Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Farro]

Whilst I feel for the CM situation, I cannot see capacity continuing to increase. Chicago has just issued a new stay at home order I believe? With it out of control in more states than not now, further city or state stay at home orders are surely to follow soon.

Just to clarify, its not an order, its an advisory.

 

[mattpeto]

Whatever happened to him saying they had no plans to increase capacity? Could they have already been at 35% then?

Didn’t AoA and CSR a couple weeks prior just open?

Hmm.

 

[rteetz]

Didn’t AoA and CSR a couple weeks prior just open?

Hmm.

AoA did on November 1st. CSR about a month ago now.

 

[larsonb74]

With the announcement of opening up to 35% capacities at WDW what else will be offered and returning?

 

[johnnyr]

I was there last week and MK was crowded. I was not comfortable at all in between It’s a Small Word and Peter Pan. There were just way too many people back there bunched together with no one directing traffic. Managed to get out of there and find a less crowded area.

 

[MinnieMSue]

As long as Disney stays strict on mask wearing I don’t care if they increase ride capacity. The 6 foot thing is for people without masks so being close to someone on a ride while all are wearing masks isn’t a big deal to me at all. It would be well within 15 min anyway (which is also an exposure time for unmasked people). I am a nurse and we usually only wear a basic surgical mask and eye protection while taking care of patients (including covid) and they don’t have masks on. We aren’t catching it. I am strict about my own mask wearing - theme parks that require masks are much safer than going anywhere in my town.

 

[andyman8]

Well, Harambe Market is coming back for four hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

Other than that, not a whole lot. Most show teams and pyro teams were laid off, so I wouldn't expect any drastic changes to the offerings for the remainder of the year.

 

[Sarahslay]

I guess the good thing about Christmas is that there is still plenty of room availability and park reservations aren’t full like thanksgiving week. I feel like prices being so high with fewer offerings has a lot of people staying away. If thanksgiving ends up being a nightmare I don’t see a lot of people running to book Christmas, and I’m hopeful (selfishly) that Christmas is lower than thanksgiving (I’m going both weeks )

 

[yulilin3]

CM are being offered 60% off through the end of the year on rooms, unheard of

 

[skeeter31]

With the announcement of opening up to 35% capacities at WDW what else will be offered and returning?

I highly doubt they just opened up to 35%. I’d say they’ve probably been operating with that limit for at least a month now. Thanksgiving will be the big test when they get close to that max.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

I was there last week and MK was crowded. I was not comfortable at all in between It’s a Small Word and Peter Pan. There were just way too many people back there bunched together with no one directing traffic. Managed to get out of there and find a less crowded area.

This spot has always been one of the worst choke points in all of WDW. We usually tried to avoid it, even in normal times.

 

[Sarahslay]

CM are being offered 60% off through the end of the year on rooms, unheard of

Yeah, my friend got a room at GF where she’s always wanted to stay but can’t usually afford. But, she’s really sad she’s blocked from the parks over thanksgiving since we were going to hang out. She can at least have a nice few nights at the resort though.

 

[Sarahslay]

This spot has always been one of the worst choke points in all of WDW. We usually tried to avoid it, even in normal times.

Even in August, when crowds were supposed to be lower, it was crowded. I have a habit of avoiding that area anyway, so I typically go the long way around out of habit.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I was there last week and MK was crowded. I was not comfortable at all in between It’s a Small Word and Peter Pan. There were just way too many people back there bunched together with no one directing traffic. Managed to get out of there and find a less crowded area.

We were there mid October on a Sunday and MK was so busy. We also felt uneasy... I thought then this is 25% ??

 

[Brer Chump]

Here is BC’s entire quote regarding the increased capacity. I think in the context of his statement park capacity has already increased to 35%. It’s anyone’s guess if this was a one time increase or gradual increases as park venues opened.

BC was asked about Mulan’s PVOD fee and why Soul doesn’t have one and asking if he expects growth from Disney Parks despite DLR staying closed in Q1. From the transcript:

“In terms of our opportunities to continue to improve parks, we’re actually very encouraged by what we’re seeing right now in our parks across the world. There’s really two dynamics that are going on. Number 1, our park operators, which as you know are the best in the world, are becoming much more efficient and effective and operating under COVID guidelines. And we’ve been able to pretty materially increase our capacity and still stay within the guidelines that local governments are giving us. For example, six-foot social distancing, and this is happening across the — across our parks across the world.

In fact, Walt Disney World, which was at a 25% capacity constraint, which was our industrial engineering estimates to keep six-foot social distancing, now has been able to increase to 35% of capacity, so almost a 50% increase in the number of guests that we can allow in and still adhere to the local guidelines and the guidelines that are stipulated by the CDC with the six-foot social distancing. So, we’re very pleased by how we’ve become adept at operating under these constraints.

But the second thing that’s even more encouraging is the demanding — demand that’s growing for our parks across the world. I think it says two different things. Number 1 shows the love that guests have for our experiences that we have within our parks and the tremendous IP that we have — as a company have. But I also think it speaks to the trust that people have, given the track record that we now have after months of operating across the globe with very stringent guidelines and we’re very pleased of our track record. And I think people are now through forward bookings and reservations showing some very encouraging signs about their willingness to come and spend time with us at Disney park.“

 

[sullivan.kscott]

With the announcement of opening up to 35% capacities at WDW what else will be offered and returning?

We likely see it, for now. It was hinted that they’ve already slowly increased to that number. We’ve seen some reports, of varying confidence, that little things like conservation station and Woody’s might be getting some movement. But that might be preemptive. We saw signs of a potential Casey’s reopening with distancing markers and what not and that went away.
Remember that even with a 35% cap, Thanksgiving week is the only time mentioned that they’re even close to that. If the scene is a nightmare, things could go downhill very quickly. And while we’d love to see shows and things back, WDW would need to consistently hit full 35% or close to it for a while before increasing offerings.
There are signs, like ASMo and a water park coming back in a few months, that Disney has some confidence. This next 7-8 weeks will be very telling, according to a few posters here that have been right all along.

 

[johnnyr]

This spot has always been one of the worst choke points in all of WDW. We usually tried to avoid it, even in normal times.

After experiencing it first hand last week I just feel now more than ever they need a better plan in that area. I feel like they are doing a great job in most areas but was taken back after seeing what looked like a pre COVID crowd of people with no supervision or direction.

 

[Krandor]

*sigh* disappointing but not surprising. I'm still planning to go in January for what would have been marathon weekend but current reports don't give me excitement to go. This sucks. I just hope even without the races I'm used to I can still have fun. I just hate so much of what I'm used to doing don't be available and that is even just the small things... a lot of nights especially when races are the next day I'll come back to resort early and sit and hang out at Petals for a bit and chat with the bartenders (who rememeber me even between trips). Doubt I'll even be able to sit at the bar this year and will have to get my beer and sit elsewhere which isn't the same at all. Often on my last day before driving home I go to captain cook's for tonga toast.... Driving there i know isn't possible this year but can I go at all? So many things we are used to are different. It sucks and I know why but still sucks.

 

[New Mouse]

I guess the good thing about Christmas is that there is still plenty of room availability and park reservations aren’t full like thanksgiving week. I feel like prices being so high with fewer offerings has a lot of people staying away. If thanksgiving ends up being a nightmare I don’t see a lot of people running to book Christmas, and I’m hopeful (selfishly) that Christmas is lower than thanksgiving (I’m going both weeks )

I will say,

I guess the good thing about Christmas is that there is still plenty of room availability and park reservations aren’t full like thanksgiving week. I feel like prices being so high with fewer offerings has a lot of people staying away. If thanksgiving ends up being a nightmare I don’t see a lot of people running to book Christmas, and I’m hopeful (selfishly) that Christmas is lower than thanksgiving (I’m going both weeks )

After this past week, I wouldnt advise anyone to come and pay full ticket prices. If I didnt have DVC points to burn and ap days left, I wouldnt be here.

Theres just too much missing. They might be able to justify a $50 ticket price right now but anything beyond that is a major reach. If it were my first visit, Id be fairly disappointed and upset with the price. Id imagine many people are debating similar things.

It feels like half the shops, half the restaurants, all the shows and entertainment are closed. Every little extra is missing. No pre show, no activities afterwards. Animal Kingdom may as well be a bone yard. Right now, the whole complex is just another amusement park.

 

[rteetz]

*sigh* disappointing but not surprising. I'm still planning to go in January for what would have been marathon weekend but current reports don't give me excitement to go. This sucks. I just hope even without the races I'm used to I can still have fun. I just hate so much of what I'm used to doing don't be available and that is even just the small things... a lot of nights especially when races are the next day I'll come back to resort early and sit and hang out at Petals for a bit and chat with the bartenders (who rememeber me even between trips). Doubt I'll even be able to sit at the bar this year and will have to get my beer and sit elsewhere which isn't the same at all. Often on my last day before driving home I go to captain cook's for tonga toast.... Driving there i know isn't possible this year but can I go at all? So many things we are used to are different. It sucks and I know why but still sucks.

I think it is what you make it. I had a blast this past week while I was there for what should’ve been wine and dine.