Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[dlavender]

I hope there will be.

At the same time, the bubble existed before there was a FP+ advantage tied to it, and the only major in park perk was EMH. I don’t think they without a doubt need to give an advantage to onsite guests with a paid program. Again I hope they do, but am not convinced it’s anything close to certain. FP+ played no part in our decisions to stay in the bubble literally our entire vacation since DME came on the scene, I’m sure we’re not alone in being drawn onsite for a multitude of reasons.

I'm with you on that. They even charged club level $50 per person per day if they wanted 90 day advantage.

EMH was a lure until they got rid of it. 60 day was a lure but then you could get the same benefit from a much cheaper hotel in the springs.

When crowds return, I don't know how much they really need a FP benefit for on site guests. A few years ago for those rates I thought they absolutely did. But that was proven to be false when the extras were taken away and prices still steadily climbed while they stayed packed. Maybe 1 FP for the deluxes but outside of that I wouldn't be surprised to not see much of an advantage. Maybe a 10% off coupon for same day FP purchases, lol.

 

[andyman8]

It’s not him saying park hopping will never return, it’s him saying the park reservation system is here to stay. They’ll merge park hopping into the park reservation system, it’ll just be a question of how it’s optimized in that system. Park hopping will be back.

Yeah, it’s more of a when than if Park Hopping returns. It’s a huge revenue generator for them that costs them virtually nothing. It costs them just as much for you to spend 10 hours in MK vs. 5 hours in DAK and 5 hours in Epcot. Plus, I believe they have data to backup the idea that PH guests stay in the parks longer each day. I’d imagine when it returns it will work similar to how fourth FP+s did. Remember that DPPS uses FP+‘s framework. The problem now likely is that they just don’t have enough spots to guarantee someone will have the option of opt for a second park later in the day.

If the reservation system is still open at full capacity will it even matter? Look at SW, they have a reservation system that they don't even check anymore because the park is no where near the limited capacity so even though I book a reservation when i go i don't even have to show it. If Disney is operating at full capacity once again the only times when it'll be needed would be for Christmas. New year's and maybe Easter, 4th of July
Unless full capacity would still mean limited capacity for local aps

Yeah, I’d imagine availability will be relatively easy day-or, especially for visiting one park per day. If they’re going to command $60 for a PH add-on, there better be parks available to hop to every day. I’d imagine they’ll be some difficulty around Christmas/NYE but nothing that a few weeks of pre-planning wouldn’t be able to mitigate. Of course, the AP bucket is a wildcard. Will they give it disproportionately less space to “cap” the number of AP holders in the park? These are the questions that do make me a little nervous but I think they’ll figure out a happy medium. The system for the FlexPass at DL seems to work very well.

I think it could present a challenge if they have both park reservations and FP+ in place once hopping resumes. Would guests have to wait until “day of” to select their park to hop to? What if you only managed to get late afternoon or evening FP+ at the e-ticket attraction at your original park? Can you keep those and pick a different park for the morning? Or will you have to wait until you’ve used those FP+ before you can hop?

I have to say that it was refreshing to not have to work on FP+ this week for my trip in October. I wouldn’t care if it ever returned. The ADR thing for 9 people was enough frustration for me.

When you look at MaxPass at DL vs FP+ at WDW, each management team took the basic FP service in two very different directions. Even within the a Company, it’s clear that MaxPass is a far more popular, easier, and directly profitable system. Does that mean you’ll see MaxPass in its current form exported to WDW? Not necessarily, but I think it has illuminated the shortcomings of FP+. It’s clear Mr. Chapek doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for MyMagic+ that Mr. Staggs did, so you can expect FP+ not to be a huge consideration/worry for WDW leadership as they expand this reservation system. As with many of the WDW changes in the pandemic, I find it helpful to look at what Shanghai is doing. It hardly got a mention stateside, but they quietly removed FP entirely back in June. They also introduced a Standby Pass (essentially a virtual queue during peak hours from 12pm to 5pm), and bolstered the pricing on their Disney Premier Access offering (essentially paid FP). Is that’s what going to happen at WDW? Not necessarily. Each park has taken a unique approach based on their operational needs and limitations as well as their local market. I’d expect WDW’s to be different but follow the same principles.

 

[anthony2k7]

It's a heck of a lot easier than picking fast passes...

Fast passes aren't actually necessary though. I'm sure a fairly high % of visitors don't bother with fast passes at all. On my last visit in 2018 I think the only fast pass we bothered to use was for frozen.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yeah, it’s more of a when than if Park Hopping returns. It’s a huge revenue generator for them that costs them virtually nothing. It costs them just as much for you to spend 10 hours in MK vs. 5 hours in DAK and 5 hours in Epcot. Plus, I believe they have data to backup the idea that PH guests stay in the parks longer each day. I’d imagine when it returns it will work similar to how fourth FP+s did. Remember that DPPS uses FP+‘s framework. The problem now likely is that they just don’t have enough spots to guarantee someone will have the option of opt for a second park later in the day.

Yeah, I’d imagine availability will be relatively easy day-or, especially for visiting one park per day. If they’re going to command $60 for a PH add-on, there better be parks available to hop to every day. I’d imagine they’ll be some difficulty around Christmas/NYE but nothing that a few weeks of pre-planning wouldn’t be able to mitigate. Of course, the AP bucket is a wildcard. Will they give it disproportionately less space to “cap” the number of AP holders in the park? These are the questions that do make me a little nervous but I think they’ll figure out a happy medium. The system for the FlexPass at DL seems to work very well.


When you look at MaxPass at DL vs FP+ at WDW, each management team took the basic FP service in two very different directions. Even within the a Company, it’s clear that MaxPass is a far more popular, easier, and directly profitable system. Does that mean you’ll see MaxPass in its current form exported to WDW? Not necessarily, but I think it has illuminated the shortcomings of FP+. It’s clear Mr. Chapek doesn’t share the same enthusiasm for MyMagic+ that Mr. Staggs did, so you can expect FP+ not to be a huge consideration/worry for WDW leadership as they expand this reservation system. As with many of the WDW changes in the pandemic, I find it helpful to look at what Shanghai is doing. It hardly got a mention stateside, but they quietly removed FP entirely back in June. They also introduced a Standby Pass (essentially a virtual queue during peak hours from 12pm to 5pm), and bolstered the pricing on their Disney Premier Access offering (essentially paid FP). Is that’s what going to happen at WDW? Not necessarily. Each park has taken a unique approach based on their operational needs and limitations as well as their local market. I’d expect WDW’s to be different but follow the same principles.

I don’t see it working as a 4th FP. That is too much money to spend for the hope you can make a day of reservation for a second park.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The paid FP+ system of some kind is likely coming, but don't ignore the Bubble perk part of it. Disney will need to protect and maintain it's Bubble advantage.

I really believe there will be some FP+ attraction advantage by being in the Bubble.

I could see them including some FPs as part of packages

So if we think of the FP bundles like the sell at Shanghai Disneyland maybe your stay at a Value includes a basic FP bundle, Moderate a standard bundle and Deluxe a premium bundle

This way it is added into the cost of your package and provides a savings vs buying separate

 

[andyman8]

I don’t see it working as a 4th FP. That is too much money to spend for the hope you can make a day of reservation for a second park.

That certainly would be a concern. The hope would be that when park capacity is at normal levels, day-of availability wouldn’t be a concern for like 360 days of the year. What they do in the interim or what they would do as an alternative would be interesting.

 

[RamblingMad]

Costco has a deal now for Riviera on their website. I clicked through the deal with some random March dates. I see park hoppers as an option. Is park hopping coming back next year?

 

[SMRT-1]

Costco has a deal now for Riviera on their website. I clicked through the deal with some random March dates. I see park hoppers as an option. Is park hopping coming back next year?

The park hopper option has been available for 2021 tickets since Disney started selling 2021 packages back in June. We don't know for sure when it will return, though. Disney has only said that they expect park hopping to return "at a later date."

 

[Mit88]

My first ride of the pandemic era. Because, what else would I ride first.

Posted Wait Time was 10 minutes. Waited almost 2.5 hours

 

[DGsAtBLT]

View attachment 522075



My first ride of the pandemic era. Because, what else would I ride first.

I could not love this more . Enjoy!

 

[Mit88]

Magic Kingdom is far from dead. I’ve seen it less busy pre-covid. The lines are shorter, but there’s still a lot of people walking around

 

[rteetz]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/fall-fun-at-magic-kingdom-park/

 

[mattpeto]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/fall-fun-at-magic-kingdom-park/

"Festive Halloween-themed merchandise will be available in select locations around the park. Featured items include a new spirit jersey, Loungefly backpack and candy-swirl Minnie Mouse headband, along with a selection of apparel inspired by Disney Villains and more. "

Treats, merchandise, decorations - all things easily repeatable for Christmas if they do indeed cancel the party.

 

[rteetz]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ts-at-walt-disney-world-resort-parks-edition/

 

[yulilin3]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ts-at-walt-disney-world-resort-parks-edition/

pumpkin spiced waffle sundae.....YAY!!!
I've never typed so fast to grab park reservations for the 15th

 

[AmberMV]

We got back from a 3 day visit (1.5 hour drive for us) yesterday and now that I've had some time to decompress I wanted to give me AP Preview vs Late August comparison briefly. *Definitely* more crowded. AP Preview at MK was a ghost town, and everything was a walk on. Aug 24 at MK FantasyLand was jam packed. Lines not ridiculous but not walk ons either. There were a lot more instances of noses showing, lack of distancing, just a LOT more people. It looked much closer to February 2020 than it did to AP Preview in July. That's just for Fantasyland though. Adventureland was pretty empty. Hub and Main Street had more people but not jam packed like February was. Still managed to get this shot of my husband and 3 toddlers behind the castle which was impossible in February:

Day 1 was driving to Orlando after breakfast from west central FL and checking into Contemporary then we headed to MK. Pinnochio Haus mobile order was a breeze. Small World line wrapped outside and varied between 15-25 min but actual was about 10-15. Pirates said 15 min and was more like 10.

Day 2 was Hollywood Studios. Breakfast at Chef Mickey's at Contemporary was very quick and efficient with the bring-to-your-table-"buffet", no characters. We got in the park at 9:45am and did diaper and bathroom stop while waiting for 10am RotR BG. I was on my own to get the BG as my husband doesn't have a MDE account. I got BG 14 and it said 80 minute estimated return. It was a little over 1 hour before we were called and we did rider swap. Hub did Star Tours while we waited and line for MFSM was posted 35 so we decided we'd do it next time. RotR was AWESOME, and I did cry tears of joy lol. It's so immersive, I loved it. Hub went after lunch with his rider swap and liked it but his fave is still FoP. MMRR was a 90 min wait at rope drop, and was posted 50 when we got in line in the early afternoon. Wasn't nearly that though, maybe 30 min. Fair warning, it's VERY jerky, watch little kid's heads and faces with the lap bar. My 2 year old bumped her face on the bar with all the jerking around. My 2 year old twins did NOT like the ride, they cried the whole time until the end. We went back to our room after that.

Day 3 was AK and was definitely the quietest of the 3 parks we did. FoP was posted 15 min and was maybe 10 when my hub went first. Did rider swap again and I walked right on. Na'Vi was posted 20 and was about 10. Yak & Yeti for lunch was great as always. Safari was posted 25 and was more like 10. My boys loved it, my girl was d.o.n.e. done. We left after that. She basically needed to be held in every line all 3 days so my hub and my arms were pretty sore by the end even though she is petite.

We are glad we have APs because between 3 toddlers, the heat/humidity and making sure everyone kept their masks on we only managed to do 2-3 rides per day plus a sit down meal. Our twins just turned 2 and our "oldest" just turned 3. It took a good bit of convincing them and bribes to get them to comply with the masks, even though I've been practicing with them every day for over a month at home. They are just young and don't understand, but I was actually surprised how well they did comply considering their age. It was only on day 3 when we were leaving anyway that my 2 year old girl had finally had enough of it and wouldn't let us put her mask on but we were walking out of the park anyway by then.

That said, my 3 year old son cried on the drive home because he wanted to stay at the park. We'll be back in a few weeks staying at OKW for another few days so that calmed him down a bit. Hope this helps anyone who is looking for info and perspective on how different things are now

 

[AmberMV]

Magic Kingdom is far from dead. I’ve seen it less busy pre-covid. The lines are shorter, but there’s still a lot of people walking around

Yup that's how I felt on Monday. Fantasyland was packed.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Interesting that most of Epcots treats are only available Halloween day.

 

[MrsBooch]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/fall-fun-at-magic-kingdom-park/

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ts-at-walt-disney-world-resort-parks-edition/

oh yeahhhhh now THIS is what i'm talking about - those seasonal treats and the decorations - I know it sounds cheesy but man does this make me happy. I won't be there for Halloween but I will be there for Christmas decorations - and I can only assume the precedent is being set.

And.....Headless Horseman Rides Again (Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace) – Strawberry DOLE® Whip with Fanta Strawberry and a Headless Horseman Novelty Straw

looks SUSPICIOUSLY like Redds Revenge which is my all time favorite specialty dole whip treat they've ever had. So this better somehow morph into a Christmas version in November...

 

[chicagoshannon]

Yup that's how I felt on Monday. Fantasyland was packed.

Did you notice a lot of school aged kids or were they all little? Trying to gauge if it will be less "busy" in 2 weeks.