Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[SaintsManiac]

Exactly, if they had planned to do that, they would have increased the price for NYE at the few resorts that you can actually see fireworks from.
We had booked a theme park view Poly studio for NYE back in February to see the NYE fireworks for the first time, but cancelled it a couple months ago when we realized they wouldn’t be doing anything. We’ll try again next year. Definitely not worth the point cost just to go and sit in the room.

I think people must be really dedicated to spend what WDW is charging right now on NYE.

 

[mshanson3121]

I wonder if they could do a small show right on 7 seas lagoon ... maybe have the Electric Water Pagent do a round and then a small fireworks show ... probably not worth it to coordinate and the expense of running it, but would be nice for those paying big $ to stay at a monorail resort that night

Could they not do something at the stadium where they hold Fantasmic? I mean, it's outdoors, you can easily seat people within social distancing guidelines.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Could they not do something at the stadium where they hold Fantasmic? I mean, it's outdoors, you can easily seat people within social distancing guidelines.

I guess it comes down to that they *could* do a lot of things - but clearly they don't think it is worth the effort or expense ... and if they are reaching capacity some of the time (and I suspect will hit it even more often urding the holidays) - why bother?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I think people must be really dedicated to spend what WDW is charging right now on NYE.

And therein lies WDW’s prob. Not enough are. Can’t imagine they’d be pushing out this weirdo celebrate/please don’t celebrate situation if they weren’t looking at some nasty on-site numbers.

Alas something tells me people aren’t gonna drop their NYE plans and rush off to WDW to stay on-site with the news they will be allowed to pay Disney prices for booze at the pool bar after midnight.

 

[mshanson3121]

I think people must be really dedicated to spend what WDW is charging right now on NYE.

Agree. A few pages ago someone made the comment that charging for FP+ with things right now would be highway robbery. Quite honestly, I think charging full price for a ticket right now is highway robbery - reduced hours, reduced entertainment, reduced stores & restaurants, reduced characters, no FP+ etc...

DH, FIL and I were having the discussion on prices the other day, and what will happen when things go "back to normal". FIL figured they'd have a bunch of good discounts come late 2021/2022 to draw and people back to make up for all the money they have lost. DH said the opposite, they'll jack prices, because there'll be no need to create demand, because people will come in hoardes, grateful to be able to go "safely" again. I figure they'll jack prices and offer a discount, so that you're still paying more than the year before but you'll feel good, like you're getting a deal, lol.

 

[skeeter31]

Could they not do something at the stadium where they hold Fantasmic? I mean, it's outdoors, you can easily seat people within social distancing guidelines.

I also don’t think they’d want HS to be the first park to have some sort of nighttime entertainment. Hard enough to get a reservation to that park as it is. Plus, I think the stadium situation would be a nightmare for Disney when the show ends with everyone rushing to exit. Would lead to some unsavory pictures of crowds that Disney doesn’t want.

 

[dislee1164]

Hotel bars open = problem solved!

The past 3 years have quickly become a tradition for us to spend NYE at Disney (specifically Epcot). We have SO much fun! We’re from Ohio, so it’s our big annual trip with the kids. So, count me in on those who are disappointed about the cancellations. However, as with all of 2020, we will try to make the best of it, and as long as resort bars are open, I have a feeling it will be a festive time
Happy New Year everyone!

 

[skeeter31]

That Royal Caribbean cruise to no where out of Singapore that was one of their test cruises is now in quarantine and heading back to port as an 80+ year old passenger tested positive for COVID while onboard. It was the 3rd test cruise for RC.
https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5780/

 

[mshanson3121]

I also don’t think they’d want HS to be the first park to have some sort of nighttime entertainment. Hard enough to get a reservation to that park as it is. Plus, I think the stadium situation would be a nightmare for Disney when the show ends with everyone rushing to exit. Would lead to some unsavory pictures of crowds that Disney doesn’t want.

True.... that place is a disaster at exit...

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I don’t know, it feels pretty clear yet the answer to why can’t Disney bring back ________ when I have a safe solution they could use, is because at this point it is not solely or at all about figuring out how to do things safely.

I truly believe despite individual opinions on travel, they are dealing with a large chunk of their normal clientele unwilling to come at this time almost no matter what Disney does or doesn’t offer. I think if something like a safe NYE fireworks show was enough to move the needle on resort stays in particular it would happen, but they know better than we do why people are or aren’t coming. IRT the ticket prices, I think they know those who are willing to come are not being otherwise deterred by ticket pricing.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

And therein lies WDW’s prob. Not enough are. Can’t imagine they’d be pushing out this weirdo celebrate/please don’t celebrate situation if they weren’t looking at some nasty on-site numbers.

Alas something tells me people aren’t gonna drop their NYE plans and rush off to WDW to stay on-site with the news they will be allowed to pay Disney prices for booze at the pool bar after midnight.

yeah, feels like they are doing ok from a parks attendance/capacity perspective but I see a lot of people reporting that the resorts feel like ghost towns - so makes sense to push what celebrations they are doing to the resorts along with things like the Character Caravans to get promote staying at the resorts some - but I don't think it is enough

Agree. A few pages ago someone made the comment that charging for FP+ with things right now would be highway robbery. Quite honestly, I think charging full price for a ticket right now is highway robbery - reduced hours, reduced entertainment, reduced stores & restaurants, reduced characters, no FP+ etc...

DH, FIL and I were having the discussion on prices the other day, and what will happen when things go "back to normal". FIL figured they'd have a bunch of good discounts come late 2021/2022 to draw and people back to make up for all the money they have lost. DH said the opposite, they'll jack prices, because there'll be no need to create demand, because people will come in hoardes, grateful to be able to go "safely" again. I figure they'll jack prices and offer a discount, so that you're still paying more than the year before but you'll feel good, like you're getting a deal, lol.

I really don't see Disney ever reducing the base cost of anything - but I do think that once they can get back to "normal" capacity levels we will see a lot of discounts on packages and things like that which at least appear to make it a good value (basically the same idea behind offering free dining - things like that)

though depends when that can be as I think once they get to next Oct they wont' need big discounts as people will come for what 50th stuff there is and then next holiday season, etc. - so might not be really until early 2022 that we see big promotions

 

[SaintsManiac]

I figure they'll jack prices and offer a discount, so that you're still paying more than the year before but you'll feel good, like you're getting a deal, lol.

This is what will happen.

I'm sitting on very old, unused hopper tickets right now. If we use those and stay offsite we save literally thousands of dollars compared to what the package I have booked is costing us. Now that is before any "discount" they offer next year. I am anxiously waiting to see what happens.

 

[SaintsManiac]

so might not be really until early 2022 that we see big promotions

I agree with this, also and it's what I am hoping for. It would work for me and my personal strategy lol.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I agree with this, also and it's what I am hoping for. It would work for me and my personal strategy lol.

Lol my personal strategy: I’m pretty resigned to being stuck with obscene prices when we finally get back, as it will probably be the point where EVERYBODY feels like its safe. Oh well.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Lol my personal strategy: I’m pretty resigned to being stuck with obscene prices when we finally get back, as it will probably be the point where EVERYBODY feels like its safe. Oh well.

Don't worry I will be paying the highest prices every time we go since we decided to stick with Thanksgiving week from now on.

 

[Farro]

Lol my personal strategy: I’m pretty resigned to being stuck with obscene prices when we finally get back, as it will probably be the point where EVERYBODY feels like its safe. Oh well.

Our strategy is to go in May, enjoy the (lessened) experience with our awesome discount, then save up a ridiculous amount of amount of money to go again in 2023.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That Royal Caribbean cruise to no where out of Singapore that was one of their test cruises is now in quarantine and heading back to port as an 80+ year old passenger tested positive for COVID while onboard. It was the 3rd test cruise for RC.
https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5780/

Cruises should just stop trying at this point.

 

[mshanson3121]

though depends when that can be as I think once they get to next Oct they wont' need big discounts as people will come for what 50th stuff there is and then next holiday season, etc. - so might not be really until early 2022 that we see big promotions

I agree with this, also and it's what I am hoping for. It would work for me and my personal strategy lol.

Haha, this is what I'm hoping for. We're aiming for June 2022, so a nice big spring/summer promotion would be GREAT lol.

 

[hertamaniac]

Cruises should just stop trying at this point.

I think they need to find the loopholes, address them, and move forward. There could be another new, unknown virus that could come in the future. They should use this opportunity to learn.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Our strategy is to go in May, enjoy the (lessened) experience with our awesome discount, then save up a ridiculous amount of amount of money to go again in 2023.

We have our area trip booked for the coming late March/Early April - which we may or may not keep

Then we are booked for the actual 50th next October. We were thinking of doing like a "year of Disney" off of that but now am not sure

I am leaning towards saving for something big in 2023 as well - it is my 45th birthday, my wife and mine 20th wedding anniversary, and my 20th work anniversary for which I will get a one time use extra 4 weeks of vacation, so need to think of what to use that for. Actually thinking of Europe which would, of course, include a stop at Disneyland Paris