Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[yulilin3]

Anyone care to give me the cliffnotes of the news rundown from the last two days, aside from the Monday reservation mess?
Or is everything nice and calm?

 

[JacknSally]

Anyone care to give me the cliffnotes of the news rundown from the last two days, aside from the Monday reservation mess?
Or is everything nice and calm?

Universal laid off a bunch of TMs.
2021 sales opened today and it's gone as smoothly as most people expected, I think.
NY instituted a 14-day quarantine for anyone traveling into the state from several hotspot states, including Florida.

 

[hereforthechurros]

A slight update to my resort woes that isn't really informative, lol...

Booked at POFQ 12/1-12/5.
- TA originally thought we'd be moved into DVC on 6/22
- Then the resort reopening list came out Sunday, so she said she'd call to see what our options were
- Then Monday, she said she decided not to call and ask about our options, and that we should just wait and see

After lots of thread reading, I reached out to my TA this morning to ask if she would at least find out what options we might have for our move right now, and told her I've seen reports here from people who have been moved from mods to deluxes with no rate change. (We really want to be at POFQ but would jump at our few bucket list deluxe resorts if they were offered at our current rate. We aren't interested in CBR/CSR.)

Just got a response. She basically confirmed that the "matrix" that CMs were given yesterday ended any pixie dust upgrades. Looks like we could've lucked in to an upgrade if she had called for us Monday. Now CMs can only make comparable lateral moves unless that resort category is full, and she said they're actively discouraging any late-2020 changes now because there is a chance the remaining resorts will reopen. Also said the phones have been closed all day so she hasn't been able to get through to make any changes today.

So I guess we keep on waiting to see if POFQ opens up later on!

It's frustrating to get one thing from the TA and see other things on the boards... and can't call to try any moves ourselves because we went through a TA this time. Sigh.

We called at 7 am Monday morning and were told CBR was the only option for the rate protection. No upgrades given or offered so not sure yesterday would have helped. We pushed hard to keep the 35% discount and were told no as well.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Universal laid off a bunch of TMs.
2021 sales opened today and it's gone as smoothly as most people expected, I think.
NY instituted a 14-day quarantine for anyone traveling into the state from several hotspot states, including Florida.

Just to add - Disney blamed us for the IT issues for park passes. Classy.
And I just found out yesterday FOTLK won’t be part of the reopening despite the announcement. But this is probably not news to everyone else here

 

[RWinNOLA]

Universal laid off a bunch of TMs.
2021 sales opened today and it's gone as smoothly as most people expected, I think.
NY instituted a 14-day quarantine for anyone traveling into the state from several hotspot states, including Florida.

And there is a TA out there starting a rumor that WDW is set to announce plans to delay the reopening due to recent COVID spike in FL.

 

[Helvetica]

Animal Kingdom is now sold out on July 12th and the 14th

 

[JacknSally]

We called at 7 am Monday morning and were told CBR was the only option for the rate protection. No upgrades given or offered so not sure yesterday would have helped. We pushed hard to keep the 35% discount and were told no as well.

This has always been one of my biggest frustrations with Disney - so much depends entirely on the CM you get when you call. I know almost everyone is just doing their best, especially right now! I don't fault anyone at all for that. Info has just always varied wildly from one CM to another.

 

[FatBambi]

And there is a TA out there starting a rumor that WDW is set to announce plans to delay the reopening due to recent COVID spike in FL.

Makes me want to vomit to think about, since last night after my resort switch I finally felt for the first time like I was 100% going.

 

[gatechfan99]

Just as an FYI, there was a note earlier mentioning Gov Desantis having a press conference today. It was primarily about an education bill being signed, but he took a few questions and made some comments about Covid. Nothing was mentioned about changing any rules or phases, just reinforced to follow the social distancing guidelines that are already on the books.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Makes me want to vomit to think about, since last night after my resort switch I finally felt for the first time like I was 100% going.

Same, was just starting to get excited and WHAM...good feeling gone

 

[Krandor]

Same, was just starting to get excited and WHAM...good feeling gone

2020 has banned good feelings.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Okay, stupid question time.

I booked two 2021 room only stays. I can't book park reservations. I *think* it's because my AP expires in Sept 2020 - is that accurate? Or am I missing a date?

yes. There have been reports of CM's letting people renew early so they can book reservations. Might be worth a shot if you were planning on renewing.

 

[Doingitagain]

At a minimum, the COVID spike in Florida should increase enforcement on rules. Anyone not all in on social distancing and masks probably should go a different time.

 

[Amy11401]

Was able to book CSR for late January but all of Sept looks completely booked! I'm assuming this is due to the anticipated 50th celebration?

For whatever reason CSR is unavailable from late June 2021 on.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Just as an FYI, there was a note earlier mentioning Gov Desantis having a press conference today. It was primarily about an education bill being signed, but he took a few questions and made some comments about Covid. Nothing was mentioned about changing any rules or phases, just reinforced to follow the social distancing guidelines that are already on the books.

thanks for that. I would guess they stay at phase 2 longer than they thought they'd have to. I was thinking by early July phase 3. That seems out the window now.

 

[sara_s]

yes. There have been reports of CM's letting people renew early so they can book reservations. Might be worth a shot if you were planning on renewing.

Thanks - right now I want to see how opening goes, how they start phasing in more people, resorts, etc. I so want to renew, just gotta wait and see.

 

[sara_s]

For whatever reason CSR is unavailable from late June 2021 on.

It's weird - unless they're still anticipating conventions to take place? Or will the NBA be back?! (I kid, I kid)

 

[Amy11401]

It's weird - unless they're still anticipating conventions to take place? Or will the NBA be back?! (I kid, I kid)

Wondered the same thing....or if it's a glitch.

 

[Kmedders]

And there is a TA out there starting a rumor that WDW is set to announce plans to delay the reopening due to recent COVID spike in FL.

I am a TA and I can tell you that nothing like this has even been mentioned to us. The Disney reps that report to TAs are all told the same things to communicate.

additionally, not that this matters much, but I’m in hospital administration and have a masters in public health and epidemiology. While we don’t like the spikes we are seeing, we did expect this. We have to learn to live with covid unfortunately. We are predicting that this will be an issue for at least 3-5 years.If we are correct in that, our lives will be a bit different for quite some time. However, if we and our businesses are able to pivot with the ever-changing environment, then we can hopefully level out and not destroy the economy any more than we already have.

And for the record.... I am quitting the travel business after this year. One full time job is enough and Covid has completely wrecked that little “hobby” of mine

 

[LSUmiss]

Wondered the same thing....or if it's a glitch.

There are no glitches according to Disney. You’re doing it wrong.