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

[yulilin3]

Here now, and I haven’t had a chance to read everything but in case no one has mentioned it yet… Spoke with some cast members who assured us that the annual passes would be extended out. They are unsure how long at this point, but there is supposed to be some news on the website shortly if it’s not there already

already posted this morning, about 4 pages back. Extended for the number of days the parks are closed

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I wonder why the DL hotels are closing but the WDW hotels aren’t closing down (yet, knock on wood).

 

[jeneric997]

they still have to be there though, my friend says they should be getting paid more I'm surprised Disney is paying scheduled bot not working CM at all

I'm surprised they are keeping the DCP kids working, and not giving their shifts to the CMs.

 

[cakebaker]

I am going to sound crazy, or maybe just right for those of us who love Disney enough to be here, but waking up this morning felt like waking up as a teenager after a break up. It’s sinking in I think. This was such a big trip for us.

Anyways, how close are you to WDW? If it isn‘t too bad of a drive, what about middle ground, keep a night or two to try Riviera at that rate. I would worry an extended resort only stay at this time could wind up really depressing when it fully sinks in that WDW around you is closed. But you know yourself and your party on that regard. And of course be fully prepared to leave either if things close or if things escalate and you are no longer comfortable. We could wake up any day and find an outbreak at WDW or a WDW resort, heck we could find that out at any minute of the day.

We aren't close, 1800 miles away. You're right, one of our biggest worries is we'll get there and it will just depress us even more. We have finally decided to just let things cancel. We our June trip on the book, but couldn't afford even the AP rates for the Riviera. But, appears the rate has gone down significantly and is even less that what we were paying with the 40% off, so we changed from the WL for part of our stay. We're looking now at tacking on a few nights at the YC concierge now. My grandson and I got upgraded to concierge there last October and he fell in love with it, so just a little something to perk up his spirits for having lost the trip next week.

Thanks for your input, it was quite helpful. I keep telling myself it's just a vacation, but I just can't stand disappointing him. This grandma cannot take the sad face and tears!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

We aren't close, 1800 miles away. You're right, one of our biggest worries is we'll get there and it will just depress us even more. We have finally decided to just let things cancel. We our June trip on the book, but couldn't afford even the AP rates for the Riviera. But, appears the rate has gone down significantly and is even less that what we were paying with the 40% off, so we changed from the WL for part of our stay. We're looking now at tacking on a few nights at the YC concierge now. My grandson and I got upgraded to concierge there last October and he fell in love with it, so just a little something to perk up his spirits for having lost the trip next week.

Thanks for your input, it was quite helpful. I keep telling myself it's just a vacation, but I just can't stand disappointing him. This grandma cannot take the sad face and tears!

I totally understand. The worst part of all of this was having to tell the kids. Sorry you lost your trip .

 

[hereforthechurros]

Here today. Magical Express, resorts and Disney Springs are crowded. Airports both ways were jamming like nothing was out of the ordinary.

Leaving Sunday but thinking of flying out Saturday. Curious to see how things change. Avoiding the parks this trip so I can’t speak to that.

Stay healthy everyone.

We decided to fly home tomorrow. Bummer to cut things short but with the shutdown we don’t need to be here taking up resources. You can’t even call the “front desk” from your room, it just rings and rings. Call centers must be insane. Front desk at SSR was fully staffed so I appreciate them moving people through as quickly as they could. Also doesn’t feel as fun being here and having to worry about so many things both here and at home. There’s always next time!

 

[sponica]

I wonder why the DL hotels are closing but the WDW hotels aren’t closing down (yet, knock on wood).

Volume. There are something like 30k rooms (according to google, so take it with a grain of salt). Multiple that number by 2 to account for solo travelers and larger parties. That leaves you with ~60k people that need to leave. If even half of those people drive, it's going to take time for 30k people to find seats on airplanes.

 

[ram2016]

Just got word from a friend that works at AoA they are NOT taking new reservations, just confirmation of what I just saw online

no reservations during the closure or at all?

 

[OKWFan88]

does anyone know what phone number to call to cancel the After hour tickets? Is that guest relations or ticket area?

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

does anyone know what phone number to call to cancel the After hour tickets? Is that guest relations or ticket area?

If the date is within the closed dates they will automatically cancel and refund your card.

 

[abnihon]

Is anyone still going in March for a resort only trip?
That may be my plan in April if the closure is extended.
I wonder if all resort dining/activities will continue on and if maybe they would bring in special characters like during a hurricane.
Also wondering about Cirque du Soleil since we have tickets...

 

[hereforthechurros]

Our trip 3/22-3/29 is canceled. Any experience in how WDW will process our refund if we cancel and not modify? We paid down the balance w/ CC and multiple Disney Gift cards.

Not an exact one-for-one but we canceled our night at Dolphin (wasn’t easy btw, Marriott is not wanting to help) and were told that because of the large number of refunds they are issuing it would take a while to show up.

 

[vinotinto]

“ANNUAL PASSES
How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes?
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.”

Has anyone seen their AP dates already extended?

Our expiration date has not changed yet, but we do not have a trip in March. In fact, while super nice of Disney, we probably won’t be able to use an extension since our Spring Break is April 4-12 and I think it’s highly possible the closing will be extended, like it was extended in Tokyo. But still curious if anyone has seen extensions.

 

[cakebaker]

Just got word from a friend that works at AoA they are NOT taking new reservations, just confirmation of what I just saw online

Possibly condensing resort stays? That explains all the upgrades they were offering yesterday. I got no phone call, but I'm at (was, ouch) the Riviera in a 1 br so upgrading us to YC ( where I read the upgrades were going to) really wouldn't be an upgrade and the Riviera may be one they aren't trying to reduce guests in.

 

[sponica]

“ANNUAL PASSES
How does the closure of Walt Disney World impact annual passes?
Walt Disney World annual passes will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020.”

Has anyone seen their AP dates already extended?

I imagine it might take some time for IT to update that info.

 

[escriven75]

I also want to extend a “social distance” hug to everyone who has had their vacations cancelled. A Disney vacation is more than “just” a vacation; it takes so much time and effort to plan and all the dreams that are created in the process...my heart goes out to each and every one of you.

Its wonderful how supportive everyone here is being. Like you said it is just a vacation but we all know its a bit more than that. It was not a fun mom moment waking my kids up to break the news to them. I let them wait until today to hear the sad news. We've had a rough couple of years in my family and haven't been able to get to Disney in a while and this was something we were all really looking forward to. A break from busy work and school...a mental reset button after some tough stuff we've had to deal with. I know everyone is feeling pretty bummed today as they do the UNPLANNING that they've been planning for months. With everything changing so fast it is hard to know how to begin rescheduling too!! We may have a chance to go at the end of summer but the current summer discounts only extend thru July 9th. I was thinking it might be time for us to finally splurge and stay at AK but only can if there's a discount! Wishing you all well and good health to everyone!!!

 

[yulilin3]

no reservations during the closure or at all?

no new reservations during the closure period

 

[cakebaker]

I totally understand. The worst part of all of this was having to tell the kids. Sorry you lost your trip .

Thank you! It was the hardest thing ever! I went to my daughter's house to be there when she told him So hard, he was all smiles at the door and I knew what was coming. Fingers crossed tightly that by June/July this will all be over. I'd love to tell him what we did with the reservations, but it's going to have to wait until I'm sure we won't go through this again. I'm just letting my current reservations and pre paids drop off naturally to get the refunds. I can't face actually cancelling them myself or calling. Disney is going to have to do it for me!! This love of Disney can be hard sometimes.

 

[disneydreamer781]

does anyone know what phone number to call to cancel the After hour tickets? Is that guest relations or ticket area?

Since parks are closed between March 16-31 according to the Disney website all prepaid dining and experience tickets during that period will be automatically refunded. You could call the main number but I would think you'll be holding on for a while.

 

[gatormom2tots]

So the wording is confusing...or maybe I am just reading to much into it. We have AoA booked March 30-4 (through 3rd party) and 1 night at BC. At THIS point, we had AH planned for Monday (30th) and Pool Day the 31st (BC) and then 3 day tickets for the rest of the trip. It says for the hotel reservations that they will cancel if no changes or modifications are made.

But what if we just keep them? Except for AH, we weren't going into the parks until that Wednesday anyway (the 1st). Are they saying that they are going to be cancelled regardless, or will they let us stay there?

Of course, this is assuming parks open back up on the 1st, which I am skeptical about. In that case we will cancel and reschedule.