Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[AmberMV]

By the way this also tells us they are only giving a 4 day lead time from between the date they start taking dining res to when the first guests arrive at the reopened DVC resorts on June 22....yikes..

 

[CastAStone]

Mobile check in for dining

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt...-eliminate-podium-check-in-at-restaurants.htm

Steve Frearson is getting the scoops today.

 

[CJK]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

They will go back online at some point.

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

Probably before, even.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

Yes, although it was only for DS restaurants I did mine for an August trip this am

 

[rteetz]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

I’d assume they are thinking their international guests are a very small percentage for a while.

 

[MaC410]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

I can't see them sticking with making everyone call. This is most likely just for this initial period when some resorts open but no parks are open.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I would stress to everyone not to think what happens in the next month is a permanent change. Disney has proven that nothing is permanent with their systems.

 

[cakebaker]

At least they’re giving resort guests first option on dining. If you’re on site, no parks open, you really need to be able to get food without having to leave property. Having to call is throwing back to the stone ages though.

 

[CastAStone]

Do we think dining reservations will go back to online after July 11th? Calling is expensive for international guests.

I'm not sure Disney cares that much about phone charges - 20 years after every other company had switched to toll-free numbers in the US Disney was still using their local 407-W-Disney number for reservations, and before cell phones (and even in the early days of cell phones) that incurred substantial long distance charges for every minute you were on the call (and on hold!).

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

We better not have to call to make our park reservations!

“Thank you for calling the WDW park reservation line, this is Sven. Would you be interested in some false info today?”

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

I would stress to everyone not to think what happens in the next month is a permanent change. Disney has proven that nothing is permanent with their systems.

They’re very good about abandoning changes that don’t work and modifying as needed.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Mobile check in for dining

https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/walt...-eliminate-podium-check-in-at-restaurants.htm

Another great change, upgrade even, that can stick around post COVID, IMO!

 

[cakebaker]

I'm not sure Disney cares that much about phone charges - 20 years after every other company had switched to toll-free numbers in the US Disney was still using their local 407-W-Disney number for reservations, and before cell phones (and even in the early days of cell phones) that incurred substantial long distance charges for every minute you were on the call (and on hold!).

I remember the the old days of running up my phone bill having to call to make all our reservations. I remember when they came out with some toll free number for select guests, but darned if I can remember how we qualified for it- passholder maybe? It was ridiculous then and it’s still ridiculous that they don’t have a toll free number.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Another great change, upgrade even, that can stick around post COVID!

Yes indeed.

Positive changes: New security screening, adding gift cards to mobile ordering, mobile check in for dining.

I'm trying to look on the bright side!

 

[yulilin3]

Steve Frearson is getting the scoops today.

it's on the WDW site
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/dine/

 

[hereforthechurros]

Yes indeed.

Positive changes: New security screening, adding gift cards to mobile ordering, mobile check in for dining.

I'm trying to look on the bright side!

I missed the gift card part. Awesome!

 

[WonderlandisReality]

June 18 seems to keep coming up. Should we prepare for dining after 6/11 and the reservation system to drop then?

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

June 18 seems to keep coming up. Should we prepare for dining after 6/11 and the reservation system to drop then?

I think we will hear about the next wave of resort reservation consolidation before the reservation system. #1 because i don't think the park reservation system is done, #2 because Disney has the potential to really reduce the number of on-site guests by announcing x resorts will be open/closed and here is what we are going to do about it.

No matter how they handle the resort moves, some people will be unhappy and will cancel. That frees up availability in the park reservation system. Why launch a park system and immediately fill it with a bunch of reservations that are going to get canceled?