Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[hereforthechurros]

Peoplemover's refurb extended through Feb 28th

An entire extra month? Yeep!

 

[TikiTikiFan]

Possibly but I will tell you that when I went to Disney the first time as an adult in the early 2000s I only stayed on site due to the perks. I stayed at a value resort because I couldn't afford the more expensive hotels and if they didn't have the perks I wouldn't have stayed on-site as I could have gotten a cheaper room and rented a car and still came out ahead.

I do think Disney will have a problem filling all of their hotels rooms without some serious perks. There is just too much competition and lets face it - the Disney transportation has not improved over time but gotten worse. So it isn't as much of a value for people as it was in the beginning.

We did our first trip in November (normally DLR folks) and I just wanted to stay on-site to be in the bubble! That’s something we don’t really get at DLR and usually we stay off-site there. So for us, that was a big deal and didn’t mind the loss of perks. Although resort package delivery being gone bugged me. I would have spent more money in the parks if they wouldn’t have removed it! Wish they’d bring that back, seems like a relatively easy thing to do compared to the bigger perks.

Hard to say what will happen long term but I’m sure Disney knows more than we do on what impact removing the perks will have on the guest capacity at resorts. I did look into off-site for our summer trip but just seemed too much hassle because I don’t want to drive anywhere on my vacation. But not everyone is like me.

 

[Tiki Birdland]

E stop on the people mover is different than many other rides. The system runs on magnets and when it stops it can still rock between magnets. Even before the closure the bumping or crashing as some want to call it is rather normal. Even CMs from the attraction will say such.

Those bumps were definitely more than a magnet's length apart. Interesting that they don't employ a magnetically actuated brake on the cars. Interesting fact: Houston's Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has a "people mover" in its basement to shuttle passengers between terminals. It uses the same linear motor technology. Never saw them bump into one another

 

[Brianstl]

That is how I see it as well - even from comments from some people here. If you are staying deluxe, yeah those perks were nice, but it was more about the amenities at the resort and the quality of them and the location of them relative to the parks (e.g., walk to EPCOT)

whereas for the mods and especially the values (which there are a ton of rooms when full open) if you are on a smaller budget, deciding to pay the extra to stay on property vs off, those perks weigh more as otherwise the location and resort amenities aren't that different than staying at many off property places

We have only stayed at the deluxe resorts. The perks like the booking windows and DME were why we stayed on site. You got to remember the price difference between a Disney deluxe and comparable off site accommodations is far greater that those that exist for the values and mods. Those perks were a big thing with us looking into buying DVC.

As it stands now, we will be staying off site and DVC is definitely off the table. There is no way I can justify the price differences anymore. I, also, can't justify a DVC purchase anymore. Those long term cost savings on both direct and resale purchases disappear when you compare the cost to the off site properties we would be staying at.

 

[rteetz]

Those bumps were definitely more than a magnet's length apart. Interesting that they don't employ a magnetically actuated brake on the cars. Interesting fact: Houston's Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has a "people mover" in its basement to shuttle passengers between terminals. It uses the same linear motor technology. Never saw them bump into one another

That peoplemover was designed by WDI.

 

[tink2424]

We did our first trip in November (normally DLR folks) and I just wanted to stay on-site to be in the bubble! That’s something we don’t really get at DLR and usually we stay off-site there. So for us, that was a big deal and didn’t mind the loss of perks. Although resort package delivery being gone bugged me. I would have spent more money in the parks if they wouldn’t have removed it! Wish they’d bring that back, seems like a relatively easy thing to do compared to the bigger perks.

Hard to say what will happen long term but I’m sure Disney knows more than we do on what impact removing the perks will have on the guest capacity at resorts. I did look into off-site for our summer trip but just seemed too much hassle because I don’t want to drive anywhere on my vacation. But not everyone is like me.

There definitely is something to be said for the Disney bubble. And I mostly enjoyed my stays on property but after staying off-property this time I think it will take a lot to get me back. I can easily save a lot of money and use ride share (so I don't have to drive if I don't want to) and still spend a lot less than staying on site. Furthermore with the fact that they are moving towards more ticketed parties with smaller attendance I may just go to those in order to get my Disney fix in. Or possibly if they have paid fastpasses I can do that. If all else fails maybe I will just save my money and do 1 or 2 days of a VIP tour so that I can get on all the headliners.

My point is just that I think a lot of people saw the value of staying on site with the extra hours, the magical express, free DDP and the FP window and that allowed Disney to grow into the large amount of hotels they have on-site. Without having some serious perks why wouldn't people take their money elsewhere? Or possibly just choose to have less days on-site? I think Disney will regret this if they don't add more back in. But I could be wrong and I fully admit that others may feel differently.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1354917635117510656

 

[Farro]

Wasn't sure which thread to

https://twitter.com/x/status/1354917635117510656

Completely repeating myself, but it's just what I do...

I'm sure we all knew this, but I read that travel agency letter and I say as soon as CDC changes to recommended for masks Disney will drop requirement.

 

[Farro]

Super curious as to the refurb schedule for 2021 - any word anywhere? Besides People Mover, Train and Jungle Cruise...

 

[rteetz]

Super curious as to the refurb schedule for 2021 - any word anywhere? Besides People Mover, Train and Jungle Cruise...

General refurbs always pop up. What and when will come when we get closer to them. There aren’t any further rooms of any big ones.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Super curious as to the refurb schedule for 2021 - any word anywhere? Besides People Mover, Train and Jungle Cruise...

Have we heard any timing for JC refurb?

 

[rteetz]

Have we heard any timing for JC refurb?

No

 

[rpb718]

Have we heard any timing for JC refurb?

Other than a reference to it being in 2021 - no start date.

 

[princesscinderella]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1354917635117510656

This makes complete sense to keep the masks right now, even if vaccinated. There’s not enough of the population who have gotten it yet to drop the mask requirement. It would be abused by those saying they have been vaccinated when they have not, just to not wear a mask. It would undermine all the Disney safety protocols.

 

[Farro]

oh my god....I need news and rumors....give me something good....even a Friday news dump...

gah....

 

[TheMaxRebo]

oh my god....I need news and rumors....give me something good....even a Friday news dump...

gah....

I got a promotion at work ...

... oh, you meant Disney related

 

[Farro]

I got a promotion at work ...

... oh, you meant Disney related

I'll take that! Congratulations!

 

[SMRT-1]

oh my god....I need news and rumors....give me something good....even a Friday news dump...

gah....

You could start some rumors about Ryan, since he'll no longer be wielding the Ban Hammer.

 

[mattpeto]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1354971852934885378

Filming a commercial for Remy’s in mid February. This attraction is primed for a March opening.

 

[skeeter31]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1354971852934885378

Filming a commercial for Remy’s in mid February. This attraction is primed for a March opening.

That does look like it could signal a late March/early April opening. Have to think the commercial won’t start airing immediately after filming, probably will take a couple of weeks before it hits the airwaves. Then is it a “coming soon” type of ad or a ”come see it now” type? That will be the determining factor, but we should have a firm opening date once this commercial airs.