Disney Springs Hotel Not Reopening Until the End of April

We have just learned that a Disney Springs hotel has announced they are not reopening until the beginning of May. Full details are below.

Many of us with Disney trips scheduled in April and May are waiting patiently for news about Disney reopening on April 1 or if the closure will be extended.

With the CDC recommendation that groups of 50 or more should not gather for 8 weeks, it is up in the air whether or not Disney will reopen on schedule.

Disney Springs Hotel Closure Extended

We have learned that the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, which is considered one of the official Disney hotels, will not reopen until May 1.

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace website displays the following message:

The safety and security of our guests is our highest priority. In response to COVID-19, this hotel has temporarily suspended operations and is currently not accepting reservations.

An email was also sent to guests who booked through Costco Travel that notified them of the closure. Read the email below:

Dear Costco Traveler,

We have been notified that Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace Disney Springs will close through April 30.

If you wish to cancel your reservation please submit a cancellation request via the link below.

If you have booked Airfare with your package, the airlines are waiving change fees and letting you use the air credit to rebook to travel until the end of this year.

If you wish to reschedule your trip you may call us at 877-849-2730.

We truly value your membership and would like to thank you for your patience and support during these unprecedented times.

We look forward to assisting you in the future with your travel needs.

Sincerely,

Costco Travel

Changes and Cancelations

The Hilton website offers the following information for travel flexibility:

We remain committed to offering you flexible booking options. Given these unique circumstances we are making additional adjustments to our individual booking policies to give you extra peace of mind:

• Government Restrictions. In regions affected by government-issued travel restrictions, we will continue to waive change fees or offer full refunds.
• Existing Reservations. All reservations – even those described as non-cancellable (“Advanced Purchase”) – that are scheduled for arrival before April 30, 2020 can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.
• New Reservations. Any reservation you make – even those described as “non-cancellable” (“Advanced Purchase”) – that are booked between today and April 30, 2020 for any future arrival date, can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival.

Could this be the first in a string of Disney-area hotels and attractions that are delaying its reopening timeline? As the coronavirus pandemic unfolds over the coming days and weeks, we will continue watching for any updates from Disney and other Orlando-area theme parks.

What do you think of Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace not reopening until the beginning of May? Do you think other hotels will follow? Share your thoughts with us on facebook.

-Monica