Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TheMaxRebo]

Yup. From the article:

"With this new offering on the horizon, we will be retiring our complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021. Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we’ll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future."

That's rough. I'm sure it's just a casualty of budget cuts, but it's a huge bummer. I think the MagicBand system is great, and having everyone receive one was a huge boon to streamlining park entry and FP. I presume it'll end up a bit more like DLR in which guests are fumbling with their phones.

I also think the "upgrade at a discount" system was pretty popular and now if you don't have one you can still get one for pretty minimal extra charge.

Also I know a lot of people that have sooooo many MBs and I know the system can struggle if you ha e too many atta he'd to you account so might be trying to reduce these elements as well

 

[FinallyFL]

Reservations go through Sep 26, 2021. Local passholders are probably at a huge disadvantage here. I don’t plan 14 months out. Sometimes I decided the night before, though typically I’d decide 30 days out for fp. Or just book fp in case I went and cancelled if I changed my mind.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/e...k-reservations/?CMP=ILC-DPFY20Q3wo0618200010A

DVC also can't book more than 11 months out so are the SOL for the 50th anniversary?

 

[Bjn10]

So I guess they’ll have a whole new system for Rise of the Resistance if we can’t all be there at rope drop? I hope...

I think it will be standby crowds won’t be large enough for boarding passes to be needed

 

[hereforthechurros]

Quick side note: Any word about in-park dining reservations yet? I didn't see anything, assuming its going to be tied with the reservation system?

Good question. Yes I imagine you'll need to book your park first, then ADRs once you have confirmed reservation to be in that park. I would think that information would need to drop ahead of 6/22 but maybe not...

 

[mmackeymouse]

Timed entry for parks that have reduced hours is a BAD combo

Terrible...just terrible.

This is an unfortunate necessity. They can't have a huge crowd of people all showing up at rope drop.

Will they be offering gift cards for people who end up with the later times? I say this because I cannot see how, in any stretch of the imagination, that someone who gets 10 hours in a park paying the same amount as someone who has 7 hours in the park (involuntarily) is fair.

 

[CastAStone]

they will make more money on their fuel rods now!

I'm worried about people whose phone is a medical device. I remember Len Testa saying once that the reason the Touring Plans app looks like 2008 is because MDE sucks up enough of your battery life; they didn't think you could afford to lose any more.

I’m really confused. We don’t have a package. We have a RO reservation and linked tickets from UT. So...

I imagine you're OK. Disney has communicated the need to urgently link any tickets you have to MDE.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Farewell to my last ever free set of Magicbands. I hope you are enjoying a dole whip on the Poly beach. We got the shipped to resort email on March 17 .

 

[bclittle]

What are those of us who haven't gotten to confirm our stay supposed to do? I am one of those people whose trip is during the opening so we haven't figured out where we are staying or confirmed that we can use our tickets! Am I supposed to make park reservations before knowing where we are staying? My TA hasn't heard anything so we are in this weird limbo.

 

[rileyz]

The timed entry is a problem for me, especially in August with the heat and rain. I had accepted the no hopping but Idk about this. Without getting into details I have an obligation to go if the rest of my party wants to. I’m not sure they are understanding how compromised this “vacation” will be and no matter what I say they won’t listen. I’m trying to have a “well it’s better than being stuck at home” attitude. Not feeling it though, lol.

 

[emilymad]

But still no word on resort reservations post 7/11? How do I know if I want a park reservation without the resort?

 

[jade1]

Sounds like you may only be able to if it's within your time frame? TBD.

Do we need to select an "exit time" as well?

Or can standby guests enter as in park guests leave for the day.

 

[Racheldb]

Wow, I'm going to have to eat my Wheaties this weekend....

 

[Bjn10]

Terrible...just terrible.

I wonder if they will eventually extend park hours some


Will they be offering gift cards for people who end up with the later times? I say this because I cannot see how, in any stretch of the imagination, that someone who gets 10 hours in a park paying the same amount as someone who has 7 hours in the park (involuntarily) is fair.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I’m really confused. We don’t have a package. We have a RO reservation and linked tickets from UT. So...

Same here and it should be fine.

 

[Hummingbird]

I am still not clear as to if Disney Resort Hotel guests without tickets have any priority at all. It seems no?

Looks like they still get priority before APs (without resort stay)

"If you have a room-only reservation at a Disney Resort or other select hotel for a stay in 2021, please call the Disney Reservation Center or call your travel professional beginning on June 24 to upgrade to a vacation package with tickets—and then make your theme park reservations. "

 

[Carol Jackson]

So I guess they’ll have a whole new system for Rise of the Resistance if we can’t all be there at rope drop? I hope...

That’s actually an easy fix with the reservation system. Instead of having to be “in the park” to get a boarding pass, you would need a reservation at DHS for that day. Rope drop chaos problem solved.

 

[VeronicaZS]

Is this a permanent new change? I knew it went to 60 for the "initial period" 180 ADRs are over, now 60 days?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining-reservations/advance-reservation-window/
When reservations resume, Guests will be able to make dining and experience reservations up to 60 days in advance to allow Guests to make their plans closer to their visits. In addition, Disney Resort hotel Guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days).

 

[NJlauren]

MY only question is, am i booking my parks for November now?

Or only for the next 30/60 days, did i miss this answer?

 

[zemmer]

Looks like they still get priority before APs (without resort stay)

"If you have a room-only reservation at a Disney Resort or other select hotel for a stay in 2021, please call the Disney Reservation Center or call your travel professional beginning on June 24 to upgrade to a vacation package with tickets—and then make your theme park reservations. "

But that’s for 2021 guests. It’s unclear what 2020 guests will do.

 

[New Mouse]

This has been a masterclass in how to bury your brand and company. This is going to be a cluster of epic proprotions when it rolls out.


So if DVC cant be booked until 11 months, but park reservations stretch past that... whats to say popular dates will not fill up before dvc members can even get a hotel...not to mention if your ap doesnt renew until December, there is no way for you to reserve 2021 until that point.