This week is off to a busy start, with the MAJOR announcement that the reopening of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort would be delayed until 2021 for refurbishment. With the popular Monorail resort not reopening for Guests until summer 2021, that leaves many travelers with upcoming reservations without a resort to stay at.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
So, what exactly happens when you are booked at a Disney World Resort hotel that doesn’t open? Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time Disney has had to deal with this sort of situation in 2020, and who knows if this is the last time they’ll make this sort of announcement this year! This is 2020, after all, and anything can happen!
In the case of the Polynesian specifically, Guests are already being contacted by Disney with options moving forward. According to a letter received from reader Kristel B., Guests may choose a new resort “at no additional charge.” Switching to a new resort also will not impact other vacation experiences, including Park Pass Reservations.
Sent to us by Kristel B. © Disney
This seems to be in-step with what Disney has offered Guests previously who had booked reservations at resorts that ultimately did not reopen according to schedule. This is also not the first time Disney has delayed the reopening of a resort hotel.
We are still waiting for reopening dates for hotels like Beach Club and the All-Star Resorts. Therefore, if you have an upcoming Disney World reservation, it’s a good idea to keep checking the status of your resort!
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Since Disney World first announced the reopening dates of select resorts, Guests with reservations at closed hotels have been able to modify their accommodations to a new resort. At first, Disney notified Guests that they would need to pay the difference, but shortly after, Disney changed their policy to allow Guests to change to a new resort at NO additional cost.
Stormalong Bay
If switching resorts is a dealbreaker for you and you would prefer to cancel your reservation, you may also do so without any additional cost or fees. Disney has extended their cancellation policy through December 31, 2020. Keep in mind that this policy extends to all resort guests and not just the ones that are impacted by any specific hotel closures.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Whether or not Disney chooses to extend this policy again is yet to be determined, but if you have a reservation for, say, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in spring 2021, you will still have the option to modify your reservation separate from Disney’s general cancellation policy.
Pool Area at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If your upcoming reservation is at a resort that will not reopen at the time of arrival, Disney will reach out to you at the contact information provided with more details on how to move forward.
Click here to learn more about the Polynesian’s LENGTHY extended closure!
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Disney has been so flexible with accommodating changes. I was supposed to be going in a couple weeks and originally was booked at Art of Animation. When we found out the hotel wasn’t opening, I called and got my hotel switched without additional cost. We decided to push the trip back a year after everything, and switching hotels for a year later was super easy to do too.
We had reservations at All-Star Music for December. We were move to the next Similarly priced resort, Pop Century. This made my husband happy but I was disappointed that I was unable to receive a room with a king bed like we had at All-Star Music
will Restaruants and the bar be open during the remodel. vacation club will still be staying at the Poly. we can not find out what will remain open for us
???????
Karen, Disney hasn’t released this info yet, but we’re watching for updates.
Just curious (and you may have answered this before) but can we actually go to the resorts on the outside just to walk the grounds and check them out if we are not staying or eating there? We wanted to at least check out what they look like when we go.
Donna, we’ve pulled together information about this topic here.
Hi! Curious how far in advance guests have been contacted about their resorts not opening and offering to move them to a new resort, without paying an additional fee? We are booked at POFQ in Oct (6 weeks out) and haven’t touched the res yet, mainly because I am not thrilled with being moved to CB which is the only other moderate open on our dates.
Thanks!
Concerning the new discounts- we were booked at thE Poly with park tickets also. We were changed to Grand Floridian at no additional charge however Disney will not honor the new discounted rate because switching resorts is considered a “room only” booking and the discount only applies to a package. It is a better rate so why wont they rebook me? Tempted to cancel everything and rebook but do bot want to risk losing my park reservations. Any advice? Am I incorrect?
This year I used a travel agent for the 1st time for a WDW trip. We were originally booked for BoardWalk, then Poly. We could’ve moved to the DVC side of Poly. I decided with construction going on to move to Contemporary. Never was I charged extra and I’m actually saving a bit at this point. I am glad through all of this that I have an agent.
Best wishes to all during these trying times. I hope all get the vacation they need.
Any info on the Port Orlean Resorts. Have not seen any info anywhere.When will they be opening.
Deborah, there’s not been a reopening date announcement for the Port Orleans Resorts.