Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[JacknSally]

A little EPCOT construction progress

https://twitter.com/x/status/1292903711459749888

https://twitter.com/x/status/1292931646870740993

 

[RamblingMad]

This is absolutely true, we see this with all our friends as well.

I went to Glacier with friends. The problem wasn’t Glacier. The park rangers did a fantastic job. It was the airplane and airport. Both were pretty packed in SLC, my connection. I’m sure it’s the same for WDW. It’s not the theme park. It’s getting there.

 

[yulilin3]

Are the food stands open in Epcot during the week? I couldn't tell from the photos ....

yes they are but be aware that not all the kiosks are open, some will open "later this fall" like the alps one.

 

[yulilin3]

I weeded out "friends" on social media about 4 years ago, so even those that are not vacationing right now because they are hesitant or plain scared don't give me any flack for visiting the parks so often and are just concerned for my safety. But I have been called different things here on the Disboards early on.

 

[yakkin' yeti]

This is 100% us! We’ve travelled but no posting on social media (other than inside Disney groups) or telling folks outside of those we normally would talk to. It’s like opening yourself up for ridicule. People feel so strongly one way or the other about this and our society has lost the ability to agree to disagree peaceably.

This was us, too. Nothing on social media; only told immediate family and my boss (who wished us a great trip). We had an amazing time and no regrets, masks and 100 degree heat indexes and all. (By the end my brother said his favorite ride was "air-conditioning.") The teens loved it and it gave them something in 2020 that was theirs, after all the canceled proms, graduations, etc.

 

[constanze]

I weeded out "friends" on social media about 4 years ago, so even those that are not vacationing right now because they are hesitant or plain scared don't give me any flack for visiting the parks so often and are just concerned for my safety. But I have been called different things here on the Disboards early on.

I have to tell you girl...my mental health was hangin' on by a thread...and the first day you did a live stream back at the parks---I watched and cried like a happy baby Thank you---and now back to Operational Updates before Ryan waves his delete wand

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I went to Glacier with friends. The problem wasn’t Glacier. The park rangers did a fantastic job. It was the airplane and airport. Both were pretty packed in SLC, my connection. I’m sure it’s the same for WDW. It’s not the theme park. It’s getting there.

We flew into MCO. I'd say our Southwest flights were maybe 30% full. It was easy to distance in the airports (one layover at Hobby).

We arrived at MCO around 10 am on a Thursday, and there were two other parties in our monorail with us. One family was also headed to DME when we were; and I saw one party at a car rental desk. Otherwise there wasn't anyone else around. Our DME bus was already there when we arrived (despite the CM checking us in warning that it could be up to an hour wait), and there were I think 5 parties total on the bus. (We were on a bus that stopped at POP first, then CBR, and I forget what the third stop was.) We got off at CBR with one other family - a bell services CM was there but we and the other family opted to take our bags to our rooms ourselves (both of us were staying in Jamaica).

Of the three airports we were in, MCO was the quietest. I saw one gate with people waiting for a flight but that was it.

When we left, there were I think three parties on our DME. We went through the TSA precheck line with zero wait, but I don't recall seeing lines in any of the other queues either (would've been around 6:30 pm on a Monday). We sat around the corner from the Jersey Mikes and there was hardly anyone around.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I don’t see this happening for quite awhile. When someone mentions they’re traveling for leisure, the standard responses I see range from “you’re selfish” to “you’re killing my mom/grandma/best friend who is a nurse”. I don’t think most people are even sharing their travel plans anymore out of fear of judgment, let alone doing referrals. (Doesn’t mean they aren’t still going. They’re just hiding it!)

This is 100% us! We’ve travelled but no posting on social media (other than inside Disney groups) or telling folks outside of those we normally would talk to. It’s like opening yourself up for ridicule. People feel so strongly one way or the other about this and our society has lost the ability to agree to disagree peaceably.

I did the same thing. Had a lovely trip but outside of the Dis there is no evidence of it on my social media. Only told people on a "need to know" basis. It just isn't worth the all of the judgement to share openly right now.

 

[Mit88]

Space 220 is the EPCOT version of the Lightning McQueen experience for me. I know what area of the park its in, but if you ask me exactly where it is, I wouldn’t be able to tell you.

McQueen- “Its somewhere over by Tower of Terror and RnRc”
Space2020 - “its somewhere over by Test Track and Horizons...I mean Mission Space”

 

[MinnieMSue]

We too are having a secret trip. I am a nurse and feel as comfortable going to Disney as the hospital (actually more comfortable). My daughter and I are telling no one other than my family. It is especially hard for the kid who will only miss one day of school since they are doing 2 days a week at school and 3 days home school. She may miss a band practice. I think she is prob going to pretend she had a migraine or something for school. We really don’t want to deal with people giving us unsolicited opinions. At work I just tell my coworkers we are planning to cancel but don’t officially have to until the day we planned to go.

 

[JacknSally]

UO offering “buy a day, get unlimited visits through 12/24/20” for Florida residents. Ticket doesn’t include the $25 parking fee, though.

https://attractionsmagazine.com/universal-orlando-now-offering-buy-a-day-tickets-florida-residents/

 

[JM23457]

We had an amazing time and no regrets, masks and 100 degree heat indexes and all. (By the end my brother said his favorite ride was "air-conditioning.") The teens loved it and it gave them something in 2020 that was theirs, after all the canceled proms, graduations, etc.

This. Although we did have issues with the heat in mid-July lol. But yes, being able to take a vacation with my son, a hardworking student who had basically been locked in the house for months, was something I am very glad I was able to do. It was an important trip for both of us. It helped us not feel trapped.

We've got Vero Beach booked for the first part of Christmas vacation, and another trip to Disney World booked for spring break. And we're going, virus be darned.

 

[Dentam]

I went to Glacier with friends. The problem wasn’t Glacier. The park rangers did a fantastic job. It was the airplane and airport. Both were pretty packed in SLC, my connection. I’m sure it’s the same for WDW. It’s not the theme park. It’s getting there.

I feel the same way - the part I'm most concerned about is the air travel to get there and back. I do have a direct flight and am hoping it won't get changed since I've heard SW has been doing that lately, especially for Sept flights.

We flew into MCO. I'd say our Southwest flights were maybe 30% full. It was easy to distance in the airports (one layover at Hobby).

We arrived at MCO around 10 am on a Thursday, and there were two other parties in our monorail with us. One family was also headed to DME when we were; and I saw one party at a car rental desk. Otherwise there wasn't anyone else around. Our DME bus was already there when we arrived (despite the CM checking us in warning that it could be up to an hour wait), and there were I think 5 parties total on the bus. (We were on a bus that stopped at POP first, then CBR, and I forget what the third stop was.) We got off at CBR with one other family - a bell services CM was there but we and the other family opted to take our bags to our rooms ourselves (both of us were staying in Jamaica).

Of the three airports we were in, MCO was the quietest. I saw one gate with people waiting for a flight but that was it.

When we left, there were I think three parties on our DME. We went through the TSA precheck line with zero wait, but I don't recall seeing lines in any of the other queues either (would've been around 6:30 pm on a Monday). We sat around the corner from the Jersey Mikes and there was hardly anyone around.

I hope it's still like that when we arrive, but probably won't be since it will be Labor Day weekend.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Not sure if this has been shared.. more EPCOT news..

https://www.facebook.com/1473728076284192/posts/2819055645084755

 

[yulilin3]

I have to tell you girl...my mental health was hangin' on by a thread...and the first day you did a live stream back at the parks---I watched and cried like a happy baby Thank you---and now back to Operational Updates before Ryan waves his delete wand

tomorrow morning from MK for anyone interested in seeing the crowds

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Best to just host select influencers who are already followed by Disney fanatics and the most likely folks to travel there at this time. It’s hyper targeted and doesn’t cost much for them to comp some meals and rooms at hotels that aren’t full anyway.

I'll be happy to "influence" some people in exchange for a comped vacation!

 

[mmackeymouse]

I read that The Edison, Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, and Enzo’s Hideaway are opening soon! Great news!

And Jaleo? Jaleo?

Come onnnnnnnnnnnnn, Jaleo!

 

[Mit88]

UO offering “buy a day, get unlimited visits through 12/24/20” for Florida residents. Ticket doesn’t include the $25 parking fee, though.

https://attractionsmagazine.com/universal-orlando-now-offering-buy-a-day-tickets-florida-residents/

Take a Minion Van to Universal and bypass the parking fee

 

[one_cat]

Other businesses have marketing practices that include encouraging customers to refer a friend or to post positive comments on social media. I don’t think Disney has had to think that way before. They should be doing a push to their post-reopening guests to make sure they let friends and family know they went and came back alive and well and saw the safety practices in effect. Word of mouth is still effective marketing. Maybe a discount on a future stay if family or friends act on a guest referral.

I’m certainly not telling anyone we are traveling to Florida. I don’t need the travel-shaming.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Hi it took me 10 minutes to even get by all circuits are busy to wait on hold just now. I’m thinking that is a bad sign

Question - when you call the passholder line will it keep you on there no matter what option you say? It NEVER hears me right (I’m not sure what is so hard about “pass cancellation”, did it move me to the regular line when it gave up and transferred me to a CM? Bonus question, what should I have actually said lol?