Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Disdreamprincess]

Dining related question. So, to this day, resort hopping is not permitted, one cannot go e.g to Enchanted Rose lounge to have a drink (if not booking also an ADR at GFC and not staying at GF), neither pop up to a counter service for a quick meal?

 

[MrsBooch]

Does anyone know if you still have 2 hours to get to your boarding group reservation. Ours was originally estimated around noon, but it keeps getting closer and closer to our beaches and cream reservation, so I was just wondering.

I think it's one hour now

 

[SMRT-1]

Are boats running from Epcot/HS to the resorts right now?

The Friendship resort boats are scheduled to resume starting July 29.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Does anyone know if you still have 2 hours to get to your boarding group reservation. Ours was originally estimated around noon, but it keeps getting closer and closer to our beaches and cream reservation, so I was just wondering.

I thought they started putting return times?

 

[rabidstoat]

I’m nervous about this. Which processes do folks think may become permanent? I really would like a return to “normal” as much as possible one day.

I'm hoping the new, faster bag screening is permanent!

 

[hereforthechurros]

The Friendship resort boats are scheduled to resume starting July 29.

Ahh I think I did see that at one point. That coincides with S&D reopening I believe which makes sense. Thanks!

 

[OKWFan88]

What kind of bag check do they have? The new type that you walk through?

Sorry didn’t have a bag just walked thru metal detectors with phone in hand.

 

[MrsBooch]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

 

[cindianne320]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

No idea- but I find it interesting that they have the snack credit logo on the new food and wine menus.

 

[MrsBooch]

No idea- but I find it interesting that they have the snack credit logo on the new food and wine menus.

I just assumed they were reusing/repurposing.

 

[JBeaty0507]

I thought they started putting return times?

I have an estimated return in 110 minutes, but I figure it will give me a range of time once it actually gets here.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

Like FP+, I think if (IF) it is done permanently it’s because it’s being replaced with some similar alternative. Like the speculation that FP+ may be gone to make way for genie and similar (possibly paid) service.

I don’t think TS restaurant prices (especially the more expensive 1 credit ones) are what they are today without the dining plan existing all these years. I think not only does it make money directly with sales of it but indirectly with increases in restaurant prices to prop up the value of the DDP.

I don’t see being without any DDP like item once it becomes reliably safe to dine in full capacity restaurants again.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

It's an interesting thought ... I do think things like the Dining Plan might be gone for quite some time. Until they can get more people there to justify having all the restaurants open and park hoping and resort hoping can happen, I just don't see it

I do think it is a money make for them and also free dining can be used to help bring people back in the future. I don't know how Pete worded it but if he meant no form of any dining plan is ever coming back ever I would disagree with him. But I do think at some point (and maybe it is a year+ off) some form of the dining plan will return

 

[anthony2k7]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

Wasn't one of the main purposes of the dining plan to encourage guests to stay on premise?

I guess in a world with park reservations and no hopping that becomes just too much of an expectation for guests to remain on site for their entire stay. Although it would help keep things more covid safe if they did.

 

[dlavender]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

As others have said DDP drove pricing for the last decade.

I think this is just a temporary thing. Once we are passed all of this craziness it will return, just my .02

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I’m nervous about this. Which processes do folks think may become permanent? I really would like a return to “normal” as much as possible one day.

I think park reservations will be utilized for a while, not packing buses and monorails to standing room only, not “filling in all the available space” at indoor attractions, encouraging mobile ordering and mobile pay whenever possible, keeping online/direct to room check in only, no fingerprint scanner, no character hugs, no providing your own pen for autographs, not overbooking restaurants, etc. Also gradually increasing capacity but still limiting it.

I think they will find a way to bring back parades and fireworks, after hours and seasonal parties, etc. I don’t think we’ll see BBB for a long time, but I think it will come back in some form eventually.

Again, all just speculation but I think many experiences will return but there will be operational processes that came from this that will stick around indefinitely.

 

[Broncho52]

 

[Jothmas]

Wasn't one of the main purposes of the dining plan to encourage guests to stay on premise?

I thought it was to encourage people to give more cash to Disney in total than they would if they paid for each meal separately.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I'm listening to the Dis Patreon podcast with just Pete - he mentioned he thinks the Dining Plan is totally done and not coming back (speculation of course). But that's the first time I've heard anyone say something like that. What do you guys think? Operationally speaking has that been floated before? Is the dining plan some kind of burden that they might be glad to be rid of? I always thought it was a money maker for Disney.

I think it's also gone. Too complicated and restricting for Disney to want to use going forward.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1284164794463944705