Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[skeeter31]

Ok, long shot but maybe someone in here has an answer (have asked this in a few other threads, including the "here now just back" without success). DH and I will be staying at YC over Thanksgiving week and have a 7:40 ADR at CG, MK closes at 9 that night and I know transportation will run for a while after to get everyone out, and I don't see our meal lasting much later than 9 *fingers crossed), but will the walkway still be open after park close to get back to ride a bus back to YC? I know pre-covid we could walk back and forth, but didn't know if they close it down at park close or not, or even how late the resort monorail is running now to get people around. I really don't want to drive (we do have a car but we want a few drinks), and have hang ups on getting in strangers cars (I'm not a huge fan of Uber & Lyft in the best of times, much less during Covid), just want to make sure we won't get stuck at CR after our meal.

I would think the walkway would stay open later but I’m not 100% sure as the temp screeners would probably leave once the park closes.
Worst case scenario is you could catch a bus from contemporary to DS and then from DS to YC.

 

[brockash]

Ok, long shot but maybe someone in here has an answer (have asked this in a few other threads, including the "here now just back" without success). DH and I will be staying at YC over Thanksgiving week and have a 7:40 ADR at CG, MK closes at 9 that night and I know transportation will run for a while after to get everyone out, and I don't see our meal lasting much later than 9 *fingers crossed), but will the walkway still be open after park close to get back to ride a bus back to YC? I know pre-covid we could walk back and forth, but didn't know if they close it down at park close or not, or even how late the resort monorail is running now to get people around. I really don't want to drive (we do have a car but we want a few drinks), and have hang ups on getting in strangers cars (I'm not a huge fan of Uber & Lyft in the best of times, much less during Covid), just want to make sure we won't get stuck at CR after our meal.

I can't imagine it'll be closed. Also the resort monorail would still be open until 10pm as well, so you could take that too. If all else fails and for some crazy reason they won't let you back into the bus area (cannot see that happening at all) visit the front desk at CR and they'll figure out a way to get you back to your resort without a cost to you or a need for you to go to DS first etc.

 

[MrsBooch]

Certainly provides hope for 2021 - do hope people don't react with "well, the vaccine is here so screw wearing a mask anymore" ... for quite some time following the current protocols will be way more important than any direct impact of a vaccine

it's all about education - i hope we have some education rolling out along with these vaccines - regular people know a lot more about a lot of basic medical things now like washing hands, sanitizing, how things transfer, how they dont, etc - i just hope that pushes through to the next phase. Vaccine does not equal immunity and free face time.

 

[Sarahslay]

I don't know for sure, but I expect the answer is probably yes. We had a late ADR in MK in September, and at that time they were stopping the monorail at the normal time but keeping buses running until everyone was out of the park. We were staying at Contemporary and were told specifically that the buses were not going to Contemporary, you had to take the path. Walking along, not only was it open but there really wasn't anything set up that made it look like they ever close it -- no barriers pulled aside or anything like that. The security check was closed, but you can just walk around it. Now that was almost two months ago, so no guarantee that is what is still happening, but I expect you will not be stranded at CR so soon after park close.

Thank you! I do tend to find the oddest things to be anxious about on my trips lol. I just wish the park was open a little bit later so we could go back in, but I'll take what I can get.

I would think the walkway would stay open later but I’m not 100% sure as the temp screeners would probably leave once the park closes.
Worst case scenario is you could catch a bus from contemporary to DS and then from DS to YC.

That is what people keep suggesting and I just can't see my DH wanting to take that much time to get back, especially since buses from DS to resorts can take forever to how up sometimes (and DS at night on a weekend before a holiday......eeck!)

I can't imagine it'll be closed. Also the resort monorail would still be open until 10pm as well, so you could take that too. If all else fails and for some crazy reason they won't let you back into the bus area (cannot see that happening at all) visit the front desk at CR and they'll figure out a way to get you back to your resort without a cost to you or a need for you to go to DS first etc.

Never thought about trying the front desk, hopefully it doesn't come down to that, but at least I have options.

 

[brockash]

Thank you! I do tend to find the oddest things to be anxious about on my trips lol. I just wish the park was open a little bit later so we could go back in, but I'll take what I can get.



That is what people keep suggesting and I just can't see my DH wanting to take that much time to get back, especially since buses from DS to resorts can take forever to how up sometimes (and DS at night on a weekend before a holiday......eeck!)



Never thought about trying the front desk, hopefully it doesn't come down to that, but at least I have options.

I hadn't either until we got stuck at a very delayed/late Ohana reservation one year and the monorail was closed...when we got there the ppl said it was closed and to go to the front desk and they'd arrange transportation for us. Since, I've seen it happen many times at a number of resorts pre and post covid.

 

[rteetz]

Welcome back and sounds like you had a good time.

Does "busy" for you mean that queues were long or there was congestion in places or both?

How did you feel about queue length? (Better, worse or the same as "normal" times?)

What was your Rise experience? How fast was it gobbled up when you didn't get it at 7:00 AM?

Overall, would you have said it was "worth" the cost despite the restrictions/closing? (In other words did the lower crowds make up for the lack of other things) --- knowing that as a uber Disney fan your perspective would be different than say a family going for the first or second time ever.

Not back yet at Universal now.

Busy for me would be that I can’t find places to social distance properly and that crowds were above normal. Some lines were definitely long. Overall queues were fine.

Rise went in about 10 seconds at 7AM.

I have an AP so cost is already built in. I definitely would come back during these times and am planning on it. I think currently there is enough to make it worth it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thank you! I do tend to find the oddest things to be anxious about on my trips lol. I just wish the park was open a little bit later so we could go back in, but I'll take what I can get.



That is what people keep suggesting and I just can't see my DH wanting to take that much time to get back, especially since buses from DS to resorts can take forever to how up sometimes (and DS at night on a weekend before a holiday......eeck!)



Never thought about trying the front desk, hopefully it doesn't come down to that, but at least I have options.

you are not alone, I definitely would stress about this too - or at least have the worry in the back of my mind

I echo what others have said - you really *should* be fine with your plan and if for whatever reason it doesn't work, talk to the front desk and they will figure something out. They know that if the restaurant is open they need to have a way to get people back to their resort

 

[Eric Smith]

Maybe I just can be pessimistic and worry about things like CMs now having to deal with more people having attitudes of "why bother forcing me to wear this mask when a vaccine is right around the corner!"

Fully agree that it will take time for enough of the population to get it (and plus will have to worry about people that won't take it) - but this is definitely a positive - the earlier one can be deemed safe and roll-out can start, the earlier we can get to that point of sufficient distribution, etc.

I'd be worried about people lying about getting the vaccine to get out of wearing a mask. I don't think masks are going anywhere for quite a while.

 

[jpeterson]

I'd be worried about people lying about getting the vaccine to get out of wearing a mask. I don't think masks are going anywhere for quite a while.

Which is why I don't think mask usage will be tied directly to vaccines. It will be tied to infection rates which should correlate with vaccination. That's what I would do, but for some reason they don't ask me!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Which is why I don't think mask usage will be tied directly to vaccines. It will be tied to infection rates which should correlate with vaccination. That's what I would do, but for some reason they don't ask me!

Exactly. Mask requirements will be lifted when transmission is low, which will hopefully be a result of an effective vaccine. We’ll still be in masks for quite some time after the vaccine begins to roll out because it will take time to get to enough people to lower that transmission rate.

 

[yulilin3]

As @rteetz is still on vacation I'll come in and ask to not derail the thread with talks about this vaccine or masks, it's still all a wait and see

 

[tlmadden73]

Not back yet at Universal now.

Busy for me would be that I can’t find places to social distance properly and that crowds were above normal. Some lines were definitely long. Overall queues were fine.

Rise went in about 10 seconds at 7AM.

I have an AP so cost is already built in. I definitely would come back during these times and am planning on it. I think currently there is enough to make it worth it.

Cool! Enjoy Universal!

Queues were fine? May be hard to judge them since we've had FP+ all these years (which inflated the normal Standby lines) Okay .. basically did you feel you got "enough" done in your day? What was your longest wait .. and your shortest wait?

So .. I would gather that without "extras" to do (like M&Gs) and without "traffic jams" getting around .. you can "get" to more ride/show attractions than you would normally.

Sorry for all the questions .. just trying to get a real feel of how it is there before taking my family (worried about going with little kids without FastPass to make line waiting WAY more tolerable). As I have stated in other threads .. I only have an AP for my daughter .. so the "value" isn't really there unless I can get APs for the rest of us (and go more than once in 2021).

I know I'd personally be fine going in today's conditions by myself or with just the wife (as I have been many times) .. just worried about going with the kids (not planning on it until January .. which maybe will be less crowded than it is now? just due to time of of year?)

 

[MickeyWaffles]

As @rteetz is still on vacation I'll come in and ask to not derail the thread with talks about this vaccine or masks, it's still all a wait and see

I agree, it’s just nice to have a whiff of some good news for once that could impact the parks and potentially bring back more of those things that we love and miss.

 

[Jrb1979]

I agree, it’s just nice to have a whiff of some good news for once that could impact the parks and potentially bring back more of those things that we love and miss.

Sorry to laugh. I personally don't think a vaccine is going to change much in the way Disney is operating for awhile. Yes some things will be back, like some shows. Unless ressie's, I hate that term, start going up a lot not much will change.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Sorry to laugh. I personally don't think a vaccine is going to change much in the way Disney is operating for awhile. Yes some things will be back, like some shows. Unless ressie's, I hate that term, start going up a lot not much will change.

I agree - I said in my previous post that it will take a long time to make a difference. But this vaccine news is certainly not bad news and makes the long term future look a little brighter, at least for me - the parent of a high risk child who won’t be going to the parks anytime soon. It certainly is a bright light off in the distance for our family.

 

[ambula603]

Random - but what are the rules for taking umbrellas in the park? Do people still use them for shade while waiting in line?

 

[rteetz]

Cool! Enjoy Universal!

Queues were fine? May be hard to judge them since we've had FP+ all these years (which inflated the normal Standby lines) Okay .. basically did you feel you got "enough" done in your day? What was your longest wait .. and your shortest wait?

So .. I would gather that without "extras" to do (like M&Gs) and without "traffic jams" getting around .. you can "get" to more ride/show attractions than you would normally.

Sorry for all the questions .. just trying to get a real feel of how it is there before taking my family (worried about going with little kids without FastPass to make line waiting WAY more tolerable). As I have stated in other threads .. I only have an AP for my daughter .. so the "value" isn't really there unless I can get APs for the rest of us (and go more than once in 2021).

I know I'd personally be fine going in today's conditions by myself or with just the wife (as I have been many times) .. just worried about going with the kids (not planning on it until January .. which maybe will be less crowded than it is now? just due to time of of year?)

Definitely felt like I got enough done. I did everything at AK and DHS at least once outside of Aliens at DHS. MK I didn’t do mine train but that park saw that longest consistent waits. Epcot I only did two rides but focused on eating since I didn’t have a full day there.

 

[rteetz]

Random - but what are the rules for taking umbrellas in the park? Do people still use them for shade while waiting in line?

Yep

 

[Lewisc]

Ok, long shot but maybe someone in here has an answer (have asked this in a few other threads, including the "here now just back" without success). DH and I will be staying at YC over Thanksgiving week and have a 7:40 ADR at CG, MK closes at 9 that night and I know transportation will run for a while after to get everyone out, and I don't see our meal lasting much later than 9 *fingers crossed), but will the walkway still be open after park close to get back to ride a bus back to YC? I know pre-covid we could walk back and forth, but didn't know if they close it down at park close or not, or even how late the resort monorail is running now to get people around. I really don't want to drive (we do have a car but we want a few drinks), and have hang ups on getting in strangers cars (I'm not a huge fan of Uber & Lyft in the best of times, much less during Covid), just want to make sure we won't get stuck at CR after our meal.

You finish a nice meal at CG. Walk to MK bus depot, walk to bus slip, wait for one or more buses then take a bus to YC.

IF you don't like ride share why not just take a taxi? You'll could easily save an hour.

OR Use a designated driver. You might save $50, or more, on your drink check.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree - I said in my previous post that it will take a long time to make a difference. But this vaccine news is certainly not bad news and makes the long term future look a little brighter, at least for me - the parent of a high risk child who won’t be going to the parks anytime soon. It certainly is a bright light off in the distance for our family.

I think like the stock market, it is nice to be able to react to some positive news ... even if it doesn't mean a ton for the short term