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38 Things You Didn’t Know Guest Services Could Do For You in Disney World

Walt Disney World is TRULY a magical place. It almost seems like you can snap your fingers, and a magical moment will occur around you.

Cinderella Castle

Well, technically there are TONS of magical moments happening all around you constantly, thanks to a lovely little thing known as Guest Services.

The team behind those moments are an extensive number of Cast Members across multiple lines of business, ready to assist you. We’re bringing to you THIRTY NINE Things You Didn’t Know Guest Services Could Do In Walt Disney World.

No Strings Attached Voucher

Let’s start this list off with a big ol’ secret! While this isn’t something you can ask for, deserving guests can be gifted with the No Strings Attached Voucher.

No Strings Attached Voucher

This is basically the chance for a Cast Member to make something right by providing a voucher for a priority entrance to meet a character, Disney Dining Plan Snack, FastPass, merchandise, and more. These are typically only given out when something goes wrong, and NOT something you can ask for. But you never know if your day might be sprinkled with a little extra pixie dust!

Check out four super SECRET things you didn’t know happened in Disney World here!

First Aid Mosquito Prevention

Did you know that First Aid Mosquito Prevention is available to all guests and can be found in each of the 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex?

Blizzard Beach First Aid

Walt Disney World does a pretty great job at keeping bugs at bay in public spaces, BUT they also provide complimentary insect repellent for all guests and Cast Members. Just head to a First Aid location or ask a Guest Service Cast Member for assistance.

Notary Public

This is quite an interesting one. Guests at Business Centers at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Spring Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort can utilize their Notary Services for $10.00 per seal. So, if you need that important doc notarized on your vacation, Disney has got your back!

Resort Airline Check-In

If you are departing from Orlando International Airport with select airlines, you can make travel a breeze by utilizing your Resort’s Airline Check-In Service.

Airline Check-In at Coronado Springs

With this complimentary service, you can check-in for your flight, print your boarding pass, and even check your bags right at your resort from 5AM til 12PM daily. All guests must be present and you’ll need to check-in at least 3 hours prior to your departure time.

Service Your Way

Wanna save a few bucks while on vacation? Opt out of daily cleaning services by contacting guest services to participate in the Service Your Way program.

Slinky Dog Gift Card

When you decline standard daily housekeeping services, which includes making beds, vacuuming, removing trash, and changing linens, you’ll be handsomely rewarded with a Disney Gift Card. You’ll get a $10 credit for each night you stay on property, minus the first night, for a maximum of 14 nights! Note that this is currently available only at Disney’s value and moderate resorts.

Check our MORE Disney World vacation hacks that the pros SWEAR by here!

Basic Office Services

We know it can be hard to fully unplug from the real world while on vacation. If duty calls, Basic Office Services are available in Business Centers located in select Walt Disney World Resorts — Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian, Walt Disney Dolphin Hotel, and Walt Disney Swan Hotel.

Get Work Done While Enjoying Disney’s Yacht Club!

These services range from the basics, like faxing and scanning, but also include printing of Business Cards and even wide-format poster printing.

Get all the details on shipping a package to your resort here!!

Car Rentals

Walt Disney World Guests can inquire at their resort lobby to be connected to the Car Care Center. The on-property center provides guests with car rentals and even provides door-to-door transportation service from your Resort to the rental facility. Participating rental car companies include Alamo and National.

If you’re renting a car, be prepared for some extra hotel parking fees!

Lost Child

If the unthinkable happens, Guest Services is there for you to help you find your lost child. The team utilizes the Baby Care Center in each park as a safe meeting point for younger kids, and Guest Services for older kids.

Find Your Lost Kids at the Baby Care Centers!

Children are looked after by trained cast members and kept safe there until the parents are found.

Learn about lost and found, Baby Care Centers, and MORE here!

Baby Care Centers

Located in each theme park, Baby Care Centers are staffed by Cast Members and provide private nursing rooms, a feeding area, kitchen, television, as well as an on-site store that offers baby care essentials.

Magic Kingdom Baby Care Center

This can be an excellent resource for parents who may have run out of baby supplies or are waiting on lost luggage. Have no fear! Diapers and more can be found here. Plus the staff here we think are some of the best around and always eager to help parents!

Note that Baby Care Centers can also be used by parents or caretakers of older children who just need a little bit of a respite from the craziness of the parks.

Click here to learn more about visiting Disney World with a baby

In-Room Celebrations

Disney does an excellent job of shining the light on any of life’s celebrations! Did you know you could have the fixings for practically an entire party delivered directly to your Disney resort room?

Mickey and Pals Big Birthday Celebration.

With at least a 72-hour notice, you could arrange for a unique celebration right in your hotel room, whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or just because you’re in Disney World! This includes custom cakes (more on cakes in a moment), gift baskets, flowers, and more!

Fine Art Photography

Through Disney Fine Art Photography, you can set up in-park family portrait sessions. Packages range from Mini Portrait sessions at your resort to in-park with the stunning Cinderella Castle as your backdrop.

©Disney

The ultimate package includes exclusive pre-opening access to Magic Kingdom as you pose in front of 5 locations during your 1-hour session. These services are separate from the recently announced Disney’s PhotoPass Capture Your Moment service, which costs $50 and gets you a dedicated PhotoPass photographer in one of the parks for 20 minutes.

Click here to learn more about the Capture Your Moment PhotoPass option

Lost or Stolen Items

If you lose any personal item while visiting virtually anywhere at Walt Disney World — the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Resorts, as well as transportation — Guest Services will be on hand to help you track down the item. Lost and Found locations are available in each park. Additionally, If you believe something was stolen, like your wallet, they can assist you in filing a police report.

Here’s How To Get Out of 6 Sticky Situations While At Walt Disney World!

Portable Translators

For guests visiting with limited English fluency, Walt Disney World provides portable translators for certain attractions, this includes over 20 popular attractions and shows like DINOSAUR and The Hall of Presidents.

Don’t miss a beat on DINOSAUR!

Rental is complimentary and available in French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish. The narration, hosted by voice actors, is synchronized to the attraction.

Free Buttons!

Celebrating anything special while visiting Walt Disney World? You can stop by any Guest Services location for a celebration button! These complimentary buttons are for milestones and special occasions like Birthdays, Anniversaries, 1st visits, Weddings, or any of life’s celebrations!

Grab your Celebration Button!

What makes these extra special is Cast Members will frequently come up to you and recognize the button you’re wearing and congratulate you!

Check out ALL the souvenirs you can get for FREE at Disney World here!

Currency Exchange

If you are visiting the parks from an international location, Guest Services can exchange your local currency to U.S. currency. The front desk at your resort hotel as well as concierge can assist with currency exchange and cashing traveler’s checks.

Gran Destino Tower Front Desk

Guest Relations throughout the four theme parks can also assist with currency exchange.

Ship Merchandise to Your Disney Hotel

Lots of people will wait until the end of the day to buy merchandise so they don’t have to walk around with a large shopping bag all day. But if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, you can have your merchandise shipped directly to your resort for free!

Main Street Emporium display

Typically they will require that you are not checking out the following day in order to process the shipment, and your items will show up at your resort’s gift shop the next day. Just ask the Cast Member at the register about shipping to your hotel and they will be able to assist you!

Learn more about what your Disney World Resort hotel can do for you!

Stroller Rentals

A lot of families have young kiddos who need a break from all that walking around the theme parks, but they don’t want to haul their stroller on a plane! Not to worry: Disney has stroller rental services at each park as well as Disney Springs.

Disney Strollers

You can rent a single stroller for $15 per day, or pre-pay for your entire stay at a rate of $13 per day. You can also rent a double stroller for $31 per day, or for the length of your stay at $27 per day.

Don’t forget — once you’ve purchased a stroller for the day, if you decide to park-hop, just bring your receipt to the stroller location at the new park to get one there! Also, strollers will not be allowed out of the park, so even if you’re paying for the length of your stay, you’ll have to get a new stroller at each park you visit each day, and strollers won’t be able to be brought to your resort hotel.

Learn more about Disney’s recently updated stroller policy here!

Umbrella Rentals

There are few things worse than spending a hot afternoon at the water parks and not having any shade to escape to (then getting back to your hotel to see you’re burnt and now look like a lobster!)!

Minnie Mouse Beach Umbrella

At both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, you can rent umbrellas for the day to lounge under! These are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This costs about $60 for the day but also comes with two dedicated lounge chairs, two beach chairs, a table, and towels to accommodate four people.

Click here to decide which Disney World water park is right for you!

Locker Rentals

Locker rentals can really come in handy if you have a lot of belongings with you at the parks, like a change of clothes or extra snacks to munch on throughout the day! Lockers are located at the front entrance of each of the parks, including the water parks, and come in various sizes.

The Disney theme parks all have rental lockers.

Small lockers are $10 per day, Large lockers are $12 per day, and Jumbo lockers, available at Magic Kingdom and Epcot only, are $15 per day. Hang on to your receipt if you plan on park hopping because you only have to pay once per day!

Read more useful tips like keeping your rental receipt here!

Wheelchair & ECV Rentals

Disney also provides wheelchair and ECV (scooter) rentals to those guests who need them. You can rent them by the day or for the length of your stay. Wheelchair rentals are $12 per day, or if you pay for the length of stay, they’ll be at the rate of $10 per day. ECV rentals cost $50 per day.

Stroller and Wheelchair Rental

Similar to locker and stroller rentals, if you are planning on park hopping during the day, hang onto your receipt so you don’t have to pay twice!

Disability Access Service (DAS)

Guest Services provides assistance for guests with disabilities who may require additional help in experiencing all that Disney World has to offer. This service is best for guests who are unable to wait in a traditional queue environment. Guests can receive their Disability Access Service notice, or DAS, at each park inside Guest Relations.

Guest Relations

Once activated, you will obtain attraction return times from each attraction individually. It functions similarly to FastPass in terms of getting individual return times, but with your party’s individual needs in mind.

Travel & Transportation Services

Disney wants to make sure you have as many different transportation options as possible when you need to get somewhere! Whether you’re heading to a theme park, Disney Springs, your resort hotel, or Orlando International Airport, there are lots of complimentary transportation options at your disposal.

Disney’s Magical Express Bus

These include Magical Express to the airport, Skyliner, buses, boats, and the Monorail! Minnie Vans are also available, although it does come with a base fee of $15 plus an additional $2.75 per mile.

What does your favorite Disney World transportation say about you?

Mail Services

You can send and receive mail from your Disney World Resort hotel. There are also mailboxes located throughout the theme parks that you can send postcards and letters from! If you need additional postage, several shops throughout the resort sell postage (see the full list here).

Mailbox in Hollywood Studios

So stock up on those Disney postcards and send them to your friends and family, direct from Disney!

Online Check-In

It’s easier than ever to get an early head start on your Disney vacation before you even arrive at your hotel! You can opt-in for Online Check-In via My Disney Experience. You will receive a notification before your arrival that your room is ready, and you can skip the front desk experience entirely!

Yacht Club Resort Lobby Refurbishment

Note that in order to do this, you’ll need to have your Magic Bands ready, or opt to use the Unlock Door feature on your phone!

Learn more about Magic Bands here!

Business Centers

Some resorts offer business centers, which include computers, imaging services, and incoming and outgoing parcel services. The resorts that currently have business centers are Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Hotel & Spa.

Travel Insurance

Disney does offer their own travel insurance to protect your upcoming trip. This can be applied at any time up until you make your final payment. Please note that this insurance offering is designed for U.S. residents only.

Star Wars United Airlines Plane ©United

Package Pick-Up

Souvenirs from the parks are only one kind of parcel you can claim through Guest Services. Your resort hotel can also receive grocery deliveries from local grocery stores, as well as deliveries from home! For more information on how to send and receive packages to your Disney hotel (including the ever-important “how to address your package” info), click here!

Click here to learn more about mailing packages to and from your Disney hotel!

Laundry Services

Most Disney World Resort hotels have self-serve laundry facilities on property for you to keep your clothes in tip-top shape!

Washer and Dryer

Disney works with an app called LaundryView that allows you to receive alerts when your laundry is finished, so no need to wait around the laundry room the whole time! Disney World’s hotels also offer dry cleaning services for a fee per item.

Read about Disney’s cool laundry technology here!

Disney Ticket Centers at Disney Springs

Whether you’re looking to purchase park tickets, add a Hopper option, or upgrade your ticket to an Annual Pass (or if you have any questions regarding your park tickets), Disney Springs has a ticket center for you to use!

Disney Ticket Center in Disney Springs

You can find this spot right at the center of the Town Center portion of Disney Springs.

Disney Vacation Club Info Centers

Are you curious to learn more about Disney Vacation Club? Disney’s timeshare program has several info centers throughout the property where you can weigh the pros and cons if you are considering signing up.

Disney Vacation Club Sales Kiosk

The main information center at Disney World is located at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

Click here to learn more about Disney’s newest DVC resort, the Riviera Resort!

Order A Cake!

Did you know you can have specialty cakes delivered to celebrate your special occasion? This can happen one of a few ways: you can order a cake delivery as a “Magical Happening” to your hotel room through Disney’s Floral and Gifts, or you can order ahead to have cake brought out at your restaurant of choice! The list of participating restaurants can be found here.

R2-D2 Cake

You can also pre-order a cake from Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs or cupcakes from Sprinkles in Disney Springs!

Learn more about Disney World cakes here!

Magical Extras

Before you depart on your Disney World vacation, you’ll sometimes receive a special package in the mail with some “magical extras.” These are special deals, typically “pre-loaded” onto a card for you to use throughout your trip. Usually these are based on what Disney resort hotel and tickets package you have purchased.

Florida Sunset

Currently, these deals include a free round of mini golf, a voucher for entree into the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and discounts at several Disney Springs food & retail locations.

VIP Tours

If you want to take your Disney World experience to the ULTIMATE NEXT LEVEL, consider a VIP Tour! If your budget allows (in many cases, that’ll be one hefty budget!), you can book a Guest Relations Cast Member to be your own personal tour guide for the day.

VIP Tour Guides

You’ll get priority access to many shows and attractions, premium seating for the fireworks, plus you’ll have a knowledgable guide all along the way. This costs several pretty pennies to book (like $425-$750 per HOUR for a private guide — with a several-hour minimum), but as the name implies, you’ll feel like a true VIP all day long.

More affordable tours are available daily. They’ll still set you back a fair chunk of change but are much more doable if a private guide is out of your budget. We love the Ultimate Disney Classics tour for $249 per person (plus lunch!), or the Taste of Magic Kingdom tour for $99 per person.

Click here to see our review of the Taste of Magic Kingdom VIP Tour!

WiFi Service

Although it can be spotty at times, Disney World has resort-wide WiFi service, completely free at no extra cost! When it works the way it’s supposed to, it can help with things like checking wait times in My Disney Experience, booking and modifying FastPass+ reservations, and Mobile Ordering food!

There’s Wi-Fi on Some Disney Buses Now!

Free wi-fi is available at most locations around Disney World, even some buses now, so be sure to check!

Click here to learn more about wi-fi on some Disney World buses!

Hotel Check-Out Services

If you have a credit card on file at your Disney World Resort hotel room, you can skip the check out process completely! One of the great Guest Services perks at the end of your trip is the convenience of heading straight from your room to the Magical Express, where you will be whisked off to Orlando International Airport.

Disney’s Magical Express Bus

This is a good perk for those of us who choose to wait until the absolute last minute to pack (we just don’t want to go home!).

Will Disney soon have another method of getting to & from Orlando International Airport? Read more here!

Car Care Center

Lots of folks choose to either drive to Disney World or rent a car when they arrive at Orlando International Airport. If you experience any car troubles while you’re there, Disney has their very own car care center where they can service your car!

Cars at Disney World

This is the same location we mentioned earlier where you can rent a car! If you do have your car serviced, they also offer complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the Transportation & Ticket Center, so you can enjoy your day at the parks while Disney handles your car!

General Park Information and Recommendations

And last but not least — Guest Services is comprised of the most knowledgable group of Cast Members you’ll come across. A big part of their job is simply KNOWING all that there is to know about Disney World and how to make sure YOU have the best vacation possible.

Guest Relations Cast Member in Disney Springs

They can give you all sorts of tips and tricks on how to navigate the parks, what certain attractions are like, and where to stand to watch the fireworks! These Cast Members are IRREPLACEABLE, so ask them all the questions! They probably have all the answers!

It’s no wonder that it takes tens of thousands of Cast Members to keep the World going ’round. If you’re needing some magic added to your vacation, never be afraid to just stop by Guest Services and ask! You might be surprised to see just what all they can do for you!

Has a Cast Member ever went above and beyond for you? Let us know!

Related posts:

  1. Like an Icy Blast Elsa Lights Up Cinderella Castle for the Christmas Season in Disney World!
  2. Black Friday Shopper Alert! Disney Springs Announces Deals For Biggest Shopping Day of the Year!
  3. We Have the PERFECT Disney Gift for the Most Difficult Person on Your Christmas List!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, Special Stuff, Walt Disney World, Baby Care Centers, business centers, Car Care Center, car rental, cast members, celebration buttons, Check-Out, Club 33, disability access services, disney floral and gifts, Disney Tips, Disney Tips and Tricks, Disney World, DVC information center, ecv rental, guest services, guest services team, in room celebrations, laundryview, locker rental, lost and found, magical extras, mail services, online check-in, package delivery, service your way, stroller rental, ticket center, translator, umbrella rental, VIP Tours, wheelchair rental, wifi

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NEWS: Florida Governor Announces Most of State Will Move Into Phase Two of Reopening This Friday

Florida has spent the last month in Phase One of Governor Ron DeSantis’s Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step. Plan for Florida’s Recovery.

Palm Trees

And today, Governor Ron DeSantis was present at Universal Orlando Resort which is currently hosting an Annual Passholder preview ahead of its June 5th reopening to the public. It was here that Governor DeSantis made an announcement that most of the state will enter Phase Two this Friday as well.

Within Phase Two (which excludes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties), the Governor stated that the major changes Floridians will notice include the reopening of bars and movie theaters, along with some additional venues.

The BOATHOUSE Bar in Disney Springs

Bars and pubs will be permitted to operate at 50% capacity inside and at full capacity outdoors for dine-in service. Movie theaters and entertainment venues such as bowling alleys will also be able to open at 50% capacity (and with “appropriate social distancing and sanitation protocols”).

Phase Two will also see the opening of what was referred to as “Pari-mutual facilities,” which host things like slots, racing wagers and cardrooms. They will also be expected to observe strict safety guidelines.

As a reminder, Walt Disney World will begin reopening to guests on July 11th, first by opening Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th, followed by EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15th. You can read more about the upcoming reopening of the Resort by visiting any of the links below.

Are you following the reopening of Florida’s economy? Please let us know with a comment.

Related posts:

  1. News! Florida Theme Parks to Submit a Plan for Reopening Says Governor
  2. Florida is Working Out a Plan to Reopen Businesses. And They Want Disney’s Help.
  3. 4 Key Points From Today’s Re-Open Florida Task Force Meeting

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Featured, Walt Disney World, Florida Government, florida governor, florida reopening, Florida Reopening Plan, Florida State, governor desantis, phase two, phase two reopening, Reopening Plan

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The NBA Discusses Latest Possible Play Off Dates and Hotel Arrangements in Disney World

With sports still on pause, the NBA is looking to Disney World as a potential site for finishing the season.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Earlier this week, we reported that the NBA is set to vote on resuming their season at Disney World this Thursday, and more details have emerged in the meantime. If this happens, the games would resume at the ESPN Wide World of Sports and players would stay on Disney property, potentially at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. Let’s take a look at proposed dates and lodging arrangements for the NBA playoffs!

According to ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, the NBA is currently working on a model for what the end of the season would look like in Disney World — including dates. In talks right now, it is proposed that the resumption of the games in Orlando would begin July 31st and run through as late as October 12th.

NBA Experience

It is unclear how late summer and early fall in Disney World would be affected by the presence of the playoffs and the players. It’s possible that it would just mean the closure of one hotel and the ESPN sports complex to the public.

On the other hand, reporter Scott Gustin shared an ESPN report that suggests players may not be confined to a single resort. The report says, “Playoff teams, in order of seeding 1-16, receive first choice on picking which hotel they will stay at in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney World Resort. ”

NBA Experience Trophy

Perhaps Disney and the NBA are considering splitting the teams into different hotels, but it is as of yet unclear. We will have more details about the plan in the next few days and we’ll be sure to share as soon as the NBA and Disney announce the decision!

Click here to learn more about the potential use of Coronado Springs for the NBA!

What do you think of the new NBA news? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Could Walt Disney World Provide the Perfect Place for the NBA to Finish Its Season Right Now?
  2. NBA Could Resume Practices Soon And Other Important Details Discussed at Today’s Florida Orange County Task Force Meetings
  3. Disney World is the Reported Frontrunner to Host the Rest of the NBA Season

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney World, ESPN Wide World of Sports, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, NBA, NBA Disney World, NBA Playoffs, NBA Season

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BREAKING NEWS! Select Disney Springs Restaurants Bookable Through My Disney Experience

We’ve been actively following the developments with Disney World’s Reopening, which begins July 11th.

Disney Springs

One major issue that guests ran into early on was the inability to book new Advance Dining Reservations through Disney. It seems that might have changed!

We noticed tonight in the My Disney Experience app that you can now book reservations at select restaurants in Disney Springs.

Disney Springs Restaurants Available For Booking

The app and website seem glitchy. We found certain open restaurants, like Wine Bar George, having no times available. Others, like Planet Hollywood, Frontera Cocina, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’, and more were bookable through the My Disney Experience website.

Homecomin’ Bookable on My Disney Experience

Disney’s language on their website seems to have possibly changed to reflect this. It now reads that, “select dining locations in Disney Springs are currently accepting reservations.”

Disney’s
Updated Language Pertaining to Dining Reservations

It’s possible the system is beginning to prepare for the new reservation system that’s being implemented as well as the new 60-day booking window for dining reservations. We’ll keep you posted as this develops.

Click here to see everything Disney announced about their reopening procedures

Are you going to book a dining reservation in newly reopened Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. The BIGGEST Time Wasters in Disney World — And How To Avoid Them!
  2. News! Most Disney Springs Restaurants Are No Longer Available for June 1st Reservations Through My Disney Experience
  3. REVIEW! We Ate at the Reopened Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill (AND Their To-Go Counter!) in Disney World

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, advance dining reservation, disney springs, disney springs reservation, My Disney Experience

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Take a Look Inside One of Universal Orlando’s Reopened Hotels!

Universal Orlando will be re-opening to the public on June 5th. But, the resorts and hotels are opening back up to guests today, June 2nd!

Universal Orlando Resort

We’re taking you with us to have a full experience at the resorts to see their new health and safety protocols, check-in process, and more!

At this time, the following Universal Orlando resorts are open to guests:

  • Hard Rock Hotel
  • Loews Royal Pacific Resort
  • Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
  • Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
  • Universal’s Aventura Hotel
  • Universal’s Endless Summer Resort — Surfside Inn and Suites

Aventura Hotel

We headed over to Universal’s Aventura Hotel to see what it’s like after reopening!

Check-In Process

Right after you step inside the hotel, you must stop at the temperature check station.

Aventura Hotel Sign

According to Universal’s website, “If a guest registers a temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater upon check-in, they will not be allowed to check-in until they receive medical clearance to do so. The rest of the guest’s party will be allowed to check in. We understand some guests may feel they have special conditions, which we will consider upon request.”

Aventura Hotel Temperature Check

This temperature check was similar to the ones we had at Universal’s CityWalk — quick, easy, and painless. After we registered temperatures under 100.4, they gave us green wrist bands to signify that we passed the temperature check.

Wristband After Temperature Check

The staff told us that once you have your temperature checked and approved for the day, your wristband will signify that you don’t have to check in again at CityWalk, the parks, etc. The wristband colors are scheduled to change each day, but it sounds like once you’ve been cleared for the day you’re cleared to skip additional temperature check lines for the rest of the day!

After the temperature check station, we checked in at the hotel how we normally would, but made sure to follow the physical distancing stickers on the floor.

Aventura Hotel Check In

The Aventura Hotel is also offering a touchless checkout where you can simply text the number listed and be on your way!

Health and Sanitization Efforts

Face masks are currently required in all public areas of the resort and there are signs pointing you to the nearest hand washing station.

Aventura Hotel Handwashing Station Sign

There are also several hand-sanitizing stations placed around the resort from the parking garage, to the dining areas, and even out by the pool.

Aventura Hotel Sanitizing Station

Speaking of the pool — it’s open! There weren’t any guests out lounging when we visited, but the chairs have been spaced to allow for physical distancing and lifeguards are stationed on duty.

Aventura Hotel Pool

We clarified with Guest Services that guests are still required to wear face coverings while they are walking around the pool deck, but they may remove them to swim or if they are seated at their lounge chairs.

The Room

The rooms appear to be pretty standard hotel rooms and we were a little surprised to see “high-touch” items like the personal coffee maker still offered.

Aventura Hotel Room Coffee Station

Universal stated, “When possible, guest rooms will be left vacant for 24-48 hours upon checkout, before thoroughly cleaning and checking in a new guest.”

The room was fitted with a telephone and tablet, which both appeared shiny and free of fingerprints.

Aventura Hotel Room Phone and Tablet

The TV was already playing the safety video we shared with you earlier today — reminding guests to follow the signage, wear a mask, and keep a safe distance from parties around them.

Food and Drinks

Aventura’s cafe, Urban Pantry, and Starbucks are both open and offering salads, sandwiches, snacks, and coffee.

Aventura Hotel Starbucks

However, as an added safety measure at Urban Pantry, guests will need to pick up a new cup each time they would like a refill on their drink.

Aventura Hotel Cafe Refill Station

As an added bonus, when we were checking out, the cashier told us they were giving away free desserts to annual passholders today. And you know we can’t resist cheese…or cake! So make sure to ask if they have any special offers if you are visiting.

Aventura Hotel Cheesecake

The lobby bar and rooftop bar are both open and serving up drinks, but not food.

Aventura Hotel Indoor Bar

Aventura Hotel Rooftop Bar

The rooftop bar is using a QR menu printed plenty big for your phone to read it.

Aventura Hotel Rooftop Bar Menu

There is no seating at the bars and some of the rooftop bar’s additional seating is more limited than usual, but there are still plenty of spots to grab a seat and relax awhile.

Overall

Although this was our first time getting our temperatures taken at a hotel, the overall process felt pretty similar to our hotel experiences before the closures. If you haven’t been out and about already, seeing everyone in masks and all of the extra stickers on the ground can take some getting used to. The hotel wasn’t very busy, which probably helped things run more smoothly. We were surprised to still see a coffee maker and tablet in each room (that’s a LOT of nooks and crannies to clean), but so far, we’ve watched the Aventura be diligent about cleaning surfaces between guests, promote distance whenever possible, and take extra steps to protect their guests during this reopening.

Here’s everything you need to know about Universal Orlando’s reopening!

Do you have any questions about what it’s like to stay in a reopened hotel? Let us know in the comments and we’ll do our best to get the answer back to you!

Related posts:

  1. NEWS! Universal Orlando Annual Passholders Can Register For a Reopening Preview TODAY
  2. NEWS! Florida Sports Venues Are a Go As Florida Moves Into the ‘Full Phase One’ of Reopening
  3. News! Tennessee Theme Parks Are Cleared to Re-Open This Week

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
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