Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[EmJ]

Most of us simply need to hibernate to 2022.

Is this an available option? Where do I sign up?

 

[DebbieB]

That’s not quite right.
The members are not on the hook for reconstruction costs.
And it’s been a while since I went through the documents, but as I recall, there is a pretty robust force majeure clause that gives them pretty wide latitude to deny member access and benefits in times of crisis.

I remember when I bought 20 years ago, I questioned my guide about a clause that said if your home resort was closed due to damage, a member could not book other resorts during the downtime. I assume to keep points in balance. Of course, my guide blew it off and said you would be able to book elsewhere. I don't think that ever was enacted, both Vero & HH had major damage with downtime. Vero & HH Members also got hit with a special assessment for the deductible.

 

[Sandisw]

If a DVC resort was hit by an earthquake the members would be responsible for paying for the repairs because they own the resort. Insurance would pay what it covers and anything left over (deductible etc) would be paid by the members of that resort.

My reading of the contract seems to indicate they can decide not to rebuild and owners would get their share of insurance...

 

[DebbieB]

I suspect had Disney been asked back in March, the day before they closed, did they plan on closing, the answer would’ve been no. I don’t think they know yet and they’re not about to open the possibility and have mass cancellations. I doubt we’ll know anything right up to the moment they announce being closed, IF they do indeed close.

I was thinking about that. I remember the days before they closed, people scoffed at the idea of closure . People would post on Facebook "moderator, close this post, it's ridiculous". Even minutes before the closing announcement, phone cm's were saying no plans to close. Here we are at 3+ months later, who would have thought. I don't think it's impossible. At some point, they have to think about the PR nightmare if people infected are traced back to being the parks or cm's are infected.

 

[A2DisneyMom]

I was thinking about that. I remember the days before they closed, people scoffed at the idea of closure . People would post on Facebook "moderator, close this post, it's ridiculous". Even minutes before the closing announcement, phone cm's were saying no plans to close. Here we are at 3+ months later, who would have thought. I don't think it's impossible. At some point, they have to think about the PR nightmare if people infected are traced back to being the parks or cm's are infected.

I actually see this quite differently. The difference between now and March is that Disney now has a full COVID-19 strategy in place; policies, warnings, capacity control, etc.

Literally everyone who comes to FL now knows they do so at their own risk. Even more so since it is so widespread and with so much media attention. At this point, how can anyone claim they “caught COVID at Disney” vs. MCO or DS, or Target, or WalMart, etc.

I hear the arguments that “the brand” is priority #1 (look next to my name if you doubt my understanding or sentiment), but there are additional strong voices in the room belonging to risk management and shareholders. I personally don’t see a big longterm risk to the Disney brand by COVID either way. I think this is a battle between risk management and the shareholders, with all the appropriate disclaimers now in place to appease risk management (who were definitely running the show back in March). Canceling another opening, however, will be disasterous for Disney share price.

I’m booked for the 13th-24th of July. If I get cancelled, that money is going towards buying stock at a very deep discount.

 

[teach22180]

Not to go off topic but I wanted to report back about my AP experiences. I have park reservations for my entire resort stay in October. And for more than 3 days in December when I am hoping to get a resort reservation later on. I thought maybe I was able to do that because it was after my resort stay so I tried to pick up yet another reservation in August and I was able to. I did cancel that 1 because I don't plan to be there in August. I am so sorry for those who couldn't even get 3 days. I am doing mine in the browser on my phone.

 

[JacknSally]

Disney needs to drop some news this weekend so we can get to page 2000 this month

We can celebrate with this!

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Saw this...apparently an update to the DVC last night. Jambo house villas back on the menu for July 10?

 

[scrappinginontario]

All I can say is I’m thankful FL is taking steps to slow things down. Closing bars as like putting a band-aid in a gaping wound but as someone looking in from the outside, it’s a step in the right direction and I’m thankful they’re doing anything to slow down the numbers! Let’s hope they continue to do more. There are peoples’ lives at stake.

 

[yulilin3]

Good morning, a heads up for people with disabilities. Universal is changing the language of their mask enforcement. You can read it on UOTeam.com, but here's the info. I would assume Disney might go in the same direction once the parks open
Face Covering Policy Adjusted for ADA Accommodations
posted 6/24/2020
As we continue to implement our new health and safety measures, we are constantly evaluating these procedures and making adjustments as needed to keep the highest levels of health and safety of our Team Members and Guests as our top priority.
We are following CDC guidelines as well as local health protocols, and as such, face coverings are required to visit Universal Orlando Resort. If a Guest does not have a face covering, we have them available for purchase. Face coverings for Team Members are available at Wardrobe. (Please review the Safety Reminders for Those Reporting to Property for complete details.)
Effective tomorrow (Thursday, June 25), Guests who have a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering must speak to a Guest Services Coordinator who will inform them of the alternate accommodation, which is to wear a face shield during their visit. A white checkered wristband will be given to Guests requesting an accommodation. Please note that face shields are not permitted on certain attractions, and Guests will have to switch to a face covering for those experiences. Attraction details will be communicated to Guests during their accommodation discussion at Guest Services.
This updated accommodation allows us to assist Guests with disabilities that prevent them from wearing face coverings in a way that adheres to our enhanced protocols. We feel this is a great enhancement for both our Team Members and our Guests. For questions, please contact Guest Services.

 

[roth697]

I wrote this earlier and wasn't sure if anyone had any thoughts

• #36,784

Shouldn't the AP preview e-mail get sent soon? We are less then two weeks out from the 9th. Does anyone know what the time frame was between the Pandora e-mail and previews or the SWGE e-mail and previews?

 

[2letterwords]

Good morning, a heads up for people with disabilities. Universal is changing the language of their mask enforcement. You can read it on UOTeam.com, but here's the info. I would assume Disney might go in the same direction once the parks open
Face Covering Policy Adjusted for ADA Accommodations
posted 6/24/2020
As we continue to implement our new health and safety measures, we are constantly evaluating these procedures and making adjustments as needed to keep the highest levels of health and safety of our Team Members and Guests as our top priority.
We are following CDC guidelines as well as local health protocols, and as such, face coverings are required to visit Universal Orlando Resort. If a Guest does not have a face covering, we have them available for purchase. Face coverings for Team Members are available at Wardrobe. (Please review the Safety Reminders for Those Reporting to Property for complete details.)
Effective tomorrow (Thursday, June 25), Guests who have a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering must speak to a Guest Services Coordinator who will inform them of the alternate accommodation, which is to wear a face shield during their visit. A white checkered wristband will be given to Guests requesting an accommodation. Please note that face shields are not permitted on certain attractions, and Guests will have to switch to a face covering for those experiences. Attraction details will be communicated to Guests during their accommodation discussion at Guest Services.
This updated accommodation allows us to assist Guests with disabilities that prevent them from wearing face coverings in a way that adheres to our enhanced protocols. We feel this is a great enhancement for both our Team Members and our Guests. For questions, please contact Guest Services.

I think this is important. A local (to me) theme park is opening next week and has stated that they will "respectfully assume" that those without a mask can't wear one for medical reasons. There were hundreds, if not thousands of comments from people saying things like "well, I guess everyone in my family has a medical condition then."

 

[AmishGuy91]

I think this is important. A local (to me) theme park is opening next week and has stated that they will "respectfully assume" that those without a mask can't wear one for medical reasons. There were hundreds, if not thousands of comments from people saying things like " well, I guess everyone in my family has a medical condition then."

Companies and governments should be well past the point of expecting people will just do the right thing

 

[yulilin3]

I wrote this earlier and wasn't sure if anyone had any thoughts

• #36,784

Shouldn't the AP preview e-mail get sent soon? We are less then two weeks out from the 9th. Does anyone know what the time frame was between the Pandora e-mail and previews or the SWGE e-mail and previews?

the thought is that they want to send registration last minute to avoid a lot of people making plans to come just for that.
I can't recall previews for Pandora or SWGE but I seem to remember maybe a few weeks about?
CM preview which start the 7th haven't been released either

 

[rpb718]

This thread has gone from panic to sadness. So in an attempt to lighten the mood I give you a photo of me and my buddy Figment circa 1990. We will all get back to Disney someday, tomorrow is just a day away
View attachment 504468

Is that your mom about to do a "facepalm" in the background? If you could track down the exact date we could have a piece of history here - none other than the invention of the Disney "facepalm".

 

[roth697]

the thought is that they want to send registration last minute to avoid a lot of people making plans to come just for that.
I can't recall previews for Pandora or SWGE but I seem to remember maybe a few weeks about?
CM preview which start the 7th haven't been released either

Thank you! Just making sure I didn't miss it.

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you! Just making sure I didn't miss it.

we have a thread on the TPAS board just for this, everyone is checking their emails constantly

 

[courtney1188]

My husband had to call our finance guy yesterday, and found out that he and his entire family were just diagnosed with COVID after returning from their DVC stay - be careful out there, everyone! I’m feeling somewhat relieved we cancelled our July trip, and worried about how many people are going to bring it back from vacation and spread it here in our state, where we had been doing quite well this month with new case numbers.

Editing to add - and before anyone asks, no, unfortunately I don’t know which resort they stayed at.

 

[JacknSally]

the thought is that they want to send registration last minute to avoid a lot of people making plans to come just for that.
I can't recall previews for Pandora or SWGE but I seem to remember maybe a few weeks about?
CM preview which start the 7th haven't been released either

We weren’t APs for SWGE so I’m not sure how that one was handled, but we were when Pandora opened and we were able to do that preview. They opened at the end of March (the 24th I think) for preview dates covering a week in mid-May, and then the area opened officially at the end of May 2017.

Makes complete sense right now they’re hoping to avoid people traveling just for these previews!

 

[Dentam]

Good morning, a heads up for people with disabilities. Universal is changing the language of their mask enforcement. You can read it on UOTeam.com, but here's the info. I would assume Disney might go in the same direction once the parks open
Face Covering Policy Adjusted for ADA Accommodations
posted 6/24/2020
As we continue to implement our new health and safety measures, we are constantly evaluating these procedures and making adjustments as needed to keep the highest levels of health and safety of our Team Members and Guests as our top priority.
We are following CDC guidelines as well as local health protocols, and as such, face coverings are required to visit Universal Orlando Resort. If a Guest does not have a face covering, we have them available for purchase. Face coverings for Team Members are available at Wardrobe. (Please review the Safety Reminders for Those Reporting to Property for complete details.)
Effective tomorrow (Thursday, June 25), Guests who have a disability that prevents them from wearing a face covering must speak to a Guest Services Coordinator who will inform them of the alternate accommodation, which is to wear a face shield during their visit. A white checkered wristband will be given to Guests requesting an accommodation. Please note that face shields are not permitted on certain attractions, and Guests will have to switch to a face covering for those experiences. Attraction details will be communicated to Guests during their accommodation discussion at Guest Services.
This updated accommodation allows us to assist Guests with disabilities that prevent them from wearing face coverings in a way that adheres to our enhanced protocols. We feel this is a great enhancement for both our Team Members and our Guests. For questions, please contact Guest Services.

Thank you for sharing this! I work at a public institution and have just shared this with our CEO. We have had entire families visit without face masks, claiming they are medically exempt. This is a great way to deal with these folks and to accommodate visitors who have legitimate reasons for being unable to safely wear a mask.