Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TexasChick123]

UO’s announcement won’t force Disney’s hand. Disney will still operate on their own schedule.

DIS still has to answer to shareholders as a publicly traded company. Why can’t they reopen and are choosing to continue to lose tens of millions a day when Universal can reopen? DIS also has to answer to DVC owners. Unfortunately, I fall into both categories and would like some answers myself!

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

Shoutout to UO though. They were the first to say “hey we’re closing through at least May 31st” then they worked hard to stick to that timeline as close as possible, and were first to present a clear and transparent plan.

 

[cakebaker]

Later than that. Some with June 14th arrival dates have been cancelled as well (not part of a group).

I didn’t see any Disney resorts through the 14th, but park hours are only gone through the 13th right now.

 

[Farro]

DIS still has to answer to shareholders as a publicly traded company. Why can’t they reopen and are choosing to continue to lose tens of millions a day when Universal can reopen? DIS also has to answer to DVC owners. Unfortunately, I fall into both categories and would like some answers myself!

I mean, they have a lot more moving parts than Universal. Literally - monorail, boats, buses, skyliner...

 

[xuxa777]

DIS still has to answer to shareholders as a publicly traded company. Why can’t they reopen and are choosing to continue to lose tens of millions a day when Universal can reopen? DIS also has to answer to DVC owners. Unfortunately, I fall into both categories and would like some answers myself!

Yes stockholders will not like being closed for a month or more, it will be sooner

 

[andyman8]

UNIVERSAL WANTS TO OPEN JUNE 1!!

June 1 and 2 to their Team members only
June 3 and 4 to invited guests and AP
JUne 5 public opening

So let the speculation begin! Assuming this holds, how long do we think Disney will wait until they reopen?

 

[Pickle Rick]

Has Universal had TMs being called back and working in the parks yet? I know a few got the call last week, but wasnt sure if they were actually brought back yet

I know one who works in City Walk that hasn't been called back yet, but she's only part time, and still relatively new to the company.

 

[LSUmiss]

UO’s announcement won’t force Disney’s hand. Disney will still operate on their own schedule.

I guess they don’t care, but ppl who have flights booked & other nonrefundable things that got cancelled by Disney might end up at UO now & maybe permanently. For a company who used to try every trick in the book to keep you on property so you don’t wander off to their competitors, it seems like a bad move to let UO open way earlier (if that’s the case).

 

[skeeter31]

DIS still has to answer to shareholders as a publicly traded company. Why can’t they reopen and are choosing to continue to lose tens of millions a day when Universal can reopen? DIS also has to answer to DVC owners. Unfortunately, I fall into both categories and would like some answers myself!

I am both as well, and understand Disney has a lot more to consider than the other parks. They’re not choosing to stay closed because they like being closed. They’re just going to make sure it’s safe for them. How do you safely get people into MK with social distancing? There’s a lagoon separating the park and parking lot, so mass transit is required. How do you bus tons of people from the resorts? How do you limit hotel guests, when technically when they open, all DVC rooms have to be available due to Time Share laws? All issues UO doesn’t have.

 

[Britty2]

DIS still has to answer to shareholders as a publicly traded company. Why can’t they reopen and are choosing to continue to lose tens of millions a day when Universal can reopen? DIS also has to answer to DVC owners. Unfortunately, I fall into both categories and would like some answers myself!

It’s pretty easy. They have 4 parks. They have transportation issues. They have a much bigger operation than Universal’s two parks. As long as they are open within a month of them opening. Anything after that then ok I agree.

 

[Farro]

I guess they don’t care, but ppl who have flights booked & other nonrefundable things that got cancelled by Disney might end up at UO now & maybe permanently. For a company who used to try every trick in the book to keep you on property so you don’t wander off to their competitors, it seems like a bad move to let UO open way earlier (if that’s the case).

Again, I think it's their best move to open when they feel they are ready to do so. Not because Universal opened first.

 

[cakebaker]

So let the speculation begin! Assuming this holds, how long do we think Disney will wait until they reopen?

I still say June 15th, possibly a few days before for CM’s.

 

[Azziefan]

Hi everyone- my early June reservations at the beach club were impacted by the wdw closure. Through David’s vacation rentals I am able to get animal kingdom lodge at Christmas- would you suggest animal kingdom lodge? We always do beach club so I’m a bit disappointed

 

[AmberMV]

So let the speculation begin! Assuming this holds, how long do we think Disney will wait until they reopen?

Within a week of UO

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

So let the speculation begin! Assuming this holds, how long do we think Disney will wait until they reopen?

I'm thinking June 15th at the very earliest, early July not out of the question. I'm not worried about my July 19th reservation, though. I think I am finally safe (knock on wood!).

 

[andyman8]

It’s worth noting that UOR hasn’t posted anything about this reopening plan on their website, their press site, or even the internal TM portal yet. It seems like they’re still ironing out the kinks and waiting for approval.

 

[JayhawkCruiser]

I mean, they have a lot more moving parts than Universal. Literally - monorail, boats, buses, skyliner...

I was all for giving Disney the benefit of the doubt, but this past week has been less than impressive from them. Obviously they have more moving parts, but it seems their focus on trying to score a deal with the NBA is creating more wrinkles in their plan to reopen and they just let Universal step up and look like the most put together theme park outfit in Orlando. It’s possible to love Disney and still be hypercritical of their “plan” that’s left guests in the dark for weeks now - opting to leave people frantically checking their inboxes every Wednesday and Thursday to see if they’re next to be cancelled.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Hi everyone- my early June reservations at the beach club were impacted by the wdw closure. Through David’s vacation rentals I am able to get animal kingdom lodge at Christmas- would you suggest animal kingdom lodge? We always do beach club so I’m a bit disappointed

AKL is gorgeous and peaceful. Food options are fantastic. Get savannah view, it's worth it.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I guess they don’t care, but ppl who have flights booked & other nonrefundable things that got cancelled by Disney might end up at UO now & maybe permanently. For a company who used to try every trick in the book to keep you on property so you don’t wander off to their competitors, it seems like a bad move to let UO open way earlier (if that’s the case).

If someone is willing to travel to Disney during a pandemic wearing a mask in Florida summers with state of the parks up in the air, I would guess they are not easily swayed away from Disney permanently if at all.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. If anything I predict those people fit in an extra trip for Disney.

 

[Farro]

So let the speculation begin! Assuming this holds, how long do we think Disney will wait until they reopen?

I'll take the long-shot bet - if they get the NBA, they will wait until after - sometime in July.