Bring back more guest experiences please!!

[staceylynnga]

We are returning to Disney for the first time in 6 years in early June. With the recent CDC updates and the new mask optional policy when walking around outdoors, I also noticed that park avail has increased as well. Whereas before, the only avail park was Epcot, I'm now seeing more avail on the June calendar.

Anyone know if Disney is preparing to open up more guest experiences? Typically, many of us spend quite a bit of time not only on rides, but on line for meet & greets, enjoying shows, parades, etc. If they simply increase capacity but don't bring back more experiences, the lines are going to be disastrous.

Thoughts???

 

[Krandor]

plans are unknown at this point

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I think it'll understandably be a while before face characters return, but it sure would be nice if they could bring back costume character interactions.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I am sure they are working on it. It's largely a staffing issue. It takes much less time to layoff 35k employees than to bring them back. They can only train so many new employees at one time. And, since they weren't hiring for a year, even the trainers need retraining. I anticipate, little by little, shows, restaurants, resorts will continue to reopen. They won't just be one day where "poof" everything is open. We'll hear one thing then another continuing through 2021. And they will continue to gauge the CDC data to be sure they are doing so safely, cautiously.

 

[staceylynnga]

I don't disagree - staffing is an issue for many businesses right now and Disney, particularly with training and entertainment, definitely needs to work on this. However, they should be careful increasing capacity without increasing ways to move people around. There are always rides that are consistently busy, but without other ways to keep people occupied, too many people are being corraled into too few attractions (relatively).

Hoping they open up more options soon.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

I don't disagree - staffing is an issue for many businesses right now and Disney, particularly with training and entertainment, definitely needs to work on this. However, they should be careful increasing capacity without increasing ways to move people around. There are always rides that are consistently busy, but without other ways to keep people occupied, too many people are being corraled into too few attractions (relatively).

Hoping they open up more options soon.

Yeah, guest satisfaction is likely going to be way way down this summer. Bummer that this is happening 56 days out from my first time back to Disney since the pandemic started. I’m going from really lookign forward to it to really starting to dreading it with a 5 year old and 2 year old, but I’ve got too much nonrefundable tied up into it to cancel now.

 

[fatmanatee]

I know this keeps popping up, it feels like half the threads on this board are just people asking when their favorite Disney feature is coming back (with the general response being "no clue"), but it's truly underestimated how little anyone here knows about what Disney is going to do coming out of this. There are no sources, no insiders, just people making guesses based on callbacks and job postings (which are often incredibly vague and don't point to any specific experience, including the "news" item just posted today about hiring lifeguards). Maybe you end up hearing something about shows returning based on callbacks of actors but it just doesn't seem to be happening often. I can think of exactly one example of this happening and it's not even a show at the parks, I would guess it's not the only show that has had callbacks but as far as I know we're not hearing about it.

The good news is that there appears to be plenty of both callbacks and job postings, and that should lead to a lot of these things coming back, but that's all we've got. FWIW, I think it's more likely that character interactions come back without much advance notice. They don't really need much prep to bring that back, it just depends on comfort levels with COVID restrictions. As we've seen recently, things can change quickly.

 

[HashberryOTG]

Anyone know if Disney is preparing to open up more guest experiences?

There has been a huge jump in hiring, so I expect more to become available as they're able (and able to do so safely). There is still plenty of mask wearing and distancing to account for, but clearly Disney knew this was coming and was already preparing. But the obvious answer is, of course, no one knows for sure unless Disney releases that information to the public.

I know this keeps popping up, it feels like half the threads on this board are just people asking when their favorite Disney feature is coming back (with the general response being "no clue"), but it's truly underestimated how little anyone here knows about what Disney is going to do coming out of this.

I think a little of this, and the fact that these things take time. It's not like my local grocery store that can just take down a couple of signs. There's a lot more to it. But I do firmly believe with what HAS already returned, and all of the hiring, we can expect some things returning, and relatively soon (soon being that vague term ).

 

[Kelly014]

I know this keeps popping up, it feels like half the threads on this board are just people asking when their favorite Disney feature is coming back (with the general response being "no clue"), but it's truly underestimated how little anyone here knows about what Disney is going to do coming out of this. There are no sources, no insiders, just people making guesses based on callbacks and job postings (which are often incredibly vague and don't point to any specific experience, including the "news" item just posted today about hiring lifeguards). Maybe you end up hearing something about shows returning based on callbacks of actors but it just doesn't seem to be happening often. I can think of exactly one example of this happening and it's not even a show at the parks, I would guess it's not the only show that has had callbacks but as far as I know we're not hearing about it.

The good news is that there appears to be plenty of both callbacks and job postings, and that should lead to a lot of these things coming back, but that's all we've got. FWIW, I think it's more likely that character interactions come back without much advance notice. They don't really need much prep to bring that back, it just depends on comfort levels with COVID restrictions. As we've seen recently, things can change quickly.

I agree. Changes in social distancing and mask guidelines moved fast both in and out of Disney. I think it's fair to say that Disney has plans for reopening things, we just don't know them, and that there's a good chance they will move quickly once the manpower is trained and ready to go. Yes money talks, but they don't want bad PR or parks full of hot, unhappy, bored guests.

 

[ford91exploder]

I hate myself for saying this but covid was a opportunity to implement long planned cutbacks to increase profitability and the stock price, its great if you hold a large position in Disney stock, not so great as a guest.

Disney is trying to figure out the absolute minimum they need to do to get acceptable guest satisfaction. So things will be added back very slowly so they can measure the financial effect of each item added back.

 

[ford91exploder]

I agree. Changes in social distancing and mask guidelines moved fast both in and out of Disney. I think it's fair to say that Disney has plans for reopening things, we just don't know them, and that there's a good chance they will move quickly once the manpower is trained and ready to go. Yes money talks, but they don't want bad PR or parks full of hot, unhappy, bored guests.

As long as the bad PR can be managed, they dont care about the experience once they have the guests dollars

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

As long as the bad PR can be managed, they dont care about the experience once they have the guests dollars

Customer retention is much much easier then customer acquisition. I don't think Disney is run by inepts who failed business 101, so I doubt it's quite as extreme as you describe (hopefully).

 

[Kelly014]

As long as the bad PR can be managed, they dont care about the experience once they have the guests dollars

I disagree that it’s that bleak, but to each their own.

 

[Loro]

There has been a huge jump in hiring, so I expect more to become available as they're able (and able to do so safely). There is still plenty of mask wearing and distancing to account for, but clearly Disney knew this was coming and was already preparing. But the obvious answer is, of course, no one knows for sure unless Disney releases that information to the public.



I think a little of this, and the fact that these things take time. It's not like my local grocery store that can just take down a couple of signs. There's a lot more to it. But I do firmly believe with what HAS already returned, and all of the hiring, we can expect some things returning, and relatively soon (soon being that vague term ).

This. The best rumors out there right now are based on facts. Disney is hiring like crazy right now for the parks. If you follow the spots they are hiring it gives a great indicator for what is coming back and when.

 

[AnnaKristoff2013]

If you follow the spots they are hiring it gives a great indicator for what is coming back and when.

So where are they hiring, and what does that mean for what is coming back?

 

[ford91exploder]

Customer retention is much much easier then customer acquisition. I don't think Disney is run by inepts who failed business 101, so I doubt it's quite as extreme as you describe (hopefully).

Yes it is but Disney’s new model is about well to do ‘One and Done’ customers because that class of customer spends far more money than a ‘repeat’ customer. This type of guest is also easier to satisfy as they dont have memories of past visits. They only see whats in front of them at this moment in time.

 

[maverik85]

I am sure they are working on it. It's largely a staffing issue. It takes much less time to layoff 35k employees than to bring them back. They can only train so many new employees at one time. And, since they weren't hiring for a year, even the trainers need retraining. I anticipate, little by little, shows, restaurants, resorts will continue to reopen. They won't just be one day where "poof" everything is open. We'll hear one thing then another continuing through 2021. And they will continue to gauge the CDC data to be sure they are doing so safely, cautiously.

Staffing seems to be a struggle for all industries at this time. can only imagine what it is likely trying to restaff a place like WDW. Hopefully fireworks shows can at least come back soon with lots of restrictions being lifted. Wouldn't require the staffing and rehearsals/training of shows and parades.

 

[Loro]

So where are they hiring, and what does that mean for what is coming back?

They're hiring for almost everything. There have been postings on everything from Housekeeping and Lifeguards to Fireworks Specialist and Attractions/Restaurants. As mentioned previously in this thread, hiring and training enough CMs is one of their biggest roadblocks right now. The one thing that is certain is that if they are staffing up as big as recently then they are opening up more things in the near future. What and when are mostly guesses. If they are going to increase park capacity then they need to have the staffing, restaurants, hotels, and shows/attractions operating to handle it. Reducing distancing may help cram more people into lines, but even at 35% the lines for many attractions were getting insanely long. Imagine what those lines are going to look like at 50-60+% in summer months, and the overflow having no place to go except other lines. The bad press and customer satisfaction surveys that would come with that would be really bad. As easy as it is to be pessimistic (and Chapek's career history as a cost cutter doesn't help with that), guest experience is still part of the formula and things will have to return. This is especially true with the anniversary coming.

As I've mentioned on another thread, many restaurants will be opening up by sometime this summer. The data and inside info is there enough to all but confirm that. I would personally (my guess) expect some shows to return in that timeframe as well since they've recalled a lot of those cast members and have been hiring replacements as they can. They appear to be testing and hiring for nighttime fireworks/shows/parades, so maybe they'll come back soon too. With the increased capacity one would think FP+ would return at some point to help guests (especially ones paying exorbitant amounts to stay on property) feel better about waiting on long lines by giving them a few experiences with shorter waits. They are going to want to have as much open as possible leading up to the summer crowds and anniversary.

 

[ford91exploder]

They're hiring for almost everything. There have been postings on everything from Housekeeping and Lifeguards to Fireworks Specialist and Attractions/Restaurants. As mentioned previously in this thread, hiring and training enough CMs is one of their biggest roadblocks right now. The one thing that is certain is that if they are staffing up as big as recently then they are opening up more things in the near future. What and when are mostly guesses. If they are going to increase park capacity then they need to have the staffing, restaurants, hotels, and shows/attractions operating to handle it. Reducing distancing may help cram more people into lines, but even at 35% the lines for many attractions were getting insanely long. Imagine what those lines are going to look like at 50-60+% in summer months, and the overflow having no place to go except other lines. The bad press and customer satisfaction surveys that would come with that would be really bad. As easy as it is to be pessimistic (and Chapek's career history as a cost cutter doesn't help with that), guest experience is still part of the formula and things will have to return. This is especially true with the anniversary coming.

As I've mentioned on another thread, many restaurants will be opening up by sometime this summer. The data and inside info is there enough to all but confirm that. I would personally (my guess) expect some shows to return in that timeframe as well since they've recalled a lot of those cast members and have been hiring replacements as they can. They appear to be testing and hiring for nighttime fireworks/shows/parades, so maybe they'll come back soon too. With the increased capacity one would think FP+ would return at some point to help guests (especially ones paying exorbitant amounts to stay on property) feel better about waiting on long lines by giving them a few experiences with shorter waits. They are going to want to have as much open as possible leading up to the summer crowds and anniversary.

anecdotally only 80% of those laid off have accepted the recall, What this probably means is many of the top performer CM’s have found jobs elsewhere where they are appreciated by management. This does not look good for the park experience. Also is this a recall/reinstatement where the recalled CM returns with their prior benefits/seniority or is this a rehire at 0 where the CM ‘starts over’. I suspect the latter case- it would be good to hear from CM’s on this but I expect they are not allowed to comment

 

[ford91exploder]

They're hiring for almost everything. There have been postings on everything from Housekeeping and Lifeguards to Fireworks Specialist and Attractions/Restaurants. As mentioned previously in this thread, hiring and training enough CMs is one of their biggest roadblocks right now. The one thing that is certain is that if they are staffing up as big as recently then they are opening up more things in the near future. What and when are mostly guesses. If they are going to increase park capacity then they need to have the staffing, restaurants, hotels, and shows/attractions operating to handle it. Reducing distancing may help cram more people into lines, but even at 35% the lines for many attractions were getting insanely long. Imagine what those lines are going to look like at 50-60+% in summer months, and the overflow having no place to go except other lines. The bad press and customer satisfaction surveys that would come with that would be really bad. As easy as it is to be pessimistic (and Chapek's career history as a cost cutter doesn't help with that), guest experience is still part of the formula and things will have to return. This is especially true with the anniversary coming.

As I've mentioned on another thread, many restaurants will be opening up by sometime this summer. The data and inside info is there enough to all but confirm that. I would personally (my guess) expect some shows to return in that timeframe as well since they've recalled a lot of those cast members and have been hiring replacements as they can. They appear to be testing and hiring for nighttime fireworks/shows/parades, so maybe they'll come back soon too. With the increased capacity one would think FP+ would return at some point to help guests (especially ones paying exorbitant amounts to stay on property) feel better about waiting on long lines by giving them a few experiences with shorter waits. They are going to want to have as much open as possible leading up to the summer crowds and anniversary.

Customer satisfaction at WDW is no longer a factor its PRGS and sales per sq ft. As long as those metrics are met and exceeded Chapek does not care what the satisfaction numbers look like now. The parks are the only cash positive part of Disney’s operations at the moment and they will be squeezed mercilessly for cash to stop the bleeding elsewhere in the Disney empire

the conversation between the bobs probably went something like the squeeze scene in Lynch’s Dune where the Baron charges hus Nephew Rabban with the mandate to show no mercy in squeezing Arrakis for spice.