Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[polynor]

Ok, indepth numbers look here, but I had to just figure it out for myself how many people will be there in the opening couple of weeks.

When counting the number of DVC rooms, it's hard to figure because there are 1444 lockoff 2 Bedrooms that any and all can turn into separate Studio and 1 Bedroom. So I went through each category of DVC room and counted what I thought would be the average number of people in each room.
-For studio I said 3, 1 Bedroom 3.5, dedicated 2 Bedroom 5.5, 2 Bedroom lockoff 6.5 (used the sum of studio and 1 bedroom), and Grand Villas 8. Adding all those totals up gives a DVC room population of 19,540 at capacity.
-Then Contemporary has 655, Pop has 2880. I used an average of 3.5 people per room there and it came to another 12,372 guests at capacity.
-FW is listed as 409 rooms so I just said 4 people per room there for 1636 total.

Now my assumptions for average number in rooms could certainly be off some, but I think this gives you the ballpark if everything is open is at 100% capacity. That is total number of resort guests of 33,548.

Now, how big are the parks? Numbers of course always vary, but typically I see max capacity listed as 80,000 for MK, 60,000 for AK and HS each, and 110,000 for Epcot.
We don't know what new capacity will be but 25% has been floated out there online as a possibility.
That would then be 20,000 for MK, 15,000 for AK and HS, and 27,500 for Epcot. Total of 77,500.

So these ballpark numbers would seem to indicate that all resort guests could fit in MK and HS combined. All together, there should be about 40,000 spots for all other APs and non-resort guests (including the Disney Springs Hotels that theoretically can book tomorrow as well). Though if the resorts are at full capacity, the first 4 days without Epcot and HS could be pretty tight, even for resort guests and very difficult for non-resort APs.

I did a similar calculation when the reservation system was announced -- I literally did it on a back of an envelope and I don't have it anymore -- but I came out with something similar to what you have (I assumed a flat 4 per room, so my numbers were probably lower). When I look at DVC availability for July/Aug -- things are pretty open that I don't think they're at full capacity yet (Don't know if those that are booked at closed resorts have been fully moved yet). Most people aren't going to pick MK every single day so there will be natural variability in the picks. But the analysis calmed me down -- for those that have tickets+reservation for the initial period -- it will be fine, you'll get a park (and good chance, the park you want).

 

[TheMaxRebo]

What about the 35% discount for losing free dining? If we have modify to an open resort and pay the difference will we still get this?

 

[andyman8]

For some of us with late 2020 reservations, it’s probably not going to matter. I’m booked at AS Movies for check in date of 12/28. Room only, no park tickets.

By the time I’m able to purchase tickets, I expect the parks will be reserved to capacity. So I’ll end up cancelling the room anyway.

I wouldn't cancel until you see no park availability for your dates. December is a long way away.
Now, if you've just decided you don't want to go, then of course cancel.

 

[koszmok]

That is why they are not canceling until 7 days out..by then, people would know.

Well I think pretty unlikely that my 20 days reservation can be moved anywhere right now (within my price range). And seems impossible to be doable at all 8 days before my check in date

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

What was the original expiration date of his AP? Check the actual card. It may have expired in March or April and that’s why it was only extended through 7/31. I’m also not sure how extensions were handled with passes with blackout days (if they got the full amount of days the parks were closed added on or just the non blacked out days). Otherwise, come tomorrow, you’ll be able to book 2 park days between 7/11-7/31 and 5 park days (using the 5 day passes) for your trip(s).

Thanks so much for the quick response. I'll have to go hunt for his actual pass--I have no idea where we put it. It may have been an expiration of late April.
Re the 5 day tickets ... can those be spread between the two trips? If so, that may actually work.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Days like tomorrow make me glad I used a TA for this trip.... Imma do my park ressies while she plays phone tag.

I have been saying the whole thing is a nightmare "Right Now" for TAs but I think they are proving their value through this and it should help them keep/attract more customers in the future

 

[FatBambi]

I have been saying the whole thing is a nightmare "Right Now" for TAs but I think they are proving their value through this and it should help them keep/attract more customers in the future

I know, I feel awful for her, but I'm definitely never going to book without one again!

 

[Sandisw]

Well I think pretty unlikely that my 20 days reservation can be moved anywhere right now (within my price range). And seems impossible to be doable at all 8 days before my check in date

I see what you mean...I wasn’t thinking about it that way.

 

[CastAStone]

Ok, indepth numbers look here, but I had to just figure it out for myself how many people will be there in the opening couple of weeks.

When counting the number of DVC rooms, it's hard to figure because there are 1444 lockoff 2 Bedrooms that any and all can turn into separate Studio and 1 Bedroom. So I went through each category of DVC room and counted what I thought would be the average number of people in each room.
-For studio I said 3, 1 Bedroom 3.5, dedicated 2 Bedroom 5.5, 2 Bedroom lockoff 6.5 (used the sum of studio and 1 bedroom), and Grand Villas 8. Adding all those totals up gives a DVC room population of 19,540 at capacity.
-Then Contemporary has 655, Pop has 2880. I used an average of 3.5 people per room there and it came to another 12,372 guests at capacity.
-FW is listed as 409 rooms so I just said 4 people per room there for 1636 total.

Now my assumptions for average number in rooms could certainly be off some, but I think this gives you the ballpark if everything is open is at 100% capacity. That is total number of resort guests of 33,548.

Now, how big are the parks? Numbers of course always vary, but typically I see max capacity listed as 80,000 for MK, 60,000 for AK and HS each, and 110,000 for Epcot.
We don't know what new capacity will be but 25% has been floated out there online as a possibility.
That would then be 20,000 for MK, 15,000 for AK and HS, and 27,500 for Epcot. Total of 77,500.

So these ballpark numbers would seem to indicate that all resort guests could fit in MK and HS combined. All together, there should be about 40,000 spots for all other APs and non-resort guests (including the Disney Springs Hotels that theoretically can book tomorrow as well). Though if the resorts are at full capacity, the first 4 days without Epcot and HS could be pretty tight, even for resort guests and very difficult for non-resort APs.

One other thing - Disney Springs resort hotel guests, Swan, Dolphin, and Four Seasons guests all count as onsite for booking out park reservations.

 

[skeeter31]

Thanks so much for the quick response. I'll have to go hunt for his actual pass--I have no idea where we put it. It may have been an expiration of late April.
Re the 5 day tickets ... can those be spread between the two trips? If so, that may actually work.

That’s actually a good question with the 5 day tickets. I’m not too sure if once you start using them if you have to use all the days within a certain number of days. It’s been years since I’ve had tickets other than an AP so I’m not too well versed on that.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Yeah. Mod/Value guests, if you have a particular price point in mind, you'll want to be on the phone with DRC tomorrow morning to move your stay. My understanding is there may be some sort of recovery discount -- at least if you were booked under an expired discount -- but it may not be large and there are no guarantees.

To clear up some confusion regarding 2021, here's the official update from the WDW website:

So it appears affected reservation holders will also have first dibs on 2021 bookings.

So no more moving people from closed hotels? Even if it’s just from a mod to another mod?

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Another thought for the peasantry: If you qualified to make park reservations tomorrow it may be worthwhile to do that first. My thinking: if you have the tickets and reservations squared away later on if there is nothing in the value price range you may be able to negotiate a change to offsite or good neighborhood hotel without losing the park component. Just a radical thought

 

[babydoll65]

If Pop is opening, though, is the All Star to Pop jump that significant? Trying to figure out if we could make it work..

I can tell you that I'm booked at All-star Music and a standard room was $148 rack rate. Pop century standard room is $188 rack rate. Hope that helps

 

[cristen72]

And that's so ridiculous!

I don't understand. I'm just going to think somehow there is a master plan somewhere and it's all going to work out...

I hope so, but I don’t have a good feeling about it. I’m honestly surprised they won’t give on site room only reservations a chance to buy tickets before the general public.

 

[JPM4]

I have been saying the whole thing is a nightmare "Right Now" for TAs but I think they are proving their value through this and it should help them keep/attract more customers in the future

This. This. This.

 

[Marthasor]

I`m confused.
Who should call ? People in mod/value whose booking is before their hotel`s opening date ?
Or everyone whose hotel is not listed yet as to be scheduled to open? What if my resort will be open by my check in date?

If you resort is scheduled to be open by your check-in date, you should be fine. They said the opening dates are subject to change, so just keep an eye out for any date changes.

Yeesh!!! Tickets for 2021 too?

The answer to that is clear as mud. On Friday, the wording was "by June 28, New Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets on sale for arrivals in 2021." Today the wording is "Reservations for stays in 2021 will begin booking on Wednesday, June 24."

It *appears* that 6/24 will be for anyone with affected reservations in 2020 who would like to push their trip to 2021. On 6/28, anyone can book 2021.

The news on DTA states, "Guests with current reservations at impacted Disney Resort hotels can request help with modifying their reservation starting Monday June 22. Reservations for stays in 2021 will begin booking on Wednesday, June 24." This was released to all TA's around 5:00 pm today. I know, based on this, my TA is under the assumption that she is going to be able to book anyone for 2021 on Wednesday. It's all clear as mud, right? LOL!

 

[JPM4]

I have been saying the whole thing is a nightmare "Right Now" for TAs but I think they are proving their value through this and it should help them keep/attract more customers in the future

I never used a TA before. I transferred reservations to Dreams to support the site/shows. I have been thanking my lucky stars since this all started

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

One other thing - Disney Springs resort hotel guests, Swan, Dolphin, and Four Seasons guests all count as onsite for booking out park reservations.

Out of curiosity, have we figured out if Shades of Green is included? It looks like they have not come out and confirmed anything.

 

[Knaedudley]

I read that, I thought that was known already. So I guess there is news today

I assumed making my park reservations tomorrow would be considered “taking action”. I mean isn’t this the whole reason we are doing this, so they can measure capacity? If I make park reservations I clearly intend to come if not why bother with the stress??? Plus what about the hundreds of people not on this forum who have no clue and don’t get the emails because y’all know that’s hit or miss

 

[sweetyk83]

Out of curiosity, have we figured out if Shades of Green is included? It looks like they have not come out and confirmed anything.

I’m wondering as well. I’ve seen nothing mentioning SOG other than a few people say a cast member told them they were good to go. Which, to be honest, I don’t trust much.