Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

If Disney goes from reserved, being ok with ~30,000 people in the parks combined throughout the 4 parks to 75-80k in just Magic Kingdom on October 1st, they’re going to be in big, big trouble. They can’t not roll out a return to the magic campaign and wait to welcome everyone back for October 2021

 

[skeeter31]

It seems to me like they went for the states with the largest "opportunity" population, i.e. usually non-AP package guests who are close enough to buy/travel safely and have not already. I imagine excluding NY/NJ/CT has less to do with quarantine (let's be honest, they don't care if you have to quarantine when you get home and the FL mandate was eliminated) and more to do with most of those guests being APs or having existing reservations? Just a theory but it's a business decision based on their data, it's nothing personal to those other states.

Disney is always very concerned with optics. I don’t think they’d want to be seen encouraging travel from states with quarantine restrictions, thus the exclusion of the NE states.

 

[mum22girlz]

But friends of mine from Michigan just rented DVC points for 5 night in October for around $900. That's a better discount than any resort discount Disney could ever offer... People who aren't in the "drive market" should really consider renting DVC points if they are certain they will travel. There are a LOT of 2018 DVC points out there that expire on 11/30 and owners are just dumping them.

I would love to rent DVC, but I need the flexibility to cancel without penalty. What happens if one of us gets COVID the week before we go? What happens if the numbers spike again and we aren't comfortable going? Then we are out the money.

 

[yulilin3]

Disney will Never EVER make the right decision where everyone can agree on. I think this is a right step, start dipping your toes in the water, release those special rates gradually. FOMO is real and those that can't partake in this offer will be jumping at the chance to book once Disney rolls out the next offer

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

We have seen some rumors like this. With Disney not currently selling 10 day tickets, when you change promos, they’re most likely going to change your ticket to the max they’re selling currently. There was someone here a couple weeks ago who’s tickets got reduced from 10 to 7 and that person also was changing around rooms. So most likely if you take advantage of a new promo, they reduce the tickets, but if you stick with what you had you can keep the 10 days.

thank you! We would much rather keep the 10 days! Maybe just refund our hopper and forget the promo.

 

[midnight star]

I wonder how long Disneyland would have to continue to stay closed for Californians struggling with their forced Disney Sobriety to come to WDW. Maybe it’s only me that sees it, but I feel like more East coasters are willing to go to DLR than Californians coming to WDW. If Disneyland can’t open until 2021, could we see an uptick in DL APs making the trip to WDW?

DL passholder here that lives in Los Angeles. I’m on a few AP groups on Facebook and have seen quite a few posts of people already having gone to WDW because they are desperate for Disney lol.

I did a quote estimate for a trip in January. The main things that I’m hesitant about are the travel distance and potential last minute changes that could occur.

 

[Mit88]

I say specialty food and monthly release of merch showcasing each month an original attraction starting in January would be the way to go, it's a way of celebrating without going all out

This would be perfect. I think too many associates the word “celebrate” with huge extravagant things. They can sell a 50th “celebration” throughout 2021 without having to start up their bells and whistles until October 1st. Unless they’re advertising things being available when these guests get there in, say March, then they’re not lying.

 

[Shellbells]

We live in Nevada and I was able to apply the general discount for our 6 night stay at POP in Nov and saved $250. For POP I thought that was pretty good. I'm happy just having a discount.

 

[Farro]

So were the discounts the big news we were all waiting for?

Bleh.

 

[rteetz]

So were the discounts the big news we were all waiting for?

Bleh.

I don’t think so.

 

[Mit88]

It’s not Friday yet. When Friday comes, the news comes

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Disney will Never EVER make the right decision where everyone can agree on. I think this is a right step, start dipping your toes in the water, release those special rates gradually. FOMO is real and those that can't partake in this offer will be jumping at the chance to book once Disney rolls out the next offer

yup - I remember when the last discount came out for just FL residents and I saw people from neighboring states saying how it stunk that they would be willing to drive from Georgia or whatever and isn't much further than some spots of FL, so why not include the neighboring states as well?

and now they go ahead and do that and people complain it doesn't include the next ring of states. If they did all the states there would people internationally that would complain, etc. )and probably also people complaining that Disney is being irresponsible!)

 

[butterscotchcollins]

yup - I remember when the last discount came out for just FL residents and I saw people from neighboring states saying how it stunk that they would be willing to drive from Georgia or whatever and isn't much further than some spots of FL, so why not include the neighboring states as well?

and now they go ahead and do that and people complain it doesn't include the next ring of states. If they did all the states there would people internationally that would complain, etc. )and probably also people complaining that Disney is being irresponsible!)

But friendly reminder that the $500 discount is good for all states, and on existing reservations, sooooo if you really want a discount that badly...

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I would seriously caution against point rentals right now. We are still caught up with a chargeback from March where the resorts were not even open, thousands of dollars on the line. David’s (I’m not sure about other companies) have also changed their contracts since. Make sure you know what you’re getting into and that the steep discount (right now, they are having to offload their reservations at near 50% off their normal rate) is worth the risk to your family.

If it were me, Disney rack rate would be worth the peace of mind right now with all the curveballs that can be thrown. Just putting that out there. Planning in 2020 for anything is stressful enough.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I say specialty food and monthly release of merch showcasing each month an original attraction starting in January would be the way to go, it's a way of celebrating without going all out

that could be kinda cool - you could do like a specialty pin or something that people into it would be super into but nothing huge or "celebratory"

 

[GlowTheWeird]

DL passholder here that lives in Los Angeles. I’m on a few AP groups on Facebook and have seen quite a few posts of people already having gone to WDW because they are desperate for Disney lol.

I did a quote estimate for a trip in January. The main things that I’m hesitant about are the travel distance and potential last minute changes that could occur.

Same. DL passholder here too, pricing October/November trip to WDW. Lots of chatter of west coast AP’s tired of the waiting game and changing reservations to the east coast.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I live in Iowa, but I am not complaining because I have an AP.

Glad we still have "news" to watch for...maybe glad...

Also, I'll take whatever they can plan for the 50th in March, because I'll be there celebrating my 50th as well.

 

[yulilin3]

wasn't the mobile dine walk up waitlist already a thing? apparently it starts today
September 1 – EPCOT

• Biergarten
• Coral Reef
• Garden Grill
• Le Cellier
• Rose & Crown Dining Room

September 2 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• 50’s Prime Time Café
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
• Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
• Oga’s Cantina
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

September 3 – Magic Kingdom

• Be Our Guest
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tony’s Town Square

 

[rteetz]

wasn't the mobile dine walk up waitlist already a thing? apparently it starts today
September 1 – EPCOT

• Biergarten
• Coral Reef
• Garden Grill
• Le Cellier
• Rose & Crown Dining Room

September 2 – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• 50’s Prime Time Café
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
• Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
• Oga’s Cantina
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

September 3 – Magic Kingdom

• Be Our Guest
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tony’s Town Square

Definitely was but maybe wasn't rolled out to all locations yet.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Definitely did mobile check in for Skipper Canteen on Saturday