DVC Phased Reopening Announcement and Use Year Point Information

Who else was excited to hear from Disney today? I know I’m not alone! Read on to find out what DVC has to say about the phased reopening.

Disney closed all of it’s theme parks and resorts here in the United States back in March due to COVID-19. Third party vendors at Disney Springs just reopened with Disney retail locations following days later.

Today, we heard Disney’s proposal of their phased reopening. This includes Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom opening on July 11, 2020, and Epcot and Hollywood Studios opening on July 15, 2020.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will open on June 15, 2020. All of the Disney Vacation Club properties at Walt Disney World Resort will reopen on June 22, 2020.

The Villas at Grand California Hotel & Spa as well as Aulani have not been determined yet. Members are encouraged to visit Disneyvacationclub.com or contact Member Services if wishing to alter their reservations.

DVC members just received an email regarding what they can expect with this phased reopening. In the email you will find some operational adjustments that you can expect to see:

• Enhanced cleaning of all rooms prior to arrival, including additional measures for dishware and appliances for Disney Vacation Club units, along with the standard Disney Vacation Club housekeeping services during your stay
• Increased cleaning and sanitization in high-traffic areas
• New hand-sanitizing stations in key areas
• Physical distancing at restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers and other public areas, including reducing capacity where appropriate

What about those points?

We are all navigating through this uncharted territory together. We previously reported about Disney altering Use Years on points that were set to expire. They have not let us down, and have given us more information on points, and what to expect. Also included in the email:

“Finally, as part of our continued efforts to provide flexibility during these uncertain times, we are further changing and extending our temporary policies regarding expiring points. April, June and now August, September and October 2019 Use Year points that are set to expire in 2020 and that were used for reservations during the closure period will be extended for one year from the current expiration date.

Additionally, April, June and now August, September and October 2018 Use Year points that were banked into 2019 Use Years and used for these reservations will now all expire November 30, 2020. This temporary policy only includes expiring points that were used to book a stay arriving between March 12 and the end of the closure period and that involve a reservation cancelled after February 29. Additional information on these policies is available at disneyvacationclub.com.“

I think it is great that DVC is working with their Members to help make those magical vacations happen. I know I can’t wait to hear “welcome home” again soon!

What do you think of the phased reopening? Will your family be impacted by these new expiration date? Let us know on the Kenny the Pirate Facebook page. Don’t forget to join the KtP crew page too!

-Heather Alosa