WDW COVID-19 Operational Changes- Reservation System-Rope Drop Procedures

[tjmw2727]

Another parent of a CP here, dd started mid January and I was booked to visit starting next Friday 3/20. She was just starting to get a little homesick so the timing was perfect....

I canceled AP room only rate online without issue thankfully and will reschedule my flights (SWA so it should be easy!).

Already re-booked a room for Easter weekend just in case that is an option, don't care much about good FP just want some daughter time and some Epcot time:

DD is planning to stay for now as she wants to be available when the parks re-open, she loves her program and co-workers and luckily really likes her roommates as well.

Stay well everyone!

 

[Carolnole]

Success! Just got off the phone with Disney customer service- changed my end of March trip to mid June and saved a little $ with a better room!

 

[osufeth24]

Don't usually watch vloggers, but was watching a couple that were in MK last night when the news dropped about closing WDW. You can just see the sadness and disbelief in their eyes.

 

[Moms]

I feel your pain. Our trip is April 3-9th with a few days at Universal at end of trip. I'm not sure what to do at this point. On one hand, I feel like if the parks re-open April 1st, then I possibly could go but how will we know how things are going to progress with this virus. I feel like if I wait and see it will be harder to move and then I have to figure out when I can move my trip as I'm thinking summer is going to get allot busier with so many postponed trips. I feel awful for all the people who have trips scheduled the next 2 weeks but at least their decision has been made for them = they need to postpone. For me, I still feel like I'm in limbo and not sure what I should do.

We are scheduled April 4th through the 10th and are at this point taking a wait and see approach. Our reservations can be cancelled as little as two days before arrival day and we will only loise $200. There is some wiggle room on our plane tickets as well. We haven’t got much leeway in the schedule so won’t be rescheduling ... and now the schools are closing so Spring break might get screwed up anyway.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

UGH, I think that bothers me the most! My FPs were BEAUTIFUL!!

My family is coping pretty well with our trip cancellation. We know that we'll reschedule at some point in the future.

But, yeah, the hardest part for me was that I had a SWEET lineup of primo FPs throughout the week. FoP, MFSR, MMRR, 7DMT, PP... plus other greats like BTMRR, Space Mtn, Soarin', ToT, Star Tours, RnRC, Kilimanjaro Safari... need I go on?

Plus I had practiced repeatedly and was all primed to snag a ROTR boarding group (maybe on both DHS days if I was lucky).

I'm optimistic that I'll be able to score good FPs when we do re-book, but the lineup I had was just PERFECT!

 

[abnihon]

Yes I did last night for the 3/20 performance.

Was the show canceled?

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Wanna join me and @DGsAtBLT and so many others in bidding goodbye to the ROTR BG thread? All that practice and by the time we reschedule our trip they won’t be doing BGs anymore and I’ll be forced to figure out how to prioritize SDD, ROTR, MMRR, and MFSR across two days. *sigh* A problem for another time I guess....

Cant believe Disney had the nerve to delete my FP, especially my perfectly planned out DHS days. I just liked looking at them okay .

Being serious for a second, I really was excited to finally be able to share my BG number. Now instead of being in WDW we are at home with the kids until mid April because schools just got closed, glad my province is being proactive but . And to think a few weeks ago my biggest worry was a glitch stopping me from getting a boarding group.

 

[AmishGuy91]

Was the show canceled?

No not yet. I just told her I had to cancel my DisneyWorld trip since they were closing and she refunded me no questions asked.

 

[nfouey]

Maybe this has already been asked and answered. Forgive me if that is the case.

I have 4 not yet activated gold APs. Our trip was for mid April, but we opted to cancel (online. I didn’t clog up the phone lines for my March peeps).

Any idea if I can “return” the unused and not activated annual passes?

thanks in advance

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Disney has made a few tweaks to the language on their operations update page during the day, particularly in regards to APs. I've attempted to highlight the recent changes below, new text appears in red.

Update on Walt Disney World Resort Operations
In an abundance of caution, and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, we are proceeding with the closure of our theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, beginning March 16, through the end of the month.

The Walt Disney Company will pay its Cast Members during that closure period.

Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs will remain open until further notice.
Disney Resort hotels will remain open until further notice. Disney Springs will also remain open.

We will continue to stay in close contact with appropriate officials and health experts.

Below, you'll find information on impacts to current and upcoming incoming plans. Please continue to check this page for additional updates. We appreciate your patience and consideration during this unprecedented time.

TICKETS
May I get a refund on my ticket?
Unexpired multi-day theme park tickets with unused days, or date-specific theme park tickets with a valid use period during the period March 12, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will automatically be extended to use any date through December 15, 2020. If you are unable to visit by December 15, 2020 you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.

Florida Resident Discover Disney Tickets may be used through July 31, 2020.

Guests who have purchased tickets for Disney After Hours, Disney Villains After Hours and Disney Early Morning Magic from March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 will be automatically refunded.


ANNUAL PASSES
How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes?
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.
How does the closure impact Walt Disney World Annual Passes?
We are making the following adjustments for Annual Passholders:

• All active Walt Disney World Annual Passes will be extended for the number of days the parks are closed.
• Passes with renewal windows ending during the closure will also receive an extension of time to renew.
• For Passholders participating in the Annual Pass Monthly Payment program, your monthly payments will continue as scheduled.

When will my new usage dates appear in My Disney Experience?
Over the coming weeks, your Annual Pass details in My Disney Experience will be updated to reflect new pass usage information.

Will the blockout and admission calendars be updated online?
Pass blockout and admission calendars will not be updated during the closure period. Please visit this page for the most updated details.


RESORTS
I have a future stay at a Disney Resort hotel while the park is closed. What does that mean for my vacation?
Guests who have not checked in for stays between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 may modify or cancel their Disney Resort room reservation or Walt Disney Travel Company package up to their original check-in date. If no action is taken and guests have not checked in, Disney will automatically process a refund to the original form of payment within seven days of the original check-in date. If you did not book through Disney directly, please contact your travel professional.

Note: Refunded amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages will be less cancellation fees imposed by 3rd-party suppliers, including airlines, rentals cars, and 3rd party hotels as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans.

What if I want to cancel a Disney Resort hotel reservation after the parks reopen?
We will waive all Disney imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in through June 30, 2020.

Note: Refunded amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages will be less cancellation fees imposed by 3rd-party suppliers, including airlines, rentals cars, and 3rd party hotels as well as non-refundable products like travel protection plans.


DINING & OTHER EXPERIENCES
I have a pre-paid dining reservation or experience reservation like Droid Depot during the time when the parks are closed. Will I receive a refund?
Yes. All pre-paid dining and experience reservations will be automatically refunded if scheduled between March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.

What happens to dining reservations that required a credit card at the time of booking?
Reservations made at locations impacted by the closure will not be charged a cancellation or no-show fee.

FASTPASS+
Do I need to cancel my FastPass+ reservation scheduled for March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 when the parks are closed?
All FastPass+ reservations during this time period will be automatically cancelled.

 

[Ashleybs]

We are scheduled April 4th through the 10th and are at this point taking a wait and see approach. Our reservations can be cancelled as little as two days before arrival day and we will only loise $200. There is some wiggle room on our plane tickets as well. We haven’t got much leeway in the schedule so won’t be rescheduling ... and now the schools are closing so Spring break might get screwed up anyway.

Our trip is the 4th - 11th so we are right there with you! This was our first trip to WDW in 11 yrs and are going for our 18th anniversary and my 40th birthday, both while we are there. We are hoping and praying they open back up in time and we are just proceeding right along now. It's spring break for us too and thankfully we hadn't told our boys yet.

 

[Ashleybs]

And to think a few weeks ago my biggest worry was a glitch stopping me from getting a boarding group.

For real!

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

When sporting events, etc. first started getting suspended, my wife asked me, "What's the chance that Disney closes during our vacation time?"

My reply: "There's ZERO chance that will happen."
I'm not wrong often... but when I am, it's a doozy!

I'm sure she'll never let me live that one down!

 

[DisneyMom0604]

I’d like your opinions here please. We have reservations at Pop for April 17-22 with our FPand everything planned out. I have to pay the rest of our balance by this Tuesday. We are still unsure if we are going to go now and who knows what will be happening by then anyways with this virus and all the closures.

So, I found a deal with B Resort at Disney Springs for super cheap for that same time (half the price of our Pop reservation). Plus, I can cancel up to 72 hours in advance if needed. We decided park transportation isn’t a big deal to us since we will have a car anyways. So, would you change over to B Resort (which still has EMH and 60 day FP+ privileges) or would you keep Pop, pay the balance, and hope for the best?

Everyday things seem to change with this so I’m just not sure what to do at this point.

 

[ratfam]

So today I thought that if my DS is unlikely to find a job right after graduation due to interview cancellations and DD and boyfriend should be done with work/internships before returning to grad school some time in August maybe we could shift our May trip then; unfortunately sounds like that won't work for boyfriend and DD sounded almost in tears that I was even talking about the possibility of our trip not working out, and she is in her 20's. I really feel for people with young kids facing cancellations. So now I'm back to riding it out and waiting to see what happens. Given the travel restrictions my company is placing to protect our business and employees I have no idea whether flights are going to be responsible, and I struggle with whether even considering a vacation is irresponsible from a public health perspective. It would be long but I am trying to rationalize that worst case we could drive down to avoid the plane. We used a load of DVC points for a 3BR at Boardwalk so we could always bring cleaning supplies and give everything a going over and avoid the parks if we were uncomfortable. However I suspect my parents would be uncomfortable seeing us for 2-3 weeks afterwards. DS is disappointed about not getting the end of his senior year or commencement, so it would be great if there was a way to make this work, but it will all depend on how things progress and whether going would really be frowned upon at my work. These are really unbelievable times we are living through. Stay safe and healthy.

 

[Scooley01]

Weird question... Assuming the parks reopen in April some time, do you guys think they might extend the Flower And Garden Festival at all?

 

[wendow]

Another parent of a CP here, dd started mid January and I was booked to visit starting next Friday 3/20. She was just starting to get a little homesick so the timing was perfect....

I canceled AP room only rate online without issue thankfully and will reschedule my flights (SWA so it should be easy!).

Already re-booked a room for Easter weekend just in case that is an option, don't care much about good FP just want some daughter time and some Epcot time:

DD is planning to stay for now as she wants to be available when the parks re-open, she loves her program and co-workers and luckily really likes her roommates as well.

Stay well everyone!

My DCP kiddo is staying as well. She is in MK for her role so she is without a job for two weeks but wants to be there when things are back up and running.

My dd began her DCP on Feb 3. Her 17yo sister is booked to go down 3/20. I know the parks will be closed but still considering sending her and letting her and sis hang out at the resort for a few days. I certainly don't want to seem reckless but my dd17 cannot go another time until mid May and she is and has been missing her sister so much.

My dh & I are still planning to fly down 3/31 and also don't really care much about park time. We both just miss our DCP kiddo and were hoping to spend time with her.

 

[DisNerdSocal]

This thread is about the impact of the Coronavirus on our Disney plans, my plans are impacted by the closure but I'm wondering what others who are traveling from out of state doing instead? Are you still going to Florida or cancelling your trip altogether? If you're still going are going to beaches, making it a resort only vacation, or something else? I'm thinking of still heading down with my family but wondering if that's just a foolish decision. After 2 weeks straight of no school/work from home, I can only imagine we are going to be screaming for some R&R!

We cancelled completely. I work in emergency services and am considered mission critical. My sons are older teenagers so they're content with sleeping and eating over our planned vacation. We live in Southern California, we can see a little bit of Disney magic when Disneyland reopens. I told my kids to pick anywhere in the world they want to go and I would take them for a weeklong trip over Thanksgiving break (the only time my soon-to-be college student and high schooler brother will have overlapping breaks). They picked the Benelux countries so Europe it is!

 

[fla4fun]

Weird question... Assuming the parks reopen in April some time, do you guys think they might extend the Flower And Garden Festival at all?

I wish they would, especially if they are closed into April. There’s no other festival that would be affected if they did and I love F&G.

 

[jbish]

So today I thought that if my DS is unlikely to find a job right after graduation due to interview cancellations and DD and boyfriend should be done with work/internships before returning to grad school some time in August maybe we could shift our May trip then; unfortunately sounds like that won't work for boyfriend and DD sounded almost in tears that I was even talking about the possibility of our trip not working out, and she is in her 20's. I really feel for people with young kids facing cancellations. So now I'm back to riding it out and waiting to see what happens. Given the travel restrictions my company is placing to protect our business and employees I have no idea whether flights are going to be responsible, and I struggle with whether even considering a vacation is irresponsible from a public health perspective. It would be long but I am trying to rationalize that worst case we could drive down to avoid the plane. We used a load of DVC points for a 3BR at Boardwalk so we could always bring cleaning supplies and give everything a going over and avoid the parks if we were uncomfortable. However I suspect my parents would be uncomfortable seeing us for 2-3 weeks afterwards. DS is disappointed about not getting the end of his senior year or commencement, so it would be great if there was a way to make this work, but it will all depend on how things progress and whether going would really be frowned upon at my work. These are really unbelievable times we are living through. Stay safe and healthy.

I’m right there with you. It’s killing me to have to cancel. We still have time to do it as our trip was 4/3-4/9. However, my company, too, does not want us to travel. If we do, we would likely not be allowed in the office for two weeks after we come back. As it is, I’m teleworking now, for at least the rest of March, which was unheard of in my small company. Even DH joked about just going and hanging out at the pool. But that’s just not practical. Plus, as you mentioned, I wouldn’t want to be around my parents afterwards either.

We all need to do our part in staying out of the fray and flattening that curve. It’s a real bummer for all of us. But hopefully the measures we are all taking will help our society as a whole. And someday we will look back on this and it will have just been a “blip”.