Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Farro]

Something interesting just popped up on the hub
Along with hand on training, cms have to take online training and complete throughout their career at Disney
Today they added "moving forward-wellness in our new world"
The following wording is interesting
"All cm should prioritize and complete this training during their next scheduled shift"

Btw the schedule has not come out yet

I think that, and the new statement they have on the booking site - by visiting Disney Resort you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure of Covid -19 - seems they are starting to get their ducks in a row.

 

[AmberMV]

Based on the Governor's continued optimism at every press conference and the data I've been watching for our state I'm going to guesstimate they are shooting for a June 8 opening. I do not know for whom (whether FL residents only or resort guests or DVC, etc), but I think that's their target date.

Edit: We should know if that's the case on Sunday whether CMs get called back for park positions

I'm sticking to this guess, and hoping and praying I don't get cancelled for a 3rd time since March (current next res. is June 10)

 

[vinotinto]

When prices get subsidized by a third party, the first party (i.e. Disney) tends to raise them so that the list-price-minus-subsidy net cash cost is the same as what the second party (that is, you...) have already shown they will bear.

You can see this in e.g. the last 30 years of college price increases...

Fear not my friend, I was joking. Congress would have to approve any "tax credit." And I highly doubt they will be incentivizing travel in the near future. I mean, FL still has (unenforced) quarantine restrictions from some states. Hawaii also requires quarantine for visitors. One thing is to allow travel, a completely opposite thing is to incentivize it.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

New man in charge at WDW... Jeff Vahle

https://mickeyblog.com/2020/05/18/jeff-vahle-named-as-the-new-president-of-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[StevieB81]

You think Thursday is when they will decide if they will be open or closed the week of June14th?

My trip starts on the 7th. This week is my week to have dates removed, or not

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

When prices get subsidized by a third party, the first party (i.e. Disney) tends to raise them so that the list-price-minus-subsidy net cash cost is the same as what the second party (that is, you...) have already shown they will bear.

You can see this in e.g. the last 30 years of college price increases...

Disney will be competing with the rest of the country for where people spend this, I don't think they can price themselves out of a tight(er) market. Right now Yellowstone may get my $$. Guessing this would be for next year? And probably won't happen anyway.

 

[junderwood99]

Something interesting just popped up on the hub
Along with hand on training, cms have to take online training and complete throughout their career at Disney
Today they added "moving forward-wellness in our new world"
The following wording is interesting
"All cm should prioritize and complete this training during their next scheduled shift"

Btw the schedule has not come out yet

Interesting information...... is this for all CM or just CM assigned to Disney Springs?

 

[yulilin3]

Interesting information...... is this for all CM or just CM assigned to Disney Springs?

All cm

 

[Mit88]

My trip starts on the 7th. This week is my week to have dates removed, or not

I'm sticking to this guess, and hoping and praying I don't get cancelled for a 3rd time since March (current next res. is June 10)

Hoping for the best for you guys and they open on the 8th. I rebooked for June 15th. Just going to keep rolling my reservations until I get to go down there.

 

[Jrb1979]

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs...-one-of-disneys-biggest-coronavirus-headaches
Should be interesting to see what happens with Epcot

 

[Mit88]

I just want the festival pavilion that’s going behind SSE, but I’m sure it’ll be cut from the budget. Mary Poppins will be cancelled for now, but I’m sure it’ll stay as a future project. The spine will be done with a few adjustments. Space220, Guardians, Moana, and Ratatouille are too far along. SSE refurb will almost definitely be cancelled

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Question: People who are concerned about the NY/NJ travel ban.

If you live in the area, and the ban was lifted today, would you get on a plane and fly down to Florida tomorrow?

As a New Jerseyian, my answer to that is No. In a month, I may be swayed to say Yes.

I think we're getting a little too caught up in this travel ban considering it could be lifted at any time in the future.

I would go to DS the day it opened if I could. WDW as well. But I will not get on a plane right now. Not only am I not comfortable getting on a plane, JetBlue has canceled all direct flights to MCO from our smaller, more local airport and there is no way I'm driving to JFK, LGA or Newark right now. Our March trip was scrapped due to the initial closure and our next trip is planned for November. Here's hoping getting on a plane is a little less daunting at that time. Until then, I have already researched places in our state to vacation this summer - it will be an opportunity to explore closer to home that I would not have even considered otherwise. We will enjoy whatever it is we are able to do.

I still think it's an interesting race to watch:

What will happen first?

Reopening Disney World vs Releasing 2021 Packages.

We are only about a month away from the typical release of the "next year packages". It would be kind of unsettling to see the 2021 packages open while they are still considered closed indefinitely. I also think people would be eager to reschedule their 2020 packages for 2021 (like me) as soon as it's possible but that would also hurt Disney's bottom line a bit in the near-term.

Gut says they won't release 2021 packages while they are closed unless it's really a long-term closure (like Fall).

I'm going to speculate that we are going to see packages become available around the same time we always do. There are people whose trips were already canceled that couldn't rebook for this year that are chomping at the bit to schedule for 2021. There are also people who aren't even considering traveling this year who want to book into 2021. And then there are those who go every year who would like to book ASAP for 2021 as well. Keeping in mind that you can already book a room-only or basic package as far out as 9/29/21 as of today, people who really want to rebook right now can (and then just add tickets/dining onto the basic package if they would like those components included). I think releasing the packages as they normally do sends a signal that things are getting back on track, builds excitement for next year and also adds more cash to the Disney coffers.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Apologies if this was already posted but it looks like Hong Kong is doing some tests with CMs in the park starting this week.

https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/hong-kon...pening-by-executing-internal-trial-operation/

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm going to speculate that we are going to see packages become available around the same time we always do. There are people whose trips were already canceled that couldn't rebook for this year that are chomping at the bit to schedule for 2021. There are also people who aren't even considering traveling this year who want to book into 2021. And then there are those who go every year who would like to book ASAP for 2021 as well. Keeping in mind that you can already book a room-only or basic package as far out as 9/29/21 as of today, people who really want to rebook right now can (and then just add tickets/dining onto the basic package if they would like those components included). I think releasing the packages as they normally do sends a signal that things are getting back on track, builds excitement for next year and also adds more cash to the Disney coffers.

All of this. They'd be foolish not to, all those deposits will add up to quite a helpful chunk of change. I personally can't wait to book.

 

[mshanson3121]

https://www.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs...-one-of-disneys-biggest-coronavirus-headaches
Should be interesting to see what happens with Epcot

One thing that really stood out to me, that deep down I already knew, but still don't like reading, was this:

"The thinking is that hopefully, by mid-2021, some of the current safety protocols could begin to be relaxed".

That doesn't bode well for everything being back to normal for our 2021 trip. And back to old normal (all parades, shows, fireworks, character greets as normal) is the only way we'll go. I hate the idea of waiting till 2022, but I'm also fully aware we likely will have to, to get the experience we want.

 

[Mit88]

One thing that really stood out to me, that deep down I already knew, but still don't like reading, was this:

"The thinking is that hopefully, by mid-2021, some of the current safety protocols could begin to be relaxed".

That doesn't bode well for everything being back to normal for our 2021 trip. And back to old normal (all parades, shows, fireworks, character greets as normal) is the only way we'll go. I hate the idea of waiting till 2022, but I'm also fully aware we likely will have to, to get the experience we want.

Unless it’s a quote directly from Disney themselves, I’d take any opinionated quotes with a grain of salt.

 

[cakebaker]

One thing that really stood out to me, that deep down I already knew, but still don't like reading, was this:

"The thinking is that hopefully, by mid-2021, some of the current safety protocols could begin to be relaxed".

That doesn't bode well for everything being back to normal for our 2021 trip. And back to old normal (all parades, shows, fireworks, character greets as normal) is the only way we'll go. I hate the idea of waiting till 2022, but I'm also fully aware we likely will have to, to get the experience we want.

I don't pay a lot of attention to articles that are just speculation that really don't have facts to back them up. We don't even know what they'll cut in the beginning, let alone how long those cuts will last. But I agree, it could easily run into 2021 before things are back to "normal"- and I'm not sure some things will ever go back to where they were. I think we're going to have a new normal, just like after 9/11, we just don't know what that new normal is going to be.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I agree. No way Disney “lets” Universal be the first by a long time before them. I just don’t see that.

Disney has more to lose long term in the public perception and confidence department. This is not a race you really want win. The first major park to open will have all eyes on them. People generally have a different set of expectations for Disney, because that’s how Disney has established their brand and identity. They trust Disney more.

If Universal opens earlier than Disney, they can let Universal take the any heat for opening up and Disney can say things like “Guest safety is a priority and we are taking every measure to provide a safe experience for our guests, blah blah blah.” I actually think it is in their best interest long term to *not* open first.

 

[abnihon]

Disney has more to lose long term in the public perception and confidence department. This is not a race you really want win. The first major park to open will have all eyes on them. People generally have a different set of expectations for Disney, because that’s how Disney has established their brand and identify. They trust Disney more.

If Universal opens earlier than Disney, they can let Universal take the any heat for opening up and Disney can say things like “Guest safety is a priority and we are taking every measure to provide a safe experience for our guests, blah blah blah.” I actually think it is in their best interest long term to *not* open first.

I agree it would not surprise me if Universal opened a month or more before Disney.

 

[karly05]

Is there any argument that whoever opens first is, arguably, the “wrong” and “greedy” one? Rather than doing everything it is to be “first”.

In my opinion, being first doesn’t necessarily mean being right.

IMO, no matter who does what when or how, Disney will get all the grief. The online cottage industry of Disney Haters and the click bait value of "HorribleEventWDW!" will make sure of that.