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Disney World Annual Passholders begin to see refunds

Refunds

Reports are coming in regarding refunds for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders. For our Annual Passholder fans, we recommend on checking your bank account to see when your refund arrives.

The Walt Disney World Resort theme parks have been closed since mid-March. If you were on the monthly payment program, then you will be issued a refund if you were billed between March 14th and April 4th. Those who paid in full will have two options. These Annual Passholders can either have their expiration date extended or request a partial refund.

To better understand the situation and details, we’ve listed the information provided by Walt Disney World. Annual Passholders can read the official list of details below:

If you are an Annual Passholder who has paid in full:

All active Walt Disney World Resort theme park and water park Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the parks.

As an alternative, and in lieu of an extension of their passes, Passholders who have paid in full may choose to receive a partial refund for the park closure period. To request this alternative option, we ask that you contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.

If you are an Annual Passholder on the monthly payment plan:

On April 5, 2020, we automatically stopped and will waive monthly payments due while the theme parks are closed. We will also retroactively refund payments made between March 14 through April 4, 2020. Payments will resume on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment dates once the parks reopen. Please note, pass expiration dates will not be extended and passes will expire upon their originally scheduled expiration dates.

As an alternative, Guests who are paying for Walt Disney World Annual Passes using our monthly payment program may choose to have their monthly payments postponed starting with payments due April 5, 2020 through the park closure period, and then resumed on the Passholder’s regularly scheduled payment date once the parks reopen. Postponed payments will be collected in the months following the end of the Passholder’s currently scheduled payment term. The pass will be extended the number of days the parks are closed. The new expiration date will be reflected on the Annual Passholder’s account prior to the reopening of the theme parks. To request this alternative option, we ask that you contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277. We do anticipate heavy call volume and appreciate your patience as we answer all inquiries.

Source: Disney

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney & Co, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, annual passholders, AP, Disney Annual Passholder, Disney World, Passholder

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Disney Parks Disney Vacations Other

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
Filed Under: Featured, News, Disney, disney news, disney parks, Universal, universal news, Universal Orlando, universal orlando hotels, Universal Orlando Resort

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Disney News Disney Parks Other

Universal Studios Hollywood Asks County of L.A to Allow Theme Parks to Reopen

universal hollywood

The Universal Studios Hollywood president asked the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to allow theme park workers to return to work immediately in order to prepare for a reopening. Theme parks in the L.A. County would like to reopen between mid-June and July 1.

Karen Irwin, Universal Hollywood’s president, argues that theme parks don’t need to be among the last facilities to reopen since park visitors spend most of their time outdoors.

“Theme parks actually offer a more controlled environment than beaches, gardens or hiking trails,” said Irwin. She also said that the industry is developing protective measures that will allow for physical distancing, and noted that parks have the ability to limit capacity and manage guest flow.

“We would like approval to begin the reopening process immediately in order to get our employees back to work,” she said. “L.A. County parks will be ready to begin reopening between mid-June and July 1.” Irwin also noted that Las Vegas is reopening its casinos, and argued that L.A. County residents should have local options.

Universal is the first California theme park to request/suggest a reopening time. Universal Orlando will be reopening Friday with new health and safety measures in place.

Here’s hoping we will see some of our favorite Californian theme parks start to reopen soon!

Source

Photo Credit: Universal Studios Hollywood

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, Parks & Resorts, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal, SeaWorld, Legoland and More, California, Universal, Universal Orlando

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Universal Studios Hollywood Is Asking L.A. County to Permit the Reopening of Theme Parks

With theme parks beginning to reopen in Florida, California doesn’t seem to be in the same boat just yet.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Universal Orlando is opening later this week but the same cannot be said for Universal Studios Hollywood. The west coast theme park has yet to receive government approval of reopening, but executives are hoping that it can be sooner rather than later.

According to Variety, Universal Studios president and chief operating officer Karen Irwin spoke with the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in the hopes that they will allow theme park workers to return to work in order to prepare for reopening between mid-June and July 1st.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Irwin explained that theme parks offer a controlled environment. Not only does much of the experience take place outside but employees can regulate the flow of guests and health measures in a way that can’t be done in parks, beaches, and gardens.

Also, Irwin pointed out that reopening the county theme parks would be of benefit to the citizens. With international travel potentially taking more than a year to ramp up, county residents could use the theme parks as a local option.

Universal Studios

A reopening date has not been confirmed for Universal Studios Hollywood or for Disneyland Resort. We’ll be sure to keep you updated as things change.

Click here to learn more about the reopening of Universal Orlando.

When do you think Universal Studios Hollywood will reopen? Tell us in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. Universal Will Furlough Part-Time Hourly Employees Beginning in May
  2. BREAKING NEWS: Universal Orlando Is Officially Opening June 5th
  3. Universal Studios Hollywood Might Be Looking To Reopen in July

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, News, L.A. County, Universal, Universal reopening, Universal Studios, universal studios hollywood

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Josh Gad and GMA Surprise COVID-19 Heath Care Worker and Her Daughter

Josh Gad and GMA Surprise COVID-19 Heath Care Worker and Her Daughter. Ashley and her daughter Paige have sacrificed several months of time together as Ashley works hard in Pittsburg, PA to help COVID-19 patients and has not had a single day off since February 2020.

Good Morning America caught wind of Ashley’s story and wanted to help bring a little Disney magic to their day by organizing a conversation with Josh Gad after finding out Paige is a HUGE fan of Olaf and the Frozen franchise.

Photo Credit: GMA

Between reading bedtime stories on weeknights to help kids sleep, recording Olaf shortsfrom home to share with fans, and preparing for his busy future film schedule, Josh has been juggling all his tasks and still manages to make appearance on talk shows, news programs, and appearances in the Disney Family Singalongs! Whew, don’t forget to take a break once in a while Josh.

In the video, GMA host T.J. opens the video by first interviewing Ashley, then Paige, about all the hard work Ashley is doing for her patients About midway through their conversation T.J. brings up Paige’s love for Olaf and then surprises the pair with an appearance by Josh Gad himself! Gad shared a supportive message for Paige and Ashley and the two are left rather speechless during the whole exchange. At the end of the segment, Ashley shared a recorded video of Paige after the interview was over and she is simply bouncing with joy!

You can watch the adorable exchange in the video shared by Good Morning America below:

Oh. M. Goodness, isn’t Paige the cutest?!? She was clearly very excited to get to talk to Olaf and is supportive of her mommy’s hard work to help keep people safe and healthy! We loved seeing the joy on her face after months of sacrificed time together. Thank you Ashley for your dedication and work.

Be sure to check back here at Chip and Co. for all things Disney!

Featured Photo Credit/Source: Good Morning America

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: News, TV, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Frozen, GMA, Good Morning America, Josh Gad, Olaf