Hi Courtney!
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel!
First let me say that I am so sorry your trips have been cancelled, especially since your second one included a free dining offer. If your family is like mine, having those reservations gave us some much-needed hope in the midst of the uncertainty we have faced recently. Unfortunately, as you have indicated, all
Disney Dining Plans are being cancelled to allow the parks and resorts to adjust to new capacity limits during this
phased reopening period. At this time, all I can definitively say is that you should soon receive an official communication from the Walt Disney World Resort that outlines the next steps regarding your
vacation package reservation.
Continue to check the
operational updates as well since additional information will be added and/or modified as it becomes available. Having said that, I will add that, based on my experience, free dining offers are not always the best deal. In the past, when I have compared prices, a room discount of 30% or more has at times been more affordable than a vacation package with free dining. So, when you receive your official email communication, know that
if you are offered another type of discount, your bottom-line package price may be comparable. And, if no comparable offer is included with your re-booking notification, remember to check for other
Special Offers. Finally, if you do not receive a direct communication soon, free to
contact the Walt Disney World Resort reservation line directly via phone or chat.
Once you have re-booked your trip, monitor the
dining reservation system updates as well. At this time, guests will be able to make new dining and experience reservations 60 days in advance. Check any existing dining or experience reservations since they may be cancelled, and you may need to re-book. As I write this, I feel compelled to share that about a week ago we made our advanced dining reservations for our November trip and some of those dining reservations have already been cancelled. As disappointing (ok, maybe soul-crushing) as that was, I know that we want to have the safest experience possible when we go back, so I am adjusting my attitude to focus on the fact that we will be able to return soon.
Courtney, we are drawn to the Walt Disney World Resort because while we are visiting, time seems to stand still. We focus on each other and find inspiration in the Disney stories we encounter. So, we are taking a breath and remembering that magic lives on the galaxy. Sending you hope as you channel the Force to plan!
Magic and memories,
Donyell