Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TheMaxRebo]

As someone who not too long ago lost a job they loved and now is trying to find work during these miserable times my first thought is how sorry I am for all of those losing their jobs. Especially sad if they are CMS who risked health by returning to work in the parks so others could take vacations...
But this is the way of the world right. Disney is a big business in an industry being decimated by the pandemic. I kind of miss the days when my biggest annoyances were mask debates, reopening uncertainty, and losing my free dining incentive. Now I’m just wondering (and worrying) if life can ever return to some sort of normal. Is WDW ever being what it was the biggest concern I have? Of course not. But it’s still a heartbreaking example of how much we have all lost already and there is no end in site...at least the Yankees are winning right now....take your happiness where you can find it I guess...

That whole free dining for rescheduled trips debacle seems like a lifetime ago

 

[Eric Smith]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311093345981272064

You could not pay me enough money to get on a cruise ship right now.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That's significant. It probably contributed strongly to the timing of this decision. Having decided/announced this the layoff, Disney will have to take a significant hit to the bottom line. Financial people will often say that if you are going to have a bad year, have a BAD year. In other words, get it all out so you can move forward cleanly.

Yup, fiscal year 2019 was already going to be horrible for them - what is the difference ... Clear the books and hope for a better 2020, then you "recovery" figure look that much better

 

[princesscinderella]

This is so sad . We are still mourning the loss of PUSH the garbage can in tomorrow land. The Post Covid “remember when“ Disney had or did this list is unfortunately going to be way too long.

Happy early birthday @Farro. It’s my hubby’s birthday too on Friday.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yep my city/state is struggling and I’ve been donating locally.

Personally, I think the execs should be foregoing their salaries, but I get that this is the real world.

Well they did, for a while at least. Probably not as much as they should have (and the restoration optics look bad now) but also more than the execs of some other companies have done

 

[hertamaniac]

CDC will extend no sail order through October 31st, 2020.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...-oct-31-four-days-before-election/3508836001/

 

[DGsAtBLT]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311086909234589699

Will Skippy be there? I’m in.

 

[andyman8]

Well they did, for a while at least. Probably not as much as they should have (and the restoration optics look bad now) but also more than the execs of some other companies have done

I’m genuinely surprised that several news outlets remembered that pay restoration (given how few reported on it). I have a hunch Disney didn’t anticipate that. But I agree, very bad optics, especially when your company ethos is “we’re all Cast Members.”

 

[New Mouse]

Its times like this that the execs earn their pay by making serious, hard decisions about how the company functions.

They dont earn nor deserve their pay as they reap the rewards during good times and dont really suffer during bad times. Talk the talk but not really walk the walk.

 

[Mit88]

CDC will extend no sail order through October 31st, 2020.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trav...-oct-31-four-days-before-election/3508836001/

No brainer. I haven’t been on a cruise since 1995, and I know that people are ready to board the ships now. But its not the time. Cruising isn’t the same as opening mostly outdoor theme parks

 

[SaintsManiac]

They dont earn nor deserve their pay as they reap the rewards during good times and dont really suffer during bad times. Talk the talk but not really walk the walk.

Right??? They can make the “hard decision” to donate half their salary to the food banks their former CMs need to use.

 

[hertamaniac]

No brainer. I haven’t been on a cruise since 1995, and I know that people are ready to board the ships now. But its not the time. Cruising isn’t the same as opening mostly outdoor theme parks

CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) has already stated they won't resume operations until Nov. 1, so it's not like the cruise on switch would be flipped. I do miss cruising, but not sure I would enjoy it with the projected protocols.

 

[SaintsManiac]

CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) has already stated they won't resume operations until Nov. 1, so it's not like the cruise on switch would be flipped. I do miss cruising, but not sure I would enjoy it with the projected protocols.

My biggest fear would be getting quarantined on a cruise ship for 2 extra weeks!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Will Skippy be there? I’m in.

Ok, now I hope that Cosmic Rewind includes seeing all the animatronics of the past

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Wow. Just wow. What a day.

I feel terribly for the CMs. I’m sad about the changes to come.

Looking back on our Feb. 2020 trip and thinking of how things won’t be anything like that until who knows when. Ever?

In July, I didn’t think the parks should open with FL in the situation it was in. But WDW did. It took about a month for me to realize it was ok. Still not ok for us (with a higher risk kiddo) but happy they were open. And now I’m all “Come on California, let them open up Disneyland already!” Oh, how things change.

I knew covid would hit Disney hard, and that there would be long term impacts, but this just makes it so much more real now. I’m sad to see the extra special things about WDW stripped away, likely to not return. I still don’t think it’s going to feel like any old amusement park - I think they will be creative and find ways to bring the Disney magic - but it is just heartbreaking to see the long-time favorites go.

And I’m just thinking back on all of the amazing CM interactions I’ve had in my lifetime, even since I was a kid. And thinking of the incredible CMs I worked with on my CP 15 years ago (many of whom are still there). And of all the CMs who have made my kids’ trips so magical over the last 5 years.

I’m just so sad. I don’t know when we can go back. I don’t know what if will look like whenever we go back. I’m so sad for all of the CMs who pour their heart and soul into their jobs and put a smile on their face for guests despite whatever is happening in their own lives.

This is just the worst.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

CLIA (Cruise Line Industry Association) has already stated they won't resume operations until Nov. 1, so it's not like the cruise on switch would be flipped. I do miss cruising, but not sure I would enjoy it with the projected protocols.

Currently scheduled to sail in March. I wouldn’t go Nov 1, or by the new year. But so much is changing so quickly my family is hesitant to postpone now. Just today, Tampa airport announced a pilot program for point of care testing. While I don’t foresee the cruise lines employing people to test, they may very well sponsor/subsidize a testing site at or near the ports as an alternative to the more severe cuts/modifications. Or as a way to bring things back sooner, if demand warrants it.

 

[Eric Smith]

Currently scheduled to sail in March. I wouldn’t go Nov 1, or by the new year. But so much is changing so quickly my family is hesitant to postpone now. Just today, Tampa airport announced a pilot program for point of care testing. While I don’t foresee the cruise lines employing people to test, they may very well sponsor/subsidize a testing site at or near the ports as an alternative to the more severe cuts/modifications. Or as a way to bring things back sooner, if demand warrants it.

I think they’re going to have to test everyone right before they get on the ship. If a few infected people end up on a ship, it’ll get really bad.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

IT BRINGS MY BIRTHDAY!!!

But the only kind of luck I have is bad luck, so there's that...

Happy birthday!

 

[Cfiiitz]

The execs forgoing their salary in the first place was a bit of a farce. The “salary” portion of their pay is so small and is nothing compared to bonus and stock options and other things that make up their total compensation.

This is from the LA Times:

“Iger’s annual base salary was $3 million during the company’s most recent fiscal year, while his total compensation was $47.5 million, including a cash bonus and stock awards. Chapek’s base salary is $2.5 million, plus a target bonus of $7.5 million and an annual long-term incentive award of $15 million, according to a regulatory filing.”

So. Let’s not worry about them. They will make more this year with their salary cuts than all the laid off employees would have**

**this is a huge exaggeration but you get my point.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

I think they’re going to have to test everyone right before they get on the ship. If a few infected people end up on a ship, it’ll get really bad.

I agree 100%. I’m glad the order was extended to match the CLIA self-imposed date. If they can come up with a plan by sitting down together, I do believe some type of bubble situation would work, including testing. Rolling it into port fees would be an easy change, and have government teeth behind it.