Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

Well the good news is it looks like things are improving greatly there on the virus front!

But the low crowds are going away lol. I wonder if demand would have come closer to being met if Florida never got hit with a spike

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I think they want to make money. They want to make more money. But I think some kind of internal data is telling them that the driving factor that is bring the bigger-spending, onsite guest to the hotels and parks would be the low crowd levels. If people are on the fence about boarding a plane, wearing a mask all day in the Florida heat, and dealing with a modified experience then seeing rising attendance due to an enlarged AP pool is going to tip them in the direction of just staying home. And Disney would rather sell multi-day tickets, merchandise at full price, 3 meals a day and an overpriced hotel room than a QS meal and some snacks. They’ve already got the AP holder’s ticket money, whether the AP walks thru the gate or not.

Exactly this.

Of course they want money. If they are not doing something that is safe and possible, IMO it’s a pretty sure sign that doing the thing does not lead to them meeting their financial goals. They are not stupid enough collectively to not realize people would spend money at Epcot it open longer, if more food booths are there, if they could hop to it, if AP restrictions were lessened, whatever. That spending is obviously not enough to warrant doing it.

 

[Farro]

Exactly this.

Of course they want money. If they are not doing something that is safe and possible, IMO it’s a pretty sure sign that doing the thing does not lead to them meeting their financial goals. They are not stupid enough collectively to not realize people would spend money at Epcot it open longer, if more food booths are there, if they could hop to it, if AP restrictions were lessened, whatever. That spending is obviously not enough to be warrant doing it.

Sure. I dont think anyone thinks Disney is stupid.

I also think the public image they want to put forth comes into play a bit too.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

And to add, if the 5 day a week Epcot rumours end up being true, that only makes it more believable that spending by guests isn’t enough to keep that park open even more at this time.

Poor Epcot. Wouldn’t it be amazing if those rumours do end up being true that they ramp up construction on those two days? We can dream, lol.

 

[Mit88]

I think they’ve settled on 2020 being a loss. Keep things afloat and bring people back with a big 50th ad campaign.

 

[Farro]

I think they’ve settled on 2020 being a loss. Keep things afloat and bring people back with a big 50th ad campaign.

I dont think they will start that until October so they must think most of 2021 is a wash too.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Sure. I dont think anyone thinks Disney is stupid.

I also think the public image they want to put forth comes into play a bit too.

I don’t know it feels like it comes up a lot in here, variations of “if they only did *thing I would really like* they would make more money!”

If they aren’t doing something as major as extending park hours, letting more people in, slashing ticket prices to reflect the experience, allowing hopping, bringing back missing elements in the parks like evening shows, etc. it’s not something they’ve overlooked they’ve just got a reason for not doing it.

 

[Farro]

I don’t know it feels like it comes up a lot in here, variations of “if they only did *thing I would really like* they would make more money!”

If they aren’t doing something as major as extending park hours, letting more people in, slashing ticket prices to reflect the experience, allowing hopping, bringing back missing elements in the parks like evening shows, etc. it’s not something they’ve overlooked they’ve just got a reason for not doing it.

Its called being a Monday morning quarterback and its quite common.
Everyone discusses how they would do it better. Its healthy!
Think of how boring life would be if we never thought "if I was in charge I'd..."

 

[Mit88]

I dont think they will start that until October so they must think most of 2021 is a wash too.

They’ll start hyping the 50th in January. The festivities wont start until the Summer. But they have 2, possibly 3 major attractions opening next year. They’re going to make a big push for guests

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I dont think they will start that until October so they must think most of 2021 is a wash too.

I think so. Park reservations can be made until end of September right? Same day the tickets were extended to (in 2021 I mean)?

I think they’re hoping for a big official return to normal (as close as we’re gonna get) with the 50th. My standards are super low at this point, and if we collectively could see normal by October 2021 I would be ecstatic.

 

[Mit88]

I think so. Park reservations can be made until end of September right? Same day the tickets were extended to (in 2021 I mean)?

I think they’re hoping for a big official return to normal (as close as we’re gonna get) with the 50th. My standards are super low at this point, and if we collectively could see normal by October 2021 I would be ecstatic.

The reservations could be pulled whenever they want. People aren’t going to be mad that they had reservations for a park and can now go to any park whenever they want. I think the September date is a safety net as a “just in case” things dont get to a place they need them to be to get rid of the reservation system

 

[Farro]

They’ll start hyping the 50th in January. The festivities wont start until the Summer. But they have 2, possibly 3 major attractions opening next year. They’re going to make a big push for guests

I think so. Park reservations can be made until end of September right? Same day the tickets were extended to (in 2021 I mean)?

I think they’re hoping for a big official return to normal (as close as we’re gonna get) with the 50th. My standards are super low at this point, and if we collectively could see normal by October 2021 I would be ecstatic.

Well good for everyone going then I guess!

If we don't see something resembling normal until October 2021 I wouldn't consider anything a success.
Peoples lives will be flat out ruined by that point.

 

[Mit88]

Well good for everyone going then I guess!

If we don't see something resembling normal until October 2021 I wouldn't consider anything a success.
Peoples lives will be flat out ruined by that point.

Even if we get instant testing results with actual validity it would be a huge step in the direction of “normalcy”. Vaccine would be nice, but I think instant testing is more realistic. If we can achieve one of those, we’ll see many of the things not currently in the parks, resume.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Well good for everyone going then I guess!

If we don't see something resembling normal until October 2021 I wouldn't consider anything a success.
Peoples lives will be flat out ruined by that point.

The alternative to having to stay with this current normal is life ruining. But that pulls us OT .

If peaks and valleys keep rolling all over at different times, and international travel remains at near standstill, I could see WDW not changing too notably through much of 2021. And the things not unique to WDW, like masks and distancing? I will be shocked if those don’t remain well into 2021 barring some amazing vaccine news.

 

[Farro]

The alternative to having to stay with this current normal is life ruining. But that pulls us OT .

If peaks and valleys keep rolling all over at different times, and international travel remains at near standstill, I could see WDW not changing too notably through much of 2021. And the things not unique to WDW, like masks and distancing? I will be shocked if those don’t remain well into 2021 barring some amazing vaccine news.

.

 

[Jrb1979]

So have the masks and distancing if things can open again. I agree.

So many of my friends are in dire straits at this point due to venues not being allowed to open in some way, shape or form.. Its real and its terrifying.
But yes, I agree we shouldn't discuss here.

That's the bigger reason for people not taking Disney or Universal vacations. Them relying on locals only can last for so long. Hopefully things change by next year but I have my doubts

 

[Farro]

That's the bigger reason for people not taking Disney or Universal vacations. Them relying on locals only can last for so long. Hopefully things change by next year but I have my doubts

Oh sure. In the end, Disney is at the bottom of my concerns about this pandemic.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

That's the bigger reason for people not taking Disney or Universal vacations. Them relying on locals only can last for so long. Hopefully things change by next year but I have my doubts

As a Manitoban I am jealous as heck of Ontario, I think that’s where you are? With how people are acting here I have my serious doubts there are major improvements for quite some time. I say so often that my provincial government needs to take notes from Disney on how to “live with this” because counting on people to just do the right thing themselves does not work. I remember when I think it was Josh D’amaro said he wants Disney to set the standard for reopening and I’m just here like OFFER AN ONLINE COURSE PLEASE . Can we borrow your rule enforcement squad?

Worst group project ever is the best description out there for this pandemic .

 

[anthony2k7]

Well good for everyone going then I guess!

If we don't see something resembling normal until October 2021 I wouldn't consider anything a success.
Peoples lives will be flat out ruined by that point.

Well WHO are now saying they "hope" it will be over in 2 years....

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...-be-over-in-two-years-who-chief-says-12054000

 

[osufeth24]

Even if we get instant testing results with actual validity it would be a huge step in the direction of “normalcy”. Vaccine would be nice, but I think instant testing is more realistic. If we can achieve one of those, we’ll see many of the things not currently in the parks, resume.

Getting pretty close to that. Earlier in the week FDA approved a new saliva test that I believe can get results within 25 minutes. And thought to have 95% accuracy.

Also Pfizer just reported they are still on track to have their first doses of Vaccines ready to ship out by November, they will be submitting it for review in October.

Been saying it, it's coming quicker than what people on here think.