Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[paradesintherain]

Ok. So, I tried finding a thread to answer my question to no avail. How is transportation working now as far as getting to your early morning breakfast reservations? I am staying at Riviera and have a couple of reservations one a 7:05 a.m. at Chef Mickeys and another at Grand Floridian at 7:40 a.m.
Are they running early busses like they usually do for dining reservations?

From what I've read it seems like buses seem to run about an hour before park opening, so that might work if the park opening is at 8. But for the 7:05 reservation it might be better to just Uber.

 

[anthony2k7]

Yep, this was my experience after my Labor Day week trip. Odd since they were so careful how they loaded the bus from the airport to the resorts. There weren't too many people on my bus back to the airport, but seating was a free for all and a few people were coughing the entire drive, one with his nose out of his mask.

So basically they want you safe on way to resort, but once your trip is done and maximum cash has been extracted from you all safety is cancelled? Nice.

 

[anthony2k7]

Unfortunately, it’s not operated by Disney. Mears runs the buses. It’s possible that they are dropping the ball. I do think that since it represents Disney that Disney should be more involved in monitoring the situation. I don’t think it’s a matter of Disney actively not caring.

They might be Mears buses and drivers, but Disney is providing the funding from guests paying them. Its likely to be disney saying you need to run less buses and have higher occupancy.

 

[Tigger's ally]

They might be Mears buses and drivers, but Disney is providing the funding from guests paying them. Its likely to be disney saying you need to run less buses and have higher occupancy.

You have absolutely no idea, but say it's "likely"?

 

[Erica Ladd]

I remember Mears drivers were part of the layoffs specifically DME ones....

 

[rosieposie3]

Hi. Does anyone think Disney may adopt a "masks indoors and while on rides" approach given the risk levels for Covid indoors v outdoors? Wearing a mask doesn't completely turn me off my upcoming trip in May but obviously not having to wear it outdoors would be preferable.

 

[skeeter31]

Hi. Does anyone think Disney may adopt a "masks indoors and while on rides" approach given the risk levels for Covid indoors v outdoors? Wearing a mask doesn't completely turn me off my upcoming trip in May but obviously not having to wear it outdoors would be preferable.

No. The mask question is literally asked here on a daily basis. If you just go back a page or 2 you can see the answer to this question everyday. Most likely, Disney won’t remove the mask requirement until there is a safe and effective vaccine.

 

[Disneytrippin']

From what I've read it seems like buses seem to run about an hour before park opening, so that might work if the park opening is at 8. But for the 7:05 reservation it might be better to just Uber.

That's what I figured. we would do if busses aren't running that early. We have MK that day so I managed to snag Chef Mickeys for breakfast and then just walk to MK.

 

[jlwhitney]

Hi. Does anyone think Disney may adopt a "masks indoors and while on rides" approach given the risk levels for Covid indoors v outdoors? Wearing a mask doesn't completely turn me off my upcoming trip in May but obviously not having to wear it outdoors would be preferable.

Yes in time I do, I have a feeling they won't go from mask to no mask but will gradually make changes, when who knows.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Yes in time I do, I have a feeling they won't go from mask to no mask but will gradually make changes, when who knows.

I agree with this but think it will be after a vaccine. Slowly peel away the layers of safety and monitor. Probably how all things will happen.

 

[AvidDisReader]

Thanks for all the recent responses regarding the ME and current Disney Bus situation. I am now convinced the only way to go for my early November trip is to rent a car. Vacations are for relaxing and the last thing I need is to stress about non compliance of masks, sanitory cleaning, and travel times. Not a big change for our family as we rent approx 1/3 of our trips anyway.

 

[mattpeto]

Hi. Does anyone think Disney may adopt a "masks indoors and while on rides" approach given the risk levels for Covid indoors v outdoors? Wearing a mask doesn't completely turn me off my upcoming trip in May but obviously not having to wear it outdoors would be preferable.

Disney needs to make sure they do everything possible to avoid an outbreak stemming from the Parks. Social distancing and masks seem to be the running theory on the best method to avoid the spread. It would be a PR nightmare if they stopped requiring masks and there was an outbreak.

My gut says masks will be around until a vaccine is widely available, plus an additional 6 months on top of that.

Here's hoping that the 50th is safe and mask-free Disney World. I do think 2022 is probably more realistic.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I think anyone who has a trip in 2021 should probably prepare for mandatory masks and plan accordingly, as without a huge shift (an effective vaccine, easy to access effective treatment, etc) I would not expect them to go anywhere just because time has passed. I would not plan to go assuming they’re going to be gone if that is a deal breaker for you.

They are the least intrusive preventative measure, they are going to be the last to go IMO. Eventually Disney will have to do away with forced distancing in line ups, in the current capacity limits on attractions and in restaurants, but masks do not impact their ability to churn people through and make money (regardless of how loud their haters yell that they’ll never go anywhere in one).

 

[HikingFam]

Hi. Does anyone think Disney may adopt a "masks indoors and while on rides" approach given the risk levels for Covid indoors v outdoors? Wearing a mask doesn't completely turn me off my upcoming trip in May but obviously not having to wear it outdoors would be preferable.

We just got back, and the survey they sent us after our trip asked about 5 questions about whether the mask requirement made us feel more comfortable attending (among other precautions). The strict policy on masks is the only reason we didn’t cancel our trip, and I made that clear in my responses. Obviously the survey responses won’t capture the opinions of people who aren’t going right now because they have an opposite view. However, I don’t see the policy changing anytime soon. It seems there are more than enough people who are fine (or even happy) with the current rules.

 

[fatmanatee]

I'm expecting to wear a mask when I visit in April, and if they remove the requirement there's a really solid chance I don't go.

 

[MrsBooch]

The strict policy on masks is the only reason we didn’t cancel our trip

100% same

 

[Farro]

Any news of more restaurants/carts/anything opening soon?

 

[Mit88]

The mask rule will be gone when the mask rule is gone. No sooner. It won’t be an announced thing where they say “June 23rd 2021 we will be welcoming guests back without masks”, it’ll just be phased out. Probably outdoors first, still required indoors and then throughout.

I don’t fault the question because with Florida moving ahead in a lot of areas, it’s a valid question to ask when you don’t spend hours on Disney news sites. But whether your trip is next week, or in October 2023, have it in your mind that you will be required to wear a mask on your trip, at least on WDW property.

If the rule is relaxed, great, that means we’re in a good position with the virus because Disney will likely be one of the last businesses in the country that relaxes that mandate, but I wouldn’t expect the day mask mandates throughout the country being relaxed is the day Disney relaxes theirs, they’ll likely still keep them around as a precaution a few weeks/months afterwards

 

[rteetz]

Any news of more restaurants/carts/anything opening soon?

Not yet.

 

[MrsBooch]

Any news of more restaurants/carts/anything opening soon?

i'm just waiting for casey's to open, i know they have the markers on the floor etc.
But really I'm just grateful for Gaston's.

Also I mentioned this before but more TS restaurants are getting added to mobile order - Kona Cafe most notably.

That's a nice add.