Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

The supply issue has been discussed, about 200 pages ago I think. Disney is probably hard at work on the logistics issues but if things aren't available, they aren't available. With the shutdown of multiple processing facilities and the countries heavy reliance on these massive processing facilities, there are going to be issues getting some things to one degree or another. Yes, Disney can probably outbid anyone for it. If it's food or other important things, they would find themselves in a PR firestorm if it got out they were outbidding grocery chains, etc.. and causing shortages for the average person just so they could open their parks.

 

[SierraT]

Southwest is flying to Florida and Orlando every day and never has stopped, reduced schedule yes, but you can fly down there today.

True and it’s strange because the flight price is still what I paid booking way in advance!

One thing I don’t think has been addressed in the debate of when Disney will open that besides the new systems and precautions the virus will impose on the companies operations which will involve cm training , possible security and pos changes etc is the shear amount of food merchandise and stuff required to run the parks and resorts! Disney no doubt relies on a wide group of suppliers to provide everything from raw food items to dare I say it toilet paper! Can they find reliable open companies to continue to provide for their needs! I just read where Trader Joe’s bought toilet paper from a major hotel chain because they were shutdown! Do these suppliers have workers ready to jump on the orders that Disney would require? Can supplies be easily and readily be shipped in? Many sub contractors have been severely impacted by the tourism shutdown many let their workers go! This will be another hurdle that Disney is no doubt facing in deciding when they can safely open!

Gov. DeSantis indicated he did not feel Disney would have any issues at all with supply chain. His primary concern was getting things to the smaller businesses which don’t have the connections like Disney or Universal.

 

[dismom58]

The supply issue has been discussed, about 200 pages ago I think. Disney is probably hard at work on the logistics issues but if things aren't available, they aren't available. With the shutdown of multiple processing facilities and the countries heavy reliance on these massive processing facilities, there are going to be issues getting some things to one degree or another. Yes, Disney can probably outbid anyone for it. If it's food or other important things, they would find themselves in a PR firestorm if it got out they were outbidding grocery chains, etc.. and causing shortages for the average person just so they could open their parks.

Sorry didn’t read the back post been kind of skipping on and off reading!

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Sorry didn’t read the back post been kind of skipping on and off reading!

No worries. It's a long, long thread so things are going to come up again.

 

[Leigh L]

I’m waiting to see if they cancel my flight to DC later this month...so far it hasn’t changed at all.

My DC to Milwaukee Southwest flight in early April went as scheduled. I'd canceled a couple of weeks prior, but checked the day before our flight just out of curiosity, and it was still a go.

 

[dismom58]

I think you’re waaaay too worked up about Disney’s supply chains... They won’t open if they can’t get supplies. But they have
1) crap ton of money
2) lots of logistical experience
And probably
3) contracts

I didn’t mean to infer they wouldn’t open just that there are many facets that will go into determining an exact date ! I realize as a major customer they have contracts and a full logistics department! Just due to their size that is a given! I am not overly concerned just pointing out that an exact date involves a lot of coordination and is a heavy lift

 

[DebbieB]

This.

Was reported earlier in the thread that hydraulic oil had been drained from multiple attractions.

SDW may have only given 6 days notice for opening, but they have had staff in there for weeks getting ready.

Their Downtown Disney, a garden area and their hotel have been open since March 9th. The park opening wasn’t a surprise.

I think it is obvious that Disney is eager to open WDW. If they weren’t we would have gotten the same kind of notice DLR and DLP got for WDW instead of only reservations up to the May 31 canceled.

I listened to the earnings call yesterday afternoon, they didn’t seem eager, they seemed cautious. They repeated that they do not have a planned date. They want to do it right. I think they want to see how Shanghai goes.

 

[yulilin3]

DL just updated their site

 

[LSUmiss]

So it seems they are just doing rolling cancellations now about what? 2-3 weeks in advance? So unless they are working hard on opening June 1st, I would guess we start seeing cancellations next week for the first week in June. At this point, if you have a June reservation, may as well hang onto it until Disney cancels it for you -- considering they may give you some deal to come back later (but honestly, they are going to have to be more generous than "free dining" to get a lot of people to come back (especially at the rack rates of their resorts now).

So are they cancelling ppl for 5/31 & allowing them to rebook 6/1 still?

 

[Jmljasmine]

I'd be SHOCKED if any of WDW opened on June 1st. Not saying it's impossible, but I'd be seriously surprised. If it did, it'd probably just be MK and Contemporary or something limited like that. It's going to take many weeks to get the entire property back up and even partially open.

*Edit: I'd be shocked if anything besides disney springs opened by 6/1. I can see that opening in some capacity.

I have a hard time seeing how Contemporary can have social distancing with the elevators. They were always packed when I was there and they didn't allow use of stairs.

 

[LSUmiss]

Well I think the news concerning all the parks/resorts today makes it clear that WDW is hoping for June 1. I wouldn’t expect an announcement for at least another week and a half if they decide they can open then. They want to to have more time to see how things are before the make a commitment like that. I think the only way we hear anything sooner is if the decide to push it back.

I think they’re at least still hoping sometime in June even if it won’t be the first. Next week will be interesting. You would think they won’t let the first time ppl hear about them not opening on 6/1 be the cancellation emails. If they’re not ready to make an official announcement by next week, I doubt they cancel any 6/1 reservations yet.

 

[ruthies12]

For future reference, anytime a CM gives you inside information like that, immediately ask for a supervisor and relay to them what you were told. CM’s really need to stop doing this.

It wasn't me personally, I would have known better lol. It was my moms friend. I've sent her info on the other parks opening dates and I think she believes me now that her trip is not "definitely" going to happen and it is still up in the air.

 

[yulilin3]

So are they cancelling ppl for 5/31 & allowing them to rebook 6/1 still?

Just went on the wdw and on the hub and im able to book on both for June 1st and beyond

 

[dischris11]

Just went on the wdw and on the hub and im able to book on both for June 1st and beyond

I tried to book a stay starting June 1st too and it still showed it as available. How does everyone think Disney will handle stays where part of your stay is in the closure period and part of it is in the open period? The fact that people are reporting that they are being cancelled for stays from March 31- June 6th has me concerned.

 

[yulilin3]

I tried to book a stay starting June 1st too and it still showed it as available. How does everyone think Disney will handle stays where part of your stay is in the closure period and part of it is in the open period? The fact that people are reporting that they are being cancelled for stays from March 31- June 6th has me concerned.

Someone just posted they moved their reservation to start in June and they could

 

[Pickle Rick]

Well the CEO of Southwest airlines said they weren't going to resume flights until Disney reopens.

https://**************.net/2020/04/southwest-ceo-disney-parks-reopen-ba1/

not Disney’s problem

 

[Janet McDonald]

I hesitate to even tell this because, yes it came from a phone cast member. It’s nothing groundbreaking but I will say that she was the most knowledgeable CM I have ever spoke with on the phone. We had awesome Disney conversation and it was obvious her love for it. She lives in Orlando, husband is a bus driver, son works at planet Hollywood. None of this is groundbreaking or new but her perspective was interesting. She said her husband had a call a few days ago and he got super excited to see his bosses number but his boss was only calling to check in so he was bummed as he is ready to get back to driving! Nice that the bosses are calling to check on their employees. Her son has no updates either and all the cars etc parked in DS are not restaurant deliveries. They have heard no word yet on opening PH up yet but she said when the DS restaurants open they won’t need much notice and of course will not order any food until just a couple of days prior. Now here is the part that I know some will blast me for but I’m just telling what she said. She said they have plenty of CM to open without any college program kids whatsoever. She also said that once CMs get a date to come back they could be up and running in a week. She said sooo many live right in the area and so many of them have worked there for so long that it’s second nature. She said they have all the access to needed resources and employees that are well trained and experienced to have it all rolling fast. She said new training regarding safety and health procedures can be implemented and trained quickly. This next part she said is her opinion. She thinks that they are gonna wait as many days as they can to make a decision for June to make sure there isn’t a major shift in numbers. But she stated they have been given no indication of what the actual opening date will be of course. Those are the main points and it made me feel better about it all. I know there are major conflicting opinions on all this and I ain’t here to argue with anyone about it. I enjoyed talking to her about Disney and thought I would share

 

[Jrb1979]

I was supposed to be going to Cedar Point and Put-in Bay for a week later this month. In August I have plans to go Busch Gardens Virginia and Kings Dominion. I want parks to open too. My concern is they are trying to move too fast. In my mind it's a huge jump from what is opening now to a theme park within a month.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I hesitate to even tell this because, yes it came from a phone cast member. It’s nothing groundbreaking but I will say that she was the most knowledgeable CM I have ever spoke with on the phone. We had awesome Disney conversation and it was obvious her love for it. She lives in Orlando, husband is a bus driver, son works at planet Hollywood. None of this is groundbreaking or new but her perspective was interesting. She said her husband had a call a few days ago and he got super excited to see his bosses number but his boss was only calling to check in so he was bummed as he is ready to get back to driving! Nice that the bosses are calling to check on their employees. Her son has no updates either and all the cars etc parked in DS are not restaurant deliveries. They have heard no word yet on opening PH up yet but she said when the DS restaurants open they won’t need much notice and of course will not order any food until just a couple of days prior. Now here is the part that I know some will blast me for but I’m just telling what she said. She said they have plenty of CM to open without any college program kids whatsoever. She also said that once CMs get a date to come back they could be up and running in a week. She said sooo many live right in the area and so many of them have worked there for so long that it’s second nature. She said they have all the access to needed resources and employees that are well trained and experienced to have it all rolling fast. She said new training regarding safety and health procedures can be implemented and trained quickly. This next part she said is her opinion. She thinks that they are gonna wait as many days as they can to make a decision for June to make sure there isn’t a major shift in numbers. But she stated they have been given no indication of what the actual opening date will be of course. Those are the main points and it made me feel better about it all. I know there are major conflicting opinions on all this and I ain’t here to argue with anyone about it. I enjoyed talking to her about Disney and thought I would share

I'm just sad you had a phone CM with a bus driver (!!!!!) husband and don't have something more outrageous to report lol.

Nice to hear her take though, thanks for sharing.

 

[Janet McDonald]

I'm just sad you had a phone CM with a bus driver (!!!!!) husband and don't have something more outrageous to report lol.

Nice to hear her take though, thanks for sharing.

right??!! I could have kept her on the phone forever asking questions she was so nice but I felt bad but she kept conversation going too and I loved how much she loved Disney too and knew so much about it. She said her husband expects a call anytime to get back to it which is why he was so excited to see his bosses number! Also she has heard NOTHING regarding Epcot not opening the same time as the other parks.