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When Will Disney’s Theme Parks Reopen?

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That’s the big question on everyone’s mind!

(Updated 12 June)

UPDATE 3/26: Intel from Disney cast member channels is that Disney is looking at Mid May for reopening and will be cutting staff to 2008/2009 recession levels!
UPDATE 3/27: Disney is only going to pay cast members through 18 April.
UPDATE 3/29: Walt Disney World’s reservation system is not accepting reservations prior to 1 June 2020! June first is the first day you can now make reservations.
UPDATE 4/20: Updates for all current info: WH Phased Re-Opening, DoD travel Ban extension, etc.
UPDATE: 4/25: Shades of Green’s opening dated extended to 1 June 2020.
UPDATE: 5/7 – Disney Springs set to re-open 20 May 2020.
UPDATE: 5/9 – Disney World closure extended through 30 June 2020.
UPDATE: 5/21 – Disney World has cancelled More Resort reservations through 13 June extending the re-opening date to at least 14 June.
UPDATE: 6/12 HOT NEWS – Disney Has Extended the Expiration Dates for the 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets.

Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort are Closed Until Further Notice!

Well that’s it. As of 27 March, Closure for Disney’s Resorts has changed from a specific date to “Until Further Notice.”

But as of 9 May opening appears to be 1 July 2020 (or later). This is when reservations are being accepted online for WDW Resorts. This could of course change.

We’re probably looking at a Mid-July opening.

When Will Disney's Theme Parks Reopen?

Both of Disney’s US Resorts (Disneyland & Walt Disney World) are currently closed indefinitely. 

They had originally been closed through the end of March…

The Disney closures through the end of the March came out in several announcements over a couple of days mid-March and the indefinite closure came out on the 27th.

Then the Department of Defense announced a Travel Ban which currently runs through 11 May 30 June 2020 (extended 4/20).

Shades of Green, the Military Resort on Walt Disney World property has officially closed through 15 April 14 May 1 June 2020.

We documented all of these closures as well as the Department of Defense Travel Ban in our Disney Closure Post, you’ll find lots of details there.

When Will Disney's Theme Parks Reopen?

Is Opening 1 April June July Realistic?

Disney’s initial closures were for just over 2 weeks, were extended again and again. Not the closure goes through 30 June at WDW and potentially longer for Disneyland.

Back when this started, we thought the end of March was just the initial salvo in what could be a series of closure extensions or one long extension and this turned out to be true.

The current DoD Travel ban runs through 30 June.

Shades of Green is now closed through 1 June. Which should extend to 30 June.

The new White House phased re-opening requirements would require being in Phase 3 for Disney Parks to open. It would also require State and Local officials opening up the local economy to very large gatherings!

The Orange County FL Task Force has proposed a 3 stage opening plan without a start date, which complies with the President’s 3 stages for reopening. “High human interaction” businesses, like theme parks and sporting events are of course the last to open under the plan.

The plan follows the federal 3 steps with 2 weeks between steps unless there are setbacks, making the opening of Central Florida’s theme parks at lease ons month from the start of this plan. Again no start date has been announced, which would make 1 June about the earliest at this point.

The Orange County (which the majority of Walt Disney World falls within) Task Force has stated that unless a vaccine is developed, businesses and hospitals must continue health safety protocols as they reopen. “Masks must be worn by everyone when everyone outside the home, temperature testing, social distancing measures, mass testing, aggressive patient tracking and exposure tracing,”

Something else to be aware of is that there has been talk of a staggered Disney World reopening, that is opening first to Florida residents, then to U.S. guests, and finally international guests. This would have the effect of limiting attendance at first, generating some income for the company, allowing time to get social distancing and getting temperature checks going smoothly.

When Will Disney's Theme Parks Reopen?

What to do?

It’s a tough choice pulling the trigger on cancelling your Disney Vacation that  you’ve been looking forward to for so long!

I cancelled my 28 March – 4 April trip. I had the final page open with the Cancel button for quite a while before in begrudgingly clicked it. I’d initially added the 5th through the 8th to my reservation in case I needed to cancel the first 4 days. But I decided to just pull the plug.

I’ve also cancelled  my family trip (3 generations traveling) scheduled for 19 -25 April. We decided to reschedule this to the fall (we don’t want to be there in the summer heat!).

Reschedule If You Can

For most of the military a Disney Vacation is a No Go through the end of June right now.

So, my recommendation is to start looking at a late summer reschedule (if you have school age kids). The second half of August the Disney Resort prices go back down from summer pricing. Or look at a fall trip if you’re not worried about school.

My friends at Ears of Experience will be more than happy to assist you with planning that vacation for later in the year. They’ve got plenty of time on their hands right now to assist you!

Ears of Experience - Full Service At No Extra Cost

Ears of Experience – Military Disney Tips’ Recommended Disney Only Travel Agent.

UPDATE 3/29: Disney is now promoting this offer:

Eligible Guests can take advantage of a vacation package offer that includes accommodations at a select Disney Resort hotel, park admission and a Disney dining plan – valid for arrivals most nights June 1 through September 30, 2020 when you book through May 31, 2020.

This offer is valid only for Guests who booked a vacation package or room reservation to stay at a Disney Resort hotel from March 16 through May 31, 2020 (even if the park opens before then). Offer not valid for reservations cancelled before March 1, 2020.“

Don’t forget to do your pre-planning! If you’re in the market for a great Disney Guidebook, please check mine out. Some versions are on sale during this travel crisis.

Here are some links to help with Planning:

Cancel If You Must

However many in our military community Do Not Have The Option to Reschedule!

What then?

Room Reservations

Disney has waived cancellation/change fees for check in dates through June 30. Shades of Green has waived cancelation fees through May 30. Most airlines are being very liberal with waiving change fees as well.

Tickets

The big issue for our community are the non-refundable Disney Armed Forces Salute Tickets which expire 18 December 2020 at Disneyland and 19 December 2020 at Walt Disney World.

(Update 3/27) Disney has posted on their Disneyland Update page that there is no change whatsoever to the 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket expiration policy!!!

Disney has not published an official policy for military families who will not be able to use their pre-purchased tickets before they expire due to military schedules.

In a conversation with a Disney official last evening, he recommended that you attempt to return tickets that you cannot use due to your military schedule to your Base Ticket Office where you purchased them. When you are told that the tickets are non-refundable Disney recommends asking again.

My usual recommendation is that you try to escalate your issue politely. Ask them to check with their supervisor, or regional office and to definitely get them to contact Disney Military Sales to get them involved. This is the Disney department that deals with the MWR system and military ticket sales. You could even try to get the Commander of the military unit that oversees your Ticket Office involved if needed.

If all else fails Disney says to call their Reservation Number at 407-939-5277 to ask for assistance.

I encourage Disney to come up with an official, published policy that makes this right for military guests!!!

Something like extending the 2020 Disney Armed Forces Salute Ticket expiration to the end of 2021.

Shades of Green has revealed their ticket refund/upgrade policy.

When Will Disney's Theme Parks Reopen?

Trying Times

These are trying times! Unprecedented really!

Disney parks have closed before, but just for a day or so due to natural disasters and 9/11. Never like this!

All we can do is try to keep in a good frame of mind and think about that next vacation, whenever it might be…

In these trying times, please, please, please keep frequenting all of your favorite Disney planning sites!

Don’t forget us!

Traffic is the lifeblood of websites, so keep on coming back! All sites is trying to come up with interesting content for you while this is going on, but you can always reread some of your favorite posts too!

Thanks for being there for us, we’ll still be here for you.

All my best, Steve

 

p.s. If you have success returning tickets to your Base Ticket Office, please share where in the comments below!

See our other “Closure” Posts:

This MDT Post By: Steve Bell

Steve is the the Military Disney Tips Founder. He a retired U.S. Military Member who's been touring the Disney Parks since 1971! Steve's mission is to help military families with their Disney vacations in every way. Check out Steve's Bio.

Subscribe to Steve's email newsletter to get website updates and news by clicking this link.
 
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See Our Great Disney Discount and Planning Info: Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. See our Topic Overview Pages:

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Comments

  1. Mike says

    Thanks Steve, hopefully going June 21 -26. Got 35% off at the PO riverside . It’s nice to know you’re looking into Disney extending the 2020 salute tickets. ( in case this goes south. )

    Reply

  2. P says

    I need to purchase our military tickets soon for FP reservations. I’ve been holding off due to the 12/20 expiration dates. I would purchase tickets today if there was an extension to the end of 2021.

    Reply

  3. Leigh says

    Thanks Steve for your continuous updates! I’m so sorry to hear you had to cancel your first trip.

    We currently have a mid-May trip that we’re keeping fingers crossed (but in the process of planning backup dates.). We are fortunate that this year there is flexibility to reschedule our trip.

    I really, really hope the ticket issue gets figured out by Disney, Shades, and the Base Ticket Offices for our service members and their families who cannot go to WDW by the December expiration date.

    Reply

    • Steve says

      Hi there Leigh,

      Thanks!

      Fingers definitely crossed!

      I’m going to try to reach higher up the Disney food chain this week. This has to be resolved for our community.

      Reply

  4. Rachelle says

    We need to purchase our tickets soon for fastpass selection if Disney opens before our trip scheduled for end of May to celebrate my seniors graduation (that may also be cancelled.) We were waiting until mid April to purchase and now we may be out of luck. Do you know of anywhere still selling salute tickets? I imagine our base ticket office is closed due to the recent closures in our area (but haven’t checked yet.) Any insight would be helpful.

    Reply

  5. Sally says

    I saw that shades of green is waiving cancellation fees through may 30. Our reservation is for the first week in June. If Disney World reopens by then but the threat of coronavirus is still high. We won’t feel comfortable with going at that time. Will they still not waive fees for people like me?

    Reply

    • Steve says

      Hi Sally,

      Their normal cancellation window is 30 days. So you’d have till the first week of May to cancel without forfeiting the first night’s deposit. However, if things are still iffy then I imagine they would work with you.

      Alternately, cancel now and reserve again much closer when perhaps you’ll feel better. I imagine occupancy will be low.

      Reply

  6. Dennis D says

    Kind of disappointed that Shades of Green is not waiving cancellation fees through 30 June to stay in line with Disney. Do you know why they haven’t extended their waiving of fees to mirror Disney?

    Reply

    • Steve says

      Hi Dennis,

      Updates to Shades’ website have been few and far between during the current situation.

      Currently they are forecasting opening 1 June, making 30 June not needed.

      I’m sure that if their re-open date shifts, they’ll update the policy.

      Florida is going to announce their re-opening plan today, so we may know very soon.

      Reply

  7. Tina says

    Disneyland is not in L.A. or in L.A. county. They are located in Anaheim, which is in Orange County. Just because L.A. county is closed doesn’t necessarily mean that Orange County will follow suit. Your comment about not expecting Disneyland to open before the election is strictly your opinion and not fact. Please only use the facts for your timeline or state that it’s your opinion next to that. Thank you.

    Reply

  8. Clarissa Staggs says

    Sadly we bought the Armed Forces Salute tickets for a trip in March and are not eligible under SOG’s very restrictive refund policy for a refund, but since I am a school teacher, rescheduling for 2021 is also a bit challenging. So much is so up in the air!

    One of the things that keeps being brought up is the possibility that when Disney reopens, they may reduce capacity by only opening up initially to guests of Disney World properties. Would Shades of Green be included in this since it does have the other benefits of Disney properties, such as the 60-day advance fast pass? Any ideas?

    Thank you, Clarissa

    Reply

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