Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Vern60]

Merch and food push has been happening for years now. Along with that push we've gotten Pandora, NFL, TSLand and Galaxy's edge, so it's not all about merch and food at all

Oh yeah, I won't debate that, in fact I'm probably rather weird in looking forward to riding Remmy one day (Okay and I just want to see Tron with the LED cover, that should look awesome). It just seems lately I hear so so much about new merch, even on vlogs and the emails!

 

[yulilin3]

Oh yeah, I won't debate that, in fact I'm probably rather weird in looking forward to riding Remmy one day (Okay and I just want to see Tron with the LED cover, that should look awesome). It just seems lately I hear so so much about new merch, even on vlogs and the emails!

rides are rides, they don't change, only so many times you can write a story about an attraction or show. Food and merch change with the seasons or festivals or holidays, it's something new to look forward, it creates clicks and excitement every couple of months, it's an easy sell

 

[xuxa777]

Also, if you’re a Resort Guest, Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend are back open for DHS.

I imagine the result of the press conference yesterday, capacity was increased

 

[Jothmas]

Here's my pessimistic post for the day
Does anyone else feel like Disney is becoming a big shopping mall with a really expensive cover charge?
I first started feeling this way with the opening of Star Wars land but with the recent Covid stuff they really seem to be pushing the merch, or did I just not notice it so much before? I guess they need to pull in as much revenue as possible ... on a good note very happy to see fall decorations going up, awesome!

Yes, but when they took out the arcade and various specialty stores on Main Street, and in Fantasyland and Liberty Square. I was explaining to a teenager last month what Main Street used to be like many years ago.

 

[andyman8]

I imagine the result of the press conference yesterday, capacity was increased

Yes, this is the first time I think we know for sure there was an increase in capacity, given that all three buckets were filled on several of those days previously.

 

[Jothmas]

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.

I agree on the people not using fastpass and it has seemed like the craziest thing to me. Countless times I’ve gotten a fastpass for an attraction while in the park, timed within the next hour, and when I go to the attraction I pass a long line of people waiting in standby and I’ve wondered why they weren’t bothering to use fastpass. I’ve been grateful though, since it allows me to get the fastpass and never wait in line for anything, ever, for longer than 15 minutes.

 

[osufeth24]

Yes, this is the first time I think we know for sure there was an increase in capacity, given that all three buckets were filled on several of those days previously.

Next Fri at DHS is really gonna suck now, blah

 

[yulilin3]

Next Fri at DHS is really gonna suck now, blah

we can't complain. We were complaining for lack of availability, so now they opened it up. I know you have friends coming but still

 

[osufeth24]

we can't complain. We were complaining for lack of availability, so now they opened it up. I know you have friends coming but still

haha I know, I wouldn't be going that weekend if my buddy wasn't coming lol

But yes, outside of that day, i'm excited haha

 

[MinnieMSue]

Labor Day weekend is going to suck. We really wanted to be able to do a lot in MK on Sunday. Not so worried about Epcot on Saturday but without an option for fast pass MK seems like it will be a mess. Still hoping to have Studios and AK manageable the Tuesday and Wednesday after Labor Day. Oh well. Just need to get away so bad and OH took Florida off the recommended quarantine list so we will be happy to be there. Just hope they don’t make it too big of a crowded mess

 

[Dentam]

Labor Day weekend is going to suck. We really wanted to be able to do a lot in MK on Sunday. Not so worried about Epcot on Saturday but without an option for fast pass MK seems like it will be a mess. Still hoping to have Studios and AK manageable the Tuesday and Wednesday after Labor Day. Oh well. Just need to get away so bad and OH took Florida off the recommended quarantine list so we will be happy to be there. Just hope they don’t make it too big of a crowded mess

Yeah, I'm wondering how crazy it will be also. Our first park day is AK on Sunday, then Epcot on Labor Day. Hoping to avoid the worst of the craziness with these two parks instead of MK and HS. Can you switch your park days around at all?

 

[Dentam]

So, after a million times checking, I finally just scored a reservation for 2 at Oga's!! Thing is, it is for 7:45pm and the park is listed as closing at 7pm that day. Oga's is listed as being open until 8pm. I know there was talk on here about some places staying open after park closing, but it seems like this was based on looking at times listed on the WDW website. Did Disney ever make an official announcement about this? Just hoping it isn't a mistake which will cause our reservation to be deleted! Also, do you think we will be given longer than 15 minutes inside if it is listed as closing at 8?

 

[Aimeedyan]

We closed down MK tonight and were thrilled to see the silhouette artists and the caricature artists were back! The silhouette artists are working from photos, except since I have a 10 month old she was happy to have us just sit in the chair with him. I didn't stop at the caricature but figure they also work off photos.

She said they started back on Monday and she was thrilled to be back at work.

Side note - how is this picture and frame so dang cheap?!

 

[yulilin3]

So, after a million times checking, I finally just scored a reservation for 2 at Oga's!! Thing is, it is for 7:45pm and the park is listed as closing at 7pm that day. Oga's is listed as being open until 8pm. I know there was talk on here about some places staying open after park closing, but it seems like this was based on looking at times listed on the WDW website. Did Disney ever make an official announcement about this? Just hoping it isn't a mistake which will cause our reservation to be deleted! Also, do you think we will be given longer than 15 minutes inside if it is listed as closing at 8?

I believe they released more spots for Oga's. A friend is coming the 26 and 27 and has been checking since yesterday and it was all booked, earlier this evening she scored 2 reservation for both days.

 

[Dentam]

I believe they released more spots for Oga's. A friend is coming the 26 and 27 and has been checking since yesterday and it was all booked, earlier this evening she scored 2 reservation for both days.

Hmm, so increasing the number of ppl inside at a time? Do you know how long they are allowing ppl with reservations close to their closing time stay?

 

[Aimeedyan]

We walked on Peter Pan, Haunted, Pooh, Dumbo, and Buzz from 5:45-7 tonight. Could have done more if we didn't have to keep moving the stroller.

We typically avoid T&TC but didn't today. At closing, the crowds looked daunting down Main St but we got on the ferry that was docking when we walked up. Now I will say, no one is social distancing by then and it was a free for all getting off (like the usual cattle drive). I think everyone is just done. There was some interesting mask wearing by that point, too.

All in all, we much prefer closing it down I think. Last time I went in the morning, I waited 20-25 for rides we walked right on tonight.

 

[Mit88]

Before I commit to DHS tomorrow (because Yullin scared me from keeping my Saturday reservation) what time does the parking lot open, and what’s the idea time to get there in order to make it through security in a good enough time? And what time do they start letting people into the park, and where are you allowed to wander before the parks officially open?

 

[yulilin3]

Hmm, so increasing the number of ppl inside at a time? Do you know how long they are allowing ppl with reservations close to their closing time stay?

Supposed to be 45 min, i didn't say they're increasing the number inside, we don't know that, it could be or could be they just released availability today

 

[yulilin3]

Before I commit to DHS tomorrow (because Yullin scared me from keeping my Saturday reservation) what time does the parking lot open, and what’s the idea time to get there in order to make it through security in a good enough time? And what time do they start letting people into the park, and where are you allowed to wander before the parks officially open?

9:15, be at the toll by that time, the park opens at around the same time

 

[hertamaniac]

Now I will say, no one is social distancing by then and it was a free for all getting off (like the usual cattle drive). I think everyone is just done. There was some interesting mask wearing by that point, too.

For clarification, are you saying that getting off the ferry there was no social distancing? Did the CM's attempt to address the situation?