Disney has unveiled additional reopening dates for its resorts — here's what you can anticipate at the hotels in Disney World Resort.

When you picture Disney World, the first thing that often comes to mind is the famous castle, the thrilling rides, and the various attractions within the theme parks. However, Disney World also operates an extensive hotel network, boasting thousands of rooms across numerous resort properties.

In the summer of 2020, several of these hotels started to welcome guests again — initially including players within the "NBA Bubble."

I was present for the reopening of the Magic Kingdom on July 11, 2020, and spent a few nights at the reopened Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Since those early reopening days, I've visited several times, experiencing an evolving Disney World resort each visit. Even now, things aren't completely back to normal, and some Disney resorts are still closed.

Here are nine key changes to be aware of if you're planning a stay at a Disney World hotel in the near future.

Not every Disney resort hotel has reopened yet.

Nearly a year into the reopening phase, most Disney resort hotels are welcoming guests again. However, 'most' does not mean 'all,' and some properties have fluctuating reopening dates, so the situation remains dynamic.

The Disney resort hotels with announced reopening schedules are as follows:

• Disney's BoardWalk Inn (July 2)
• Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (late July) — hotel rooms (Disney Vacation Club (DVC) has reopened)
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge (Aug. 26)
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House (Aug. 26) — hotel rooms (DVC has reopened)

The resorts that currently lack announced reopening dates are:

• Disney's All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney's All-Star Music Resort
• Disney's Port Orleans – Riverside
• Disney's Port Orleans – French Quarter

Disney has seized this moment to carry out renovations at some hotel resorts, including the Moana retheming at the Polynesian. However, with the absence of large-scale events and conventions that Disney typically hosts, some of its rooms and resorts haven't been in high demand during the parks' reopening process.

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Utilizing DVC points can help you save money on your stay.

In certain instances, like at Disney's Polynesian Village and Animal Kingdom Lodge, standard hotel rooms remain closed while Disney Vacation Club villas have reopened. The DVC villas at these locations are accessible for Disney Vacation Club members to utilize their points, and guests can also reserve these villas directly through Disney, subject to availability.

Exploring the option of renting DVC points can often lead to savings, and currently, it’s an especially advantageous option for several reasons.

Typically, renting DVC points from a major service like David's Vacation Club costs between $18 to $19 per point. However, right now, some fixed-date rentals are available for as low as $15 per point. For context, when we rented points for our early July stay at the Polynesian, it required 26 points per night. Some resorts and dates may require even fewer points, starting at just 9 or 10 per night.

If you can rent points at around $15 each, you're essentially enjoying a discount of at least 30% off the usual rates, provided you can align your schedule with the fixed dates and resorts. Check for Dedicated Reservations listed under DVC Guest on David's Vacation Club page if you're interested. We noticed some incredible deals in 2020 that haven’t appeared as frequently in 2021.

Additionally, renting points offers a unique opportunity to access these resorts that haven't fully reopened yet, allowing you to experience them before the crowds return. Another benefit is that you won’t incur parking fees when you rent points.

Please bypass the front desk

Disney strongly encourages guests at its resorts to bypass the front desk and limit interactions with hotel staff during their stay. A linked MagicBand or the My Disney Experience app with a digital key feature will grant you access to your room when it's ready.

You can also communicate with a resort hotel cast member through the My Disney Experience app for any assistance you may need during your visit.

No complete daily housekeeping

While Disney has announced an increase in the housekeeping provided in common areas and between guest stays—focusing on high-touch surfaces like TV remotes and door handles, steam cleaning floors, individually wrapped glassware, and double-casing pillows—you won’t receive full housekeeping (or 'mousekeeping') services each night.

Instead, you'll receive a light cleaning service every other day, which includes taking out the trash and used towels, wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, and restocking supplies. (So, be prepared to make your own bed.) You can also opt out of the every-other-day service entirely, although a quick room check will still occur.

Masks are optional for vaccinated guests

Disney has recently revised its mask policy. Vaccinated guests can choose not to wear masks in most areas of the Disney World theme parks and resorts, both indoors and outdoors. However, it's a good idea to pack one or two for your trip. The only place where vaccinated individuals must wear masks is while using transportation (such as Disney buses, the monorail, and the Disney Skyliner).

Unvaccinated guests are required to wear masks indoors (including in the resorts, except in your room and while actively eating or drinking), on attractions, and during transportation. The only exceptions are outdoor common areas and pool decks, where wearing a mask is optional.

Several services will be temporarily unavailable

Many of the services you might be accustomed to at Disney hotels are still on hold. While this list isn’t exhaustive, some suspended services at Disney resort hotels include:

• Club-level service (returns to some resorts this fall)
• Dry-cleaning and valet laundry services; self-service laundry will still be available
• Shipping services
• Resort airline check-in service may be temporarily suspended
• Package delivery from the theme parks
• Arcades
• Campfires
• Character experiences
• Dog parks are closed
• Marina rentals
• Spa, salon, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique services
• In-room child care
• Mermaid school
• Special classes and programs, including culinary, cultural, and animal experiences
• Deliveries will only be made to occupied rooms
• Valet service, except for guests with disabilities
• Minnie Van service
• FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours

It's important to note that resort hopping is not allowed. To access a resort, you must have a confirmed reservation for a stay or a confirmed dining reservation.

In-room dining has not fully resumed, although it is available at select resorts. During a recent stay in April 2021 at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, I found that room service menus for breakfast and dinner had returned. In-room dining is also once again offered at the Grand Floridian. Additionally, you can order meals to go via the Disney app from reopened sit-down restaurants at the resorts, but be sure to place your order well ahead of time, especially during busy meal hours.

Not all resort dining options have reopened yet. For instance, the beloved 'Ohana at the Polynesian is closed until July 9. Most of the reopened restaurants require reservations, so be ready to check in using your smartphone and view the menu through a QR code.

Available services

Now that you have an idea of what won't be accessible at Disney resort hotels in the near future, here’s a list of services that should be available.

• The complimentary Magical Express bus service is running to and from Orlando Airport for resort guests.
• Bell Services will deliver luggage to your rooms, but they won’t escort guests to their accommodations.
• Pools will operate at reduced capacity to facilitate physical distancing. (Be prepared for lines during busy times, though there is a mobile wait option if needed.)
• Some dining options at the resort will be open, while other restaurants and bars may remain closed.
• Monorail, bus, Skyliner, and boat transportation is available — but not until 30 to 45 minutes before the parks open.
• Transportation will adhere to physical distancing protocols, leading to reduced capacity. Therefore, you might experience some delays.

With limited nighttime activities at Disney World after dinner (as most parks close by 8 - 9 p.m., except for Epcot), be aware that the resort pools can get crowded. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, I suggest swimming during off-peak hours if possible.

For more information on services available at specific on-property resorts, you can visit the resort updates section of the Disney World website. For instance, at Fort Wilderness, you can enjoy trail rides, outdoor movies, and bike rentals. Additionally, outdoor movies have returned to various resorts in the evenings.

Disney resort reservations do not guarantee theme park entry

Disney World has implemented guest capacity limits to support social distancing. It now requires reservations through a Park Pass reservation system, meaning that simply having a Disney hotel reservation does not ensure theme park admission. In fact, if you’re not planning well in advance, you might not secure access to your desired park.

Make a Park Pass reservation as soon as you know you’ll be visiting Disney World and have your tickets ready.

It’s busy, and service may not always meet expectations

During a recent stay at Disney's Yacht Club Resort, we had an enjoyable two-night experience overall.

However, I did overhear some frustrated guests at the resort expressing their dissatisfaction more than once. If you’re not prepared for the current reality at a Disney hotel, you might find yourself disappointed after spending $500+ per night at deluxe properties without access to the usual amenities.

Due to capacity limits, you might have to wait to enter the pool, traditional housekeeping services are unavailable (though your room will receive a light cleaning every other day), and you could encounter delays at mealtimes because of limited options that create congestion. If I were planning a longer trip to Disney, I would likely switch resorts after about three nights. While this might not align with Disney’s wishes, it would give you a chance to enjoy a fresh, clean room. Plus, the reduced amenities and closed restaurants may feel less bothersome when starting anew at a different resort after a few days.

In conclusion

Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel is usually an extension of the theme park magic. While many aspects have shifted from the pre-pandemic experience, I can confidently say that my stays at Disney resorts remain a highlight of my visits. Although things aren't fully back to normal yet, being aware of what to expect can still lead to a truly magical experience.