Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[bffer]

The word "cavalcade" definitely just saw a spike on Google

I was the co-editor of my college literary magazine, "The Cavalcade." That is forever how I associate that word.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Looks like they just aren't bringing back the equity staff yet.

 

[jennyq87]

We were able to do a night at OKW and a night at SSR with some DVC friends last fall, and we really loved OKW! It's a beautiful property, and we were blown away by the studio we had! It was great. We did not really enjoy SSR, but it wasn't the worst stay we've had.

For us personally, our disappointment right now is just that we decided to splurge on POFQ for several reasons - bucket list resort, going at Christmastime, 5th wedding anniversary, treating ourselves after losing DH’s mom in February. We’re also thinking this might be our last WDW trip for a while. We waffled back and forth before booking because of the cost of POFQ. We were just going to book at All Star Movies (which we love) but decided to pay the extra this time for this resort specifically. We were also hoping there might be a discount released for our dates as we got closer. We also "knew" we could downgrade to ASMo as a fall back if we got closer to our trip and things were tight. So we’re kind of bummed now that we’re paying garden view POFQ rates to not be at POFQ at all, and there's no fall back option to bring down our trip costs other than "don't go".

Trust me, we fully understand getting a DVC room at POFQ rates is a great deal! We just aren't personally interested in most of the DVC resorts. Even knowing we enjoyed OKW when we stayed there in August, we wouldn't choose to stay there again. Because we're at the top of our budget (especially now with furloughs) we won't be requesting a specific move, so we'll take what Disney gives us.

Had we been booked at ASMo again, though, we wouldn't be disappointed at all by getting moved. But, it is what it is. No way we could've known all of this would be the reality when we booked back in January! We'll see what Disney says Monday and go from there.

The lobby at POFQ at Christmastime is SO beautiful! So sorry you’re missing it I think people assume that more expensive room = better room and that’s just not the case for everyone.

 

[glocker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1274499705196761088

This is what I don't get...and it's infuriating. Disney has had more than 3 months to get this right. THREE MONTHS! Everything is a bungle. I shared the "good news" with my wife tonight and we both thought how odd to have Festival of the Lion King, which has singing, and a crowded indoor space. Basic logic should tell you that this is not the smartest decision. NOW they reverse course. WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? And why weren't they made months ago?

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Do any of the data/numbers people want to take a shot at determining if people going in July and August are going to be disappointed or pleasantly surprised by park availability on Monday? Are there more people with resort reservations and tickets than space on any given day or is the reverse true?

 

[Sandisw]

This is what I don't get...and it's infuriating. Disney has had more than 3 months to get this right. THREE MONTHS! Everything is a bungle. I shared the "good news" with my wife tonight and we both thought how odd to have Festival of the Lion King, which has singing, and a crowded indoor space. Basic logic should tell you that this is not the smartest decision. NOW they reverse course. WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? And why weren't they made months ago?

It is possible it was on the list in error..not that it was changed. So, I think whoever was doing the proofreading messed up...not that Disney decided it after it went out.

 

[SaintsManiac]

This is what I don't get...and it's infuriating. Disney has had more than 3 months to get this right. THREE MONTHS! Everything is a bungle. I shared the "good news" with my wife tonight and we both thought how odd to have Festival of the Lion King, which has singing, and a crowded indoor space. Basic logic should tell you that this is not the smartest decision. NOW they reverse course. WHO IS MAKING THESE DECISIONS? And why weren't they made months ago?

I would think it was simply a website error. Happens all the time with them.

 

[Sandisw]

Do any of the data/numbers people want to take a shot at determining if people going in July and August are going to be disappointed or pleasantly surprised by park availability on Monday? Are there more people with resort reservations and tickets than space on any given day or is the reverse true?

I can tell you DVC bookings are down. By how much, I don’t know...but even in summer, things are slim pickings within 60 days. Now, lots of choices...even the hard to get rooms!

i am more worried about getting each park once vs getting something each day.

 

[michellej47]

Removed

 

[glocker]

It is possible it was on the list in error..not that it was changed. So, I think whoever was doing the proofreading messed up...not that Disney decided it after it went out.

As a high school English teacher, the fact that they don't proofread irks me even more. For a company that is as brand conscious as Disney, to let these mistakes of communication continue to happen is inconceivable.

 

[Sandisw]

As a high school English teacher, the fact that they don't proofread irks me even more. For a company that is as brand conscious as Disney, to let these mistakes of communication continue to happen is inconceivable.

On that I agree. But I know things are hectic and not back to full staff...so I give them some leeway right now.

Although I do think the entire resorts info is lacking.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Do any of the data/numbers people want to take a shot at determining if people going in July and August are going to be disappointed or pleasantly surprised by park availability on Monday? Are there more people with resort reservations and tickets than space on any given day or is the reverse true?

I think the people going in July and August will be fine. I"m a little nervous about those of us in September and later because the DVC resorts are pretty full starting then so they'll have to open up the resort sides of the hotels.

 

[kylenne]

If I:
1. Didn't live local
2. Didn't already have an AP

There is no way I'd be visiting Disney anytime soon. Definitely would not take the uncertainty of a flight, definitely would not use a non-AP ticket on visiting. This will not be what anyone remembers Disney being, and Disney is finally being pretty clear about this. Plus with the current county mandates AND Disney mandates if you are not used to wearing a mask in FL's summer climate and try to plan your day to the T like we all used to you WILL be disappointed. If you go into it with expectations of previous Disney trips you WILL be disappointed.

I agree tbh. I booked Labor Day mostly because I’m going out of my gourd at work and my mental health severely needs a break, but I’ve been enough that I really don’t mind reductions or restrictions, and I welcome going with the flow. My AP got extended, and everything I booked is fully refundable up to the last minute in case things down in FL are zombie apocalypse levels of bad in Sept. I’m also going solo and don’t have small children or family to think about.

Don’t mean to judge or cast aspersions on folks but I’m seeing a lot of understandably stressed out people in these various threads that really ought to cancel and aren’t, likely due to sunk cost fallacies. It’s a personal decision everyone has to make but I have to wonder if it’s really worth the agita I see some people getting over all this. If I felt as strongly as some folks about some of this stuff it really wouldn’t be to me.

 

[MMSM]

The lobby at POFQ at Christmastime is SO beautiful! So sorry you’re missing it I think people assume that more expensive room = better room and that’s just not the case for everyone.

I’m so sorry if I missed something. Do they know that POFQ is closed in December?

 

[JacknSally]

I’m so sorry if I missed something. Do they know that POFQ is closed in December?

Jennyq87 was responding to my post! I'm currently booked at POFQ for 12/1-12/5. As of now, my TA is saying they are only planning to have DVC available and we'll find out Monday which DVC resort we're being moved to.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Jennyq87 was responding to my post! I'm currently booked at POFQ for 12/1-12/5. As of now, my TA is saying they are only planning to have DVC available and we'll find out Monday which DVC resort we're being moved to.

I know that's what your TA said. I do have to say DVC is pretty full starting in September. Disney doesn't own enough rooms to move people to. I think if anything we'll find out on Monday that more than DVC will be open. There just isn't the rooms to move people to! I would guess it will be deluxe resorts attached to DVC. However, I don't think they'll be telling people with trips in December where/if they'll be moved because a lot can change by then.

I think people booked in July and possibly early August will find out on Monday.

 

[LSUmiss]

Every. Single. Time.

It’s DS’ favorite. He is literally watching lion king right now. I just told DH, I don’t care about anything else b/c DS loves fotlk & it’ll be open & that I caught up here .
I get it, but it’s still back to the craziness that Disney keeps making communication errors.

 

[LSUmiss]

It is possible it was on the list in error..not that it was changed. So, I think whoever was doing the proofreading messed up...not that Disney decided it after it went out.

That’s still unacceptable honestly.

 

[Devil13]

As a Platinum AP holder from the Boson area, Not happy with the lack of park hopping, etc. but whatever. We have reservations for the end of August in Club Level at Destiny Tower. I know the NBA will most likely be there and I’ll have to be moved.

If I don’t like the hand I’m dealt and decide to bail, I assume that I’ll have to battle to get a refund of some sorts for my AP that has been essentially stripped of, what I believe, it’s most important benefits coupled with my Inability to use it (April and June trips cancelled).

I’m at the point where I don’t care anymore. I already have flights and will try to get park reservations on Monday just to see what happens,

Not really anyone’s fault, but this year of Disney has gone from excitement, to anticipation, to apathy in the course of about 2 weeks.

Still love the action of these boards though! Thanks everyone!

 

[SaintsManiac]

That’s still unacceptable honestly.

Unfortunately this is the reality that people have to accept. Things will be goofed up, things will be changed on the fly. Things could get worse considering what’s going on in Florida right now. It’s really day to day at this point.