Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[skeeter31]

All the changes were pretty much expected. The castle lights going away is the biggest of the shocks to come from this. I’m not a fan of the projections, so that’s a letdown, but I totally understand the reasoning, especially with the earlier closings. No gingerbread houses is smart, too expensive to make and too much of a draw for people to ogle at. Glad the trees are going up in the lobbies.
Just gives us the opportunity to look forward to next year and the return of some of our favorites. But I will enjoy these new touches this year. Will be a fun change.

 

[rteetz]

maybe I am just cheap (which I acknowledge) but the idea of getting more of the holiday touches during regular park hours vs having to buy an extra party ticket sounds A-Ok to me!

I honestly could care less about the party. I am more concerned about what this could mean for the future.

 

[tlmadden73]

I just don't want Disney to get too comfortable with them and the lights are gone forever then....

With all the projections they have now, it will probably will be a matter of time when they phase out the fireworks too. This pandemic just gives them an excuse to 'ease' into no physical lights or fireworks on the castle.

The pessimistic side of me (which is in full force this year) thinks it will all come down to cost savings. I am sure some penny pincher will look at the cost savings from NOT running fireworks/lights this year and carry that over for years to come. I mean, now that the projection mapping is setup, how much does it cost to have someone make up a new projection show every year compared to hiring crews and string up lights every year.

On the plus side, you won't have weeks of an ugly crane working on putting them up and down.

I could see the lights coming back if they look really good on TV for the Christmas TV specials next year.

 

[kverdon]

I wonder what they will do for the Christmas Trees? Just turn them on a bit before dusk so there is no "Tree Lighting" event? The projections on the Castle at least give a glimmer of hope of some later hours.

 

[Vern60]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/09/walt-disney-world-resort-holidays-start-nov-6/

I'm actually pretty happy about this. Well, with the exception of confirmation of no candlelight processional, (I think we all saw that coming though). And, I'm not to terribly bothered by no Mickey's Christmas party as I've never actually gone to one anyway. But, it does sound reassuring to me that they are at least doing some festive things. Personally, as others have said, the cavalcades sound great and it's nice to hear that all the parks and resorts (that are opened) will be decorated, (albeit minus the gingerbread).

Well, I'm still pretty stoked I made plans over Christmas. It was the pin codes that threw me over the edge. I just hope the slow trickle of more restaurants and such continues. Also sounds like DS will still have lots of Christmas trees, though it didn't sound like specifically the trail? And Holiday promenades at Epcot? Curious on those ....
Now, I will drop to my knees, hands clasped together looking upwards, "Please extend the Holiday park hours, please extend the Holiday park hours!"

 

[rteetz]

With all the projections they have now, it will probably will be a matter of time when they phase out the fireworks too. This pandemic just gives them an excuse to 'ease' into no physical lights or fireworks on the castle.

The pessimistic side of me (which is in full force this year) thinks it will all come down to cost savings. I am sure some penny pincher will look at the cost savings from NOT running fireworks/lights this year and carry that over for years to come. I mean, now that the projection mapping is setup, how much does it cost to have someone make up a new projection show every year compared to hiring crews and string up lights every year.

On the plus side, you won't have weeks of an ugly crane working on putting them up and down.

I could see the lights coming back if they look really good on TV for the Christmas TV specials next year.

I think it would take a lot for them to get rid of fireworks for good. Thats a bread and butter for them and something they market. It also gives them a return with viewing areas, events, parties, etc.

As for the crane, the last few years they have been doing that after hours anyways.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I honestly could care less about the party. I am more concerned about what this could mean for the future.

I completely agree. I really hope that this is not a turning point here. I am already uncomfortable with the reliance on projections for HEA and if this ends up being a permanent Christmas change, that will really be disappointing. Projections just don’t do it for me. I think they take away lots of the beauty of the physical castle. The lights enhance the castle’s beauty.

I’m nervous.

 

[Vern60]

Not sure what I think of that artificial snow though ... it's soap bubbles right? Hmmm, I seem to have a minor phobia over soap bubbles, inhaling them or getting an awful taste in my mouth. I even hate following kids at Disney who have those bubble makers, bleh... Hmm, I'll have to tease my kids when we go to DS and call them covid sprinklers!!
I think I'll still much prefer the "spittin camel" at carpets!

 

[AmishGuy91]

Not sure what I think of that artificial snow though ... it's soap bubbles right? Hmmm, I seem to have a minor phobia over soap bubbles, inhaling them or getting an awful taste in my mouth. I even hate following kids at Disney who have those bubble makers, bleh... Hmm, I'll have to tease my kids when we go to DS and call them covid sprinklers!!
I think I'll still much prefer the "spittin camel" at carpets!

This year they will be Purell and Lysol bubbles so it's ok

 

[mattpeto]

I completely agree. I really hope that this is not a turning point here. I am already uncomfortable with the reliance on projections for HEA and if this ends up being a permanent Christmas change, that will really be disappointing. Projections just don’t do it for me. I think they take away lots of the beauty of the physical castle. The lights enhance the castle’s beauty.

I’m nervous.

I think some of you are just jumping to conclusions a bit. Fireworks, Christmas Parties (upcharge events) will all come back.

 

[Khobbs18]

Has anyone heard anything about more CM blockouts being lifted? The last lift was through last week I believe. I wasn't sure if they were doing them weekly or monthly or anything.

 

[yulilin3]

And/or they are still hopeful for some sort of NYE event.

yes, NYE events or lack of events are yet to be announced.
No word on Sunset Season Greetings, that's interesting, def no JBJB that was announced

 

[yulilin3]

Has anyone heard anything about more CM blockouts being lifted? The last lift was through last week I believe. I wasn't sure if they were doing them weekly or monthly or anything.

Friday seems to be the day they release weekday days

 

[SaintsManiac]

I think some of you are just jumping to conclusions a bit. Fireworks, Christmas Parties (upcharge events) will all come back.

Yeah I don’t know why anyone would think otherwise.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

With all the projections they have now, it will probably will be a matter of time when they phase out the fireworks too. This pandemic just gives them an excuse to 'ease' into no physical lights or fireworks on the castle.

The pessimistic side of me (which is in full force this year) thinks it will all come down to cost savings. I am sure some penny pincher will look at the cost savings from NOT running fireworks/lights this year and carry that over for years to come. I mean, now that the projection mapping is setup, how much does it cost to have someone make up a new projection show every year compared to hiring crews and string up lights every year.

On the plus side, you won't have weeks of an ugly crane working on putting them up and down.

I could see the lights coming back if they look really good on TV for the Christmas TV specials next year.

obviously everything is on the table and everything that has gone on will cause them to look for cost savings everywhere they can

I will say that Happily Ever After used more actual firework shells than Wishes so more projections doesn't necessarily mean less fireworks

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I think some of you are just jumping to conclusions a bit. Fireworks, Christmas Parties (upcharge events) will all come back.

I think fireworks will come back eventually. Disney loves using imagery of fireworks over the castle in all their promos. I think upcharge parties will return (don’t care about those - we don’t do them.) I am concerned they will not do the labor/time intensive castle lights again if they develop a projection show to replace them this year.

 

[yulilin3]

I wonder what they will do for the Christmas Trees? Just turn them on a bit before dusk so there is no "Tree Lighting" event? The projections on the Castle at least give a glimmer of hope of some later hours.

there hasn't been a "tree lighting moment" for years now, they are just on. Actually the only one that did something special was at DHS

 

[MrsBooch]

I know it’s easy to do but I think it’s premature to measure future experiences by what this years experience will be - the amount of extra $$ they make off the up charge for parties plus the VIP seating within the parties plus everything else - there is no way they let that go to save $$ on fireworks and only projections.

 

[kverdon]

there hasn't been a "tree lighting moment" for years now, they are just on. Actually the only one that did something special was at DHS

Thanks, we've not been back for Christmas for a number of years. We sure did pick the wrong year to try to do it again. We are waiting to hear about the park hours before we pull the plug.

 

[Justrose]

Since Epcot isn't starting the Christmas festivities until 11/27, do we think F&W will go right up to that date? Has there been an announcement made yet about the end date of F&W?

I am going the week before Thanksgiving.