Walt Disney World Re-opens! What to Expect

We are just as excited as you are to hear that Walt Disney World is going to begin the phased re-opening of all four theme parks and Disney resorts next month. While other Orlando theme parks and attractions are opening earlier, it doesn't surprise us that it's taking Disney a little longer to implement enhanced health and safety measures to protect guests and cast members, and as you can imagine, this is an enormous undertaking.

​The "new normal" Disney experience will be different, we are sure of that. While some of these modifications are just temporary, others will become permanent. But Disney has never let us down before. "Change" is something Disney is very good at. When things change at Walt Disney World, they almost always change for the better. There's no telling when reservations will resume, if Disney will ever go back to the fastpass system we're used to, when parades, fireworks and entertainment will begin again, or even if dining plans will come back. But we're confident whatever Disney has in store for the future, it will be Magical!

Know before you go

The following information is taken directly from Disney's official re-opening announcement. As this information evolves and changes we will keep a current list of Disney policies and important vacation information on a dedicated page on this website called "Re-opening. Know before you go." There continues to be a lot of rumors and misinformation circulating through social media and various independent bloggers, but the information found on our link is coming straight from the source and will be updated in real-time with Disney's system.

Travel Information

Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations — Including Theme Parks and Water Parks
Following the recent reopening of Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, we’re pleased to share that more Disney magic is coming back. Walt Disney World Resort theme parks will begin a phased reopening on July 11.

Upon reopening, theme parks, Disney Resort hotels, restaurants, attractions, experiences and other offerings may be modified and will be limited in capacity and subject to limited availability or closure, based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing.

Attractions, experiences (such as shows, parades and fireworks), services and amenities may have limited availability or may remain closed. We will provide more information as it becomes available. We (Disney) reserve the right to cancel any reservations, admission media or purchases and provide applicable refunds.

We know many of you are excited to return to the magic and make new memories with your family, friends and loved ones. As a result of limited capacity, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages.

Unfortunately due to capacity reductions the following will be cancelled:

• Dining reservations
• Offerings and experience bookings such as behind-the-scenes tours
• Disney dining plans included in packages
• All FastPass+ selections

In addition, upon reopening,

• Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.
• Select third-party owned and operated restaurant reservations and experiences may not be cancelled.
• We will also shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
• We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen.

We understand how much excitement, thought and time goes into planning a Disney vacation and realize some of these changes may be disappointing. Please know we will be here to help you, as we remain focused on delivering a wonderful experience for everyone who visits.

Our focus remains on the health and safety of the entire Disney community—including the well-being of the Cast Members who are caring for and securing our parks and Resorts during the closure. We’re currently evaluating new and enhanced safety measures to help us all stay well.

Below, you’ll find information on impacts to current and upcoming plans. 
We appreciate your patience and understanding.

COVID-19 Warning
We have taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other Guests, and Cast Members. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(note: link goes to a website that has different terms than this website), senior citizens and Guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.

By visiting Walt Disney World Resort you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Help keep each other healthy.

Need to Adjust Your Travel Plans?
Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resort hotels are currently closed.
Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with usage window impacted by park closure, or date-specific theme park tickets purchased through June 6, 2020 with a valid use period beginning March 12, 2020 or later, will automatically be extended to use any date through September 26, 2021. If you are unable to visit by September 26, 2021, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.
To provide additional flexibility, we are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through the closure period.
For more information, please contact your travel professional.

Operational Updates

Theme Parks & Water Parks
Magic Kingdom park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park will begin a phased reopening on July 11—with Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopening on July 15.
When the theme parks reopen, attendance will be limited in alignment with CDC guidance on physical distancing. Some experiences that draw large group gatherings—such as parades and nighttime spectaculars—will return at a later date. In addition, “high-touch” experiences such as makeover opportunities, playgrounds and Character Greetings will remain temporarily unavailable, but Characters will still be in our parks to entertain and delight you during your visit.
Additionally, park attendance will be managed through a new theme park reservation system. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required.

Resorts
Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to Members and Guests on June 22.
Disney Vacation Club properties in Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head, South Carolina will open to Members and Guests on June 15.

Existing dining reservations, experience bookings, Disney dining plans and FastPass+ selections will be cancelled. In addition, upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

Plans to support required physical distancing as well as enhanced cleaning measures, along with a number of other safety and cleanliness protocols, will be implemented as part of this planned phased reopening.

Modifications, Cancellations and Refunds

Tickets
When the parks reopen, park attendance will be managed through a new park reservation system. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required. More details about this new reservation system will be available soon.

Existing dining reservations, experience bookings, Disney dining plans and FastPass+ selections will be cancelled. In addition, upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales so we can focus on Guests with existing tickets. Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make reservation requests in phases before new tickets are sold; we’ll be reaching out to these Guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new ticket sales after that period of time.

Partially used multi-day theme park tickets with usage window impacted by park closure, or date-specific theme park tickets purchased through June 6, 2020 with a valid use period beginning March 12, 2020 or later, will automatically be extended to use any date through September 26, 2021. If you are unable to visit by September 26, 2021, 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 September 30, 2020.

Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours, Disney Early Morning Magic and Disney H2O Glow Nights from March 16, 2020 through the end of the actual closure period will be automatically refunded.

For ticket orders, express shipping and standard shipping will be delayed due to the closure.

Disney Resort Rooms and Packages
At this time, we are temporarily pausing Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on Guests with existing reservations (Disney Vacation Club Members can still make new reservations). We will resume new hotel reservations after that period of time.

To provide additional flexibility, we are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through October 3, 2020.

To find out what’s happening at Disney Resort hotels – including updates to Resort activities, recreation, rentals and pool cabanas – please contact your travel professional.

Dining & Other Experiences
At this time, dining and other experience reservations at Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Resorts hotel locations are not available. Select Disney Springs locations are open for booking at this time. Reservations will resume at a later date.

Existing dining reservations and experience bookings will be cancelled. We have also made the difficult decision to cancel and temporarily no longer offer Disney dining plans. We will update your reservation to reflect the removal of the dining plan from your package. The package price will be adjusted accordingly. You will receive a refund if you have already paid in full or a reduction in amount due if you have not yet made final payment.

Select third party owned and operated restaurant reservations and experiences may not be cancelled.

Important Update to Booking Window
As reservations resume, Guests will be able to make dining and experience reservations up to 60 days in advance to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.

All pre-paid dining and experience reservations impacted by the closure will be automatically refunded.
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.

Groups
If you’re coming to Walt Disney World Resort as part of a meeting, convention, youth program, wedding or other group or celebration, and you have questions about your plans during the closure period, please consult with the organizer of your group or event.

FastPass+
​As a result of the COVID-19 impact, the FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. We will automatically cancel existing FastPass+ selections and share any future updates on the service at a later date. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

View current Disney Visitor Information

Contact a
​Travel Professional