Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Brianstl]

This is my problem too. I'm not trashing Universal, but the only thing the two parks have in common is they both have rides. It's a completely different experience and I want the WDW experience. Going to Universal won't fix that. I wish it did. I suppose those switching enjoy Universal as much as they enjoy Disney.

In the end it comes down to people wanting to take a vacation and Universal is offering that to people without the stress of not knowing when the place will finally open and all the other questions marks surrounding Disney right now. Before all this Disney made planning a WDW trip stressful for many people and now that stress is multiplied many times by all the uncertainty about everything at WDW.

 

[Searc]

Since other parks are open or planned to be open such as Universal, Lagoon in Utah, Efteling, I think it's safe to say that WDW will open pretty soon.

Zoos in Utah have been open for a while, Mount Rushmore hasn't closed throughout all this and Rapids City and Deadwood welcome tourist to come stay in hotels and gamble.

I can't see why other parks/attractions would justify not opening. Just my observations.

South Dakota never had any Safer at Home policies, that's why they remained open. Florida does.

 

[StephenM84]

This is my problem too. I'm not trashing Universal, but the only thing the two parks have in common is they both have rides. It's a completely different experience and I want the WDW experience. Going to Universal won't fix that. I wish it did. I suppose those switching enjoy Universal as much as they enjoy Disney.

We actually renewed 2 AP's during this closure with Disney. We love Disney but I've already had to reschedule/rebook everything for a trip in April, May, June and went ahead and pushed out our July trip. So that's 4 times I've had to deal with everything with Disney during this closure. Its really getting old doing this and being an out of state AP holder.

My wife and I are going to give Universal a try for the first time in June because Disney is not open. We would have never considered this during any other trip but that door has now been opened for Universal to impress us and possible make us split our vacation times in the future.

I don't blame Disney for anything but i'm going to give Universal credit for opening sooner. They will get some Disney people like us to try their park out this summer who are in need of a vacation and have the chance to earn their business for future trips.

 

[Sadeesmom]

I hope Disney uses this as an opportunity to change the WDW trip planning process going forward, as the 180 days dining reservations and the 60 day fast pass reservation is difficult under normal circumstances to plan.

I realize this is totally off topic-sorry...but I have wished this forever. I actually love the planning process, but 180 days is a REALLY long time to plan ahead.
If they would do 15 day FP for off site; 30 days FP for onsite, and 45 or 60 days for ADR’s, it would encourage us to take more short notice trips. I know they say you can do a trip with no planning, but that’s not who I am.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I do think there will be a fair amount of people who would still use their DVC even if parks weren't open.

Wouldnt be crazy amount but I think would be more than people actually think

And with everything open, but Disney, probably a higher % than originally thought...

 

[cakebaker]

I don't blame Disney for anything but i'm going to give Universal credit for opening sooner. They will get some Disney people like us to try their park out this summer who are in need of a vacation and have the chance to earn their business for future trips.

I really wish I could make myself do this, but I just don't like the rides all that much and I'm just not ready to go to Orlando and not go to WDW. I can skip going to Orlando and all of Florida altogether much easier. It's guests like me that are going to cost the Orlando economy a fortune. I'm willing to take a day for Universal, maybe even Legoland (my grandson is insane over legos), but I just can't go and not be at WDW. Regardless of how good all the other theme parks are, WDW is the anchor. They're killing the economy staying shuttered.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

.

 

[Jroceagles]

Just catching up. Anything on the minutes/agenda for tomorrow's task force call

 

[andyman8]

I do think there will be a fair amount of people who would still use their DVC even if parks weren't open.

Wouldnt be crazy amount but I think would be more than people actually think

I have no doubt that there are quite a few DVC members who would do a resort-only stay, but I think the problem for Disney is that they don’t get much revenue from DVC members staying on property and not going into the parks. The only incentive to reopen for DVC members is to start getting themselves out of the massive hole there in with inventory down the line. Disney already has the DVC members’ “hotel” money; they only gain any auxiliary expenditures. Yes, Disney could make some money from merchandise sales and dining, but without the parks open, they’d have to also limit what shops and restaurants are open at the resorts as well (like they did at Shanghai).

The other added complication is that for most of the DVC “resorts,” they’d also need to open “cash”-side hotel facilities, which house the feature pools, dining, shopping, and even check-in facilities in some cases. That just adds to the cost. At that point, why not just open up the hotel side for “cash guests?” Except that even just the same proportion of “cash” guests are not likely to go down to WDW for a resort-only stay. Either way, it’s not necessarily a given that Disney would be making any more money than they are now with the added operating costs.

I think we might see the DVC resorts (and perhaps their corresponding “cash” sides) come online before the parks, but I think we’re talking about weeks before a park opens, not months.

 

[Spridell]

South Dakota never had any Safer at Home policies, that's why they remained open. Florida does.

Did. It ended here in Florida on May 4th

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

Desantis is supposed to have a major announcement coming up soon. He’s supposed to speak at noon or thereabouts. May not be anything of interest, but who knows.

Please post

 

[Spridell]

Please post

He is in Miami so I don't think it will have anything to do with Disney. He would be in Orlando if it did.

Edit: Talking about appointing new judges. nothing about Disney

 

[atricks]

If anyone is feeling rolling the dice, booking Endless Summer at Universal (value resort) for the first half of June 5th+ is likely to wind up with you having a room at a deluxe if they only open some of the resorts. This is a pure gamble though, as there are no guarantees on this.

 

[shoegal9]

Just catching up. Anything on the minutes/agenda for tomorrow's task force call

The agenda doesn't mention Disney at all. BUT, last week's agenda didn't mention Universal. Its just a very general outline.

 

[Kadorto]

He is in Miami so I don't think it will have anything to do with Disney. He would be in Orlando if it did.

looks like hes announcing some judge nominations/appointments

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

.

 

[michellej47]

This is my problem too. I'm not trashing Universal, but the only thing the two parks have in common is they both have rides. It's a completely different experience and I want the WDW experience. Going to Universal won't fix that. I wish it did. I suppose those switching enjoy Universal as much as they enjoy Disney.

I like both, but I much prefer Disney. However, I don't think you can compare the fact that people who are willing to switch must enjoy Universal as much. If I didn't already have a Universal trip coming up next summer, I would go this summer instead of my Disney trip. For me, it's needing a change of scenery and getting out of our house. My kids have been cooped up for months on end and they could use some fun for a change.

 

[MickeyMinnie1971]

He is in Miami so I don't think it will have anything to do with Disney. He would be in Orlando if it did.

Edit: Talking about appointing new judges. nothing about Disney

I was hoping for a phase 2 announcement or something.

 

[cakebaker]

The agenda doesn't mention Disney at all. BUT, last week's agenda didn't mention Universal. Its just a very general outline.

As I recall, the updated agenda last week had a list of speakers and whoever presented for Universal was listed. But I think that only came out the morning of the meeting?

 

[Jroceagles]

As I recall, the updated agenda last week had a list of speakers and whoever presented for Universal was listed. But I think that only came out the morning of the meeting?

Yes Universal was specifically mentioned last week