Will Walt Disney World Reopen Before End of May 2020?
Will Walt Disney World Reopen before the end of May 2020? That is the BIG question that all guests are asking, especially if you have travel dates scheduled before May 31. As a Vacation Planner with MickeyTravels, my April and May 2020 clients have asked me this question a LOT.
I wish I had a definite answer, but it is important to note one very special item about Disney when considering the opening of its Walt Disney World Theme parks:
The safety of its guests is top priority, and Disney will do everything they can to ensure that guests have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience. As we all navigate this unprecedented environment, Disney is navigating it for the first time with us!
Disney wants us to enjoy the experience, but they also must consider guidance of local and federal governments and health officials when making a decision about future operations! We are all in this together!
ARTIST CONCEPT ONLY: (Disney)
So, will the parks reopen before the end of May? As of publishing date, Disney has not made an official announcement regarding when the parks will reopen. But the force is strong for the parks to stay closed until June 1st.
System data and information from Disney provided to its guests can offer a look into operations to help determine whether that May trip will happen or if modifying your travel dates will be needed!
It’s time to put our thinking hat on and take a look at some of that data to see what it says about May 2020! Ready? Let’s go!
EXCLUSIVE FREE DINE OFFER to MAY GUESTS
On March 27th, Disney announced that the Walt Disney World theme parks would be closed until further notice. As a vacation planner, I love definitive dates to plan around.
How does a guest decide to move their dates or keep them in place without a definitive opening date??? Well, Disney helped us figure this out by offering guests a FREE dine offer. Thank you Disney, for taking care of these guests with such a special opportunity!
Two days after the extended closure announcement — on March 29th — Disney released a special FREE dining offer exclusive to the following eligible guests:
1). Eligible guests with March travel dates impacted by the temporary park closure.
2). Eligible guests who have not yet traveled with travel dates through May 31.
Eligible guests were offered the opportunity to redeem a FREE dining offer for travel dates between June 1 through September 30. What does this tell us about a May opening?
Well — it tells us that Disney wants its guests to enjoy a special and unprecedented opportunity to eat for FREE if traveling in Summer 2020. And — it tells us that Disney wants its guests traveling in the next few months to move their travel dates to avoid potential disruption by the theme park closure.
Every guest that redeems this deal and changes an April or May travel date moves that guest away from future uncertainty and potential disappointment. This offer is great for guests, if redeemed. And great for Disney, too!
For those who choose to wait, Disney has also held the offer open until May 31 to assist guests who wish to wait as long as possible before changing travel plans if the parks cannot reopen prior to that time. Subject to availability, of course!
Have you received one of these FREE DINE offers from Disney?
If yes, it’s time to chat with your Vacation Planner today about modifying your travel dates to redeem this deal! Such an unprecedented offer is worth consideration.
It’s hard to change plans that are much anticipated. But most guests that have redeemed this deal will report that they have saved money by moving their dates from April and May to redeem the offer.
I am so overwhelmed that I don’t want to try to do this myself anymore
I understand completely. We are all in this together. As a MickeyTravels Vacation Planner, it is my job to stay up-to-date on the recent changes and how that impacts my clients trips. I have adjusted, modified and rebooked guests impacted by this closure.
I will continue to do so until each and every one of my clients can see the results of their plans realized at the theme parks where MAGIC truly does happen! I can’t imagine a guest trying to figure out how to manage this alone!
Have you booked directly with Disney but would now like to work with a Vacation Planner on the new trip? Are you overwhelmed by all the changes resulting from this unprecedented environment?
Is it too hard to track anymore or keep up with all the news? Have you made plans and dread having to make them all over again for a future trip? Consider reaching out to one of our MickeyTravels vacation planners for help!
Disney will allow you to CANCEL your old trip booked directly and REBOOK a NEW trip to redeem the FREE DINE offer using a MickeyTravels Vacation Planner. I’m happy to help you through this process, and so are my fellow MickeyTravels Vacation Planners! Reach out below to me directly or use the form to request a free quote!
LIMITED FASTPASS+ AVAILABILITY in MAY
Although Disney has not made any official announcement regarding the park reopening in May, the My Disney Experience planning system can be very telling as to the future of our favorite theme parks.
After the “extended until further notice” park closure announcement on March 27th, booking FastPass+ selections for clients with late May travel dates looked like the toilet paper aisle in the local grocery stores —- empty, empty, empty. Selections that would normally be readily available are not available. Here is a screenshot of Epcot’s FastPass+ availability on May 31st as of the article date:
If you are unfamiliar with FastPass+ availability, this should look entirely different a few days after booking opens.
For comparison purposes, here is a screenshot of normal FastPass+ on June 1st (just one day later) at Epcot:
Switching from May to June ? Everything goes back to normal. Is it an IT glitch? Perhaps. No one knows for certain whether our favorite Walt Disney World theme parks will open before the end of May.
But FastPass+ data definitely shows a vivid picture of either magical enhancements, park closure, or limited operations. Time will tell until we know for sure!
NO NEW DISNEY RESORT BOOKINGS for MAY
Looking to book a May trip to Walt Disney World? At this time, booking is not available for NEW reservations across any travel dates in April or May. Guests can book a trip anytime on or after June 1st. A search for 1 night on May 31st turns up empty at the Disney Resorts. One night later? A plethora of options!
Can I predict if the parks will reopen on or before May 31st? Of course not! In this fluid and ever-changing environment – a global crisis – there is no way that anyone can predict what will happen next month. But the data can definitely give a picture of how Disney is preparing for the worst when it comes to May 2020. But I will hope for the best!
Need help with your Disney Vacation? Looking to rebook your trip with a Vacation Planner to redeem the FREE Dining deal? Contact me today for a FREE quote!
Kelli Hughes
MickeyTravels, LLC
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner – Platinum Level
1-214-458-4626 (cell)
khughes@mickeytravels.com
www.mickeytravels.com
