Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Tiki Birdland]

Totally agree ! We are booked for July 14, and probably won't be going based on all of the changes (and not saying that they are not necessary) - but Disney needs to do the right thing and refund money for tickets - I love the sound of coins, but won't give you a dollar bill for a shiny quarter - 25% experience for 100% dollar doesn't make sense

We finally pulled the trigger. My DW went into the app and cancelled our reservations and MDEs. Very sad to watch the confirmation emails pop up our inbox. After watching the DS videos with the masks and hearing that they'll be catering to the NBA for their magical experience left us with the feeling Disney isn't interested in middle class families any more. Maybe the rabid one that say, "I'll do ANYTHING to get back to the parks". I'm expecting to see some ESPN specials advertised of NBA players enjoying MK rides and attractions all to themselves; maybe even without masks. I won't be watching.

 

[hertamaniac]

I just think the risks of those infecting someone where the outcome is dire is higher at Disney. And I think they know that, and that is making them more cautious.

Maybe it's the sheer magnitude of the number of guests being different between WDW and UO that has them trepidatious.

 

[woody337]

Is today when schedules might be published for CM's?

I’m willing to bet it’ll be the same as recent weeks. No announcement at all. Then later it’ll be no schedule. With Disney not presenting a reopen plan I don’t think they can bring cm’s back

 

[cakebaker]

Is today when schedules might be published for CM's?

Yes, but for the past 2 weeks, they have not come out on Sunday.

 

[Boya]

I’m well aware of the mask debate. Typically the ones that scream the loudest are mistaken as the majority. There are plenty enough people that would gladly comply and follow the guidelines that Disney would set in place. But because we’re not screaming at the roof tops and complaining about anything, it gets lost in the shuffle in place of the people yelling and screaming about not going with those regulations in affect. Just because you dont hear us, doesnt mean we dont exist

Comply with mask or don't go....should be simple. I have no problem calling someone out

 

[StevieB81]

Oh wow another 30 pages to catch up on!

I think there are two very critical unresolved and very contentious issues for disney still to resolve.

1. They agreed with the union everyone would wear masks. CMs, guests, everyone. Now with DS open and before the full peak of summer there is already non-compliance and the comments from potential guests are brutal. How does disney get around that when they promised the union as part of safety of CMs returning??

2. Disney used a very clear phrase for the financial condition of reopening - positive financial contribution I think it was? Disney and universal have no real clue how many people will arrive, and even more critical how much they will spend on food and merch. For DS on opening day there were people, but in the 30 minute video I saw after they had been open several hours I think I saw one person with a shopping bag. Apparently numbers have dropped off since then?

Maybe disney is convinced opening now will cost more than staying closed with all staff furloughed. Maybe they'll wait it out and see how universal goes with actual guest spending first.

Disney Springs for locals only is VERY different than Disney Springs with the resorts open and parks open. Disney has a pretty good idea of at least the minimum people that would come-they keep cancelling our reservations. Plus ADRs and FPs tells them how many people want to do what and where. Not sure how many people cancelled reservations due to having to wear a mask, but I know I didn't. I re-scheduled my DVC stay to August when they cancelled all my ADRs and FPs on Thursday. For the incredible heat and mask wearing. If they are not open by then, when they could be because FL government has made it very clear they would like for them to open, I guess I'll go to Universal. I'm running out of time when my whole party is available. I know quite a few people that feel the same way. Hopefully the resorts will at least be open, because I'm gonna lose the equivalent of ~$3000 in points if they aren't. We intend to spend the same we always do on food, etc and it's not an insignificant amount. Masks are only really needed when you can't maintain distance. A little breather when you aren't right on top of someone won't hurt anybody. In stores, etc enforcement will have to be more stringent. It's the same everywhere. Plus, if this turns out to be an actual airborne illness, masks won't matter.

 

[DisFitz]

Disney has a reputation built on being magical. You are a princess, We will make your dreams come true. This is a hard pandemic. Magical and pandemic just don’t go together. Universal has IP that is just the opposite. You are a superhero, You are a wizard, You can save the world. That’s much easier to do in a mask, though a cape would also be useful.

Disney may be sitting back to watch how others open first, but they have a different clientele. Those folks that do Disney AND Universal AND Sea World, they are awesome. They’d love to open to all those healthy small groups that roll with the punches. But Disney also has the Disney bubble guests: the three or four generation family reunions, the special needs families, and those families that believe in the magic. How do you protect Those most at risk: the elderly, the Pooh sized, the special need families in a pandemic? How do you protect those that think Disney is magic and the big bad pandemic won’t be found at Disney, and therefore their frail family members they won’t take to the grocery will be safe within the Disney walls?

I don’t know that Disney guests are less likely to comply with safety measures than those at other parks. I don’t think they are more entitled. I just think the risks of those infecting someone where the outcome is dire is higher at Disney. And I think they know that, and that is making them more cautious.

I agree with this assessment, at least for me personally. The more I think about masks in Disney, the less I think I want that memory. I love the Disney magic and the Disney "bubble". But, I bought Harry Potter and Ninja masks for Universal and we will happy as clams, slaying dragons and whatnot. Plus, I love the walk to Universal with no shared germs in the bus air conditioning. . .

 

[mshanson3121]

Disney may be sitting back to watch how others open first, but they have a different clientele. Those folks that do Disney AND Universal AND Sea World, they are awesome. They’d love to open to all those healthy small groups that roll with the punches. But Disney also has the Disney bubble guests: the three or four generation family reunions, the special needs families, and those families that believe in the magic. How do you protect Those most at risk: the elderly, the Pooh sized, the special need families in a pandemic? How do you protect those that think Disney is magic and the big bad pandemic won’t be found at Disney, and therefore their frail family members they won’t take to the grocery will be safe within the Disney walls?

Those people just aren't going to be going to Disney, it's as simple as that. Sure, a few may throw caution to the wind, but the majority won't be. I'm sure Disney is trying to consider how to keep their parks safe for everyone definitely, but, I don't think it's this particular concern that is the overall hangup, since I think Disney realizes this group will be a very small portion of their guests for the next while.

 

[Minnie368]

We finally pulled the trigger. My DW went into the app and cancelled our reservations and MDEs. Very sad to watch the confirmation emails pop up our inbox. After watching the DS videos with the masks and hearing that they'll be catering to the NBA for their magical experience left us with the feeling Disney isn't interested in middle class families any more. Maybe the rabid one that say, "I'll do ANYTHING to get back to the parks". I'm expecting to see some ESPN specials advertised of NBA players enjoying MK rides and attractions all to themselves; maybe even without masks. I won't be watching.

You do know that the NBA thing isn’t definite yet and that even if they do get a deal that doesn’t mean it’s going to affect the parks/resorts for everyone else? So many people are talking like the deal has been signed and that Disney has already announced that they’re delaying park opening so the NBA can have it all to themselves but this is all speculation that people are turning into fact. Maybe that will happen- maybe it won’t- but no one knows at this point. If you have to cancel at this time and can’t wait a little while to see what happens I understand, but if you’re cancelling now because you believe these things are fact you may regret it later.

 

[yulilin3]

As some of you guessed, no schedules this morning

 

[dismom58]

Disney can say they care about guest safety all they want, but at the end of the day, theyre in it for the money. The proof is in the pudding when they allowed the parks to remain open at full capacity 4 extra days when they could have shut down the parks the night of the announcement, and let the resorts stay open until everyone had their travel arrangements. But they didnt do that. Its hard to believe they suddenly care enough that they wont open their parks because not everyone will wear masks while Universal had to listen to public comments being read during the task force meeting about guests not coming to the parks and wearing masks and they still revealed their plans to reopen. Different companies, yes. But both love money equally.

And how you’ll know it to be true that their concern about safety is a load of garbage is IF Vegas swoops in at the last second to bring the NBA there, or if they start airing the NBA games, get big viewship the first couple of days and then people stop caring because the NBA is not the same without the crowd. Then all of a sudden they’ll change their tune and pretend that they care about the guests and say the parks are opening

Edited: because apparently the use of if was ignored

I agree with your thought process “if” included! One thing keeps going through my head though, as a business it is probably lawyers vs accountants vs marketing all pitching their version of when and how to open to execs at Disney! Each spins a plan to keep their area of responsibility out of hot water under maximum circumstances! But what if Disney decided to let Universal go first! Right now they have no real indicators of attendance mask compliance and then the big one the reaction if anyone who was in your park in the last two weeks heaven forbid comes down with the virus! By waiting a bit they may feel Universal can lead the way so if expenses due to over staffing, supplying etc are out of wack they know what not to do! If someone gets the virus Universal takes the publicity hit and maybe more people switch to Disney if it’s seen as safer!

 

[anthony2k7]

As some of you guessed, no schedules this morning

No schedules at all? Or schedules but with no one scheduled to work?

 

[yulilin3]

No schedules at all? Or schedules but with no one scheduled to work?

No schedules. When it comes without times i post that the schedules were posted with no shifts. I expect them to come out on Wednesday again

 

[yulilin3]

I agree with your thought process “if” included! One thing keeps going through my head though, as a business it is probably lawyers vs accountants vs marketing all pitching their version of when and how to open to execs at Disney! Each spins a plan to keep their area of responsibility out of hot water under maximum circumstances! But what if Disney decided to let Universal go first! Right now they have no real indicators of attendance mask compliance and then the big one the reaction if anyone who was in your park in the last two weeks heaven forbid comes down with the virus! By waiting a bit they may feel Universal can lead the way so if expenses due to over staffing, supplying etc are out of wack they know what not to do! If someone gets the virus Universal takes the publicity hit and maybe more people switch to Disney if it’s seen as safer!

Both universal and Disney sent surveys about all this so they have an idea on what the people are willing to do and what they aren't. Universal saw the data and decided to open. Disney knows 100% of people won't comply about the masks, but everyone knew that already so I don't think that is as big of an issue in reopening

 

[abnihon]

Not sure I get why people are saying the NBA wouldn’t go to the parks. Don’t a lot Of the have kids they’d be traveling with? I would think a big part of the deal would be a semi private Magic Kingdom.

 

[chad_1138]

I'm truly hoping that Disney releases their plan on Wednesday as Mayor Demmings indicated. Something has to be said this week, for many reasons, but here is one. Guest who have June arrivals have the option to make their final payment 7 days before arrival. Next Sunday/Monday will be 30 days out for July arrivals, and our payments are still due 30 days out. If nothing is said, that is going to put July tips in a really rough spot.

 

[woody337]

I'm truly hoping that Disney releases their plan on Wednesday as Mayor Demmings indicated. Something has to be said this week, for many reasons, but here is one. Guest who have June arrivals have the option to make their final payment 7 days before arrival. Next Sunday/Monday will be 30 days out for July arrivals, and our payments are still due 30 days out. If nothing is said, that is going to put July tips in a really rough spot.

I haven’t thought of that. Our trip is July 17th and all we’ve paid is the deposit due to not having any concrete info from Disney. What they are doing is flat out wrong

 

[Lewisc]

AT&T isn’t conceding revenue to Disney. The NBA is still generating licensing money. The NBA is not going to concede their licensing money to anyone. If Disney would have asked for any of that, the NBA would find a way to make Vegas work.

It can be a convention type of booking. NBA rents rooms, pays for food rents the courts and pays the going rate to rent the parks for private events Select nights .
It could be an arrangement which shares some revenues.

Players will be isolated and fans won't be on the stands. Disney won't be hosting as a means of increasing guests.

One way or another Disney will get paid.

 

[skeeter31]

Not sure I get why people are saying the NBA wouldn’t go to the parks. Don’t a lot Of the have kids they’d be traveling with? I would think a big part of the deal would be a semi private Magic Kingdom.

It’s tough to know because it’s an unknown whether the teams would be allowed to have their families with them. Nothing concrete has been stated and each league is looking to handle things differently. I know the NHL, while planning their 24 team playoff system in hub cities, would NOT allow the families of players or coaches to stay with them. So the teams are going to essentially be on a road trip for 2 solid months with no direct contact with their families. There is a good chance the NBA could do this as well to secure the “bubble.”

 

[chad_1138]

I haven’t thought of that. Our trip is July 17th and all we’ve paid is the deposit due to not having any concrete info from Disney. What they are doing is flat out wrong

Exactly. We arrive July 5 and our final payment is due June 6. If Disney hasn't announced anything at that point and is still cancelling week to week, I am going to have a really hard time making that final payment...