Disney World is undergoing so many changes right now it can be difficult to navigate. But, hopefully this post will help you understand some of the ins and outs of the new processes and set you on your way to planning a magnificent Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021.
Let’s start with the Key Dates!
For 2020 Disney World Vacations
If you have a current Disney World Resort reservation in 2020 and park tickets then you will want to immediately get started with the Park Pass System for reserving park days for your trip. This also applies to those with resort reservations and annual passes. You may book as many reservations as your tickets allow (or length of resort stay with an Annual Pass).
If you have Annual Passes (no resort stay) you may begin reserving park days through the Park Pass System on June 26th. You may book through 9/26/2021 but will have a limited number of reservations available.
If you have Disney World tickets but resort booked then you may begin reserving your park days through the Park Pass System on June 28th. You can reserve through 9/26/2021.
If you have booked a Disney World resort but do not have tickets you are able to purchase them now.
Resort Opening Dates for 2020
These Disney Resorts are now open!
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Towers
- 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
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Resorts
Future Resort Openings
- Aug. 24 – Disney’s Yacht Club Resorts
- Sept. 21 – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Oct. 14 – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Nov. 1 — Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Summer 2021 — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
You will notice that Disney’s Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Port Orlean’s Riverside/French Quarter, and the All-Star Resorts are not on the above lists. Disney is continuously evaluating the situation and will open these resorts when the environment is right to do so.
For 2021 Disney World Vacations
Brand new bookings for Disney World resort vacations with tickets in 2021 will be available to book on June 28th (but, I have it on good authority that they are available as early as June 24th). Woohoo!!!
But, the process is a little bit different now since you will be required to reserve your park days with the Park Pass System through September 26, 2021. A travel agent will be a plethora of information to help you with the planning process for your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021.
Steps to planning your 2021 Disney World Vacation
- Check park availability HERE
- Purchase tickets/resort package
- Purchase airfare
- Make park reservations through the Park Pass System ASAP
Where’s the Park Pass System?
Your My Disney Experience app/website should become your new best friend when planning your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021. If you don’t have a My Disney Experience account you will need to set one up. If you have one from a cruise or Disneyland, you will use that same login. If you would like, your travel agent can walk you through the process.
The 1st very important step is to link your Resort reservations and tickets to your My Disney Experience site (this can be done by you or your travel agent).
The 2nd very important step is to reserve your park days through the Park Pass System on the My Disney Experience website (the website works better than the app). This must be done by YOU but your travel agent can walk you through the process. You will find the Park Pass System in the drop-down menu at My Disney Experience.
There are more cool reasons you are going to love the My Disney Experience App but we will talk about those at another time. Stay tuned!
Know Before You Go
Disney has created a mini-site to keep you up to date on all the latest happenings at Disney World. At Disney’s World’s Know Before You Go site you will find information about:
- Current operating conditions
- Health and safety measures
- Adjustments to the parks and resorts
- Adjustments to Disney World experiences and dining
You should definitely check out this site during your planning process before you purchase your tickets. You will want to make sure that the current procedures are ones that wouldn’t be detrimental to your vacation.
More Important Items
Park Hopping is not available during this time. You are limited to one park per day. Make sure that you plan your dining around the park you are scheduled to be in that day
Advanced Dining Reservations can be made 60 days before your stay. Dining plans are not available now so you will have to pay out of pocket for meals. Dining locations are also limiting the number of diners so be flexible with your options.
Fast Passes are not available either in order to make more room for guests to social distance while standing in line. One less thing to worry about, right!
Both a Park Reservation and a Park Ticket (and dated for the same day) are required for entry in to a theme park. This is so important which is why I am stating it again!
Face Coverings are required for all guest 2 and up, in the theme parks and Disney Springs.
Temperature screenings will be required upon entering theme parks and Disney Springs. If anyone has a temperature of greater than 100.4 degrees then the whole party will be denied entry.
Photopass photographers are not allowed to take pictures with your personal cell phone or camera. If this prompts you to purchase a Memory Maker package make sure that you purchase at least 3 days ahead of your vacation at a slightly discounted price.
What else will be different?
All events that bring large groups of people together in a close area are canceled for now. These events include parades, nighttime spectaculars, character breakfasts, playgrounds, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, H2O Glow Nights, among others.
Special tours and dining experiences will also have to be put off until a future Disney World vacation as well as character breakfasts and Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique.
To stay up to date on what Enchanting Extras are available keep an eye on this page.
Traditional character greetings are suspended at this time. BUT, that doesn’t mean you won’t see characters. They will be out and about in different ways and full of surprises!
Why should I go? What’s still available?
Oh my goodness, so much!
Most all of the attractions will be open and ready for guest to enjoy such as Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rise of the Resistance, Space Mountain, the Jungle Cruise, Kilimanjaro Safaris and so much more! Even Spaceship Earth will be open as they are pausing the refurbishment schedule. So cool!
Check out this page for a list of what’s open at each park! Just scroll down to Available Experiences and click on each park for the list.
PLUS, Disney Imagineers are hard at work planning all kinds of things to make your trip special.
Beloved characters will appear in new and different ways that bring a smile to your face while also being mindful of physical distancing. From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom Park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!
For example, after rocketing through space in Tomorrowland guests might see that famous Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear; or discover a captive Captain Jack Sparrow as they traverse the Castillo del Morro on their way to Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests could cross paths with Queen Anna and Elsa as they venture “into the unknown” on a journey around World Showcase at EPCOT or spy members of the Resistance hiding out from the First Order throughout Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
ALSO, they are tweaking and modifying the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival to begin in July and run through the fall. You will also get a small glimpse of the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. How cool is that!! Find out a little more here.
A Walt Disney World Vacation during this time will be truly memorable. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity (hopefully) to experience Disney World like this.
Do you have questions or concerns about planning your Disney World vacation in 2020 or 2021? I would love to help! Send me a message through the Contact Me button above.
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Other links that might be of interest: