Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[SaintsManiac]

The fear will start to fade soon and then will come the realization that we are going to have to live with this virus. The virus isn’t going away.

And what is "soon" to you? I mean come August I am ready to send my kid to school and watch football, but it's been 6 weeks? When is an "acceptable" time for people to just live with it? Genuinely curious.

 

[basketking]

Even if DL had magic bands, you would still have to use your phone for Max Pass. Personally, I LOVE Max Pass and believe it is much better then scheduling FPs months in advance, so if the suggestion is to get rid of it in favor of Magic bands with scheduled FPS, I would be very much against that and I would be shocked if others didn’t feel the same way.

Oh man I SO SO agree! After experiencing DL and MP for the first time just barely before the shutdown (3/10-3/12), I completely fell in love with MP!! It is far superior to FP+ in my opinion. I loved it. I found it reminiscent of the old FP system but with the added convenience of getting FP on your phone. I am a total fan. I am a WDW vet but thoroughly enjoyed DL and I do hope to return....someday.

 

[Brianstl]

And what is "soon" to you? I mean come August I am ready to send my kid to school and watch football, but it's been 6 weeks? When is an "acceptable" time for people to just live with it? Genuinely curious.

We have already seen the fear fade away among some in society and since we are talking almost six weeks before the earliest the parks would open a much larger segment of the society will have moved to that point by then. Fear is a strong emotion built into to our DNA, but the fact we are social beings is built into our DNA too. The primal needs to gather, experience and explore are just as strong as or stronger than fear. Those needs will eventually bring most people around to the need for acceptance that we will need to live with the virus.

You or no one else has to accept anything. It is just the vast majority will because it is human nature.

 

[Pickle Rick]

We have already seen the fear fade away among some in society and since we are talking almost six weeks before the earliest the parks would open a much larger segment of the society will have moved to that point by then. Fear is a strong emotion built into to our DNA, but the fact we are social beings is built into our DNA too. The primal needs to gather, experience and explore are just as strong as or stronger than fear. Those needs will eventually bring most people around to the need for acceptance that we will need to live with the virus.

You or no one else has to accept anything. It is just the vast majority will because it is human nature.

That all depends how things go within the next couple of weeks. Public perception could swing either way depending.

 

[Brianstl]

That all depends how things go within the next couple of weeks. Public perception could swing either way depending.

I really don’t think what happens in the next couple weeks is going to make a difference. We are talking about emotions/needs that are built into our DNA. We only have so much conscience control over. Even societies that use/used fear for control realize that you have to feed those needs for that fear to not be overcome by other emotions.

 

[LSUmiss]

And what is "soon" to you? I mean come August I am ready to send my kid to school and watch football, but it's been 6 weeks? When is an "acceptable" time for people to just live with it? Genuinely curious.

For me, I say June, with things opening up very slowly between now & then.

 

[Pickle Rick]

I really don’t think what happens in the next couple weeks is going to make a difference. We are talking about emotions/needs that are built into our DNA. We only have so much conscience control over. Even societies that use/used fear for control realize that you have to feed those needs for that fear to not be overcome by other emotions.

We'll see. Regardless, I don't see Disney opening up because of what people want. They'll do what's best for them and the safety of their cast members and guests.

 

[Brianstl]

Your fear will also depend on how closely you've been affected by the virus. For someone who doesnt know anyone whos been hospitalised or died from COVID-19 their emotions are going to be different to someone who has! Its built into some peoples DNA that if theyve not been affected by something their emotions/needs are different.

There is definite truth in this.

I am not saying everyone is going to be ready to go to WDW in June or even close to the majority of people. I’m not even sure I will be comfortable by that point. Plus, I think some people are really under estimating how much the economy impact of this all is going to hurt interest in going to Disney for the next year plus.

It is just that while I think crowds will be pretty small for a while there is definitely going to be enough people willing to go for it to make sense for them to open at some point in the first couple weeks of June.

I think crowds will continue to grow slowly as time goes on, but I think it will be a very long time before we see crowds like the last two years.
At first the major reason will be fear in a large segment of society, but as that fades the economic impact will be the main driver of Disney not being able to hit their previous attendance numbers.

 

[kittlesona]

So now that the “official” guidelines for Disney to reopen are basically, “do whatever you want to do,” how many of the rumored ideas do you think they’ll implement? A lot of people had said that they would be more stringent than the rumored guidelines but I think I’m now leaning toward the rumored guidelines being what actually happens. What are your thoughts?

 

[woody337]

So now that the “official” guidelines for Disney to reopen are basically, “do whatever you want to do,” how many of the rumored ideas do you think they’ll implement? A lot of people had said that they would be more stringent than the rumored guidelines but I think I’m now leaning toward the rumored guidelines being what actually happens. What are your thoughts?

Watch Disney come out and do absolutely NOTHING. Judging by the going away party, it wouldnt surprise me

 

[JaNelson38]

I think crowds will continue to grow slowly as time goes on, but I think it will be a very long time before we see crowds like the last two years.
At first the major reason will be fear in a large segment of society, but as that fades the economic impact will be the main driver of Disney not being able to hit their previous attendance numbers.

Not only that, but the lack of international visitors will be a factor as well. I have a hard time believing international travel will be the same for a long while.

Luckily for Disney, they have info on what happened after 9/11 so they know what worked and what didn't in getting people to the parks. This is a slightly different situation, but a lot of the same types of issues are the same with regards to the fear of travel.

Later this summer and this fall will probably be fantastic opportunities to get to WDW for those who can go. The crowds will almost certainly be proportionately lower, and Disney will almost certainly be running some nice discounts. As someone who plans to take their family around November, I'm genuinely excited for the opportunity.

 

[kittlesona]

Watch Disney come out and do absolutely NOTHING. Judging by the going away party, it wouldnt surprise me

They were already starting to do things I imagine that there will be a whole lot of hand washing stations around at the absolute very least. I don’t think they’re going to be reckless (in my opinion).

 

[vinotinto]

I'm retired so it's not an issue for me, but I can't imagine that a lot of companies will be granting vacations within a couple of months of reopening. I know that many people have been working from home, but there has to be a period of time where everyone has to reassemble and update records/deal with potential backlog/etc. onsite....or am I totally out of touch with technology?

It depends on the company. Our issue is that people haven't been able to take vacations so how do you manage everyone being out at once over the summer, etc. But companies have to let you use your vacation days so something has be to worked out. Management is preparing for a large part of the workforce being on vacation in November/December in order to not loose vacation days.

DH and I both work for companies that can done almost entirely at home. DH's company told them this week to expect to work from home until at least the end of the year since the whole office has to be reconfigured for social distancing and there isn't space for everyone.

My DH and I have vacation we have to use or lose this summer, so not everyone is on the boat of not being able to take vacation over the summer - in our case we will have to use it over the summer or we will lose it. My DH has to use it by August, and I have to use it by December (but so many people in my Company will want to take it at the end of the year, I will do better taking vacation with my DH). Our kids' schools restart on August 3rd. So, that means we have to use or lose vacation in June or July.

My work can be done 100% virtually from home, and I don't expect to go back to my office for months.

 

[JaNelson38]

So now that the “official” guidelines for Disney to reopen are basically, “do whatever you want to do,” how many of the rumored ideas do you think they’ll implement? A lot of people had said that they would be more stringent than the rumored guidelines but I think I’m now leaning toward the rumored guidelines being what actually happens. What are your thoughts?

They'll implement everything they possibly can. But there are still so many guidelines that may prove impossible to police.

In every facet of life, people will just have to trust each other. Respect other's personal space. Do what you can to protect yourself, and assume others are doing the same. In the end, that's really the long and short of it.

 

[cakebaker]

So now that the “official” guidelines for Disney to reopen are basically, “do whatever you want to do,” how many of the rumored ideas do you think they’ll implement? A lot of people had said that they would be more stringent than the rumored guidelines but I think I’m now leaning toward the rumored guidelines being what actually happens. What are your thoughts?

I'm actually glad they're allowing Disney and other theme parks to set their own guidelines. They know their operations better than anyone else. Disney won't go against general mandates- they closed before they were required to do so. I think they'll go as far as they can with safety measures without dramatically affecting the guest experience any more than they have to. I think they'll rely heavily on the recommendations, but adjust where they have to. I don't think we're going to see massive cuts like no fireworks, no shows, partial park openings, rather leaning more towards a general cap on numbers in the parks, not allowing masses to gather for rope drop etc. It will be interesting to see just exactly how they do that.

 

[TwoMisfits]

New rumor is CA may be shutting all beaches on May 1...seems CA and FL are going in reverse directions...https://abc7news.com/newsom-closes-beaches-california-beach-covid-19-coronavirus/6139115/

 

[SierraT]

So Disney has been given the green light to open but have not made an announcement. For all those that think Disney is just a money hungry Corp, there would have been an immediate come on in. This company cares about its reputation. When they do make an announcement it will be carefully worded and with specific guidelines.

I’m sure their priority right now is ensuring there isn’t a line of lawyers waiting outside the gates, sadly.

So now that the “official” guidelines for Disney to reopen are basically, “do whatever you want to do,” how many of the rumored ideas do you think they’ll implement? A lot of people had said that they would be more stringent than the rumored guidelines but I think I’m now leaning toward the rumored guidelines being what actually happens. What are your thoughts?

I think they will attempt most of what is suggested, if anything to make people feel safe. Let’s face it, this is what Disney is really good at and why a lot of people take their young families there. In reality though, if a person doesn’t feel like they will be safe, they really shouldn’t be venturing out and certainly not to a crowded theme park. Even with no fear of this myself, the crowds are sometimes overwhelming without a virus floating around. Truth be told, I’m kind of looking forward to a trip where someone isn’t breathing down my neck in line.

 

[BadPinkTink]

New rumor is CA may be shutting all beaches on May 1...seems CA and FL are going in reverse directions...https://abc7news.com/newsom-closes-beaches-california-beach-covid-19-coronavirus/6139115/

I saw something about this on Facebook, someone posted a screencap of a document from The California Police Chiefs. There was a meeting yesterday between The California Police Chiefs Executive Committee, CHP Commissioner and representatives of the California State Parks. Govenor Newson will be announcing at Thursdays pres conference that all beaches and state parks in California will be closed effective May 1

 

[vinotinto]

Back to Disney operational news, Disney is now canceling onsite reservations for May 17th through May 23rd. (May 23rd is Memorial Day Saturday and the start of the "summer" here in the south).

So, where is that guy that said he had inside knowledge that Disney would open May 19th? I guess we can cross off those rumors.

 

[SierraT]

Back to Disney operational news, Disney is now canceling onsite reservations for May 17th through May 23rd. (May 23rd is Memorial Day Saturday and the start of the "summer" here in the south).

So, where is that guy that said he had inside knowledge that Disney would open May 19th? I guess we can cross off those rumors.

ha! and I received an e-mail this morning from Disney reminding me that I have a payment due for my June trip.

Still not sure I should pay it especially if I don't have a definitive date when they are opening.