Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[andyman8]

Lots of discussion on social media about the Disneyland reopening delay and Disney World. A few articles popped up today that I hadn't seen from some mainstream outlets. Very interesting.
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news..._source=twCNN&utm_content=2020-06-25T01:15:06https://www.nbcnews.com/business/bu...d-19-cases-spike-n1232022?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

 

[Disney Bobby]

Most of the changes were announced at the task force meeting a month ago, and hinted at even before that. I think it would be overly optimistic to assume that things would be anywhere near normal when they reopen. Hoping for restrictions to be lifted in a timely matter after the reopening is one thing.

I never assumed anything. I knew it would be different. But the devil is always in the details, and some of the details that are just now coming out and still changing about what may or may not be open on top of the rules and restrictions make me feel it might not be worth it. I'm sure everyone has a different threshold.

 

[FatBambi]

Lots of discussion on social media about the Disneyland reopening delay and Disney World. A few articles popped up today that I hadn't seen from some mainstream outlets. Very interesting.
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news..._source=twCNN&utm_content=2020-06-25T01:15:06https://www.nbcnews.com/business/bu...d-19-cases-spike-n1232022?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

Are you changing your expectation that they'll open?

 

[Mit88]

I never assumed anything. I knew it would be different. But the devil is always in the details, and some of the details that are just now coming out and still changing about what may or may not be open on top of the rules and restrictions make me feel it might not be worth it. I'm sure everyone has a different threshold.

I didn’t mean to make my comments sound like they were attacking you, after reading them back, they seem a little mean-hearted...”You should have known...” and I’m sorry. Its better to come to the conclusion that the current situation isnt best for you or worth it to spend the type of money a Disney vacation costs than getting down there and finding out and being devastated seeing what its like in person and not being fully prepared. Thats why I said that if people have any reservation about the circumstances of going even slightly, then its very likely not the right time for those people to go.

 

[andyman8]

Are you changing your expectation that they'll open?

With the DL news (specifically the media attention it's receiving), my personal opinion is that it's certainly within the realm of possibilities now, but I don't know. I still don't think it's likely to be delayed, but I also said it wasn't like they'd close in the first place. If they can stick it out for the next week or so and see where cases go, I think they'd be okay with 7/11, but if public pressure builds, they might not be able to get to that point. Announcing DL's reopening seems like a huge mistake now (though many of us were surprised when they announced it to begin with).

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Mine originally expired October 25th, now its February 19th. I have a trip planned at the end of August, which was originally my June 4th-15th trip, and a trip that was supposed to coincide with my expiration, October 18th - 24th.

One of the mods said to me the other day that I would have to let them know I wanted the refund soon, and I would be cancelling the remainder of my AP and getting a refund for March - October 25th. And if I cant get another AP because tickets arent yet on sale, then I’m kind of trapped into an extension. I know tickets will very likely go back on sale “soon”, but I’m not exactly going to be banking on anything outside of a 100% guarantee at this point, and there are still obstacles I could see get in the way of new tickets not going back on sale.

If I’m understanding our options right we have:

1) Do nothing, extended 4 months then extra month come October.

2) Request partial refund, AP is expired on original date and passholder gets pro rated refund for those 4 months.

3) Request cancelation, AP cannot be used again and Disney will refund pro rated portion of time remaining. This one is still hazy I think, they haven’t flat out spelled it out I don’t think.

For 2 and 3 it sounds like we have to decide ASAP, but provided 2 still exists I think that would cover you? I hope you can make something work and salvage your pass!

 

[Mit88]

If I’m understanding our options right we have:

1) Do nothing, extended 4 months then extra month come October.

2) Request partial refund, AP is expired on original date and passholder gets pro rated refund for those 4 months.

3) Request cancelation, AP cannot be used again and Disney will refund pro rated portion of time remaining. This one is still hazy I think, they haven’t flat out spelled it out I don’t think.

For 2 and 3 it sounds like we have to decide ASAP, but provided 2 still exists I think that would cover you? I hope you can make something work and salvage your pass!

2 would absolutely cover me. The only consideration I would have for going after my original expiration would have been if Destination D still took place, but thats almost guaranteed to be cancelled. They’d just get the refund money right back from me re-upping my AP while I’m down there in October anyway

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

If I’m understanding our options right we have:

1) Do nothing, extended 4 months then extra month come October.

2) Request partial refund, AP is expired on original date and passholder gets pro rated refund for those 4 months.

3) Request cancelation, AP cannot be used again and Disney will refund pro rated portion of time remaining. This one is still hazy I think, they haven’t flat out spelled it out I don’t think.

For 2 and 3 it sounds like we have to decide ASAP, but provided 2 still exists I think that would cover you? I hope you can make something work and salvage your pass!

Is 3 possible? I purchased an annual pass in February, the worst possible timing. There is no way I’m going to Disney World before maybe late 2021 at the earliest so I’d love to recoup as much from the AP as possible since I’m not going to be able to use it.

 

[Disney Bobby]

I didn’t mean to make my comments sound like they were attacking you, after reading them back, they seem a little mean-hearted...”You should have known...” and I’m sorry. Its better to come to the conclusion that the current situation isnt best for you or worth it to spend the type of money a Disney vacation costs than getting down there and finding out and being devastated seeing what its like in person and not being fully prepared. Thats why I said that if people have any reservation about the circumstances of going even slightly, then its very likely not the right time for those people to go.

No worries. I understand your point and it's valid. A lot of has come out over the last month, but as more and more gets finalized, I think the totality of it is starting to take it's toll.

And I agree. If you are already having reservations, you will likely be disappointed.

 

[Mit88]

In a World of uncertainties, the one thing remaining certain was that the media was eventually going to take issue with Disney re-opening. Whether they opened on July 11th, 2020, or July 11th, 2025, it was always going to be questioned whether or not it was “too soon” for Disney to reopen.

 

[andyman8]

In a World of uncertainties, the one thing remaining certain was that the media was eventually going to take issue with Disney re-opening. Whether they opened on July 11th, 2020, or July 11th, 2025, it was always going to be questioned whether or not it was “too soon” for Disney to reopen.

Yes, but they have the added difficulty of now addressing the question of "why is it okay for one to reopen while the other is delaying its reopening?," especially given the attention FL has received over the last few days. Had they not misfired with DL, this problem would not have existed. I certainly hope they can figure out an answer.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Is 3 possible? I purchased an annual pass in February, the worst possible timing. There is no way I’m going to Disney World before maybe late 2021 at the earliest so I’d love to recoup as much from the AP as possible since I’m not going to be able to use it.

It sounds to be from what I think was their most recent batch of emails, although exact details are hazy, and we may be interpreting it wrong

I know I was told on the phone they were allowing people to submit a request to be considered for cancellation and refund the day or so before the emails went out. Im worried about deadlines for making decisions though, that they’re just going to surprise us with an“oh sorry, it’s too late for that now”. So I guess we sit until July and wait and see.

 

[shoreward]

Dr. Sanjay Gupta (who has been a reasonable voice, when discussing the virus), just said on CNN that with the way FL’s numbers are right now, as shown on a graph, that if he “had to go out on a limb,” he would guess that WDW’s opening would be delayed. He said part of the problem is all of the “shared areas” and the fact that people may be there with the virus, but have no symptoms. He added, though, that all of the outdoor areas are a plus.

For so many reasons, let’s hope that FL (and other states) get this under control, with active cases trending in the other direction.

If Disney decides to delay the opening, after all of the recent re-opening hype and pandemonium with the Park Passes, it will be a mess.

Will there be enough pushback from concerned CMs at WDW to delay the re-opening?

 

[Aeralie]

FWIW Jeff Vahle sent out notice to CMs the WDW phases opening continues.

 

[Disney Bobby]

I was told on a chat from a CM tonight that there was no final date yet to request an annual pass refund for the missed days.

 

[Mit88]

Yes, but they have the added difficulty of now addressing the question of "why is it okay for one to reopen while the other is delaying its reopening?," especially given the attention FL has received over the last few days. Had they not misfired with DL, this problem would not have existed. I certainly hope they can figure out an answer.

Florida needs WDW open more than California needs DLR open.

WDW is already well under way of their reopening

DLR hasn’t even really started other than set dates.

Dates are much easier to push back when the wheels arent fully in motion.

I’m not saying WDW will definitely move along without a hitch, but I’d be surprised if they PPD their reopening. I wasn’t even slightly surprised DLR’s reopening got pushed.

If this is up to the governors and Disney, theres nothing to suggest that Newsom has anywhere near of a vested interest in DLR than DeSantis does in WDW

 

[Disney Bobby]

That's why I asked if anyone has actually gotten their refund for the annual pass days. If not, they may be waiting to see if they actually make their open date in order to prevent having to issue another set of missed days refunds.

 

[Janet McDonald]

FWIW Jeff Vahle sent out notice to CMs the WDW phases opening continues.

Was this in an email and do you have a copy of the notice??

 

[andyman8]

Florida needs WDW open more than California needs DLR open.

WDW is already well under way of their reopening

DLR hasn’t even really started other than set dates.

Dates are much easier to push back when the wheels arent fully in motion.

I’m not saying WDW will definitely move along without a hitch, but I’d be surprised if they PPD their reopening. I wasn’t even slightly surprised DLR’s reopening got pushed.

If this is up to the governors and Disney, theres nothing to suggest that Newsom has anywhere near of a vested interest in DLR than DeSantis does in WDW

All very valid points. If this opening were to be delayed, it would be solely Disney's decision. I was not surprised by DL's delay, but I was surprised by how many (non-Disney) people were tying that to WDW and asking the question I mentioned above. The hope is that this fades with the next news cycle, but that's also dependent on if the situation down here gets under control (and based on my anecdotal experiences today, I'm not encouraged). Again, I really want WDW to open 7/11 and I think it will, but anything can be undone if need be.

 

[JacknSally]

FWIW Jeff Vahle sent out notice to CMs the WDW phases opening continues.

Do you know when this was sent out?