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5 Things You Need To Know If You’re Planning to Go To Disney World the Day it Reopens

With the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland and Disney Springs behind us, and Disney World’s proposed July 11th reopening awaiting approval, we’ve got our minds set on reopening day for Disney World.

Walt Disney World

Still, as we’ve seen in Shanghai, things might be pretty different when we get back into the parks. The past few weeks have shed some serious light on what the domestic parks may look like thanks to observations in China, comments from Disney executives, and the proposed reopening plan for Disney World.

If you want to head to Disney World on reopening day, you’ll want to keep these things in mind.

1. Before you go, consider what travel will look like.

First off, be aware that your travel plans might look a little different — particularly if you’re flying. Though some states have suggestions not to travel, you shouldn’t have as much to worry about if you’re driving to Disney World (but always check on the current policies for your home state and for Florida!).

Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante ©Patina Restaurant Group

Flying is a whole different story. There may still be some travel restrictions such as limited flights and lower capacities. Plus, airports could be utilizing new health and safety measures that elongate your time pre or post-flight. Airlines are facing major changes due to the global health crisis, and it is still to be seen what the long-term effects may be.

Orlando International Airport

If you’re planning a trip to Disney for the reopening, make sure you have your travel plans worked out. Be sure to allow some extra time for potential hang-ups, longer queue lines, and other surprises during travel.

See what changes are being made with the TSA here.

2. You might need to make a reservation — even if you have an Annual Pass.

With capacity limitations, you may need to think about the prospect of HOW to get into Disney World. In Shanghai Disneyland, the parks are currently limited to a capacity of less than 30%. If a similar tack is taken in the US parks and demand is high, that may mean that not everyone will make it into the parks.

©ShanghaiDisneylandResort on Instagram

Shanghai is currently using an advance reservation system that allows guests, even those with Annual Passes, to reserve time in the parks for a specific day. On top of that, Shanghai saw pretty quick sales when tickets opened up.

Disney World’s proposed reopening plan included the creation of a new theme park reservation system. Though we have few details at this time, this could be used similarly to Disney Shanghai to help limit capacity. Right now, all we know is that some guests, including Annual Passholders and guests with Disney World hotel reservations, will be offered priority access to the reservations system.

Shanghai Disneyland

Don’t count on being able to walk up to the park entrance to snag your ticket; this trip might require some forethought. Keep an eye on DFB to find out what expectations Disney will have for guests as we learn more.

Click here to read about Disneyland Shanghai’s reservation system.

3. You should go ahead and get used to wearing a mask.

It’s true, it’s going to be an adjustment for all of us, but you should probably get used to wearing a face mask. Face masks are currently required for Cast Members and guests in Disneyland Shanghai, in Disney Springs, and at Universal Studios; and we now know that they will be mandatory in the reopened parks and elsewhere on property, per the Disney World reopening proposal.

Disney Cloth Masks ©Disney

So, get used to wearing a mask before you have to wear it all day in the parks. Just like you practice walking for hours and break in those new shoes — practice wearing your mask and find a few that feel good and are breathable. Make sure that you don’t have any issues with the comfort of the material or the strings on your ears. Plus, Florida is hot and humid, so getting familiar with the sensation of having one cover your face may take some time.

Read our TIPS for wearing a face-covering in Florida HERE! 

©Harvey’s

It’s also important that you consider your kids’ comfort and help them get used to masks so that they are happy following the rules. They may not fully understand why they need to wear a mask, so be sure to fully explain the situation to them. To make them more okay with it, you could even let them pick out their own Disney face mask online!

Looking for some Disney face masks? Click here!

4. Be prepared for it to take a while to get into the parks.

Once you make it to Disney World, it may not be so easy to get from your car or transportation to the park gates. Be prepared for it to take a little while longer to get into your park of choice. The health crisis will mean new entrance protocols like we’ve seen at Disney Springs and proposed in the reopening plan with temperature checks. This could make entry lines long, especially early on as Disney tries to balance the new processes.

Friendship Boats

On top of that, there have been some updates to the Magic Kingdom entrance and the parking lots at the Transportation and Ticket Center that may not be familiar once you visit. You might be in for a long wait for a tram or a longer walk.

See how long it took for us to have our temperature checked in Disney Springs here. 

5. Set your expectations realistically.

Based on the opening in Disney Shanghai, it’s important that we realize we may not be able to do all the things we used to. In Shanghai, shows, characters, and entertainment have all been changed with some offerings canceled altogether. Now, a few weeks later, some experiences are returning, but it did take a little while.

Fireworks will be canceled temporarily in Disney World

Similarly, Disney World has proposed that the parks will forgo experiences such as fireworks, parades, and character meet and greets initially. For many, this could make the parks feel a little bit weird while you’re there.

Mickey Mouse

It’s important that you know that the parks may not feel like the Disney World you’re used to, especially right on opening day. This is probably a good talk to have with little ones as well! And remember, be patient and kind to the Cast Members, even if a cancellation or change disappoints you. This is a whole new world for them too.

Reopening day in Disney is sure to be an interesting and potentially historic occasion. We’ll be keeping you up to date with all the details on a reopening. Who knows! Maybe we’ll see you there when the gates open again.

Click here to learn more about the changes to entertainment in Shanghai!

Are you hoping to be in Disney World the day it reopens? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. What Will Happen if You Refuse To Wear A Mask In Disney World?
  2. Will Disney World Reopen to Florida Residents First? Here’s What We Know.
  3. We Asked Our Readers: What Will It Take For You to Feel Safe Visiting Disney World Again? Here’s What They Said.

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, advance reservations, Airline, annual pass, Annual Passholder, disney world closure, Disney World reopening, face coverings, face masks, Florida Residents, Travel Restrictions

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Disney Just Canceled Everything! Here’s What’s Going On — And What You Should Do Next.

Disney World is set to begin a phased reopening of the theme parks on July 11th, and things certainly won’t be like they used to be.

Magic Kingdom

In light of the impending reopening, Disney has made some MASSIVE changes to the way things are done. They’ve canceled what feels like everything for everybody — no FastPasses, no dining reservations, no new ticket sales, and more.

From a guest perspective, it can feel a little bit like the folks at Disney have TOTALLY lost their collective mind. We know MANY of you are affected by these sudden changes, and we’re here to help. We’re taking a look at what you should do if you’re impacted and answering some big questions.

What has Disney changed?

In preparation for the changes coming with the reopening, Disney has suspended and canceled many offerings. First, it was announced with their reopening proposal that new hotel reservations and ticket sales are suspended at this time. Existing hotel reservations and ticket sales still stand.

Contemporary Resort

If you had a trip coming up, you’ll notice that all of your existing FastPass+ reservations, advance dining reservations, and experience reservations through September 2021 have been canceled. This is due to the fact that these services will likely see some change in the next few weeks. The Disney Dining Plan and Extra Magic Hours are currently suspended as well.

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Finally, we’re expecting to see the introduction of a new theme park reservation system that will help to limit capacity in the theme parks. This system is still in development but will launch prior to the reopening of the parks on July 11th, per the reopening plan for the parks.

Click here to read more details about the reopening plan.

What am I supposed to do now?

Basically, Disney has cleared out their system. Capacity changes in the parks mean capacity changes in ride queues and dining — but that DOESN’T mean that you won’t be able to make dining reservations OR FastPass reservations. It just might be a little different than we’re used to.

Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Disney CEO Bob Chapek mentioned that they’ve pretty much had to re-engineer the parks to keep these capacity changes in mind, and that apparently means a big overhaul to their reservation systems.

FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours Suspension

As we mentioned, Disney has instituted a suspension of the FastPass+ system and Extra Magic Hours until further notice. According to the announcement from Disney, the removal of Fastpass means that they can use all of the queue areas to better distance guests. Removing Extra Magic Hours helps to simplify things for Disney and for guests who are hoping to navigate the reopening.

Haunted Mansion

But we get it — if you LOST precious FastPasses or extra hours you were banking on having it flat out stinks. Does this jeopardize our chance to breeze onto these hard-to-get FastPass rides? Maybe not. After all, Disney is significantly limiting capacity and expecting shorter wait times in general at reopening. You might not even NEED a FastPass if capacity limits keep lines down. Disney has also stated they’re considering a virtual queue system in the parks when they open, so while it might feel like we’re losing FastPasses, we could be gaining something possibly better.

Need more info on the suspension of the Fastpass+ system? Click here.

Dining Cancellations

This one is a doozy. If you had any Advance Dining Reservations (and trust us, we had a BUNCH!), those are no more. Gone. Donezo. Disney has canceled all of these reservations now so that they can edit capacity restrictions in their restaurants.

Via Napoli Dining Room

We reached out to a Cast Member who explained that following the CDC guidelines is tricky and Disney isn’t positive that all of the table-service and quick-service locations will be open initially. With reservations continuing as normal up until the reopening plan was announced, more guests may have made reservations than there will be room for with the distanced tables and reduced capacity. And we’ve also recently reported that character dining will be unlikely when the parks reopen.

If you thought that the FastPass cancellations were rough, the dining cancellations feel much worse for many. Meals are a big part of a Disney vacation for lots of guests (like us!). The good news is that Disney IS reopening dining reservations closer to the opening of the parks.

Family-Style Dining Seating

There’s no news on when exactly this will be, but we do know that after dining reservations come back, the reservation window will change from 180 days to 60 days in advance for the time being. The point is, the Advance Dining Reservation system isn’t GONE, we’re just all going to have to do one more round of reservations before our trips roll around.

If you lost previous reservations, all hope is not lost. With lower capacity, there’s still a fair chance you could snag them again. And if you couldn’t get a table at a spot you wanted, you get a second chance!

For what we know about the dining cancellations, click here! 

Disney Dining Plan Cancellations

Going along with the dining reservation cancelations, all levels of the Disney Dining Plan have been canceled for guests as well. This also plays into the fact that Disney is uncertain what restaurants will reopen and at what capacity. They HAVE indicated that the Disney Dining Plan will return, they just haven’t said when. They don’t want to promise the Disney Dining Plan to guests initially only to not be able to hold up their end of the deal if restaurants can’t support the crowds.

Dole Whip

Note that if you were a recipient of the Disney World Free Dining Offer as a result of the closure, your new Dining Plans will be automatically canceled. This hassle certainly doesn’t feel fair to those who already had to deal with their vacations being canceled at least once already (some multiple times!).

On the bright side, some of the affected guests have reported that Disney is automatically canceling their Disney World Free Dining Offer and applying a whopping 35% discount to their hotel room cost. If this applies to your vacation, you should receive an email about the cancellation and discount.

Click here for more about the suspension of the Disney Dining Plan!

Prepaid Experience Cancellations

Experience reservations have been canceled as well. The good news is we reached out to a Cast Member who told us that prepaid experiences like certain Advance Dining Reservations, dessert parties, and tours will be refunded with no action required by guests.

When will Disney bring these offerings BACK?

This is hard to say as Disney hasn’t given us specific dates for…well…anything! For FastPass+, Extra Magic Hours, the Disney Dining Plan, and new reservations, the suspensions are indefinite. Still, Disney uses language that seems to indicate that all of these systems will return, they just don’t want to back themselves into a corner with a date they might have to change later.

Dining Reservations and Experience Reservations

We DO have a little extra information on when dining and experience reservations will return. Though the official date is unspecified, Disney has elaborated on the changes to this system. They stated that going forward, Advance Dining Reservations will be made 60 days in advance instead of 180 days in advance, and that reservations for dining and experiences will be re-introduced once Disney updates the system to reflect capacity limitations.

Wagyu Taberkurabe Presentation at Takumi-Tei

Now, we are already within the 60-days-out window for the reopening of the parks, so the initial return of dining reservations may give us fewer than 60 days to book for the initial reopening. Guests with resort reservations or a canceled dining reservations will be given priority when rebooking.

Tableside Cheese Cart at Topolino’s Terrace

Disney HAS mentioned restaurants in their reopening plan and with reservations being so important to limiting capacity, we will likely see the new dining reservation system launched prior to the parks reopening.

Want to learn more about health measures at reopening? Click here!

What’s the deal with the theme park reservation system?

This mysterious theme park reservation system certainly has folks pretty perplexed — us (and possibly YOU) included! While Disney hasn’t shared much information about this system, we can clear up a few things we DO know about how it will work.

MyMagic+ MagicBand

MagicBand Park Scanner ©Disney

The new system will be accessed online through DisneyWorld.com and all guests will be required to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry. Guests will need valid park admission to make a reservation, and guests won’t be permitted to enter the park without BOTH a ticket and a reservation. Confused yet? Yeah, it’s a lot to take in.

It’s unclear in what specific order guests will be able to reserve their park day when the reservation system opens, but we do know that guests with resort hotel reservations and Annual Passholders will have priority access to the new park reservation system. We also know Annual Passholders have also been told they can expect some form of passholder previews for the parks.

At this time, WE CANNOT CONFIRM that if you have a resort reservation, but don’t already have park tickets, that you will definitely be included in the priority access to the park reservation system.

Epcot Entrance in Walt Disney World

Disney World isn’t the only park to opt into a reservation system. We’ve seen this used with the reopening of Disneyland Shanghai. Shockingly, we’ve also seen it with the Universal Orlando Passholder Preview Days, even though they indicated that they would not be using a reservation system with their theme parks.

To learn more about the theme park reservation system, click here!

Who qualifies as resort guests?

Like we said, those with resort hotel reservations and valid ticket media will get priority when accessing the theme park reservation system. So, who does this mean? Those staying at the Disney-owned Resort Hotels will qualify. Though you cannot currently make a new reservation, it appears that Disney will accommodate those with existing reservations at these hotels.

Polynesian Village Resort Lobby as viewed from upstairs

We reached out to Disney to see if these perks would be extended to the partner resorts and a Cast Member told us that YES, those staying at partner resorts will count in the new system as well. So, if you have a reservation at Shades of Green, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, or another partner, this information indicates that you will get priority access to the reservation system as well.

Click here to learn more about who counts as a resort guest! 

What does the new reservation system mean for Park Hopper tickets?

Disney has not mentioned whether the reservation system will limit guests to one park per day. If it does, this could be a serious bummer for those who purchased Park Hopper tickets and planned their vacation around their ability to get from one park to another!

Keep in mind though, this is likely on Disney’s radar. Consider the first few days of reopening when Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are the only parks that will be open. Guests won’t have access to all four parks to hop.

Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom

So this is definitely a complicated one and we’re antsy for more details. It’s possible that Disney is considering a refund or cancellation option for Park Hopper tickets in light of the new reservation system. Or they could simply say that Park Hoppers can hop to whatever parks are currently open. But we have nothing confirmed at the moment.

When will we find out about the reservation system beginning?

Like much of the changes, dates are frustratingly foggy about when we will see the new reservation system implemented. In the original launch statement, Disney said “Over the coming weeks, we will be making some necessary updates to prepare for the launch of this park reservation system.”

Guests who wanted to make reservations for the opening of Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland last year had plenty of time to prepare, and we imagine that will be the case here as well. Keep an eye on your email and on Disney Food Blog for any details.

How will we find out about the reservation system?

We will be keeping an eye on all channels where Disney may announce the reservation system. Keep a close eye on DFB in the coming weeks to know as soon as date of the new system is announced and as soon as the system goes live. If you fall into the groups who are to receive priority access to the system, keep an eye on your email as well.

Why are they canceling my Quick Service Dining Plan and will I be able to rebook?

It certainly caught our attention that even Quick Service Disney Dining Plans were canceled when there isn’t a need to limit ordering capability in these restaurant models due to physical distancing. Still, Disney isn’t sure that all quick service locations will reopen, and beyond that, they are cleaning out their system by completing these cancellations across the board.

Casey’s Corner

So, with so much uncertainty and the system changes, Disney opted to cancel all Disney Dining Plans for right now. There’s no certainty on when or if guests will be able to rebook these plans, but a Cast Member suggested that guests call at their 60-day window for more information if they have an upcoming trip!

I got the Disney World Free Dining Offer with my room package; does that mean I don’t get my Dining Plan anymore?

It does look that way. Disney has specifically mentioned removing Disney Dining Plans that were included in packages. Remember that you can still cancel your current package, but modifications cannot be made at this time.

Disney Dining Plan Shirt

For those who were affected by the closure and received a Disney World Free Dining Offer when they rebooked, your dining plans will be canceled. Folks that this applies to will receive that hefty 35% room discount on their rebooking though.

We don’t currently have confirmation that guests who booked with the Free Dining Plan offer earlier this year, prior to the park closures, will receive the same discount.

For more information on the 35% discount, click here.

I’ve already been affected by the closures and rescheduled. What does this mean for me?

Speaking of which, if you were already affected by the closures you will likely be wondering how these changes affect you (sorry you keep having to rebook, guys!). If you’ve rebooked your resort hotel and ticket reservations, you will get priority in the theme park reservation system and the dining reservation system.

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

As a reminder, if you booked through the Disney World Free Dining Offer that was presented to those affected by the closure, your dining plan will be canceled and replaced with a 35% room discount applied to your package.

What counts as a canceled “experience?”

Disney hasn’t officially announced much information on what is included in the “experience” category of the cancellations, but they have clarified that things like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Wild Africa Trek, and behind-the-scenes tours are included. Keep in mind these offerings may not be available at first when the parks reopen.

If an experience is canceled and you have already paid, Disney will be refunding these experiences, so keep an eye out.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique ©Disney

Separately ticketed events like After Hours and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are a different situation. Information is a little bit unclear about these events at this point. We heard from a Cast Member that tickets for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are still valid, but no new ticket sales are available.

We’re not taking this as a guarantee that there won’t be changes to separately-ticketed events. Keep in mind too that Disney can always change this and cancel at a later point.

Click here to see what we know about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets.

I’m an Annual Passholder. What does this mean for me?

Of course, the situation is unique for Annual Passholders and the changes can be especially frustrating for those with this type of ticket. You paid (a hefty price!) for access to the Disney parks and right now, that can feel up in the air. Many of us are Annual Passholders so trust us, we feel your pain right now!

2020 Annual Passholder Magnet

As of now, Disney has not mentioned any further extension of the Annual Passes beyond what was originally confirmed. Some Passholders have received communication from Disney that passholders will have access to the theme park reservation system before new tickets are sold. Passholders with previously booked experiences and dining will also have priority access to new reservations for those.

Disney launched a webpage specifically for Annual Passholders that notes that Passholders will be limited to a certain number of reserved days at one time. It also notes that some AP member benefits may be unavailable and that blackout dates will still apply.

Chef Remy Magnet

As a note, Disney has also announced that they will be offering Passholder previews to the reopened parks!

Click here to learn more about the situation for Annual Passholders.

Will Disney be canceling reservations in Disney Springs restaurants?

The language indicates that all reservations made through the Disney system are affected by the cancellation. Even if you plan on dining at a third-party restaurant, if you made your reservation through My Disney Experience it will likely be canceled.

Disney Springs

Now, at this time OpenTable reservations have NOT been canceled. If you’d like to confirm a reservation before the Disney reservations system reopens (for example, if you’re a local who wants to go to a Disney Springs restaurant this weekend), you can book through OpenTable at any time at eligible restaurants. We’ve been successful booking a number of third-party restaurants at Disney Springs this way.

Click here for more information on Disney Springs reservations.

What do I do now?

Whew. We all wanted to hear when the parks were reopening and now that we know, we’ve got a lot of bleh and confusion to go with it. It’s important not to panic though! We’re sure MANY of you are biting your nails waiting to hear if and when you can get back to the parks and if it will even resemble the Disney World we’ve come to love for so many years.

Mickey Pretzel

These changes are certainly frustrating and shocking for many, especially those of you who have already changed your plans multiple times. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. We’re working as hard as we can to get you some answers. As information appears over the next few days, things may get much clearer for managing your trip plans, and you can count on us to get that information to you quickly and in the easiest to understand way possible.

For many, you don’t need to DO anything at this moment (frustrating, right?!). Guests with resort reservations still have them and rebooking options aren’t available yet for canceled dining and experiences. You should still be able to make new bookings for your vacation sometime in the near future, so hang in there. However, if you’d like to cancel your hotel reservation outright, you CAN do so at this point!

Hollywood Studios

Patience is the name of the game here. You can count on us to find the answers and get you all of the most up-to-date information as soon as Disney confirms it, but it’s a little bit of a waiting game as they organize this crazy overhaul. If you’re antsy that you’ll miss something, join our newsletter and stay tuned to our site and social channels. We’ll report as soon as new information arrives.

If you booked your trip through a travel agent, go ahead and reach out to them for details and what to do next. If you booked on your own, don’t worry. Disney will be releasing more information in the coming weeks to answer our questions; and once we have that information, you can look to us when you’re ready to take the next steps in returning to the parks.

If you have any specific questions, you can reach out to Disney Guest Services, but expect long waits. There are a lot of confused Disney fans right now so you can always reach out to us! We’ll get to the bottom of any questions you may have.

We will be updating this post with more information and questions as they develop.

Have any questions we missed? Ask them in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Everything Disney World is Refunding Right Now!
  2. Here’s How To Score Disney World Free Dining in 2020!
  3. NEWS! PRIVATE DISNEY WORLD FREE DINING OFFER For Guests With Reservations Affected By The Closure

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservations, Annual Passholder, annual passholders, Dining Reservations, disney dining plan, disney springs, disney springs restaurants, Disney World, Disney World reopening, extra magic hours, FastPass+, free dining, hotel reservations, parkhopper, quick service dining plan, Reservation System, Resort Guests, theme park reservation system, Ticketed Events

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Confirmed: Disney World Will Offer Annual Passholder Previews

Moments ago we shared with you the news that Disney World launched a new Annual Passholder webpage with new information on the reservation system.

Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World

There was another HUGE bit of information on this page that we thought we’d share. While Disney mentioned “soft openings” in their proposal, they did not specify who would have early access to the parks.

Now, on this page, Disney World has confirmed Annual Passholders will receive early admittance to the Disney World theme PARKS. The website states, “As we prepare for the reopening of the parks, we’re planning a special preview opportunity for Annual Passholders. We look forward to sharing details with you soon.

Screenshot from Disney World’s Website

Now that Universal Studios has begun to allow its Annual Passholders to preview the theme parks early, it appears Disney World has announced a similar plan for its APs.

Big Thunder Mountain

In fact, a few of our team members with Annual Passes received an email which states, “We truly value the role our Passholders play in making the Walt Disney World Resort experience so magical. And as our re-opening progresses, we are planning a special Passholder preview opportunity to access the magic.”

Those are all the details we have so far, but we’ll be sure to let you know when and how you can reserve your spot when the time comes so you can start planning!

Are you an Annual Passholder? Let us know if you’ll be attending the preview in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Annual Passholder, ap member, before general public, before july 11th, closure 2020, Disney World, early access, early admittance, preview, reopening, special preview, temporary closure

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Update! Disney Launched A New Annual Passholder Webpage With New Information on the Reservation System

We know we’ve been piling a lot on your plate lately, but Disney World is dishing up a heaping amount of news lately! Our cup runneth over, TOO!

©Disney

Now that Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are officially reopening on July 11th along with Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15th, Disney World has created a new Annual Passholder webpage with some VERY important information!

Disney has shared that they are rolling out a brand new reservation system to limit capacity therefore Disney World has temporarily stopped selling park tickets and isn’t currently accepting new reservations.

Disney has kind of been piecing together what will be needed in order to obtain a reservation. For starters, they have shared “When our theme parks reopen, we will manage attendance through a new theme park reservation system on DisneyWorld.com that will require all guests to make a reservation in advance for theme park entry. Over the coming weeks, we will be making some necessary updates to prepare for the launch of this park reservation system,” They also informed guests that “Guests with existing Resort reservations will have priority access to the new park reservation system when it becomes available.”

Cinderella Castle

Accessing the New Webpage

Now, Disney has rolled out a new webpage with updated information for Annual Passholders. This webpage is pretty hard to find you guys so we thought we’d walk you through it a bit.

  1. Visit the Disney World website.
  2. On the website, you will see a large chunk of text describing the closures. Click view important details at the bottom of this text and you will be taken to a new experience update page.
  3. If you scroll to the very bottom of this experience page you will see a blue text box that reads Annual Passes.
  4. Click learn more and you will be redirected to the new Annual Passholder update page

2020 Annual Passholder Magnet

New Annual Passholder Information Regarding Reservations

Information on this page shares that due to high-demand for re-entry (and the parks not being able to accommodate as many guests each day) Annual Passholders will only be allowed to hold a certain number of reserved days at one time once the new reservation system is put in place. They also share that it may be difficult for Annual Passholder’s to get reservations on certain dates. Here’s how the statement reads on Disney World’s website:

Screenshot fro Disney World’s Annual Passholder Website

Disney World also notes some AP member benefits and features might not be available while Annual Passes will still be subject to blackout dates.

We know that this statement can be rather confusing. But what we can take from it is that dates for Annual Passholders may be limited and that passes will be subject to block out dates and depending on your pass type, these dates may vary.

So while this can all be confusing and even overwhelming, take a deep breath! Disney is still saying that Annual Passholders will have the ability to make reservations. Those reservations just may have a few limitations based on the type of pass you have. We’re not gonna lie, things are gonna be a little bit weird for a while. But we here at DFB have got YOU! We will do our best to brake these weird statements down and will do our best to get you all the answers you need. So, if you have any questions, please let us know!

Are you an Annual Passholder? Let us know in the comments below!

Related posts:

  1. All Your Questions About the New Disney World Passholder Payment Changes ANSWERED
  2. Annual Passholders Can Celebrate the Holidays with Exclusive Photo Ops in Disney World!
  3. Small Price Increases That Could Have a BIG Impact on Your Next Disney World Vacation!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Disney News, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Annual Passholder, ap member, blackout dates, blockout dates, Disney World, Disney World Annual Passholder, features might not be available, limited capacity, limited days, member benefits, modifications, restricted days

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NEWS: Walt Disney World Annual Passholders Have Started Receiving E-mails About the Latest Updates

The past few days have revealed a lot of information in light of Walt Disney World’s proposed reopening starting with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT on July 15th.

Walt Disney World Annual Passholder

In order to promote physical distancing as part of the new safety measures upon reopening, the parks (as well as restaurants within the Resort, among other venues) will reopen with limited guest capacity. And Disney is beginning to send out communications to Annual Passholders about changes being put into place that will help implement these measures.

Walt Disney World Annual Passholders will want to be on the lookout for an e-mail communication from the Resort regarding the upcoming required theme park reservation system and other recent updates concerning future visits that were revealed just yesterday.

Email Update screenshot

The message addresses that the new measures have required the cancellation of existing FastPass+ selections and Advance Dining Reservations and experiences. (You can read more about FastPass+ cancellations here, and Dining Reservations here.)

The message goes on to say that “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.” (Note that — depending on your currently booked experiences — the phrasing in your message may vary slightly, if you are a recipient.)

Annual Passholder Email screenshot

Recipients are also advised that there is no action they need to take at this time, and that Disney will be contacting them “soon” with details on the new reservation system.

We will be keeping you posted as this story develops and more details are revealed. And to read more about the reopening of Walt Disney World, you may visit any of the links below.

Have you received an email from Disney regarding the latest updates? Please let us know with a comment. 

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, disney parks, disney’s hollywood studios, Epcot, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservations, Annual Passholder, Disney World Annual Passholder, FastPass+, Reservation System, theme park reservation system, walt disney world reopening