Disney announces changes to how you visit a Disney World hotel/resort

When Walt Disney World reopens its resorts starting on June 22 with its Disney Vacation Club properties, Disney will be instituting new procedures and changing a few of its policies and implementing new health and safety measures.

These changes are taking place as Disney prepares to reopen after closing in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme parks reopen July 11.

Some of the big changes include that if you are a day guest to the resort, you will need a dining reservation to enter, pools will operate with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing and you will be able to chat virtually with resort cast members instead of visiting the front desk.

Here’s what you need to know:

Before visiting the hotel/resort

• Disney asks that you review any advisories or restrictions that may be in place for travel to Florida. Visit https://floridahealthcovid19.gov/travelers/ for information. Guests who are under isolation or quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.
• You will need a confirmed room reservation for your stay. Be sure to link your reservation to your Disney account to receive important information prior to your arrival—visit My Plans to get started.
• You will need a confirmed dining reservation if you’re a day Guest (and not staying overnight).
• Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining.
• Planning to visit a theme park during your stay? Select Walt Disney World theme parks will begin to reopen on July 11. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access)
• Disney recommends downloading the latest version of the My Disney Experience app on your mobile device, with location services and notifications enabled
• Disney recommends setting up cashless or contactless forms of payment, including MagicBands, which Disney Resort hotel Guests can use to charge purchases to their Disney Resort hotel folio.

Wellness Screening

Persons experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with someone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 symptoms without completing a 14-day quarantine, or are under quarantine orders must not enter Walt Disney World Resort.

Walt Disney World Resort Guests may be subject to additional screenings. Before you leave home, please check the temperatures of everyone in your party—including yourself—as an extra layer of precaution.

Check In Online

To aid in physical distancing efforts, Disney strongly recommends that you use Online Check-In Service in advance—online or with the My Disney Experience app.

When your room is ready, you’ll get a room-ready notification. Then, you can use either a MagicBand or the My Disney Experience app digital key feature to enter your room!

If you don’t receive your MagicBand(s) prior to your vacation, simply use the My Disney Experience app as a digital key to enter your room. At your convenience, you can visit the Front Desk to pick up your MagicBand(s).Automatic Checkout

On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room—so you don’t have to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).Virtual Chat With a Resort Cast Member

Beginning June 22, you can chat with a Resort Cast Member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during your stay. This new feature will offer convenient support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the Lobby or stand in line.

Cleaning in common areas

Disney has increased cleaning in high-traffic areas such as public elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms and other locations.

Housekeeping 

Each room will undergo a thorough cleaning with attention to:

• High-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles
• Housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms
• Floors, which will be steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests

Inside the room, there will be:

• Extra linens and towels wrapped in single-use packaging
• Individually wrapped glassware
• Double-cased pillows
• Additional items that have been cleaned and wrapped in single-use packaging

A light cleaning service will take place every other day and will include:

• 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
• Vacuuming if needed

You can also decline every-other-day service.

Note that

• 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.
• We reserve the right to enter any room at a Disney Resort hotel for maintenance, safety, security or any other purpose, even if the Room Occupied sign is displayed on the room door.

Resort Services

Some Disney Resort hotel services will be modified or unavailable during the initial reopening period, based on physical distancing and health guidelines.

Changes include:

• Bell Services will deliver luggage to rooms, but will not escort Guests
• Club-level service will be temporarily unavailable
• Deliveries will only be made to occupied rooms
• In-room celebrations will not be available
• Dry-cleaning and valet laundry services will be temporarily unavailable; self-service laundry will remain available
• Shipping services will be temporarily unavailable
• Resort airline check-in service may be temporarily unavailable

Resort Amenities & Recreation

Amenities and recreation will be modified based on physical distancing and health guidelines.

Dining Experiences 

Select dining locations will be available at Disney Resort hotels. (See complete list here.)

Pools

• 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
• Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels
• Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts will not be available during the initial reopening period; Guests of this Disney Resort hotel may enjoy the leisure pool at Disney’s Beach Club Villas

Fitness Centers & Sports Courts

• Fitness centers will open in alignment with state and county regulations, and may have reduced hours
• Fitness centers may have reduced hours and capacity
• Instructor-led fitness classes will not be available
• Fitness and sports courts will be open, and Guests must maintain physical distancing

Available Recreation 

Activities and schedules will vary. The schedule of activities for your Disney Resort hotel will be shared during your stay.

Merchandise Locations 

In merchandise locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort, Guests will continue to discover favorite Disney items, with some modifications to the shopping experience that will help us manage capacity and foster physical distancing.

• New Product Launches: New collection product launches and limited-edition merchandise will not be available for in-person purchases at Walt Disney World Resort until further notice. As always, Guests can find these items on shopDisney, subject to availability.
• Pin Trading: We will continue to offer Guests the opportunity to pin trade with Cast Members through the use of pin boards in select locations. Cast pin trading with lanyards will not be available at this time to maintain physical distancing.
• Delivery Option: Package delivery to the front of our theme parks or to Disney Resort hotels will be suspended. However, shipping merchandise to Guests’ homes continues to be available.
• Dressing Rooms: For the time being, dressing rooms will not be available.
• Returns: In-person returns will be available upon the reopening of our merchandise locations.

Temporary Unavailable 

The following amenities and experiences will not be available during the initial reopening period:

• Arcades
• Campfires
• Dog parks
• Electrical Water Pageant
• Marina rentals
• Pin trading
• Playgrounds
• Spas, salons and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Additionally, the following special offerings and childcare services will not be available during the initial reopening:

• 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

Automatic Checkout

On your scheduled checkout day, you’ll be automatically checked out of your room—so you don’t have to visit the Front Desk (unless you have unresolved charges to your Disney Resort hotel folio).

Virtual Chat With a Resort Cast Member

Beginning June 22, you can chat with a Resort Cast Member via the My Disney Experience app for assistance during your stay. This new feature will offer convenient support nearly anytime—so there’s no need to visit the Lobby or stand in line.