Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[meremac]

Been too many bitter pills lately, I am ready for some good news.

It is just Disney is the biggest, takes a while to turn a big cruise ship

They also want to get it right, when they announce, it is worldwide headline news and will somewhat effect the mental state and moral of millions. Disney is about hope and dreams, they have to get it right, especially in these times.

I hear you, and thank you for being so kind. I've been thinking about this a lot this morning, and I believe that the vast majority of my frustration lies with the complete lack of communication. We are being left totally in the dark. In the past, there's always been SOME sort of communication in emergency situations, even if it's just to say "thank you, we know you're out there trying to support our Guests, and we'll keep you informed as soon as we know something". That little "reach-out" is so impactful, but there's been nothing for days and days. Also in the past, TA's were typically informed about things before it was released to the gen pub so that we could be prepared to field questions. But with the initial closures, I found out about it on the news HOURS and HOURS before we received an e-mail. I don't know what's changed. Obviously, nothing like this has ever happened before. But I find it extremely hard to believe that there hasn't been time to shoot a quick email out to the people supporting them.

 

[tlmadden73]

For what it’s worth, I was watching the local Orlando NBC affiliate last night and the screen crawl said Disney, as well what looked like all the other Orlando attractions, would be closed indefinitely.

That's probably just because they are INFERRING from the "stay at home" order in the Orlando area. These government "orders" are all "indefinitely" (which is pretty awful government overreach in my opinion). Give end dates .. extend if necessary. Saying "indefinitely" creates panic, overreaction and makes it hard for businesses and people to plan for the future .. which is still very necessary .. especially in these times.

 

[Spridell]

Living in central Florida and seeing the local news reports, I feel confident that WDW won't be reopening for months. The trickle down effect on I-Drive businesses is brutal and seeing the interviews for those folks effected is staggering.

This right here is why you will see things open up in the Orlando area quicker than you think.

Orlando survives on tourism and those local business. Without them there is no Orlando and most of FL for that matter.

Most other states have done the "shut down" for a month. Notice how Orange County and neighboring counties are only 2 week shutdowns. That is done strategically.

I would bet the Orlando area will open as soon as they possibly can and it's "somewhat safe". I say somewhat because I can totally see things opening up and the local governments saying older and at risk people stay at home, if you dont feel safe dont go shop or eat out etc...... Will it be crowded like before NO WAY, but any money at all coming into the local business will help.

-Just to edit this: I in NO WAY think this is the best plan, just what is likely the scenario.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

Shades of Green at WDW closing, accepting new reservations for stays starting May 15th (so maybe indication for timeframe for WDW?)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1243560131943714823

 

[Remy is Up]

This.

The logistics involved here is massive. We are looking at mid June at the earliest and that is if all goes well. Realize that they are going to cancel everything in April and may and refund money. Whether it is announced Monday or Friday of next week really won’t make a difference in the big picture of what is going on in the world.

The cast members were slammed when the closed for two weeks and that was with full staffing in their offices. Now everyone is WFH with a limited staff, I can only imagine the call wait times Once they announce

That's why they didnt announce a longer closure. Just handling the ones for the time they had was nuts. And they are super limited now.

 

[Remy is Up]

This right here is why you will see things open up in the Orlando area quicker than you think.

Orlando survives on tourism and those local business. Without them there is no Orlando and most of FL for that matter.

Most other states have done the "shut down" for a month. Notice how Orange County and neighboring counties are only 2 week shutdowns. That is done strategically.

I would bet the Orlando area will open as soon as they possibly can and it's "somewhat safe". I say somewhat because I can totally see things opening up and the local governments saying older and at risk people stay at home, if you dont feel safe dont go shop or eat out etc...... Will it be crowded like before NO WAY, but any money at all coming into the local business will help.

-Just to edit this: I in NO WAY think this is the best plan, just what is likely the scenario.

Regardless of business and what people want to see and hope for, there is no way things reopen with the current state of florida and the fact it gets worse daily. Public health and safety is more important than business opening at the moment. I've already been laid off. Tourism.industry is getting crushed. I'll bounce back and find something but I also am aware of the implications on people's health and why this is necessary.

 

[Remy is Up]

I'm also thinking the delay also might have to do with the call centers. They need time time to get CM's up to speed for working from home "connected into the reservation system"
I don't know about anybody else but telemarketing calls I get each day from call centers have really dropped off to almost none.

They will be up and running in a limited capacity monday. They did wfh testing wednesday and it worked well for most cms.

 

[SMRT-1]

Shades of Green at WDW closing, accepting new reservations for stays starting May 15th (so maybe indication for timeframe for WDW?)

It's more likely related to the fact that the military has a travel ban until May 15, and not necessarily an indication of Disney's timeframe.

 

[Spridell]

Regardless of business and what people want to see and hope for, there is no way things reopen with the current state of florida and the fact it gets worse daily. Public health and safety is more important than business opening at the moment. I've already been laid off. Tourism.industry is getting crushed. I'll bounce back and find something but I also am aware of the implications on people's health and why this is necessary.

u have every right to have that opinion. But remember, like most of us here what we are posting IS OPINION and not much else.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

WDW CM union pushes for Disney to pay CMs through April 30th

https://twitter.com/x/status/1243572358021099522

 

[dihenry]

I just got a notification that Shades of Green is now closed through May 14th. My reservation has officially been cancelled.
It is on their website also.

 

[Someone28624]

I've pretty much accepted that my April 27th trip isn't happening. I just wish they would make the announcement so I could know for sure. We're working short at work and it would help if I knew I wouldn't be taking vacation time that week.

 

[Spridell]

That was not published this morning, it was published 2/28/20 see note at the bottom of the page. This is very old information from a month ago.

Was also announced at the briefing YESTERDAY numbers will be lowered than original modeling.

 

[Redhead5]

I think Universal and others who have announced April 19th are just kicking the can down the road. Disney, I believe, is actually thinking about things long term so we don't have to have an announcement every two weeks. I have a resort reservation for April 27th but I expect that Disney will be closed and we won't be going.

 

[Tandy]

They are in a tough spot. If they say too long into the future then people will cancel and workers will look for jobs. Then if there is some development in the risk they are stuck with a gap. It has to be incremental

 

[joelle89]

Disneyland Paris just confirmed that they will not reopen on 4/1. New opening date is said to be 4/15. So my guess is that an announcement for WDW and DL will follow soon.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Closure of Tokyo Parks extended again - hotels now being closed as wellView attachment 483700

Things are getting worse in Japan, not better. That’s why.

 

[skeeter31]

May 15th seems to be the new “hip” date for things to close until. I just got an email from a hotel in Atlanta that I was supposed to be traveling to in May, saying that they’re closing through 5/14 and all reservations are being cancelled. Wouldn’t surprise me if Disney goes with that date as well.

 

[JaxDad]

May 15th seems to be the new “hip” date for things to close until. I just got an email from a hotel in Atlanta that I was supposed to be traveling to in May, saying that they’re closing through 5/14 and all reservations are being cancelled. Wouldn’t surprise me if Disney goes with that date as well.

I think the May 15th date many are using is based on the CDC recommendation to cancel gatherings of 50 or more for 8 weeks. It was released on March 15th, so people are just saying May 15th (although 8 weeks would actually be May 10th).

 

[Spridell]

I think the May 15th date many are using is based on the CDC recommendation to cancel gatherings of 50 or more for 8 weeks. It was released on March 15th, so people are just saying May 15th (although 8 weeks would actually be May 10th).

Probably right. Royal Caribbean said May 12 they would be sailing again and IMO cruises will be one of the last things to start going again.