Select Disney resorts, hotels set for Monday reopening

ORLANDO, Fla. — Guests can enjoy a stay at a dozen of Disney’s resorts and hotels Monday for the first time in months.

It’s another step toward a sense of normalcy at Walt Disney World before its parks open next month.

That first step happened in May when Disney Springs reopened.

According to the Walt Disney World website, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will open Monday, along with Disney Vacation Club properties.

Both accept memberships, and the campground and clubs are best suited to social distancing.

The openings come on the heels of a string of record-breaking coronavirus numbers in Florida.

The announcement means some of the 17,000 furloughed workers will be closer to paychecks as they are phased back to help prepare for reopening.

The reopening announcement includes a warning that “an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present.”

Disney also said restaurants and other amenities might remain closed, and if they do reopen they will have reduced capacities.

Disney is still preparing for the July 11 reopening of Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom followed by Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15.

Disneyland Paris also announced Monday that it will begin a phased reopening on July 15.

In addition to the openings, Disney’s new reservation system also launched Monday. The company had announced last week that the new Disney Park Pass System will operate through disneyworld.com on either a desktop or mobile device, and registration through a My Disney Experience account will be required. Visitors must have a valid park ticket or an annual pass to make reservations.

Users reported issues with the new system early Monday and were unable to log on.

Anyone who holds a multiday ticket must make reservations. Eventually, everything will be linked in the system, with a calendar of available dates for each Disney World park.

Officials said tickets between family members and friends will be able to be linked.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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