Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Violetspider]

And for a Disney experience, I go to DLR. It’s really personal preference. I don’t really want to be in theme parks for more than 4 days.

Of course, given COVID-19 it’s more likely that I do another Universal trip before a Disneyland trip. I’m really waiting for the next park to open.

I love DLR! It was my home park for 21 years, but I moved to Illinois in 2005 (long before anyone heard the word fast pass). Was back there for 9 days last December. So expensive to stay onsite if you want those morning magic hours at DCA, which I did. Wanting to ride GOTG:MB as much as I did necessitated that. I'd go to DLR in a heartbeat if my WDW res gets cancelled, only DLR isn't going to open up any time soon I suspect.

 

[RamblingMad]

I could do MK, EPCOT, and DHS multiple days during a trip. AK is a little bit tougher to do multiple days of because of its proximity to the resorts I usually stay at. It just seems far out of the way, even though it’s only a 10-15 minute drive. But I also don’t do park open to close anymore. I probably couldn’t do 4 full park days anymore. I usually do 3-4 hours in a park at one time, go back to the hotel, rest, eat, sit by the pool and go to another park at my leisure.

I’d go to DLR more often if it weren’t $400+ more than flying to Orlando in airfare per person. And it’s tough to get reservations at GC, and thats the only place I like to stay

I stay at the Hyatt and take a shuttle to the parks. I still find it cheaper than WDW. The Hyatt is less than $200 a night, and paying for max pass each day still doesn’t get me remotely close to on site WDW hotel prices that I would need for the better FP window.

It’s really my personal preference.

But this conversation is really getting off topic.

 

[Sandiz08]

My ADR for Morimoto Asia in DS on 6/5 was just cancelled. I'm not sure if Morimoto Asia is operated by Disney. If so, that seems to be an indication that they may not be planning on opening the Disney owned restaurants until after that at least...

I believe they are supposed to open this month, May 22. Maybe just doing mass cancellations on disney's behalf since they won't be able to honor it due to reduced capacity.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

@yulilin3 I think you must be heading to Citywalk soon, stay safe and have fun!

 

[dina444444]

I believe they are supposed to open this month, May 22. Maybe just doing mass cancellations on disney's behalf since they won't be able to honor it due to reduced capacity.

It appears that for now for Disney Springs you need to make a reservation through Open Table.

 

[tinkerhon]

The $79 a night room in a brand new hotel is really tempting right now for June 1st. If I had the money I would book it

"Heroes Act" is coming !! Book the hotel

 

[Tandy]

I believe they are supposed to open this month, May 22. Maybe just doing mass cancellations on disney's behalf since they won't be able to honor it due to reduced capacity.

Yes maybe they just randomly cancelled half of them or so

 

[koala1966]

Is there a thread or article about this rumor of 6/1 and TMs being called back? Is there somewhere to discuss opening of other attractions in the area? I'm curious when things like Fun Spot, Sea World, ICON Park, Gatorland, ect will open.

ICON is part of a push for quicker reopening request:
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando...attractions-want-to-be-allowed-to-reopen-soon
I saw another article somewhere that some of their dining was opening but I don't have that link.

Gatorland update:
https://m.orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/a...ir-full-workforce-during-coronavirus-shutdown

 

[UOAP]

Nothing in this epidemic has been guaranteed. People made assumptions based on incomplete or simply bad data. However, had Disney's gamble paid off, Universal people would have been... upset... that Disney offered an incentive and Universal didn't.

I actually think Disney did make a misstep, but that misstep is not letting people who rebooked on free dining continue that rebooking in a similar window (Spring through late Summer) 2021. I do believe that has been Disney's biggest misstep.

Universal's big misstep was putting 6/1 as an opening and then having to go back on it. Disney has never said when they will reopen. Regardless of what people want to believe to justify their decisions. Universal literally told people when they would open, and it's very unlikely they will make that happen.

Universal dining plans aren't really utilized so I highly doubt Universal people would be upset about a dining package offering Disney had. It's just apples and oranges. I feel very bad for people who were lured by Disney to make a June reservation and then had that perk taken away. Someone who made the free dining reservation for late Sept will get it, but someone who made it for June won't? Both followed the rules Disney laid out. I don't begrudge any Disney guest for being upset about it, because it stinks.

Reminder: Universal is NOT saying they will open June 1 and they have been very clear about it. They repeatedly remind passholders that there is no known opening date.

 

[UOAP]

They said they were closed until 5/31. If you aren't closed 6/1, you are open. Disney said they were closed indefinitely. That means they are closed until they are open. It's a very, very important use of language.

If I was booking a restaurant that was closed until 5/31, I'd book it for 6/1. If I was booking a restaurant that was closed indefinitely, I would book somewhere else.

The words "at least" are key. They said "at least through May 31." Meaning no early openings, but who knows when they will actually open.

 

[Tandy]

The words "at least" are key. They said "at least through May 31." Meaning no early openings, but who knows when they will actually open.

Until the virus gives them it's official schedule it is a min. by min. thing.... they WILL NOT be caught off guard ready to open and have no reservations in place.

 

[UOAP]

Since we're kind of on Universal, off topic or not, is that a decent trip for a solo traveler? Meaning a multiple day on-site stay?

I would say yes. You have a LOT of passholders and locals who go solo, so you wouldn't stand out or anything. Lots of solo meetups too, if that's something that interests you. Most rides have single rider lines. The hotels at Universal are excellent. Cabana Bay has the best theming of any theme park hotel IMO, although the beds at Portofino Bay are the best beds.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Until the virus gives them it's official schedule it is a min. by min. thing.... they WILL NOT be caught off guard ready to open and have no reservations in place.

I think Disney really sucks for not trying harder to get that official virus schedule.

 

[Krandor]

The words "at least" are key. They said "at least through May 31." Meaning no early openings, but who knows when they will actually open.

Which is what some in this thread have asked disney to do (give a "this is the earlier we will be open date")

 

[andyman8]

Well, the parks hours through June 6 are no more. You have to think that they'd probably not open too far into June and instead wait until after July 4th weekend to reopen to avoid having to not deal with the heavy crowds. Wouldn't surprise me if we saw an opening in mid-July (after the Fourth) since things slow down considerably after that.

 

[vinotinto]

I get the continued reservations though. Not from a cynical deposit hoarding POV, but because they probably want to be ready to go when they can finally open, and let people continue booking planning and thinking about Disney trips. Besides, whatever date they let them begin (if they didn’t just cut them off entirely) would become the new “opening” date no matter what they say.

Right. It's clear to me Disney really wants to reopen as soon as it is possible to do so. That means, they don't want to cancel people in the next XX number of week/months because then they may miss on bookings when they reopen.

And can ya'll imagine what a disaster it would be if they cancelled all the way to XX date and then they reopen? People are complaining about the last-minute cancellations, but I think it would be much worse to get cancelled and then it turns out that they are able to open.

 

[Violetspider]

I would say yes. You have a LOT of passholders and locals who go solo, so you wouldn't stand out or anything. Lots of solo meetups too, if that's something that interests you. Most rides have single rider lines. The hotels at Universal are excellent. Cabana Bay has the best theming of any theme park hotel IMO, although the beds at Portofino Bay are the best beds.

Thank you for the info. I'm perfectly fine by myself at Disney. Just wasn't too sure about UO. I love HP, so I've been wanting to go. I was waiting for when I finally move to Florida, but I think that maybe too long of a wait as selling a home in Illinois is pipe dream right now.

 

[TexasChick123]

Well, the parks hours through June 6 are no more. You have to think that they'd probably not open too far into June and instead wait until after July 4th weekend to reopen to avoid having to not deal with the heavy crowds. Wouldn't surprise me if we saw an opening in mid-July (after the Fourth) since things slow down considerably after that.

They can control crowds with limited hotels and park tickets for reduced capacity. The holiday won’t have anything to do with capacity other than hitting it sooner on a holiday weekend versus a random day.

 

[Broncho52]

Anyone know why November park times have not been released? Has this happened before or do we think this is due to COVID?

 

[Tiki Birdland]

Do you think they really have the resources to call everyone? It’s not doable.

What I do wonder is if they’re canceling folks that they think will spend the least per guest, or are the cancellations random to reduce attendance in the parks.

Calling isn't necessarily what's being asked here. A simple email will do. And yes, that's do-able.