Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TheMaxRebo]

so a virtual queue, that's great

sooo...fast pass 2.0?

Makes me think a bit like a modification of Disneyland's Maxpass

 

[jkh36619]

I remember many moons ago coming here saying I thought VQ was the way to go and was shot down saying it would never work.

 

[Farro]

I remember many moons ago coming here saying I thought VQ was the way to go and was shot down saying it would never work.

Well it's your time to shine!!! Relish it!

 

[rpb718]

I remember many moons ago coming here saying I thought VQ was the way to go and was shot down saying it would never work.

I also think there were many that were surprised that VQ was NOT part of the original opening for WDW in July.

In retrospect, the numbers of visitors at the time ended up not needing VQ to do what they wanted. However, times are changing and the parks are becoming more crowded as the holiday season approaches so I really think VQ would be something to attract new visitors as well as those who are looking at wait times now and rethinking their upcoming trips.

 

[andyman8]

sooo...fast pass 2.0?

Makes me think a bit like a modification of Disneyland's Maxpass

Think of it like FP “lite” with the idea that you only ride the attraction if you have a Standby Pass (unless you’re arriving first thing in the morning or later in the evening). This takes the place of the standby queue and also leaves the door open for a paid bypass option (FastPass). In Shanghai, it was implemented in addition to a paid queue-bypass option (I think they call it Premier Access there?). It is my understanding that these are being implemented only temporarily and it’s up to the resort’s leadership team to determine what the next steps are (which is how they’ve also approached FP/FP+ in general: here are the technological tools at your disposal and the logo/marketing materials, now decide what you want to do long-term). If they can scale this up to WDW’s needs while maintaining reliability, it will come here but that doesn’t mean it’s staying. One thing is for sure: changes are coming to FP/FP+ and I can say that Park Ops management certainly is noticing the higher waits at WDW.

 

[yulilin3]

I remember many moons ago coming here saying I thought VQ was the way to go and was shot down saying it would never work.

that system I believe is deep in the bowels of MDE, I got a glitch page 2 times back in May where it showed (pick your attraction to VQ) something like that, I think, just like andy says, it just didn't work properly. you can still see it on the RotR page where it says "my queues" hinting that you could have more than one attraction with a VQ

 

[rteetz]

Are you at Jambo or Kidani?

Jambo

 

[rteetz]

rumor that RotR might be getting plexiglass on vehicles to be able to load 2 parties

They tested this already. The test was a flexible clear vinyl rather than plexi.

 

[OKW Lover]

I was worried the marina rentals (one of my favorite things to do at WDW) would be one of the casualties of the pandemic. I always thought they’d be relatively easy to do health and safety-wise: just wipe down the boats and life jackets after use.

I wonder if there might be some special consideration as to what disinfectants can be used on them. Since there is a large variety of aquatic life in the ponds, and predators (birds) that feed on them it could be an issue.

 

[Farro]

They tested this already. The test was a flexible clear vinyl rather than plexi.

Does clear vinyl cause a glare though?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Think of it like FP “lite” with the idea that you only ride the attraction if you have a Standby Pass (unless you’re arriving first thing in the morning or later in the evening). This takes the place of the standby queue and also leaves the door open for a paid bypass option (FastPass). In Shanghai, it was implemented in addition to a paid queue-bypass option (I think they call it Premier Access there?). It is my understanding that these are being implemented only temporarily and it’s up to the resort’s leadership team to determine what the next steps are (which is how they’ve also approached FP/FP+ in general: here are the technological tools at your disposal and the logo/marketing materials, now decide what you want to do long-term). If they can scale this up to WDW’s needs while maintaining reliability, it will come here but that doesn’t mean it’s staying. One thing is for sure: changes are coming to FP/FP+ and I can say that Park Ops management certainly is noticing the higher waits at WDW.

Instead of FP "light" I almost see this as FP "heavy" in that for much of the day the standby isn't an option, FP is the only way to ride (just you don't make them 60 days in advance or anything)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I also think there were many that were surprised that VQ was NOT part of the original opening for WDW in July.

In retrospect, the numbers of visitors at the time ended up not needing VQ to do what they wanted. However, times are changing and the parks are becoming more crowded as the holiday season approaches so I really think VQ would be something to attract new visitors as well as those who are looking at wait times now and rethinking their upcoming trips.

the problem with rolling out more VQ or Standby Pass or whatever is the same issue with adding back FP now ... you need more things to eat crowds if they aren't going to be on line. If all the lines disappeared tomorrow because every ride had a VQ then the walkways become overrun and congested

 

[HikingFam]

I wonder if there might be some special consideration as to what disinfectants can be used on them. Since there is a large variety of aquatic life in the ponds, and predators (birds) that feed on them it could be an issue.

They are already running fishing charters at the Fort, so they must have something that works.

 

[BorderTenny]

They tested this already. The test was a flexible clear vinyl rather than plexi.

They should try transparent aluminum. Oh, wait. Wrong sci-fi franchise.

 

[yulilin3]

They tested this already. The test was a flexible clear vinyl rather than plexi.

so like the ones on the safari truck? those are awful, they reflect back your image quiet a lot

 

[rteetz]

Does clear vinyl cause a glare though?

Yeah there was some push back on this. It’s not exactly the best.

 

[rteetz]

so like the ones on thee safari truck? those are awful, they reflect back your image quiet a lot

Yep. This is supposedly in case someone bounces their head back during the ride on say the drop or something.

 

[Marthasor]

Is that really what’s going on though, people willing to travel and take a full blown vacation to Disney but choosing offsite instead because of a lack of perks? I think it’s more likely a combination of everything going on, the actual pandemic, avoiding air travel, lessened Disney experience, cost, etc.

I think they’re just still not able to draw the full blown vacationers period like they want to for a multitude of reasons. I’m not sure resort perks alone would be enough to move the needle.

I'm with you on this. The only perk I need to be a full-blown WDW vacationer, at this point, is for my state to drop the 14 day quarantine if I travel to FL. It's a perk WDW can't control, unfortunately

the note didn't get into a ton of details around locations - only specific I saw mentioned was for boat rentals which will have new safety protocols

Awesome news!! Thank you!

 

[andyman8]

I wonder if there might be some special consideration as to what disinfectants can be used on them. Since there is a large variety of aquatic life in the ponds, and predators (birds) that feed on them it could be an issue.

Yeah, that could be a consideration. I didn't think about that, but that's got to be a consideration for them too.

 

[andyman8]

Jambo

I'm jealous! It will be so quiet and relaxing (also can't imagine the next time the lobby will ever be that empty).

Yeah there was some push back on this. It’s not exactly the best.

Yeah, I believe they have it installed on one of the vehicles (which is how the photos "leaked"). It doesn't look like you'll be able to clearly make out a lot of what's happening in front of you. I foresee lots of Guest Relations complaints from those who are put in those seats. To bring two conversations together here, I can't imagine many Guests being happy after jumping through all the hoops of the VQ for RotR only to have an obstructed view of the ride. We'll see.