Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[DisFitz]

We had WDW reservation for 5/29 thru 6/6. So since Disney has decided not to open the whole family decided to go to Clearwater instead. We called and Busch Gardens plans to open June 1 as does Seaworld. Just because we were curious we called Universal and they stated their plans are to still open on June 1. Makes you think that MickeyWaffles above is right that Disney wants Universal and others to open first and take the heat from the politically correct crowd crowd.

I feel like Universal is more likely to open sooner than Disney as well. . . although that may be because Universal is smaller and their workforce isn't unionized. . .

 

[yulilin3]

I feel like Universal is more likely to open sooner than Disney as well. . . although that may be because Universal is smaller and their workforce isn't unionized. . .

And universal has continued paying their full time staff 80%, so they're more interested in getting back open

 

[BeatingtheOdds]

Our June 22-27 reservation at SOG has been cancelled. They are closed through the 30th and planning to re-open July 1

 

[xuxa777]

Our June 22-27 reservation at SOG has been cancelled. They are closed through the 30th and planning to re-open July 1

Bet that is the date for Disney to open too, soft open a week or so before.

 

[AmberMV]

Our June 22-27 reservation at SOG has been cancelled. They are closed through the 30th and planning to re-open July 1

What is SOG?

 

[TexasChick123]

Our June 22-27 reservation at SOG has been cancelled. They are closed through the 30th and planning to re-open July 1

I’m sorry. I know SOG has to be extra careful since it’s all active and retired military.

 

[JacknSally]

What is SOG?

Shades of Green

 

[woody337]

What is SOG?

Shades of Green

 

[TexasChick123]

Bet that is the date for Disney to open too, soft open a week or so before.

SOG doesn’t have any more info than anyone else about when WDW is opening IMO. They are run by the military. It’s completely different. I’m not saying WDW will open before then, but I wouldn’t use this as an indicator of when WDW is opening.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Our June 22-27 reservation at SOG has been cancelled. They are closed through the 30th and planning to re-open July 1

That doesn't surprise me given the military travel restrictions right now. I just hope the DOD does not extend the restrictions beyond June 30... I'd like to travel with my husband sometime this summer

 

[Searc]

The border closure with Canada has been extended another 30 days, through June 21, so no non-essential travel between the two (and yes, vacation is non-essential).

 

[Mit88]

Disney has more to lose long term in the public perception and confidence department. This is not a race you really want win. The first major park to open will have all eyes on them. People generally have a different set of expectations for Disney, because that’s how Disney has established their brand and identity. They trust Disney more.

If Universal opens earlier than Disney, they can let Universal take the any heat for opening up and Disney can say things like “Guest safety is a priority and we are taking every measure to provide a safe experience for our guests, blah blah blah.” I actually think it is in their best interest long term to *not* open first.

All you have to look at is the day both Disney and Universal closed to know that It doesn’t matter who opens first, Disney will get more negative attention. It was all pictures of Disney that final night open and headlines reading “Disney is trying to purposely kill people with Coronavirus”

 

[UOAP]

All you have to look at is the day both Disney and Universal closed to know that It doesn’t matter who opens first, Disney will get more negative attention. It was all pictures of Disney that final night open and headlines reading “Disney is trying to purposely kill people with Coronavirus”

I agree with this. Disney will get more scrutiny vs any other theme park anywhere. Although I think part of the reason, besides being the biggest and most famous, is that the typical Disney guest is much more high risk. It just isn't big news to see a bunch of low risk 20 somethings hopping on roller coasters vs seeing a bunch of vulnerable (older, obese, infants) guests all lining up for it's a small world. The optics are different.

 

[DisFitz]

seeing a bunch of vulnerable (older, obese, infants) guests all lining up for it's a small world.

I might resemble that remark

 

[chasgoose]

We have a reservation starting June 12th. I understand how complicated the global pandemic must be to navigate, but it's surprising that Disney can't just announce what their plans are regarding timing. If Universal/Busch Gardens/other parks can note a date they are working towards, i'm sure Disney has something up their sleeves that they just aren't announcing. We postponed from April to June - I think if park opening is postponed again, my plan is to just get a cash refund and plan to go to Disney in a year or two.

I'm not that surprised. Think about how complicated the logistics are for reopening the park, which are far more complicated than an outdoor mall like Disney Springs. It's not just how to keep people safe walking around, but each attraction has its own complications in terms of social distancing and hygiene. A ride like Dumbo could be cleaned between each ride (even if that meant slowing everything down), but a ride on an omnimover system like HM that runs on a loop would be much harder to clean. I doubt Disney is going to make any announcements until they have a full sense of what is and isn't possible, how much of the parks and resorts (and pools and other amenities) can be opened and how they are going to present that to potential guests.

I highly doubt WDW will be open by June and even if it is, it will be in a severely limited and restricted capacity, only to very slowly start adding things back to something closer to the full experience.

 

[Mit88]

At the point, Disney knows full well that whatever they do is going to cause negative press. They can’t stop operations because people hate them. They know people have, and always will target them

 

[MicheyMouse]

I'm still holding out hope those with resort reservations in June will be the test group with access to the first phase of re-opening. I'd guess that would be 25000-50,000 people to spread around at this point.

 

[andyman8]

I'll have an updated list of offsite hotel reopening dates in a few days, but it appears that (while not announced) the Dolphin is now only accepting reservations from June 15 and beyond and the Swan is only accepting reservations from July 1 and beyond. They were both taking reservations for June 1 and beyond on Sunday. Their official statement still says closed through May 31, but that doesn't appear to be the case anymore.

 

[rteetz]

 

[JoeA]

All you have to look at is the day both Disney and Universal closed to know that It doesn’t matter who opens first, Disney will get more negative attention. It was all pictures of Disney that final night open and headlines reading “Disney is trying to purposely kill people with Coronavirus”

also, if you remember the guest who flew from LA, went to a convention, went to Universal, went to Disney, and who knows what else...all the headlines said, “Guest died after going to Disney”.