Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[CastAStone]

What are the guesses about Remy's Ratatouille Adventure? I'm really hoping it's up and running by my December birthday trip. Photos of progress in France pavilion have me hopeful...

It will be done by December according to people with knowledge of the situation. Those same people say they’ve been back-and-forth on whether to open it when it’s done or wait until times are a little bit better (or when they’re able to bring the actual French Cultural Program employees back who will be running it long-term.)

My bet is that if the currently-mostly-sold-out Labor Day crowds hold up, it will give Disney some extra confidence, and if the infection rates keep following, they’ll open it in October or November. Just a guess.

 

[rteetz]

It will be done by December according to people with knowledge of the situation. Those same people say they’ve been back-and-forth on whether to open it when it’s done or wait until times are a little bit better (or when they’re able to bring the actual French Cultural Program employees back who will be running it long-term.)

My bet is that if the currently-mostly-sold-out Labor Day crowds hold up, it will give Disney some extra confidence, and if the infection rates keep following, they’ll open it in October or November. Just a guess.

I’ll gladly take that

My November trip will get even better if that is the case.

It certainly will be interesting to see how Disney wants to handle a major ride opening given these circumstances. Epcot is the last park to fill its reservations so this would get people to go to Epcot more.

 

[RolloTomasi]

Has anybody been to Oga’s solo since it reopened? I have a solo trip in November and my 60 day window is coming up shortly. I loved it in January when I went by myself but obviously things were way different. I’m wondering if with all the safety protocols in place I’ll just feel like a sad little person all alone in a corner or something.

 

[only hope]

Has anybody been to Oga’s solo since it reopened? I have a solo trip in November and my 60 day window is coming up shortly. I loved it in January when I went by myself but obviously things were way different. I’m wondering if with all the safety protocols in place I’ll just feel like a sad little person all alone in a corner or something.

When you try to book a reservation try for 2+ people. I haven’t been. I’ve read here that singles/couples are placed at the bar (possibly just at the ends), standing tables are 1-3, and booths are larger groups. The upshot of not many people in there is you should be able to hear the music fine.

 

[rteetz]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/08/disn...-no-hint-of-very-merry-christmas-party-dates/

 

[mattpeto]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/08/disn...-no-hint-of-very-merry-christmas-party-dates/

Still strange no announcement of Christmas party. Somebody refresh my memory, did they sell tickets for this event?

 

[rteetz]

Still strange no announcement of Christmas party. Somebody refresh my memory, did they sell tickets for this event?

No

 

[aweehughes]

Has anybody been to Oga’s solo since it reopened? I have a solo trip in November and my 60 day window is coming up shortly. I loved it in January when I went by myself but obviously things were way different. I’m wondering if with all the safety protocols in place I’ll just feel like a sad little person all alone in a corner or something.

I have! We were there two weeks ago. There are four spaces for couples around the bar. They are using every other standing table and I think they were using every booth because they are enclosed and spaced.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I have! We were there two weeks ago. There are four spaces for couples around the bar. They are using every other standing table and I think they were using every booth because they are enclosed and spaced.

View attachment 522528

Interesting! They definitely were not only using every other standing table this week (but still had plenty of room). I wonder if they switch it up based on the party sizes inside at the time.

 

[rteetz]

https://blogmickey.com/2020/08/disn...for-cast-members-on-slowest-days-of-the-week/

 

[skeeter31]

No

Yeah, without them selling tickets ahead of time, like they did for the Halloween party, Disney really doesn’t have to announce that they’re canceling the Christmas party until much closer.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I’ll gladly take that

My November trip will get even better if that is the case.

It certainly will be interesting to see how Disney wants to handle a major ride opening given these circumstances. Epcot is the last park to fill its reservations so this would get people to go to Epcot more.

Yeah, I feel like the fact it is in Epcot and they have another major ride coming increases the odds they open it this year.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I have! We were there two weeks ago. There are four spaces for couples around the bar. They are using every other standing table and I think they were using every booth because they are enclosed and spaced.

View attachment 522528

Thinks my back to when we were there the booths are pretty separated

BUT when we were there we were a party of 5 and they put two working there parties of 2 with us - I assume now they would do one party per booth

 

[gottalovepluto]

I’m starting to wonder if we’re gonna see a general public discount offer soon... cases dropping, people’s confidence in traveling rising. FL practically screaming for folks to come visit. And I mostly wonder- would that drive anyone to book?

 

[anthony2k7]

I’m starting to wonder if we’re gonna see a general public discount offer soon... cases dropping, people’s confidence in traveling rising. FL practically screaming for folks to come visit. And I mostly wonder- would that drive anyone to book?

Domestic maybe, but even if it was a free trip most (all?) International visitors couldn't come even if they wanted to.

 

[Vern60]

I’m starting to wonder if we’re gonna see a general public discount offer soon... cases dropping, people’s confidence in traveling rising. FL practically screaming for folks to come visit. And I mostly wonder- would that drive anyone to book?

Yep, it sure would help motivate me. I even went so far as to put a trip in the ole shopping cart but I'm still hesitant to pay full price if the parks are going have reduced hours, no fireworks, no park hopping etc etc. Though with Fall (Halloween) decorations going up things are definitely starting to look more encouraging. I also heard new food booths are going to open soon in Epcot.
I should start a list of a few things that could help push me over the fence:
1. Evening hours in at least one or two parks
2. Park hopping
3. Fireworks
4. Candlelight processional
5. DISCOUNTS
6. Christmas decorations
7. Remy!
Just to name a few

 

[skeeter31]

Yep, it sure would help motivate me. I even went so far as to put a trip in the ole shopping cart but I'm still hesitant to pay full price if the parks are going have reduced hours, no fireworks, no park hopping etc etc. Though with Fall (Halloween) decorations going up things are definitely starting to look more encouraging. I also heard new food booths are going to open soon in Epcot.
I should start a list of a few things that could help push me over the fence:
1. Evening hours in at least one or two parks
2. Park hopping
3. Fireworks
4. Candlelight processional
5. DISCOUNTS
6. Christmas decorations
7. Remy!
Just to name a few

1. Possible especially around holidays (but not during slower times)
2. Possible by end of year, but I don’t think it’ll be back until Spring Break
3. same as #2
4. Absolutely not. I think there’s more of a chance of the Christmas party (and I think there’s a 0% chance of that) than CP. They wouldn’t be able to bring in the choirs, celebrities, and wouldn’t be able to fill the theater.
5. probably. Especially for locals and AP holders
6. Definitely will be up. They’re all in storage anyway, so they’ll put them up
7. Construction should be done by end of October, it’s a toss up whether they wait until 2021 to open it though.

 

[brockash]

yes I think the same way Labor Day hours were extended - other “holiday” weeks will follow suite

Are you talking about LD hrs this year? I haven't seen any extensions...unless you're talking previous years; then yes
Disney would often put put reduced hrs and then increase day of- weeks beforehand.

 

[Marthasor]

I’m starting to wonder if we’re gonna see a general public discount offer soon... cases dropping, people’s confidence in traveling rising. FL practically screaming for folks to come visit. And I mostly wonder- would that drive anyone to book?

A discount would be great, but just speaking for myself, I will book the second the travel restriction is lifted in my state. I think once many of the states lift their recommended or mandatory quarantines, FL's tourism economy will see a boost. Even if a WDW discount wasn't offered, I would be happy to book Swan/Dolphin or a resort off-property to save some money and bring some money down to FL. I honestly don't care if the hours are reduced or the experiences are limited. With school starting, we just can't do the quarantine when we get home at this point. Really hoping numbers have dropped to the point that we can travel in November or December without a quarantine.

 

[skeeter31]

Are you talking about LD hrs this year? I haven't seen any extensions...unless you're talking previous years; then yes
Disney would often put put reduced hrs and then increase day of- weeks beforehand.

I think they were referring to how they were not necessarily expanded, just that they left the hours the same through Labor Day weekend and are then cutting them back right after.
UO did actually expand hours for LD weekend though this year.