Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[andyman8]

though then seems weird to state it will be around for all of 2021 and then be ended. So they would keep it for what is (hopefully) the worst of times and then end it when things should be getting better?

Feels like more of a long term play than a "removing things until back to normal" thing

Because it’s a contracted service (and part of pre-sold vacation packages), they don’t have the flexibility to just end it like EMH. I don’t think - prior to the pandemic - they wanted to just straight up end the service (maybe start charging people, like the original proposal years ago) but I think they initiated the earliest possible exit they could. This also explains the sudden end of resort airline check-in and them ending their contract with BAGS, Inc. The financial fallout from all of this will definitely extend into 2022 and likely beyond.

 

[kylenne]

30 minute early entry won't really prove all that beneficial, will it? Sure, it'll spread resort guests across all four parks, but would likely only "benefit" one ride by the time you're through tapstiles and whatnot.

Pre Covid at least, 30 minutes made a huge difference at rope drop. Especially for 8 am openings. Every minute counts for stuff like Pandora. It could mean the difference between walking on FOP or ending up at the back of the pack waiting forever.

 

[mattpeto]

30 minute early entry won't really prove all that beneficial, will it? Sure, it'll spread resort guests across all four parks, but would likely only "benefit" one ride by the time you're through tapstiles and whatnot.

The have been allowing guests to enter the park early as it is. This isn't a huge win for the Bubble.

 

[corn princess]

And there goes DME. Certain TAs and blogs are reporting it’s ending on Jan 1, 2022.

I think — outside of complementary transportation — that’s one of the last resort benefits.

Lack of magical express might be what pushes us to staying off property every visit

 

[TheMaxRebo]

This is actually the way it worked years ago and I honestly prefer it. The only difference is 30 minutes now. Back in the day it was an hour but still all parks every day. EMH was so confusing and having to dodge certain parks or plan to hop, etc.

I'm normally a night owl and prefer staying out late in the parks but Disney is the one place I don't mind getting up early. I hope this offering is available by our May trip.

30 minute early entry won't really prove all that beneficial, will it? Sure, it'll spread resort guests across all four parks, but would likely only "benefit" one ride by the time you're through tapstiles and whatnot.

An hour would of course be better than 30 mins. BUT with it being for every park and every day, it really should minimize the # of people there for that period compared to the current morning EMH which is only one park

so even though only 30 mins you should be able to get through 1 or 2 headliners before the gates open to the peons. Almost the impact of giving on property guests 1 or 2 extra FPs

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The have been allowing guests to enter the park early as it is. This isn't a huge win for the Bubble.

yeah, but that is eveyrone allowed in early - this will be restrictive to only those on property so actually should be a pretty big impact, I think

 

[yulilin3]

From the official source:
Will Extra Magic Hours return?

The Extra Magic Hours benefit was suspended when the theme parks reopened in the summer of 2020, and as we continue to focus on managing attendance with health and safety top of mind, this offering will not return. However, we’re providing this new early entry benefit, which better spreads visitation across all four theme parks while providing added flexibility by giving Guests extra park time on the day and park of their choosing.


Will you offer extra evening access for Disney Resort hotel Guests?

This new benefit is for early morning entry only as it is designed to give Guests a jump start on their day at the theme parks.


What attractions and experiences will be available as part of the early theme park entry benefit?

We look forward to sharing more details at a later date.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I have to imagine that with the introduction of DME way back they saw an uptick in onsite stays but also guest spending onsite with fewer having their own vehicles.

Holding onto hope that in however many years it takes to return to normal they see value in bringing a similar service back.

 

[rteetz]

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2021/01/a-look-ahead-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[butterscotchcollins]

This is actually the way it worked years ago and I honestly prefer it. The only difference is 30 minutes now. Back in the day it was an hour but still all parks every day. EMH was so confusing and having to dodge certain parks or plan to hop, etc.

I'm normally a night owl and prefer staying out late in the parks but Disney is the one place I don't mind getting up early. I hope this offering is available by our May trip.

I'm also more of a night owl, I wish at least they would bring back the late hours. Also I imagine with the 30 minutes of early entry for hotel guests they'll stop operating the parks a full hour ahead of opening time as they do now?

 

[andyman8]

yeah, but that is eveyrone allowed in early - this will be restrictive to only those on property so actually should be a pretty big impact, I think

FWIW (I have this on no authority except my own personal speculation), I think this will eventually (we’re talking a while from now) get bumped out to an hour, but frankly, there aren’t enough Guests on property right now to justify it.

If the rumors from a few weeks ago are correct, we’re not necessarily talking about the whole park but really “select” attractions. The scope of “select” can obviously change depending on resort occupancy.

 

[kylenne]

I'm also more of a night owl, I wish at least they would bring back the late hours. Also I imagine with the 30 minutes of early entry for hotel guests they'll stop operating the parks a full hour ahead of opening time as they do now?

It'll be really interesting to see how this impacts rope drop. I'd have to imagine wait times would go down considering not everyone would be able to take advantage of this, as opposed to now with these unofficial early openings where everyone can

 

[andyman8]

And we now go to UOR (who restarted its Resort Guest Early Entry, which runs for one hour, when it reopened) for live reaction to today’s news:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1348679255874531332

 

[TikiTikiFan]

No more Magical Express? That really stinks. For folks traveling alone, it was a really safe way to get to and from the resort.... I’m a single mom and do the trips alone with my son and that was one of the things I really liked switching from DL... to have the transportation all figured out.

 

[butterscotchcollins]

And we now go to UOR (who restarted its Resort Guest Early Entry, which runs for one hour, when it reopened) for live reaction to today’s news:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1348679255874531332

Gotta say, UO is looking more and more like they're going to be getting my Disney Dollars in the future...

 

[mattpeto]

No more Magical Express? That really stinks. For folks traveling alone, it was a really safe way to get to and from the resort.... I’m a single mom and do the trips with my son and that was one of the things I really liked switching from DL... to have the transportation all figured out.

There's something to be said about DME about the peace of mind part of it.

I'm guessing (and hoping) that Disney will have some sort of paid arrangement to get the guests to their resorts and parks.

 

[gottalovepluto]

And there goes DME. Certain TAs and blogs are reporting it’s ending on Jan 1, 2022.

I think — outside of complementary transportation — that’s one of the last resort benefits.

OMG WHAT?!!! This is crazy stupid of Disney. That thing kept people inside the Disney bubble really well.

And to me it confirms resort airline check in will never return. Dang.

 

[TikiTikiFan]

There's something to be said about DME about the peace of mind part of it.

I'm guessing (and hoping) that Disney will have some sort of paid arrangement to get the guests to their resorts and parks.

Plus it made it just feel extra magical... as first timers we were just giddy using our Magic Bands in the airport and getting on the Disney themed busses. My son was SO excited. Definitely much more exciting than just grabbing an Uber.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I think the worst thing about this announcement is no more late night extra magic hours.

I loved being in the parks after midnight, but now I can't imagine regular late night hours ever again.

Epcot always closes at 9 unless it's a holiday.

I can maybe see MK do 10 pm closes.

AK 8 pm probably.

DHS not sure, but certainly not after midnight.

 

[Brianstl]

30 minute early entry won't really prove all that beneficial, will it? Sure, it'll spread resort guests across all four parks, but would likely only "benefit" one ride by the time you're through tapstiles and whatnot.

Yeah, in my opinion this doesn't really offer enough to make up for the loss of DME to keep the bubble as attractive.