Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[MickeyWaffles]

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.

We can agree to disagree. I’m a shareholder, former CM & current DVC member. I too hold them to a very high standard, but am also very realistic about the current world situation and how they can/should approach a big celebration given the current uncertainty.

We have a high risk child, so 2021 is out of the question for us - hoping to go in 2022 before our banked points expire. I would love to see these festive 50th touches and they make me excited for our next trip, especially knowing that there’s likely more to come.

Nothing ever seems good enough these days ...

 

[hereforthechurros]

We can agree to disagree. I’m a shareholder, former CM & current DVC member. I too hold them to a very high standard, but am also very realistic about the current world situation and how they can/should approach a big celebration given the current uncertainty.

We have a high risk child, so 2021 is out of the question for us - hoping to go in 2022 before our banked points expire. I would love to see these festive 50th touches and they make me excited for our next trip, especially knowing that there’s likely more to come.

Nothing ever seems good enough these days ...

Cool! AP and shareholder here too. We've been multiple times since reopening and have seen what it's like in the current climate. Like I ended my post with, that's just my take on it, not saying anyone else has to feel that way

 

[Aimeedyan]

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.

I got all excited and penciled in a weekday at AK and then realized they are handing out one of the magnets from F&G that I got before the parks closed last year.

I am hoping they do the same with the 2nd magnet that never was distributed!

It's a win-win for Disney. Push people to a park that is slow during the week + get rid of the backstock of magnets sitting in a warehouse somewhere.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Like I ended my post with, that's just my take on it, not saying anyone else has to feel that way

Yeah, you must have added that part after the fact, as it wasn’t included in what I quoted. Yes, everyone can think what they think.

As someone who has NOT gone since Feb. 2020, these sneak peak announcements today do make me excited for our hopeful visit in 2022.

 

[rpb718]

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.

I really believe that was their intention. I don't see lack of bookings for the last quarter of 2021 as an issue for WDW. And face it, if something specific like fireworks, parties, M&Gs, etc. were to be mentioned there would be a ton of folks calling in now to move their vacations they currently have on the books this year prior to be on or after.

 

[kylenne]

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

I totally get feeling this way, but I think about the alternative of Disney promising the moon & stars and then inevitably when something goes wrong Because Pandemic (construction delays, new restrictions or requirements, etc etc just pick something) and they have to scale things back. Then they get roasted with “Disney’s a giant corporation why are they so incompetent and promising things they can’t deliver, why did they get cheap, #ChapekOut” etc etc. Sometimes they just can’t win, and to me it’s better to underpromise and exceed low expectations than to set them too high. I guess mine were in the basement because I was pleasantly surprised at the other icons getting makeovers. I love sparkles and am easily entertained I guess!

I was never going to change my plans based on a tiny clip on GMA, I mean I booked as soon as it opened up months ago because I wanted to be at MK on the actual day with other diehard fans. I actually ended up extending our 50th weekend yesterday for totally unrelated reasons and booked Poly as a split after CR. I’m not disappointed by what I saw this morning, just eager to see the other things they have in store. (I hope it’s more sparkles lol)

 

[Jrb1979]

It's not just due to the pandemic the 50th is like this. A lot of this cost cutting that has been planned. They could easily have fireworks and night time shows back already. Other parks are doing it. Enjoy the new merch and special cupcakes.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

I'm just happy to get a defined start and end date! I think we'll keep our summer trip (unless we get a Disneyland opening and watch me switch gears so fast my whole family's head will spin) and just go again in summer 2022 to hopefully see the celebration in its actual glory.

I do think it does hype up some folks that are die hard fans. I spent all morning going back and forth wondering if I should extend our trip to see it then decided to just leave things be since I'd switch to Disneyland anyways if they open. (That's a whole other cry fest...)

The Tree of Life concept is so pretty, they should just keep that.

 

[kylenne]

It's not just due to the pandemic the 50th is like this. A lot of this cost cutting that has been planned. They could easily have fireworks and night time shows back already. Other parks are doing it. Enjoy the new merch and special cupcakes.

Oof, the WDW Magic jumped all the way out on this one.

I haven’t been since Nov. 2019, have not seen my gf in a year and not seen anything besides the inside of my house, my office, the place I got my shots, and Costco for the past year so yeah actually I’m going to enjoy the heck out of some merch and cupcakes lol

 

[bffer]

What are the chances of testing of the 50th stuff being done the week prior while I'm there?

 

[hereforthechurros]

Yeah, you must have added that part after the fact, as it wasn’t included in what I quoted. Yes, everyone can think what they think.

As someone who has NOT gone since Feb. 2020, these sneak peak announcements today do make me excited for our hopeful visit in 2022.

I do feel for you there. We're all looking at it through different lenses. We're lucky enough to have a very flexible schedule to go, quarantine and be tested so we've been able to visit. So in that way we are probably more spoiled about what Disney is currently offering vs. what we know they are capable of in some way. Even Julie, our parks super local, has commented many times that other parks are now back to almost normal offerings and WDW could find a way, and is choosing not to. I hope they will roll out more options that they are capable of and I am sure they will.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I totally get feeling this way, but I think about the alternative of Disney promising the moon & stars and then inevitably when something goes wrong Because Pandemic (construction delays, new restrictions or requirements, etc etc just pick something) and they have to scale things back. Then they get roasted with “Disney’s a giant corporation why are they so incompetent and promising things they can’t deliver, why did they get cheap, #ChapekOut” etc etc. Sometimes they just can’t win, and to me it’s better to underpromise and exceed low expectations than to set them too high. I guess mine were in the basement because I was pleasantly surprised at the other icons getting makeovers. I love sparkles and am easily entertained I guess!

I was never going to change my plans based on a tiny clip on GMA, I mean I booked as soon as it opened up months ago because I wanted to be at MK on the actual day with other diehard fans. I actually ended up extending our 50th weekend yesterday for totally unrelated reasons and booked Poly as a split after CR. I’m not disappointed by what I saw this morning, just eager to see the other things they have in store. (I hope it’s more sparkles lol)

Sorry I think my point is being lost a little bit. I didn't say Disney should be doing X, Y and Z as if I think they should promise the moon... while I hope they rollout more, because of the extreme cost cutting I guess I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't much more. I mean Ratatouille is sitting finished, no word on that. No new 50th parade or even cavalcades being teased. But there's still time so let's hope!

We have no plans to be there 10/1 and this certainly isn't changing that. I hope they find a way to surprise and delight the super fans who are planning to be there to celebrate them on 10/1. Without them, there is no reaching 50!

 

[Eeyore daily]

Honestly this felt like a typical Disney announcement of "hey this is what's happening check back for more details" which then you show up day of and get surprised.

 

[HokieRaven5]

If they say new parades, new fireworks, new shows just for the 50th good bye to a bunch of the current reservations for 2021 prior to 10/1 and hello explosion of reservations from then on. Wouldn't help an already hurting parks revenue in the short term.

 

[Davdingo]

If they say new parades, new fireworks, new shows just for the 50th good bye to a bunch of the current reservations for 2021 prior to 10/1 and hello explosion of reservations from then on. Wouldn't help an already hurting parks revenue in the short term.

Thats what i was thinking as well. Pretty smart by Disney to roll them out throughout the months or else it would be alot of highly upset people who couldnt get reservations if they laid everything out on the table from the jump

 

[brockash]

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

The part that really gets me with Disney is like you said; I hold them to a much higher standard (in return spend most of my vacation money with them) and it's the faxt that they're CHOOSING to not do things (bring back more entertainment, fireworks etc.) The smaller parks/companies that I generally don't hold to as high a standard nor do I normally spend much money with them are and have been doing so much more since reopening than WDW. I feel like they're really just taking advantage of and banking on ppl. will pay their crazy prices and be happy (heck many even over the moon grateful) just to be able to walk in the park. Don't get me wrong I've been somewhat guilty of it too, I just keep hoping their mindset will change, but it's definitely leaving a not so great taste in my mouth.

 

[gottalovepluto]

What are the chances of testing of the 50th stuff being done the week prior while I'm there?

Projections/shows I vote no. But the park decor, castle decor & merch you’ve got a good shot at I think.

 

[1GoldenSun]

What timeframe is considered "the 50th?" Is there a specific day, a week, a month?

Even if it's just a gold-sprinkled cupcake and a commemorative button, I'm interested.

 

[CarolynFH]

What timeframe is considered "the 50th?" Is there a specific day, a week, a month?

Even if it's just a gold-sprinkled cupcake and a commemorative button, I'm interested.

October 1, 2021 is the 50th anniversary of WDW opening. The celebration of that milestone will continue for 18 months, according to Disney’s announcement today.

 

[Eric Smith]

The part that really gets me with Disney is like you said; I hold them to a much higher standard (in return spend most of my vacation money with them) and it's the faxt that they're CHOOSING to not do things (bring back more entertainment, fireworks etc.) The smaller parks/companies that I generally don't hold to as high a standard nor do I normally spend much money with them are and have been doing so much more since reopening than WDW. I feel like they're really just taking advantage of and banking on ppl. will pay their crazy prices and be happy (heck many even over the moon grateful) just to be able to walk in the park. Don't get me wrong I've been somewhat guilty of it too, I just keep hoping their mindset will change, but it's definitely leaving a not so great taste in my mouth.

Disney won’t offer things like fireworks or parades right now because as soon as they do people will crowd around and there will be articles on every major news site saying that Disney is being irresponsible and will be a huge COVId hotspot. They don’t want all that bad press. No one cares if SeaWorld, Six Flags or your local park does something like that.