As of today, select Disney World Resort hotels have now reopened!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
And prior to the reopening, Disney released lots of details regarding changes guests could expect to see — including the suspension of some resort activities, enhanced cleaning protocol, and the requirement that all guests have a hotel (or both hotel and dining) reservations to enter.
But even though we were well-prepared, having combed over the must-read Health Acknowledgement Disney sent us last night and read through all the information that was provided to us while we used Disney World’s online check-in for our resort stay, there were still a few things that snuck up on us!
Only Buses Are Running Until Parks Open
Disney has shared with us some information regarding which methods of transportation we’ll be able to use during the initial phase of Disney World’s reopening.
Daisy Duck Bus
However, we found out today the only Disney transportation method of getting around right now is Disney World’s bus system. Buses are currently running to and from Disney Springs from each resort that has reopened today.
If you want to get from one resort to another, your only free options are to do a bus switch at Disney Springs, or drive yourself. (Guests can also use a taxi or a ride share service, but that would incur an extra cost.)
Grand Floridian Resort
Valet parking is not currently available at the resorts and keep in mind you must have a hotel reservation (and dining reservation if you’re headed to a hotel you’re not staying in) booked to be allowed at a Disney World resort at this time, according to Disney.
It appears, for now at least, Disney World’s monorail service, ferryboats, and Disney’s Skyliner aren’t likely to resume until the theme parks reopen, but we’ll keep you posted with any and all updates!
No Temperature Screenings to Enter the Resorts
Another thing we were surprised by this morning is how we walked right into our hotel! There are new health and safety signs throughout the grounds stating face coverings must be worn at all times while in common areas, but on-site temperature screenings aren’t currently being performed at any of the Disney World resorts.
New Health and Safety Signage
By now, we’re very used to having our temperatures taken since health screenings are required to enter Disney Springs and will be required to enter Disney World’s theme parks when they reopen next month.
Click here to learn everything you need to know about temperature checks in Disney World!
But this time, Disney World’s resorts are not requiring their guests to undergo mandatory temperature checks. They ask that you take your temperature at home before you arrive and stay home if you have any symptoms of illness.
This Place Is EMPTY
The Disney World hotels we’ve been exploring today have been very calm and quiet. Without the monorail whizzing by us at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and folk disembarking from Disney’s Skyliner at Disney’s Riviera Resort, there’s barely anyone here.
Topolino’s Terrace was very empty today when we stopped by for their character breakfast.
Topolino’s Terrace Dining Room
Click here to see how character dining is now different in Disney World!
Grand Floridian Resort was a ghost town!
Grand Floridian Lobby
Beach Club, Boardwalk…everywhere we went there was nobody!
Boardwalk Resort
Beach Club Resort
Keep in mind Disney World is also limiting who they’re allowing to visit their resorts at this time. You must have a hotel reservation (and a dining reservation as well if you’re not staying at that particular hotel) to be allowed in.
Security Cast Members asked us our name at the gate of one of the hotels we weren’t staying at but had made a lunchtime reservation to dine at. Only after checking their list to ensure we had a dining reservation there were we granted access.
You Can Still Use Your Refillable Mugs!
The Refillable Mug Program at Disney World has become an institution, allowing guests to receive free refills for a limited time. We were curious to see if refillable mugs would still be available — OR NOT!
Refillable Mugs
And it turns out, refillable mugs are still very much alive and well at Disney World! There have been a few modifications made to the process, but other than that, you’ll have the same fun gettin’ as much soda, coffee, and ice tea as you could ever want!
Now, guests will bring their mug to a Cast Member who will fill a paper cup with the guests’ preferred beverage. The guest will then be given the paper cup to empty into their own refillable mug.
Click here for more details about using refillable mugs at a newly reopened Disney World resort!
Masks and Temperature Patches Are for Sale
We noticed some new products have shown up on the shelves at Disney World’s gift shops. At Disney’s Contemporary Resort’s Bayview Gifts, hand sanitizer and Disney-themed cloth face masks are now being sold. They’re the same ones we’ve seen for sale at Disney Springs recently as well as online.
Face masks for sale at Bayview Gifts
La Boutique at Disney’s Riveria Resort also had Disney-themed cloth face masks for sale as well as disposable face masks.
Disposable Face Masks
Click here to see what it’s like to shop at a few of the newly reopened Disney World resorts!
We also spotted Forehead thermometers that work like stickers and are reusable in case you don’t want to bring your own thermometer from home.
Cinderella Castle Is Looking really, REALLY Pink!
But perhaps the most shocking change of them all has been how far Cinderella Castle’s transformation has come along since our last visit to Magic Kingdom! We could see it from Disney’s Contemporary Resort today and it’s gone from gray to a rosy-pinkish hue!
Cinderella Castle
To us, the castle seems to be nearing its completion! Could it be ready in time for Magic Kingdom’s grand reopening on July 11th?
It’s truly a mix of emotions being back at Disney World today and we can’t wait to share more of our experience with you! Make sure you’re following along with our live coverage here so that you don’t miss a thing!
Click here to learn more about the changes you can expect at Disney World Resort hotels this summer!
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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How was check in? Did you get to go to your room early?
Do the Disney face masks have a nose wire?
Aimee, we requested our room to be ready at 7AM, and it was. Of course, that experience will likely vary!
WHY DID THE HOTELS OPEN SO MUCH EARLIER THAN THE PARKS? I WOULD PROBABLY NOT STAY IN A DISNEY RESORT HOTEL UNLESS I COULD GO TO THE PARKS!!
Are most of the pools open? We check into the Poly next week and I am really hoping my little one can play in the childrens splash area.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and surprises! We don’t arrive Home at the Riviera until Sept, but it is good to have the latest and greatest so we are prepared. Thank you DFB!❤❤❤
Carley, Disney has listed activities for Resorts here. Poly says “pools” and “pool activities.” They don’t specify the splash area, but typically those are lumped in with pools in the activities.
Sandi, lots of folks like a Disney Resort stay. 🙂
I have a reservation July27-31 at Wilderness Lodge, don’t think it will be open, so not quite sure what will happen, I was able to get reservations for parks.
sorry that’s not my castle
I wouldn’t be surprised the resorts are empty as “most” guest arrive to visit the parks.
Do you think the 14 day quarantine for New York will be lifted by August 12, 2020? We have a reservation for that date.
Cathy, we really don’t know. We’re regularly checking in with task force meetings and announcements, and we will update when we can!
We checked into Beach Club Villas and this place is a ghost town. We can only walk one way to the Boardwalk as Yacht, Swan and Dolphin are closed so they blocked the path. Boardwalk was a ghost town as well but awesome for photo ops and quiet. No music playing, which was eerie. Movie under the stars is Lelo & Stitch. Tons of seats open. I kind of feel like royalty because no one is around – LOL.
my wife has asthma, and finds it real hard to wear a mask for a long time….is Disney going to allow people with asthma to have only face shields? other wise we will be stopping like every half hour to make sure she can take off her mask to get better breathing!
George, so far we are getting mixed messages about face shields from Disney. Unfortunately, the could mean folks who prefer face shields (or need them for health reasons) may be required to wear a mask also. We are continuing to monitor the application of Disney’s face covering rules to try to get some clarity.
CJ, you ARE royalty. Enjoy your stay!
We checked into a fabulous studio at the Riviera on Monday and it was fantastic. My husband had requested 2 PM and it was ready. My husband uses a mobility cart that we bring with us and we had free valet parking as usual. They go through a lot of effort to sanitize your car also. No temperature checks. Lots of hand sanitizing stations at the hotel, even next to the bank of elevators (4) on the 2nd floor where you get the elevators to your room. Not the usual plastic bottle sitting on a table like in a store, but a very nice dispenser attached to the floor that you pull a sanitizing wipe out of in front of each set of elevators. Loved the Master Switch for the lighting in the entire room to the right of the front door that you engage so that any lights you turn on you are able to just turn that Master Switch off when leaving the room and it turns off each light you turned on. Just remember that as a Covid-19 guideline there is no longer any paperwork in the rooms to let you know about the Master Switch. We didn’t see it when entering the room and it took us a while to find it and realize that’s how you get the lights to turn on. As a seasoned DVC (26 year) member, we are used to seeing literature in the rooms describing activities at the resort, etc. There was none of that in our studio. To go along with guidelines there are no facial tissues in the rooms. The studio was absolutely wonderful. We always book a 1 bedroom for the 2 of us, but this studio was more than spacious enough. The pocket doors (3) for the shower, toilet, sink and full bath tub area made so much sense. Someone had a brain that set that area up like that for a studio. Maximized a lot of space. This studio had a queen size bed with 2 Murphy beds plus a full size very comfortable couch and small table for eating plus 2 accompanying chairs. There was a small kitchen sink, what we usually call a dorm size refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster in the cupboard plus some disposable plates, bowls, silverware and assorted plastic cups. For a studio, there was a lot of room for the 2 of us to move around in very comfortably and even room for my husband’s mobility cart out of our walkway. Nice view of the pool area plus the gondolas from either the room itself or sitting on the balcony chairs with a small table provided.
We had booked the breakfast at Topolino’s the next morning that was very delicious. The price of the entrees were $42 for each of us and we also ordered the fruit plate listed with the entrees that was no charge. You also get all the coffee, iced tea and juices you want. Yes, that wonderful juice everyone talks about is also included with free refills. You also are given as soon as the waiter comes to take your order a basket of 3 different pastries with butter and jam. This is a modified character breakfast keeping in line with Covid-19 guidelines with no autographing or hugs from Mickey, Minnie, Donald & Daisy, but they came in at several intervals the entire time we were there with different skits and allowing you to take pictures. The wait staff was fantastic and the views from the window surround are very nice. It was well worth going to the breakfast. Social distancing is kept very well with the tables, the entertainment and the wait staff. This hotel is very beautiful both inside and out. We were just lucky enough to have booked our studio at the Riviera in December after it opened and so pleased that the first day of DVC hotels opening at WDW was June 22. We live locally so the fact that there are limited entertainment areas open at WDW at the present time did not bother us.
Thank you for sharing, Candice. It sounds like you had a wonderful time!