Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[rteetz]

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.

There hasn't been an official announcement on end date for food and wine. I would have to guess that yes Food and Wine will end around that point to then change over to the holiday booths.

 

[Mit88]

No chance the fireworks arent back. They’re literally working on the barges at EPCOT for Harmonious. They’re also working on the fireworks pad behind MK. Its not a matter of if, its when they return.

But things like the lights on the castle would be something that could be cut for good. They seem to be going more projection based anyway, for better or for worse.

 

[gottalovepluto]

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.

Last year it was a 6 day turn around.

 

[Krandor]

I wonder if the marathon is next. We are signed up for the 5k but at this point I am not expecting it to happen.

No Christmas party is not a good sign for an event in january.

 

[one_cat]

Why no icicle lights?

They don't have to do the big lighting ceremony if that's what they are afraid of. I think the projections will gather more crowds together than just having the lights?

Closing at 6:00 it’s probably not worth the bother.

 

[Krandor]

One problem is that the marathon doesn’t just pop up though. Tons of planning and logistics that they are working on long before the event. Most companies don’t want to dedicate resources to planning an event that is uncertain or could potentially not happen. The event doesn’t come together overnight and takes tons of planning They won’t want to wait until it gets close to decide and have wasted those resources. They lose a lot of money if they plan the whole event and it doesn’t happen.

Exactly and people need to adjust travel plans, etc. and regardless some people are likely not going to want to come. IMO an announcement on marathon weekend - happening/not happening and if hppening what it will look like needs to come by around end of september/early october.

 

[Mit88]

The problem isnt the run(s) themselves, its the gathering of corrals before the race that is probably the biggest issue. Even with a significantly decreased number of runners, theres still going to be a buildup at the entrance. I’m sure Disney would love to put it on if they could, any additional room bookings would be great for them, and they still have time before they’d need to decide, probably until November. But I’m not sure it happens. Maybe they could reschedule it? How long do the “cool” mornings last in Central Florida? Early March? Still a stretch, but the longer the pushback the better the odds

Oh, and the necessity of masks being worn. Most, if not all gyms are requiring masks. But there might be an extra issue with runners, in the Florida sun running 26 miles with a mask on. My big mileage day at WDW last week was 19.1 miles (usually average around 24-25 miles with normal hours and park hopping), but thats walking.

 

[Stefne]

Sad that there won’t be castle lights.

Same. I have expected most of the cuts and announcements through these past few months but I didn't really expect this particular cut.

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

Closing at 6:00 it’s probably not worth the bother.

but can we really see a ton of projections prior to 6pm either? Or do you think they just don't really care if we see them or not? just throw something up there and make them happy kinda thing?

 

[JoJoGirl]

I’m OK with most of the announced holiday changes, they make sense in time of Covid. But why is the Epcot Festival of the Holidays not starting until after Thanksgiving? Hopefully there will be some Christmas decorations up earlier than that so that the mid-November guests can still enjoy a bit of festive atmosphere at Epcot, if not the special food and entertainment.

I wonder if this means that Food & Wine will be extended further into November, given that no end date has been announced.

 

[anthony2k7]

Its not even Friday

 

[LSUmiss]

Why no icicle lights?

They don't have to do the big lighting ceremony if that's what they are afraid of. I think the projections will gather more crowds together than just having the lights?

My guess is $$$.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Three reasons: one is money. Two is setting them up requires additional construction work that they’d have to develop health and safety protocols for, and they’d rather spend those resources on more “necessary” projects. Three is that, with the current hours, the Dream Lights would only be able to be “on” for about 30 minutes. Though it is likely park hours will be extended on some days (assuming they keep the momentum they got from this weekend), you’re talking about 90 minutes to two and a half hours of Dream Lights. That’s not a lot of time to have them up for viewing. No matter what the crowds are, we won’t be seeing the consistent midnight closes (and 10pm/11pm on non-party nights) that we usually see that time of year. It just doesn’t make sense to put those resources toward that. One does have to wonder if these projections might be one of the lasting changes that comes out of this whole pandemic.

Wow so sad to think castle dream lights might not come back. Seeing the castle lit up from our room last year made our trip. But at least we don't have to feel guilty about not ponying up for the firework/castle view this year :-/

 

[Farro]

I’m OK with most of the announced holiday changes, they make sense in time of Covid. But why is the Epcot Festival of the Holidays not starting until after Thanksgiving? Hopefully there will be some Christmas decorations up earlier than that so that the mid-November guests can still enjoy a bit of festive atmosphere at Epcot, if not the special food and entertainment.

I wonder if this means that Food & Wine will be extended further into November, given that no end date has been announced.

Just personal feelings, but I wish as a result of Covid that Halloween parties would stay in October and Christmas Festivities didn't start until day after Thanksgiving.

Now why that would be a result of Covid...i don't know.

 

[hereforthechurros]

The whole promo video is the projections link not an icicle to be seen.

Now we know what projection show they were practicing a week or two ago. No fireworks in 2020 all but confirmed.

 

[Dentam]

Boarding group 40! Hopefully all goes smoothly with the ride today.

Just got off RotR! No issues and really enjoyed it!!

 

[Krandor]

The problem isnt the run(s) themselves, its the gathering of corrals before the race that is probably the biggest issue. Even with a significantly decreased number of runners, theres still going to be a buildup at the entrance. I’m sure Disney would love to put it on if they could, any additional room bookings would be great for them, and they still have time before they’d need to decide, probably until November. But I’m not sure it happens. Maybe they could reschedule it? How long do the “cool” mornings last in Central Florida? Early March? Still a stretch, but the longer the pushback the better the odds

Correct for most of the runs. What places that have done runs are doing is spreading people out time wise like one person has a 6am start time and somebody else a 6:30am start time. The problem for disney is with the requirement to be out of magic kindom before it opens limits how much they can do that on the traditional courses.

Corrals/transportation is absolutely an issue.

The full has an extra problem with the run itself and that is that you do go through parks after they are open so spectators gathering to watch the running is definitely a potential issue especially in the world showcase section of the course.

My opinion for a while is the logistics are probably going to rule out the full. I think the 5k/10k and maybe half possibly could be done but would they want to do a partial weekend and the large question - does Disney want the PR of being one of the first "large" races to come back since march?

No easy answers and no way to make everybody happy.

 

[Mit88]

Just personal feelings, but I wish as a result of Covid that Halloween parties would stay in October and Christmas Festivities didn't start until day after Thanksgiving.

Now why that would be a result of Covid...i don't know.

Coming in 2021

Mickey’s Halfway To Halloween Party April 15th-May 31st
Mickeys Celebration of Christmas in July June 13th-August 2nd
Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party - August 9th-November 2nd
Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party - November 4th-January 31st
Tiana’s Mardi Gras Spectacular - February 4th - April 9th (2022)

 

[one_cat]

but can we really see a ton of projections prior to 6pm either? Or do you think they just don't really care if we see them or not? just throw something up there and make them happy kinda thing?

You can look at the projections as you leave the park. In December I think it’s dark by 6:00.

 

[anthony2k7]

Now we know what projection show they were practicing a week or two ago. No fireworks in 2020 all but confirmed.

I bet they will only return for the 50th