Upcoming Walt Disney World© Resort Hotel Stays

Please read the following important information before you travel to Walt Disney World©

Continue to check the suggested websites below as well as other websites for updates and current procedures, policy and news.

Due to the evolving nature of the COVID-19 health crisis, all information, details and links to websites on this page are subject to change, it is your responsibility to stay up-to-date and informed before traveling. It is important that you check and revisit these links and other resources often.

Please note the CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to visit. People who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected, any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19, and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your visit.

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Important COVID-19 Information as of August 21, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak is a rapidly evolving situation. The status of the outbreak varies by location and state and country. Local authorities are frequently updating their guidance and safety measures. The White House’s Opening Up America Again plan means that some parts of the United States may have different guidance than other areas. Check the latest travel information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by clicking on this link: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Please note the CDC advises that older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Guests should evaluate their risk in determining whether to visit. People who show no symptoms can spread COVID-19 if they are infected, any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19, and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed during your vacation.

It is your responsibility to check with state or local authorities where you currently reside, along your route, and at your planned destination so that you are fully aware of local circumstances, mandates, quarantines, fines, laws and/or any restrictions that may be in place at the time of travel as well as any circumstances, mandates, quarantines, fines, laws and/or any restrictions that may be imposed and/or required upon your return.

Important updates from Disney:

For the most up-to-date operational updates and frequently asked questions for Walt Disney World® Resort, please visit here.

Click here for information about Disney’s 2020 reservation cancellation modification policy during COVID.

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September 17, 2020 Walt Disney World© – From Disney

With a phased approach to reopening, we have continued to welcome Guests and Cast Members back to our theme parks, Disney Resort hotels and Disney Springs area. While Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park remain closed at this time, pending state and local government approvals, we currently plan to reopen one of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021. We may adjust our proposed reopening date, and if that happens, we will let you know what to expect in a future update.

Like the other areas of Walt Disney World Resort, we will welcome back Guests and Cast Members to our water parks in a responsible way, with a plan focused on health and well-being. We will provide more details on our phased reopening plan, including a decision on the specific water park that will be reopening first, at a later time.

We realize that some Guests with existing tickets and some Annual Passholders are impacted by this update. We are offering options to Guests with an existing Premier Passport, Platinum Plus Pass, Water Parks Annual Pass, Water Parks After 2 Annual Pass or tickets that include the Park Hopper Plus Option or Water Park and Sports Option.

TICKET ADD-ONS
If you  have a ticket that includes the Park Hopper Plus Option or Water Park & Sports Option, we are offering options including:

• Keep: You may use your current date-based ticket with the existing add-on options at other experiences available during their visit.
• Modify: Tickets, as well as Disney Resort hotel packages with tickets, may be modified. To discuss the options, please call the Disney Reservation Center.
• Cancel: If you do not want to use your ticket,you also have the option of cancelling the ticket or package. To discuss the options, please call the Disney Reservation Center.

At this time, Guests can purchase new tickets that include the Park Hopper Plus Option or Water Park and Sports Option for admission March 7 and later. We will resume sales of Water Park annual passes and 1-Day Water Park Tickets at a later date.

WATER PARK TICKETS
We will automatically extend unused, unexpired 1-Day Disney Water Park tickets through Dec. 31, 2021. As an alternative, Guests may instead choose to cancel their ticket. To discuss the options, please call the Disney Reservation Center. Also, if you are unable to visit by Dec. 31, 2021, you may apply the value of a wholly unused ticket toward the purchase of a ticket for a future date.

WATER PARK ANNUAL PASSES
Water Parks and Water Parks After 2 annual passes will be automatically extended for the period in which both water parks were closed. As an alternative, water park Passholders may instead choose to cancel their pass. To choose this option, please call (407) 939-2732.

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August 31, 2020 Walt Disney World© – From Disney

With a phased approach to reopening, we are continuing to welcome Guests back to Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World theme parks and Disney Springs and have been thrilled to play a role in bringing back live professional sports.

As we continue to reopen additional Disney Resort hotels to Guests, we are modifying the reopening date for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort which will reopen next summer. This schedule adjustment also allows us to complete some refurbishment work at the Resort hotel, including enhancements to the Great Ceremonial House and Guest rooms. We expect work to begin in early October and look forward to sharing more about these changes in the future. The Villas and Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will remain open during this refurbishment.

We understand the amount of planning that goes into a Disney vacation and we are reaching out to guests and travel agents with upcoming reservations that are impacted by these changes, at least four weeks before their arrival. Our Cast Members will be able to assist with modifying their reservations to other Disney Resort hotels.

Impacted guests may also be receiving email communication from us about their upcoming reservation.

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July 27, 2020 Walt Disney World©

As reported by Disney – As we continue our phased approach to reopening at Walt Disney World® Resort, we are welcoming Guests back to Disney Resort hotels, theme parks and Disney Springs.

We are committed to reopening Disney Resort hotels, though at this time we have decided to adjust the reopening dates for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort due to the current environment. With this in mind, the planned reopening dates for additional Disney Resort hotels will be as follows.

• July 29: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Aug. 24: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Sept. 21: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Oct. 14: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Nov. 1: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• February 9, 2021 – Disney’s All Star Movies
• Summer 2021 – Actual Date TBA:  Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

While we had previously shared reopening dates for Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, these Disney Resort hotels will remain closed until further notice while we continue to reevaluate their reopening timeline.

Due to the fluidity of the current environment, we will continue to evaluate adjustments to Disney Resort hotel opening dates as needed and when the timing is right to do so. These dates are still subject to change, and reservations for stays at Disney Resort hotels not yet open could still be impacted

Guests may also be receiving email communication from Disney about their upcoming reservation.
While these plans may evolve, we will be monitoring the constantly changing health environment and its impact on the state of Florida as we find the right time to welcome back even more of our Guests and Cast Members.

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June 21, 2020 Walt Disney World©

From Disney –

As we continue the phased reopening of Walt Disney World Resort, we are excited to welcome Guests back to Disney Vacation Club resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, beginning June 22. This includes:

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

As we open these hotels, we are taking a measured and deliberate approach to implement a number of health and safety measures based on guidance from various governmental authorities and health agencies.

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June 11, 2020 Walt Disney World

From Disney – As part of our plans for a phased reopening of Walt Disney World® Resort, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will begin to reopen to Guests on June 22, 2020 – ahead of our Theme Parks.

Also, please note that Disney has updated their policy regarding change and cancellation fees. Click here for details.

For Guests wishing to confirm their reservations:

• Contact the Disney or your travel professional to notify them of your confirmation.
• As needed, Disney will move Guests from closed to open resorts during this time. This move will be at no additional cost to Guests. Note that they won’t have an option to modify to another resort of their choosing for this reservation.
• As previously communicated, for Guests who had a dining plan, Disney will be modifying their package to remove the dining plan.
• If guests staying in Disney’s resorts before park opening on July 11, 2020, want to keep their reservation, they will be downgraded out of the ticket package and the package price will be reduced. Alternately, they can move their reservation to new dates, or cancel.

For Guests wishing to modify their reservations to a future date in 2020:

• Contact the Disney or your travel professional to modify your booking to a later date in 2020.
• If you would like to modify to a date on or after July 11, 2020, you may only modify to one of the announced opened resorts, based on availability. Guests will be responsible for any higher rates.
• Travel protection may be moved to a new reservation in 2020. The Guest will be responsible for any difference in price.

For Guests wishing to cancel their reservations:

• Contact the Disney or your travel professional to notify Disney of your cancellation

TRANSPORTATION

Resort transportation around property will be available in limited capacity to allow for physical distancing. Also, if you are arriving via Orlando International Airport, you may still take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express Service. Details here.

We know a stay here during this time will be different. But the world needs magic now more than ever. And we can’t wait to have you here with us. Hope to see you real soon!

Contact your Small World Vacations Travel Professional to learn more about your reservation options and next steps.

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If you booked your Walt Disney World vacation with Small World Vacations, please contact your agent for assistance. Small World Vacations’ emergency phone line is 201-497-5529.  Or, contact our main office at guestrelations@smallworldvacations.com. 

Please rest assured that the agents at Small World Vacations are doing their very best to help their guests during the current global health crisis.

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Published: September 16, 2020