Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Brianstl]

This will disappoint my son.

https://blogmickey.com/2020/05/disney-cast-members-will-not-be-pin-trading/

 

[MouseEarsMom33]

Where was this information?

It was in post #19,676 that had the travel agent letters

As a result of physical distancing, capacity in restaurants and availability of dining experiences is very limited and certain experiences such as Character dining cannot be provided.

 

[CastAStone]

Can you share a copy of the email you received?

It’s really the same as everyone else’s, minus that sentence:

An Important Walt Disney World Update ‌ ​

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we’re here to help you as we introduce new measures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. ‌ To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Theme Park and Disney Resort hotel experiences, including the temporary suspension of Extra Magic Hours. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Unfortunately, these new measures have also required us to cancel any dining and experience reservations you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we’re deeply sorry. We’ll be contacting you shortly regarding our new dining and experience reservation window which will accommodate selections up to 60 days prior to arrival to allow for planning closer to your visit. ‌ At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation at any time. ‌ We’re putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. ‌ For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services. ‌ Select third party operated restaurants and certain other experiences may not be cancelled.​

 

[DGsAtBLT]

When people are angry with how slow Disney was handling this can we just think of this. This isn’t easy for them. They have a much much bigger world to change than universal. Universal has 2 parks. Disney has hotels, transportation, 4 parks, families spending thousands coming from all over the world.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1266510972925153282

Imagine when someone shows up and is a carrier and potentially exposes tens of thousands of people. Cases are going up in places that reopened. We need to be mindful with that when we talk to CMs and get angry with new rules this isn’t their fault.

I know I know don’t I told you so, but earlier today someone literally brought up Lake of the Ozarks as a GOOD example of getting back to normal in response to Disney being “too cautious”. So I’m going to say it anyways, because it’s pretty freaking important to recognize that precautions are vital right now.

All it takes is one.

 

[A2DisneyMom]

Wow. What a week it has been. The short version: we are now on Disney vacation #3. One thing is certain, this summer is turning out to be for “ride or die” Disney Parks fanatics, of which I am (un)fortunately one.

Thus far I’ve lost my June “welcome home” at Aulani and a 7/1-7/9 Riviera cash stay. Currently have a 7/9-7/13 off-site (no park access expected), a 7/13-7/17 DVC point AKL studio, and a 7/17-7/24 Riviera cash stay. Managed to re-book the Riviera stay (+FP +flights) during yesterday’s reopening presentation and while leading a conference call for work! FP were wiped out today and got the “first in line” email today (we are AP).

 

[jbreen2010]

I cancelled my June reservation on my own when they announced the opening date before the system went down because everything up until that point indicated they weren't doing incentives to rebook anymore and I was frustrated and just wanted my money back. I'm sure I'm not the only one. Now I'll miss out on this 35% off incentive. I guess that's what I guess for being impulsive.

I was in the exact same boat. After being cancelled on in April and June I told them they couldjust cancel me and give back the $2k cash they had of mine because I wasn’t even sure if airline would let me switch again with cost. A few days later I booked for the end of july.

I called today and asked for the 35% and the CM told me they can’t do anything in the system but that she was sure guest relations could look into this but asked me to call back next week as there was literally nothing she could do today besides answer general questions.

 

[skeeter31]

Wow. What a week it has been. The short version: we are now on Disney vacation #3. One thing is certain, this summer is turning out to be for “ride or die” Disney Parks fanatics, of which I am (un)fortunately one.

Thus far I’ve lost my June “welcome home” at Aulani and a 7/1-7/9 Riviera cash stay. Currently have a 7/9-7/13 off-site (no park access expected), a 7/13-7/17 DVC point AKL studio, and a 7/17-7/24 Riviera cash stay. Managed to re-book the Riviera stay (+FP +flights) during yesterday’s reopening presentation and while leading a conference call for work! FP were wiped out today and got the “first in line” email today (we are AP).

Unfortunately it seems like everyone with a reservation at any time in the next year, has a ticket, an AP, or maybe even just has a MDE account, got that first in line email. No official word yet on who truly is first in line.

 

[AmberMV]

Unfortunately it seems like everyone with a reservation at any time in the next year, has a ticket, an AP, or maybe even just has a MDE account, got that first in line email. No official word yet on who truly is first in line.

I have and had 5 hotel reservations from March-August, have an AP, had Dining plans/ADR/FP and I have not gotten any emails for the last 8 days at all.

 

[Raggou]

Unfortunately it seems like everyone with a reservation at any time in the next year, has a ticket, an AP, or maybe even just has a MDE account, got that first in line email. No official word yet on who truly is first in line.

Yup that’s the scary thing to me I have a hotel Rez in July the 14th... but everyone seems to be getting the email saying they are first “in line”

 

[stayathomehero]

No official word yet on who truly is first in line.

 

[CastAStone]

Unfortunately it seems like everyone with a reservation at any time in the next year, has a ticket, an AP, or maybe even just has a MDE account, got that first in line email. No official word yet on who truly is first in line.

Yup that’s the scary thing to me I have a hotel Rez in July the 14th... but everyone seems to be getting the email saying they are first “in line”

again,

As a data point for all, this matches the email I just got about my so-far-room-only stay.

It does NOT include the language about valid admission or priority access to the booking system ☹☹

Preparing mentally to not go. Probably for the best.

 

[jsand99]

Is this what all of the "first in line" emails are saying?

However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests.

 

[skeeter31]

Is this what all of the "first in line" emails are saying?

However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests.

Yes. Which is basically Disney IT speak for, we don’t have that system up and running yet, and we don’t know in what order we’re going to let people book, but rest assured, you should be in one of the categories.

 

[MouseEarsMom33]

I think Disney can do meet and greets through Zoom. Pay $100 and get a 10 minute Zoom meeting with the Princesses.

 

[Brianstl]

Is this what all of the "first in line" emails are saying?

However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests.

That is what I got at 12:44 AM Central this morning.

 

[midnight star]

I think Disney can do meet and greets through Zoom. Pay $100 and get a 10 minute Zoom meeting with the Princesses.

Shhhhh don't give them any ideas lol

 

[MouseEarsMom33]

Shhhhh don't give them any ideas lol

They may need ideas. For all we know, park admittance may end up only including taking a walk around Cinderella's castle. lol

 

[gatechfan99]

I know I know don’t I told you so, but earlier today someone literally brought up Lake of the Ozarks as a GOOD example of getting back to normal in response to Disney being “too cautious”. So I’m going to say it anyways, because it’s pretty freaking important to recognize that precautions are vital right now.

All it takes is one.

To be fair, Disney could relax their restrictions 100fold and still be better off than Lake of the Ozarks looked last weekend. That was just wild. I wouldn't put a 2 year old strolling by you on Main Street without a mask in the same category as 300 people partying together all day in a pool.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

They may need ideas. For all we know, park admittance may end up only including taking a walk around Cinderella's castle. lol

That's probably the only Disney endorsed marathon I ever stand a chance of attending, so I'm here for it.

 

[runningstitch]

Just wanted to add my data point if it helps anyone. I have a package trip booked that first week of opening, and also one in August. Just got the email about 30 minutes ago, and it says nothing about me having "valid admission", though I am listed as having valid tickets for those dates in July and August on MDE. There is also no language in the email about 60 days, just that I'll have early access to re-booking experiences. The nuanced change in language across emails is definitely confusing, since I would definitely consider myself someone with valid admission (since the world "valid" is literally on each of my tickets in MDE.) Each time I think I'll feel better about things, I just find another thing to bite my nails about. LOL.