Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[rteetz]

@rteetz will you update the news thread when bookings open again?

Yes

 

[Searc]

Wow...has Disney said anything since the governor approved the plan? I assumed that was the hold up, but here we are with nothing else.

Wasn't it approved on Friday? Today's Monday, in case you've lost track of business days.

 

[mhautz]

I don't think they're announcing anything until at least mid June. If you read my last couple of posts you can see that cm recall start June 10 and will go on until June 28. Until then they really don't know if everything will be covered to reopen

That makes sense. Although it doesn't make the lack of info less frustrating.
They sure have a lot they have to work out on the guest side as well, and I'm just wondering how they're going to manage that the closer we get. Don't envy them for that.

 

[kaytieeldr]

They should cancel then if it bothers them.

Yep, exactly.

Shouldn't Disney offer at least some type of additional compensation for now giving someone who paid 1/2 what you did for your Platinum Plus pass the same exact perks?

No. Not at all.

Placing AKL in the mod category, I don't see it as an acceptable Deluxe due to it's far out location

Eh, actually Magic Kingdom is far out - from almost everything except the MK-area resorts. AKL is actually relatively centrally located. Not as mopuch as DHS/Epcot, but better than MK

Disney is the happiest place on earth, right? Or at least it's supposed to be?

Welllll...since you asked...DisneyLand is The Happiest Place on Earth. Walt Disney World is The Most Magical Place on Earth

Hers the thing, rack rate at Pop is like $183 max. There is no way discounts or not to get a 1 bedroom villa at Boulder Ridge for that a night

Rare, but someone could probably rent points for an OKW Studio at less than a Value room. But yeah, just that one resort. Definitely not somewhere like Boulder Ridge!

 

[Remy is Up]

When you email, chat, or call and speak with CMs, be patient. Geez, they are doing the best they can and are rightfully frustrated with the fact people, particularly passholders, keep asking the same questions over and over. The answer wont change. they dont know the plan on what APs are doing about prices, when payments for in state will restart, etc. They can help you fill out a form to request a partial refund if you are paid in full but beyond that, they dont have the information. And honestly they likely wont have it until next week, IF everything starts working out correctly. That decision has not been finalized so they cant tell you. At the moment youll get a lot of, in the future youll be contacted or notified, until then, they cant tell you anything else. There are so many things going on right now with the FP system modification being done having issues, the redo of the reservation system, setting up the "park day reservation" system, etc. Determining which attractions will be open ( subject to which system they end up using), when resorts will be open and which ones. Masks..Get over it. It is for the health of the CMs and other guests. It is a requirement and it isnt changing anytime soon. If you cant wear a mask, dont go, they arent making exceptions. Whining to a CM online or the phone will get you NOWHERE! There is a LOT going on. People need to relax until Disney contacts you about your particular trip or pass or makes an announcement about the details of how things will work to the general public. Just because they announced a date doesnt mean they are ready to divulge all the plans yet. Thats just the way it goes. And if you call or chat with a CM, do the survey after its over. They work hard and that is how they are graded at the moment since there really is no online check system with most of them working from home.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

You’re forgetting about the workers who have to be there to accommodate the guests. They deserve to be protected. The guests enjoyment should not come at the expense of the workers.

Exactly. CMs will come in to work day after day and be exposed to thousands of guests every week. It’s pretty disheartening that many of the anti-mask folks aren’t taking CMs into consideration.

 

[dismom58]

What are do you mean? I'm sure most of those booked have been booked way before Covid happened, when there were no capacity restrictions.
Not everything is a devious plan.
agree July is prime summer season and very popular ! People make reservations a year out when it’s their best time to travel with kids out of school

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Notes from today’s Union Zoom Call, most of it is known but more clarification. The CM are expected to be recalled by June 28

- All attractions H/H are being recalled
- recalled in seniority order by location
- In seniority order by park
- In seniority order global
- Health concern - when you are recalled (in any phase) you are able to say “I have an underlying health condition for myself or someone I care for” you will be skipped and you will be called on the next phase of the global phase is reached and still can not return to work you will be placed on medical leave, by June 28th all FT CMs will have been recalled
- High number of PT people will be call back to work, may not be 100%, will be recalled in the same way as full time ( in seniority order by location, by park, global)
- no CPs any time soon, no seasonal’s
- scheduled on an as needed basis over the 1st week
- Week 2 will be given a preference sheet (just like a bid)
- Possibly conducting another schedule bid
- will we be safe at work? Yes!
- Temp checks for Cast Guests (Cast paid off sent home for high temp)
- Waived attendance policy is you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Pay if you contract the virus
- Safety measures
- Enhanced cleaning (closing restrooms for cleaning every 2 hours)
- Social distancing
- Physical barriers (on and off stage)
- Masks are required
- Limited capacity
- No parades, no fireworks, no playgrounds, no character meet and greets, no photo taking for Guest using their personal device

Thank you for sharing these insights. Glad to see things like Disney saying they will pay the CMs if the get Covid
The line "no photo taking for Guest using their personal device " I thought was interesting ... is that like in reference to the characters being out but not doing meets and they want to avoid people running up and taking selfies or is this something else?

 

[mhautz]

Wasn't it approved on Friday? Today's Monday, in case you've lost track of business days.

I know. I just really hoped there was going to be another burst of info specifically contingent on the approval.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Exactly. CMs will come in to work day after day and be exposed to thousands of guests every week. It’s pretty disheartening that many of the anti-mask folks aren’t taking CMs into consideration.

I have to admit it’s really frustrating that concern for CM’s seemed to be limited to “let them go back to work!” (aka open the parks so I can go) and now that they are opening the concern is an after thought again.

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you for sharing these insights. Glad to see things like Disney saying they will pay the CMs if the get Covid
The line "no photo taking for Guest using their personal device " I thought was interesting ... is that like in reference to the characters being out but not doing meets and they want to avoid people running up and taking selfies or is this something else?

No, it's that if you want to be in the pic you can't give your phone to any cm to take it for you. This was also implemented at universal. As for character pics, at universal they are on a second level or have barriers so you can't get close while getting your pic

 

[Remy is Up]

That makes sense. Although it doesn't make the lack of info less frustrating.
They sure have a lot they have to work out on the guest side as well, and I'm just wondering how they're going to manage that the closer we get. Don't envy them for that.

It is absolute madness. Controlled chaos and lots of "discussions" over varying opinions. There is a "chance" there is an announcement early next week as to some of the details. It all hinges on a couple of key things that are currently the sticking point. Itll sort out. The possible plans for all of this are being gone over, and over, and over. Still lots to be determined. Personally, I like some of the ideas and hope they stay after this all ends.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Welllll...since you asked...DisneyLand is The Happiest Place on Earth. Walt Disney World is The Most Magical Place on Earth

To get get super technical, I understand "The Most Magical Place on Earth" is specifically the Magic Kingdom and then for all of Walt Disney World (and really the Disney Parks in general) has the tagline "where dreams come true"

 

[Prof_obvious]

I'm sorry but the van down by the river is already occupied.

Does the van qualify as a DVC?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

No, it's that if you want to be in the pic you can't give your phone to any cm to take it for you. This was also implemented at universal. As for character pics, at universal they are on a second level or have barriers so you can't get close while getting your pic

ah, ok, that makes sense - and now that I have that understanding I don't know how I didn't read it that way

 

[Searc]

Thank you for sharing these insights. Glad to see things like Disney saying they will pay the CMs if the get Covid
The line "no photo taking for Guest using their personal device " I thought was interesting ... is that like in reference to the characters being out but not doing meets and they want to avoid people running up and taking selfies or is this something else?

Photopass used to take any picture you wanted using your own device in addition to their cameras.

 

[andyman8]

Photopass used to take any picture you wanted using your own device in addition to their cameras.

Also, during training, CMs are encouraged to offer to take a photo for guests whey they see guests trying to take a group selfie or one member of the party taking all the pictures.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Exactly. CMs will come in to work day after day and be exposed to thousands of guests every week. It’s pretty disheartening that many of the anti-mask folks aren’t taking CMs into consideration.

They should fit CM's with the N95 masks if they want them for real protected.

 

[Aeralie]

The line "no photo taking for Guest using their personal device " I thought was interesting ... is that like in reference to the characters being out but not doing meets and they want to avoid people running up and taking selfies or is this something else?

I believe it refers to offering to take photos of guests (and thus touching their device) so they don't have to resort to a selfie - it's been a cornerstone of the Cast Member "Courtesy" Key for decades and one of the first minor "make some magic" examples presented to new CMs during Traditions orientation. It's so ingrained in company culture that it's something specifically put out there as an example to avoid these days!

 

[JacknSally]

Just got an email from the DVC rental company we used to book our night at Copper Creek in November. They're having a big sale for confirmed reservations (rooms at specific properties for specific dates that have already been confirmed/reserved by the DVC member) and they have a LOT available for reopening week. I wonder where those renters would fall in the who-gets-to-make-reservations-when chart, given they would be booking now, but the reservations may have been made ages ago, but the renter might not have tickets, but the DVC member might have tickets (if that matters? It might not.).... interesting.