WDW COVID-19 Operational Changes- Reservation System-Rope Drop Procedures

[Bryant2108]

I was considering booking a backup, in case our mid April trip is off. However, we won’t be passholders during our backup window (unless the dates are extended). Should we just grab a booking for dates that work for us, pay the deposit, and figure out the other stuff later?

 

[cakebaker]

I was considering booking a backup, in case our mid April trip is off. However, we won’t be passholders during our backup window (unless the dates are extended). Should we just grab a booking for dates that work for us, pay the deposit, and figure out the other stuff later?

That’s what I’d do. It only costs you the deposit and if you decide to cancel you get it back. We do it all the time.

 

[kylenne]

it’s most likely a glitch. I just checked and was able to see availability for several dates.

It was a glitch. A few minutes ago i wasn’t able to modify or cancel anything on MDE or the website, it kept directing me to call. Now I can.

 

[ratfam]

I have a late May reservation made with DVC points. My FP window opens up soon, and I still need to buy tickets. My thought is that, as of right now, all lights are still "green" and I should proceed with my ticket-buying and FP+ reservations as originally planned. Any contrary schools of thought?

Sorry if this is addressed earlier; I just don't have time to read through 51 pages of posts.

Hi I was in your identical situation last Monday with my FP window opening Tuesday for a DVC trip earlier in May for 5 Disney adults. After confirming that if my tickets were unused their full value could be applied to ticket purchases at any time in the future I decided to go ahead. Since then all schools and universities in my state has closed and my work has moved to remote for all possible employees; not sure if I would make the same decision today. As we get closer to our 30 day point I will check with DVC if they will be allowing any additional flexibility to avoid our points going into holding for cancellations after the 31 day mark and then we will make our final decision. If DVC allows flexibility then we will wait and hope the trip can continue, otherwise unless the situation has dramatically improved in the next few weeks we would probably cancel the reservation. That's just our plan, definitely no easy answers here...

 

[ErinsMommy]

Will Disney automatically load the extended time period to annual pass holders accounts or well have to call for that?

 

[rteetz]

 

[dagored]

Will Disney automatically load the extended time period to annual pass holders accounts or well have to call for that?

I received an email stating they would add the days. I think we need to wait and see how long they will be closed before that happens.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Disney’s information update page, which is also on Post 1 of this thread, states:


When will my new usage dates appear in My Disney Experience?
Over the coming weeks, your Annual Pass details in My Disney Experience will be updated to reflect new pass usage information.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

BTW, Disney has changed the layout of their update page: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/travel-information/

There is quite a bit of additional information added - working to update it now.

 

[dachsie]

One thing in that guideline about dining reservations is if you have one outside the parks, it doesn't sound like those will be automatically cancelled, i.e. if you have one a Jiko, you better cancel it yourself if not going

 

[GADisneyDad14]

This is lengthy, but cutting/pasting from the current park update so we have a snapshot of the info right now. Nothing particularly new from a theme parks front but additional information about resort/transportation opertations.

Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations (from WDW's Website as of 3/15/2020, 6PM). Source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/travel-information/
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.

The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.

Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice. Disney Springs will also remain open.

We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.

Below, you’ll find information on impacts to current and incoming plans. Please continue to check this page for additional updates. If needed, many reservations can be modified online via My Plans on Disneyworld.com. We appreciate your patience and consideration during this unprecedented time.


Theme Parks & Water Parks
In an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks and water parks, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.


Resorts
Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice.

Disney’s Magical Express will continue transfers to and from Orlando International Airport.

Food & beverage locations at Disney Resort hotels will remain operating as normal.

Character dining and dinner shows at Disney Resort hotel locations may have modified experiences and Characters present from March 16 through March 31.

Effective March 15, pools at all Disney Resort hotels will be open from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM.

Effective March 16, the Electrical Water Pageant around Magic Kingdom area Disney Resort hotels will be temporarily cancelled.

The following Disney Resort hotel offerings will temporarily stop offering services effective March 16:

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• All Spa and Salon locations
• Character Couture services at Salon locations

Disney Springs
Disney Springs will remain open until further notice, with merchandise, dining and other locations operating, with the following exceptions:

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Disney Springs, temporarily closing effective March 16 through March 31.
• Specific locations and operating hours are subject to change.
• Character appearances, interactions and entertainment at Disney Springs are also subject to change.

Transportation
At this time, Walt Disney World Resort transportation (including bus, monorail, boat and Disney Skyliner) continues to operate as normal.

Disney’s Magical Express will continue transfers to and from Orlando International Airport.

Beginning March 16, transportation will operate in select areas at Walt Disney World Resort during the parks closure:

• Disney buses will operate between Disney Resort hotels and the Disney Springs area.
• Disney buses will operate between select Disney Resort hotels as needed.
• The Magic Kingdom Resort area monorail line will operate as needed for travel between Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort only.
• Disney Minnie Van™ Service will only be available for existing reservations to and from Orlando International Airport made prior to March 16.

The following transportation offerings will be temporarily closed beginning March 16:

• Disney Skyliner service
• All watercraft transportation options

Other Experiences
ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and miniature golf locations at Walt Disney World Resort will close beginning March 16, through the end of the month.

We will automatically cancel and refund experiences occurring near or adjacent to the theme parks, including fireworks cruises and special dining events, that will not take place during the parks closure. Most Guests with impacted reservations will be notified directly.

The following experiences will be temporarily cancelled effective March 16:

• All fireworks cruises
• Highway in the Sky Dine Around
• Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage
• Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise
• Celebration at the Top - Savor, Sip, and Sparkle
• Day Cruise Around the World
• Disney Vacation Club Seven Seas Tasting Cruise
• Grand 1 Yacht Rentals

Golf and FootGolf operations remain available on their regular schedule.


MODIFICATIONS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Tickets
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a valid use period during the period March 12, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15, 2020, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.

Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.

Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will be automatically refunded.


Resort Rooms and Packages
Guests who have not checked in for stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 may modify or cancel their Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to their original check-in date. If no action is taken and Guests have not checked in, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within 7 days of the original check-in date. If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your travel professional.

We will waive all Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020.

Note: Refunded amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages will be less cancellation fees imposed by 3rd-party suppliers, including airlines, rentals cars and 3rd-party hotels, as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans.

Annual Passes
All active Walt Disney World Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. Annual Passes with renewal windows ending during the closure will also receive an extension of time to renew.

For Passholders participating in the Annual Pass Monthly Payment program, your monthly payments will continue as scheduled.

Over the coming weeks, Annual Pass details in My Disney Experience will be updated to reflect new pass usage information.

Pass blockout and admission calendars will not be updated during the closure period. Please visit this page for the most updated details.


Dining & Other Experiences
All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the park closure will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.

Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.

Character dining and dinner shows at Disney Resort hotel locations may have modified experiences and Characters present from March 16 through March 31.

All active Tables in Wonderland members will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed.


FastPass+
All FastPass+ reservations scheduled for March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 when parks are closed will be automatically cancelled.

 

[squirk]

Hi I was in your identical situation last Monday with my FP window opening Tuesday for a DVC trip earlier in May for 5 Disney adults. After confirming that if my tickets were unused their full value could be applied to ticket purchases at any time in the future I decided to go ahead. Since then all schools and universities in my state has closed and my work has moved to remote for all possible employees; not sure if I would make the same decision today. As we get closer to our 30 day point I will check with DVC if they will be allowing any additional flexibility to avoid our points going into holding for cancellations after the 31 day mark and then we will make our final decision. If DVC allows flexibility then we will wait and hope the trip can continue, otherwise unless the situation has dramatically improved in the next few weeks we would probably cancel the reservation. That's just our plan, definitely no easy answers here...

Thanks for the reply. As far as I am concerned at the moment, my trip is still on.

I fully recognize (and fully expect) that the reopening date may be pushed back past 4/1; I just don't expect it to be pushed back until the end of May.

And even if that did happen, I am confident that WDW and DVC would still be making people whole, as they are today.

 

[andyman8]

View attachment 481135

This is the statement they should’ve put out yesterday. Yesterday’s letter reads like a business statement/notice; this reads like you’re talking to passionate young people who are away from home, nervous, and potentially scared.

 

[cgattis]

When all is said and done disney will have lost billions most likely. Just like after 9/11 cuts will be made. This is only the beginning. I expect projects not already underway to be delayed or scrapped. More entertainment likely to be cut as well. This is not going to be a fun time for anyone.

Oh man, I hadn’t even thought of this. We’ve been planning for summer 2021 to catch Tron and Guardians......I’m betting Guardians takes a hit

 

[Thecouch]

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/index.html

 

[rteetz]

Oh man, I hadn’t even thought of this. We’ve been planning for summer 2021 to catch Tron and Guardians......I’m betting Guardians takes a hit

No I think things like Tron and Guardians will be okay because they are well underway. Its things like the SSE update, Mary Poppins, 50th anniversary things that will get hit.

 

[icc2515]

cnbc is reporting that the CDC has revised it's guidelines for mass gatherings of 50 or more people to be cancelled for the next 8 weeks. Includes sporting event, parades, conferences, weddings, well pretty much self explanatory if it's over 50 people in one place and they are not 6 feet apart then CDC recommends cancelling. They say it does not apply to businesses, but what business wants to be the one that got a mass group of people sick.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/cdc...e-for-the-next-eight-weeks-throughout-us.html

 

[rpb718]

cnbc is reporting that the CDC has revised it's guidelines for mass gatherings of 50 or more people to be cancelled for the next 8 weeks. Includes sporting event, parades, conferences, weddings, well pretty much self explanatory if it's over 50 people in one place and they are not 6 feet apart then CDC recommends cancelling. They say it does not apply to businesses, but what business wants to be the one that got a mass group of people sick.

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/16/cdc...e-for-the-next-eight-weeks-throughout-us.html

That'll put us at May 10 or 11th.

 

[figmentfinesse]

That'll put us at May 10 or 11th.

My sister goes May 14th. I am praying for her and I’m not even religious.

 

[rpb718]

My sister goes May 14th. I am praying for her and I’m not even religious.

So am I - on both counts.

I just got through looking at someone's brand new post to rate their plans, and their dates are May 3-9. I just don't have it in me to post anything in their thread because it's not definite and I truly hate to squash someone's happy little post. Should WDW choose to follow the CDC guidelines, I'm sure they will make it known in time. After all that's happened today - my heart is heavy and I just don't have any magic left to give.