Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Brianstl]

Having all the amenities opened at a completely booked hotel isn’t all that great when you have reduced capacities at all of those amenities. Disney is trying to thread the needle with occupancy, reduced capacities and what amenities are open.

 

[Farro]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go. We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

 

[skeeter31]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go.

Oh I bet there will be discounts offered next year. And there are currently good discounts being offered now, they’re just offering them to APs and Florida residents. I think they realize now that out of state visitors are extremely low right now and will continue to stay so until a Florida is removed from other states quarantine lists. They’re most likely not going to offer discounts to out of state guests until that all evens out. I think they want to draw in as many in-state guests as they can and just hope that those coming from out of state are coming regardless, so they don’t have to offer them a discount.

 

[Marionnette]

On an encouraging note, Orange County’s % positive cases fell below 5% yesterday.

 

[Farro]

Oh I bet there will be discounts offered next year. And there are currently good discounts being offered now, they’re just offering them to APs and Florida residents. I think they realize now that out of state visitors are extremely low right now and will continue to stay so until a Florida is removed from other states quarantine lists. They’re most likely not going to offer discounts to out of state guests until that all evens out. I think they want to draw in as many in-state guests as they can and just hope that those coming from out of state are coming regardless, so they don’t have to offer them a discount.

You are definitely right about that.
I'm also starting to think some people would be happy if no one ever traveled again (or even leave their houses), so I'm starting to lose confidence in anything ever returning to normal! I'm only half kidding about that too.

Ah well. Covid.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.
To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer.

I mean Disney may have to have deals to entice people back in in the future at some point, I’m sure they will actually given that even at their busiest they were still running deals as that is the pricing model they have chosen to operate with like Gap and Old Navy and their constant stream of discounts. Right now they seem to be happy with their balance of discounting for APs and getting full price out of the other resort guests who are willing to come. It’s possible they know their numbers wouldn’t change drastically enough with public resort discounts to offset the increase in costs of housing more people.

It’s suggested over and over again in here that if Disney just did this or that they would draw more people in. I think it’s one of two things, either no they would not and they know best in terms of what brings people in, or yes it would but they prefer their current situation for whatever reason (better margins, lower crowds, etc).

Right now I don’t feel bad for anybody who goes to Disney to discover in the moment things that are closed, not running, or operating with lessened hours. At this point to me it’s the same as someone arriving at MK gates without a mask and claiming ignorance.

 

[dlavender]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go. We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

The rates they are still asking for are still ridiculous IMO.

I expected to see historically low rates. They just haven't materialized. It must be that they are still riding the storm in regards to threading that needle with PR and Covid and operational sustainability.

As Covid rates drop, though, I have to think they really start aggressively discounting. I shouldn't have to go through Priceline to get what I think is a fair rate given the circumstances.

 

[Farro]

I mean Disney may have to have deals to entice people back in in the future at some point, I’m sure they will actually given that even at their busiest they were still running deals as that is the pricing model they have chosen to operate with like Gap and Old Navy and their constant stream of discounts. Right now they seem to be happy with their balance of discounting for APs and getting full price out of the other resort guests who are willing to come. It’s possible they know their numbers wouldn’t change drastically enough with public resort discounts to offset the increase in costs of housing more people.

It’s suggested over and over again in here that if Disney just did this or that they would draw more people in. I think it’s one of two things, either no they would not and they know best in terms of what brings people in, or yes it would but they prefer their current situation for whatever reason (better margins, lower crowds, etc).

Right now I don’t feel bad for anybody who goes to Disney to discover in the moment things that are closed, not running, or operating with lessened hours. At this point to me it’s the same as someone arriving at MK gates without a mask and claiming ignorance.

Well sure, I agree with the bolded. I'm not really debating that.

 

[Marionnette]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go. We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

I guess that I look at it differently because I’m a DVC owner who either uses my points or loses them. So, I can either accept that there won’t be everything I normally expect at Disney or I can let it fester while allowing those valuable points to expire. I’m happy to see Disney open in a modified version of itself. I’m not happy to be paying full price for tickets or settling for my third-choice restaurants with limited menus. But accepting things for what they are doesn’t have to mean that you’re happy with them.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

You are definitely right about that.
I'm also starting to think some people would be happy if no one ever traveled again (or even leave their houses), so I'm starting to lose confidence in anything ever returning to normal! I'm only half kidding about that too.

Ah well. Covid.

Little dramatic lol, no? People aren’t against travel and hoping it dies, rather there are are a lot of people who will not do it under these circumstances. Ah well Covid is right, it’s a virus keeping people away from travel not feelings about travel

 

[Farro]

I guess that I look at it differently because I’m a DVC owner who either uses my points or loses them. So, I can either accept that there won’t be everything I normally expect at Disney or I can let it fester while allowing those valuable points to expire. I’m happy to see Disney open in a modified version of itself. I’m not happy to be paying full price for tickets or settling for my third-choice restaurants with limited menus. But accepting things for what they are doesn’t have to mean that you’re happy with them.

Yes, your situation is different that mine.

Believe me, I want to go next May. But if, god forbid, everything is still reduced like today with no reduction in price, we will need to think long and hard if the value is there at that point.

 

[Farro]

Little dramatic lol, no? People aren’t against travel and hoping it dies, rather there are are a lot of people who will not do it under these circumstances. Ah well Covid is right, it’s a virus keeping people away from travel not feelings about travel

It's a joke. It was meant to be dramatic. Based on some of the dramatic statements some people make out there in the social media universe.
I realize most people are rational, making rational decisions based on their own situation. I truly judge no one for not wanting to travel.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

It's a joke. It was meant to be dramatic.

Okay lol. Wasn’t sure given that we’ve had this conversation go on in here before, that people need to jump back into normal (in short).

 

[Eric Smith]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

The only means of accepting or rejecting is either going on a trip to Disney right now or cancelling.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

I don't think the amenities or lack thereof are the reason that people are holding off booking trips. September is typically a slow time anyways. On top of that, the virus is still going strong and there are a lot of financial issues for people. Hopefully the virus starts to subside in the next year, but the economic issues might be here for years. Disney World probably won't reach pre-COVID crowd levels for years. A significant portion of the WDW visitor base is international as well and nearly all of them can't enter the country right now even if they wanted to.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

Disney doesn't want to try too hard to bring in people to the parks because they want to minimize the potential fallout from scenes of crowding or worst case a COVID breakout at the parks. That would be an absolute disaster. Disney's stated goal with the parks is to lose less money by having them open than by having them closed. To do this, you'll continue to see cutbacks for the duration of the pandemic. Some people will be ok with that and still go and some will not and will cancel. Neither group is wrong.

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go. We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

This situation is largely out of Disney's hands. I would guess that the reason that people are making the decision not to go to Disney is not primarily based on price. It's based on comfort and safety. This isn't happening in a vacuum. A lot of people have drastically altered their vacation plans due to the virus this year. It sucks, but that's the price we have to pay.

 

[RamblingMad]

The rates they are still asking for are still ridiculous IMO.

I expected to see historically low rates. They just haven't materialized. It must be that they are still riding the storm in regards to threading that needle with PR and Covid and operational sustainability.

As Covid rates drop, though, I have to think they really start aggressively discounting. I shouldn't have to go through Priceline to get what I think is a fair rate given the circumstances.

The discounts will come when folks become less willing to pay. We are now getting to the time where kids are back in school in some form. Disney will have to adjust based on the attendance they see. They will also have to evaluate the holiday season as well. If discounts happen, I expect them after spring break next year.

 

[Princess Merida]

I am surprised there aren't any discounts other than FL residents and AP holders. They must be where they want to be, but oh how I wish I could buy that FL resident ticket 2 days for $130!!! Oh well maybe I'll just do one day at HWS when I'm at Universal in October. My daughter and husband haven't experienced all of Galaxy's Edge yet. I miss Disney so much! Would love to be there instead, but can't or maybe won't pay rack rate and buy full price tickets.

 

[Farro]

Well, Disney will do what they will do and closer to our trip we may have to make tough decisions. I was ready for masks, no fireworks, reduced menus...but the terrible hrs with reduced things to do at resorts are now starting to be my tipping point.

I'm just going to stick with my positive thought of - Things will all look better when next May comes. (sung to the tune When I am Older by Olaf).

 

[gottalovepluto]

...We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

Don’t we though?!

(No park hopping is my hill)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Sorry everybody, but I just don't agree we have to just "accept" everything without questioning it. Yes, of course we have to adjust expectations. To a point.

You all have way more confidence than I do that people will do their research, see what they are losing vs paying and still book those trips. And the more people who put off booking trips, the longer this happens.

To continue to not offer any kind of discount/incentive while simultaneously cutting hrs, amenities, overall value and say "there's just no demand" will only fly for a short while. Well, at least with some people.
Come next year, again, they will need to start trying to bring back customers.
Restaurants, movie theaters, local zoos, parks, museums - all of them have some sort of deal going right now. Why is Disney so exempt from needing to do this in the future?

And I'm basing this discussion on the fact so many are confident that this will last into next spring/summer. And I don't need to be told if I don't like it, don't go. Obviously if I don't like it, I won't go. We all have our hill to break an arm on. To continue (into next year) to charge the (ridiculous already) rates for their hotels with a reduced experience is mine.

I totally get where you are coming from but I think it is:
- fewer people will travel anywhere/to Florida/to Disney due to Covid (be it the virus, economic concerns, etc)
- of those willing to come some are willing to pay full price and others would come if discounts are added/increased/etc

I think Disney feels that the number of additional people that would come from more discounts wouldn't make up for losses income from lower prices and increased costs of having to deal with more people. Plus, one of the motivators to go now is how empty the parks are - if they add discounts does that bring more people then will others opt not to go of crowds increase (or they are worried they are increasing).

As things evolve they will need to brings back more people - but they also know they have the 50th stuff so will that motivate people to come even without discounts?

Lots of moving parts

 

[RamblingMad]

I totally get where you are coming from but I think it is:
- fewer people will travel anywhere/to Florida/to Disney due to Covid (be it the virus, economic concerns, etc)
- of those willing to come some are willing to pay full price and others would come if discounts are added/increased/etc

I think Disney feels that the number of additional people that would come from more discounts wouldn't make up for losses income from lower prices and increased costs of having to deal with more people. Plus, one of the motivators to go now is how empty the parks are - if they add discounts does that bring more people then will others opt not to go of crowds increase (or they are worried they are increasing).

As things evolve they will need to brings back more people - but they also know they have the 50th stuff so will that motivate people to come even without discounts?

Lots of moving parts

I expect COVID to still be around for the 50th based on Bill Gates’ interview with the economist. Next year should be super interesting to see how Disney adapts.