What to Expect When Disney World Reopens: Pin Trading & More

Walt Disney World Resort will begin its phased reopening soon. Here are some of the things guests should be aware of when visiting.

Reopening Dates Reminders and Updates:

Disney World theme parks will reopen on July 11 and 15.

Some Disney Vacation properties and Disney Vacation Club properties will start opening on June 15 and 22.

Disney Cruise Lines vacations are still mostly cancelled at this time.

Shanghai Disneyland is reopen. Hong Kong Disneyland should reopen soon as well.

Reopening Dates at Disney World

On June 15, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, as well as Disney’s Vero Beach Resort will reopen.

Then, on June 22, select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will reopen.

The following are the select Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts:

On July 11, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom theme parks will open their gates.

Four days after that, on July 15, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios will resume their operations too.

Requirements for Disney Resort Hotel Guests

Guests who are under quarantine or isolation orders will not be allowed to enter Walt Disney World Resort. 

Furthermore, hotel guests are required to have the following:

• A confirmed room reservation. Guests must link their reservation to their Disney account to receive vital information before their arrival. They can go to My Plans to get started.
• A confirmed dining reservation. These will only be required for day guests–those who are not staying overnight.
• Face coverings. Guests ages 2 and up must wear their face coverings in public areas except when dining and swimming.
• A theme park reservation and valid admission. If hotel guests are planning to visit select Disney World theme parks, they must have a valid reservation and admission for the park on the same date. Note that a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee access to theme parks. 

Guests are recommended to download the latest version of My Disney Experience App on their mobile devices as well.

Also, Disney World recommends guests to use cashless forms of payment and MagicBands.

Disney World Resort’s Hotel Benefits

During the initial period of the phased reopening, some hotel benefits may be modified and even unavailable. 

Disney’s Magical Express® Service

Fortunately, the complimentary airport transportation through Disney’s Magical Express service will be available for arriving and departing guests from Orlando International Airport.

FastPass+ Service

Sadly, Disney World will temporarily suspend the FastPass+ service.

Disney World will later share updates on this.

Extra Magic Hours

The Extra Magic Hours benefit is also unavailable until further notice.

Disney Resort Hotel Cleaning

Once they start reopening, Disney World ensures that guests will have peace of mind knowing that their rooms will be thoroughly cleaned before they arrive.

The hotel staff will also service the guests’ rooms during their stay.

What’s more, Disney Resort will even increase cleaning in common and high-traffic areas.

Regarding housekeeping, this is what you can expect from Disney Resorts: 

Here are additional reminders for guests:

Transportation and Parking at Disney World

Transportation

Bus transportation will be provided between guests’ hotel and Disney Springs area while the theme parks are still closed.

Then, complimentary transportation will be available between the guests’ hotel and Disney theme parks once the theme parks reopen.

Guests may expect delays because transportation will operate following social distancing measures, limiting capacity.

Learn more about transportation options here.

Furthermore, the Minnie Van Service will not be available during the initial reopening stage.

Parking

Self-parking will be available, but the valet service will only be available for guests with disabilities who require parking assistance.

For the latter, a valid disability parking permit will be required.

Note that there will be parking fees for hotel guests.

Here’s another thing to expect when Disney World reopens:

What About Pin Trading?

As WDWInfo notes:

Pin trading will be limited to pin boards at certain locations, but pin trading with cast members wearing pin lanyards will not be allowed during the reopening phase. 

WDWInfo.com

In other words, pin trading won’t be quite the same when the parks reopen due to health and safety concerns.

Disney Resort Services, Amenities, & Recreation

Please refer to the following picture for the modified and unavailable hotel services during the initial reopening period.

Note that only select dining locations will be available at Disney Resort hotels.

For changes in pools, fitness centers, and sports courts, please refer to the photo below.

Furthermore, recreation activities and schedules will vary during the initial reopening period.

Meanwhile, here are some modifications in merchandising locations:

Unfortunately, the following amenities, experiences, special offerings, and childcare services won’t be available for the initial reopening phase:

• Arcades
• Campfires
• Character experiences
• Dog parks
• Electrical Water Pageant
• Fireworks voyages and tasting cruises (including the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage)
• Fun runs
• Hula lessons
• In-room childcare services
• Marina rentals
• Mermaid school
• Pin trading
• Playgrounds
• Salos, spas, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Special classes and programs (including culinary, cultural and animal programs)
• Wonderland Tea Party at Park Fare

In a Nutshell

In short, there will be many changes once Disney World reopens.

Nonetheless, guests can still expect a magical adventure and a vacation experience worth remembering because Disney always exceeds expectations.

Get all the details on character dining when the parks reopen.