Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[rteetz]

Not everyone needs a hotel. I have family that goes once a week. Universal hit capacity both parks all weekend. They only go for a few hours in the morning, and said they have never seen so many cars headed into the parking garage at noontime.

Universal doesn’t require a reservation either so as a local I may be more inclined to visit there especially last minute.

 

[Farro]

Reading that they are possibly testing another distanced meet and greet with Alice in the UK gardens.

Anyone see this?

 

[yulilin3]

Reading that they are possibly testing another distanced meet and greet with Alice in the UK gardens.

Anyone see this?

In July i saw Mary Poppins at the gazebo and they were doing the distance thing. I believe that's the same spot for Alice

 

[Farro]

In July i saw Mary Poppins at the gazebo and they were doing the distance thing. I believe that's the same spot for Alice

Maybe? The pictures actually had her on a path separated by planters, but I honestly couldn't tell you what I was looking at!

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

Maybe? The pictures actually had her on a path separated by planters, but I honestly couldn't tell you what I was looking at!

I saw what you are referring to. It said they were trying this spot I believe. It mentioned the previous spot. I saw Anna too.
It for some reason reminded me of the little Mickey Minnie houses. Wonder if they would have made cute social distance spots at their front doors. Yeah, my mind did a little wondering.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Not everyone needs a hotel. I have family that goes once a week. Universal hit capacity both parks all weekend. They only go for a few hours in the morning, and said they have never seen so many cars headed into the parking garage at noontime.

Makes an interesting case for a staycation weekend at a UO hotel for locals with some extra cash...

 

[Pizzaman12]

We aren't.

If we hadn't been able to plan a 3 week trip in an RV here, I'm almost certain we would not have renewed. Have to see what next year brings....

 

[Tinksbff]

Maybe? The pictures actually had her on a path separated by planters, but I honestly couldn't tell you what I was looking at!

The picture of Alice was taken in the garden in the UK. Previously, she appeared in the gazebo. In the photo, it shows that one of the paths is now blocked by a flower planter to separate fans from Alice. Anna has moved to the Royal Sommerhus

 

[andyman8]

I think universal is following Florida guidelines which is everything goes. Full capacity, no social distancing, etc. I don’t follow universal much but it seems to be working for them. Attendance looks good for them.

Universal is capping capacity, but that cap is a higher percentage than WDW. UOR definitely knows that they can get away with more than WDW because of their lower national profile (they’ve always tried to use that to their advantage, even before the pandemic). And UOR — even more so than Disney — has always had a more substantial locals’ appeal. I know many Orlando locals who may not be huge theme park fans but hold a UOR AP (but not a Disney one). The pricepoint makes being an AP holder very attractive for locals.

That said, UOR is also absolutely struggling with one of the same problems WDW is: totally uneven crowd distribution throughout the week. Weekends are packed but weekdays (especially since Labor Day) have been too empty. Mind you, this has always been a bigger problem for UOR. During any time of the year where kids are in school (outside of HHN season), it’s not uncommon to see mostly 5/10/15/20 minute waits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays while the weekends attract much longer waits. Current tourism patterns (or lack thereof) are only exacerbating this, so it makes sense that UOR would need to scale back its hotel operations, especially given that they’re third-party and don’t have the financial backing of the rest of NBCUni like the parks do.

Personally, given my own comfort levels, I wouldn’t hesitate to visit UOR on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday right now (with the exception of Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks). But given my own comfort levels, you wouldn’t catch me dead there on a weekend. And this is coming from someone who has been in the Disney Parks relatively frequently since they reopened (though I havent been in a bit over a month since I’ve been busy). This is also coming from someone who has (and will likely use) WDW park reservations for the days around New Year’s.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Man I am just super bummed about all this tonight. I'm even thinking of moving our next trip further out AGAIN.

 

[Pizzaman12]

Man I am just super bummed about all this tonight. I'm even thinking of moving our next trip further out AGAIN.

Just my two cents, but 7 months is a long time from now in COVID days. I'd give it some more time before I committed to moving dates to see what else develops. It's likely to get worse over the next handful of weeks before it gets better with rising COVID numbers.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Just my two cents, but 7 months is a long time from now in COVID days. I'd give it some more time before I committed to moving dates to see what else develops. It's likely to get worse over the next handful of weeks before it gets better with rising COVID numbers.

I keep telling myself to wait and see, but I’m feeling cynical tonight.

 

[Pizzaman12]

I keep telling myself to wait and see, but I’m feeling cynical tonight.

Well, since you have FW in your sig picture, here's some Halloween happiness from our loop tonight at FW.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Man I am just super bummed about all this tonight. I'm even thinking of moving our next trip further out AGAIN.

Right there with you for our Christmas trip. We’re sitting on AP vouchers but the thought of activating them with so much still MIA is depressing. Only reason we would have to go is non-refundable DVC points we rented that were secured before the shut down. Otherwise I’m not sure when we’d be back.

 

[JacknSally]

Man I am just super bummed about all this tonight. I'm even thinking of moving our next trip further out AGAIN.

You’re not alone. We’re a little more than a month out and still don’t know what we’re going to do about our trip.

 

[birostick]

In July i saw Mary Poppins at the gazebo and they were doing the distance thing. I believe that's the same spot for Alice

This was back on September 17th.

 

[MrsBooch]

Things will get better when we get the update on Holiday snacks and treats, and also when they start announcing which booths are going to be there for Partial Festival of the Somewhat Holidays.

#imnotcancelingthistrip

 

[one_cat]

We cancelled our May trip and are planning a longer trip next October. We did our covid trip in September - it was fine. Now we are banking on things being a little closer to normal in a year. Time will tell. We are going to do a driving trip in May instead.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Right there with you for our Christmas trip. We’re sitting on AP vouchers but the thought of activating them with so much still MIA is depressing. Only reason we would have to go is non-refundable DVC points we rented that were secured before the shut down. Otherwise I’m not sure when we’d be back.

Ugh that’s a bad situation for sure. I would hate to activate a voucher right now.

You’re not alone. We’re a little more than a month out and still don’t know what we’re going to do about our trip.

I would be going crazy! One month out? You have more patience than I do!

I would not go in this current state, but I know plenty people have gone and had a wonderful time. Tough choice to make.

 

[skeeter31]

I’ve only cancelled our NYE night as we were only going to Poly to watch the fireworks from our room. Since that won’t happen, I’ll save those 31 points. I’ve been extremely happy with our midweek getaways the past few months. We’re lucky that we’re local and have a lot of PTO at work to be able to go during the week. I wouldn’t want to be at the parks (Disney or UO) on the weekends. But I do understand how it’s not as great of an experience for those that have to travel to get here and are expecting a normal, great vacation and then aren’t able to do everything they normally do. But with tempered expectations it’s wonderful.