Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

There's a difference in being prepared for the worst and getting angry over what the worst could be. If I was in the situation where I had a stay in mid-July, I probably would have cancelled/postponed in this situation because of all the uncertainty. We actually cancelled our April trip before the parks closed because we saw the way the COVID situation was heading, although I wouldn't have predicted that I would end up working from home for the past four months with no end in sight.

I don't think there's much point in being angry about this situation. This is a disaster that the world hasn't seen the likes of in the last century. It's not a permanent situation. I haven't seen an organization that has handled all of the change perfectly. There are going to be mis-steps. We all should just try to stay informed and make the best decision for our situations based on the information available.

Once Disney actually makes announcements of what they are doing, then it makes sense to get upset if their policies are bad. It's not helpful or healthy to get upset based on rumors and conjecture.

Before the announcement they’d be reopening, you were also telling people that when the Parks opened up that there wouldnt be a mask mandate. So lets not tell people what they should and shouldn’t say in terms of official, or non official statements by Disney

 

[SaintsManiac]

Plus if the people who are basically their biggest advocates are now, at a minimum, less of an advocate, it hurts word of mouth advertising, etc.

Now, maybe Disney doesn't care about that as they figure they want to reduce # of guests for a while and then before long will have the draw of the 50th anniversary stuff - but at some point they will want more guests to come than are coming and then they will go back to the passholders with incentives to come back and "get those Disney feels" again and go back to being advocate ... but once you loose someone it is harder to get them back

I would say that in most cases, but not with Disney. I've learned, thanks to an unhealthy amount of time spent on these boards, that people will rage and storm about WDW and still go back over and over.

 

[Mit88]

They announced that AP holders had the option of getting a 1:1 extension of the annual pass based on the number of days that the parks are closed or request a prorated refund for the amount of time that the parks are closed. I think the latter is what the previous poster is talking about.

You're making a bunch of assumptions and getting yourself angry.

Link?

 

[Disneysoule]

Why are we not collectively speculating on this possible SOON being NOW???

I don’t think “SOON” is right “NOW” but it could be that “NOW” might be “SOON”.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I would say that in most cases, but not with Disney. I've learned, thanks to an unhealthy amount of time spent on these boards, that people will rage and storm about WDW and still go back over and over.

I know myself enough to never put us in the so mad we’re not going back camp, but even sitting on hold with park music I’ve gone from sad to dancing along while I wait and day dreaming about crossing the border and dealing with quarantines to go (obviously I am NOT doing this lol).

Their emotional hold on us is strong. They’re blowing pixie dust through my phone.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I know myself enough to never put us in the so mad we’re not going back camp, but even sitting on hold with park music I’ve gone from sad to dancing along while I wait and day dreaming about crossing the border and dealing with quarantines to go (obviously I am NOT doing this lol).

Their emotional hold on us is strong. They’re blowing pixie dust through my phone.

And just for the record if I were in your shoes I would absolutely be asking for a refund. I have my fingers crossed for you.

2021 will be a do over for you!

 

[merry_nbright]

I don’t think “SOON” is right “NOW” but it could be that “NOW” might be “SOON”.

 

[Ninjagrrl]

Link?

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/travel-information/

 

[cakebaker]

We can keep saying “stop complaining until things are official” but then they become official and you’ll say “stop complaining, at least theres still a park to go to”.

Exactly this...I've had a bunch of things happen, all of which I think are clearly wrong and all of which I complained about before it was official. All I heard was relax, we don't know yet. Then they happened and I get told, count yourself lucky you get to go at all. Or even better, shut up. You complain too much. Don't like it, don't go.

 

[Sara W]

I was able to book all dining I wanted and at the times I wanted for July 6-9th. I even moved some reservations around and was still able to get the times I wanted. I booked Topolino's (pained me, but my daughter really wants to go back), Kona, and Grand Floridian Cafe. When I explained that my husband is nervous about dining inside she assured me that a lot of people will not have access to the restaurant at a time and there will be social distancing. I had rented DVC points and I was still able to book by calling the main line.

She kept asking me if there was anything else I needed help with, but then I reminded her that there's nothing else she's able to help with right now. Ha! It was a lovely conversation, and she said that she's having a great day being able to book people again because it's been so long.

 

[Mit88]

I would say that in most cases, but not with Disney. I've learned, thanks to an unhealthy amount of time spent on these boards, that people will rage and storm about WDW and still go back over and over.

If you love Disney enough to find a forum where Disney fans get together and talk about Disney, chances are it would have to be a life altering event for people to suddenly stop their love for Disney enough to never go again. I’ve always stated that whenever they chose to reopen, there isnt much outside of them not allowing me in the parks that would stop me from going.

That doesnt mean I’m opening my arms in acceptance of the changes, but I’ve accepted them enough that they wouldnt impact my trips.

 

[Mit88]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/travel-information/

Nowhere in there does it state a 1:1 refund as Eric stated.

 

[Farro]

I think you're attitude is exactly the attitude Disney has, and that's the problem.

I've been on this board a very, very long time. Not once have I even hinted I might not go back. I've always thought it was foolish to make a grand announcement that you are quitting Disney and I still do. If I end up not going back, there won't be a post like that from me. I'll just quit going and stop reading here.

But it's not just those who swear off Disney that can hurt them. Those who are opting to try other things in the Orlando area can be damaging as well. Disney has always been our exclusive vacation. Once on property we don't leave and we don't go anywhere else after that but home. I am now fully willing to try what else there is out there. What I definitely know, is Disney won't be the only place I visit. I still have the same amount of vacation money I allot, so instead of Disney getting it all, they'll have to share. They may or may not have lost me entirely, but they have definitely lost my loyalty to them exclusively.

They used to fight to keep guests like me, maybe they don' care anymore. But then, neither do I.

What attitude?
You know nothing about me or my "relationship" with Disney. But I know people state they aren't coming back ALL THE TIME and yet, they do. Same will happen now. So frankly, those people might be part of the problem.
Not me, who goes once every 3 or so years.

I think it's sucks what's happening to resorts people right now and I hope people with APs are made whole somehow.
I would never book a trip during this time and we'll see how next May shakes out.

I still think some of your list of demands is silly.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Exactly this...I've had a bunch of things happen, all of which I think are clearly wrong and all of which I complained about before it was official. All I heard was relax, we don't know yet. Then they happened and I get told, count yourself lucky you get to go at all.

This is kinda why I’ve been team negative all along. So many people were super optimistic and ended up crushed. I think that is still going to happen with a lot of people who are going this summer but nobody can say they haven’t been warned at this point.

It’s not because I’m an apologist, but because things have looked bleak since before the parks even closed. I pulled back from reading and posting here in February or so because I felt my March trip was in jeopardy. You’re right, a lot of the more negative aspects we have worried about have come true. I’m applying this to both Disney and non Disney aspects of this pandemic. Guess who had mentally prepared herself for the extended school cancellation in March when other people thought we were just going to be out for the initial 2 weeks they were saying? This girl, lol.

Sometimes being glass half empty pays.

 

[cakebaker]

I would say that in most cases, but not with Disney. I've learned, thanks to an unhealthy amount of time spent on these boards, that people will rage and storm about WDW and still go back over and over.

Unfortunately, Disney has learned this too.

 

[Mit88]

Nowhere in there does it state a 1:1 refund as Eric stated.

I highlighted the wrong part of his statement where he said

“prorated refund for the amount of time that the parks are closed.”

It does not say that in the statement released by Disney. It says a partial refund. The definition of partial ranges from $1 to the amount that you actually paid for the item, or in this case, the pass.

 

[cakebaker]

What attitude?

Don't take it quite so personally. I'm talking about the attitude expressed in your post- that people will gripe, swear they won't return, but they will. I'm not saying it isn't true a great majority of the time. I'm saying it's exactly what Disney thinks too. And that is a great way to let your customer service slide into the toilet.

 

[shoegal9]

With no parks open. Which to me confirms they are overbooked for July capacity & they’re trying to get ppl to cancel as we have suspected.

Idk.. there are over 5,000 rooms/villas in DVC and FW Cabins alone. Doesn't really surprise me that 10% (of the max #) was maybe on the phone to try to secure food, especially when everyone with reservations in that date range was emailed and told to call today at 7 am. With so many limited options, I think people feel like they HAVE to get reservations or they will starve. At least that's how Disney has made is seem... Normally, I would just go with the flow and not really reserve much. But if i were in this pre-July 11th group I sure would make a few to be safe.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Nowhere in there does it state a 1:1 refund as Eric stated.

I don’t think it’s documented anywhere but people have reported being told on the phone it was a pro rated refund of what they paid for their pass for the exact amount of days the parks were closed.

I just wish they would make it clear if there is a deadline to request this by.

 

[Farro]

Don't take it quite so personally. I'm talking about the attitude expressed in your post- that people will gripe, swear they won't return, but they will. I'm not saying it isn't true a great majority of the time. I'm saying it's exactly what Disney thinks too. And that is a great way to let your customer service slide into the toilet.

Welp, if they keep doing it...

(and I'm not taking any of this personally...that would be silly of me...)