Even as cases in Florida are on the rise, after a 117 day shut down, Walt Disney World Orlando is scheduled to open this week. Pro basketball & soccer players will arrive into town this week as well, with plans to play at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Disney is counting on smooth sailing for both leagues to increase brand awareness of both its sports complex and resort.
The phased reopening of Disney World’s theme parks later this week will also set an important tone. Pass holder previews will take place on Thursday and Friday at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The two parks will then officially reopen on Saturday morning.
Disney Cruise Updates
- As the Coronavirus pandemic continues to have a stronghold on the world, several industries are also continuing to be severely affected. The travel industry has been hit very hard due to the pandemic. Cruising specifically has been nonexistent due to orders from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to halt all sailings until they give clearance. As a result, the Adventures by Disney Cruise packages connected to Disney Cruise Line sailings have been cancelled through September 15, 2020. Disney Magic sailings are cancelled through October 2, 2020. Disney Wonder sailings are cancelled through September 14, 2020. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings are cancelled through July 27, 2020.
- Also due to the Coronavirus, several new policies and options have been put into place by Disney Cruise Line. They have launched a temporary cruise date flexibility option. For guests who have new cruises booked by August 31, 2020, changes can be made to the sail date up to 15 days prior to departure. This is in effect for sailings through March 31, 2021. If guests decide to move forward with a change, prevailing (current) rates will apply and guests will be responsible for any remaining balances due after the modification is made on the reservation. Changes are permanent and the dates cannot be rolled back to their previous sailing date. If guests no longer want to travel at all, penalties from the original sailing date will apply, the same process applies for guests who have also booked airfare through Disney Cruise Line.
Disney Park Updates
- If you are a fan of the Disney Princesses, get ready for a new addition at Disneyland California and Magic Kingdom! Princess Tiana from Princess and the Frog will be joining both parks through a new ride that will be rethemed from its current story located in the Splash Mountain section of the parks. The new ride will be a musical adventure that takes Princess Tiana and Louis through their first Mardi Gras performance.
- Imagineers like the Senior Creative Producer Charita Carter and the Creative Development & Inclusive Strategies Executive Carmen Smith are spearheading the project that will inspire innovation, new scenes, and current storytelling into the parks. It will also cultivate the diversity of millions of park guests who visit each year. Best of all, the project has its stamp of approval from Anika Noni Rose, Michael-Leon Wooley, and Jenifer Lewis, the voices of Princess Tiana, Louis, and Mama Odie respectively. A timeline will be provided by Disney’s Public Relations Director when it is ready. In the meantime, enjoy a viewing of Princess and the Frog and let us know your favorite parts of the movie!
Adventures by Disney Update
Adventures by Disney has been closely monitoring the latest information regarding COVID-19 and is in regular contact with local, state, national and international health agencies for information and guidance.
Adventures by Disney trips have been suspended through September 15, 2020 at this time. It is with the well-being of guests and team members this decision has been made. At this time, the September 15 Paris Escape is excluded and will depart on schedule.
Adventures by Disney, along with Ama Waterways, their partner in river cruise sailing, have decided to suspend all Rhine, Rhone, Seine and Danube river cruise sailings and their associated Escape trips to Amsterdam, Budapest and Paris through September 14, 2020.
Guests currently booked on Adventures by Disney trips through September 30, 2020 can change their reservation and receive a 100% credit to be used toward a future adventure. Guests may select a new travel date and/or an alternate adventure by March 31, 2020. The credit is non-refundable. A final payment extension will be automatically added to all reservations for adventures departing through November 30, 2020. Final payments will be extended out an additional 30 days. The deposit payment will continue to follow current cancellation guidelines and is non-refundable 15 days after it is paid should the guest choose to cancel. Final payment is now due 90 days before the start of the adventure.
