Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Pyotr]

It will be a while before Disney follows Universal in this one. Numbers will have to be almost non-existent, like lower than my county low, and we go weeks without hospitalizations before Disney allows social distancing on ride vehicles to be phased out.

Distancing works now because capacity is so low. Once Disney starts getting the crowds back it will have serious issues with wait times if things aren’t rolled back.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

It will be a while before Disney follows Universal in this one. Numbers will have to be almost non-existent, like lower than my county low, and we go weeks without hospitalizations before Disney allows social distancing on ride vehicles to be phased out.

I don’t know that non-existent is the endgame, but we definitely need to be endemic level for a while before letting up.
The beauty of WDW is that so many rides naturally lend themselves to being enjoyed by a family, anyway. I can see them making some adaptation to Flight of Passage or maybe doing two families per iasw boat, but TWDC won’t be packing rides just to lower wait times any time soon. They could open shows first and socially distance the theater.
Also, I think I’m ok with the bigger coasters being loaded a little more, so long as UOR has good evidence of mask compliance. You’re no closer row to row than taking a stroll through Hogsmeade, or standing in some queues. If they start packin’ em in on Hogwart’s Express or Kong, etc, that would make me uncomfortable.

 

[Mit88]

I wouldn't be so sure. When Disney opened mid July, on the Safari at Animal Kingdom they were sitting every other row or several rows in between parties, even with partitions. I went last month and they were sitting every single row. Masks required on all rides so really, what's the difference? And there was no uproar about every row being sat. I think it will happen sooner than you think park wide.

The partitions are the difference. While not full proof, it’s still a barrier. Iirc theres not a single ride at UO that has partitions on their rides. So you’re taking away social distancing while also leaving no barrier in between guests.

Distancing works now because capacity is so low. Once Disney starts getting the crowds back it will have serious issues with wait times if things aren’t rolled back.

Sure, and guests/Disney will have to deal with that when the time comes. But they’re not going to sacrifice health and safety to lower wait times. Sorry

 

[Krandor]

Sure, and guests/Disney will have to deal with that when the time comes. But they’re not going to sacrifice health and safety to lower wait times. Sorry

That is what makes me wonder about UO. Maybe it is just the tilt or the article and not their thinking but it read like they were doing this not because they really felt it safe but that they felt they "had" to in order to lower wait times which may be a side effect of no reservations being needed.

 

[Mit88]

That is what makes me wonder about UO. Maybe it is just the tilt or the article and not their thinking but it read like they were doing this not because they really felt it safe but that they felt they "had" to in order to lower wait times which may be a side effect of no reservations being needed.

And hey, maybe it works out and there’s still no outbreaks linked to the resort even with this new loosened protocol. But I still don’t see Disney following suit unless they KNOW with the loosened measures in place are still just as affective as what they currently have in place.

 

[rteetz]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...games-to-reopen-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I wouldn't be so sure. When Disney opened mid July, on the Safari at Animal Kingdom they were sitting every other row or several rows in between parties, even with partitions. I went last month and they were sitting every single row. Masks required on all rides so really, what's the difference? And there was no uproar about every row being sat. I think it will happen sooner than you think park wide.

IIRC they initially had the safari as a mask break attraction which would explain the skipping rows initially even though it’s entirely outdoors and has partitions. I don’t think every row on the safari means much, that was changed somewhat close to opening wasn’t it? Different considerations than an indoor attraction IMO, not to mention a CM with you at all times on that one.

I too think it will be a while before attractions are running closer to full capacity. Either a major COVID breakthrough or enough time going by that we’ve all for the most part given up.

 

[rteetz]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/09/aulani-a-disney-resort-spa-cancels-reservations-through-mid-october/

 

[Mit88]

IIRC they initially had the safari as a mask break attraction which would explain the skipping rows initially even though it’s entirely outdoors and has partitions. I don’t think every row on the safari means much, that was changed somewhat close to opening wasn’t it? Different considerations than an indoor attraction IMO, not to mention a CM with you at all times on that one.

I too think it will be a while before attractions are running closer to full capacity. Either a major COVID breakthrough or enough time going by that we’ve all for the most part given up.

Mask-less Safari was nixed after 1 day. It was only that way for the CMs, so it didnt even last to the AP holder days.

 

[gottalovepluto]

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...games-to-reopen-at-disneys-animal-kingdom.htm

I read to fast and thought that said Disneyland USA news and I darn near had a heart attack!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Mask-less Safari was nixed after 1 day

What a good run it had.

 

[Mit88]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/09/aulani-a-disney-resort-spa-cancels-reservations-through-mid-october/

A friend of mine is going out to Honolulu for work next week. She has to quarantine, not even a toe outside of her hotel room type quarantine for 28 days before she’s able to participate in the work she’s there for. Aulani is probably on a DCL timeline for being allowed to open

 

[Mit88]

What a good run it had.

That one day brought more social media backlash than the DFB 7DMT picture. No matter the circumstances of partitions, row spacing, and being outdoors, the optics of opening a ride where guests can take their masks off was never going to go over well. It was surprising that they even tried it. People saw those pictures from CMs and their guests being on the ride without their mask and it was assumed by people that didnt know anything other than WDW opening was going to cause the plague that every ride at WDW was going to allow guests to take their masks off.

 

[skeeter31]

I read to fast and thought that said Disneyland USA news and I darn near had a heart attack!

See and I read the headline and my mind immediately went to DinoLand in Tampa on I-4 because we pass it every time we go to Disney. Before I clicked on the article I thought they were expanding their offerings or something lol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

A friend of mine is going out to Honolulu for work next week. She has to quarantine, not even a toe outside of her hotel room type quarantine for 28 days before she’s able to participate in the work she’s there for. Aulani is probably on a DCL timeline for being allowed to open

The state mandated quarantine is only 14 days.

Hawaii is working on putting testing system in place instead but sounds like Aulani doesn't think they'll get enough details on it if that's happening to commit to reopening in 3 weeks.

 

[Mit88]

The state mandated quarantine is only 14 days.

Hawaii is working on putting testing system in place instead but sounds like Aulani doesn't think they'll get enough details on it if that's happening to commit to reopening in 3 weeks.

Thats the information that came from the itinerary she posted. Maybe it’s a combination between her company and the state that has it being so long

 

[BostonEd]

That one day brought more social media backlash than the DFB 7DMT picture.

Sorry, I haven't read all 2800 pages: what is the DFB 7DMT picture? I gotta see this.

Thats the information that came from the itinerary she posted. Maybe it’s a combination between her company and the state that has it being so long

I think maybe someone has added two quarantines and come up with 28 days? That has to be a mistake. I don't recall reading anything from anyone saying you need more than 14 days.

 

[Mit88]

Sorry, I haven't read all 2800 pages: what is the DFB 7DMT picture? I gotta see this.


I think maybe someone has added two quarantines and come up with 28 days? That has to be a mistake. I don't recall reading anything from anyone saying you need more than 14 days.

Its a picture where a group of about 6-10 CMs were standing within 6ft of one another, all wearing masks, without any context of whether they were together or not. Its a bad look no matter what, and was scrutinized all over Twitter

First 14 days is a testing quarantine where they’re tested everyday, they’re allowed to leave the room to get tested and work in their “bubble” for their pre-work prep. The additional 14 days afterwards is the strict, can’t leave your room quarantine, not even to be tested until day 12, which will be an in room saliva test. After those 14 days they’ll be allowed to use the government building to go about their business

 

[Eric Smith]

A little thing to keep in the back of our minds will be is Disney getting desperate? With DLR shuttered indefinitely their only domestic money maker is WDW. The longer this goes on the more internal pressure there will be to start getting more aggressive like their competition is.

They made money as a whole last quarter even with all of the parks closed. I think they won’t feel that much pressure to loosen restrictions while there are still a ton of new cases every day

 

[yulilin3]

new hours for november, updated through Thanksgiving week (Nov 28)
Starting Friday Nov 6th MK is 9am to 7pm (probably for the projection on the castle)
Epcot is changing hours on Nov 27 and 28 to Noon to 8pm
DHS and AK stay the same