Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[SaintsManiac]

I don't think just for making the cuts (though I do see some questioning why Disney appears to be cutting more and taking longer to get their "less" open than Universal) - but more for the lack of guest recovery and lack of communication and ability to adjust people who are vacations schedule a month out and aren't yet sure how everything will function

If they were really upfront with working with people and carrying over discounts to future bookings, etc I think it would be less negative thoughts going on

That's an entirely different discussion. I was only addressing the accusations of "money grabbing."

I think patience is needed right now. They are a big operation and it's going to take some time.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I am not thinking beyond July and August. I just don't want to get into that until we see what happens then.

yeah, it's hard to know/predict what things will be several months from now given that things seem to be changing daily

If things continue to progress as they have and no early indications of a second wave or anything I would think Fireworks could/would be back by Sept

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That's an entirely different discussion. I was only addressing the accusations of "money grabbing."

I think patience is needed right now. They are a big operation and it's going to take some time.

oh, 100% - I do think some people see Disney as trying to get people to reschedule their trips, even in June and holding their deposit money and things like that being "money grabs"

 

[PixarBall]

I agree. If there are no spike in cases, I don’t see why there would be a need for very strict restrictions. I’d like to hope that fireworks and character meets & greets would at least be back by early 2021.

Cases are already spiking in Florida. They’ve been average double what they did last week everyday over 1K. When they are inviting thousands of people and tourists there’s no way it goes down. So Disney will have to abide to not making things worse. If people listened and actually social distanced and wore masks maybe but they don’t here like they do in Japan so the numbers won’t be in our favor. Character meets are possible. Universal did them at a social distancing setting. Fireworks is tricky because how crammed it is.

 

[SaintsManiac]

oh, 100% - I do think some people see Disney as trying to get people to reschedule their trips, even in June and holding their deposit money and things like that being "money grabs"

Yeah I don't understand that logic, but thanks for pointing it out. Just thinking about all the different types of bookings and how many they have on the books. Yikes it makes my head spin.

 

[SaintsManiac]

right and also - cases being up isnt as alarming as hospitalization rates being up. That's the number that will move the needle one way or the other.

Yes. This is super important. I fully expect the positive cases to soar, but how many will actually need hospitalization and/or vents?

 

[Sandiz08]

Florida has said from the very beginning they are looking at hospitalization rates and resources, just because you are seeing spikes in positive cases does not mean they will shut down again.

 

[BalooFan]

French Quarter closed for 6 months in November 2001 and portions of Riverside were also closed.

We were booked at POFQ in the spring of 2002 and were upgraded to savanna view at AKL. It was a free upgrade, but cost us more in the long run, since we only wanted to stay at deluxe resorts from then on. I also recall from that trip (I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong) that EMH were all cancelled, but to make up for it there were character meet and greets in the resort lobbies.

So, I am hoping, but not expecting, that Disney will somehow try to make up for some of the benefits that are being taken away from onsite guests.

 

[rteetz]

Hilton Bonnet Creek, Waldorf, and Four Seasons Orlando to reopen early July


Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek News
Three of the major non-Disney operated hotels on-property are expecting to reopen in a few weeks.
www.wdwmagic.com

 

[rteetz]

Just a reminder to stick to theme parks here...

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

Just a reminder to stick to theme parks here...

Give us some news, man!!

 

[The Pho]

News

Cedar Point opening July 9th to passholders and July 11th to the public.

Kings Island opening July 2nd to passholders and July 12 to the public. Orion will be opening with the park.

 

[rteetz]

Give us some news, man!!

I can’t control that

 

[New Mouse]

Chapeks goal will be to immediately please stock holders, which means stemming losses today rather than trying to grow for tomorrow.

Welcome to corporate America.

No one will ever say directly that its just gonna cost too much for fireworks w the return theyd get. Covid is a built in "understood" for the general public in these times. Disney PR is great at laying a cover.

Is there some merit to the crowd argument? Sure, if every other aspect of your operationis gonna be spaced 6 feet (some say 10) apart on a regular basis....otherwise you are just as likely to catch it at the entrance turnstyles as you are the parade

I would argue that the time to offer more to your guests is now...but thats a long term strategy the corporations dont embrace anymore.

 

[deserrai]

I finally gave up decided to book a different vacation. I'll try a long Disney weekend in the fall. I'll keep watching the boards, but now it will just be to see what happens. I feel a huge sense of relief.

 

[cakebaker]

I can't tell if people are making Disney the bad guy for cutting some costs. What choice do they have? They're losing millions every day.

I'm not making them out to be the bad guy for cutting costs, I just don't like to pay the old price for the new, lesser experience. I do find it irritating when cost cutting is passed off as safety measures. I don't expect them to admit it, but I do expect people not to fall for it. The argument that Disney is taking it slow in regards to opening for our safety works for many things they're doing right now, but not all of them and not for long for any of them.

 

[andyman8]

So is there a definition to "initial opening period"?

I know on Saturday there was not.

No official word from Disney, but I've been told that the "initial reopening period" will run from 6/22 to around 7/4 or 5, then (with the parks reopening soon), they'll start to revisit what other amenities, hotels, dining they *may* want to bring back online. We can expect to see most of these reductions continue beyond then, but there will probably be some changes/additions after the Fourth of July holiday. What those will be? I have no idea.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I'm not making them out to be the bad guy for cutting costs, I just don't like to pay the old price for the new, lesser experience. I do find it irritating when cost cutting is passed off as safety measures. I don't expect them to admit it, but I do expect people not to fall for it. The argument that Disney is taking it slow in regards to opening for our safety works for many things they're doing right now, but not all of them and not for long for any of them.

I guess I missed their deception, but I’m not taking anything they do personally. I’m just waiting and watching.

 

[cakebaker]

I guess I missed their deception, but I’m not taking anything they do personally. I’m just waiting and watching.

We can't say that we shouldn't expect Disney to openly admit they're cutting costs and claiming safety, yet say they aren't being "deceptive" as you describe it. I call it less than honest- not quite as negative sounding. I don't take it personally either. I do take a lot of decisions they've made that affected our trips personally because well, it happened to us personally. But as far as cost cutting choices- nope, I understand it completely, not personal at all. I do think it's shortsighted. You rarely increase business and profits by cutting services to customers, but hey, not my company. They seem to have done just fine without my financial advice so far.

 

[wdwlver]

I finally gave up decided to book a different vacation. I'll try a long Disney weekend in the fall. I'll keep watching the boards, but now it will just be to see what happens. I feel a huge sense of relief.

Same. Just not worth it for such a lesser experience, especially now with SAB closed. Spending a relaxing August on the gulf coast beaches just sounds better to us.