Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[leannak]

That promo felt a lot to me like the narrative they will be trying to push is that the celebration will be what YOU make of it... Family, friends, excitement, "classic rides" are what will make it a magical time.... In other words, steering expectations away from the idea that magic is going to come from new rides or entertainment options, and instead be about celebrating with the people you love.
Not a criticism, just an observation as I'm sure people have expectations on what they think it should look like based on what was said about what the 50th was going to look like before covid changed all that.

That sounds like a very astute observation to me!

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I'm hoping we just get more info about the 50th soon so people can plan. My timeline for our trip is fairly flexible so I could push our summer trip out probably but not worth it to me unless there's something worth waiting for. Fingers crossed something is said one way or the other!

 

[rpb718]

That promo felt a lot to me like the narrative they will be trying to push is that the celebration will be what YOU make of it... Family, friends, excitement, "classic rides" are what will make it a magical time.... In other words, steering expectations away from the idea that magic is going to come from new rides or entertainment options, and instead be about celebrating with the people you love.
Not a criticism, just an observation as I'm sure people have expectations on what they think it should look like based on what was said about what the 50th was going to look like before covid changed all that.

Come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary at The Most Magical Place on Earth*



* Magic not included

 

[MrsBooch]

I watched the promo - saw some illustrations superimposed into the video - castle, spaceship earth, animal kingdom and ToT projections possibly?

also I am digging the costume for Mickey - love the fabric and color scheme

 

[scrappinginontario]

My sister just called Disney's reservation line and was told she could not put in a room request due to the fact she booked her room and tickets separately and not in a package. Is this true and has this always been the case?

I’ve never heard of this. Has she tried checking in online? Usually you can add room requests there, but requests are limited online.

I would recommend calling and seeing if she gets the same answer from a different CM.

 

[gottalovepluto]

My sister just called Disney's reservation line and was told she could not put in a room request due to the fact she booked her room and tickets separately and not in a package. Is this true and has this always been the case?

Not true. (Sometimes you get bad apple reps that try to push customers to cancel and book with them by threatening them with no room requests. Magical how they say they can cancel your room but they can’t make a room request It’s rare but literally happened to me so I know it’s true.) That said, if she booked via an agency it is possible the agency will have to make the request for her. Other than that anyone can make a room request. There is definitely no ticket requirement.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Come and celebrate the 50th Anniversary at The Most Magical Place on Earth*



* Magic not included

BYOM

 

[hereforthechurros]

AP magnet at AK for a very limited time it seems. Per the AP Facebook page:

A complimentary magnet returns and other exclusive offerings await at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park weekdays from 2/22–3/19, while supplies last.

 

[lluv3971]

My sister just called Disney's reservation line and was told she could not put in a room request due to the fact she booked her room and tickets separately and not in a package. Is this true and has this always been the case?

Definitely has not been the case. As an AP, I only make "room only" reservations and have made room requests over the phone. It *could* be a new policy, but that would not make much sense. It sounds like she reached an inexperienced CM and got the wrong info. I would have her call again.

Then again, anything is possible these days.

 

[rockpiece]

Welp I can confirm that one side of tower is down, in the boiler room now and they just moved people off the far elevators and closed that part off

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

That promo felt a lot to me like the narrative they will be trying to push is that the celebration will be what YOU make of it... Family, friends, excitement, "classic rides" are what will make it a magical time.... In other words, steering expectations away from the idea that magic is going to come from new rides or entertainment options, and instead be about celebrating with the people you love.
Not a criticism, just an observation as I'm sure people have expectations on what they think it should look like based on what was said about what the 50th was going to look like before covid changed all that.

The new "announcements" for the 50th have solidified my decision to go to Aulani instead. It's our 10th anniversary, we go to the parks all the time, my room at the Contemporary is $$$, and I just don't see the justification given the lack of offerings. I have a pretty wild Disney pricing and general nonsense tolerance, but I'm going to need more than a few decorations and Mickey/Minnie's new clothes for it to make sense to be there on the big day. I know we likely don't know everything that will happen for the 50th yet, but between prices and the certainly insane crowds, I am 90% out.

We are buying DVC next month anyway so Aulani is also a great opportunity to use our points.

 

[Sandiz08]

We will be aiming for October 2022, not sure if things will be significantly better by then. This year we already have other plans, just not worth it to us to use the tickets we purchased at full price.

 

[Princess Merida]

At least now we know it will go on for 18 months so it will be likely that some of it will be celebrated when Disney is back to normal. With all of these changes though who knows what normal will be.

 

[helloconnie]

I felt the 50th Anniversary segment was more for the masses who might not know that this is WDWs 50th. Its a way to draw interest and get the general public thinking about a WDW vacation. It did not offer really anything to the Disney fanatics that know what this year is and has expectations for the celebration.

 

[Jacq7414]

We will be aiming for October 2022, not sure if things will be significantly better by then. This year we already have other plans, just not worth it to us to use the tickets we purchased at full price.

I sure hope they are. I can’t deal with another year and a half of this

 

[hereforthechurros]

That 50th email was laaaaaaame. The little details that used to be part of the magic or surprise of Disney are now being hyped 8 months out and frankly aren’t hype worthy. Gold accents on the castle? Sorry but who cares.

Trying to figure out if it means fireworks could come back before the 50th or if they’re really planning on doing a 50th celebration without them.

 

[SMRT-1]

That promo felt a lot to me like the narrative they will be trying to push is that the celebration will be what YOU make of it... Family, friends, excitement, "classic rides" are what will make it a magical time.... In other words, steering expectations away from the idea that magic is going to come from new rides or entertainment options, and instead be about celebrating with the people you love.
Not a criticism, just an observation as I'm sure people have expectations on what they think it should look like based on what was said about what the 50th was going to look like before covid changed all that.

How long before Chapek decides to take things a step further beyond his statement that, "Cast members are the entertainment.", and starts pushing the idea that "Guests are their own entertainment."?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

That 50th email was laaaaaaame. The little details that used to be part of the magic or surprise of Disney are now being hyped 8 months out and frankly aren’t hype worthy. Gold accents on the castle? Sorry but who cares.

Trying to figure out if it means fireworks could come back before the 50th or if they’re really planning on doing a 50th celebration without them.

What do you want them to do, though? WDW is turning 50 during a pandemic. Announce something they potentially can’t deliver? I think it is prudent for them to do a little sneak peek now and as the situation improves, announce more. There will surely be more during the 18 months. I think this teaser makes sense for today’s uncertainty - all the the things they announced today will 100% happen. It is smart for them to underpromise and over deliver.

Better to have people be underwhelmed now and surprise them later with more, than to over promise and disappoint them later if they have to scale back due to any unfavorable covid developments.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

What do you want them to do, though? WDW is turning 50 during a pandemic. Announce something they potentially can’t deliver? I think it is prudent for them to do a little sneak peek now and as the situation improves, announce more. There will surely be more during the 18 months. I think this teaser makes sense for today’s uncertainty - all the the things they announced today will 100% happen. It is smart for them to underpromise and over deliver.

Better to have people be underwhelmed now and surprise them later with more, than to over promise and disappoint them later if they have to scale back due to any unfavorable covid developments.

Totally agree with this. Hopefully the pandemic begins to subside and today's announcements will just be the tip of the iceberg. But I do believe that they will have to do more if they really want to entice visitors to come for the anniversary. Nothing I saw today would have me jumping to book a trip.

 

[hereforthechurros]

What do you want them to do, though? WDW is turning 50 during a pandemic. Announce something they potentially can’t deliver? I think it is prudent for them to do a little sneak peek now and as the situation improves, announce more. There will surely be more during the 18 months. I think this teaser makes sense for today’s uncertainty - all the the things they announced today will 100% happen. It is smart for them to underpromise and over deliver.

Better to have people be underwhelmed now and surprise them later with more, than to over promise and disappoint them later if they have to scale back due to any unfavorable covid developments.

I hold Disney to an extremely high standard. They are a Fortune 4 company and have lead the entertainment industry for almost two decades now. They have the capital and means to get creative. They are choosing not to. Of course they are limited in some ways, but not all ways. I understand due to the timeline they had to launch their marketing campaign for the 50th like, now, but it doesn't mean I have to get excited about things that aren't that exciting. As more things roll out, great, but what they rolled out today isn't anything really. I'd rather show up and see the castle and M&M in their new gear as a sweet, unexpected surprise. Not sure that's going to draw anyone to book a full price vacation. That's my take on it, I didn't say anyone else needs to feel that way