Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[anthony2k7]

Yeah staying off site and spending a day or two at the parks increases attendance but Disney doesn't get it's profit off that.

Likewise local APs going repeatedly. The first couple of times they might buy merch but I doubt they do every visit.

 

[Farro]

Today is Tuesday? Yeah, its doom and gloom day on the DISboards.

Wait, I’m just now being informed its Wednesday and Doom and Gloom days have stretched to 7 days a week on the DISboards.

I think this type of talk isn't so much doom and gloom, but rather reality.

People are scared, they are staying home.
States, countries are made to quarantine, people have to stay home.
People are hurt economically, we have to stay home.

I try to stay as positive as they come (I think we are solid middle class), but our May trip is hanging on by the thinnest thread after that last pay-cut and if anything else happens, we will have to cancel, again.

I'm hoping by end year - people start to feel better about travel, state quarantine restrictions start to be lifted and Disney lays out some serious resort discounts.

 

[Wreckem]

I didn't say it has no impact.

Originally this stemmed from my suggestion of what can Disney do? Or what can be DONE to increase attendance and remain within the boundaries of safety (i.e. you can't bring back fireworks).

People that travel bans being lifted would help and I agreed that it would have the largest impact.

then someone said no, they disagree, it's all economic.

Well i disagree. It's not ALL one thing.

I didn’t say it’s all economic, I said the top two reasons are economic. The third was not wanting to fly.

I said whoever said it’s travel restrictions is the number 1 reason is wrong. And they are. Less than 20 states have travel restrictions on Florida and half of those are not mandatory.

Yes there is some element of safe travel but it has to do with air travel and not travel restrictions.

People are downplaying the economic crisis just like they are downplaying the pandemic. The economic downturn has hit all income brackets. It’s not just lower income.

 

[JacknSally]

Thanks for the info...unfortunately, I can't get into the stream...maybe you have to be invited?

I was not invited, but I didn't have any problem viewing it, so I'm not sure why it might not work. Sorry!

 

[wombat_5606]

Yeah staying off site and spending a day or two at the parks increases attendance but Disney doesn't get it's profit off that.

They still do. They usually buy food and souvenirs. If I'm buying an $11 burger, Disney IS making a profit.

 

[anthony2k7]

I don't think this type of talk isn't so much doom and gloom, but rather reality.

People are scared, they are staying home.
States, countries are made to quarantine, people have to stay home.
People are hurt economically, we have to stay home.

I try to stay as positive as they come, but our May trip is hanging on by the thinnest thread after that last pay-cut and if anything else happens, we will have to cancel, again.

I'm hoping by end year - people start to feel better about travel, state quarantine restrictions start to be lifted and Disney lays out some serious resort discounts.

Exactly.

Even those not affected yet are waking up to the fact that before we're out of this (virus and recession/depression) they likely will be affected. Even if its just by them not getting a inflation matching payrise this year.

 

[andyman8]

Isn't there an financial update call next week? Should we be expecting some substantial operational changes from that?

I'm guessing those rumours Farro posted are based around them currently not meeting that target of "positive contribution". If they have to reveal that they have missed that target on the call then presumably investors would be expecting some kind of action rather than more of the same?

There is an Earning’s Call next week. We’ll see what they said. I’d expect it to light on numbers and heavy on hollow “we’re showing the world how to reopen responsible” statements. Of course, they will have to take questions, but I’ve listened enough of these to know that there are many posters on here who would probably ask more substantive questions about their business and projections than the folks who actually ask the questions.

Not talking about people on this board, but this is why it infuriated me when people were mocking those that were worried about the economy back in March. Saw so many posts like "BuT MAh eCoNOmY" like they couldn't believe they were worried about the long term affects of these shutdowns.

Certainly from a WDW perspective, they’re in a tough (and kind of unique) position with this. Like you’re saying, I really don’t believe they took it all that seriously or approached it with that much concern in March (case in point: March’s free dining offer), but it seems like they are now.

 

[Letsoflyakite]

Covid be damned. Me, my wife and our 2 girls are flying in from the West at the end of August for 9 days at Riviera. I'll only mention the positives...low crowds, good food, staying at DVC and having Disney Cocktails.

We are going to make the best of it and burn some points.

 

[MrsBooch]

I just want to go back to making meme jokes.

They still do. They usually buy food and souvenirs. If I'm buying an $11 burger, Disney IS making a profit.

okee dokee.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

This is the same source said that when the parks reopened only the MK resorts would be open. So they’re doubling down on that “rumor” hoping that eventually it pays of in their “I told you so” bingo game.

ahhh yes, the old “secure circuit“ panic attacks I experienced several months ago. Let’s not do that again please.

 

[Farro]

Covid be damned. Me, my wife and our 2 girls are flying in from the West at the end of August for 9 days at Riviera. I'll only mention the positives...low crowds, good food, staying at DVC and having Disney Cocktails.

We are going to make the best of it and burn some points.

I now know I'm allowed to work from home and quarantine for 14 days if we travel, so if we could afford it right now, we'd be there tomorrow!

Enjoy and I'm jealous!

 

[Vern60]

I think this type of talk isn't so much doom and gloom, but rather reality.

People are scared, they are staying home.
States, countries are made to quarantine, people have to stay home.
People are hurt economically, we have to stay home.

I try to stay as positive as they come (I think we are solid middle class), but our May trip is hanging on by the thinnest thread after that last pay-cut and if anything else happens, we will have to cancel, again.

I'm hoping by end year - people start to feel better about travel, state quarantine restrictions start to be lifted and Disney lays out some serious resort discounts.

Yeah, I understand. Not to go out on a limb but for a lot of folks, being stuck at home reading the news all day probably leads to a lot of doom and gloom perspectives.
I'm sure there's some good news out there but I doubt we'll see or hear any of it before November. My kids schools just informed us yesterday they've changed their minds and now there will be no classes at least until November - that seems like a long way out to be so certain about it - I mean a lot could change by then you'd think. And didn't you mention your pay was reduced until, again November?
Weird, I wonder why now everything is being shut down until ... November?

Well, I do think Disney is probably pretty much seeing 2020 as a scratch. I mean I doubt they will open any new rides, like Remy, or have any new shows or fireworks as I just don't think they'd attract many additional guests. Maybe by the Holidays ... but definitely not until mid November at the earliest.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Well, I've been watching livestreams since the parks reoppened. The parks are getting busier. MK today, on a Wednesday, has plenty of people walking around and ride waits are 25 minutes +, not all walk on like the first week.

Might just be locals but people are definitely still coming.

I'm looking forward to our trip in September. It would be nice if people could take the doom and gloom out of this thread.

 

[wombat_5606]

I just want to go back to making meme jokes.

okee dokee.

As a local AP holder the past 2 years, I bet I've spent more money in the parks than your under a week visitor that goes every 2-3 years. Sometimes I stay on-site. Sometimes I drive over for the day, and sometimes I stay offsite. I buy event tickets. I probably average 60 days a year in the parks.

Am I spending more than others? No, but I wouldn't discount my value and I don't think Disney does either.

 

[dlavender]

It’s not just shutdowns, it’s the virus itself. I don’t know what people think happens to the economy when the virus is left to rage virtually unchecked. Sorry if too OT.

Facts schmacts............

 

[Brianstl]

I think the number of Deluxe Resorts and Deluxe DVC facilities often obscure the fact when it comes to actual room numbers, value has over 10,000 rooms onsite and moderates/campsites add over 11,000 more rooms. Two thirds of the rooms at WDW aren't deluxe. A large percentage of those rooms were being filled before the current situation by people who many on here don't think in past could afford to go to Disney. Those people weren't multiple trips per year or even yearly visitors to the parks. They were people that would save over a couple of years (or longer) for a trip to WDW and Disney counted on them to fill values and moderates, plus the parks. Now many of those people have to cancel because they can no longer afford the trip.

 

[Farro]

Yeah, I understand. Not to go out on a limb but for a lot of folks, being stuck at home reading the news all day probably leads to a lot of doom and gloom perspectives.
I'm sure there's some good news out there but I doubt we'll see or hear any of it before November. My kids schools just informed us yesterday they've changed their minds and now there will be no classes at least until November - that seems like a long way out to be so certain about it - I mean a lot could change by then you'd think. And didn't you mention your pay was reduced until, again November?
Weird, I wonder why now everything is being shut down until ... November?

Well, I do think Disney is probably pretty much seeing 2020 as a scratch. I mean I doubt they will open any new rides, like Remy, or have any new shows or fireworks as I just don't think they'd attract many additional guests. Maybe by the Holidays ... but definitely not until mid November at the earliest.

I can answer you about why November for me! New fiscal year starts in October, so that's the last paycheck with cut. They did these cuts in advance of where they think they will be financially starting in October - we are a hospital system, they are hoping to be at 80% of pre-covid baseline for surgeries, visits, etc.
There are workers who are furloughed thru October - thought is after that they will be laid off.

Luckily, they are already back at 80% or more in most of those departments, but if another wave hits, it all happens again.
Oh, if we do better financially than was expected, we don't get back pay for the pay-cuts. I asked.

 

[Princess Merida]

I can only speak for myself, but I lost my job due to covid and my position will not be returning. I didn't make 6 digits, but I made a decent income to contribute to my family. I am stuck with no job and can't do too much about it at the moment as I have two kids, one going into 3rd grade and one going into 8th, who won't be returning to school for at least the first 9 weeks so I will have to mostly be at home. I'm doing some at home real estate classes in order to get my license and hoping for the best. We are still doing well because my husband owns a landscaping company. I cannot imagine how terrible it would be if my husband's company wasn't doing well or if he had a job that was also affected. We have made some cuts on the extras, but Disney will be my last cut for the optional extras. I have a problem which is why I'm here lol. I'd rather give up Starbucks and going out first. I'm not a big shopper. Any trip I do during this time will be on a much tighter budget. Value resort, bring food, etc. We did get Universal AP in place of our BG/SW passes as we had some issues with their customer service during this so we are able to utilize those. We also aren't flying right now due to covid. Driving down from VA and stopping at HHI overnight each way. I'm not a fan of driving and can't wait to be able to fly again, but we are just lucky to be healthy and be able to go anywhere right now.

 

[anthony2k7]

Well, I've been watching livestreams since the parks reoppened. The parks are getting busier. MK today, on a Wednesday, has plenty of people walking around and ride waits are 25 minutes +, not all walk on like the first week.

Might just be locals but people are definitely still coming.

I'm looking forward to our trip in September. It would be nice if people could take the doom and gloom out of this thread.

Well they played with the reservation buckets to open up more spaces for APs plus removed the CM black-out for now as well. So many probably are locals.

 

[sfbank]

Farro—Same here. We are traveling the end of January but I would hop on a plane now if I could. I just hate the not knowing. We are supposed to be at our home away from home BWI Club Level. Now with the delay in reopening for the BWI who knows what will happen.