Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Farro]

Layoffs of 28,000 people...but let's spend a butt-ton of money on a redo the Polynesian that NOBODY asked for and isn't needed.

I dont think one has to do with the other.

I wonder if letting go of Bob has to do with no plans to reopen POR/POFQ in the near or distant future.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Even when Disney gets “back on their feet” they’ll never bring these things back. They’ll ride this out for as long as they can.

 

[Brianstl]

I know we all wonder how this will impact our trips to the parks, but this will cause lasting damage to thousands of families directly and indirectly. It will have long lasting impact on the economies of central Florida and the Anaheim area. This means many lost jobs outside of Disney as the money that the laid off employees injected into the economy dries up.

 

[Shelleyfs]

Hoop dee doo....I’m not prepared to hear it but I’m expecting it.

I hope not. I can't imagine them getting very many people there without the show.

 

[rteetz]

I dont think one has to do with the other.

I wonder if letting go of Bob has to do with no plans to reopen POR/POFQ in the near or distant future.

That and/or the venue he performs is not big at all. It’s very small and close knit.

 

[rteetz]

Even when Disney gets “back on their feet” they’ll never bring these things back. They’ll ride this out for as long as they can.

That’s the big problem. How much will come back?

 

[andyman8]

Though it may comes as a surprise to some on here, I generally consider myself to be an optimist. That said, I think tonight has fundamentally changed the Disney Parks experience permanently.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That and/or the venue he performs is not big at all. It’s very small and close knit.

That was one concern I had - would his show work if you can only have like 10% of normal capacity? (Just making up a number)

Do think if they wanted to make it work with him they could have figured something out (like most things it is probably a combination of things)

 

[rteetz]

That was one concern I had - would his show work if you can only have like 10% of normal capacity? (Just making up a number)

Do think if they wanted to make it work with him they could have figured something out (like most things it is probably a combination of things)

They would likely have to move him to a new venue.

 

[Jennasis]

Though it may comes as a surprise to some on here, I generally consider myself to be an optimist. That said, I think tonight has fundamentally changed the Disney Parks experience permanently.

I agree. This feels like a seismic shift to a bad...dark...long-lasting place.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Even when Disney gets “back on their feet” they’ll never bring these things back. They’ll ride this out for as long as they can.

Very likely not 100% - possibly not even close. I do thi I some will come back and they will evaluate what will provide the most bang for buck

 

[LSUmiss]

Just curious - would a temporary stay of parking fees sway your decision at all? We don’t drive, but I’ve thought about this as they’ve advertised to those in the “driving states.”

Not really b/c most of the offsite hotels still charge them too. Much cheaper prices and other perks like extra magic hours or fast pass type availability is the only thing that might. We still have 2 onsite trips planned.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

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 agree. I am not one to complain but I would not be pleased if forced to view ROTR through a plastic wall after all the trouble of getting on. I can not see that plan going over well.

Disney beginning CM layoffs

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311044177724141572

I think for the most part we definitely knew this was coming, but what a sad day for those CMs.

 

[Marionnette]

Even when Disney gets “back on their feet” they’ll never bring these things back. They’ll ride this out for as long as they can.

Which makes Disney just another amusement park in the interim. It has always been those little extra sparks of enchantment that set Disney apart and made them them the industry standard.

 

[rteetz]

 

[Brianstl]

That’s the big problem. How much will come back?

I don’t know if the things cut will come back, but when business picks up they will add stuff. That is always what happens. For all the talk of stuff that was cut before this, they really added a ton of employees since coming out of 2008 recession. I think they had 62,000 employees at WDW in 2012 and that had increased to 77,000 in 2019. For a guy people call a penny pincher, Chapek sure did add to the payroll at WDW.

 

[Farro]

Which makes Disney just another amusement park in the interim. It has always been those little extra sparks of enchantment that set Disney apart and made them them the industry standard.

Its hard to stay the industry standard at a time when the entire industry is crumbling.

I hate for people to lose their jobs, believe me. But I'm not faulting Disney on this one...we can't say on one side of mouth "stay closed!" and then other side of mouth "how dare you let people go".

It just sucks.

 

[rteetz]

I don’t know if the things cut will come back, but when business picks up they will add stuff. That is always what happens. For all the talk of stuff that was cut before this, they really added a ton of employees since coming out of 2008 recession. I think they had 62,000 employees at WDW in 2012 and that had increased to 77,000 in 2019. For a guy people call a penny pincher, Chapek sure did add to the payroll at WDW.

True but entertainment often seems the last to be added first to be cut. With those additions much of that is likely from new resorts, and new attractions.

 

[MrsBooch]

I know we all wonder how this will impact our trips to the parks, but this will cause lasting damage to thousands of families directly and indirectly. It will have long lasting impact to the economies of central Florida and the Anaheim area. This means many lost jobs outside of Disney as the money that the laid off employees injected into the economy dries up.

yes and I think it’s ok to be upset about both of those things. It sucks across the board.

 

[Brianstl]

yes and I think it’s ok to be upset about both of those things. It sucks across the board.

I am sorry if my post implied it wasn’t ok to be upset about how this will impact our enjoyment of WDW. That was not my intent.