Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Mit88]

Happy new year, everyone. We did it. Covid is gone....throw out those masks, get close enough to smell a strangers armpits

wait, I’m hearing reports that changing to a new year didn’t really do anything.

But at least we get Park Hopping back. Baby steps and eventually we will get the full, or close to WDW experience back

 

[Mit88]

So apparently they did fireworks according to some on FB. Can anyone confirm?

On the resort TVs

 

[mshanson3121]

On the resort TVs

There are photos of live ones, someone said at Epcot. But are these actually on Disney property or just visible?

 

[skeeter31]

There are photos of live ones, someone said at Epcot. But are these actually on Disney property or just visible?

They’re just visible from surrounding areas. I was looking at Twitter and people were posting panoramics of the entire area. No Disney fireworks except for on TV. But I’m not there, so not sure. Here in Tampa is sure looks like Disney outside with the amount and quality of fireworks going off!

 

[mshanson3121]

They’re just visible from surrounding areas. I was looking at Twitter and people were posting panoramics of the entire area. No Disney fireworks except for on TV

Lots of arguing going on Some swearing they're Disney's, others saying just what you did.

 

[skeeter31]

Lots of arguing going on Some swearing they're Disney's, others saying just what you did.

Yeah. It wouldn’t surprise me to see someone who lives very close to Disney property going all out on fireworks purchases this year just to be compared to the park fireworks and have this happen!

 

[Mit88]

There are a lot of people and places shooting off fireworks tonight. I can hear people shooting some off as I type this. It’s probably either someone that lives close to Disney, behind Epcot, or Sea World. If it were Disney, we’d know for certainby now.

 

[cristen72]

I’m currently sitting on my balcony at the GF looking at space mountain and the Contemporary. We saw fireworks in the distance.

 

[Mit88]

There’s a video from the website that can’t be named showing guests in the hub at MK counting down to midnight and cheering. Did they really let guests stay in the park until Midnight? Or did the guests choose to do it at like 10pm. There looks to be a couple hundred partaking in the countdown

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Seaworld was having fireworks tonight...

From their website

Celebrate New Year’s Eve safely at SeaWorld Orlando on Dec. 31 with limited capacity and enhanced safety procedures. Take in our spectacular fireworks display from a variety of physically distanced viewing areas available around the park.

 

[Mit88]

It looks like the did allow guests to stay in the park until midnight. And as expected, they did not surprise them with fireworks. I really hope CMs don’t get bombarded with complaints after they had to stay late for guests to stick around for something Disney flat out told them wasn’t happening. Obviously this happens on any typical night where park closing doesn’t mean everyone needs to run to the exit. But this just seems different. Let the CMs go home

 

[TheMaxRebo]

There’s a video from the website that can’t be named showing guests in the hub at MK counting down to midnight and cheering. Did they really let guests stay in the park until Midnight? Or did the guests choose to do it at like 10pm. There looks to be a couple hundred partaking in the countdown

I saw posts that they were clearing the queues so if you were in line somewhere before 11 you could still ride so that took a bit of time. And then they started closing down areas once guests were gone, etc.

So they didn't like throw people out at 11 but the park starting shutting down then for sure, just takes time

 

[Mit88]

I saw posts that they were clearing the queues so if you were in line somewhere before 11 you could still ride so that took a bit of time. And then they started closing down areas once guests were gone, etc.

So they didn't like throw people out at 11 but the park starting shutting down then for sure, just takes time

Absolutely. Just like any other day. For some reason I figured they were going to try and clear the park out quicker tonight to avoid crowding from people inevitably staying expecting fireworks, and thus avoiding confrontations with guests about the fireworks those guests rightfully deserve as a part of the Disney Constitution

 

[xuxa777]

thinking the fireworks were at the Four Seasons or one of the nearby hotels

 

[StarGirl11]

There’s a video from the website that can’t be named showing guests in the hub at MK counting down to midnight and cheering. Did they really let guests stay in the park until Midnight? Or did the guests choose to do it at like 10pm. There looks to be a couple hundred partaking in the countdown

Can confirm was at the hub last night. Main Street was open until midnight. Park closed at 11 so it wasn’t unusual. As soon as midnight hit everything closed up shop like normal since that was an hour after the closure.

Not sure how many were there. Actually funny enough you should mention 10 pm see below.

I saw posts that they were clearing the queues so if you were in line somewhere before 11 you could still ride so that took a bit of time. And then they started closing down areas once guests were gone, etc.

So they didn't like throw people out at 11 but the park starting shutting down then for sure, just takes time

Cant speak for all the rides but I know they were letting people into the Space Mountain queue right until 11.

Admittedly there were several walk ups that probably didn’t need.

No fireworks though. Sea world did have some though. Friend live-streamed the show.

Absolutely. Just like any other day. For some reason I figured they were going to try and clear the park out quicker tonight to avoid crowding from people inevitably staying expecting fireworks, and thus avoiding confrontations with guests about the fireworks those guests rightfully deserve as a part of the Disney Constitution

Probably because quiet a number had already left even before 11. Space Mountain was at a 25 minute wait at 10:30. Also they did what sounded like a false NY announcement around 10 (I say sounded like because I had a hard time hearing it). So I think people started clearing out then because that.

No fireworks like mentioned. Did get a Long Kiss Goodnight about two minutes after midnight. But that’s the closest to anything special happening.

 

[andyman8]

There are photos of live ones, someone said at Epcot. But are these actually on Disney property or just visible?

These were not Disney — no one seems to be sure where exactly they were coming from (they were too close to be SW); I’m guessing one of the nearby resorts did them. Some of them do special fireworks every year.

I’m still confused why anyone would expect fireworks from Disney/MK last night. Disney repeatedly said that wasn’t happening and, generally speaking, Disney doesn’t “lie” or surprise with big things like that. The fact that they left the Main Street shops open until 12am (following usual protocol) was a nice gesture in and of itself. I know many CMs and management would’ve preferred to have the whole park cleared by midnight so everyone could go home.

 

[mshanson3121]

These were not Disney — no one seems to be sure where exactly they were coming from (they were too close to be SW); I’m guessing one of the nearby resorts did them. Some of them do special fireworks every year.

I’m still confused why anyone would expect fireworks from Disney/MK last night. Disney repeatedly said that wasn’t happening and, generally speaking, Disney doesn’t “lie” or surprise with big things like that. The fact that they left the Main Street shops open until 12am (following usual protocol) was a nice gesture in and of itself. I know many CMs and management would’ve preferred to have the whole park cleared by midnight so everyone could go home.

The poster who shared the pics wasn't expecting them, but shared it as an"OMG! They surprised us and did them anyways!"

Countless people chimed in and said there WEREN'T Disney fireworks but she refused to believe otherwise. Admins finally pulled the post.

 

[andyman8]

The poster who shared the pics wasn't expecting them, but shared it as an"OMG! They surprised us and did them anyways!"

Countless people chimed in and said there WEREN'T Disney fireworks but she refused to believe otherwise. Admins finally pulled the post.

I didn’t see the post so I can’t speak to that in particular, but yesterday it did seem like a number of Guests were expecting something special, which is what my comment was focused on (just based on overheard conversations and some social media posts). Apologies for any confusion.

 

[princesscinderella]

We are here at old key west and we could hear so many loud fireworks nearby but we were in the room in our pajamas so we couldn’t see where they were coming from but there were definitely a ton of fireworks in the area.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Speaking of free magic bands, I put an order in back in July for our trip coming up and just got a shipping email this morning. Now let’s see if they are all green like I ordered or grey.