Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[chasgoose]

Still one of the most technologically advanced attractions and they didn’t work on it during the closure.

Oh I wasn't trying to drag Disney for it at all. I totally understand how complex and advanced the ride is. I was just noting that after Disney managed to deal with all of the pre-show elements surprisingly well (or at least better than the picture from earlier would suggest) and have them actually operating in a way compliant with social distancing, it was kind of like a Charlie Brown with the football moment when they got on and it broke down.

 

[Farro]

WHAT?! I hope this continues until I can get there!

Love the cavalcade and characters out in World Showcase - let be seeing things like that adding to the atmosphere of that area

It's so funny. If restrictions are eased by next spring, some of will be jealous of those who got to go during this time because of these cavalcades!!!

 

[Tjddis]

Impacts those possibly traveling to them that’s why I shared.

Fair enough. Just have a hard time some time finding the line. I mean people evaluating the numbers can impact travel plans too...you’re the boss...

 

[rteetz]

Fair enough. Just have a hard time some time finding the line. I mean people evaluating the numbers can impact travel plans too...you’re the boss...

The whole thing is about avoiding political and argumentative discussions. Unfortunately that’s how the numbers talks trend at least here in the US.

 

[Farro]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282738325502267395

I feel, looking at these and other adjustments they have made for rides, that Disney took it's own time to get ready to open. It was obviously never a competition with Universal and these measures they have in place are for the long haul. I think, so far, they are doing an excellent job at protecting as much as they can, and also realizing what doesn't work and adjusting on the fly.

It's obvious to me they are doing everything they can to prevent the same kind of shut-down in the future. Masks may go away eventually (at least outside) and capacity limits will increase, but I think plexi-glass (perhaps can be improved upon), mobile-ordering, less cast-member interaction will be here to stay.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Did they just completely forget about the virus in there?!?!

No, surely not as I think by now you have told everybody 100 times

 

[hereforthechurros]

Honestly, the only places I’ve really seen consistent positivity IRT Disney’s opening are Disney focused boards and groups. They (and Florida too) are getting absolutely torn apart on any discussion online I’ve seen that is not Disney focused.

Same. I have had to leave a few other sites I try to follow because the backlash of them even opening is super aggressive. But at the same time it's very much making me question our August trip.

 

[dreamit]

Did You mean to say 20000 and not 2000? If 2000 then Holy Smokes!!!!!

2000 would be crazy low. Not that I am against Disney doing whatever they feel they need to control crowd levels to keep the parks safe but there would be no wait time for anything. It will be interesting for what the coming weeks actually show but 2000 seems really really low.

2000. I know... When she said this, I repeated back because I thought I misheard. I’m still not sure this is accurate, but today felt only slightly more crowded than a VAH event. Frequently the past three days (two at MK and one at AK), it felt like there were more CMs than guests. There are TONS of CMs in the parks—lots of “suits” and lots of Disney Legacy CMs.

 

[LSUmiss]

I just had a CM ina a Main Street ship tell me that she heard they capped attendance at MK for this week at 2,000. I don’t know if that can be right or not. But, every CM we chatted with mentioned they’ve never seen anything like this. There was no one there, especially after the first two hours. We were in shops on Main Street where we were literally the only two in the store. In case it hasn’t been mentioned, Merida was riding her horse again.

Same here. We arrived about 9:30am. We got on the bus at BRV & were the only ppl on the bus. Walked right on most rides. Left to go back to let DS nap & was the only one on the bus again.

Arrived at BRV yesterday & went to the pool. Pool wasn’t crowded at all & DS had the whole splash pad to himself. Resort is very quiet & I have seen 100% mask compliance so far. It has been very easy to social distance so far b/c there is no one here. Was very pleased with temp check. I was concerned about heat elevating temp, but they check it right off the bus basically before you really get hot. Bag check was sooo much easier. Just walked it all through metal detectors. Mobile ordering has been wonderful & efficient. CMs are extra friendly & when you leave they tell you thank you for coming (and really seem sincere). Saw lots of other families with little kids too so I think a lot of ppl are trying to take advantage of going with these crowds. It had become nearly impossible for little kids before Covid. Wearing a mask in the heat is not that bad. It’s already hot so what’s the difference really. I LOVE not racing around & looking at my phone constantly. So far, it’s the first time in a long while that this actually feels like a vacation!
And, not surprising I don’t see any “1st time” buttons. So I think it helps being in the parks with ppl who have been (probably often) & know what they’re doing. I didn’t see any nonsense like I usually do with Karen not understanding the procedure & then getting all huffy.

 

[dreamit]

Tbh, the low crowds make the parks a little depressing. I really miss seeing little ones on their first trips.

 

[Farro]

Same here. We arrived about 9:30am. We got on the bus at BRV & were the only ppl on the bus. Walked right on most rides. Left to go back to let DS nap & was the only one on the bus again.

Arrived at BRV yesterday & went to the pool. Pool wasn’t crowded at all & DS had the whole splash pad to himself. Resort is very quiet & I have seen 100% mask compliance so far. It has been very easy to social distance so far b/c there is no one here. Was very pleased with temp check. I was concerned about heat elevating temp, but they check it right off the bus basically before you really get hot. Bag check was sooo much easier. Just walked it all through metal detectors. Mobile ordering has been wonderful & efficient. CMs are extra friendly & when you leave they tell you thank you for coming (and really seem sincere). Saw lots of other families with little kids too so I think a lot of ppl are trying to take advantage of going with these crowds. It had become nearly impossible for little kids before Covid. Wearing a mask in the heat is not that bad. It’s already hot so what’s the difference really. I LOVE not racing around & looking at my phone constantly. So far, it’s the first time in a long while that this actually feels like a vacation!
And, not surprising I don’t see any “1st time” buttons. So I think it helps being in the parks with ppl who have been (probably often) & know what they’re doing. I didn’t see any nonsense like I usually do with Karen not understanding the procedure & then getting all huffy.

You made it!!! I'm so happy for you!
Enjoy!!!

 

[SaintsManiac]

Same here. We arrived about 9:30am. We got on the bus at BRV & were the only ppl on the bus. Walked right on most rides. Left to go back to let DS nap & was the only one on the bus again.

Arrived at BRV yesterday & went to the pool. Pool wasn’t crowded at all & DS had the whole splash pad to himself. Resort is very quiet & I have seen 100% mask compliance so far. It has been very easy to social distance so far b/c there is no one here. Was very pleased with temp check. I was concerned about heat elevating temp, but they check it right off the bus basically before you really get hot. Bag check was sooo much easier. Just walked it all through metal detectors. Mobile ordering has been wonderful & efficient. CMs are extra friendly & when you leave they tell you thank you for coming (and really seem sincere). Saw lots of other families with little kids too so I think a lot of ppl are trying to take advantage of going with these crowds. It had become nearly impossible for little kids before Covid. Wearing a mask in the heat is not that bad. It’s already hot so what’s the difference really. I LOVE not racing around & looking at my phone constantly. So far, it’s the first time in a long while that this actually feels like a vacation!
And, not surprising I don’t see any “1st time” buttons. So I think it helps being in the parks with ppl who have been (probably often) & know what they’re doing. I didn’t see any nonsense like I usually do with Karen not understanding the procedure & then getting all huffy.

I was thinking of how nice it would be to not have to pound the MDE app all day.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I was thinking of how nice it would be to not have to pound the MDE app all day.

I’m pretending there’s going to be some overlap of time where I feel it’s safe for us to go, and crowds are still low enough to make touring effortless.

Nobody burst my bubble

 

[chasgoose]

And, not surprising I don’t see any “1st time” buttons. So I think it helps being in the parks with ppl who have been (probably often) & know what they’re doing. I didn’t see any nonsense like I usually do with Karen not understanding the procedure & then getting all huffy.

I think this is probably a big reason why things are going as well as they are so far, especially with the CM/AP previews. It's easier to focus on social distancing and proper behavior when you are comfortable and familiar with SOPs and aren't also overwhelmed by your first trip to Disney. Even now, I imagine its still mostly locals/DVC members/Disney regulars than anything else. I imagine when the weather gets nicer/people are more willing to travel we are going to see more issues, even if the park capacities don't change.

 

[LSUmiss]

You made it!!! I'm so happy for you!
Enjoy!!!

Thanks!! Imo, Disney is doing a great job. Posted yesterday that I just came from Panama City where they’re not!

 

[LSUmiss]

I was thinking of how nice it would be to not have to pound the MDE app all day.

It’s been great. We just started our day in Tomorrowland & made our way around & stopped to ride anything that interested us & had minimal waits or walked on. It was so nice to take in the atmosphere.

 

[dreamit]

Another plus is that my phone battery was at 70% after five hours in the park. It is really nice not racing around and being able to see so many things that usually are blocked by crowds. It’s super easy to find shaded seating.

 

[osufeth24]

Thanks!! Imo, Disney is doing a great job. Posted yesterday that I just came from Panama City where they’re not!

When I used to live in Destin (about 30-45 minutes from Panama City) there's a reason why we said we're from LA (Lower Alabama)

 

[everreal15]

Tbh, the low crowds make the parks a little depressing. I really miss seeing little ones on their first trips.

I definitely think its a shock seeing the parks so low. Not necessarily in a bad way to me, just different. In my opinion if someone was planning a once in a lifetime or long time trip this would not be the time to go. With so many of the "normal" experiences that are not running (and I do love seeing a lot of people in the parks too....just not the wait times) it's probably not going to be quite as magical to someone who really is used to coming every few years or once in a lifetime.

 

[Mit88]

I’m pretending there’s going to be some overlap of time where I feel it’s safe for us to go, and crowds are still low enough to make touring effortless.

Nobody burst my bubble

I think theres a chance if you still decide to go next year, depending on when. A lot of “on the fence” people will probably decide to make their trip around Sep-Nov 2021 for the 50th festivities. So if you wind up going early in the year, theres a chance its still not crowded. Not as empty as this past week, but still more than tolerable. CoA might go from very long lines to unbearably long lines. But FoP will be a 5 min wait forever now