Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[rstevens333]

I'll be there starting Sunday through Thursday. Staying at CCV and doing all 4 parks - well, we're gonna try. This is a test run LOL. Happy to answer any questions while I'm there!

CCV is the best. I hope they still have those neat map bedspreads.

 

[Dentam]

The PeopleMover is our go-to attraction at MK... if it's closed when we're there the vacation automatically loses some of its magic! Hopefully the testing will be done soon and it can open back up! It could still definitely work with social distancing guidelines.

I think they had said late October for this reopening but maybe they'll get it done early...

 

[hertamaniac]

Early reports appear that the MSC Grandiosa cruise ship has successfully returned to it's Genoa port after 7 days at sea/ports with no reported cases. Although encouraging, now the 14-day clock begins in my opinion.

"The cruise ship MSC Grandiosa, the first large ship to resume operations after the worldwide suspension of cruises, returned today to the port of Genoa, from which it left seven days ago. MSC Grandiosa made stopovers in the ports of Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, Palermo and Valletta (Malta) before returning to Genoa, with 3.000 passengers and workers on board."

https://www.themeditelegraph.com/en...-mediterranean-has-ended-interview-1.39223025

 

[hertamaniac]

I don't see any cruises sailing in August. There are 10's of thousands of crew members that are still waiting to repatriate. It wouldn't make sense to send all of these people home and then turn right around and then have a brand new staff board. Also, the DCL performers are unable to practice

Circling back to what was bookmarked of cruising in August, it looks like the first cruise ship with ~2,500 passengers just returned after 7 days at sea.

 

[yulilin3]

Just got back from the Epcot resorts stream. Boardwalk continues to be absolutely dead and sad, IMHO, Abracadabar had the doors wide open hoping for some costumers, peeked in and there were 2 tables occupied. The pool was hopping though, scary clown and all.
The set up at the Solarium in the BC is nice, they have all the basics covered
SAB was open and had some people in, it seemed more lifeguards than guests, Beaches and Cream was sold out for the day.
YC seemed empty as well, saw some people dinning at Ale and Compass.
thanks for those who watched, hope it was informative

 

[Dentam]

Just got back from the Epcot resorts stream. Boardwalk continues to be absolutely dead and sad, IMHO, Abracadabar had the doors wide open hoping for some costumers, peeked in and there were 2 tables occupied. The pool was hopping though, scary clown and all.
The set up at the Solarium in the BC is nice, they have all the basics covered
SAB was open and had some people in, it seemed more lifeguards than guests, Beaches and Cream was sold out for the day.
YC seemed empty as well, saw some people dinning at Ale and Compass.
thanks for those who watched, hope it was informative

We'll be staying at the BWV in two weeks. Looking forward to the quiet atmosphere. Maybe they'll let us use SAB if it's pretty empty. I know that wouldn't normally be allowed, but doesn't hurt to ask during these special circumstances.

 

[Mit88]

I’ve been to Publix, Disney Springs, Riviera, and Vero beach. Not a single nose, chin, mouth...nothing. Except for when we were at Bar Riva and City Works. Maybe it’s because I was at DS too early, but I was under the impression it was no holds barred there with guests making their own rules That was most certainly not the case

 

[mom2elle]

are wait times accurate on MDE? I am not a wait it out kind of visitor and these weekend crowds have me nervous- seeing 45-60 +
minutes? Just trying to gauge it before it’s too late. We are going Tuesday through Friday

Sorry this took me a while to respond. Wait times on MDE have been longer than what we have experienced every single time - except one ride. We got in line at Kali, and the paused everything to clean the ride floats. Touring plans estimated times have been closer to reality.

Also, the crowds Today paled in comparison to the weekend. We walked on pretty much everything at MK. It’s so different.....

 

[yulilin3]

Sorry this took me a while to respond. Wait times on MDE have been longer than what we have experienced every single time - except one ride. We got in line at Kali, and the paused everything to clean the ride floats. Touring plans estimated times have been closer to reality.

Also, the crowds Today paled in comparison to the weekend. We walked on pretty much everything at MK. It’s so different.....

same reports from DHS, it was pretty empty, MFSR was a walk on for the last 2 hours

 

[yulilin3]

what does this mean for Savi’s? It would suggest that it isn’t going to open since the actor’s are still on furlough after the agreement.

None of my actor friends have received the email, so I'm not sure if these will concern entertainment at all.

 

[andyman8]

None of my actor friends have received the email, so I'm not sure if these will concern entertainment at all.

That's interesting. Last I heard they were trying to bring back some of the shows soon, but I was figuring that could've changed, given how fluid this situation is. So that's encouraging (a bright spot in otherwise disappointing news).

Regarding the furlough extension: just to clarify since there's been some confusion online, I believe there were two separate emails that went out. DLR CMs got one extending their furlough indefinitely with the Company admitting they are unable to determine a reopening timeline for DLR at this time (also admitting that the closure has gone on longer than anticipated). The other email went out to most WDW CMs and said that the furlough (which they previously had indicated would wrap by October) would continue longer than expected and would go "into November." Based on the wording, it seems like WDW may still be hoping to somewhat beef up some operations later in the year if September isn't totally abysmal and they start to gain momentum in October. DLR, on the other hand, is a different story.

 

[yulilin3]

That's interesting. Last I heard they were trying to bring back some of the shows soon, but I was figuring that could've changed, given how fluid this situation is. So that's encouraging (a bright spot in otherwise disappointing news).

Regarding the furlough extension: just to clarify since there's been some confusion online, I believe there were two separate emails that went out. DLR CMs got one extending their furlough indefinitely with the Company admitting they are unable to determine a reopening timeline for DLR at this time (also admitting that the closure has gone on longer than anticipated). The other email went out to most WDW CMs and said that the furlough (which they previously had indicated would wrap by October) would continue longer than expected and would go "into November." Based on the wording, it seems like WDW may still be hoping to somewhat beef up some operations later in the year if September isn't totally abysmal and they start to gain momentum in October. DLR, on the other hand, is a different story.

yes one of my performer friends had told me that they are reblocking the show but they haven't been called back yet, this was yesterday, today he told me he had not received any emails.

 

[Mike1082]

I’ve been to Publix, Disney Springs, Riviera, and Vero beach. Not a single nose, chin, mouth...nothing. Except for when we were at Bar Riva and City Works. Maybe it’s because I was at DS too early, but I was under the impression it was no holds barred there with guests making their own rules That was most certainly not the case

Regarding Publix, DS and other public areas, I feel it is because the VAST majority of us here in FL are taking it very seriously and it has started to reflect in the daily number trends.

 

[yulilin3]

started scanning my facebook and sure enough have 3 fb friends that got the email, all 3 work part time in merchandise, one at DHS the other 2 at MK, stores that have not reopened, furloughed indefinitely. I'm assuming all seasonal are also getting these, thankful that attractions union was able to get all of them recalled, but who knows what happens now. This is so stressful

 

[LSUmiss]

Anyone remember or have a list of character dining besides garden grill that’s open now?

 

[hereforthechurros]

Anyone remember or have a list of character dining besides garden grill that’s open now?

GG +
Topolino’s and BOG are it I believe.

 

[rteetz]

GG +
Topolino’s and BOG are it I believe.

Yep, though BoG is just the Beast walking through the dining rooms.

 

[andyman8]

GG +
Topolino’s and BOG are it I believe.

Ravello at the Four Seasons is also offering a Disney character breakfast on Saturday mornings. At $48 per person, it's pricey though. They do have a Disney PhotoPass photographer there though.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

So Epcot yesterday vs the 2nd week of opening-

IMO- there were definitely more people around, but not a significant amount more. The walkways just were not as empty and posted waits were a longer. Full disclosure I did not actually ride anything to compare posted waits to actuals. I hurt my back the day before Epcot so we figured saving our usual ride test track as much as possible spree for later in the week was probably the best idea. (Im already feeling better! Just an angry muscle... skating problems). Stores usually had at least a few other groups inside them. In July I was often the only one in a store at a given time. I wouldn't call anything I saw crowded, but it wasn't completely empty like it was before either. It was a nice balance. You can tell there are actually some people here now. My husband (who wasn't here in July) keeps saying that he "feels like he has Disney to himself" though, so with no comparison besides the "before times" it clearly still feels pretty darn empty.

I saw almost perfect mask compliance with the exception of one lady who got mean with the CM who asked her to put it back on (Boo!). Besides her, I think I saw like one or two noses. It was hot and sticky yesterday afternoon too so I am pretty impressed with that. I also saw really good compliance in the parks when I was here before though so apparently I tend to be pretty lucky.

Other notable things:

- DVC tours are running (for some reason I thought they weren't). We took a tour to view the models at Riviera and were very impressed! We saw a 1 bedroom, a deluxe studio, the 3 bedroom crazy villa, and they also showed us a tower studio just for fun. DVC is on the medium term buy list for us (like sometime next year) so I'm glad we were able to go take a look. It was super low pressure and everyone was very nice.

- At around 730pm the Bay Lake Tower pool area had like 8 families in it (the entire pool area). It seems like it is definitely more empty over here than at the actual contemporary. The bar was closed though which is a bummer. Do not fear for me though I have wine in my room. Also doritos. I'm living the vacation good life.

- At 130ish we had our own bus to Epcot from the contemporary. We had to wait like 20min for a bus and I very much miss the monorail. I'm getting a crazy deal though so I really can't complain about this.

- Lines for food and wine booths were almost nonexistent. We didn't wait behind more than one or two people the entire time (though we ate from like 2-630ish)

- I got a Flatbread to snack on from Contempo Cafe around 845pm and it took almost 20min for my order to be ready. From the Dis I knew to expect this, but prepare for lengthy waits over there at the end of the night.


Heading to AK today with the goal of resort time this afternoon and Disney Springs for Homecomin tonight!

 

[TropicalDIS]

So Epcot yesterday vs the 2nd week of opening-

IMO- there were definitely more people around, but not a significant amount more. The walkways just were not as empty and posted waits were a longer. Stores usually had at least a few other groups inside them. In July I was often the only one in a store at a given time. I wouldn't call anything I saw crowded, but it wasn't completely empty like it was before either. It was a nice balance. You can tell there are actually some people here now. My husband (who wasn't here in July) keeps saying that he "feels like he has Disney to himself" though, so with no comparison besides the "before times" it clearly still feels pretty darn empty.

I saw almost perfect mask compliance with the exception of one lady who got mean with the CM who asked her to put it back on (Boo!). Besides her, I think I saw like one or two noses. It was hot and sticky yesterday afternoon too so I am pretty impressed with that. I also saw really good compliance in the parks when I was here before though so apparently I tend to be pretty lucky.

Other notable things:

- DVC tours are running (for some reason I thought they weren't). We took a tour to view the models at Riviera and were very impressed! We saw a 1 bedroom, a deluxe studio, the 3 bedroom crazy villa, and they also showed us a tower studio just for fun. DVC is on the medium term buy list for us (like sometime next year) so I'm glad we were able to go take a look. It was super low pressure and everyone was very nice.

- At around 730pm the Bay Lake Tower pool area had like 8 families in it (the entire pool area). It seems like it is definitely more empty over here than at the actual contemporary. The bar was closed though which is a bummer. Do not fear for me though I have wine in my room. Also doritos. I'm living the vacation good life.

- At 130ish we had our own bus to Epcot from the contemporary. We had to wait like 20min for a bus and I very much miss the monorail. I'm getting a crazy deal though so I really can't complain about this.

- Lines for food and wine booths were almost nonexistent. We didn't wait behind more than one or two people the entire time (though we ate from like 2-630ish)

- I got a Flatbread to snack on from Contempo Cafe around 845pm and it took almost 20min for my order to be ready. From the Dis I knew to expect this, but prepare for lengthy waits over there at the end of the night.


Heading to AK today with the goal of resort time this afternoon and Disney Springs for Homecomin tonight!

Sounds awesome, enjoy your day!!