Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Tiki Birdland]

They aren't dumping magicbands, you just no longer get them free with a resort stay. Luggage tags you just won't get in the mail but you'll still get them with a package. Long lines are there regardless.

That's the issue, isn't it? Getting the MBs and the luggage tags helped us, as a family, really get into the trip planning. The kids would put the luggage tags on their backpacks for school to show their friends and reminiscence about past trips. They don't get the tags until they're already at the resort. They were known to wear the MBs to school as well.

True on the long lines. However, we were able to pick some FPs each day that helped with the line tedium. We could then determine which lines are "worth it" after we picked our "must-dos".

I realize these issues aren't a big deal for those that are regular park goers. We try to do WDW every couple of years. So, little things like the MBs and luggage tags are big deals for us.

I challenge you to think back when your parents took you to Disney. What kinds of things did they do to build anticipation? Is there anything there that you continue to do now that you're an adult and going on your own?

 

[Leight19]

Although the other day (maybe just yesterday? days are blending together) I saw video that all the preshows were down and they were just bringing guests in a back door to a major scene and starting the attraction from there

So definitely still having issues .... but glad to see it is better than it was for sure!

I’ve been avoiding watching ride through for rise to not spoil suprises but these posts have me thinking. I’m going in January and wondering if I will ruin experience more watching show live and possibly missing the intro and not knowing what’s happening or spoiling it with ride through video. That way I’d know what happens so spoiled bit but no risk of missing scenes and being confused. Any one have thoughts which way you’d go if you were in my shoes?

 

[The Pho]

I’ve been avoiding watching ride through for rise to not spoil suprises but these posts have me thinking. I’m going in January and wondering if I will ruin experience more watching show live and possibly missing the intro and not knowing what’s happening or spoiling it with ride through video. That way I’d know what happens so spoiled bit but no risk of missing scenes and being confused. Any one have thoughts which way you’d go if you were in my shoes?

If you’ve gotten this far just keep waiting. If something is broken, and you miss context, you’ll still have a great experience, especially on the first run through.

 

[mshanson3121]

That's the issue, isn't it? Getting the MBs and the luggage tags helped us, as a family, really get into the trip planning. The kids would put the luggage tags on their backpacks for school to show their friends and reminiscence about past trips. They don't get the tags until they're already at the resort. They were known to wear the MBs to school as well.

True on the long lines. However, we were able to pick some FPs each day that helped with the line tedium. We could then determine which lines are "worth it" after we picked our "must-dos".

I realize these issues aren't a big deal for those that are regular park goers. We try to do WDW every couple of years. So, little things like the MBs and luggage tags are big deals for us.

I challenge you to think back when your parents took you to Disney. What kinds of things did they do to build anticipation? Is there anything there that you continue to do now that you're an adult and going on your own?

To me, it's just the slow chipping away of all the perks that used to be included. Eventually the only "free" perk you'll have is a room to sleep in. Sure, we can blame it on Covid and cost-cutting measures, but the reality is, this started long before Covid and I'm sure would have happened without it.

 

[StarGirl11]

I think it might have been up.om the arrival signs early and then officially, at the gates, a bit later stated it was at capacity

So maybe the road sign was taking into account those in line ahead of the sign? Like if you are just to this sign at this point it will be at capacity but the time you get to the gate?

That makes more sense. Thanks.

 

[Krandor]

To me, it's just the slow chipping away of all the perks that used to be included. Eventually the only "free" perk you'll have is a room to sleep in. Sure, we can blame it on Covid and cost-cutting measures, but the reality is, this started long before Covid and I'm sure would have happened without it.

I get removing some things right now due to COVID and understand. The question will be how many of them return. There are some things I really loved that disney did and was surprised they kept doing like taking a picture with your own phone/camera vs making photopass the only option. During covid makes sense not to do that. Will thinks like that return? We'll have to wait a see.

Free magic bands I think are gone. Magical express luggage tags and bag delivery I think will likely return. Others things are much more uncertain.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

To me, it's just the slow chipping away of all the perks that used to be included. Eventually the only "free" perk you'll have is a room to sleep in. Sure, we can blame it on Covid and cost-cutting measures, but the reality is, this started long before Covid and I'm sure would have happened without it.

Once upon a time (not that long ago) these things weren’t even perks anyway. Perks come and go.

We stay at Disney resorts because we love Disney resorts. Stayed at them long before EMH, FP+, magic bands, luggage tags or whatever. We bought into DVC because we like Disney resorts, not because of this temporary perk or that temporary perk.

From the late 90s to early 2000s EMH were a reasonably priced add on. Wasn’t expanded and included with your room until they needed to entice people back during the recession. Heck, I was surprised they kept EMH going for so long after that. It had really just been a promo to get people back on the tail end of the recession. Many times my sister and I stayed for those super late 2/3am EMH and there were only a handful of people in the parks by the end. Seemed ridiculous to have so many CMs working and so few guests there.

Since we just love Disney resorts, I can’t imagine booking a Disney resort solely for temporary things like included magic bands, luggage tags, etc. To each their own, I guess.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

To me, it's just the slow chipping away of all the perks that used to be included. Eventually the only "free" perk you'll have is a room to sleep in. Sure, we can blame it on Covid and cost-cutting measures, but the reality is, this started long before Covid and I'm sure would have happened without it.

Come to the dark side of staying off site ... We've got cookies! (Or included breakfast)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Once upon a time (not that long ago) these things weren’t even perks anyway. Perks come and go.

We stay at Disney resorts because we love Disney resorts. Stayed at them long before EMH, FP+, magic bands, luggage tags or whatever. We bought into DVC because we like Disney resorts, not because of this temporary perk or that temporary perk.

From the late 90s to early 2000s EMH were a reasonably priced add on. Wasn’t expanded and included with your room until they needed to entice people back during the recession. Heck, I was surprised they kept EMH going for so long after that. It had really just been a promo to get people back on the tail end of the recession. Many times my sister and I stayed for those super late 2/3am EMH and there were only a handful of people in the parks by the end. Seemed ridiculous to have so many CMs working and so few guests there.

Since we just love Disney resorts, I can’t imagine booking a Disney resort solely for temporary things like included magic bands, luggage tags, etc. To each their own, I guess.

Obviously everyone is different but part of it, it think, is all those "perks" gets baked in to the price and when Disney rooms far outpace most other comparable options in price, but you get those other perks, it is easier to justify

If they remove those perks but don't adjust the price then it is harder to justify paying that price (at least for some)

 

[only hope]

I’ve been avoiding watching ride through for rise to not spoil suprises but these posts have me thinking. I’m going in January and wondering if I will ruin experience more watching show live and possibly missing the intro and not knowing what’s happening or spoiling it with ride through video. That way I’d know what happens so spoiled bit but no risk of missing scenes and being confused. Any one have thoughts which way you’d go if you were in my shoes?

I would avoid spoilers. If you find yourself in a large room and confused as to how you got there, ask the groups near you what was supposed to happen. Odds are at least one person will be able to explain it.

 

[mshanson3121]

Once upon a time (not that long ago) these things weren’t even perks anyway. Perks come and go.

We stay at Disney resorts because we love Disney resorts. Stayed at them long before EMH, FP+, magic bands, luggage tags or whatever. We bought into DVC because we like Disney resorts, not because of this temporary perk or that temporary perk.

From the late 90s to early 2000s EMH were a reasonably priced add on. Wasn’t expanded and included with your room until they needed to entice people back during the recession. Heck, I was surprised they kept EMH going for so long after that. It had really just been a promo to get people back on the tail end of the recession. Many times my sister and I stayed for those super late 2/3am EMH and there were only a handful of people in the parks by the end. Seemed ridiculous to have so many CMs working and so few guests there.

Since we just love Disney resorts, I can’t imagine booking a Disney resort solely for temporary things like included magic bands, luggage tags, etc. To each their own, I guess.

We didn't book a Disney resort just for those things.

Obviously everyone is different but part of it, it think, is all those "perks" gets baked in to the price and when Disney rooms far outpace most other comparable options in price, but you get those other perks, it is easier to justify

If they remove those perks but don't adjust the price then it is harder to justify paying that price (at least for some)

EXACTLY

Come to the dark side of staying off site ... We've got cookies! (Or included breakfast)

Oh we already have, and will again, lol. I prefer off site hands down to on site. But the kids want Dad to see ASMo (since he missed last trip which was there). So I imagine we'll do a night on site just so Dad can say he was there, and the rest off site.

 

[Krandor]

Obviously everyone is different but part of it, it think, is all those "perks" gets baked in to the price and when Disney rooms far outpace most other comparable options in price, but you get those other perks, it is easier to justify

If they remove those perks but don't adjust the price then it is harder to justify paying that price (at least for some)

My big thing for staying on-site is transportation And these days I stay at pop for skyliner access which is very nice. I normally drive to WDW (I'm in atlanta) but I also like to drink at Epcot and some at DHS it is nice not having to worry about needing to drive. I also normally come for rundisney races and a 3am in the morning I'm in a "point me to the bus" mode and don't want to have to think about anything and defintiely not drive.

 

[brockash]

They aren't dumping magicbands, you just no longer get them free with a resort stay. Luggage tags you just won't get in the mail but you'll still get them with a package. Long lines are there regardless.

Ehhh...it's very different and the value is not there for some compared to before Covid. I've never waited in the type of lines we waited in during our Sept and Oct trip this past year, because we use/work the system which is a large part of why a WDW is more enjoyable to us than your local amusement park. However not being able to do that, lack of shows/fireworks etc.... it's a much lesser experience. Add to that that there's really no benefit or reason to pay more expensive prices to stay onsite and yeah the values just not there for many.

 

[rteetz]

Ehhh...it's very different and the value is not there for some compared to before Covid. I've never waited in the type of lines we waited in during our Sept and Oct trip this past year, because we use/work the system which is a large part of why a WDW is more enjoyable to us than your local amusement park. However not being able to do that, lack of shows/fireworks etc.... it's a much lesser experience. Add to that that there's really no benefit or reason to pay more expensive prices to stay onsite and yeah the values just not there for many.

I am not saying anything about value. I am stating facts. Magcibands are not going away. Luggage tags are not going away. Long lines happen in pre-covid times and in covid times and will happen in post covid times.

 

[brockash]

I am not saying anything about value. I am stating facts. Magcibands are not going away. Luggage tags are not going away. Long lines happen in pre-covid times and in covid times and will happen in post covid times.

I guess I thought you were because the person you quoted specifically said they didn't see the value in a trip in 2021 due to those things.

 

[Krandor]

I am not saying anything about value. I am stating facts. Magcibands are not going away. Luggage tags are not going away. Long lines happen in pre-covid times and in covid times and will happen in post covid times.

Agree with that but some things are going to change. I'm of the opinion that FP+ as we knew it isn't coming back and whatever replaces it will come with Genie and we'll have to wait and see what that looks like.

2021 will be interesting in seeing what "new normal" looks like but I do agree we will have magicbands (just not free), will have luggage tags, and will have some form of FP. Some things introduced or pushed during COVID like pushing more mobile ordering I think will continue to be pushed because there are advantages to them beyond just covid safety procedures.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Once upon a time (not that long ago) these things weren’t even perks anyway. Perks come and go.

We stay at Disney resorts because we love Disney resorts. Stayed at them long before EMH, FP+, magic bands, luggage tags or whatever. We bought into DVC because we like Disney resorts, not because of this temporary perk or that temporary perk.

From the late 90s to early 2000s EMH were a reasonably priced add on. Wasn’t expanded and included with your room until they needed to entice people back during the recession. Heck, I was surprised they kept EMH going for so long after that. It had really just been a promo to get people back on the tail end of the recession. Many times my sister and I stayed for those super late 2/3am EMH and there were only a handful of people in the parks by the end. Seemed ridiculous to have so many CMs working and so few guests there.

Since we just love Disney resorts, I can’t imagine booking a Disney resort solely for temporary things like included magic bands, luggage tags, etc. To each their own, I guess.

100% with you on this. We don’t really weigh on-site vs off, it’s just onsite or wait longer between trips for us. We don’t consider the value of each component, we just love the resorts themselves and being in the bubble and although we may be grumble if perks go they won’t sway us. It’s the feeling of the resorts. I think for my family we would feel like the trip was lacking if not at one of our favourite resorts.

I can appreciate its a completely different perspective and doesn’t matter as much when you go a ton and you aren’t really treating Disney like a whole resort vacation. For us, it’s too cost prohibitive to have shorter more frequent trips. We also have been visiting for decades and didn’t move onsite for any one of the perks in the first place. For that reason, we’d basically overlook the elimination of everything that is not the actual resort stay. Hope Disney isn’t listening .

I think the general public is not going to remember or care about the FP+ window, free vs minimal charge magic bands, or luggage tags being mailed.

 

[hertamaniac]

I think the general public is not going to remember or care about the FP+ window, free vs minimal charge magic bands, or luggage tags being mailed.

And that is exactly why they can do this as folks won't blink an eye (present company excluded, of course). So that begs the question, at what point will the general public start to notice these minor/major perks have gone MIA?

 

[rteetz]

I guess I thought you were because the person you quoted specifically said they didn't see the value in a trip in 2021 due to those things.

And that’s fine, I am not going to recommend everyone take a trip right now. I just wanted to point of that not everything they said was correct.

 

[Krandor]

And that is exactly why they can do this as folks won't blink an eye (present company excluded, of course). So that begs the question, at what point will the general public start to notice these minor/major perks have gone MIA?

The general public I.e. People who only come once every 3-4 years or for a "once in a lifetime trip" won't know they were ever there and will likely still say on-site for the theming and the experience of being inside the disney bubble.