming if needed
You can decline every-other-day service (if there is more than one room on your reservation and you choose to decline service, your selection will apply to all rooms on the reservation)
Disney Vacation Club Members using their membership to stay will receive service on the 4th and 8th days, unless they decline the service

Extras

Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools will be open 24 hours a day
Pools will operate with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing
New collection product launches and limited-edition merchandise will not be available for in-person purchases
Pin trading will continue at select locations via pin boards, but pin trading with lanyards will be temporarily suspended
Package deliveries to the front of theme parks or to hotels will be suspended. You can still ship items home
Dressing rooms will not be available
In-person returns will be available upon the reopening of merchandise locations

Amenities & Experiences

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
Pin trading
Playgrounds
Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

These special offerings and childcare services won’t be available as well:

Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises, including the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage
Fun runs
Wonderland Tea Party at Park Fare
Hula lessons
In-room childcare services
Mermaid school
Special classes and programs, including culinary, cultural and animal programs

Important Travel Information

It’s also important to note that before traveling to Florida, there are certain advisories and restrictions that may apply to you. You can visit the official Florida travel restrictions website for all the details, but note the following:

Gov. Ron DeSantis has directed all individuals entering the state of Florida from the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into Florida or the duration of the individual’s presence in Florida, whichever is shorter.

Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Disney World. This also goes for anyone experiencing symptoms, if you’ve been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected symptoms, or are under quarantine orders.
Guests are also encouraged to check temperatures before leaving home as an extra layer of precaution

We know this a lot and overwhelming. To help you keep track of ALL the reopening details, be sure to check out our Disney World reopening guide that we’re constantly updating.

Disney World Shares New Reopening Details, Including Transportation Updates