Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[gottalovepluto]

I remember many moons ago coming here saying I thought VQ was the way to go and was shot down saying it would never work.

In your defense Disney initially said VQ would be used when they first announced how they planned to reopen. Shortly after they shelved it, notified CMs it wasn’t happening and never mentioned it again.

 

[andyman8]

Instead of FP "light" I almost see this as FP "heavy" in that for much of the day the standby isn't an option, FP is the only way to ride (just you don't make them 60 days in advance or anything)

Yeah, I guess what I was referring to is the idea that this could theoretically be implemented (in the future) alongside a paid FP option (a "true" FP) if you will, but you're right. This is certainly an expansion of the virtual queue element of FP/FP+. I just want to be clear to everybody, though, that this is for Disneyland Paris and there's no guarantee of this coming to WDW. Ops would like it to, but it's dependent on IT/the MDE team figuring out a way to make it reliable enough that Park Ops will sign off. In the interim, I think Disney will address the waits by trying to add capacity here and there through opening back up some small offerings/spaces (like we saw at Epcot this weekend).

 

[rteetz]

I'm jealous! It will be so quiet and relaxing (also can't imagine the next time the lobby will ever be that empty).

Yeah, I believe they have it installed on one of the vehicles (which is how the photos "leaked"). It doesn't look like you'll be able to clearly make out a lot of what's happening in front of you. I foresee lots of Guest Relations complaints from those who are put in those seats. To bring two conversations together here, I can't imagine many Guests being happy after jumping through all the hoops of the VQ for RotR only to have an obstructed view of the ride. We'll see.

Yeah it was only one vehicle. I haven’t heard much since the “test” and I agree I think it would lead to several complaints.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm jealous! It will be so quiet and relaxing (also can't imagine the next time the lobby will ever be that empty).

Yeah, I believe they have it installed on one of the vehicles (which is how the photos "leaked"). It doesn't look like you'll be able to clearly make out a lot of what's happening in front of you. I foresee lots of Guest Relations complaints from those who are put in those seats. To bring two conversations together here, I can't imagine many Guests being happy after jumping through all the hoops of the VQ for RotR only to have an obstructed view of the ride. We'll see.

I would be pissed if I couldn’t see considering the hoops they make you jump through.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310976031747182593

 

[MrsBooch]

What i wouldn’t give to be able to get my hands on one of these tables.....
I can’t wait to see what the rooms look like after this refurb.

 

[Hummingbird]

So far only the front of the parking lots have filled, with the exception of MK, which can be a longer walk. Trams act as the first form of social distancing. Imagine everyone coming off the trams at the same time for temp and bag check as opposed as a steady influx of people, single file coming from the lots.
Also if you are there for rope drop you will get the best parking, if you are there later in the afternoon they will fill out the remaining spots in those front lots as they are leaving one car space between each car. So you are never really all the way in the back

I have been at the back of MK parking lot twice and Animal Kingdom I was all the way to the back of peacock and at Epcot I was almost back to the main drive. So technically maybe NOT the very back, but definitely quite a hike.

 

[gottalovepluto]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310976031747182593

Missed it by that much!

 

[yulilin3]

I have been at the back of MK parking lot twice and Animal Kingdom I was all the way to the back of peacock and at Epcot I was almost back to the main drive. So technically maybe NOT the very back, but definitely quite a hike.

yeah, it's a walk. from Peacock

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Disney World Begins Selling New Annual Passes to Passholders With Expired or Cancelled Annual Passes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310986533047017472

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Disney World Begins Selling New Annual Passes to Passholders With Expired or Cancelled Annual Passes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310986533047017472

Soooo how bout them refunds?

 

[Mit88]

Disney World Begins Selling New Annual Passes to Passholders With Expired or Cancelled Annual Passes

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310986533047017472

I would guess DVC members will be “soon” and then to the gen pop when perks are brought back

 

[yulilin3]

Soooo how bout them refunds?

Kinda slap in the face. It's awful how they've handled the refunds

 

[Mit88]

Soooo how bout them refunds?

They still haven’t sent out refunds?

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Kinda slap in the face. It's awful how they've handled the refunds

I find it comical at this point, TBH. I fully expect something else to go wrong and having to sit on hold for hours again to get it.

Maybe by the time it comes we’ll all be vaccinated and ready to go back .

 

[DGsAtBLT]

They still haven’t sent out refunds?

I have not seen mine yet, although to be fair September isn’t over yet and I have seen some people say theirs came.

 

[cranbiz]

So Disney is apparently reaching out to CPs from Spring 2020 (the ones who had their programs abruptly cut short due to the shutdown) and offering them the opportunity to "redeem" any complimentary park tickets they earned.
This has always been the policy, but it looks like Disney is offering these former CPs the opportunity to "redeem" those tickets, even though they are not currently employed by TWDC. They have until next fall to use them. This has never happened in the history of TWDC (ex-employees being allowed to still use any park admission benefits). Sure, certain folks who retire with the Company or reach the very top executive levels might keep their benefits after they leave, but hourly CPs or even CMs? Never happened.

No, not true. Well not as far as CR CM's are concerned.

When I left the company, yes, I had to turn in my WDW Maingate Pass but any comp tickets I had accrued were valid until the expiration date. I had several comps and was able to use them at DLR and DCA when I was out there for my now current employer.

 

[hereforthechurros]

The full tweet thread goes in to more detail. I’m not familiar with this account, so if it’s questionable, I apologize.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1310951885201907725

Jealous!

 

[pixieprincess925]

So - was there this weekend (Thurs - Mon) and had a few observations.
1) Weekend crowds are SUPER heavy. The difference between Friday at EPCOT and Saturday at EPCOT was crazy. Saturday mid-day we weren't even allowed to join the queue to get into the Mexico pavilion. Most of those folks were waiting to get to the bar, but they didn't branch people between bar/ride until close to the front of the queue.
2) Too many snack carts are closed. Wait time for ice cream cart at MK was 30+ minutes (the only place to get a Mickey bar in Tomorrowland was the popcorn cart - with an ice cream dedicated cart sitting closed right next to it). I could only find one cart with Mickey pretzels at HS and it ran out at 10:45am with no replenishment for a while. Disney is leaving a lot of money on the table just based on guests not being able to easily buy snacks.
3) lines, lines and more lines. Lines for snack carts, lines for rides, lines to get into stores, lines to pick up your mobile order (Cosmic Ray at MK was particularly bad for this)

We had a large party of AP coming from out of state. one family is wishing they had gotten a refund for the their AP. I'm a die hard and I'm wondering if it was worth being near the parks on a weekend.

 

[hereforthechurros]

So - was there this weekend (Thurs - Mon) and had a few observations.
1) Weekend crowds are SUPER heavy. The difference between Friday at EPCOT and Saturday at EPCOT was crazy. Saturday mid-day we weren't even allowed to join the queue to get into the Mexico pavilion. Most of those folks were waiting to get to the bar, but they didn't branch people between bar/ride until close to the front of the queue.
2) Too many snack carts are closed. Wait time for ice cream cart at MK was 30+ minutes (the only place to get a Mickey bar in Tomorrowland was the popcorn cart - with an ice cream dedicated cart sitting closed right next to it). I could only find one cart with Mickey pretzels at HS and it ran out at 10:45am with no replenishment for a while. Disney is leaving a lot of money on the table just based on guests not being able to easily buy snacks.
3) lines, lines and more lines. Lines for snack carts, lines for rides, lines to get into stores, lines to pick up your mobile order (Cosmic Ray at MK was particularly bad for this)

We had a large party of AP coming from out of state. one family is wishing they had gotten a refund for the their AP. I'm a die hard and I'm wondering if it was worth being near the parks on a weekend.

My husband is pushing for us to do Epcot on Saturday 10/10 - Columbus Day weekend. I can't even imagine how bad it's going to be.