Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[mmackeymouse]

I would say it matters for people deciding to make a trip or not ...

When they are charging full price but have reduced hours, no meet and greets, no parade, no fireworks, reduced food offerings, etc, one of the big motivators to go was that everything was a near walk on

Is it enough to lose all those things but no waits are 30 mins instead of 60?

And maybe we aren't there yet or it is just at select times , etc but for people on the fence I could see it being a factor

Well put.

I think the people who are getting hit the hardest are those with late August/early September trips. Because, about the time that it was time to make a decision of do we go, or do we not?, things were looking pretty reasonable. Well, now things are looking decidedly less reasonable, and it is too late for those people to cancel. (without penalties and/or huge inconvenience) On top of that, there is an assumption that September will be lower crowds, but no one really knows anything, because...this is such a unique situation. So, people kind of have to guess/hope on what September will look like.

From another thread on here today:

We just gave up and left MK. Complete madhouse. Waited 30 minutes for magic flippin carpets, with maskless family behind me that I had to remind to keep to their marker EVERY SINGLE TIME the line moved—they were so close they kept bumping into me before I asked them to move back. Couldn't even get into tiki room as it was full. Unreal.

And this post:

Just back from DHS today. HOT HOT and HOT. It is nothing like the first few weeks the parks were open. The lines for rides are all long and people everywhere, It is hard to get used to the idea of waiting in line to get into the shops, even the Black Spire Marketplace or into Baseline. You can find nice quiet pockets of no people, we watched the Mickey cavalcade roll past and there were only 3 or 4 people. Now and then the park feels empty, but for those wishing for low crowds, that seems to be early mornings only. We had a great time, but it would be difficult for those who want to do it all.

Welp, definitely didn't need to read that today.

Here's the thing. I get we're distancing. I get lines may seem longer because of it. But, madhouse is TOO busy. The park(s), in this pandemic, should never have so many people in it that it can be referred to as a "madhouse."

While no one can predict crowds at the moment, and anyone going should prepare themselves for any scenario including that it could be more crowded than they’re comfortable with ...

MANY families go on vacations in August before school starts. Many parts of the country don’t start school until Sept. 1 at the earliest. Many after Labor Day. August is always busier with families than September. Always. Especially in those final weeks leading up to Labor Day.

Families are hesitant to pull kids out of school in September to begin with. I don’t see that being any different this year. Virtual learning in most districts will be more intensive than the emergency crisis learning from the spring and include live instruction. Many districts have implemented travel restriction/quarantines as well. Many may even be less flexible on approving vacations as excused absences. All the parents I know are hoping for stability for their kids in the first part of this school year, whether they are virtual or in person. Nobody I know would even think about pulling their kid out for a vacation at the beginning of this school year after the chaos of the spring and how last year ended.

While you should be prepared for any scenario if you’re traveling soon, I don’t really foresee some huge spike in crowds shortly after school begins.

Well, I don't think so either. That's why we kept our trip on the books. But, after seeing this weekend and last, I am pretty tense. People thought last weekend would be the peak, and then this weekend outdid it. And, if MK is a madhouse now, what is it going to be on Labor Day weekend?

Just gonna cross my fingers and pray at this point. Not much else to do.

 

[osufeth24]

Well put.

I think the people who are getting hit the hardest are those with late August/early September trips. Because, about the time that it was time to make a decision of do we go, or do we not?, things were looking pretty reasonable. Well, now things are looking decidedly less reasonable, and it is too late for those people to cancel. (without penalties and/or huge inconvenience) On top of that, there is an assumption that September will be lower crowds, but no one really knows anything, because...this is such a unique situation. So, people kind of have to guess/hope on what September will look like.







Welp, definitely didn't need to read that today.

Here's the thing. I get we're distancing. I get lines may seem longer because of it. But, madhouse is TOO busy. The park(s), in this pandemic, should never have so many people in it that it can be referred to as a "madhouse."




Well, I don't think so either. That's why we kept our trip on the books. But, after seeing this weekend and last, I am pretty tense. People thought last weekend would be the peak, and then this weekend outdid it. And, if MK is a madhouse now, what is it going to be on Labor Day weekend?

Just gonna cross my fingers and pray at this point. Not much else to do.

madhouse is all relative though. For all I know that poster was expecting completely empty parks, and having any resembles of a crowd is a madhouse.

I don't think it's all that terrible because I just looked a little while ago was able to book a park reservation for MK today if I wanted to head over.

Looking at wait times at this moment, they're all decent (SM 20 min, Big Thunder 35 min, 7DMT 40 min) The longest is Splash at 55


Even pre covid you'd have people say "I couldn't believe how packed the park was today!" Then someone else there at same time say "It was less crowded than I expected to be, and didn't find it all that bad"

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Well put.

I think the people who are getting hit the hardest are those with late August/early September trips. Because, about the time that it was time to make a decision of do we go, or do we not?, things were looking pretty reasonable. Well, now things are looking decidedly less reasonable, and it is too late for those people to cancel. (without penalties and/or huge inconvenience) On top of that, there is an assumption that September will be lower crowds, but no one really knows anything, because...this is such a unique situation. So, people kind of have to guess/hope on what September will look like.

I do think we need to not overreact though as I saw.lots of reports from the past few days that still talked of super low crowds and saw someone rode Flights of Passage 7 times in a day, etc. It does seem like crowds have ticked up a bit and weekends especially being a bit "worse" but I think this is more of "one warning indicator" to be aware of vs big negative

Also some passholders just saw their blackouts end and I believe schools in that area just went back or are just going back soon

Long story short (too late!) I think you should be fine, specifically on weekdays but yeah, just another thing for people traveling now/soon to be anxious about

 

[Mit88]

madhouse is all relative though. For all I know that poster was expecting completely empty parks, and having an resembles of a crows is a madhouse.

And even bloggers and vloggers have admitted that they’ve taken pictures of completely empty areas while they could walk around the corner and its a lot busier than where they just were. Its all optics. Pictures dont really tell the full park’s worth of a story. Yes, the parks are busier now than they were just a few weeks ago, but theres not 10s of thousands of people in the parks. The wait times are still very manageable. But it should have been obvious from the start that as we got further from the opening, and more people saying its very safe, more people would feel comfortable to come out to the parks. That along with the Silver passes coming back add to larger crowds

 

[gottalovepluto]

madhouse is all relative though. For all I know that poster was expecting completely empty parks, and having an resembles of a crows is a madhouse.

I don't think it's all that terrible because I just looked a little while ago was able to book a park reservation for MK today if I wanted to head over.

Looking at wait times at this moment, they're all decent (SM 20 min, Big Thunder 35 min, 7DMT 40 min) The longest is Splash at 55


Even pre covid you'd have people say "I couldn't believe how packed the park was today!" Then someone else there at same time say "It was less crowded than I expected to be, and didn't find it all that bad"

I like to think that but... I just know the day Disney World threw their hands up and decided no one was coming was their lowest crowd point

 

[xuxa777]

When school starts back up in the next week I can see crowds dropping again. What do I know according to some I'm a non Disney fan that shouldn't be posting here.

well some schools have been back for a couple of weeks already

 

[Tigger's ally]

Is that better or worse than "just a troll" like i supposedly am?

At least like always, you have each other!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

well some schools have been back for a couple of weeks already

Some have. And many don’t start until late August. And many don’t start until after Sept. 1 or Labor Day. August is always busier with families than September is with people doing vacations before their school year kicks off.

 

[mmackeymouse]

madhouse is all relative though. For all I know that poster was expecting completely empty parks, and having any resembles of a crowd is a madhouse.

I don't think it's all that terrible because I just looked a little while ago was able to book a park reservation for MK today if I wanted to head over.

Looking at wait times at this moment, they're all decent (SM 20 min, Big Thunder 35 min, 7DMT 40 min) The longest is Splash at 55


Even pre covid you'd have people say "I couldn't believe how packed the park was today!" Then someone else there at same time say "It was less crowded than I expected to be, and didn't find it all that bad"

I will answer in sequence, so if my response seems choppy that's why.

Sure, it's relative. That said, if the poster is on the DisBoards and reporting back, I have to presume they have a familiarity with what pre-covid crowds are like, what recent crowds and wait times have been like, etc. So, if they are saying it's a madhouse, I tend to believe them. I think judging by photos, it's much more likely that the person was right and it really WAS a madhouse, than it is that they were expecting an empty park. Again, I feel like if it's ever at a point that it could be interpreted as a madhouse, it's too busy. Even if it could just be interpreted that way. No one was saying it was a madhouse 2 weeks into it being open.

That doesn't make me feel good. If MK is as busy as reports and photos have shown, and they are still letting people in? Eek.

Wait times still look pretty awful to me. 60 mins for Pirates, 30 minutes for It's a Small World. But, for me it's not even about the wait times. Yes, walk-ons would be great. And, yes, I am a little sour that our EMM we had paid for so that we could have low crowds was cancelled, especially considering how things are now. But, for me, it's all about the "feel" of it. The walkways, the bathrooms, the shops. There is a palpable feeling when it is busy that isn't there when it's not. At least for me. Sort of a claustrophobic type feeling. I'm happy to wait in line if it means that the rest of the park feels more open and free and light. If I'm waiting line AND it's congested in the common areas....no bueno.

 

[sara_s]

Not sure if this had been posted yet, but looks like some testing of the Peoplemover has started

https://twitter.com/x/status/1294420740666806272

 

[Dentam]

Unfortunately the People Mover isn't supposed to be open again until late October.

 

[yulilin3]

Just back from Disney Springs, definitely busier than normal. weekday or even morning weekends. Mask compliance way down, I was there for a job interview that didn't pan out and was pretty upset, going back to the car an entire family with masks on their chins were blocking the escalator up to lime garage, I stopped myself from speaking up cause it could've gotten ugly and only managed to say "excuse me" they looked at me up and down (sure dressed in business casual during a 106 degree heat) and slowly moved out of the way
So avoid if you can the weekends

 

[osufeth24]

Just back from Disney Springs, definitely busier than normal. weekday or even morning weekends. Mask compliance way down, I was there for a job interview that didn't pan out and was pretty upset, going back to the car an entire family with masks on their chins were blocking the escalator up to lime garage, I stopped myself from speaking up cause it could've gotten ugly and only managed to say "excuse me" they looked at me up and down (sure dressed in business casual during a 106 degree heat) and slowly moved out of the way
So avoid if you can the weekends

Sorry to hear that

 

[Farro]

Just back from Disney Springs, definitely busier than normal. weekday or even morning weekends. Mask compliance way down, I was there for a job interview that didn't pan out and was pretty upset, going back to the car an entire family with masks on their chins were blocking the escalator up to lime garage, I stopped myself from speaking up cause it could've gotten ugly and only managed to say "excuse me" they looked at me up and down (sure dressed in business casual during a 106 degree heat) and slowly moved out of the way
So avoid if you can the weekends

Sorry about your job interview. I've been quietly looking also but not much out there.

Sadly the general public can be disappointing, at best.

Find a good movie to watch tonight. Any suggestions?

 

[yulilin3]

Sorry about your job interview. I've been quietly looking also but not much out there.

Sadly the general public can be disappointing, at best.

Find a good movie to watch tonight. Any suggestions?

I've been actively looking since June, not to derail the thread, but it's been pretty bad, even all the ones that are supposed to be hiring aren't really. Love that finally Disney jobs has some openings but mostly for Vero Beach and management and web development here in Celebration. Nothing at Universal and Sea World is looking for lifeguards (46 year old here) so that's a no go

 

[sara_s]

Just back from Disney Springs, definitely busier than normal. weekday or even morning weekends. Mask compliance way down, I was there for a job interview that didn't pan out and was pretty upset, going back to the car an entire family with masks on their chins were blocking the escalator up to lime garage, I stopped myself from speaking up cause it could've gotten ugly and only managed to say "excuse me" they looked at me up and down (sure dressed in business casual during a 106 degree heat) and slowly moved out of the way
So avoid if you can the weekends

Sorry to hear that. I'm hoping when we go during the 1st week of Sept that mornings will be doable. Would love some Homecomin' lunch!

 

[osufeth24]

Sorry to hear that. I'm hoping when we go during the 1st week of Sept that mornings will be doable. Would love some Homecomin' lunch!

I'm doin Homecomin for Dinner Fri night of Labor Day. My plan is just park in Orange, go there, and get out of there. Not going anywhere near WoD area (where some of the heaviest crowds seem to be)

 

[shoreward]

These face masks, which have been on sale for $14.99 at Office Depot, are now a coupon item at Costco for $11.99. Even though I’m not short on disposable masks, I bought a box. It was too good a price to pass up, especially since I think masks are going to be needed for awhile. When Costco first started selling these, a couple of months ago, the per box cost was about $19.95

https://www.officedepot.com/a/products/7463419/BYD-Care-3-Ply-Pleated-Disposable/

 

[Farro]

I'm doin Homecomin for Dinner Fri night of Labor Day. My plan is just park in Orange, go there, and get out of there. Not going anywhere near WoD area (where some of the heaviest crowds seem to be)

I think you'll have a great time! Sounds like you have a good plan.

 

[Mit88]

Some have. And many don’t start until late August. And many don’t start until after Sept. 1 or Labor Day. August is always busier with families than September is with people doing vacations before their school year kicks off.

September/October has actually become much busier over the last few years. I started doing those trips yearly about 5 years ago. 2015-2016 was basically walk on for every ride, non-congested theme parks. Then in 2017 it picked up. I assumed at the time it was just because of Pandora. Then 2018 was even busier. And last year I went in September and October and both were crazy busy. I dont think it’ll be “busy” this fall, but its certainly not the slow season it once was.

Just back from Disney Springs, definitely busier than normal. weekday or even morning weekends. Mask compliance way down, I was there for a job interview that didn't pan out and was pretty upset, going back to the car an entire family with masks on their chins were blocking the escalator up to lime garage, I stopped myself from speaking up cause it could've gotten ugly and only managed to say "excuse me" they looked at me up and down (sure dressed in business casual during a 106 degree heat) and slowly moved out of the way
So avoid if you can the weekends

First off, I’m sorry about the job interview. That really sucks

I dont understand how the parks, and Disney springs could be so night and day with enforcement. you’d think theyd have a handle of their entire property, not just the parks.