Walt Disney World Resort Update for September 9 – 15, 2020
Labor Day crowds meet Walt Disney World's capacity limit
End-of-summer crowds tested Walt Disney World's lower COVID-era attendance limits this Labor Day, as all four theme parks and even the Disney Springs shopping complex reached capacity at points during the holiday weekend.
Disney's theme parks have operated at an extremely reduced capacity since reopening in July, capping attendance at a number reportedly around 25% or less of each park's usual maximum. To help limit crowd size, Disney requires visitors to make a theme Park Pass reservation and have valid admission media before visiting a park. As of last week, Park Pass reservations were scarce, with no same-day slots available over the weekend.
Walt Disney World resort hotels and Disney Vacation Club properties were also sold out over the weekend, though several hotels remain closed and we know Disney is not booking the remaining properties to their maximum capacity.
In Disney Springs, capacity is throttled at the parking entrances, which also serve as the health screening checkpoint for the shopping area. Photos posted to social media throughout the weekend showed long lines to even get into the parking structures.
Social media reports indicated that Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and the City Walk shopping complex all saw capacity crowds over the weekend as well.
Our takeaway from this is, “if you open it, they will come.” If you are comfortable making a trip to Walt Disney World this fall, and especially if you are targeting a holiday weekend like Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving week or even looking towards the winter holiday season, make sure to make reservations.
This and That
…Tomorrowland Transit Authority is now scheduled to be closed through November 21. The ride has not reopened since Magic Kingdom resumed operations in July.
…One of the longest lines at the Magic Kingdom this weekend was for a new Madame Leota collectible sipper mug. The was supposed to have arrived at the Sleepy Hollow counter this week, but materialized a few days early in time for Labor Day crowds.
Walt Disney World Resort $100 Booking Bonus
Book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation* with our partner, Get Away Today by September 15, 2020 for travel now through September 26, 2021, and you'll get a $100 Booking Bonus from Get Away Today! Your exclusive booking bonus includes a $50 Disney Gift Card for your trip + a $50 Get Away Today credit for future travel valid for any of our destinations.
When you're ready to return to the Magic Kingdom, our partners at Get Away Today are ready to help you get there. MousePlanet file photo.
Plus, when you book with Get Away Today, you'll receive all of the perks that come standard with your Walt Disney World Resort package and these bonuses:
- Complimentary Concierge Services, including detailed planning assistance. A certified Disney Travel Agent is more valuable now than ever before as there have been many changes to the Park experience.
- Complimentary Price Monitoring. If Disney releases a discount or special that can be applied to your reservation, we will do so automatically!
See Sample Package Prices:
Sample Package Dates: October 12-17, 2020
- Travelers: Two Adults and Two Children (ages 3-9)
- Hotel: Disney's Pop Century Resort (Value Resort)
- Tickets: 4-Day Base Walt Disney World Resort Tickets
Total cost: $2,958 ($740 per person)
Sample Package Dates: November 15-20, 2020
- Travelers: Two Adults and Three Children (ages 3-9)
- Hotel: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort (Moderate Resort)
- Tickets: 4-Day Base Walt Disney World Resort Tickets
Total cost: $3,934 ($787 per person)
Get your FREE quote by calling 855-GET-AWAY and mention MousePlanet when booking.
*Walt Disney World Resort vacation must include 4-night or longer Disney Resort Hotel and at least two adult 3-day theme park tickets to qualify for $100 Booking Bonus and complimentary concierge service. The $100 Booking Bonus is funded by and exclusive to Get Away Today.
Join us Wednesday for MousePlanet LIVE!
The MousePlanet LIVE! “Fun at Home” Show #23 starts Wednesday, September 9, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific.
Join us for another episode of our “MousePlanet LIVE! Jibe Time” game show this week. Each round, our players try to have their answers to our original, rather hypothetical, fill-in-the-blank questions jibe with the answers of our panelists comprised of our MousePlanet regulars and other guests. Your answers during the LIVE show can help the players score points too! Type them in the comments (along with the question number you are answering), and see them shown on all our streaming platforms: Facebook, YouTube and Periscope/Twitter.! If your answers jibe with a player, that player gets a point that counts in the score. Our prizes, unfortunately, have no retail value, but there are bragging rights!
As usual, we'll also cover Disney Parks news that breaks between our regular publication schedule and showtime, and our MousePlanet Contributors will talk all things Disney around our game play. Like all of our shows, a replay will be available here after the show.
“Fun at Home” Show #23 begins streaming LIVE on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 Pacific. A brief pre-show countdown will begin a few minutes before showtime. You may need to reload this page to see the video if you are here before showtime. You can also view this show by following @MousePlanet on Facebook or Twitter/Periscope.
A replay will be available here after the show.
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
The MousePlanet Newsletter is here! The newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips about what's happening at the Disney theme parks for the coming weekend. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.
 |
 |
 |
|
||
|
|
||
 |
|
 |
|
||
Join Our Networks
Follow @MousePlanet on…
Follow MousePlanet on Facebook:
Resorts Availability, Ticket Advice & Special Offer
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update.
With Disney now accepting Resort Hotel reservations for 2020 and 2021, our travel partner Get Away Today is available to help you book rooms and packages. Disney has resumed new park ticket sales, but, at present and for the foreseeable future, requires guests to use the Disney Parks Pass System to reserve dates for guest park visits in addition to having a valid admission.
As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). As prices go up, it becomes even more important to pay heed: Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. When available, only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.
When you book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation* with Get Away Today for travel through September 26, 2021, you'll get a $100 Booking Bonus! Your booking bonus includes a $50 Disney Gift Card for your trip + a $50 Get Away Today credit for future travel valid for any of our destinations.
Plus, when you book with Get Away Today, you'll receive all of the perks that come standard with your Walt Disney World® Resort package and these bonuses:
- Complimentary Concierge Services, including detailed planning assistance. A certified Disney Travel Agent is more valuable now than ever before as there have been many changes to the Park experience.
- Complimentary Price Monitoring. If Disney releases a discount or special that can be applied to your reservation, we will do so automatically!
*Walt Disney World Resort vacation must include 2-night or longer Disney Resort Hotel and at least two theme park tickets to qualify for $100 Booking Bonus and complimentary concierge service.
You can get a vacation quote from Get Away Today here.
Get a vacation quote from Get Away Today.
Checkout Get Away Today's Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers too.
