Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[rteetz]

Does anyone else get a spam error when trying to post? I was trying to say my last post was incorrect.

New posters do have some restrictions until they get to certain posting levels.

 

[b2k1121]

That's fine, but many reliable sources say they aren't needed, including many stores. I choose to not wear them or support stores that mandate them, including Disney until they lift the requirements. Disney hasn't even made an official statement requiring them when they open. I dont wear them because I'm not basing my options on the news only facts, which they have very little of, just making people fearful.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

New posters do have some restrictions until they get to certain posting levels.

Thank you. I was confused why sometimes I could post and other times I couldn’t.

 

[ScubaCat]

I always thought the parks would open with Shanghai first, then Hong Kong, Tokyo, WDW, Disneyland and lastly Paris. Maybe Disney is following their own plans and not worrying too much about UO. Hopefully Disney will release an opening date this week. I really sympathize with all of you who are out of state trying to make vacation plans when so much is in limbo.

I'm pretty sure WDW is more valuable than the others combined, is a much bigger liability (massively more costly to maintain while closed), and is in Florida which is politically friendlier to sooner reopening. WDW has got to be their #1 priority (and 2nd thru 10th priority) above all else. That doesn't mean it's opening next, but that's definitely the focus.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I don’t think that’ll directly affect HKDL’s reopening. Disney is a business partner with the Chinese government in Shanghai. What makes you think that they’d have any difficulty working with them in Hong Kong? HKDL didn’t close during the protests late last year, and assuming the health situation in Hong Kong continues to improve, HKDL will reopen sooner rather than later.

The concern expressed by PP is valid. Their ultimate concern is Disney will not be allowed to work with China. The 1 country 2 systems political arrangement was just shattered, sanctions against China are very much on the table. They could be so extreme no businesses are allowed to operate in China, which would force Disney to abandon their assets in country. (This isn’t the place to discuss the odds of that, I’m just stating how potentially earth shattering what just happened is.) That said I don’t think it has any bearing on us. We pretty much assume everything in the Chinese parks is operating as China wants it to look/operate anyway.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

I'm pretty sure WDW is more valuable than the others combined, is a much bigger liability (massively more costly to maintain while closed), and is in Florida which is politically friendlier to sooner reopening. WDW has got to be their #1 priority (and 2nd thru 10th priority) above all else. That doesn't mean it's opening next, but that's definitely the focus.

You’re right. I didn’t look at it that way. Perhaps that’s why it’s taking a bit to reopen. There seem to be so many moving pieces to coordinate. There’s numerous hotels that tie in to several transportation systems. Add the two water parks to that. I’m hoping they open all parks so guests can space out, not to mention getting cast members back to work.

 

[FireflyJar]

Deleted

 

[realestateanddisney]

I don’t understand it either. I would assume that would mean the entire family would be quarantined with much stricter guidelines than at home now that restrictions are lifting. I love WDW resorts, but weeks or months on end not being able to leave? Even if it was the best they have, I’d go stir crazy.

We were there during a hurricane a few years ago and were basically asked to stay in our rooms as much as possible for a couple of days and ended up booking the first available flight home because it was miserable to my children and to us. To this day, we do not stay at POR.

 

[cakebaker]

We were there during a hurricane a few years ago and were basically asked to stay in our rooms as much as possible for a couple of days and ended up booking the first available flight home because it was miserable to my children and to us. To this day, we do not stay at POR.

While I wouldn’t mind riding out a hurricane at WDW, it most definitely would not be in a resort with no indoor corridors.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

While I wouldn’t mind riding out a hurricane at WDW, it most definitely would not be in a resort with no indoor corridors.

We were at the Polynesian during Francis in 2004 with my kids and grandkids. They brought in the characters to the main building for photos and did a lot of extra activities for the children. I got some really amazing photos of the hurricane as I moved between the long houses. It wasn’t a bad experience at all. We thought of it as a once in a lifetime adventure, something we’d always remember.

 

[wdwlver]

Most times if people are frustrated with a business or how they operate, they just don't do business with them anymore. If your frustrated or dissatisfied, then quit giving them your money.

It’s a bit more complicated when you own DVC. We all have large financial interests involved and selling points before the situation is resolved doesn’t make any financial sense. It’s not a lot to ask to be kept informed when we have to make decisions on points.

 

[tinkerhon]

I agree. It seems to me that it is unlikely they are reopening with buffets with character meets, but all of those can still be booked. Unless they are planning to do what they did in Shanghai with the characters doing a little parade? And FPs are available for character meets. Are they going to have those? Maybe with some “barrier” and distancing in place?


Well, you need tickets if you are going to make FPs. And if you are going to the parks you need FPs. So, I don’t see how guests can avoid purchasing tickets now for their July trips.

Exactly - and the way the system is now constituted, you basically have to book FPS - and a quick check of the Plaza Garden Dessert Party shows availability for July 4 - does anyone really think that's going to happen ? I have tickets for July 20th, but I'm sure it will be cancelled - point is that events like that probably shouldn't be available for booking right now - Disney has stated a number of times already that guests need to expect a modified experience - I really doubt there will even be fireworks, let alone a dessert party on July 4, when it will be near impossible to social distance even at a reduced capacity

 

[xuxa777]

The positive out of Disney not opening the parks quickly is if they wait a few more weeks they probably will not have to require masks. By that time we will see the results from all the states that have been open for over a month and especially from this weekend, where masks have not been required or worn for the most part. I can't imagine at this point that isn't a part of the thought process for them.

Not arguing whether they should or not but with more info like that it will help.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

I didn't know if others had viewed the Mayor's interview with CNBC in which he discussed WDW's intent to submit a re-opening plan sometime this week, but after watching it, I now understand that submission this week does not necessarily mean presentation to the task force this week. Has anyone been able to find out anything else about this? I hope to watch the meeting just in case.....

 

[cakebaker]

Most times if people are frustrated with a business or how they operate, they just don't do business with them anymore. If your frustrated or dissatisfied, then quit giving them your money.

That’s a bit simplistic. If you're a DVC member, you were promised a certain level of service and it’s not like you just don’t write a check to them anymore.

Even for regular guests, like me, Disney has a product that no one else has. They are unique. So when they fail to live up to expectations that are generally reasonable, yes, I can not give them my money anymore, but it’s not like I can replace them either. It makes the decision to cut ties very difficult.

It’s an often used quip that really serves no purpose and isn’t the least bit helpful. We all know we’re not forced to give them our money.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I didn't know if others had viewed the Mayor's interview with CNBC in which he discussed WDW's intent to submit a re-opening plan sometime this week, but after watching it, I now understand that submission this week does not necessarily mean presentation to the task force this week. Has anyone been able to find out anything else about this? I hope to watch the meeting just in case.....

There hasn’t been anymore info.

 

[andyman8]

I didn't know if others had viewed the Mayor's interview with CNBC in which he discussed WDW's intent to submit a re-opening plan sometime this week, but after watching it, I now understand that submission this week does not necessarily mean presentation to the task force this week. Has anyone been able to find out anything else about this? I hope to watch the meeting just in case.....

To be honest, it's been hard to pin down an exact answer on this. The Mayor said Disney "indicated" they'd be submitting their plan this week (not presenting). That could mean they've told the Mayor they were submitting this week. That could mean they said they might submit this week. That could mean they said they'd submit soon. Heck, that could mean the Mayor wants Disney to submit and is trying to apply some pressure. We've heard from some local reporters who have had conflicting reports on whether Disney will in fact submit this week or not. On Wednesday, we'll find out! My guess is that there are a number of factors affecting their reopening timeline and they're not ready to commit to a specific timeframe.

In regard to actually presenting, the general belief is that Disney would submit their plan one week and then schedule a presentation for the following week. At least, that's what the Mayor has indicated.

 

[cakebaker]

In regard to actually presenting, the general belief is that Disney would submit their plan one week and then schedule a presentation for the following week. At least, that's what the Mayor has indicated.

Here’s the actual quote. If Disney submits tomorrow, there’s no need to put the public presentation off for a week. They’re meeting Wednesday, they could do it then. I would think Disney would make their presentation asap after submitting to avoid the sure to come leaks. When Universal presented, it was clear they had just handed the task force their written proposal right before the meeting.


“Disney has given an indication that next week, they will submit their plans, and once they do, then we will schedule that for a full briefing before our Economic Recovery Task Force as well. So at this point, it’s an undefined time or date, but we do look forward to seeing that sometime next week.”

 

[andyman8]

Here’s the actual quote. If Disney submits tomorrow, there’s no need to put the public presentation off for a week. They’re meeting Wednesday, they could do it then. I would think Disney would make their presentation asap after submitting to avoid the sure to come leaks. When Universal presented, it was clear they had just handed the task force their written proposal right before the meeting.


“Disney has given an indication that next week, they will submit their plans, and once they do, then we will schedule that for a full briefing before our Economic Recovery Task Force as well. So at this point, it’s an undefined time or date, but we do look forward to seeing that sometime next week.”

Yeah but the previous reports from various local affiliates indicated that Disney planned to submit on Wednesday. We also went through this last week when Disney was presenting then submitting but not presenting then just waiting. Personally, I'm not putting much stock into any of this, but we'll see.

 

[cakebaker]

Yeah but the previous reports from various local affiliates indicated that Disney planned to submit on Wednesday. Personally, I'm not putting much stock into any of this, but we'll see.

They have a meeting Wednesday, it’s possible to do it all in one day. As slow as Disney has been to do anything, I’m not particularly hopeful, but they could if they wanted to.