Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[dmband]

Absolutely there are concerns with what other people will do. There are a large portion of people that theres no amount of convincing that will have them put on a face covering, and to a point, thats their right. But its also the right of businesses not to let them in. I personally havent seen anyone without a mask on in my 4 trips to the grocery store, but I see people while I’m walking my dog without wearing one. Those cases I’m not too worried about as our street isnt filled with people so theres really not much of a necessity to wear one. I’d love it if everyone could come to solidarity and do this one thing for the betterment of the entire community, but its just unrealistic, unfortunately. Its just best to attempt to avoid the ones not following the guidelines, though at times its tough to.



This is what I thought a few weeks ago, but was corrected. Yes, the number is rumored to be around 95-100k, but thats never been, and likely never will be a confirmed number. But its also not a good number to base capacity levels on as the average day at MK only sees about 40-50k people. So in all likelihood their capacity limit would be based on that number, and not necessarily the ~90k number. So a 50% limit would be more like 25k, which is still a lot of people, but theyd easily be able to obtain that number if they desired. It will probably be around 18-20k to start, depending on when they reopen.

Makes sense but in general capacity is based on total, codes enforcement capacity

 

[LSUmiss]

Isn’t anyone who buys tickets now making their own personal choice to purchase tickets for a park that is closed until further notice?

Or are they trusty a company to do the right thing. It’s that they’re “nonrefundable” that’s the problem.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

If Disney is holding back opening the parks for the NBA, lets just say there will be some management shakeups. Chapek will not be CEO for long if that is the case. This is why I think the whole NBA thing is way overblown regarding to park opening.

With news getting better and numbers still trending down, with no indications of it changing, being closed at while Universal even though smaller can figure it out will look worse optically every day.

Just this week a study showed no infection from asymptomatic case spread from people exposed for long periods of time to that asymptotic case. Hopefully we will learn more info like this. Very promising and will make opening even easier.

Tokyo Disney should open real soon as well, they are probably going to drop state of emergency in the next few days, and they had a loose lockdown at best, with businesses still staying open.

The NBA at WWoS is Iger’s baby. Not Chapek.

Iger made the proposal to Commissioner Silver and has worked hand in hand long hours to get it to work. He was also on the Board of Governors call Friday to address any concerns they may have.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Or are they trusty a company to do the right thing. It’s that they’re “nonrefundable” that’s the problem.

It’s not like you can’t apply them as a credit later. They’re not taking your money with you getting nothing for it, forever. I didn’t get a refund on my kids gymnastics or swimming classes, but I can apply the cost of the ones that were cancelled to future classes. No clue when those may be.

I’m just saying, if you CHOOSE to buy tickets NOW, you know they are nonrefundable but they will apply the value to tickets later. They’re not taking your money and saying you can never use what you spent on your tickets.

I do think they should have considered refunding everyone who had purchased tickets before the closure. But people who buy them now? You know what you’re getting into.

 

[LSUmiss]

It’s not like you can’t apply them as a credit later. They’re not taking your money with you getting nothing for it, forever. I didn’t get a refund on my kids gymnastics or swimming classes, but I can apply the cost of the ones that were cancelled to future classes. No clue when those may be.

I’m just saying, if you CHOOSE to buy tickets NOW, you know they are nonrefundable but they will apply the value to tickets later. They’re not taking your money and saying you can never use what you spent on your tickets.

But I’m assuming you paid for your kids stuff pre pandemic so that is expected & understandable (although I was given the option of a refund for many things we paid for pre pandemic). They’re not selling vouchers to be used at a whenever they open date. They’re selling dated tickets to be used on specific days. If they know they won’t open by then, that’s not acceptable. That’s fraud imo. If they still don’t know, that’s fine. But they also need to communicate better. Not to mention the fact they haven’t bothered to officially update their email warnings telling guests the opposite of what their supposed new policy is regarding package cancellations & refunds. It’s not acceptable that they haven’t changed their written policy & are supposed to take Sven/Flynn/Finn & co at their word that the policy has changed.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

But I’m assuming you paid for your kids stuff pre pandemic so that is expected & understandable (although I was given the option of a refund for many things we paid for pre pandemic). They’re not selling vouchers to be used at a whenever they open date. They’re selling dated tickets to be used on specific days. If they know they won’t open by then, that’s not acceptable. That’s fraud imo. If they still don’t know, that’s fine. But they also need to communicate better. Not to mention the fact they haven’t bothered to officially update their email warnings telling guests the opposite of what their supposed new policy is regarding package cancellations & refunds. It’s not acceptable that they haven’t changed their written policy & are supposed to take Sven/Flynn/Finn & co at their word that the policy has changed.

It’s a pretty big leap IMO to assume they know they won’t be open on dates they are selling tickets and taking reservations.

As you know, they did already cut off June reservations and sales.

 

[LSUmiss]

It’s a pretty big leap IMO to assume they know they won’t be open on dates they are selling tickets and taking reservations.

As you know, they did already cut off June reservations and sales.

I’m talking about in terms of the 8/31 rumor.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I’m talking about in terms of the 8/31 rumor.

Which is just that, a rumour. A rumour with a fair amount of reasons to doubt, IMO.

I don’t know, it seems premature to get mad at them for selling tickets in July and August when for all we know they are planning a July opening.

 

[LSUmiss]

Which is just that, a rumour. A rumour with a fair amount of reasons to doubt, IMO.

I don’t know, it seems premature to get mad at them for selling tickets in July and August when for all we know they are planning a July opening.

I agree except that also sounds reminiscent of what ppl said when they were still selling tickets & packages for June.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I agree except that also sounds reminiscent of what ppl said when they were still selling tickets & packages for June.

It probably was true for June though. It still could be true for June, although looking less likely by the day.

One thing I am pretty certain of, they would not have offered the free dining deal if they didn’t at some point believe June 1 was a viable option.

 

[zumfelde]

The communication is “closed until further notice,” but it seems like many are unwilling to accept that as a reality.

Then they should stop taking reservations "until further notice". Then could resume reservations when they know a reopening date.

 

[JacknSally]

Makes sense but in general capacity is based on total, codes enforcement capacity

In the earnings call on 5/4, Chapek referenced operating at a “percentage of standard capacity”. Since nothing has been confirmed, most people are assuming that the reference implied they would reopen with a percentage of their typical daily capacity and not their maximum potential capacity.

When they reopened Shanghai, they were recommended by the government to only allow in 30% of their standard capacity, and they actually only allowed even less than that, according to that same earnings call.

 

[gottalovepluto]

So the latest rumor over at WDW Magic is that one of the options being explored is opening only DHS and World Showcase in Food & Wine mode while only operating the Epcot/Skyliner resorts. Says MK is most likely the last park to open. All because of how you get people to and from the parks.

I’m glad the rumors are clarifying things

 

[TheMaxRebo]

In our case, we’re booked using a 40% off AP discount. If they don’t open by July 9, that goes away. That alone will cause us to cancel. The price difference is huge on our resorts for the length of time we’re staying and no way they’re going to extend it to a new reservation.

I would hope Disney would honor any discounts that were in place if they cancel your reservation - free dining, etc. I think that would at least help the blow if your trip gets cancelled with short notice (heck they probably should improve what you booked to help guest recovery)

Harder to know how to handle if the parks are open but with significant restrictions so that people would not want to go then even if able to (even at 40% discount you were still wanting to pay for the "full" experience)

 

[gottalovepluto]

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

Which is a main concern for Disney. Guests calling out guests leads to confrontations.

 

[chad_1138]

I would hope Disney would honor any discounts that were in place if they cancel your reservation - free dining, etc. I think that would at least help the blow if your trip gets cancelled with short notice (heck they probably should improve what you booked to help guest recovery)

Harder to know how to handle if the parks are open but with significant restrictions so that people would not want to go then even if able to (even at 40% discount you were still wanting to pay for the "full" experience)

We are right there too. Our July 5-17 was booked with the free dining on January 2. Gonna be a big blow to lose that.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

In the earnings call on 5/4, Chapek referenced operating at a “percentage of standard capacity”. Since nothing has been confirmed, most people are assuming that the reference implied they would reopen with a percentage of their typical daily capacity and not their maximum potential capacity.

When they reopened Shanghai, they were recommended by the government to only allow in 30% of their standard capacity, and they actually only allowed even less than that, according to that same earnings call.

And that is where it can get confusing as there are so many different numbers out there. I believe the guidance from government was 50% of max capacity but Disney has indicated they would be a limitation vs typical and like you cited in Shanghai they were starting well below the government restriction level

Unless we get something official from Disney/Universal (and we likely never will) it's hard to know what the numerator or denominator is - just know that there will be some level of reduced attendance

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I would hope Disney would honor any discounts that were in place if they cancel your reservation - free dining, etc. I think that would at least help the blow if your trip gets cancelled with short notice (heck they probably should improve what you booked to help guest recovery)

Harder to know how to handle if the parks are open but with significant restrictions so that people would not want to go then even if able to (even at 40% discount you were still wanting to pay for the "full" experience)

They haven’t been re-applying discounts at this point as far as I know. I think rescheduling has been treated like new bookings, if a discount is available for your new dates you can use it, otherwise it’s rack rate. Could be wrong though.

 

[Jrb1979]

I’m glad the rumors are clarifying things

It does things are changing daily on what their plans are. MNSSHP is now rumoured not to be taking place as its hard to do with social distancing measures in place.

I think Disney's biggest issue is transportation in regards to opening. Universal doesn't have to worry as much.

 

[Spridell]

Which is a main concern for Disney. Guests calling out guests leads to confrontations.

The masks are one thing, my fear which i posted a while back is people are going to call out older people, or heavier people etc.... for being there.

We all know whenever the parks do open older people WILL show up, heavier people WILL show up, etc...... I just hope their are not fights over that.