Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

I would think a parade would come back first. There is a lot more room to spread out on the parade route. Also hard to do fireworks when they close at 5pm!

There is no way they will stay at 5pm. Hours can change anytime.

Universal for example, is milking this for all its worth, with them being closed. Its not a coincidence that their hours are only available till the day Disney Opens up again. I would bet money that they are going to up their hours to 8 or 9pm as soon as Disney opens up, or just a few weeks later.

In the end, nothing is set in stone and could change at any moment. If they want fireworks going on, they can figure out a way to make it happen. They are just being very cautious, waiting and seeing how things are, which is a good thing. Just hope they aren't late to the party in terms of theme park openings, activities, attractions. Universal even has their water park open. Disney hasn't even touched that one yet

 

[SaintsManiac]

This. The social distancing during MK fireworks problem goes away if you stop making the show about projecting things on the castle. Make it more about fireworks instead and make best viewing NOT in front of the castle.

I think we would all love to see Wishes make a comeback.

 

[mattpeto]

I think Disney has probably been wanting to cut fireworks for a long time and replace them with the laser-light shows like they do a Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

It will also give DIsney an idea of how much people really come to WDW for. Is it for the fireworks? If they just cut fireworks would people still come or is that "essential" to the WDW experience for most people?

I mean . .they got rid of the night parade at WDW. Cutting that probably saved them a ton of money and crowds get coming in droves despite that.

I don't buy this theory at all. Fireworks is such a huge part of MK.

If they were trying to cut down on fireworks, why even bother with launching Epcot Forever (with fireworks) and a beefier one upcoming (Harmonious) with even more expected fireworks?

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Is there any kind of formal confirmation on what hotels will be definitely opened and how soon other will open?

 

[Brianstl]

I wasn't around at the time of the night parade (or if I was, my family didn't stop to watch it), but I'd be very shocked if it drew the kind of crowds that the fireworks do.

I think there is zero chance that Disney will get rid of fireworks because of COVID, they are way too popular.

It isn’t just the people who come for fireworks and the upcharge events for them. Disney makes money off hotel rooms that have a firework view. Fireworks are a money-making machine for Disney.

 

[andyman8]

Is there any kind of formal confirmation on what hotels will be definitely opened and how soon other will open?

Nope. The only thing we know is that the DVC Resorts will open on 6/22. If you have a reservation with an arrival of 7/4 or earlier, you can move your reservation to a DVC resort arriving anytime after 7/11. At this time, those are the only hotels "guaranteed" to be open. More to come on that soon, though.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

More to come on that soon, though.

That is not our favorite word around here.

 

[Tiki Birdland]

I am a little later but did want to mention that that part in your statement that I have bolded is what I am most upset/troubled by

I have no issue with what they are doing as far as delaying the opening, cutting things, etc if that is what they feel is best for operations right now.

But the lack of guest recovery (at least so far) is not great. At least let people apply what discount they had for the summer (summer and fun, etc) to their rescheduled trip ... That can't cost them *that* much and will encourage people to push back their trips which we think they want.

I do hope they do more for passholders too - like at least extend their passes by more than the closed dates to cover some of this "partial open time frame" and/or let people who cancel their APs now apply the renewal discount if they re-up a pass by the end of the year or something. Feels like their are reasonable steps they could implement that would help people out and not kill their bottom line

When we cancelled, we promptly got our refund -- and nothing else. I read that as, "Thanks for cancelling, we didn't want you to come". Would have appreciated a note from them. We got many good trips in after 9/11; that was the period when my kids were "at that age" for Disney's magic. There wasn't a lot of new stuff. But, there was plenty at WDW for us to build memories on. Had hoped the summer would be like that. Oldest has graduated and the other two are in HS. Not too many big trips like this left.

 

[Eric Smith]

Is there any kind of formal confirmation on what hotels will be definitely opened and how soon other will open?

Nothing other than what has been said about the DVC resorts and Fort Wilderness. The Swolphin also announced their opening dates. Nothing has been said about other Disney resorts.

 

[rteetz]

 

[andyman8]

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That's absolutely heartbreaking. If it is within your means at the moment, please donate or do what you can to help such a wonderful organization.

 

[Jacq7414]

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This makes me so sad for those kids. Last time we went to WDW a Make a Wish kid was on our flight. They had shirts and she was so excited. It’s heartbreaking to me that there are a bunch of kids who have wishes to go to WDW and they can’t do that now

 

[disneydreamer1970]

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This certainly puts things into perspective.

 

[EveDallas]

I went in December 2001. Ghost town indeed. My family and friends thought me and my parents were lunatics for even taking a plane. MCO was empty, with armed military holding AKs. Disney was super quiet and tons of rides were walk ons all day...except Peter Pans Flight.

I got to ride the Haunted Mansion like 10 times in a row.

My best friend and I went September 20, 2001. EVERYTHING was walk on. In fact the plane we flew down on only had about 30 passengers total. It was a surreal experience.

 

[Wreckem]

There is no way they will stay at 5pm. Hours can change anytime.

Universal for example, is milking this for all its worth, with them being closed. Its not a coincidence that their hours are only available till the day Disney Opens up again. I would bet money that they are going to up their hours to 8 or 9pm as soon as Disney opens up, or just a few weeks later.

In the end, nothing is set in stone and could change at any moment. If they want fireworks going on, they can figure out a way to make it happen. They are just being very cautious, waiting and seeing how things are, which is a good thing. Just hope they aren't late to the party in terms of theme park openings, activities, attractions. Universal even has their water park open. Disney hasn't even touched that one yet

Universal probably isn’t milking it up as they are more or less dead in terms of crowds. Until crowds start coming back they aren’t going to increase hours. Disney opening might help with their crowds but they have zero reason from a crowd or financial stand point to length their days to 8pm or 9pm.

Theme parks extend hours because of crowd sizes. Crowd sizes are capped at 30% capacity right now and universal isn’t coming close to hitting it. Disney will probably hit its caps but I doubt they expand hours, that just costs them more money.

 

[gottalovepluto]

That is not our favorite word around here.

Speak for yourself! Soon = Drink

 

[HorizonOne]

When we cancelled, we promptly got our refund -- and nothing else. I read that as, "Thanks for cancelling, we didn't want you to come". Would have appreciated a note from them. We got many good trips in after 9/11; that was the period when my kids were "at that age" for Disney's magic. There wasn't a lot of new stuff. But, there was plenty at WDW for us to build memories on. Had hoped the summer would be like that. Oldest has graduated and the other two are in HS. Not too many big trips like this left.

I am sorry you read the cancellation as Disney not wanting you to be there. I know Disney wants you to be there with all of your family. Unfortunately in this unique situation with staff reductions, high call volume and demand to mass bulk process cancels and refunds it has become just a hurry up process. When things do become a new normal, then I encourage you to keep going back to Disney for your lasting memories.

 

[AmberMV]

Nope. The only thing we know is that the DVC Resorts will open on 6/22. If you have a reservation with an arrival of 7/4 or earlier, you can move your reservation to a DVC resort arriving anytime after 7/11. At this time, those are the only hotels "guaranteed" to be open. More to come on that soon, though.

Ok we need some news. Will the previews begin in the 1st week of July or the 2nd week? Blink once for 1st week, blink twice for 2nd week

 

[Wreckem]

As for Fireworks they for sure won’t come back before the fall time change. Mainly because park hours aren’t going to be late anytime soon. I still think fireworks will be a no go until we no longer have to socially distance. And that’s probably going to be next spring/summer. Certainly won’t be fall or winter.

 

[Lewisc]

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

Compliance with mask rules is likely to be close to 100% at the park entrance. Maybe less in the dark when guests are waiting for the night show.
Some people think the risk is higher when people are in close proximity for more then 15 minutes (not sure if the exact number of minutes).
Maybe not an issue if park entrance procedures are well planned. More of an issue with traditional mobs waiting for 30 minutes or more before show time.