Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[sullivan.kscott]

The language in the leases for all Operating Participants is very strict. It gives Disney a lot more leverage than your "average" landlord. For example, Disney requires all OPs to enroll their employees in a "light" Traditions course. While this is true for all of their OP agreements (from the tiny Boardwalk-To-Go stand to Yak & Yeti to massive AMC Theaters cineplex), the language is even stricter for in-park OPs. There's stricter language about operating hours, theming design, and operational considerations (mostly for backstage/supply areas) than for a Disney Spring tenant. My understanding (and I *could* be wrong) is that, within those operational considerations for any OP, Disney does have the right to order the tenant to reduce building capacity for a whole slew of reasons (not just safety). This applies for both DS and in-park OPs. Up to this point, however, Disney has not chosen to exercise any of that leverage. Given that the language is stricter for in-park OPs, it's possible (and I think likely) that they may put more pressure on those OPs to match Disney's practices (there's a lot of language in the in-park OP agreement about consistency, usually around theme, "Disney look," etc... but could also be applied to health and safety protocols).

Thank you! I knew someone here would answer in a thorough and concise manner!

 

[Moliphino]

They keep running buses until everyone is out of the park. They stop the monorail, so you would probably have to walk from CR to MK, and you would be running the risk that everyone with an after hour reservation is already done and gone by the time you get there, in which case there would not be buses.

And will the security checkpoint on the walkway between CR and MK even be open?

 

[twinmom13]

No, since the park is closed, but that is ok, you just walk past it.

ETA: This is in response to Moliphino. For some reason it is not letting me quote.

 

[Disneytrippin']

Gov. Ron DeSantis has lifted restrictions on restaurants and now they can operate at a minimum of 50% capacity.

 

[Eric Smith]

I'll be watching what Disney does in reaction to Desantis removing restrictions closely. We're comfortable going with the current safety precautions in place, but I don't know how we'll feel if they start letting more people in to restaurants and the parks. We've got a DVC reservation in December and we have to bank our points by Halloween.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I'll be watching what Disney does in reaction to Desantis removing restrictions closely. We're comfortable going with the current safety precautions in place, but I don't know how we'll feel if they start letting more people in to restaurants and the parks. We've got a DVC reservation in December and we have to bank our points by Halloween.

Agreed. But with DL still being closed the last thing Disney wants to do is start removing safety measures at their other domestic parks. Can’t imagine that would send a reassuring signal to Newsom.

 

[mattpeto]

FWIW, Martin just said he doesn't expect Rat to open this year.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1309553805143543810

 

[Farro]

FWIW, Martin just said he doesn't expect Rat to open this year.

I read that. It's disappointing to say the least.

We arrive 4/28 - 5/7 and I'm starting to think it won't be open. Which sucks and quite frankly is kind of annoying if it still isn't open by then.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Maybe I’m wrong but I feel like if Disney wanted to open with similar restrictions to what Florida was moved to today, or even looser, they would have been given the okay by the governor. Disney’s following their own guidelines and path in Florida (California obviously they’re handcuffed by the state at the moment), and I don’t think we see them change them one minute sooner or later than they want to regardless what is allowed.

 

[andyman8]

A reminder that a certain person in California is watching what Disney is doing at WDW. As has been stated before, don't expect even the consideration of sizable rollbacks until DL is back open.

 

[Greta]

the Disney Society Orchestra is not well attended at all, each time I've been there, which is 4, there are less than 50 people

That’s too bad! I’m looking forward to seeing them next week when we are there

 

[sullivan.kscott]

A reminder that a certain person in California is watching what Disney is doing at WDW. As has been stated before, don't expect even the consideration of sizable rollbacks until DL is back open.

Agree 100% right now. If we get past Halloween and DL is still in limbo but FL is chugging along as a state without significant change (I hope that happens but have my doubts), Disney will be missing out A LOT on revenue. How long can they hold out?

 

[Tigger's ally]

A reminder that a certain person in California is watching what Disney is doing at WDW. As has been stated before, don't expect even the consideration of sizable rollbacks until DL is back open.

Meh, at this point, I would think it would already be clear that NOTHING they do in Florida matters one dang bit to the Gov in Calli.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1309553805143543810

This whole thing may be a game changer for our December trip.

If Disney dramatically increases capacity, and the vloggers comment and/or show multiple areas of concern, then we may cancel our trip.

The ONLY reason we were going, was due to the high level of safety protocols used at WDW.

We are 60 years old and don't want to take any major chances.

If things look loose and sloppy, we will not go.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

This whole thing may be a game changer for our December trip.

If Disney dramatically increases capacity, and the vloggers comment and/or show multiple areas of concern, then we may cancel our trip.

The ONLY reason we were going, was due to the high level of safety protocols used at WDW.

We are 60 years old and don't want to take any major chances.

If things look loose and sloppy, we will not go.

I understand. But, if there’s one thing Disney WON’T be, it’s loose and sloppy. I’d keep a closer eye on MCO and the surrounding areas. I have (mostly) full faith in WDW to do the right thing in regards to safety and security.

 

[Tigger's ally]

This whole thing may be a game changer for our December trip.

If Disney dramatically increases capacity, and the vloggers comment and/or show multiple areas of concern, then we may cancel our trip.

The ONLY reason we were going, was due to the high level of safety protocols used at WDW.

We are 60 years old and don't want to take any major chances.

If things look loose and sloppy, we will not go.

We have a December trip as well. I do think they will raise crowd levels some because of the holiday season. As long as they keep the mask mandate and open more hotels to spread people out, same for restaurants, and park rides and shows. Then we will still go. I can't blame Disney at all if they did start raising crowd levels.

 

[andyman8]

Agree 100% right now. If we get past Halloween and DL is still in limbo but FL is chugging along as a state without significant change (I hope that happens but have my doubts), Disney will be missing out A LOT on revenue. How long can they hold out?

That's seems to be the plan at this point. I don't know much about the reopening plan and prospects for DL (and apparently Disney doesn't either), but based on what they gather, they clearly still think it's within the cards to "negotiate" with the Governor to get it open this year before the holidays. We'll see. But I agree that if it's not open by then, it won't have much of a bearing on the decisions WDW makes about operational adjustments. That said, I do think DL will reopen this year. Like I've said before, it'll happen sooner rather than later but that doesn't mean tomorrow, next week, or even next month. The dynamics there are just very different from Florida.

 

[mattpeto]

I read that. It's disappointing to say the least.

We arrive 4/28 - 5/7 and I'm starting to think it won't be open. Which sucks and quite frankly is kind of annoying if it still isn't open by then.

You have a shot still...

This has obviously become a strategic move for Disney and has little to do with construction progress now.

 

[Farro]

Maybe I’m wrong but I feel like if Disney wanted to open with similar restrictions to what Florida was moved to today, or even looser, they would have been given the okay by the governor. Disney’s following their own guidelines and path in Florida (California obviously they’re handcuffed by the state at the moment), and I don’t think we see them change them one minute sooner or later than they want to regardless what is allowed.

I agree. They will do the right thing.

But also, they will keep increasing capacity as much as they feel they can and people need to understand that too. They aren't going to keep such low capacity until everyone feels comfortable with them increasing - I'm sure they've got numbers/charts/third eyes used in planning the increase.