This week is off to a busy start, with the MAJOR announcement that the reopening of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort would be delayed until 2021 for refurbishment. With the popular Monorail resort not reopening for Guests until summer 2021, that leaves many travelers with upcoming reservations without a resort to stay at.

So, what exactly happens when you are booked at a Disney World Resort hotel that doesn’t open? Believe it or not, this isn’t the first time Disney has had to deal with this sort of situation in 2020, and who knows if this is the last time they’ll make this sort of announcement this year! This is 2020, after all, and anything can happen!

In the case of the Polynesian specifically, Guests are already being contacted by Disney with options moving forward. According to a letter received from reader Kristel B., Guests may choose a new resort “at no additional charge.” Switching to a new resort also will not impact other vacation experiences, including Park Pass Reservations.

This seems to be in-step with what Disney has offered Guests previously who had booked reservations at resorts that ultimately did not reopen according to schedule. This is also not the first time Disney has delayed the reopening of a resort hotel.

We are still waiting for reopening dates for hotels like Beach Club and the All-Star Resorts. Therefore, if you have an upcoming Disney World reservation, it’s a good idea to keep checking the status of your resort!

Since Disney World first announced the reopening dates of select resorts, Guests with reservations at closed hotels have been able to modify their accommodations to a new resort. At first, Disney notified Guests that they would need to pay the difference, but shortly after, Disney changed their policy to allow Guests to change to a new resort at NO additional cost.

If switching resorts is a dealbreaker for you and you would prefer to cancel your reservation, you may also do so without any additional cost or fees. Disney has extended their cancellation policy through December 31, 2020. Keep in mind that this policy extends to all resort guests and not just the ones that are impacted by any specific hotel closures.

Whether or not Disney chooses to extend this policy again is yet to be determined, but if you have a reservation for, say, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in spring 2021, you will still have the option to modify your reservation separate from Disney’s general cancellation policy.

If your upcoming reservation is at a resort that will not reopen at the time of arrival, Disney will reach out to you at the contact information provided with more details on how to move forward.

Click here to learn more about the Polynesian’s LENGTHY extended closure!

Have you had an upcoming reservation been impacted by your chosen hotel being closed? Let us know in the comments!