We’ve been spending the last few days exploring the select Disney World resorts that have just reopened on June 22nd so we can answer ALL of your questions about what’s changed since your last stay!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
And while we’ve had our fair share of surprises, now we’re going to spill the beans on a few things we found to be super weird and INTERESTING! We didn’t do full articles about these, but we still think they’re important for you to hear if you’re headed to the Disney resorts sometime soon.
Calling Your Front Desk Might Be Much Faster Than Virtual Chat
Initially, we couldn’t wait to try the new Virtual Chat feature Disney told us they would be launching on the My Disney Experience app. Instead of going to the front desk, you can use the app to connect with a Resort Cast Member…in theory.
Virtual Chat New Message
Well, first, we were looking for the virtual chat feature in the “my resort” section of the My Disney Experience app. It wasn’t there. So we asked cast members. They didn’t know anything about it. Finally, we asked a Concierge Manager who told us that the “new” virtual chat feature was the same “chat with us” feature that was already on the My Disney Experience app and the Disney World website. Except once you actually get through to a Cast Member, they make you fill out a guest information form before you connect to someone from your actual resort hotel.
Unfortunately, the system seems to be running VERY SLOW and every time we tried to access Virtual Chat on our phones, we got a “hang on we’re experiencing high chat volume so it may be a moment” warning — like you would from the “Chat with Us” feature on Disney’s World’s website.
Virtual Chat
Click here to read what’s up with Disney World’s new Virtual Chat!
The average wait time for the Virtual Chat was 1.5 to 2 hours each time we tried it, so if you need a quicker response (or need to request extra towels, Housekeeping, etc.), you’re probably better off just phoning the front desk for now!
Your Mileage May Vary On Resort Entrance
On our way to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for a dining reservation, we had a little hiccup!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The Security Cast Member who checked our information at the entrance originally said we were too early for our dining reservation. He also didn’t seem too happy the rest of our group wasn’t riding with us. While he did permit us to enter and park, he told us we had to wait in our car until the rest of our party arrived.
When our buddy we were meeting for dinner drove in a little while later, she didn’t encounter any issues. Through this experience, we learned even if you have a dining reservation and are technically allowed to enter a Disney World resort OTHER than the resort you’re staying at, you might still have to undergo a little extra scrutiny.
Disney’s Grand Floridian
But here’s a little note — we are now hearing that guests are allowed to resort hop without a dining reservation if they have an official Disney World Resort hotel reservation. While Disney hasn’t published that information, several cast members did tell us that the policy changed yesterday. So that’s something to test out!
Security and Sandwich Boards Are Keeping Guests At Bay
Another unusual encounter we had happened over near Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort. Since Disney’s Yacht Club Resort hasn’t reopened yet, we saw signs blocking the walkway to the resort as we walked around Crescent Lake.
Yacht Club
There were also Security Cast Members near the entrance to Epcot’s International Gateway making sure no one wandered too close since the theme park won’t be reopening until July 15th. We were allowed to get close enough to hear the World Showcase music, though!
Epcot’s International Gateway
And we even saw one of Epcot’s Flower and Garden banners was STILL up! Even though the festival was cut short this year, we’re looking forward to enjoying the new Flower and Garden/Food and Wine mash-up festival that will be debuting on the first day of Epcot’s grand reopening!
Flower and Garden Banner
Click here to learn more details about the new Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival that’s coming soon!
Resorts May Have Different Policies
In addition to keeping our distance, we found out some places were being super strict about who they were allowing into certain locations! Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort wouldn’t even allow guests inside unless they were purchasing something — no window-shoppers allowed.
Gasparilla Island Grill
And when we said we’d like to purchase a cupcake, a cast member put all available cupcake types onto a tray and brought it outside to us to see before we were allowed in to purchase. This was definitely not something we experienced anywhere else.
Butterfly Cupcake
Unlike Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort didn’t have a Welcome Back Cupcake for its guests, but they DID have this gorgeous creature!
Some Spots Will Be SILENT
One of the most surreal things we experienced happened on our first night at the resorts. Naturally, we HAD to stop by Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort to see how our favorite soda shop was doing!
Beaches and Cream
Read more about our first meal back at the newly reopened Beaches and Cream here!
Other than the rearranged seating, disposable paper menus, and squeeze bottle condiments no longer being left out on the table, we spotted another HUGE difference — the jukebox wasn’t working!
Let’s Listen to Some Oldies!
In fact, one of the Cast Members told us the records had been removed during the temporary closure, so instead of listening to some golden oldies on the ol’ Wurlitzer, someone was crankin’ out tunes on their phone — until they finished their shift and took their music with them.
Beaches and Cream Seating
We gotta say, sitting in a mostly-silent Beaches and Cream dining room feels pretty strange, so we hope the 45s make their way back to the jukebox soon rather than later!
Empty Resorts
And since we’re on the subject of the surreal, probably the weirdest part of our whole experience being back at the Disney World resorts is how EMPTY they look and FEEL!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Click here to see how empty the Disney World resorts were on their grand reopening days here!
It’s a very Omega man-y, last-person-on-Earth sort of feeling at times when you’re literally the only person standing in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort’s lobby! Usually, this great room is packed with guests!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
We’ll be interested to see how the crowds pick up once the theme parks begin their phased reopening on July 11th! Until then, we’ll keep exploring the Disney World resorts and reporting back our findings (especially the weird ones) to you guys! And if you’re planning on being at Disney World for the grand reopening click here to read our Ultimate GUIDE!
Have you made your theme park reservations yet? Learn more about Disney World’s Park Pass reservation system here!
Disney Park Reopening Details and Info
Click HERE for the All Latest Updates
Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World!
TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System
ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures
Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information
We’re Visiting ALL the Reopened Disney World Hotels and Have All the Need-to-Know Details
We’re LIVE in Disney World's Magic Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We’re LIVE in Disney’s Animal Kingdom For the FIRST Time Since the Closures
We Got a FIRST LOOK at Disney World’s New Character Cavalcades and Entertainment!
Everything You NEED To Know About Wearing Masks in Disney World
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Have you visited any of the Disney World resorts that have reopened? Tell us about any weird encounters you had in the comments below!
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I am so interested to know about resort hopping w/o a reservation. We are staying at the Poly July 14th-24th and I am dying to get to the enchanted rose! I don’t necessarily want to make a reservation for grand flo cafe though so I’m anxious to see how that works… like could we just walk from the poly or will that be allowed?! So many questions!! 😂
How do I make restaurant reservations in the parks? I have annual passes and park reservations but can’t make restaurant reservations. I saw that you can’t eat in a restaurant without a reservation. Please help. Thank you!
We stayed at Grand Floridian the 23-25. We made reservations at Boardwalk and Polynesian and didn’t encounter any security whatsoever. But the thing that was most eerie about our stay was the SILENT BOARDWALK! There was no music and only a few people here and there. GF was also completely quiet – I could actually hear the music for once! What I loved most was that cast members were so excited to see us (probably because it meant they had something to do rather than just standing around). The bellman at GF even gave us water bottles as we were leaving on the Magic Express. It was a lovely trip, I highly recommend a relaxing vacation at Disney before Disney opens!
Thanks for sharing, Kandice. I’m so happy you had a relaxing trip.
Cindi, Disney hasn’t released in-park ADRs yet. We’re watching, and we will update as soon as they’re made available.
Ashley, we did not notice any impediments to walking between the Poly and GF. Unless security or things change, you should be able to do that.
Ashley, I was told you do not need reservations for the bars, so I would think if anyone asked and you said you were going to Enchanted Rose, it would be fine. Also, we walked from GF to Poly and didn’t see a soul, so I’m sure no one will question you.
What about pools? If we wanted to come & stay at a resort (no hopping anywhere else) will we be able to chill by & swim in the pool?
If you have a reservation in a park and wanted to leave , would u be able to return to that same park later that day?
Since Orange County Fla. is Blowing Up with Covid-19, Is Another Shutdown in the works for WDW ?
Resort hoping without dinning reservations! We do hope that becomes standard practice again, me and the wife would love to do a relaxed resort stay sans park tickets, if that becomes “normal” again!
Lack of or very quiet music may be a safety precaution. The louder people talk the more they ‘spit’ basically, so loud places are likely to be more infectious.
One reason for nightclubs and packing plants being infection hotspots.
Is the walkway construction from GF to MK look like any progress has been completed?
If u make a reservation to be in a certain park can you leave that park and return later that same day.
Good to hear that I can resort hop! I’m sitting at Geyser Peak right now and was thinking how nice it would be to visit Poly. FYI, the Security Cast Member who checked me about an hour ago did scrutinize my dining reservation…meaning, he scanned my band and repeated my reservation back to me (my name, the dining establishment…). At the time, I thought they were just being tight about the “must have a reservation” stance.
So excited to hear we can resort hop! Any word on dining reservations for July 11 and on? We arrive in 11 days and still can’t make dining reservations. 🙁
It’s all so sad. I want my old Disney back!
have august reservation but know tickets was told by DVC selling later in summer only 6/28 2021 tickets and reservation for rides at same Does anyone else see this picture is off 2021 tickets first later summer anyone else if the case know any question how i get theme park for grandsons i really don’t need my 10 day on property reservation and we are 1o/o low corna and news saturday stated a girl from westchester was in orlando got it gave to follow graduates at outdoor graduation i have corna free now have to worry getting from or put quartine when i get I GUESS THEIR IS KNOW MORE DISNEY MAGIC
Cynthia, we’re still waiting on in-Park ADRs to be available.
Suzanne, we were told yes.
Mike, here’s our latest update on that.
Suzanne, we were told yes.
Ashley, pools are open at all of the Resorts that reopened June 22. Feature pools are said to possibly have reduced hours, but leisure pools are open 24 hours.
Thanks for the update!
I’m wondering how many people 🤔 R disappointed with Disney World Annual Passholders limited entrance of only 3 days per reservation booked. We’ve been members 4 years. I would like a full refund. We didn’t sign up 4 this program when Annual pass was bought 🤑😠
We are at Disney Saratoga Springs Resort right now.
i find it weird they are not opening pools till 1100am. So nothing to do but stay in room or go walking which we did at 6am……
Tatthkattav. isn’t the Congress Park pool open 24 hours? And maybe the Treehouse Villas pool? Both of them should be considered leisure pools and not feature pools.