Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Eric Smith]

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

I just think they don't want to pull the rug out from under anyone who already booked.

 

[Eric Smith]

I saw this on Instagram and came straight here .

We are unlikely to head back in 2021 unless something drastic changes, with Disney forcing our hand to rent a vehicle that removes one of our biggest excuses for not finally trying out Uni for a day or two to see HP. Blessing in disguise maybe.

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

 

[gottalovepluto]

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

I would think it is being kept for the duration of the Mears contract. Jan 1 date would make sense for a contract like that to end.

 

[Moliphino]

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

But demand for that will skyrocket when DME is gone.

 

[MrsBooch]

I can't wait to take my son to Universal in 2023 while we stay on our DVC points and drive our rented car.

I need to start playing the HP movies on a loop to get him reprogrammed....

 

[MrsBooch]

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

I almost guarantee, due to the increased demand, that uber and lyft will be in surge pricing during the majority of arrivals and departures out of MCO. So I'm not sure how convenient or money saving it will actually be - not to mention It's not extremely convenient when you have to lug a car seat/booster seat or multiple, around.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

For sure, if you’re still staying on site it’s an easy solution. We’ve done that before and it’s roughly an extra $90-100 (roundtrip) for a not great experience. And you’d be shocked how many people don’t feel comfortable taking them. We are fine for the most part but I’ll be honest, FL Uber drivers are something else haha.

But if no DME forces people off-site they’re better off renting a car to get around and not calling an Uber 2x a day to get to and from the parks, at the very least.

 

[jschlaud]

DME being cut is very disappointing. Sure, Uber/Lyft is fairly easy for adults/older kids, but now I have to lug car seats along with strollers and luggage which is a huge pain.

 

[andyman8]

There are rumors floating around elswhere that Mears’ situation (who operates DME) may be driving this - perhaps Mears will be filing for bankruptcy, etc. It sure seems like another Disney cutback, but maybe it has more to do with Mears.

Maybe Disney will start and operate their own (likely paid) service at some point. Maybe.

That’s exactly what I was thinking, this might be Mears issues.

I don’t know. People said the same thing when they stopped the luggage delivery: it may be a problem with BAGS and not Disney. But then we see BAGS still operating services at tons or Orlando hotels (and, in some cases, expanding service).

Mears is a huge company in Orlando, and while I’m sure business is hurting, I can’t seem them cutting off their relationship with one of their biggest’s clients (Mears also partners with Disney for taxi services, group transportation, etc).

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

Not when you need multiple car seats as many families do. You might get a ride share with one car seat but you’ll never get two. You either need to lug the car seats with you and check them or rent them with the car. And car rental places often can’t guarantee rental car seat availability and they can be pretty bad quality and condition (from unfortunate experience.)

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I don't know which I dislike more, the lack of evening EMH or the death of Magical Express.

We loved evening EMH and staying in the park super late is a favorite thing to do of ours. Magical Express is great because it is so easy. With the prices deluxe rooms command now, they really do seem to be stripping away the benefits.

To be honest, will it change my visiting habits? No. Probably not. However, I am pretty salty about it. If I am dropping $500+ on a hotel room I really would appreciate not having to deal with ubering to/from the airport. I'm hoping that a paid option comes around. Ideally one where you don't have to stop at other resorts on the way. I would be open to that.

This is pretty sad news, though.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Ubers are not that cheap from the airport especially if you’re factoring in a family of 5 or more. Then you’re in the XL pricing. Add in a car with booster or car seats if you aren’t traveling with that.

I hope they replace this with something else. I never thought they’d discontinue this service.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Not entirely sold on this 30 minute thing being a “perk.” I think it could be, but will need to see reports. I’m already having a hard time convincing my husband to stay on-site in November.

 

[hereforthechurros]

I just can’t imagine paying deluxe prices for what you get anymore. Which is a bummer because we love some of them. Change is fine, but they keep cutting without replacing + costs keep going up. Again we’ll be in economic recovery for years, this isn’t like once everyone is vaccinated a switch will flip so not sure what their plan is for getting bookings up with less offerings. Especially while Disney as a whole is doing fine monetarily. I know parks are struggling but they’re not doing themselves any favors either. It’s just a huge turn off.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

https://blogmickey.com/2021/01/room...-contemporary-resort-beginning-in-april-2021/

Sitting in the Contemporary right now. This has been our first stay here; we've been here to eat and look around countless times. We like the location, but the room (10th floor TPV) was only okay. I definitely think it needs sprucing up. I'm not used to seeing ceiling panels at all, def not in any houses around where we live. They look cheap and dirty to me, so it's very strange seeing them all over a deluxe resort. I'm also glad my brother isn't with us, bc he'd probably come close to bumping his head, especially in the bathroom - why are the ceilings so low?! The rooms are showing their age in a way we've never experienced at the Poly (I'm sure theming doesn't help).

 

[rpb718]

Remember it's "baby steps". The baby has a tendency to fall down - a lot - early on. However, this time it hurt itself on something and is back to just crawling.

I'm thinking of eventual folks from overseas that rely 100% on DME and park transportation to get around. Some countries have different traffic patterns or norms quite different than ours, so driving here would be a challenge.

As for EMH, for us if it's not PM it's not on our radar. Others revel in rope drop and love the early morning, it's just not for us.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

From Disney "We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day. "

Anyone who still has expectations there will be something good at Disney for the 50th... just write "hopes and dreams" on a piece of paper and throw it in your trash can.

We are booked for the 50th at the Contemporary and it is $$$ on those room rates. We've already discussed that if the "celebration" is watered down enough, we will cancel and go to Aulani instead or something.

It is such a shame because I have always wanted to be there for the 50th, but I feel like almost every week it seems something else is taken away and things are more expensive than they have ever been.

& I'm probably what a lot of people would consider a Disney apologist, so it is pretty wild that even I am starting to find my breaking point. I hope at some point we start gaining enough new things to feel like we are offsetting some of what was lost.

 

[hereforthechurros]

We are booked for the 50th at the Contemporary and it is $$$ on those room rates. We've already discussed that if the "celebration" is watered down enough, we will cancel and go to Aulani instead or something.

It is such a shame because I have always wanted to be there for the 50th, but I feel like almost every week it seems something else is taken away and things are more expensive than they have ever been.
& I'm probably what a lot of people would consider a Disney apologist, so it is pretty wild that even I am starting to find my breaking point.

All depends on your loyalty to WDW I guess. We love visiting WDW for the winter climate and the convenience. Our love of Disney is secondary to that. We travel enough to know there’s fun to be had elsewhere for the same price (or less) if they’re going to remove the convenience aspect. It will 100% change our visiting habits.

 

[tink2424]

All of my trips to WDW as an adult have been onsite except for my last trip which was in September 2020 where I stayed off site. I was lucky enough to have a friend gift me her timeshare points so I was able to stay in 2 bdrm villa for a week for $300 and since there were no fastpasses at Disney it really made sense...

With all this news of the perks being stripped away I doubt I will stay on-site at Disney again. There really is no reason to pay the exorbitant prices for no real extras. I will rent a car and stay at a hotel or timeshare that doesn't charge me for parking. I think a lot of people will be soured on Disney and staying onsite. I hope it shows that them the guest experience is very important and if you can't supply it then people aren't going to pay.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Taking an Uber or Lyft from the airport to property is pretty convenient and it'll save you a lot of money compared to renting a car.

Tough when you've got 4 kids (3 who need car seats). I often see families with 3+ kids in the parks, so I know we're not alone. Admittedly I've only taken an Uber using a car seat a handful of times, but each time has been a hassle (having to wait for them to retrieve the seat from the trunk and actually install it). And I've never had one with more than 2 car seats available (we had to wait a while for it, too).