Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TheMaxRebo]

FYI - Statement from Mears said they are looking forward to taking guest to all the area theme parks now and into the future

so maybe service exists and actually expands, just at a cost?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1348714573512130560

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

But I'm actually happy about the 30 minutes in every park, every day. I think it will spread people out. And for us specifically, we would just use it to wander and take photos before the masses come.

My fear with this is that you will be entering with the masses anyway. My thought is that a 30min difference is just going to create a rope drop part 1 and part 2.

There are a *lot* of people that will qualify for that 30min head start.

 

[Farro]

FYI - Statement from Mears said they are looking forward to taking guest to all the area theme parks now and into the future

so maybe service exists and actually expands, just at a cost?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1348714573512130560

I recall we used Mears bus in the 80s (as a kid) and when we went in 2000. I think we had to pay? But I'm not sure. I think the bus was yellow.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Absolutely, because there's nothing else like the WDW bubble. The thought of not staying in it depresses me. And I don't want to stay in a value or mod. First vacation in 2 years and I want deluxe.

I'm just hoping for a discount to keep my husband quiet. LOL

Totally depends on travel style. We go 4-5 times a year for long weekend or perhaps a longer trip at Christmas so it doesn't have to be deluxe every time. If it was only once a year or once every two years we wouldn't scrimp so I can see both sides of it.

 

[Farro]

My fear with this is that you will be entering with the masses anyway. My thought is that a 30min difference is just going to create a rope drop part 1 and part 2.

There are a *lot* of people that will qualify for that 30min head start.

Yes but it's spread across all 4 parks. And it's everyday. That will spread out a lot of people. People won't all feel the need to get to the one park that has early hours scheduled that day.

 

[Eric Smith]

Yes but it's spread across all 4 parks. And it's everyday. That will spread out a lot of people. People won't all feel the need to get to the one park that has early hours scheduled that day.

I think this effect can't be understated. We actually would actively avoid EMH parks because they would end up being the most crowded that day, especially for the morning EMH.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Totally depends on travel style. We go 4-5 times a year for long weekend or perhaps a longer trip at Christmas so it doesn't have to be deluxe every time. If it was only once a year or once every two years we wouldn't scrimp.

Yeah I wasn’t speaking for the masses. Also, most people don’t go 4-5 times a year.

 

[sullivan.kscott]

FYI - Statement from Mears said they are looking forward to taking guest to all the area theme parks now and into the future

so maybe service exists and actually expands, just at a cost?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1348714573512130560

Wonder if WDW would allow a "Knight Bus" wrap to show up at their resorts for WDW-UOR transport!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

My fear with this is that you will be entering with the masses anyway. My thought is that a 30min difference is just going to create a rope drop part 1 and part 2.

There are a *lot* of people that will qualify for that 30min head start.

but isn't it the same amount of people that qualify for EMH now? So you have the same # of people but now split amongst 4 parks instead of at just 1

So 50% cut in time but should reduce the # of people at each park by 75%, so still a 50% improvement, right?

 

[figmentfinesse]

with walls coming down...any shot Rat opens this month?

There was rumors of a soft open at the end of the month, but mixed feelings on whether or not that rumor had legs

 

[sullivan.kscott]

I know the original post poo-pooed the idea of PM hours, but what impact would an extra 30 min at night have at all four parks in a similar vein? If I could scan my MB/DME app and get in one more SDMT or FEA run before heading "home," like the prior EMH protocol of scanning to verify before entering an attraction line, that would be an appealing perk.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

but isn't it the same amount of people that qualify for EMH now? So you have the same # of people but now split amongst 4 parks instead of at just 1

So 50% cut in time but should reduce the # of people at each park by 75%, so still a 50% improvement, right?

If you assume a constant equal demand distribution across parks, which I don't think will happen.

It will likely result in a smaller rope drop rush (but twice each morning), however I do really think the benefit is far less with it only being 30min. You are probably at 2 headliners max if you really book it before the second wave gets to enter. Meandering around (which is awesome on empty ish mornings) would reduce that further.

It just isn't the same level of advantage as having a longer period of time between groups was.

 

[Devil13]

So is this the official end of any night magic hours?

Assume so, since I'm guessing there will be paid night events that will kick day guests out at 6PM and we'll see the likes of Valentines Day Party, St. Patrick's Day Party, 1st Day of Spring Party, 4th of July Party, Labor Day Party, June Party, Mickey's Not So Inexpensive Thursday Night Party, etc.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If you assume a constant equal demand distribution across parks, which I don't think will happen.

It will likely result in a smaller rope drop rush (but twice each morning), however I do really think the benefit is far less with it only being 30min. You are probably at 2 headliners max if you really book it before the second wave gets to enter. Meandering around (which is awesome on empty ish mornings) would reduce that further.

It just isn't the same level of advantage as having a longer period of time between groups was.

I agree it will be harder for most people to have that "meandering" time - it will be more about like that initial rope drop to get to one headliner and then time for a 2nd or at least to get in a short line for a 2nd

It also makes planning easier as don't have to match up the days you got to each park with the day they have EMH, now they all do every day, so more flexibility

I can totally see this being worse for some people, but can also see it being better for others

 

[SaintsManiac]

So is this the official end of any night magic hours?

Assume so, since I'm guessing there will be paid night events that will kick day guests out at 6PM and we'll see the likes of Valentines Day Party, St. Patrick's Day Party, 1st Day of Spring Party, 4th of July Party, Labor Day Party, June Party, Mickey's Not So Inexpensive Thursday Night Party, etc.

It was called After Hours and I’d pay for it in a heartbeat. Loved them.

 

[figmentfinesse]

I know the original post poo-pooed the idea of PM hours, but what impact would an extra 30 min at night have at all four parks in a similar vein? If I could scan my MB/DME app and get in one more SDMT or FEA run before heading "home," like the prior EMH protocol of scanning to verify before entering an attraction line, that would be an appealing perk.

I would absolutely love to be able to do that, but I'm angry because less than a year ago we had 2 hours to get plenty of rides in included in the ever-rising ticket prices.

Unfortunately for me and fortunately for them, I'm gonna keep coming back because the Disney bug firmly has its claws in me.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So is this the official end of any night magic hours?

Assume so, since I'm guessing there will be paid night events that will kick day guests out at 6PM and we'll see the likes of Valentines Day Party, St. Patrick's Day Party, 1st Day of Spring Party, 4th of July Party, Labor Day Party, June Party, Mickey's Not So Inexpensive Thursday Night Party, etc.

so we know this is the official end of EMHs - obviously the early ones were replaced by this Early Entry so theoretically the evening ones could get replaced by something else included with your stay ....

... BUT I think much more likely is what you are guessing, in that there will be after hours hard ticket paid events all year round

 

[Farro]

I agree it will be harder for most people to have that "meandering" time - it will be more about like that initial rope drop to get to one headliner and then time for a 2nd or at least to get in a short line for a 2nd

It also makes planning easier as don't have to match up the days you got to each park with the day they have EMH, now they all do every day, so more flexibility

I can totally see this being worse for some people, but can also see it being better for others

We are meanderers.

I foresee the return of a monetized fast pass to coincide with all of this - maybe throw in a couple free for resort guests.

That would really work out for us as we can schedule the biggies, then just "wander" aimlessly for 30 minutes.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I know the original post poo-pooed the idea of PM hours, but what impact would an extra 30 min at night have at all four parks in a similar vein? If I could scan my MB/DME app and get in one more SDMT or FEA run before heading "home," like the prior EMH protocol of scanning to verify before entering an attraction line, that would be an appealing perk.

Like the old evening EMH (not the really good ones that went until 3 AM, but the more recent ones), it probably wouldn’t do much in the way of low crowds it would just buy you extra time in the parks. I’d argue that with just half an hour you wouldn’t get much more out of it than jumping in that line right at normal closing.

But at the same time, I’d take whatever they want to give in terms of extending evening hours. Being in the MK for “free” until 3 AM was the best.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We are meanderers.

I foresee the return of a monetized fast pass to coincide with all of this - maybe throw in a couple free for resort guests.

That would really work out for us as we can schedule the biggies, then just "wander" aimlessly for 30 minutes.

you were who I was thinking of when I specifically said for "most" people to meander ... there will still be a special few