Disney Travel News & Updates Covid-19 Cancellation and Change Policies March 2020

by Military Diva

Let me begin this month’s edition of Disney Travel News & Updates by extending my hope for you and your families…I hope you are all healthy. I hope you have found a routine. I hope you are looking out for your neighbors. And I hope you have found a way to bring peace to your homes.

Most of us have seen our lives take a shift over the past few weeks. Schools have closed, college students have returned home and many businesses have come to a halt. And a lot of us have had to change vacation plans. While the change of plans isn’t a true priority given all we are facing, making sure you receive a refund or future credit is a valid concern.

Instead of listing the normal updates and changes coming to the Disney Properties, I am taking time this month to list the official policies of the Disney Travel Company, Universal Studios Resorts, and a few airlines. Below you will find information on the most current public policies.

Additionally, I am also offering my assistance to those of you that may be stuck in travel plans. As the owner of All for Dreams Travel I have been in the trenches for a few weeks, making changes for my clients. While I cannot intervene on your behalf, (I am not connected to your reservation), I may be able to provide phone numbers, official policies or tips to help correct your situation. Feel free to send any questions through the “Request Quote” button. Please add your name and leave me a brief note. I typically reply within 24 hours.

Now, let’s get started on the Official Coronavirus Cancellation and Change Policies

Walt Disney World Resort Closings

Walt Disney World parks originally closed on March 16 and are currently set to be closed until further notice.
Disney World Resorts closed on March 20 and are currently closed until further notice.
On March 17 the Disney Owned restaurants and entertainment areas of Disney Springs closed. All other, non-Disney owned Disney Springs venues closed on March 21, 2020. Please check the Disney Springs website for information about future openings.
ESPN Wide World of Sports and Mini Golf locations closed on March 16 and will remain closed until further notice.
Disney Floral & Gifts halted operations on March 18. Orders scheduled from March 20 until reopen will not be processed.
At this time, Disney World Golf and FootGolf locations have remained open.
Current information on closures, payments, and refunds is being updated on the Disney World website.

Walt Disney World Payment and Refund Details

Package Bookings
- Guests may move their packages to future 2020 dates or book ticketless packages into 2021, subject to rates available for the new dates.
- Disney World $50 change fee will be waived. (Usually assessed for changes made less than 30 days before check-in)
- If you purchased Travel Protection with your Disney World Package and did not file a claim, you may move your protection to your new package. This option is only available until 24 hours before the original check-in date.
- Guests also have the option to cancel their package in full and receive a full refund (minus travel protection and third party costs such as airfare). You will not be charged any fees.
- Guests with final payments due from now until June 30 are no longer tied to the “30-day final payment” policy. Final balances are now due 7 days before check-in.
- To initiate a change or cancel, guests can attempt to make changes through their “MyDisneyExperience” account or their travel agent. You can also call (407) 939-5277. (Guests with third party additions must call).
- Reservations currently set for the closure dates will auto-cancel if changes are not made. Refunds will be made to the original forms of payment used within 7 days.
Ticket Purchases
- Unexpired tickets or unused date-specific tickets meant for use from March 12 until the parks reopen will automatically extend to December 15, 2020.
- The purchase cost for tickets not used by December 15 can be applied to a future ticket purchase in 2021.
- Florida Discover Disney Tickets will expire on July 31, 2020.
Special Events
- Guests that have purchased tickets for Disney Early Morning Magic, Disney After Hours or Disney Villians After Hours from March 16 until the parks reopen will be automatically refunded.
- ESPN Wide World of Sports and Mini Golf reservations held March 16 until reopen will automatically cancel and be refunded.
- Guests with reservations for all other special events scheduled during the closure-Fireworks Cruises, Dessert Parties, and more-should be contacted directly. These events are also being canceled and refunded.
Annual Passes
- All annual passes are being extended by the number of days the Disney World parks are closed.
- Pass blackout dates will not be adjusted.
- Monthly payments will still be deducted as scheduled.
My Disney Experience
- Officially, all ADRs (dining reservations) for March 16 until parks reopen will auto cancel. Prepaid dining reservations will also cancel and be refunded.
- Cancel and no-show fees should not be charged.
- It is recommended that guests log-in to their “MyDisneyExperience” accounts and cancel all dining reservations. This will prevent any IT issues where a no-show fee is accidentally charged. (If this happens to you, please contact the Disney Travel Company or your Travel Agent for a refund.)
- Fast Passes scheduled for March 16 until reopen will automatically be canceled.
Magic Bands
- If you received notice of Magic Band shipping, you will still receive these at your selected address.
- Magic Bands set to be picked up at your Disney World Resort during the closure period will be canceled. Custom Magic Bands set to be picked up at your Disney World Resort from March 20-31 will also be canceled and refunded.
- New Magic Band orders are currently not being accepted. Guests with reservations after March 31 are being asked to continue to check their “MyDisneyExperience” account for future availability.

Walt Disney World Special Offer

Guests that had a package or room-only reservation scheduled for March 16-May 31, 2020 and cancel/modify their vacation after March 1 are eligible for this special offer.
New travel dates must be between June 1 and September 30, 2020.
Guests that qualify and book a Disney World Package that includes a minimum 2-night Disney World Resort stay with 2-day minimum tickets and a dining plan qualify for FREE DINING. (Based on room availability for selected travel dates.)
- Moderate and Value resort guests will receive Free Quick Service Dining
- Deluxe resort guests will receive Free Disney Dining
Fort Wilderness Campground Sites are excluded
Guests must call the Disney World Call Center, with their original reservation number, to apply this promotion.

runDisney events canceled due to Coronavirus

runDisney Cancellations and Refund Policies

Star Wars Rival Run Weekend, originally scheduled for April 16-20, 2020 has been canceled.
Registrations that originally booked through runDisney will receive a full refund for race registration, merchandise, ChEAR squad, and processing fees.
Refunds should be received in 4-6 weeks.
Details can be found on the runDisney website.
Guests that booked through a third party should contact that agency directly.

Sleeping Beauty’s castle, personally designed by Walt.

Disneyland Resort Closings

Disneyland and the Disney California Adventure Park originally closed on March 14 and are currently set to be closed until further notice. New reservations can be made starting July 1, 2020.
The Disneyland and Disney Springs Resorts closed on March 16 and will reopen when the health threats have passed.
On March 17 the Disney Owned restaurants and entertainment areas of Downtown Disney closed. All other, non-Disney owned Disney Springs venues closed on March 21, 2020. Please check the Disney Springs website for information about future openings.
Disney Floral & Gifts halted operations on March 17. Orders scheduled from March 16 until further notice will not be processed.
Current information on closures, payments, and refunds is being updated on the Disneyland website.

Disneyland Payment and Refund Details

Package Bookings
- Guests may move their packages to future 2020 dates, subject to rates available for the new dates.
- The Disneyland $50 change fee will be waived. (Usually assessed for changes made less than 30 days before check-in)
- If you purchased Travel Protection with your Disneyland Package and did not file a claim, you may move your protection to your new package. This option is only available until 24 hours before the original check-in date.
- Guests also have the option to cancel their package in full and receive a full refund (minus travel protection and third party costs such as airfare). You will not be charged any fees.
- Guests with final payments due from now until June 30 are no longer tied to the “30-day final payment” policy. Final balances are now due 7 days before check-in.
- To initiate a change or cancel, guests can attempt to make changes online or through their travel agent. You can also call 714-520-5050. (Guests with third party additions must call).
- Reservations currently set for the closure dates will auto-cancel if changes are not made. Refunds will be made to the original forms of payment used within 7 days.
Ticket Purchases
- Tier 1-5, one-day unused tickets can be used through December 30, 2021. Check your new admission dates here
- Unused multiday tickets can now be used through January 12, 2022
- Southern California Resident Ticket expiration dates will be extended by the number of days the Disneyland Resort Parks are closed.
- Unused Promotional Child Tickets can be used through December 15, 2020; Promotional Child Tickets that were first used between February 28 and March 13, but still have unused days, will have the 14-day expiration period extended to December 15, 2020.
- Military Salute Ticket offers will still expire on December 18, 2020
Special Events
- All special events scheduled for the closure period will be canceled. All tickets will be refunded within 30 days. No action is required by the ticket purchaser.
- Guests with tickets and/or reservations for Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures, Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, Disneyland Resort VIP tours, Bibbid Bobbidi Boutique and all dining can be canceled without penalty. Pre-paid reservations will be refunded. Reservations scheduled during the closure and not canceled by the guest will be auto-canceled without fees and will be issued refunds.
Annual Passes
- All annual passes are being extended by the number of days the Disney World parks are closed. Dates will be adjusted in your Passport account when the parks are ready to reopen. Disney Flex Passholders will be canceled for the closure period, without a fee.
- Pass blackout dates will not be adjusted.
- Monthly payments will still be deducted as scheduled.

Disneyland Special Offer

Guests that had a Disneyland package booked through the Walt Disney Travel Company for travel from March 14-May 31, 2020, and cancel/modify their vacation after March 1 are eligible for this special offer.
New travel dates must be between June 1 and December 31, 2020; offer must be booked by May 31, 2020.
Guests must call tel:1-714-520-5050, with their original reservation number, to apply this promotion.

Photo courtesy of Fairy Diva

Disney Cruise Line Cancellations

On March 14, Disney Cruise Line canceled all-new sailings and departures until April 12, 2020. That cancellation has now been extended to April 28, 2020. Guests are being asked to contact their travel agent to cancel or follow instructions in the email they have/will receive from DCL. Once instructions are received, guests are asked to call 1-866-325-2112 or 407-566-3510 to reschedule.
On April 6 all Disney Wonder sailings through June 29, 2020 were canceled.
As of April 10, all sailings on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailing through May 17 have been canceled. Disney magic sailings through June 7 have been canceled as well.
Official details can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Disney Cruise Line Payments and Refunds

Guests on most affected sailings have the option to receive a full refund or Future Cruise Credit of 125%.
Guests booked on the March 14, 2020 sailing of the Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy are eligible for a full refund or a 150% Future Cruise Credit, to be used within 15 months of their original sailing.
Reservations for the Disney Wonder sailing from 04/29-06/29 have been auto-canceled. Guests have had a 125% Future Cruise Credit placed directly into their accounts.
Guests that canceled or moved their April 12-28 sailings from January 30-March 31 will receive a refund of any cancellation/change fees. Additionally,
Future sailings will be booked at the current rate for that date.
Disney Cruise Line, in response to the closure of Canadian Ports, is watching and evaluating the situation for Alaskan/Canadian cruises set to sail after April 28, 2020. Guests will be notified once a decision is made.
On March 18, final payments for Summer 2020 sailings were extended by 30 days. Please note, online check-in and Excursions/Activities cannot be scheduled until the final payment has been made. Original Disney Cruise Line Air policies are still in effect. This affects Disney Dream from June 17-August 30, Disney Fantasy from July 18-August 31, Disney Wonder from July 20-August 31, and Disney Magic from August 5-August 30.
Updated May 13-all Disney Sailings, even those including an Adventures by Disney land component, have been canceled through July 28, 2020. Guests that were paid in full can receive a 125% FCC or a full refund. Those that weren’t paid in full will receive a refund of all monies paid.

Disney themed and specialty River Cruises offered by Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney Cancellations

All Adventures by Disney departures through the end of April have been canceled.
Additionally, Adventures by Disney departures to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Italy, Amalfi Coast, and Japan through May have been canceled. China departures, AbD Meditteranean Cruise departures and Barcelona Escape packages through June 7 are also canceled.
As of April 20, most AbD departures through June 30, 2020 have been canceled. Guests with affected reservations will be notified by SeaMail.
Please visit the Adventures by Disney website or contact your travel agent for more details.

Adventures by Disney Payments and Refunds

Guests traveling from now until June 2020 can change to new dates or a new Adventure on a new date. 100% of their package payments will be applied to the new trip as a future credit. (Trip will be booked at current rates for that date.)
Guests traveling April 1-16 should call Adventures by Disney at least 24 hours before travel. ABD requests guests with trips April 15-30 to make changes at least 14 days before travel. Please call 1-855-223-0025 or 407-566-8345.
Guests that are unsure of their new travel dates can hold their future credit, choosing a new Adventure by December 31, 2020.

Disney Travel News & Updates, March 2020

Aulani

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Closing and Cancellations

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa closed on March 24 and will remain closed until further notice.
Please visit Aulani’s website or contact your travel agent for additional details.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Payments and Refunds

All change and cancellation fees are being waived for packages and rooms arriving from March 24-June 30, 2020.
All reservations booked from March 24-31 will auto-cancel, with refunds being returned to the original form of payment.
Guests wishing to move their packages to new dates should call (866) 443-4763.
Third-party fees such as airfare, rental cars, and travel protection will be removed from the refund.
If your trip was booked via DVC, all points will be returned to the current use year. Points will not be placed in hold status.

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Closings

Both Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are closed until May 31, 2020.
The shopping and dining locations of Universal Citywalk are also closed until May 31, 2020.
Additional details can be found at the Universal Orlando Resort website and Universal Studios Hollywood website.

Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood Payments and Refunds

Universal Orlando Resort Package Bookings
- Guests with reservations from March 20-May 31 can modify or cancel their packages without fee. Cancellations will receive a full refund.
- Guests are asked to make changes at least 24 hours before arrival.
Universal Orlando Resort Tickets
- Single-day tickets that have not expired will be valid for use for one year from the purchase date.
- Multi-day tickets that have not expired will also be valid for first use date one year from the purchase date. Tickets will still expire 7-days from activation.
- Guests that are unable to use tickets within one year can apply the original purchase amount towards the purchase of new tickets.
Universal Studios Hollywood Tickets
- Unexpired tickets can be used through December 18, 2020.
- Guests that are unable to use tickets by December 18 can apply the original purchase amount towards a new ticket.
Annual Passes
- All annual pass expiration dates will be extended by the number of days the parks are closed.
- All other existing terms and conditions apply as usual.

Airline Policies

Please see this easy to follow chart for a list of current Airline Policies (courtesy of Contrav).
Policies and schedules are changing by the day. Please consult your airline’s website directly to confirm the details of your flights.

As I said at the beginning, this month has been full of challenges for all of us. While we are all facing a lot of uncertainty, I hope the information provided above will provide clarity for vacations that are being affected by the coronavirus. I know we will all survive these trials! Stay safe, stay healthy and stay kind!

*Updates will be added as information changes and/or new information is provided.*

Tips from the Disney Diva proudly supports All for Dreams Travel, a partner with Gateway to Magic Travel-an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

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