Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[DGsAtBLT]

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?

I don’t think they will, TBH. I think the general public likely looks at the core experience of staying at a Disney resort (the resort, transport to the parks, a vacation package, the real basic basics) and decides if it fits in their budget or not.

How many never even took advantage of things like FP booking?

 

[hertamaniac]

I don’t think they will, TBH. I think the general public likely looks at the core experience of staying at a Disney resort (the resort, transport to the parks, a vacation package, the real basic basics) and decides if it fits in their budget or not.

I agree with you. A nickel here, a dime there for a WDW vacation probably doesn't show up as a blip on the typical family budget radar. Meanwhile, Disney managed to cut the costs effectively with little/no repercussions.

 

[Krandor]

I don’t think they will, TBH. I think the general public likely looks at the core experience of staying at a Disney resort (the resort, transport to the parks, a vacation package, the real basic basics) and decides if it fits in their budget or not.

How many never even took advantage of things like FP booking?

I was talking to somebody at the bar just the other day who said last time they went to disney (and stayed on-site) they didn't even think about looking at FPs until about a week out and then found out they couldn't get any of the big rides. That is probably very common.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

Well here's one "every 3-4 year" family who knows those things were there, who doesn't like the increasing cost/decreasing value, and and prefers off site...

But then again, I'm here so.... I probably don't count as general public.

I agree, most once in a life timers probably won't know the difference, and the every 3-4 year onsite folk will probably know the difference, but not necessarily care.

That said, I'll bet there will be some that when combined with the loss of other perks, having to buy several MBs could add up to enough of an expense that they might care, and it might sway them off site. When your last trip a few years ago was $150 per night, and this trip is $180 per night AND you now have to pay for parking AND you have to pay for MBs and so on... and you're on a budget... suddenly that $100 per night hotel room that offers a free breakfast and even has a bigger room starts to look more appealing.

 

[gottalovepluto]

NBA G League to Begin Season in “Disney Bubble” at Walt Disney World

Disney nerds across America: BUT WHERE ARE THEY STAYING?!!!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I was talking to somebody at the bar just the other day who said last time they went to disney (and stayed on-site) they didn't even think about looking at FPs until about a week out and then found out they couldn't get any of the big rides. That is probably very common.

Before Covid it had been around in some fashion for 20ish years and people still don’t know it’s free (or was ).

I would guess two of the big drivers for offsite vs onsite are price in general, and then more specifically the cost of getting large spaces on property vs off. They can probably move outliers with more specific perks, but I’m guessing it’s not the majority.

 

[rpb718]

I'm really hoping they do roll out Genie sometime in 2021. I'm just really curious about it (and I want them to work out all the glitches before planning our next visit).

 

[Krandor]

Well here's one "every 3-4 year" family who knows those things were there, who doesn't like the increasing cost/decreasing value, and and prefers off site...

But then again, I'm here so.... I probably don't count as general public.

I agree, most once in a life timers probably won't know the difference, and the every 3-4 year folk will probably know the difference, but not necessarily care. That said, I'll bet there will be some that when combined with the loss of other perks, having to buy several MBs could add up to enough of an expense that they might care, and it might away them off site. When your last trip a few years ago was $150 per night, and this trip is $180 per night AND you now have to pay for parking AND you have to pay for MBs and so on... and you're on a budget... suddenly that $100 per night hotel room that offers a free breakfast and better room starts to look more appealing.

Yeah, you are not "general public" in my mind.

And that is totally fair. Obviously right now is not "normal" by any stretch so we are going to have to wait and see what "new normal" looks like and especially what happens when Genie rolls out. Very possible genie is going to have on-site perks... we just don't know yet.

I'm going down next Friday for what would have been marathon weekend and still saying on-site since that was my original reservations. If I was booking a trip from scratch for Q1/Q2 this year I'd at least consider off-site under current circumstances. If my next trip is marathon weekend 2022 I'd probably still do on-site for race weekend transportation.


For a trip today the benefit of on-site vs off-site is not clear cut at all. What will it looks like Q3/Q4 2021? THAT is the question.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Disney nerds across America: BUT WHERE ARE THEY STAYING?!!!

And Canada .

Yeah NBA yay, I’ll never watch a game but can someone tell me what resort I’ll catch a glimpse of when watching players I’ve never heard of on YouTube?

 

[mshanson3121]

Before Covid it had been around in some fashion for 20ish years and people still don’t know it’s free (or was ).

I would guess two of the big drivers for offsite vs onsite are price in general, and then more specifically the cost of getting large spaces on property vs off. They can probably move outliers with more specific perks, but I’m guessing it’s not the majority.

Cost and nicer/bigger accomodations are a big factor. But overall, for us (and many other off-siters I've seen online), there are so many various factors, but they really all boil down to it being a more relaxing vacation.

And I agree... I really don't know what they could offer that could really compete with that?

 

[rpb718]

Disney nerds across America: BUT WHERE ARE THEY STAYING?!!!

They're not going to install the blue fencing again somewhere are they?

 

[mshanson3121]

Yeah, you are not "general public" in my mind.

And that is totally fair. Obviously right now is not "normal" by any stretch so we are going to have to wait and see what "new normal" looks like and especially what happens when Genie rolls out. Very possible genie is going to have on-site perks... we just don't know yet.

I'm going down next Friday for what would have been marathon weekend and still saying on-site since that was my original reservations. If I was booking a trip from scratch for Q1/Q2 this year I'd at least consider off-site under current circumstances. If my next trip is marathon weekend 2022 I'd probably still do on-site for race weekend transportation.


For a trip today the benefit of on-site vs off-site is not clear cut at all. What will it looks like Q3/Q4 2021? THAT is the question.

I am very anxious to see Genie as well!

 

[Farro]

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.

Hi! we are the every 3-4 year people who will ALWAYS stay on-site.

 

[Krandor]

They're not going to install the blue fencing again somewhere are they?

You never know...

Seriously since this is g-league they'll likely use some resort that isn't open yet. G-league players won't complain.

 

[Heather07438]

They're charging $5 for the plain MBs now (which are $15 in the park) and still shipping free.

I get it. Was a nice gesture when WDW packages are already quite pricey; another chip at the guest.

But if you really need them or enjoy getting them, $5 is adding .0725% to the cost of a $7k pkg. Not life changing either way- $5 or free.

 

[brockash]

Disney nerds across America: BUT WHERE ARE THEY STAYING?!!!

That was my first question lol.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I was contemplating offsite just to save money and because of the lack of perks, but after 2 years without vacation I don’t care anymore. My kid wants Beach Club and I love the location so much. It makes my heart lift just thinking about walking around there.

 

[jade1]

Eventually the only "free" perk you'll have is a room to sleep in.

Free Resort rooms? Can't wait.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Free Resort rooms? Can't wait.

The bed is an upcharge though

 

[jade1]

The bed is an upcharge though

I'll bring a blow up for a free BC room.