Disney Vacation Club Senior Vice President Releases Statement Regarding Points and Cancelled Reservations Due to Coronavirus
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Just last night, Walt Disney World announced that all of its resorts, including the Disney Vacation Club properties and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, will close by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, March 20 due to growing concerns regarding the Coronavirus.
Change fees have already been waived for guests that have purchased vacation packages and refunds have been issued for upcoming resort stays. Disney Vacation Club also released a letter addressing concerns regarding the club’s Members cancelations and points:
Dear Members,
As we continue to make timely decisions based on guidance of health agencies and our medical teams, and adjust our precautionary measures at Disney Vacation Club for the safety of our Members, Guests and Cast Members, I want to provide you with an important update.
In alignment with this guidance, Disney is temporarily closing its resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, including all Disney Vacation Club properties. The closure also includes Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. The closures become effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and will extend through the end of the month. This will give Members and Guests the ability to make necessary travel arrangements or book alternative accommodations. At this time, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort will remain open.
We know that you have questions about your membership during these uncertain times. Please know that our teams at Disney Vacation Club are committed to assisting you and providing you with as much flexibility as possible with your future vacation plans. Disney Vacation Club Member Services will continue to assist you with reservation changes during their regular operating hours. As we anticipate high call volume in the days ahead, we encourage you to visit disneyvacationclub.com for general information and ask that you contact Member Services only if you need assistance with an existing reservation.
Regarding your reservations, I would like to take this opportunity to clarify a few important points in order to make the change process as smooth as possible. As we have shared, Disney Vacation Club has lifted the close-in reservation cancellation restrictions and will return any of your points back as vacation points or reservation points without placing them into holding. In the meantime, all points banking rules remain in place. While we understand the banking policy might create some frustration, please realize that this is in place to ensure that the membership as a whole avoids future inventory constraints.
Clearly COVID-19 is impacting us all in numerous ways—and I want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. Our team at Disney Vacation Club is focused on serving you, our Member community, as we plan ahead for a return to normal operations.
With appreciation,
Signature
Terri Schultz
Senior Vice President
Disney Vacation Club, Guided Adventures & Expeditions and Golden Oak
Currently, the only two Disney Vacation Club resorts that remain open in the US are Disney’s Hilton Head Resort and Aulani.
For more updates, visit the Disney Vacation Club official website.