Disney World suspends FastPass, cancels dining reservations as part of reopening plan

[Disney4me]

Disney World pulls plug on FastPass, cancels dining reservations as it reboots for reopening.

Walt Disney World is moving forward in its preparations for reopening its theme parks by suspending its FastPass+ reservation system and by canceling all of its dining reservations for the rest of the year, the resort said Thursday.

A driver amid these changes is the reduced capacity planned for its four theme parks and a new system in which park-goers will be required to secure date-specific reservations before going to the parks. On Wednesday, Disney World released its plans for a phased reopening beginning with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11, followed by Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on July 15. The attractions have been closed since mid-March amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Disney’s proposals are pending state approval.

Among the changes announced Thursday:

 

· All existing dining reservations and experience bookings, including Disney dining plans included in packages, are canceled through the end of 2020. New ones — in smaller numbers — will be able to made closer to when the parks reopen, and the booking window will shift from 180 days to 60 days.

· FastPass+, which provides reservations for rides, shows and other experiences for park visitors, is being suspended. Disney will use that queue space to manage capacity at its attractions and keep the recommended physical distancing between parties.

 

· Extra Magic Hours, a benefit for Disney hotel guests that allows them to stay in the parks later or go in earlier on select days, will be temporarily suspended at the time of the reopening.

· The company has stopped, temporarily, the sale of new tickets and the taking of new Disney hotel reservations. Existing ticket holders and Disney World’s annual passholders will be allowed to make theme-park reservations before new tickets are sold again.

The company has established a new “Know Before You Go” web page at DisneyWorld.com/Updates for the latest news on operations, including details on how to change plans.

Other Central Florida attractions also are planning their reopenings. Legoland Florida opens to the public on June 1, followed by Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios and Volcano Bay parks on June 5. SeaWorld Orlando has proposed reopening on June 11. Disney Springs, the company’s retail and dining complex, began a partial reopening on May 20.

 

 

 

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