Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[JacknSally]

I started booking with our TA solely for the agency exclusive discounts but she's really good and has very much come in handy during all of this. She's also insanely fast about getting back to me and is always proactive about doing things ASAP. A really good TA is worth their weight in gold imo. But it's kind of like finding a great doctor, counselor, etc. My best advice is stick to the Disney focused platinum earmarked agencies and avoid TAs doing it as a side hustle.

Fully agree! We actually thought we did! We went through Dreams Unlimited Travel, the owners of which run these boards and do the DisUnplugged podcasts. I'm not sure of their earmarked status, but I felt comfortable they were a reputable agency. We didn't request a specific agent, though.

Most pixie dust I saw was for reservations in the next couple months or for people who have an opening date on their resort and know for certain it won’t be open on their trip dates.

I have seen a lot of those, also! I've been specifically rooting out the POFQ/POR affected guests, and people travelling around my dates, to get the best idea of what might happen with our reservation and what we should be doing right now.

 

[anthony2k7]

Oh I'm still having freak outs, just not about Disney so you guys don't get to "share" it with me! My freak outs are rather entertaining in person!

Just focus on your vacation, and that there will hopefully be coffee machines!

 

[wombat_5606]

That isn’t a Disney employee petition.

It was started by an employee though. I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't have other employees participating.

She is an Attraction Hostess since 2017, according to Linkedin.

They had the choice when Disney called them. IF they didnt want to come back to work they told Disney then.

The petition isn't an employee petition it's signed by random people.

When they were called back, the Virus situation in Florida was a lot different than it is today.

Random people can sign, but I'm sure this employee has it circulating among the other employees she knows.

 

[FinallyFL]

Was able to book CSR for late January but all of Sept looks completely booked! I'm assuming this is due to the anticipated 50th celebration?

Check again, I'm seeing every park available for the entire month of Sept.

 

[Mfowler7828]

In other news... Universal just laid off a number of employees...

 

[mcmry5]

At least this mess gave me a good punishment for my two preteen girls. Want to earn back your Roblox privileges? Great, call this # over and over until Disney answers.

BRILLIANT!!! I made my 12-year-old do it and he wasn't even in trouble!

 

[sara_s]

Check again, I'm seeing every park available for the entire month of Sept.

Sorry, I meant hotel availability. The parks are all good to go. CSR looks unavailable for Sept 2021. So I booked another ressie for May. Someone take away my laptop!

 

[maciemouse]

I wish FL could do the same thing. The self absorption is strong with this state.

But don’t you think when NY and surrounding states start opening up more
and people travel it will come around again? I live in a beach community in GA and we have had tons of New Yorkers renting houses here for months to get away from the lockdown.

 

[yulilin3]

Has WDW announced that the Monorails will be running when they re-open..or better yet for the previews..

Monorail will be running

 

[Eric Smith]

Feeling the same way about our trips in Oct and Dec - not looking so great at this point - maybe things will improve.....

We're starting to try to figure out some backup plans.

 

[Dsny4fun]

A slight update to my resort woes that isn't really informative, lol...

Booked at POFQ 12/1-12/5.
- TA originally thought we'd be moved into DVC on 6/22
- Then the resort reopening list came out Sunday, so she said she'd call to see what our options were
- Then Monday, she said she decided not to call and ask about our options, and that we should just wait and see

After lots of thread reading, I reached out to my TA this morning to ask if she would at least find out what options we might have for our move right now, and told her I've seen reports here from people who have been moved from mods to deluxes with no rate change. (We really want to be at POFQ but would jump at our few bucket list deluxe resorts if they were offered at our current rate. We aren't interested in CBR/CSR.)

Just got a response. She basically confirmed that the "matrix" that CMs were given yesterday ended any pixie dust upgrades. Looks like we could've lucked in to an upgrade if she had called for us Monday. Now CMs can only make comparable lateral moves unless that resort category is full, and she said they're actively discouraging any late-2020 changes now because there is a chance the remaining resorts will reopen. Also said the phones have been closed all day so she hasn't been able to get through to make any changes today.

So I guess we keep on waiting to see if POFQ opens up later on!

It's frustrating to get one thing from the TA and see other things on the boards... and can't call to try any moves ourselves because we went through a TA this time. Sigh.

I'm also booked at POFQ from 11/29-12/7....and I'll be thrilled if they reopen. I think they thought more people would cancel but if they don't..I think they will have to open up more resorts or allow more people at the resorts that are opened.

 

[twinmom13]

Not a package. Is yours?
My resort is DVC on points so the tickets were purchased separately.
The only place I see the “Change Reservation” button is next to dining reservations. For the resort, the only button I see is “Update Check-in”.

Mine is a package. That is probably the difference.

 

[sara_s]

Okay, stupid question time.

I booked two 2021 room only stays. I can't book park reservations. I *think* it's because my AP expires in Sept 2020 - is that accurate? Or am I missing a date?

 

[jlwise]

I just keep looking at my plans in MDE and clapping my hands with glee!!!


I love this new system. I'm not worried about fast passes and now I just can pick where we want to eat knowing already where I'll be that day.

Only up in the air is park hopper, which I hope comes back, but I'll survive if it doesn't.

Not that they know for sure, but a phone rep told me today that Disney hopes to bring back fast passes and the dining plan next year. I actually like the fast passes, and I wouldn’t even mind fast passes with the parks that we have reserved. I think both could work together nicely to help secure specific rides. And yay to plans being made!

 

[JacknSally]

I'm also booked at POFQ from 11/29-12/7....and I'll be thrilled if they reopen. I think they thought more people would cancel but if they don't..I think they will have to open up more resorts or allow more people at the resorts that are opened.

Crossing my fingers for the both of us!! Maybe we'll see you along the Sassagoula!

 

[Eric Smith]

Phew, I haven't paid rack rate in a long time lol. Do you guys think they'll roll out room offers later on for 2021? I'm curious if they'll release AP or Visa offers, or keep it rack rate to still try to keep people away from coming...

I think it really depends how reservations look compared to what capacity will be. I really wouldn't expect any discounts until COVID becomes less of a threat (either through vaccine or treatment). With so much uncertainty around the virus, I don't think Disney will want to drive up demand to a point where they will have to cancel a bunch of reservations.

 

[Dsny4fun]

Oh I'm still having freak outs, just not about Disney so you guys don't get to "share" it with me! My freak outs are rather entertaining in person!

HAHA....I bet they are !! But don't worry, you are still very entertaining here !

 

[AmberMV]

Since this is a blanket "theme park updates" thread I just got an interesting email from SeaWorld, of which I bought APs for my family during their huge special ($250 Platinum AP for all U.S. parks):

-they have upgraded my 3 year old's silver pass to Gold til 12/31/20 which enables an additional free guest ticket and 50% off extra guest tickets, a free animal encounter, and free photo downloads, plus free preferred parking and extra in park discounts
-they have upgraded my husband and my Platinum passes to include: $50 in-park spending credit per pass, 2 specialty drinks per pass, 30% dining and shopping in parks

Step. Up. Your. Game. Disney.

That is all

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I

So I’ve been pretty consistent with my opinion for a while on the covid front. I’m not traveling as I feel given risk factors for my group I’d rather not chance it at this time. Add in the idea of a limited experience and it’s sort of cinched for me
BUT cmon people. It’s not feasible to do large scale lockdowns. And Streets have been filled with people For weeks now and nobody has said a thing. But if I want to go to WDW at my own risk I have to be locked down when I get home? Can we still not analyze the trends and tendencies Of this disease, educate the population and allow them to undertake what they feel is right? How will we ever get our economy back...sorry to go OT.

In my province the vast majority of cases in the last few weeks, maybe even a month at this point, have come from travel or a close contact of someone who travelled. We are nearly back to normal at this point, save for really large gatherings like sporting events, although we did have protests. All our progress and work could be derailed quickly with a small handful of people traveling somewhere that is higher risk than ours and going about business as usual at home. I think it’s realistic to expect people to isolate upon return especially when you’re talking travel to a place that is spiking. This is what’s been going on where I am for months. Nothing is really “at your own risk“ during this, it’s our collective risk. And if it’s about the economy, isn’t pumping money into your local area the most beneficial to you, directly?

I hope everyone who travels in general to Disney or not considers whether they are putting people at risk with their actions when they return. I know the discussion is considered OT so I won’t continue responding but I can’t think of a more important aspect to planning a Disney trip than this right now.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Since this is a blanket "theme park updates" thread I just got an interesting email from SeaWorld, of which I bought APs for my family during their huge special ($250 Platinum AP for all U.S. parks):

-they have upgraded my 3 year old's silver pass to Gold til 12/31/20 which enables an additional free guest ticket and 50% off extra guest tickets, a free animal encounter, and free photo downloads, plus free preferred parking and extra in park discounts
-they have upgraded my husband and my Platinum passes to include: $50 in-park spending credit per pass, 2 specialty drinks per pass, 30% dining and shopping in parks

Step. Up. Your. Game. Disney.

That is all

Lol I think our best hope is a longer shutdown that gives us longer extensions