Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Farro]

We like Memory Maker because it's normally just the two of us, makes it easy for us to get pictures together.

For purely selfish reasons, I sure hope they don't get rid of all the photopass photographers! If they are gone and we won't be able to ask anyone to hold our camera - no pictures together other than selfies!

 

[Justrose]

That is what I am wondering - if there are no PP photographers, is it uncouth these days to ask someone to take a pic with your (probably germy) cell phone?

 

[gottalovepluto]

Everyone wondered for years if they would add a country to Epcot World Showcase since they have the space. Now you have to wonder if they might just completely remove and replace whole Countries if they aren’t doing well for the park.

I can’t imagine they are itching to pay the money for that right now or even in the next year or two

 

[Farro]

[

That is what I am wondering - if there are no PP photographers, is it uncouth these days to ask someone to take a pic with your (probably germy) cell phone?

Yeah I'm sure.

Although I'm petting dogs again! I ask first, but most people are back to letting others pet their dogs while on walks.

 

[DonMa]

I'm not surprised. The current cuts would have many on edge about the future and what changes are down the road that will this affect theme park and resort operations. What's next in store for CMs, equity actors, cultural ambassadors, CP programs? Is streetmosphere and/or resort-only entertainment a thing of the past? I hope not but hold no illusions.

No one should be holding onto the concept of the old "normal" ever returning to WDW. I know some are expecting a lot of things returning by next October, but I would caution to temper those expectations. Yes, eventually masks will go away and over time the crowds will be back. And I have to assume that nighttime fireworks/entertainment and even parades in the parks will be back - maybe not exactly as before but in some form. But the "when" for all this is unknown.

Fear of the unknown is powerful, and many looking at the current environment are starting to see doors closing that may never be reopened. There will be many that complain about the new "normal". Some won't accept it, many will. However, there will always be a strong nostalgia for classic Pre-Covid WDW that I will treasure even if only a memory.

While it’s had to disagree completely I’m not quite ready to go that dark in my thinking. I can remember the days after 9/11, looking out my window at the smoke and thinking I would never get in a plane again, never go to NYC again, never be “safe” again. I remember after the Connecticut school shooting thinking that’s it we’re home schooling the kids, never want them out of my sight again...all of it got better. This too shall pass. Hopefully WDW can take some positive aspects and innovation from all of this to be even better. As somebody said yesterday It is just hard right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Because you can’t even see the end of the tunnel....

 

[mi*vida*loca]

That is what I am wondering - if there are no PP photographers, is it uncouth these days to ask someone to take a pic with your (probably germy) cell phone?

Once covid restrictions in my area (NJ) were lifted we’ve been out as a couple or with friends and we’ve asked people to take our pictures. (At a winery, brewery, etc.) Each time we’ve asked we always say “if you’re comfortable” and No one has turned us down. We’ve actually had people tell us not to be silly, that it’s just a picture.

I wouldn’t hesitate to ask someone at disney either. If they say no onto the next

 

[Farro]

While it’s had to disagree completely I’m not quite ready to go that dark in my thinking. I can remember the days after 9/11, looking out my window at the smoke and thinking I would never get in a plane again, never go to NYC again, never be “safe” again. I remember after the Connecticut school shooting thinking that’s it we’re home schooling the kids, never want them out of my sight again...all of it got better. This too shall pass. Hopefully WDW can take some positive aspects and innovation from all of this to be even better. As somebody said yesterday It is just hard right now to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Because you can’t even see the end of the tunnel....

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Once covid restrictions in my area (NJ) were lifted we’ve been out as a couple or with friends and we’ve asked people to take our pictures. (At a winery, brewery, etc.) Each time we’ve asked we always say “if you’re comfortable” and No one has turned us down. We’ve actually had people tell us not to be silly, that it’s just a picture.

I wouldn’t hesitate to ask someone at disney either. If they say no onto the next

well, seems guidance changes at times, but the latest I saw is that there is less concern with surface transfer of covid, so as long as people are wearing masks, keeping what distance they can, and use hand santizer afterward, I don't see the issue of using someone else' camera

 

[Farro]

Once covid restrictions in my area (NJ) were lifted we’ve been out as a couple or with friends and we’ve asked people to take our pictures. (At a winery, brewery, etc.) Each time we’ve asked we always say “if you’re comfortable” and No one has turned us down. We’ve actually had people tell us not to be silly, that it’s just a picture.

I wouldn’t hesitate to ask someone at disney either. If they say no onto the next

well, seems guidance changes at times, but the latest I saw is that there is less concern with surface transfer of covid, so as long as people are wearing masks, keeping what distance they can, and use hand santizer afterward, I don't see the issue of using someone else' camera

Probably.

I'm just basing my answer on people's reactions to things that I read, I figure a lot of people would be weirded out if you asked them to take your picture.

I, for the record, would not be weirded out.

 

[DonMa]

We like Memory Maker because it's normally just the two of us, makes it easy for us to get pictures together.

For purely selfish reasons, I sure hope they don't get rid of all the photopass photographers! If they are gone and we won't be able to ask anyone to hold our camera - no pictures together other than selfies!

I’m a big time picture/video taker and take tons of my own pics at WDW. And still we purchase MM every time. We’ve had some awesome interactions with photographers through the years and always love the added creativity they brought to the photos. Back in the day when you had to get them put on discs I can remember having to leave hours available at the end of our stay to have them compiled because we took so many...

 

[sullivan.kscott]

That is what I am wondering - if there are no PP photographers, is it uncouth these days to ask someone to take a pic with your (probably germy) cell phone?

Yeah I'm sure.

Although I'm petting dogs again! I ask first, but most people are back to letting others pet their dogs while on walks.

We didn't ask anyone, but there were a number of people on our last trip that saw us taking really awkward selfies and would ask us (more a gesture from 15' away through a mask ). We have a nice mix of selfies and pics others took for our family group shots.

 

[Justrose]

I think that is my plan. I am going to offer to take pics for awkward looking people and then in turn, ask them to take a pic of me.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I feel like this a dangerous phrase to say IRT Disney anything, but I think Memory Maker is one of the best value products they’ve got, especially if you’re there for a longer trip. We aren’t even big character people.

I really hope the number of PP photographers in the parks isn’t greatly decreased in the long term, especially since it felt like to us they had already decreased the amount of them deeper in the parks in recent years.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

That is what I am wondering - if there are no PP photographers, is it uncouth these days to ask someone to take a pic with your (probably germy) cell phone?

Someone asked DH at EPCOT in July. Didn't seem like a big deal. He took the pics and then used hand sanitizer

 

[Tigger's ally]

I figure a lot of people would be weirded out if you asked them to take your picture.

I, for the record, would not be weirded out.

I'm weirded out every time I look at my picture!

 

[rteetz]

I think with photopass many of them aren't back yet and Disney doesn't know when they will bring them back. Many of them worked meet and greets and currently there are none. You do still have them in the parks in various areas but maybe not as frequent either. Photos are big for Disney as its almost free marketing for them.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I’m a big time picture/video taker and take tons of my own pics at WDW. And still we purchase MM every time. We’ve had some awesome interactions with photographers through the years and always love the added creativity they brought to the photos. Back in the day when you had to get them put on discs I can remember having to leave hours available at the end of our stay to have them compiled because we took so many...

We like MM too, but if the parks are limited to 50% or less capacity, it only figures that the MM photographer numbers would be 50% too.

 

[andyman8]

With regard to the PhotoPass layoffs, I think these are more about Character Greetings not coming back anytime soon. Character Attendants are also supposed to feel the brunt of this. Of course, Disney may reduce some of the “icon” CMs, but you’ll still be able to find them. But the majority of PhotoPass CMs still are character-focused, so that’s why it’s being hit especially hard.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

I think that is my plan. I am going to offer to take pics for awkward looking people and then in turn, ask them to take a pic of me.

Me too, plus we can always sanitize hands after using their camera/phone, germ free.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Probably.

I'm just basing my answer on people's reactions to things that I read, I figure a lot of people would be weirded out if you asked them to take your picture.

I, for the record, would not be weirded out.

As a self identified mild germaphobe even pre-covid, I have never liked touching other people’s phones to take photos. They are always smudgy with fingerprints, you know some people use their phones in bathroom (ekkkkkkkk). I have always obliged when asked though, everyone deserves good photos at Disney with everyone in their party in them!

I would probably cringe about it internally just as I always have, but still take the photo Phones are just so dirty, though.