WDW COVID-19 Operational Changes- Reservation System-Rope Drop Procedures

[yulilin3]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/05/an-update-on-walt-disney-world-resort-reservations/
here's the official word

Sounds like dining reservations will now be 60 day in advance instead of 180 from now on (even when things return to normal)

basically an explanation of what they posted yesterday, with a more concise language. Thanks for posting

 

[AmishGuy91]

I don’t mind dining reservations moving from 180 to 60 days, but don’t like it the same day as FastPass reservations.

 

[courtney1188]

I don’t mind dining reservations moving from 180 to 60 days, but don’t like it the same day as FastPass reservations.

This is a good point - I think we'll have to turn it into a team effort where husband handles dining while I handle Fastpass, but it's not ideal.

 

[yulilin3]

Referring to Dining correct? not actual resort reservations?

language from the official DPB post: "over the coming weeks we will be making some necessary updates to prepare for the launch of this park reservation system"
that could mean anything can be changed, deleted. They posted that DPB story last week and we all thought it strange and now it makes sense, they were trying to lessen the blow last week with a "we could change all your plans" to now "we are changing some of your plans" all in an effort to control the crowds
Will the actually cancel reservations starting July 11? that the did not say but they did say they would be contacting people with reservations so as soon as anyone gets an email make sure to share it

 

[Brett Wyman]

I don’t mind dining reservations moving from 180 to 60 days, but don’t like it the same day as FastPass reservations.

Don't worry there aren't any FPs anymore for awhile anyway. Part of same announcement.

• New Ticket Sales and Hotel Reservations: At this time, we are temporarily pausing new ticket sales and Disney Resort hotel reservations so we can focus on guests with existing tickets and reservations. Existing ticket holders and Annual Passholders will be able to make a theme park reservation before new tickets are sold; we will be reaching out to these guests soon to provide additional details. We will resume new sales of tickets and Disney Resort hotel reservations after that period of time. Theme park reservations will be limited due to attendance limitations and will be subject to availability.
• Dining and Experiences: In order to foster physical distancing during this time, upon reopening, our offerings, restaurants and other experiences such as behind-the-scenes tours will be limited in capacity, and other experiences may remain closed. As a result of limited capacity, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages, through the end of the year. We will reopen dining and experience bookings with more limited numbers closer to when the parks reopen. We will also shift from a 180-day booking window to a 60-day booking window for dining and experience bookings going forward to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits.
• FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours: As a result of the COVID-19 impact, the FastPass+ service will be suspended for the time being as we plan to use additional queue space to manage capacity at our attractions and maintain physical distancing. We will automatically cancel existing FastPass+ selections and share any future updates on the service at a later date. Also, please note that upon reopening, Extra Magic Hours will be temporarily suspended.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I don’t mind dining reservations moving from 180 to 60 days, but don’t like it the same day as FastPass reservations.

Remember there will be no FP system for now. I would imagine when they do switch back to normal FP operations they will either change back to 180 or make some other adjustments so they aren’t the same day.

 

[courtney1188]

Me yesterday: That is so vague! WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!

Me today: Well I don't want it to mean THAT! Why?!

Blah. Oh well. Moving back to just waiting to see the reservation system to know if we'll even be able to get into the park or not.

 

[reliev]

Interesting note about changing reservation planning from 180 days out to 60 days out going forward. I wonder if that will be a permanent change. I don't mind the 180 days as we live far away and always plan far in advance, but I know for many, having to do that is a source of frustration that is unique to Disney. (and now I'm realizing you literally just said that - sorry! My brain is frazzled right now.)

60 days can make sense in the days of covid god forbid a spike happens in your city or town and they enact travel restrictions or something of this nature.

 

[osufeth24]

Remember there will be no FP system for now. I would imagine when they do switch back to normal FP system at some point they will either change back to 180 or make some other adjustment so they aren’t the same day.

That, or they never bring back the old FP system....

 

[Brett Wyman]

Explain to me the cancelling of the DDP? Did all the folks with free dining lose that as well?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Explain to me the cancelling of the DDP? Did all the folks with free dining loose that as well?

Yes, that is correct. Any dining plan booked under any conditions.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Yes, that is correct. Any dining plan booked under any conditions.

Thats gotta sting.

 

[wilkydelts]

I really feel like this is just making a mad dash for 3rd party tickets. I’m really not sure what to do anymore.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thats gotta sting.

There’s some info going around from evidently a TA site or somewhere similar that notes a 35% room only discount for those that booked the free dining recovery offer. 35% is pretty decent, relatively speaking - should help a bit.

 

[yulilin3]

I think thoughts and prayers are in order for the phone Cast Members, anyone calling please be patient and kind, they will probably have the exact same info you and I are reading

 

[p44nmun]

I’m searching this thread and others but haven’t found the answer to the question I have or clarification I should say I have after reading everything so posting.
We received free dining when we rescheduled our March canceled trip for July. Is Disney saying that they are getting rid of our free dining completely if we still choose to go mid July?
35% discount to rebook, I get that part. But if we don’t rebook and go, we now have no free dining?
If that is correct then I think I can finally make the decision to cancel despite really thinking we were going to go and just “go with the flow” while there. As funny as it sounds, we were excited for free food

 

[Brett Wyman]

As funny as it sounds, we were excited for free food

Not funny at all. People plan their entire trips around free dining times.

 

[p44nmun]

Sorry, my post was so long winded that my question was answered as I was posting.

 

[courtney1188]

I’m searching this thread and others but haven’t found the answer to the question I have or clarification I should say I have after reading everything so posting.
We received free dining when we rescheduled our March canceled trip for July. Is Disney saying that they are getting rid of our free dining completely if we still choose to go mid July?
35% discount to rebook, I get that part. But if we don’t rebook and go, we now have no free dining?
If that is correct then I think I can finally make the decision to cancel despite really thinking we were going to go and just “go with the flow” while there. As funny as it sounds, we were excited for free food

Unfortunately, that is correct. All dining plans, whether they were free or paid for, are cancelled.

 

[yulilin3]

First page has been updated with the link to the new reservation system info