Though Walt Disney World theme parks won’t open for another month, Walt Disney World has been making some changes to dining both at Disney Springs (which is now fully open) as well as their future in-park dining, when it returns in July. If you are planning to grab a bite at Walt Disney World in the near future, here’s what you need to know.
1. My Disney Experience now allows guests to book select dining experiences at Disney Springs
Though this functionality was previously unavailable, as of today guests can once again use the My Disney Experience app to book reservations at select restaurants in Disney Springs. We’d guess that Disney is reactivating this feature with a little over a month to go before the theme parks reopen to get the system ready for use once again after “pausing” dining and other experience reservations a few weeks ago. As a reminder, all new dining reservations will be made within a 60-day window, when they reopen, instead of the customary 180 day window.
2. Character dining suspended indefinitely
Though many Disney restaurants will be reopening with the theme parks next month, Disney has been reaching out to guests who have previously booked Walt Disney World dining plans to notify them that character dining will NOT be available when Disney World reopens. And unfortunately, it looks like character dining may not be returning for the foreseeable future, as rumors seem to indicate that, even in a world post-COVID-19 Disney may be looking to cut costs, and could keep cuts to character dining permanent in an effort to save money.
3. Dining experiences will be as contactless as possible
A key component of Walt Disney World’s reopening procedures is the increase in contactless experiences for guests, which will extend to dining, with Mobile Ordering becoming the preferred way to get quick service meals and contactless payments such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, or the use of Magic Bands used in all locations, including table service locations.
And speaking of table service restaurants,Walt Disney World has said that they will be offering contactless menus via QR codes that guests can access via their smartphones. Guests who don’t want to take advantage of this option will be given paper menus as a courtesy. These menus will then be thrown away after each use.
As always, while this situation is evolving, all travelers should check out the CDC’s official site here, which has information on the virus and how to prevent its spread.
Theme Park Tourist COVID-19 Complete Coverage: Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood Could be Eyeing July Reopenings I Universal Orlando Begins Reopening TOMORROW. Here’s What You Need to Know I Alton Towers POSTPONES New Attraction ‘Gangsta Granny: The Ride’ Until Spring 2021 I Walt Disney World Confirms Annual Passholder Capacity Will be Extremely Limited I Walt Disney World Begins Reopening on July 11, 2020 I SeaWorld Reopening on June 11I 4 Disney Springs Locations Still Closed Indefinitely I Alton Towers Has Just Announced The Guidelines That Guests Should Expect To Follow When They Reopen I Europa Park Is Reopening On May 29, Here Is Everything They Are Doing, Including MANDATORY Mask Wearing
