Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Eric Smith]

Not sounding good according to some ..

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

Well that didn't take long.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Not sounding good according to some ..

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

I personally don’t need markers to tell me how to distance, since I keep my space so I’m not overly annoyed by it. I would be annoyed if others don’t give space like I would ( which happens all the time even in normal times at parks )

I would hope that worker just had a mind lapse and forgot we’re not in Kansas anymore for a second

 

[Eric Smith]

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!

You were looking, but I'm sure you'd be going back to Disney once they reopen right? My point is that people aren't going to stop taking vacations to Disney and start going to Universal. Universal isn't big enough to hold people's interest for a long trip, there just isn't that much to do there.

 

[PixarBall]

Quite concerned how Florida now hit 2000 cases for a day and testing has gone down from its peak of testing which was 33K 4 weeks ago and now it’s 28K. So more testing isn’t the reasoning. People aren’t listening. NBA players aren’t happy either and some don’t want to come. They had average of 700 cases during that 33K testing week. And they tripled the amount of cases. We haven’t even hit the protest numbers yet. The governor is messing this up so badly.

 

[Eric Smith]

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 Disney diehards (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 off site 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.

Disney isn't "lowering the quality of their product" just because they got a wild hair. They're making changes because there is a pandemic going on. Changes have to be made. It's not like Universal didn't drastically alter their experience as well. This line of reasoning doesn't make any sense.

 

[planecrazy63]

Not sounding good according to some ..

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

@yulilin3 was just there today and said "Social Distancing in queues was fine"... She rode Hagrid twice today, I will wait for her real time report.

 

[Princess Merida]

I’m in the pre park opening crowd (6/22-6/29) and my kids want to go to Volcano Bay since nothing will be open at Disney. We typically stick with Disney and Seaworld for parks, but I’m strongly considering UOAP especially with the monthly payment system universal offers. If I take the leap I definitely will be returning to UO over Christmas and spring break. Especially since my DVC points will be limited to 50% borrowing and I’m a habitual borrower.

 

[JM23457]

Disney isn't "lowering the quality of their product" just because they got a wild hair. They're making changes because there is a pandemic going on. Changes have to be made. It's not like Universal didn't drastically alter their experience as well. This line of reasoning doesn't make any sense.

Universal's theme parks are open. Disney's theme parks won't open for another month. Universal's water park will be open all summer. Disney will be leaving their water parks closed all summer. Universal is taking resort reservations & selling tickets. Disney isn't. Universal is clearly communicating with future resort guests & annual passholders. Disney isn't. It's a very big difference in customer service and product delivery.

 

[yulilin3]

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.

Do you recall if there were Universal photographers at the character spots (we have the photo pkg)
[/QUOTE]
Some of them do have phtographers, some dont. They seem to be very spread out

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.

Universsal was definitely busier today than it has been since it opened, also noted more non-AP people

Not sounding good according to some ..

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

Not sure at what time this was, I rode twice and people were social distancing in the queue. At this point in the queue you are about to board so it goes faster. TBH I didn't notice if they had the markers because we were all just walking up to load

 

[rteetz]

Not sounding good according to some ..

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

Yeah that’s not good

 

[Kyhome]

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
View attachment 500858

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

Where do we pick up the lanyard and other freebies? I am new to Universal Annual passes! Thank you!

 

[gatechfan99]

You were looking, but I'm sure you'd be going back to Disney once they reopen right? My point is that people aren't going to stop taking vacations to Disney and start going to Universal. Universal isn't big enough to hold people's interest for a long trip, there just isn't that much to do there.

My kids are 12, 10, and 7 and after going to Universal for the first time last year, the 12 and 10 year old say, point blank, they'd rather go to Universal than Disney from now on. Now they don't take into account DVC points and APs we've bought and such, so we'll still go to Disney a lot. But a lot more of those trips are going to include Universal days rather than Disney days. And the more families that get pushed to Universal during this time, the more will find they have kids with similar feelings. That can't help Disney in the long term when they're trying to recover from all this.

 

[yulilin3]

Universal is open, Disney isn't. Universal is taking resort reservations & selling tickets. Disney isn't. Universal is clearly communicating with future guests. Disney isn't. It's a very big difference.

Sometimes there are some people that just cannot see the other side of the coin. That's alright, I can tell you, without a doubt, Universal is killing this reopening business, from when they were closed, communication with the AP was never lost (not sure about regular guest I can only talk from what I've experienced) and I believe communication is the number one thing that needs to happen.
Yes, they had TM working without only a few thousand being furloughed so that helped a lot
I adore Disney, I'm a huge Disney fan but experiencing their costumer service for 23 years straight, visiting the parks weekly, I can tell you without a doubt their costumer service has been declining for a looooong time

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271873373170290689

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271798183694348293

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

Quite concerned how Florida now hit 2000 cases for a day and testing has gone down from its peak of testing which was 33K 4 weeks ago and now it’s 28K. So more testing isn’t the reasoning. People aren’t listening. NBA players aren’t happy either and some don’t want to come. They had average of 700 cases during that 33K testing week. And they tripled the amount of cases. We haven’t even hit the protest numbers yet. The governor is messing this up so badly.

I respectfully disagree. Some of the high numbers are migrant workers and unfortunately a lot back in Miami. Gov can’t hold people’s hands and make them behave responsibly. All of us need to do what’s right especially at the theme parks. The median age of positives is 32. Reported a lot in their 20’s are now positive. These would be the partiers and probably some of the protesters as mentioned by the Orange County Mayor Demings. Not happy with the numbers but can’t blame our leaders. WE are responsible for our actions. What’s scary about this is people will come from hard hit areas like NY and take it back home with them starting the cycle once again in their home states.

 

[yulilin3]

Where do we pick up the lanyard and other freebies? I am new to Universal Annual passes! Thank you!

The lanyard is given at the UOAP Lounge at Studios only the first 100 people in the morning until the end of June (look on the site for exact date) I parked at 7:20am, they opened the park for AP and resort guests at 8am I was about 75th person in line.
For the rest you can swing by the lounge anytime and also at IOA at the Toon Lagoon gift shop. Also there's a special refillable mug for AP when you buy an entree, free refills all day, I believe that expires at the end of the month as well

 

[yulilin3]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1271873373170290689

Glad there's another report. You can see in the pic people walking, this area was not a stand a wait when I did the attraction. So the TM shouting fill the space might be everyone get to that point, idk

 

[hereforthechurros]

Sometimes there are some people that just cannot see the other side of the coin. That's alright, I can tell you, without a doubt, Universal is killing this reopening business, from when they were closed, communication with the AP was never lost (not sure about regular guest I can only talk from what I've experienced) and I believe communication is the number one thing that needs to happen.
Yes, they had TM working without only a few thousand being furloughed so that helped a lot
I adore Disney, I'm a huge Disney fan but experiencing their costumer service for 23 years straight, visiting the parks weekly, I can tell you without a doubt their costumer service has been declining for a looooong time

To hear Chapek talk it feels like they know they have the drug, and people have no choice but to come to them to get it. That sort of attitude means they believe they can cut corners with customer service and not lose customers. Sadly we haven’t proven them wrong, but a lot of things have changed with this virus so if I were them I wouldn’t get too cocky.

 

[Melodious]

While I appreciate that discussing some of Universal's reopening is useful to those of us planning Disney trips, can we please back off on talking constantly about Universal? It needlessly inflames these us vs them arguments and isn't actually useful. Such as where to find AP things at Universal is really not necessary to this conversation