Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

I dont know,

A part of me thinks New Years Eve surprise showing of Harmonius.

I know probably no chance, but, Would be something though,

Disney doesn’t often do surprises on this level of scale especially. If there’s a fireworks display in December, it’ll more than likely be Epcot Forever. I’m sure they have “farewell” merch for that incredibly long-standing show that they need to sell. But if they’re not debuting Ratatouille because it’s not ideal timing for a new attraction, I can’t imagine they’d debut their new, state of the art nighttime spectacular.

My optimistic side says fireworks returning (At Epcot) in 2020 is around 15% possibility, up from 5% from before Universal brought back their show.

 

[Cfiiitz]

Just a side note to follow up the commentary on changes to the travel restrictions in the NY area:

As of today, Nov 2nd, Alberta Canada will be operating a pilot project that will allow people travelling internationally (so, including the US) to skip the mandatory 14 day quarantine on return. If you return to Calgary airport you get tested, if you’re negative you must commit to taking a second test 5 or 6 days later but you don’t have to quarantine.

Direct flights to Orlando are resuming from Calgary in December. Pretty good deals too.

I would say that the biggest thing diverting me from travel is the 14 day quarantine on return. This is just a pilot project in one place. But I think this type of thing will expand and international travellers will be back at WDW for the holidays and through the spring for sure. Crowd levels might not be impacted by one province doing this but it sure would be we all of Canada jumps on board. It’s freaking cold here. We all want out

 

[Oldnewfan]

I hope it's not permanent, but similarly to other current mitigation factors it could be viewed as another item on the side of lessening the already diluted WDW experience.

It's way too early to even speculate on whether the plexiglass could be permanent. Very early on, back in March, I mentioned that WDW will be making changes and wouldn't want to be caught with their pants down, so to speak, in the future. I mean since the year 2000 we've seen HINI swine flu, bird flu, SARS, Ebola, Zika and maybe others I'm forgetting. Yes most were contained fast and/or not as contagious or harmful, but not COVID-19. Are we looking at another 100 years before the next one that isn't contained, or a much shorter timespan. As such the thought that more plexiglass at WDW than one would think necessary is kept is not out of the realm of possibility.

Will be out of my realm.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

how was the line for you and boarding? Is the bus still doing some semblance of social distancing?

We waited about 10 minutes to check in, less than 5 min waiting to get on the bus, then 20 once we boarded. We were the first ones on, they assigned us seats and loaded back to front. We were the second stop. We stopped at CBR first, then BWV, then the bus continuing on to YC I think.

 

[teach22180]

how was the line for you and boarding? Is the bus still doing some semblance of social distancing?

We were assigned seats in october on the way, but since the seats aren't numbered it's a little tricky. On the way back to the airport you choose your own seats. The bus was not very full for me so I was able to distance even though other groups clustered at the front.

 

[skeeter31]

We did EPCOT today. Definitely more crowded than some other weekdays we‘ve been here for since reopening. I’m chalking it up to Jersey week and Election Day tomorrow. Ate at Regal Eagle for the first time, it was delicious. And the weather was spectacular. A little cold for this Floridian, but it was the first time the masks didn’t feel hot and sweaty on our faces! Going to DS tomorrow and back to EPCOT at night for more F&W wandering.

 

[yulilin3]

AK holiday decor going in Nov 4/5

 

[skeeter31]

Also, went on The Land today and it was SO much slower than I remember it being the last time we rode it in September. It was painfully slow. The narration in the greenhouse rooms would be over and we were only midway through the room. I thought maybe they slowed it down for cleaning, but they didn’t clean our boat when we got off. Made my 2nd favorite ride much less fun.

But there were some awesome veggies in there and there was actually a CM in the little lab at the end of the greenhouse. I don’t think I’ve seen someone in there since the late 90s!

 

[osufeth24]

Was disappointed the waffle stand was closed today at Epcot. They had a few stands not open. Alps, Spain, waffle, donut box, and one other I think.

 

[figmentfinesse]

Was disappointed the waffle stand was closed today at Epcot. They had a few stands not open. Alps, Spain, waffle, donut box, and one other I think.

Pretty sure they are all weekend only.

 

[rteetz]

AK holiday decor going in Nov 4/5

Any word on resorts?

 

[Brianstl]

Any word on resorts?

Disney, get the resorts done for Ryan. He deserves it for putting up with us. Get on it Josh.

 

[yulilin3]

Any word on resorts?

Nothing yet

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Disney, get the resorts done for Ryan. He deserves it for putting up with us. Get on it Josh.

Maybe we could chip in and at least get him a Charlie Brown Christmas tree or something

 

[rteetz]

Disney, get the resorts done for Ryan. He deserves it for putting up with us. Get on it Josh.

I do kind of want the AKL tree more than anything. I’m sure it will go up right after I leave tho.

 

[MrsBooch]

I do kind of want the AKL tree more than anything. I’m sure it will go up right after I leave tho.

no - I’m sure it will go up soon. All it takes is hope and trust. And one more thing....additional resources potentially already allocated to other projects outside predetermined and already dedicated timetables.
Nbd. Or like some pixie dust.

 

[Lewisc]

I do kind of want the AKL tree more than anything. I’m sure it will go up right after I leave tho.

Do we know if AKL is being decorated? Isn't the hotel closed? What kind of budget does DVC have to decorate AKL and WL?

 

[skeeter31]

Do we know if AKL is being decorated? Isn't the hotel closed? What kind of budget does DVC have to decorate AKL and WL?

If you’re going by that logic, it would be BW and BC too, those resorts are closed.

Thing is, those trees are already in storage and easily installed in the lobby. No gingerbread displays in any resorts, but putting up a tree and some garland really doesn’t take a lot. I’d expect it all up by the 7th since that’s when the true holiday season is starting for Disney.

 

[sara_s]

AK holiday decor going in Nov 4/5

Darn my AK day is tomorrow.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

We did EPCOT today. Definitely more crowded than some other weekdays we‘ve been here for since reopening. I’m chalking it up to Jersey week and Election Day tomorrow. Ate at Regal Eagle for the first time, it was delicious. And the weather was spectacular. A little cold for this Floridian, but it was the first time the masks didn’t feel hot and sweaty on our faces! Going to DS tomorrow and back to EPCOT at night for more F&W wandering.

We were at Epcot too! I didn't think the crowds were too bad, although I haven't been since July so I don't have much recent experience to compare with. The wind made it pretty chilly at times! That coming from a Kansan

The plexiglass on LwtL seemed very distracting to me, it was hard to see through it in the darker scenes.

We enjoyed all the food we had from F&W, although we're not super adventurous so we tend to get food we know we'll like. Heading to MK tomorrow!