Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[AmberMV]

Remember news dropped at 9 last Saturday

Yeah but our usual suspects for hints of news coming said they don't have any whispers in the pipeline...so we may not get news all weekend

 

[Eric Smith]

Disney is very good at distracting their fans from the news they want by releasing new magic bands.

If I was Disney I would be concerned about losing a lot of fans over how they are handling this. Look at the few hardcore fans here coming over to the dark side.

They’re not going to lose many to Universal. For all the people on these boards who are saying they were going to move their trips, those parks are empty right now. It looks like people aren’t ready to travel so maybe what Disney did is smarter than what Universal did.

 

[rteetz]

Disney testing new security scanners

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rity-scanner-for-new-park-entry-screening.htm

 

[Disneysoule]

Disney testing new security scanners

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rity-scanner-for-new-park-entry-screening.htm

Thanks for the Article. That looks like it would work really well to help keep people moving. plus it looks awesome too! I hope the testing goes well!

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

Disney testing new security scanners

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rity-scanner-for-new-park-entry-screening.htm

OMG YESSS! PLEASE!

I am so unbelievably excited over this. I hate bag checks.. I have OCD, so having people NOT touch me or my stuff calms so much anxiety for me. Finally, Disney!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Disney testing new security scanners

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rity-scanner-for-new-park-entry-screening.htm

That would be awesome to have there and at the parks

And gotta figure Disney would love the "up to 70% savings in labor costs" part

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

 

[Jessica Geisler]

How would people feel about this type of thing at Disney? Would it work knowing people (incl kids) couldn't get hugs? Could it even create new/better interactions?

While watered down (but absolutely better than nothing given the circumstances) it would be great for atmosphere! Could actually lend itself well to some interesting banter with the face characters and it at least keeps that interaction alive!
[/QUOTE]



I don’t know why it’s sideways... but my character dining loving 5 year old had to stand on every spot and get his photo taken with every character. He never complained about not being able to touch them. They also do little parades and shows, and they stopped to watch all of them as well.

 

[one_cat]

I may still have a trip booked right now, but if restrictions don't ease up, then yes I will cancel

I think there are a lot of people in this same mode right now. We are waiting and watching as well.

 

[A2DisneyMom]

They’re not going to lose many to Universal. For all the people on these boards who are saying they were going to move their trips, those parks are empty right now. It looks like people aren’t ready to travel so maybe what Disney did is smarter than what Universal did.

I’m not so sure about that. I always figured I’d be one of the last holdouts, but found myself perusing the Universal website for the first time ever last night. Even looked at ticket and AP prices. Ultimately wasn’t impressed at the vibe I was getting and exited, but I’m sure I’m not the only one looking for the first time!

 

[kimili8]

While watered down (but absolutely better than nothing given the circumstances) it would be great for atmosphere! Could actually lend itself well to some interesting banter with the face characters and it at least keeps that interaction alive!

View attachment 500854

I don’t know why it’s sideways... but my character dining loving 5 year old had to stand on every spot and get his photo taken with every character. He never complained about not being able to touch them. They also do little parades and shows, and they stopped to watch all of them as well.
[/QUOTE]
Do you recall if there were Universal photographers at the character spots (we have the photo pkg)

 

[AmberMV]

In regards to other parks vs. Disney, I've been going to theme parks since I was a baby. Visited Disneyland with my parents 34 years ago when I was 8 months old, and been going to Disney(World) dozens and dozens of times since. Now I bring my own children. I've also been going to other Florida theme parks (Busch Gardens, Sea World, Universal, IoA, etc) since I was a kid (I live in FL) and to be perfectly honest they all offer something special. They are all geared for different things though. I like Busch Gardens for the coasters, I like SeaWorld for the ocean vibes, I like Universal for the show vibe, I like IoA for the theming, and I like Disney for the many different offerings they have. I wouldn't say one is "better" than the other. I have a vested interest in Disney right now because I just got APs in February, so I kind of have to follow it to see what's happening with that investment of money. Any of the Florida park options right now is a fine choice, and all but Disney are now open and are offering some really awesome deals-that's undeniable.

 

[JM23457]

They’re not going to lose many to Universal. For all the people on these boards who are saying they were going to move their trips, those parks are empty right now.

I disagree. Once the DVC resorts open, a lot of Disney guests will be in Orlando with not much to do before July 11th. I'm sure many of them will go to Universal, some for the first time. Their eyes will be opened to what else the city has to offer. That doesn't mean they'll never return to Disney, but it will increase Disney's competition.

We're out of state platinum AP holders and are going to Universal's Volcano Bay water park next month for the first time, only because Disney's water parks will be closed. If we can't get Disney theme park reservations, we'll go to Universal theme parks for the first time instead. We're also going to stay at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort for one night before the water park, for convenience & to get in early. Looking forward to it & never would have considered it before Disney dropped the ball this summer.

We're also staying offsite for the first time, at Four Seasons Orlando, because I'm not going to fly in and pay thousands for a several-night Disney deluxe resort stay & not know in advance that my selected resort is available, not be able to even leave our room without a mask, have our beds made each day, or know in advance if we'll be able to use the feature pool. Four Seasons told me all of that will be a go. Such easy communication with them, in comparison with Disney this summer.

I still love everything Disney (except for how it's currently being run lol) & have multiple Disney resort trips planned over the next year. But I'm counting on Disney upping their game over the next few months, in terms of communication and quality product delivery. It's looking pretty sad this summer.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Disney testing new security scanners

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...rity-scanner-for-new-park-entry-screening.htm

Excellent! These are the kind of changes I was hoping to see come from all of this.

 

[BarbLynnM]

Excellent! These are the kind of changes I was hoping to see come from all of this.

I sure hope it works! If so, hopefully my s/o's fake knee won't be a hold up nearly every time we go through. He'd gotten to the point where he'd wear shorts so he could just point to his scar, but they'd still make him walk through the metal detector.

 

[yulilin3]

Just got back from UOR. Today it definitely felt like a regular park day in terms of crowds, most everyone was wearing their masks properly, social distance in queues was fine, social distance walking around was non existent, I tried my best to keep my distance and it was fine.
Their VL system is working much much better, managed to get a VL reservation for Hagrid's twice, they release availability it seems every 30 min so you do have to be on your phone checking for it.0
Met Blue the Raptor and you were allowed to take off the mask to get your pic taken with him
They continue to be awesome at costumer service, everywhere the TM would say welcome back and glad you came back. Also got all my free swag. Used the complimentary preferred parking they have for AP this month, along with the special AP line at the parking garage, security and entrance to the parks


I really really hope Disney has it together like Universal. I also hope people comply at Disney as well as they do at Universal.

 

[stayathomehero]

 

[Mzpalmtree]

They’re not going to lose many to Universal. For all the people on these boards who are saying they were going to move their trips, those parks are empty right now. It looks like people aren’t ready to travel so maybe what Disney did is smarter than what Universal did.

I also think the current state of the crowds at Universal may not be an indicator of future interest. In fact reports in the Universal forum say they are heavier today than previous days. They announced their opening with a very short window between the announcement and the actual opening. I think that in early July you will start to see a much bigger turnout since people will have had time to plan or shift a trip. I know we changed ours to Uni for the first week in July when Disney announced they would not open and I am VERY glad that Uni did decide to open so my family can go somewhere since that’s the only week we can go. I have heard others say the same. I love Disney dearly and will be back, but I’m not waiting around forever and I can’t shift my whole life to accommodate them. I’m sure I’m not alone in that. It is what it is and it doesn’t have to be a competition honestly.

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

Not sounding good according to some ..

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271871569946533888

 

[2letterwords]

I sure hope it works! If so, hopefully my s/o's fake knee won't be a hold up nearly every time we go through. He'd gotten to the point where he'd wear shorts so he could just point to his scar, but they'd still make him walk through the metal detector.

My husband had a 13-level spinal fusion last year. He'd have to go in shirtless.