Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Farro]

i'm just waiting for casey's to open, i know they have the markers on the floor etc.
But really I'm just grateful for Gaston's.

Also I mentioned this before but more TS restaurants are getting added to mobile order - Kona Cafe most notably.

That's a nice add.

I like the mobile order at table service solely for the fact that when we go in May hopefully more people order take-out and we have more chances to get reservations at these places!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Any news of more restaurants/carts/anything opening soon?

Biometric scanners return to Universal today!!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1313846333606944768

(ok, not as much fun as a spring roll cart)

 

[MrsBooch]

I like the mobile order at table service solely for the fact that when we go in May hopefully more people order take-out and we have more chances to get reservations at these places!

Totally. I also like it because I love the idea of having my fave dishes, in alternative locations - there are so many lovely little corners in the deluxe resorts, I always walk by and think - oh that would be nice to just sit down and take a break.

 

[mattpeto]

The mask rule will be gone when the mask rule is gone. No sooner. It won’t be an announced thing where they say “June 23rd 2021 we will be welcoming guests back without masks”, it’ll just be phased out. Probably outdoors first, still required indoors and then throughout.

I don’t fault the question because with Florida moving ahead in a lot of areas, it’s a valid question to ask when you don’t spend hours on Disney news sites. But whether your trip is next week, or in October 2023, have it in your mind that you will be required to wear a mask on your trip, at least on WDW property.

If the rule is relaxed, great, that means we’re in a good position with the virus because Disney will likely be one of the last businesses in the country that relaxes that mandate, but I wouldn’t expect the day mask mandates throughout the country being relaxed is the day Disney relaxes theirs, they’ll likely still keep them around as a precaution a few weeks/months afterwards

I kind of envision a big bang or a Disney reset at all once. Things like Meet & Greets, interactive Character Dining, Dining Plan, Parties, Parades will all return when the masks aren't needed. We are just ways away...

I do think it's possible that the fireworks and park hopping returns before the big bang, but not much else.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I kind of envision a big bang or a Disney reset at all once. Things like Meet & Greets, interactive Character Dining, Dining Plan, Parties, Parades will all return when the masks aren't needed. We are just ways away...

I do think it's possible that the fireworks and park hopping returns before the big bang, but not much else.

I feel like a lot of things, for them to return, more guests (and thus revenue creation) are needed. Things like fireworks, parades, dining plan, longer park hours, before/after hours hard ticket even etc. aren't really impacted directly by masks being worn or not, it is having enough guests to justify the expense.

Now, maybe it is a chicken/egg scenario where until it is safe enough to not necessitate masks there is now way the crowd levels will get there, but I think it is more indirect than direct

things like the traditional meet and greet structure is more directly connected I think

 

[Farro]

CSR/GDT friends - T minus 7 days until we find out what's opening as far as restaurants/building sections. I'm sure if they weren't opening at all we'd have heard by now of people getting switched.

I hope no one's trip is affected too much.

 

[Brianstl]

Biometric scanners return to Universal today!!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1313846333606944768

(ok, not as much fun as a spring roll cart)

I really don't get why Universal is doing this. I know health wise it really isn't a huge risk, but it will make many people uncomfortable.

 

[jlwhitney]

100% same

And for the oneos that are only going because of the strict mask rules there are many more that would go more if they weren't as strict.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I feel like today is a good day to channel...

(And never forget the ignore button is a beautiful thing...)

 

[MrsBooch]

And for the oneos that are only going because of the strict mask rules there are many more that would go more if they weren't as strict.

ok....that is not easily quantifiable and seems very subjective based on personal views.

but you know what's great? it doesnt matter. bc they're required.

 

[yulilin3]

Biometric scanners return to Universal today!!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1313846333606944768

(ok, not as much fun as a spring roll cart)

They were using biometrics last week when i went. They wipe it down after each guest and there's hand sanitizer station right after

 

[osufeth24]

I really don't get why Universal is doing this. I know health wise it really isn't a huge risk, but it will make many people uncomfortable.

meh, I mean they're wiping it down after each guest. Just sanitize right after also.

 

[yulilin3]

Just got back from streaming at AK, the queues are getting quite ridiculous. Around 11am KS was at the entrance to FotLK, FoP was snaking around into FotLK as well, EE was at the entrance to FNtM, other than that all the walkways were quite empty, it's like to separate experiences.
Still was able to rope drop (in the park by 8:50am) KS with no wait, walked right on, then walked Gorilla Falls trail with not a lot of people. There were managers everywhere today, looking at the long queues, I'm sure something will happen "soon" either opening up the shows or capacity restored to normal on rides, even though KS was basically loading at full capacity anyways

 

[cristen72]

I don't know all the big picture details, but I wanted to report here that our first week of December trip over at All Stars (which will still be closed) was moved to an AoA family suite for the same price.

I wonder if some of the lack of availability is due to rooms being filled with All Star guests who got bumped.

Of course, my example is for December and not November.

Did they contact you or did you call them? We have a Christmas reservation at AS Movies. I’d love an AoA suite! I’m afraid we will be moved to Pop and I’m not interested in that.

 

[MrsBooch]

Just got back from streaming at AK, the queues are getting quite ridiculous. Around 11am KS was at the entrance to FotLK, FoP was snaking around into FotLK as well, EE was at the entrance to FNtM, other than that all the walkways were quite empty, it's like to separate experiences.
Still was able to rope drop (in the park by 8:50am) KS with no wait, walked right on, then walked Gorilla Falls trail with not a lot of people. There were managers everywhere today, looking at the long queues, I'm sure something will happen "soon" either opening up the shows or capacity restored to normal on rides, even though KS was basically loading at full capacity anyways

I just wanted to say that I SO appreciate your coming back and telling us these things almost on the daily. It's so helpful.

 

[yulilin3]

I just wanted to say that I SO appreciate your coming back and telling us these things almost on the daily. It's so helpful.

You're very welcome. That's the main reason i joined this forum many many years ago, I feel very lucky to be able to visit often and ive always liked helping others plan their trips. In these super crazy times i think it's important to bring current info as often as possible and not sugar coat anything, which is why i love the live stream aspect, there's no video edit, it is what it is

 

[HokieRaven5]

Just got back from streaming at AK, the queues are getting quite ridiculous. Around 11am KS was at the entrance to FotLK, FoP was snaking around into FotLK as well, EE was at the entrance to FNtM, other than that all the walkways were quite empty, it's like to separate experiences.
Still was able to rope drop (in the park by 8:50am) KS with no wait, walked right on, then walked Gorilla Falls trail with not a lot of people. There were managers everywhere today, looking at the long queues, I'm sure something will happen "soon" either opening up the shows or capacity restored to normal on rides, even though KS was basically loading at full capacity anyways

Yeah they need to make some type of shift to help this out. Expand hours, expand capacity on rides, or open up shows but there needs to be something to balance their obvious increases to park capacity.

 

[andyman8]

Just got back from streaming at AK, the queues are getting quite ridiculous. Around 11am KS was at the entrance to FotLK, FoP was snaking around into FotLK as well, EE was at the entrance to FNtM, other than that all the walkways were quite empty, it's like to separate experiences.
Still was able to rope drop (in the park by 8:50am) KS with no wait, walked right on, then walked Gorilla Falls trail with not a lot of people. There were managers everywhere today, looking at the long queues, I'm sure something will happen "soon" either opening up the shows or capacity restored to normal on rides, even though KS was basically loading at full capacity anyways

And part of the issue is that, even if Disney did started filling every seat on the rides (which I’m not sure they’ll jump right into, even UOR is still not filling every seat of every row), you still have this long physically distant queues with everyone spaced, so they’re still going to snake well beyond where they normally would. Another complication is that you have most of the ride’s capacity coming from the “standby” line so everyone is in that one queue, versus anywhere from 25% to 60% of capacity coming from the FP line, so the lack of that second queue elongates the physical line further.

The three “fixes” I’ve heard some discussion about recently are:

A) Bringing back some shows. There’s been chatter about this since the AE Union disagreement ended, but up to this point, WDW’s upper level management (which would make the call to bring any back) has been pretty quiet about it from what I understand. They announced Frozen returning and there seems to be some rumblings that maybe more could be on the way. But again, we’re talking about some shows, certainly not all. They could just be further kicking the can (they said Labor Day and here we are a month later), so we’ll see.

B) Some sort of virtual queue service. Whether they use the FP/FP+ branding, I don’t know (I doubt it), but there is apparently renewed interest in this project after IT spent some time earlier this year trying to develop a reliable system to no avail (mind you, they were under considerable time restraints and operating with very limited resources, or that’s what they say). With Standby Pass rolling out at DLP after success in SDL and TDR, they’re looking closely at it for WDW. Will WDW get a carbon copy? Likely not. It may not get anything at all, but there hasn’t been any chatter about FP/VQs since the reopening so I find it interesting talk of it has suddenly been resurrected.

Now, take this next part with a grain of salt but I thought it was very interesting. Apparently, one possibility for an “ideal” system at full rollout (which would be quite a while from now) would be a combination of virtual queue (I.e. “standby”) and a paid queue-bypass option (i.e. “FastPass”). Imagine if you combined Standby Pass (here’s your assigned return time) and a paid FP (ride one time whenever you want). I’m very very skeptical this could happen but it’s an interesting possibility.

C) This goes without saying but expect more “tweaks” like more small QS openings, shop reopenings, things like that to give Guests more spaces to go. Some of it may still be weekends-only, given that (maybe with the exception of DHS), weekdays are still seeing smaller crowds than weekends.

 

[mattpeto]

And part of the issue is that, even if Disney did started filling every seat on the rides (which I’m not sure they’ll jump right into, even UOR is still not filling every seat of every row), you still have this long physically distant queues with everyone spaced, so they’re still going to snake well beyond where they normally would. Another complication is that you have most of the ride’s capacity coming from the “standby” line so everyone is in that one queue, versus anywhere from 25% to 60% of capacity coming from the FP line, so the lack of that second queue elongates the physical line further.

The three “fixes” I’ve heard some discussion about recently are:

A) Bringing back some shows. There’s been chatter about this since the AE Union disagreement ended, but up to this point, WDW’s upper level management (which would make the call to bring any back) has been pretty quiet about it from what I understand. They announced Frozen returning and there seems to be some rumblings that maybe more could be on the way. But again, we’re talking about some shows, certainly not all. They could just be further kicking the can (they said Labor Day and here we are a month later), so we’ll see.

B) Some sort of virtual queue service. Whether they use the FP/FP+ branding, I don’t know (I doubt it), but there is apparently renewed interest in this project after IT spent some time earlier this year trying to develop a reliable system to no avail (mind you, they were under considerable time restraints and operating with very limited resources, or that’s what they say). With Standby Pass rolling out at DLP after success in SDL and TDR, they’re looking closely at it for WDW. Will WDW get a carbon copy? Likely not. It may not get anything at all, but there hasn’t been any chatter about FP/VQs since the reopening so I find it interesting talk of it has suddenly been resurrected.

Now, take this next part with a grain of salt but I thought it was very interesting. Apparently, one possibility for an “ideal” system at full rollout (which would be quite a while from now) would be a combination of virtual queue (I.e. “standby”) and a paid queue-bypass option (i.e. “FastPass”). Imagine if you combined Standby Pass (here’s your assigned return time) and a paid FP (ride one time whenever you want). I’m very very skeptical this could happen but it’s an interesting possibility.

C) This goes without saying but expect more “tweaks” like more small QS openings, shop reopenings, things like that to give Guests more spaces to go. Some of it may still be weekends-only, given that (maybe with the exception of DHS), weekdays are still seeing smaller crowds than weekends.

Good stuff, thanks for sharing. I can't imagine they do anything significant through the end of 2020, but we'll see.

 

[fatmanatee]

And for the oneos that are only going because of the strict mask rules there are many more that would go more if they weren't as strict.

There is some polling on this:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1313895018957082624