Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Sarahslay]

Disney has not confirmed when they are presenting nor has the task force. They could present this week but we don’t know for sure.

For some reason I feel like they would have already come out and said "No we're not!" when the mayor made his statement, they did do it previously by the weekend, so it gives me hope that they didn't come out and deny it immediately like they did previously. I'm hoping that is a good sign we'll know something this week even if it's bad news for my trip, I'm trying to hold on to the tiniest shred of hope over here, killing me not knowing how to react right now.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I’m well aware of the mask debate. Typically the ones that scream the loudest are mistaken as the majority. There are plenty enough people that would gladly comply and follow the guidelines that Disney would set in place. But because we’re not screaming at the roof tops and complaining about anything, it gets lost in the shuffle in place of the people yelling and screaming about not going with those regulations in affect. Just because you dont hear us, doesnt mean we dont exist

agree but Disney is hearing the loud ones as we are quiet so what do they go by

 

[cakebaker]

Agreed This Disney cheerleader just priced an alternate Universal trip for my July 5th date. I am almost ready to move on. I'll hang on a few more days and see if this week brings any better news.

And I, for the first time in all the decades I've been going to WDW, just did a search on "can I transfer an AP voucher". Just getting my ducks in a row...lol

 

[Violetspider]

We have/had reservations for June 21, but didn't want to put any more money into a probably not happening trip even though I know we'd get that money back. So I called Disney, spoke with a CM and asked whether the 7 day out information was true and she did say yes, our final deposit for our (resort reservation only) trip wasn't due until then.

BUT we still got the form letter stating our deposit was past due. I'm about to check our reservation on My Experience. I'm going to assume it's still there.

It's been discussed and I think verified that the emails and letters are automated and the IT changes that would be necessary to align with the new temporary policy changes would be too great to implement. Therefore, you're supposed to ignore the emails, etc.

 

[yulilin3]

This is the last I'll speculate on this subject and I will leave this forum until Wednesday when we, hopefully, have some sort of answer
The Mayor, who has no reason to lie or speculate or make things up said on Wednesday that he was getting a report from Disney on Thursday
Disney backed out (are they waiting for NBA to be a done deal?)
Universal went ahead as planned
Since all major and minor theme parks are represented in the task force there is now way they don't know, to some extent, each others plans. I don't believe Universal blindsided Disney in any way
I believe Disney has a plan to open soon, not August, but June or July, they just decided to hold off because of this NBA deal that would bring money (I'm all for it as long as we see construction on future projects continue to move and it's not go to the pockets of the big wigs)
Because Disney had a plan to open soon, and the task force had an idea, the others went ahead with their plans, even for Universal, Disney being closed is a punch in the gut, a bigger impact on the smaller theme parks and attractions. Disney is the big draw here in Central Florida, everything else revolves around the people that Disney attracts
Disney backed off last minute, Universal decided to move ahead and announce reopening, but I think they are all still counting on Disney to continue with the plans to reopen soon.
And I am out of here, I'll come back whenever the schedules for CM are posted, be it that they are scheduled or not. Or if anything significant is posted on the HUB

 

[Sarahslay]

delete: misinterpreted what OP said, need more coffee lol

 

[cakebaker]

This is the last I'll speculate on this subject and I will leave this forum until Wednesday when we, hopefully, have some sort of answer
The Mayor, who has no reason to lie or speculate or make things up said on Wednesday that he was getting a report from Disney on Thursday
Disney backed out (are they waiting for NBA to be a done deal?)
Universal went ahead as planned
Since all major and minor theme parks are represented in the task force there is now way they don't know, to some extent, each others plans. I don't believe Universal blindsided Disney in any way
I believe Disney has a plan to open soon, not August, but June or July, they just decided to hold off because of this NBA deal that would bring money (I'm all for it as long as we see construction on future projects continue to move and it's not go to the pockets of the big wigs)
Because Disney had a plan to open soon, and the task force had an idea, the others went ahead with their plans, even for Universal, Disney being closed is a punch in the gut, a bigger impact on the smaller theme parks and attractions. Disney is the big draw here in Central Florida, everything else revolves around the people that Disney attracts
Disney backed off last minute, Universal decided to move ahead and announce reopening, but I think they are all still counting on Disney to continue with the plans to reopen soon.
And I am out of here, I'll come back whenever the schedules for CM are posted, be it that they are scheduled or not. Or if anything significant is posted on the HUB

Thank you for your insight. All of what you say sounds really sensible. I hadn't even thought of the possiblity that Disney did intend to present, then backed out. I'm with you, there's no way Disney was blindsided.

 

[rteetz]

Thank you for your insight. All of what you say sounds really sensible. I hadn't even thought of the possiblity that Disney did intend to present, then backed out. I'm with you, there's no way Disney was blindsided.

Blindsided maybe not but I do think Disney wasn’t expecting universal to open the way they did. Meaning all three of their parks right away on June 5th. Lots of the reports/rumors we have been getting indicate that Disney has been looking at opening one park at a time.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I think the financial part may be a big part of it. Managing people in a different way than you normally operate often requires higher staffing levels even with fewer guests (we are determining this at my organization). I think this is especially true at Disney with transportation - if they want to limit the number of people on buses so they can spread out, they will still need a lot of buses. If they contract with Advent Health to administer temp checks that is another additional cost. Custodial costs will also be higher. Limiting seating space in TS restaurants really only means you can cut back on serving staff - the kitchen staff will likely have to be close to the same as for a full restaurant or just slightly reduced. So I think their operational costs will be very similar or not much less than than operating at regular summer attendance levels even with only 20-30% of guests.

No, what they collect from the NBA will not come close to the parks being fully open and operational but it may be enough to buy them some time so they can reopen later at a point when restrictions may not have to be so plentiful which would likely help their balance sheet.

Exactly! At the point of reopening and having to do it under restrictions and reduced capacity, as well as keeping the guests safety first & foremost. The financials are more about stopping the bleeding then turning the usual profit. As things gradually get back to normal - a return to profit driven operation will come.

If disney does the perceived “right thing” throughout the reopening process.. they will end up with people trusting them to provide the safest possible environment and the guests will book and come. Then it becomes business as usual on the balance sheet.. but for now the need to stop the bleeding is job one.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So, how mad are cast members that have had no job for 2 months and no income with Disney spending weeks courting the elites of the nba? Something is seriously wrong with this picture.

Not sure how I see they being connected. The NBA has no bearing on the parks/resorts in general opening. If anything this might enable some to come back earlier (if working areas related to where the NBA would be) and lessens the loses to Dis ey making them able to bring staff back sooner rather than going longer without paying them

 

[vinotinto]

This is the last I'll speculate on this subject and I will leave this forum until Wednesday when we, hopefully, have some sort of answer
The Mayor, who has no reason to lie or speculate or make things up said on Wednesday that he was getting a report from Disney on Thursday
Disney backed out (are they waiting for NBA to be a done deal?)
Universal went ahead as planned
Since all major and minor theme parks are represented in the task force there is now way they don't know, to some extent, each others plans. I don't believe Universal blindsided Disney in any way
I believe Disney has a plan to open soon, not August, but June or July, they just decided to hold off because of this NBA deal that would bring money (I'm all for it as long as we see construction on future projects continue to move and it's not go to the pockets of the big wigs)
Because Disney had a plan to open soon, and the task force had an idea, the others went ahead with their plans, even for Universal, Disney being closed is a punch in the gut, a bigger impact on the smaller theme parks and attractions. Disney is the big draw here in Central Florida, everything else revolves around the people that Disney attracts
Disney backed off last minute, Universal decided to move ahead and announce reopening, but I think they are all still counting on Disney to continue with the plans to reopen soon.
And I am out of here, I'll come back whenever the schedules for CM are posted, be it that they are scheduled or not. Or if anything significant is posted on the HUB

@yulilin3 - Always the voice of reason!

Blindsided maybe not but I do think Disney wasn’t expecting universal to open the way they did. Meaning all three of their parks right away on June 5th. Lots of the reports/rumors we have been getting indicate that Disney has been looking at opening one park at a time.

I completely agree with this. Not only the rumors, but Disney themselves said they would open in phases (quote from Dr. Pamela Hyland, Chief Medical Officer for Disney):
"We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks."

I don't think they planned to open all the theme and water parks all at once, like Universal did. For example, it's a bigger challenge to send buses to 4 parks and 2 water parks, than to 2 parks, right from the beginning.

 

[cakebaker]

I completely agree with this. Not only the rumors, but Disney themselves said they would open in phases (quote from Dr. Pamela Hyland, Chief Medical Officer for Disney:
"We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks."

I don't read that as an indication of only select parks opening. Actually it follows what they've actually done so far...A partial open of DS, opening the Disney owned stores and dining later. Now all they have to do is move to the theme parks part of that statement. I've always wondered if maybe they'd keep Epcot closed and perhaps the water parks, but just opening 1 and especially if it was not the MK didn't seem a possibility to me. I have absolutely no facts or rumors to back any of that up...just so you know.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Exactly! At the point of reopening and having to do it under restrictions and reduced capacity, as well as keeping the guests safety first & foremost. The financials are more about stopping the bleeding then turning the usual profit. As things gradually get back to normal - a return to profit driven operation will come.

If disney does the perceived “right thing” throughout the reopening process.. they will end up with people trusting them to provide the safest possible environment and the guests will book and come. Then it becomes business as usual on the balance sheet.. but for now the need to stop the bleeding is job one.

I agree - Disney needs to think long term and the risk of opening too soon and that having a negative impact on how they are perceived (a a safe place to bring the family, where magic happens, etc) far outweigh the potential upside if opening a few weeks earlier

That said, I am sure there are concerns about ceding an entire summer to Universal and I think everyone was surprised by just how early Universal is planning to open (and with all the parks at once) so they may be adjusting a bit - but I bet they also want to see how things go at Universal - if a second wave hits, whether Universal being open contributed to that or not it won't be good for them.... And would be MUCH worse for Disney if it was connected to them

 

[yankeesfan123]

Blindsided maybe not but I do think Disney wasn’t expecting universal to open the way they did. Meaning all three of their parks right away on June 5th. Lots of the reports/rumors we have been getting indicate that Disney has been looking at opening one park at a time.

and correct me if I’m wrong, but universal doesn’t have any sort of plan to limit capacity (other than assuming lots of people won’t come for various reasons), correct? I was blindsided by that, and my guess is Disney found that decision to be surprising.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I agree - Disney needs to think long term and the risk of opening too soon and that having a negative impact on how they are perceived (a a safe place to bring the family, where magic happens, etc) far outweigh the potential upside if opening a few weeks earlier

That said, I am sure there are concerns about ceding an entire summer to Universal and I think everyone was surprised by just how early Universal is planning to open (and with all the parks at once) so they may be adjusting a bit - but I bet they also want to see how things go at Universal - if a second wave hits, whether Universal being open contributed to that or not it won't be good for them.... And would be MUCH worse for Disney if it was connected to them

To the bolded, exactly.

Universal deciding to open early June doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, COVID-19 is no longer a major concern, and any day past that date Disney spends close is another win for Universal. Disney could very well come out way ahead in terms of public perception if theme parks opening goes south and Disney held out by choice not by force.

Ironically, we may look back on this period and praise Disney for not putting money over all and throwing the doors open ASAP, if they do end up waiting further into the summer.

We are nowhere near the end of this.

 

[Brianstl]

I agree - Disney needs to think long term and the risk of opening too soon and that having a negative impact on how they are perceived (a a safe place to bring the family, where magic happens, etc) far outweigh the potential upside if opening a few weeks earlier

That said, I am sure there are concerns about ceding an entire summer to Universal and I think everyone was surprised by just how early Universal is planning to open (and with all the parks at once) so they may be adjusting a bit - but I bet they also want to see how things go at Universal - if a second wave hits, whether Universal being open contributed to that or not it won't be good for them.... And would be MUCH worse for Disney if it was connected to them

When you are burning through cash like TWDC is right now there are very serious long term risks to remaining closed. They are adding massive amounts of debt to their books for years that they will never see a return from.

 

[tinkerhon]

Blindsided maybe not but I do think Disney wasn’t expecting universal to open the way they did. Meaning all three of their parks right away on June 5th. Lots of the reports/rumors we have been getting indicate that Disney has been looking at opening one park at a time.

I can definitely see one park at a time, but that would really louse things up for people that have trips booked for more than one day, basically - ( unless ppl planned on going to the same park every day )

See, that's the type of information that Disney should share asap, imho - if they don't have an opening date set in stone yet, fine - but at least come.out and say (and maybe they have, and I missed it) that only one park will be open at first, so that ppl can amend their plans and move on -

 

[mattpeto]

To the bolded, exactly.

Universal deciding to open early June doesn’t mean the pandemic is over, COVID-19 is no longer a major concern, and any day past that date Disney spends close is another win for Universal. Disney could very well come out way ahead in terms of public perception if theme parks opening goes south and Disney held out by choice not by force.

Ironically, we may look back on this period and praise Disney for not putting money over all and throwing the doors open ASAP, if they do end up waiting further into the summer.

We are nowhere near the end of this.

I agree with this. This is not a race or competition with other parks.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

and correct me if I’m wrong, but universal doesn’t have any sort of plan to limit capacity (other than assuming lots of people won’t come for various reasons), correct? I was blindsided by that, and my guess is Disney found that decision to be surprising.

They said in their presentation they will limit capacity but didn't say any details. From what I have seen elsewhere (so might just be what people are interpreting) it will just be a lower daily cap and if they hit it and you show up you won't be allowed in - won't be any reservation system or anything

 

[Brianstl]

According to Brian Windhorst on SportsCenter this morning, don’t expect a deal between the NBA and Disney to be completely finalized until about June 1. Owners wouldn’t vote on it until Friday at their owners meeting and then the players association would have to vote on it after that.