Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Ksims616]

And those two both have much better dining than Paradise Pier. Still perplexed by their choice to open PP before Disneyland Hotel.

Accurate. And of course this was after we switched from the Grand Californian to the Disneyland Hotel at my demand

Luckily we don’t go until October so I’m hopeful. This is our third time rescheduling this trip!

 

[Krandor]

We spoke to the supervisor. He said to renew now if we want to ensure that DH has access to the park reservation system (he reiterated that new expiration dates on APs will not be reflected until parks reopen on July 11).

Either he didn't understand me or I didn't understand the supervisor because we didn't really get an answer about what to do. Here's the situation:

DH's AP currently says it expires July 2, 2020. Obviously we don't know if WDW will extend APs past when the parks first reopen (extend until things are more normalized, etc), but at a minimum, his AP should have a new expiration date of at least Oct 27, 2020 (117 days that the parks are closed).
The supervisor said, "since your AP expires on July 2 and the parks don't open until July 11, you'll get 9 free days on your AP!"
I want to make sure that if we DO renew, that new AP is for Oct 27, 2020 through Oct 27, 2021 (or later). Our current AP extension should already be covered by the period from July 2 to July 11, that's not 9 "free" (extra) days we'd get by renewing like the supervisor was suggesting.
We shouldn't be penalized and miss out on the extension of DH's current AP by purchasing a renewal.

The supervisor also didn't seem to have previously considered that:
1) The park reservation system will have to be online before July 11, 2020 since that's the day parks open and how will people get into the parks without a previously-made reservation?;
2) That if AP expiration dates aren't extended (reflected in MDE) before parks open on July 11, a whole bunch of people could miss out on being able to make park reservations.

Frustrating, to say the least.

Unfortuatly probably going to have to wait till they announce details on the reservation system to know how it would affect you but I'd bet at a minimum they'll have something to allow you to make reservations but just have to wait and see.

SOON

 

[princesscinderella]

It’s weird that Disneyland celebrates its anniversary on the press preview day instead of the day that they allowed guests.

Me too my b-day is July 18th and I like to think my love of Disney was destined by my birthday. What’s even funnier is my hubby’s b-day is oct 2nd the day after Magic Kingdom’s opening so maybe it was destiny we are both born one day after the “official” openings of the Disney parks and share a love of Disney!!


I was also surprised that they are opening the resorts at Disneyland after the parks. I guess they want to work out the bugs with the locals first. DVC I’m sure like has been said before messed up the ability to do this at WDW.

 

[cakebaker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1270839178893438976

So glad to hear they’re opening the GC. I love that resort. My eyes are definitely looking west in the late fall.

 

[Krandor]

Just as a clarificatioon. The disneyland dates are PROPOSED. Still needs local and state approval just like WDW did.

 

[Farro]

Universal updates, some of this posted previously by others: I know some of you are headed to universal. We are at UO now. I’m so glad we opted for the value resorts and didn’t spend more on the top tier for express passes bc everything was walk on all day it was just crazy. I can’t speculate on the upcoming days but if they are the same as what we experienced today I highly recommend this place. We were in IOA and US not doing VB. Everyone’s in a good mood, lots of places to cool off and take a “mask break” no wait at restaurants. They are selling masks with various themes in the corresponding area of the parks. No masks on Jurassic Park ride (once all seated) no masks in pool area or while swimming, no masks in restaurants but they do mobile ordering from the app. The app is having glitches where it doesn’t know you are in the area when you are actually inside the restaurant. This is now a “known issue” and it happened to us so they requested one party member come to the counter and order for all and pay. They do temp at resort and give you a wristband that’s good for the day. They haven’t switched the popcorn refill bucket from last year (red top, clear sand castle shape) and they have refillable mugs at the parks but not at the resorts. There are signs indicating drink machine locations. There are also signs indicating areas to cool off and wash hands. We saw many characters, minions on their vehicle out front, penguins of Madagascar, the scooby doo cast on their vehicle, transformers and more. All available for pics at a distance, the penguins even “danced” with us from afar haha. It was unreal today, felt like I had paid a lot extra to get into a special event (like EMM in the early days it was offered) but like it lasted all day, I may be ruined for theme parks after this haha!

That sounds amazing!!! Glad you are having such a great time!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

This portion of disboards is sponsored by the word SOON

SOON...... DRINK!!

 

[SarahC97]

We spoke to the supervisor. He said to renew now if we want to ensure that DH has access to the park reservation system (he reiterated that new expiration dates on APs will not be reflected until parks reopen on July 11).

Either he didn't understand me or I didn't understand the supervisor because we didn't really get an answer about what to do. Here's the situation:

DH's AP currently says it expires July 2, 2020. Obviously we don't know if WDW will extend APs past when the parks first reopen (extend until things are more normalized, etc), but at a minimum, his AP should have a new expiration date of at least Oct 27, 2020 (117 days that the parks are closed).
The supervisor said, "since your AP expires on July 2 and the parks don't open until July 11, you'll get 9 free days on your AP!"
I want to make sure that if we DO renew, that new AP is for Oct 27, 2020 through Oct 27, 2021 (or later). Our current AP extension should already be covered by the period from July 2 to July 11, that's not 9 "free" (extra) days we'd get by renewing like the supervisor was suggesting.
We shouldn't be penalized and miss out on the extension of DH's current AP by purchasing a renewal.

The supervisor also didn't seem to have previously considered that:
1) The park reservation system will have to be online before July 11, 2020 since that's the day parks open and how will people get into the parks without a previously-made reservation?;
2) That if AP expiration dates aren't extended (reflected in MDE) before parks open on July 11, a whole bunch of people could miss out on being able to make park reservations.

Frustrating, to say the least.

Yeah, incredibly frustrating.

Our passes expire on July 8. We have no intentions to renew, but we have a trip planned on 7/27. If I cannot get a park reservation, I'd rather just get my money back on my pass and go somewhere else. I'm pretty displeased with the customer service I've gotten related to this issue so far. I don't want to go all "I'm a passholder" but it was over $4000 to buy my family passes. I expected better service than this.

*eta* They also cannot tell you anything about getting money back on your pass. Not how it's calculated, when you can expect the refund, nor how it will be refunded. Yet another frustrating experience.

 

[Farro]

Reading thread on the resorts board - looks like people staying in Gran Destino are being moved to Riviera - one person is getting a deluxe studio!

Not a bad switch. Like if for some reason they have to move us next May to there (I know it won't happen), I won't be too upset!

 

[chasgoose]

It most likely had to do with room count. GCH and DLH both have 900+ rooms, while PPH has a bit more than half of that. They probably had a target of only opening ~1500 rooms on property, which means they'd have to choose either DLH or GCH not both plus their smaller hotel. GCH has DVC so it wins.

I agree. Also DLH and GCH are kind of in the same price category while PP is cheaper (even tho GCH is definitely more expensive than DLH, DLH is not what anyone would consider reasonably priced), so this way DLR has hotels for different price ranges. That, the desire to minimize available rooms, and the fact that the Villas at GCH likely have to open for DVC contract reasons is probably why GCH and PP were chosen.

 

[yulilin3]

Yeah, incredibly frustrating.

Our passes expire on July 8. We have no intentions to renew, but we have a trip planned on 7/27. If I cannot get a park reservation, I'd rather just get my money back on my pass and go somewhere else. I'm pretty displeased with the customer service I've gotten related to this issue so far. I don't want to go all "I'm a passholder" but it was over $4000 to buy my family passes. I expected better service than this.

*eta* They also cannot tell you anything about getting money back on your pass. Not how it's calculated, when you can expect the refund, nor how it will be refunded. Yet another frustrating experience.

again, not trying to stick up for the CM but they are working from home, they are not at their offices with the proper equipment. Hopefully they will go back SOON and we can get more precise info
I was just talking to a friend that has been working with DVC (she's not been furloughed cause she's a supervisor) she tells me they were told about DL reopening plans after the DPB story was published, this is how they usually get their info, it's honestly not their fault.
If you are upset about how Disney is handling the situation shoot them an email and let them know

 

[Krandor]

I agree. Also DLH and GCH are kind of in the same price category while PP is cheaper (even tho GCH is definitely more expensive than DLH, DLH is not what anyone would consider reasonably priced), so this way DLR has hotels for different price ranges. That, the desire to minimize available rooms, and the fact that the Villas at GCH likely have to open for DVC contract reasons is probably why GCH and PP were chosen.

dlh did have some renovations going on before shutdown so like we’ve talked about for parks they may have chosen that one to stay closed to work on renovations without having to work around guests (ie can make noise all day and so forth)

 

[Violetspider]

And those two both have much better dining than Paradise Pier. Still perplexed by their choice to open PP before Disneyland Hotel.

I think it might have to do with the rack rates out their. Opening GCH and DLH would price out a lot of guests. PPH is no budget hotel as it is, but it's the least expensive option of the three.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Reading thread on the resorts board - looks like people staying in Gran Destino are being moved to Riviera - one person is getting a deluxe studio!

Not a bad switch. Like if for some reason they have to move us next May to there (I know it won't happen), I won't be too upset!

Have to admit I was slightly sad when they opened up Jambo this morning. I was hoping that we'd get moved to a Riviera studio in December since there was no Kidani availability.

 

[Farro]

Have to admit I was slightly sad when they opened up Jambo this morning. I was hoping that we'd get moved to a Riviera studio in December since there was no Kidani availability.

I mean really! That's a nice switcheroo.

 

[dislee1164]

Universal updates, some of this posted previously by others: I know some of you are headed to universal. We are at UO now. I’m so glad we opted for the value resorts and didn’t spend more on the top tier for express passes bc everything was walk on all day it was just crazy. I can’t speculate on the upcoming days but if they are the same as what we experienced today I highly recommend this place. We were in IOA and US not doing VB. Everyone’s in a good mood, lots of places to cool off and take a “mask break” no wait at restaurants. They are selling masks with various themes in the corresponding area of the parks. No masks on Jurassic Park ride (once all seated) no masks in pool area or while swimming, no masks in restaurants but they do mobile ordering from the app. The app is having glitches where it doesn’t know you are in the area when you are actually inside the restaurant. This is now a “known issue” and it happened to us so they requested one party member come to the counter and order for all and pay. They do temp at resort and give you a wristband that’s good for the day. They haven’t switched the popcorn refill bucket from last year (red top, clear sand castle shape) and they have refillable mugs at the parks but not at the resorts. There are signs indicating drink machine locations. There are also signs indicating areas to cool off and wash hands. We saw many characters, minions on their vehicle out front, penguins of Madagascar, the scooby doo cast on their vehicle, transformers and more. All available for pics at a distance, the penguins even “danced” with us from afar haha. It was unreal today, felt like I had paid a lot extra to get into a special event (like EMM in the early days it was offered) but like it lasted all day, I may be ruined for theme parks after this haha!

Thanks for the update! Headed there tomorrow!

 

[zemmer]

Universal updates, some of this posted previously by others: I know some of you are headed to universal. We are at UO now. I’m so glad we opted for the value resorts and didn’t spend more on the top tier for express passes bc everything was walk on all day it was just crazy. I can’t speculate on the upcoming days but if they are the same as what we experienced today I highly recommend this place. We were in IOA and US not doing VB. Everyone’s in a good mood, lots of places to cool off and take a “mask break” no wait at restaurants. They are selling masks with various themes in the corresponding area of the parks. No masks on Jurassic Park ride (once all seated) no masks in pool area or while swimming, no masks in restaurants but they do mobile ordering from the app. The app is having glitches where it doesn’t know you are in the area when you are actually inside the restaurant. This is now a “known issue” and it happened to us so they requested one party member come to the counter and order for all and pay. They do temp at resort and give you a wristband that’s good for the day. They haven’t switched the popcorn refill bucket from last year (red top, clear sand castle shape) and they have refillable mugs at the parks but not at the resorts. There are signs indicating drink machine locations. There are also signs indicating areas to cool off and wash hands. We saw many characters, minions on their vehicle out front, penguins of Madagascar, the scooby doo cast on their vehicle, transformers and more. All available for pics at a distance, the penguins even “danced” with us from afar haha. It was unreal today, felt like I had paid a lot extra to get into a special event (like EMM in the early days it was offered) but like it lasted all day, I may be ruined for theme parks after this haha!

Were you able to ride Hagrid’s?

 

[SarahC97]

again, not trying to stick up for the CM but they are working from home, they are not at their offices with the proper equipment. Hopefully they will go back SOON and we can get more precise info
I was just talking to a friend that has been working with DVC (she's not been furloughed cause she's a supervisor) she tells me they were told about DL reopening plans after the DPB story was published, this is how they usually get their info, it's honestly not their fault.
If you are upset about how Disney is handling the situation shoot them an email and let them know

Thanks @yulilin3. I'm just airing my frustrations, but I definitely will send a sternly worded email.

 

[Sandisw]

I renewed last week for an AP that expires on 7/18/2020 and our arrival date is 7/18. So far I have a renewal certificate on my account and my AP still reflects the 7/18/2020 expiration date. I think I have to go to customer service when at a park to apply the renewal to my account as it states "will call" on the renewal. I am not sure at this point if renewing will even ensure I will be able to make a reservation. I have 8 days until I reach the 30 day mark if no information is provided by this point I will be forced to cancel my DVC stay to avoid the risk of my points going into holding. Hopefully we hear something SOON.

When I buy my APs the voucher has always said will call. I am thinking that will be fine,

I still have to go to GS to activate it, but it always worked for FPs.

 

[Mfowler7828]

So.... just called and spoke to a CM asking her if we cannot get a reservation for the parks on the days we are traveling, can we get a refund for the tickets. We currently have four day one park at a time tickets, no Disney hotel reservations. She told me she doesn’t know but “we have no worries as ticket holders and Annual Pass holders get priority, so we will get in without a problem.” I am glad that she has no worries