Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[MickeyWaffles]

B/c ppl didn’t expect they would get date & also be told ADRs & fast passes would be wiped out & only DVC hotels would open. They gave a date BUT added that info that no one saw coming.

Would you prefer to still not know a parks opening date at all and find out every single detail (date, status of ADRs, parks reservations details, hotel situation) just a couple weeks before opening instead? A more last minute parks date opening announcement like Universal?

This is not meant to be argumentative at all, just trying to understand.

 

[emilymad]

There are a lot of lists out there about which companies handled the pandemic well and which companies didn't. Disney is quickly becoming one of the companies that didn't handle it well. I think this will have a longer impact on their reputation than they want to acknowledge.

Disney has sent everyone to only a handful of hotels but we expect restrictions in dining, pools, other activities. There will be a lot of upset people when the parks close at 6pm but then there is nothing they can do at their hotel. Where do the people go? DS?

I was at the hair salon this weekend and overheard people who have a Disney reservation in August. They had no idea that Disney was going to be any different than when they usually visit. That is going to lead to a lot of angry people especially has Disney's social distancing is stricter than people's day to day lives.

We are unhappy about the lack of communication but at least we know that there is communication needed. There are probably a lot of people who have no idea.

 

[AmishGuy91]

If people don’t know that Disney is going to be different for the foreseeable future, that’s on them

 

[Wreckem]

Of course. The CDC decision is part of it of course. But, the CDC order is extended until July 24th, and they have cruises still on the books starting July 31st. Surely you can't find it appropriate that DCL wait till July 25th to give these people some sort of information? People have lives. People have plans. They deserve to know something so they can make the appropriate decision for their families.

That said, I am sure that by this point DCL has at least SOME idea about their path forward. While nothing may be set in stone, they probably have ideas about what restrictions will be in place, what dining modifications will take place, what cuts to entertainment could occur. They probably have an idea on whether sailings will be limited to 3/4 day sailings for the immediate future.

With WDW, long before an opening date was announced, there were leaks out there about what the experience might entail and how it may change. Some came to happen, some didn't. But, it at least gave guests an idea on what to expect. Why couldn't DCL do this? Even if they don't put out an official statement, they could leak a list of the things that are currently on and off the table, things they are considering. And then let the guests make the decision for themselves whether to sail or not.

Through my various cruise groups, there have been many people who have cancelled; and do you know what the most cited reason for cancelling is? Fear of Covid? Nope. The explicit lack of communication from DCL.

It’s not just DCL. The whole cruise industry is in a holding pattern. They are all pretty much acting the same way because there is still a lot unknown.

While the order only extends to July 24, the cruise industry as a whole is said to be in the negotiating process with the CDC. July 24th might not actually happen. Furthermore, most cruise ports are still not reopening until the fall or later. Cruising is going to be extremely limited for the remainder of 2020. The cruise lines aren’t going to come out an promise xyz when they don’t know of xyz is going to happen.

They can tell you what’s not going to happen and that’s any cruises in Alaska or Europe. The Caribbean is going to be a limited experience. Asia, is the most likely place for a more regular cruise experience.

People say they should give information etc but they don’t have it. Maybe they should have just mass canceled everyone but then people would have been just as upset. These are historic times and if people are antsy about plans they should just cancel. Things can rapidly change. Hell for all we know Florida could be under a new shut down order before Disney opens.

 

[CastAStone]

My understanding is that they got the tech for Disney+ from a sports related acquisition.

They bought 75% of Bamtech from Major League Baseball, which powers Disney+. MLB and the NHL still own the rest.

Outside the bubble of these boards the vibe towards disney is very different...at least in the handful of other groups I'm in. Those people aren't "die hards." Many take multiple trips but wouldn't consider themselves obsessed. The vibe is "its a pandemic, times are strange everywhere." No anger, just, it is what it is. Many have cancelled trips but they aren't rebooking elsewhere, they just aren't traveling. Of those who had trips for this reopening period almost no one kept them. I think the group hanging on to reservations, waiting for a drop of news, wondering about ADRs and boarding groups and park hours, is a very, very small group compared to the big picture.

I think 2 weeks ago I would have agreed with this, but I think for people with July trips they would be justified in being frustrated. What I don’t agree with is people acting like Disney isn’t doing the best that they can. I’m sure they are. It’s just not going well.

 

[vinotinto]

What I find interesting is that for the longest time people were saying “I want a date! All I need is a date! Just give us some idea of when you’ll be open.” And so, they did. As it turns out, everyone needed much more than just the date.

Would people have preferred they hold off an announcing a date until 2 weeks before parks open if that meant getting all the details at once? That would mean that today we still wouldn’t know when parks open. Truly honestly wondering.

B/c ppl didn’t expect they would get date & also be told ADRs & fast passes would be wiped out & only DVC hotels would open. They gave a date BUT added that info that no one saw coming.

Exactly! We got our date, yeah! And then, a few days later they completely changed the system that had been in place for years. So, back when they announced that the parks were reopening, we had no way to imagine that our Disney resort reservations, dining plan, FPs, ADRs, resort and ticket modifications, and park entry were either confirmed canceled, on the chopping block/not guaranteed.

Here is what changed *after* they announced the parks are reopening:

1. We will need reservations to get into the parks, and this will be a new system not tied to previous ways of managing capacity, such as being a resort guest, having an ADR, etc. Important info about the reservation system has not yet been revealed, such as whether resort guests will have access first and whether reservations per person will be capped.

2. My July FPs were all wiped out.

3. My July ADRs were all wiped out.

4. My July Free Dining Plan was wiped out.

5. Only DVC and FW have been announced to reopen. My July resort (Polynesian - non-DVC) does not yet have a reopening date.

6. My family's Annual Passes, which expired during the closings, have not yet been extended.

7. My back-up tickets, which are currently part of package and include both hopping and water parks, it's unclear whether they will be able to be modified or removed.

 

[Eric Smith]

B/c ppl didn’t expect they would get date & also be told ADRs & fast passes would be wiped out & only DVC hotels would open. They gave a date BUT added that info that no one saw coming.

So you're not upset that they're not releasing any info, you're upset because they released info that you didn't like. Fast Passes were wiped out because fast pass isn't going to be a thing for a while. ADRs had to be wiped out because restaurant capacity is going to be much less than full for a long time. This is ridiculous.

 

[woody337]

They bought 75% of Bamtech from Major League Baseball, which powers Disney+. MLB and the NHL still own the rest.

I think 2 weeks ago I would have agreed with this, but I think for people with July trips they would be justified in being frustrated. What I don’t agree with is people acting like Disney isn’t doing the best that they can. I’m sure they are. It’s just not going well.

This is where I am. My wife and I have a trip starting July 17th for the entire week, 5 day passes and not sure if we can use all of them. Not to mention what resort are we going to be put in. I know this situation is new for everyone, but a little news would be helpful.

 

[cakebaker]

They probably are not giving out numbers because Florida is looking worse and worse as far as numbers go..

That would be a great excuse save for the fact that they've been failing to communicate with guests for years. This is nothing new. Every trip I make, I'm stalking and waiting for them to drop news or dates for an event or something. Raise your hand if you've ever sat with days before you book your FP's and you don't know when or if they're going to drop dates for an after hours event, or an EMM or any event at all. I put up with it and I defended it, but no more.

The difference now is, we're not talking about attending some additional hard ticket event. We're talking about having a bed to sleep in or knowing whether or not we're even getting into a park.

 

[cakebaker]

So you're not upset that they're not releasing any info, you're upset because they released info that you didn't like. Fast Passes were wiped out because fast pass isn't going to be a thing for a while. ADRs had to be wiped out because restaurant capacity is going to be much less than full for a long time. This is ridiculous.

I don't know about the OP, but to me that's a massive mis-reading of the post. As for me, I'm not upset about the loss of adrs, FP and resort closures. It was because there was 0 information on what the alternatives were going to be because of those losses. They raised more questions than they answered once a date was given. My resort is closed? Fine. But to have to wait until weeks before we'll be there to find out you're going to screw me over royally when you move me isn't acceptable. I could've cancelled weeks ago had I known earlier- nevermind that the only reason I know now, is because I read these boards. I got absolutley no communication from Disney that I should call about my July 8 -11 reservations.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

This is where I am. My wife and I have a trip starting July 17th for the entire week, 5 day passes and not sure if we can use all of them. Not to mention what resort are we going to be put in. I know this situation is new for everyone, but a little news would be helpful.

Obviously this is all uncharted teritory for everyone so I get cutting Disney some slack. That said, I also understand being frustrated with not knowing basic things like "what resort am I staying at" when like less than a month out (or in some people's cases not much more than a week out) - feels like that should be out now, especially given the deals with NBA and MLS are done (even if seems like some unrest within the NBA)

I do also think thought that for many (most?) that if the experience once you get there is still great and you feel like Disney really tried to give the best experience they could and maybe overcompensated in some areas to make up for elements that are gone, etc. that will be remembered much more than the current frustration. I think it is more important for Disney to get THAT part right vs doing great now and then having the actual trips be a disaster

 

[Pinkflmngo]

I realize that what I have to say is not a rumor, but I am posting it here because this thread has so much traffic and I wanted to reach a lot of people. This morning I received an email from Disney Account Member Services telling me that someone in Giza, Egypt, had tried to use my account to sign into ESPN.com. I was advised to change my password. Just passing this along in case others feel the need to change their passwords.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and picture walking towards the wonderfully weird looking salmon castle while eating a mickey bar. Happy place guys. Happy place.

Also, welcome to another week of the crazy! Maybe this will be a big one for us

 

[RivShore]

Yeah right. They care most about $$$ & PR.

Statements like this do drive me nuts because they completely ignore that everything is interconnected - if you want good PR, you have to have relatively happy and safe employees/customers and if you want ongoing profits, you have to put out a product/service that the public will be happy to pay for. You can't have your "$$$ & PR" without the rest!

 

[Ariel 1715]

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and picture walking towards the wonderfully weird looking salmon castle while eating a mickey bar. Happy place guys. Happy place.

Also, welcome to another week of the crazy! Maybe this will be a big one for us

I like your thinking!! Lets just hope we get some info this week

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and picture walking towards the wonderfully weird looking salmon castle while eating a mickey bar. Happy place guys. Happy place.

Also, welcome to another week of the crazy! Maybe this will be a big one for us

This!

 

[CastAStone]

Hey! I almost forgot!

Disney resorts in Hilton Head and Vero Beach open TODAY!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and picture walking towards the wonderfully weird looking salmon castle while eating a mickey bar. Happy place guys. Happy place.

Also, welcome to another week of the crazy! Maybe this will be a big one for us

Wait, are you implying that this week could be SOON?!?!?!?!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Wait, are you implying that this week could be SOON?!?!?!?!

I SURE FREAKING HOPE SO MAN.

In all seriousness I think soon is probably either this Thursday or Friday based off of the deadline for the last round of resort changes. The question is do they keep rolling week by week or just make a big resorts announcement.

I'm not a fancy insider so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I realize that what I have to say is not a rumor, but I am posting it here because this thread has so much traffic and I wanted to reach a lot of people. This morning I received an email from Disney Account Member Services telling me that someone in Giza, Egypt, had tried to use my account to sign into ESPN.com. I was advised to change my password. Just passing this along in case others feel the need to change their passwords.

I know this must be really frustrating for you as it is to anyone when they are hacked but.......

All I can think of is the Mike Lindell commercial talking about how special HIS Giza sheets are because the fiber is so rare as its only grown in the Giza region of Egypt. I guess their sheets are so comfortable that they must lay around all day trying to figure out the passwords to Disney owned websites

Sorry--I don't mean to make light of your situation its just those commercials have been very catchy.