As many of you may know, Disney’s new Park Pass Reservation System opened with a bumpy start this morning. But that’s not the only BIG Disney milestone taking place. Today, select Disney World hotels have also reopened to guests.

We’re reporting LIVE today to check out Disney’s new health and safety procedures along with the changes that the dining and merchandise locations have implemented. Follow along with us! 🙂

We will be updating this post throughout the day, so be sure to check back for updates. 

Disney’s Riviera Resort

We’re kicking our day off at Disney’s Riviera Resort!

Entering the Hotel

As we entered the hotel, there were signs reminding guests of Disney’s new health and safety procedures. These signs also state that by entering the hotel you are confirming that you don’t have any of the listed symptoms.

More safety reminders were also seen on doors around the hotel.

We were greeted by a few Cast Members!

We do want to note that when we arrived around 9AM EST this morning, they did not take our temperature. After talking with a Cast Member, they confirmed that they will not be taking temperatures at the hotels for now.

Learn MORE about what’s up with temperature checks at the Disney World hotels here.

Riviera Resort Lobby and Common Areas

The lobby has plenty of signage to encourage physical distancing and there are plexiglass barriers up on the check-in counters.

The lobby seating is all available but it does have physical distancing signage as well.

The resort map screen was cycling through to show the map and this “Health & Safety Reminders” screen.

Outside, we saw the health warning posted that explains Disney’s health waiver.

Interestingly enough, the resort hotels are not requiring temperature checks at this time.

Click here to see why there are no temperature checks at the resort hotels!

The strangest thing about the reopening was that the resorts were super empty. They felt kind of like a ghost town.

All of the health measures aside, it sure is weird walking through an empty Disney World.

Dining at Topolino’s Terrace

Today, Disney also debuted its new Mobile Dine Check-In feature.

This allows guests to skip the host stand by checking in to their dining reservation through the My Disney Experience app. We used the feature at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera for breakfast.

Read ALL about the new Mobile Dine Check-In feature here.

There were several tables in Topolino’s that were unavailable so that guests can social distance. We noticed added health signage near the restroom as well.

Topolino’s is using a modified character experience — the only one available in Disney World. We got to say hi to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy.

You won’t be able to get close to your Disney pals but it’s still fun to give them a wave.

Click here to learn more about the modified character experience at Topolino’s Terrace!

The restaurant is operating on a limited menu due to supply chain issues and physical distancing in the kitchen.

Still, our meal was delicious!

Click here to learn about our experience at Topolino’s Terrace!

Quick Service Dining

We checked in on several quick-service dining locations in Riviera Resort too. Le Petit Cafe had physical distancing signage and added plexiglass barriers.

Plus, we spotted those now-familiar physical distancing stickers on the ground.

Bar Riva had fewer tables and they were spaced out pretty far from one another.

Like at Topolino’s Terrace, the menu was slightly limited. Unfortunately for us, this meant NO Monte Cristo. 🙁

Primo Piatto has offered Mobile Order since it opened, but now it’s got added signage and a QR Code posted.

We’re seeing a lot more signage for mobile order and mobile check-in in general.

Refillable Mugs

We were super curious about Disney’s refillable mug policy. Turns out, you CAN still purchase and redeem a resort refillable mug.

No filling them yourself though! A Cast Member will fill a disposable cup for you and you can pour the cup into your refillable mug.

You’ll still get those free refills you paid for!

Read MORE about the Refillable Mugs here! 

Pool and Recreation

The pool had health and safety reminders posted just outside the gate.

We also spotted that the lounge chairs had been physically distanced and there was signage asking guests not to move the chairs.

According to a lifeguard, masks are required while walking around the pool area but not while swimming or sitting in a pool chair.

The splash zone for kids still had its fountains running.

Click here to learn more about swimming in a reopened Disney World!

The only recreation posting was for a Movie Under the Stars screening on Sundays and Thursdays at 8:30PM.

Bocce ball is currently unavailable.

Learn MORE about our pool experience here! 

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Next, we headed on over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort — where we’re actually staying tonight!

Entering the Hotel and Check-In

We’re staying at Bay Lake Tower so we strolled on over there to get checked in first. When we parked, Cast Members let us know that there is no valet parking available.

We used the Mobile Check-In feature so that we could skip the front desk!

But, if you don’t want to use Mobile Check-In, you can always pop over and do it in person. Notice the added plexiglass at the counter.

Like in Topolino’s Terrace this morning, pens are sanitized after each use.

After we’d gotten our luggage dropped off with Bell Services, we decided to check in on things over in the Contemporary proper.

Like everywhere else we’ve been today, the main concourse in the Contemporary Resort was empty and almost eerily quiet.

We’re not sure we’ll ever get used to a quiet Disney World!

Click here to see how EMPTY the hotels are!

Shopping

We spotted some physical distancing stickers outside of B.V.G. to help manage capacity in the store.

It also had a designated entrance and exit, hand sanitizer available, and health and safety signage posted.

When you check out, you’ll notice there are signs noting that contactless pay is an option.

Read all about our experience shopping at the Disney World hotels here! 

Contemporary Resort Hotel Room

Our room in Bay Lake Tower looked pretty much like it used to. Still, we were able to pick up on a few changes. For one, there was no bed skirt or decorative throw pillows.

The room also had a sign posted to talk about enhanced cleaning measures.

Remotes had been sanitized and wrapped.

You can stop worrying! Our coffee machine was still available too!

For more info about the reopened hotel rooms, click here!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Next up, we swung by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to see the sights.

Lobby and Common Areas

When entering the hotel, we spotted hand sanitizer stationed on either side of the doors.

Click here to find out which 6 things surprised us the most at the grand reopenings of the resorts!

The lobby was as quiet as all the others — perfect for some gorgeous pics!

We noticed more physical distancing signs around the lobby seating.

Some parts of the resort, like the lobby staircases, featured directional arrows.

Eating at Grand Floridian Cafe

We stopped in for a meal at Grand Floridian Cafe. Many of the tables were marked as unavailable for physical distancing.

While we were there, we spotted those extensive cleaning measures in action as a Cast Member wiped down some of the chairs.

Grand Floridian Cafe has a QR Code menu too, but since the Disney World website was being unstable, our server grabbed us a paper menu just in case.

This was also the first spot we visited that supplied bags for our face masks!

Was this our second quiche of the day? Yes, yes it was.

Click here to see what’s different in a reopened Grand Floridian Cafe!

Quick Service Dining and Lounge

We also swung by Gasparilla Island Grill to see what their protocols were. This location wouldn’t even allow guests inside unless they were purchasing something. No browsing here!

We popped in for a cupcake and noticed distancing markers, pick-up stations, and extensive cleaning measures.

Enchanted Rose Lounge wasn’t open yet (it opens at 4PM) but we spotted some hand sanitizer and directional arrows in this elegant venue.

Shopping

Much of shopping in Grand Floridian is the same. Still, we did spot these health and safety signs in the stores.

Dressing rooms are closed right now in the interest of health.

And, as announced, there’s no Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique either.

You CAN purchase face masks in the resort hotels. Learn more here!

Pool and Recreation

Though the Beach Pool is open at Grand Floridian, some options like the Courtyard Pool are closed.

And there wasn’t any “splash” in Alice’s Splash Zone.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Next up, we took a trip on over to the Beach Club!

Lobby and Common Areas

There were pretty much no cars when we arrived…

…and no people in the lobby to match! We did spot the signage to encourage mobile check-in.

All of the pathways to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort were blocked off with the closure of the other resort.

Of course, the walkway to Epcot remains closed. We noticed that the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival banners were still up.

We sure are interested to see what Epcot looks like when we get there on July 15th.

Dining

Beaches and Cream had physical distancing markers leading up to the host stand to help manage capacity in the restaurant.

The To-Go window had stickers in the line too.

But we had to go inside for a bite! Plus, we got to use the new Mobile Dine Check-In feature to let the restaurant know we’d arrived!

Click here to read more details about the newly reopened Beaches and Cream!

Things look pretty much the same in Martha’s Vineyard right now except a Cast Member seats you instead of you seating yourself.

Pool and Recreation

All of the tables and chairs are still put up over at Stormalong Bay. It’s crazy to see this super popular pool closed and empty.

Like at Riviera Resort this morning, the only recreational activity posted was a Movie Under the Stars.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

We also made it over to our favorite Disney World “island” oasis!

Lobby and Common Areas

This resort had a similar vibe to the other resorts we’d visited — only this time it felt empty in a tropical sorta way!

Dining

We stopped by Pineapple Lanai, one of our favorite spots outside of the parks to grab a Dole Whip!

Read more about the newly reopened Pineapple Lanai here!

And luckily, the Pineapple Lanai was happy to oblige!

But this wasn’t the only treat in store for us! We also stopped by Captain Cook’s! today!

The quick-service restaurant is now requiring guests to use Mobile Order to select their items. Then you can pick up your food and beverages at one of these numbered stations.

We also found this gorgeous Welcome Back Aloha Cupcake at Captain Cook’s!

Find out more delicious deets on the Welcome Back Cupcake here!

And we also had time to stop by Kona Cafe for a quick bite — and a Lapu Lapu!

See what’s changed at Kona Cafe now that’s its open here!

Pool and Recreation

There were more folks swimming at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s pool then we’ve seen at other resorts.

And the pool bar was also open for business with social distancing markers in place.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Next, we headed off to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge to check in on our furry friends!

Lobby and Common Areas

Of course, we were anxious to get right over to the savannah and see all the resort’s wildlife again!

The savannah viewing area was open, so we dashed right over to it!

Rocking chairs were still out for guests, but have been spaced apart to allow for social distancing.

And look! We spotted a newborn baby zebra! It’s so SMOL!

We also noticed some hand sanitizer stations have been newly installed.

Dining

Heading over to Sanaa, we saw they’ve also been equipped with a new hand sanitation station and a plexiglass shield around its host stand.

We noticed barstools were closed off to guests while tables had been spread apart.

Pool and Recreation

The pool bar was in full swing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, serving up its signature libations!

And the Survival of the Fittest fitness center was also open to guests.

Transportation

As of right now, the Monorail, boats, and Skyliner are not running.

According to several Cast Members, these options may not return until the parks reopen.

Click here to learn more about the current suspension of the Monorail and Skyliner in Disney World!

You CAN take the Disney buses. There were added physical distancing markers throughout the seats.

Click here to learn more about riding the bus in a reopened Disney World!

Remember, we will be updating this throughout the day, so be sure to check back for all the need-to-know details. 

We’re answering all of your questions regarding the newly reopened Disney World resorts! Click here to read our FAQ and drop us a line!

When are you planning to return to Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.