Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Eric Smith]

We were at 4 different table service restaurants and all were very well spaced, Not once was there another table with customers next to our table. I will admit, this is the first time in the 40 plus years of going to WDW that we brought our own lunches into the parks. Only once did we try the counter service and I all ready related what I thought was a humorous account with a flip phone.

That's what I've heard from friends that have been down there. My concern is that Disney will change that with this increase in park capacity.

 

[HikingFam]

For the sake of argument, I'm wondering what everyone thinks of the fact that Disney is actually releasing capacity numbers. They have NEVER done this before, for anything. Ask a well trained CM capacity for a theater they won't disclose, hourly ride capacity, they won't disclose, much less park capacity.
Neither universal or SW release their "limited" capacity percentage and we know those are definitely up
So why is Disney releasing this info? I see more people wavering on their decision to come after this announcement

I think they are announcing these percentages because 35% sounds like it won’t be crowded at all. I think the general public is comparing that to 100% and it sounds like less than half of a normal day (which we all know isn’t accurate). They still aren’t providing real numbers.

 

[rteetz]

https://www.facebook.com/1490958684533546/posts/2433257373637001

 

[Eric Smith]

I think they are announcing these percentages because 35% sounds like it won’t be crowded at all. I think the general public is comparing that to 100% and it sounds like less than half of a normal day (which we all know isn’t accurate). They still aren’t providing real numbers.

There's also an issue because going from 25% capacity to 35% capacity is really a 40% increase in the amount of people who could be in the parks. That's a pretty big jump.

 

[MrsBooch]

I don't know if this was discussed but I'm retiring my hopes for Casey's Corner officially as it appears to have become an overflow space for merchandise from the Emporium? To help with social distancing while shopping.

I'm going in December and my biggest concern is that Disney will increase table service restaurant capacity which would make us very uncomfortable.

I agree - but remember you are not being forced to stay somewhere that feels uncomfortable. I've already talked to the family about it - if we walk in and feel unsafe - we eat the cancellation fee and go somewhere else.

 

[yulilin3]

I don't know if this was discussed but I'm retiring my hopes for Casey's Corner officially as it appears to have become an overflow space for merchandise from the Emporium? To help with social distancing while shopping.



I agree - but remember you are not being forced to stay somewhere that feels uncomfortable. I've already talked to the family about it - if we walk in and feel unsafe - we eat the cancellation fee and go somewhere else.

and if you explain why you are leaving they will most likely wave the cancellation fee

 

[yulilin3]

CM holiday celebration details came out. Typically CM this time of year get discounts on merch (which they have now) discounts on rooms through mid Dec and then back in Jan (which has been extended to all of Christmas and NY) an ornament (no word on this) but also several dining vouchers with 30%, 40% and 50% discount. No word on these vouchers at all AND extra comp tickets for friends and family, no word on these either.

 

[NJlauren]

https://www.facebook.com/1490958684533546/posts/2433257373637001

This is actually really exciting for us! Hoping a few more things open!

 

[sullivan.kscott]

https://www.facebook.com/1490958684533546/posts/2433257373637001

Is the animal care staff the same as the “customer facing” CM, or does this mean a handful of CM got callbacks for this? Every little bit helps!

 

[hertamaniac]

For those at WDW today and tomorrow....look East.

Tonight's scheduled launch is about 5:13 PM for the unmanned rocket.
Tomorrow's scheduled launch for the manned crew (4) is about 7:49 PM.

Weather looks like a go so this will be a great time to watch for the orange streak(s) across the sky.

https://spacecoastlaunches.com/launch-schedule/

 

[Eric Smith]

I don't know if this was discussed but I'm retiring my hopes for Casey's Corner officially as it appears to have become an overflow space for merchandise from the Emporium? To help with social distancing while shopping.



I agree - but remember you are not being forced to stay somewhere that feels uncomfortable. I've already talked to the family about it - if we walk in and feel unsafe - we eat the cancellation fee and go somewhere else.

I agree with that, but if we're not comfortable eating in, it doesn't really make sense to go. Unfortunately we're DVC members and we're past the banking deadline so we'd have to eat the points. Pretty disappointing.

 

[rteetz]

Is the animal care staff the same as the “customer facing” CM, or does this mean a handful of CM got callbacks for this? Every little bit helps!

Animal care CMs have been working fairly normally through all of this. They may be bringing back a few as "crowd control" for this area but I am not completely sure there.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

Animal care CMs have been working fairly normally through all of this. They may be bringing back a few as "crowd control" for this area but I am not completely sure there.

Yeah, that’s what I was asking. I didn’t know if they operated with two “banks” of CM in the before times. One for animal control and the other to care for the goats, etc.

 

[yulilin3]

Yeah, that’s what I was asking. I didn’t know if they operated with two “banks” of CM in the before times. One for animal control and the other to care for the goats, etc.

The petting zoo area only had 1 "crowded control" cm, reminding people to wash their hands as they leave, now they might have 2 to count people coming in and leaving. CM inside the area itself area animal care cm that have been there all along. No laid off cm will be called for it

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The petting zoo area only had 1 "crowded control" cm, reminding people to wash their hands as they leave, now they might have 2 to count people coming in and leaving. CM inside the area itself area animal care cm that have been there all along. No laid off cm will be called for it

Seems like a great thing to add then - something new, provides additional guest capacity space, promotes taking the train to that area (so helping to spread guests out) and doesn't require a ton of additional variable cost to opperate

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I was in the parks from 10/31 thru 11/6, It never seemed crowded. My wife, daughter and 2 grand kids are all veterans of WDW and all felt the Parks were not very busy at all. Only on the last day, in MK, which was the first day of the castle projections, did it seem like a "slow" day in Mid October pre COVID. For all those hand wringing about increased attendance, lets not forget that I do believe it was in September that the Florida Govenor was encouraging Disney to allow more guests. So, it not like Disney Execs allowed more capacity until they were confident they had enough safety measures in place. I just do not get those who say that they felt uncomfortable or that there were too many crowds--to each their own I guess.

I actually think they did increase capacity and then decided they needed to implement more things like the additional plexiglass we’ve seen installed recently. They seem to now be pushing to increase ride capacity after the fact to account for crowd increases that already happened.

 

[yulilin3]

Seems like a great thing to add then - something new, provides additional guest capacity space, promotes taking the train to that area (so helping to spread guests out) and doesn't require a ton of additional variable cost to opperate

I am super happy Rafiki's is getting some love, I spent countless hours (sometimes we would go only there and spend 4 hours) when my son was young and I thought for sure he would go into some kind of animal career, they brought different animals out every hour inside and outside. Last time I was there, about a month and a half ago, they had the porcupine out practicing behavior and I was the only one there so got to talk to the keepers. I hope they start getting the animals out on a more regular basis to get even more people to go over. I've always considered that area the heart of AK

 

[Jroceagles]

This is actually really exciting for us! Hoping a few more things open!

what was it? I cant see the link

 

[hereforthechurros]

I will say,


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.

My sister has decided to join us on our Christmas trip and I do worry about her disappointment since she doesn't go often. She makes great money but about fell out of her chair when she saw the ticket prices, especially knowing that so much is closed. I don't blame her. Hopefully there's enough Christmas cheer to hide the fact that so much in still unavailable.

 

[NJlauren]

what was it? I cant see the link

The affection station, at Rafikis planet watch, my kids love this area!