Does ANYONE know??

[tiana1989]

Like others have said, nobody knows. Disney leadership also probably doesn’t know for sure, even if they have internal goals. Some of this stuff requires more planning on their end, like with BBB they’ll have to re-hire and possibly hire and train new CMs for this, so it won’t be overnight. But a lot of their Covid announcements to the public have been pretty last minute, probably so they have the flexibility to reverse course in case anything changes. This whole pandemic has been unpredictable, and with the holidays coming up, I wouldn’t be surprised if they hold out on masks and other changes until after they see how the country does with any holiday surges and child vaccinations. It was pretty hard on both guests and CMs with the ping-ponging mask policy over the summer, so they might want to avoid that and wait until they feel more confident that it’ll stick if they drop masks again. Plus with the labor shortages, even when they want to reopen things like BBB, they might not be able to for a while.

In terms of advice for your trip, if those are absolute dealbreakers for you, you can always wait and see if there are changes by the first of the year. I don’t know what your travel plans entail (like nonrefundable flights), but Disney lets you cancel up to 30 days before check-in. Otherwise you might want to either do Disney another time and enjoy Universal (Hogwarts is still a castle!!), or look up the offerings at Disney that are currently available and plan some fun alternatives!

 

[TwoMisfits]

When the mask requirement indoors will be dropped?

When BBB will reopen?

When our kids can give Mickey a hug and high five again??



I'm incredibly frustrated at the lack of information; we are not even given an off-ramp goal list or timeline!

We have the Grand Floridian booked in February and I am giving serious consideration to cancelling and rebooking at Universal (for a fraction of the price!)

Fundamentally, I don't understand how Disney can "train" us and expect such diligent planning yet give us zero information or timeline or even an expected framework for such major components of a Disney vacation.

Like a PP, I would also recommend you follow your own advice. It will make for a happier, less stressed wait for your vacation.

 

[happybear025]

Like others have said, nobody knows. Disney leadership also probably doesn’t know for sure, even if they have internal goals. Some of this stuff requires more planning on their end, like with BBB they’ll have to re-hire and possibly hire and train new CMs for this, so it won’t be overnight. But a lot of their Covid announcements to the public have been pretty last minute, probably so they have the flexibility to reverse course in case anything changes. This whole pandemic has been unpredictable, and with the holidays coming up, I wouldn’t be surprised if they hold out on masks and other changes until after they see how the country does with any holiday surges and child vaccinations. It was pretty hard on both guests and CMs with the ping-ponging mask policy over the summer, so they might want to avoid that and wait until they feel more confident that it’ll stick if they drop masks again. Plus with the labor shortages, even when they want to reopen things like BBB, they might not be able to for a while.

In terms of advice for your trip, if those are absolute dealbreakers for you, you can always wait and see if there are changes by the first of the year. I don’t know what your travel plans entail (like nonrefundable flights), but Disney lets you cancel up to 30 days before check-in. Otherwise you might want to either do Disney another time and enjoy Universal (Hogwarts is still a castle!!), or look up the offerings at Disney that are currently available and plan some fun alternatives!

Thank you for your reply. None of those things individually are deal breakers, it is more the combination of all of those in relation to the cost of the rooms. It has been a bucket list to stay at GF and, although I was holding out hope these months would see the certain things returning, I think I'm seeing the reality that we need to explore other options and save our first GF stay for a future timeframe.

Thank you for the detail about cancellation tho! That is very helpful

 

[Sakurachaek]

Oh ok, it’s just they protect people from… y’know…dying? If they get rid of masks they’ll have to do vaccine for entry like at Universal Studios Hollywood.

 

[mshanson3121]

Nm

 

[Weedy]

Oh ok, it’s just they protect people from… y’know…dying? If they get rid of masks they’ll have to do vaccine for entry like at Universal Studios Hollywood.

We’re talking Florida …. The Rules are Different Here
This is an old advertising tag line

 

[LSUmiss]

I’m annoyed with the no character hugging. It’s fine to postpone trips or not go, but what sucks is this is just dragging on. Kids don’t stay young forever. My DS keeps asking why he can’t hug them. I’m afraid this will drag on past the age that he even wants to hug them. It’s getting ridiculous. Face characters are one thing, but the others are probably more protected that anyone.

 

[HopperFan]

When the mask requirement indoors will be dropped?

When BBB will reopen?

When our kids can give Mickey a hug and high five again??

Based on what you are looking for and your time frame - I would cancel and rebook elsewhere.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

We're going in December regardless of policy changes. We'll follow the rules and have a great time regardless of what they are. Would be nice for the kids to hug characters but they'll still be excited to see them if they can't hug.

 

[Sakurachaek]

well sea world, universal Florida and legoland and Buschgardens have been no masks since they dropped them in summer and no major issues.
[/QUOTE]
But there’s no track and trace so how would you know if there were issues

 

[CBMom01]

well sea world, universal Florida and legoland and Buschgardens have been no masks since they dropped them in summer and no major issues.

But there’s no track and trace so how would you know if there were issues
[/QUOTE]
I also don’t know about the volume and population density in those parks. It could be - I would venture to say - the calculus is different at Disney.
I do wish Disney would say something like “we do not expect to change mask policy in next 6 months” or some such. That way people who feel this strongly about masks can just stay away.

ETA: That’s very weird formatting. Now sure how to fix it

 

[rstevens333]

Unfortunately, if the past couple years have taught us anything, it's that you can't count on people to inconvenience themselves for the safety of others without rules and mandates.

Hopefully, kids getting vaccinated will get us to a point where masks are more optional.

 

[HopperFan]

Unfortunately, if the past couple years have taught us anything, it's that you can't count on people to inconvenience themselves for the safety of others without rules and mandates.

Hopefully, kids getting vaccinated will get us to a point where masks are more optional.

And this is probably the number one thing Disney is watching, data from the success of this.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Why do people care if anyone wears a mask anymore universal is packed and no one wears a mask. I assume it’s the same people you see who drive with a mask.

 

[kimwoje]

I am guessing no more masks indoors by March. I don’t think that everyone paying top $$ for the Galactic Starcruiser will be willing to wear masks through their entire experience. I know I won’t and will definitely cancel our June Starcruiser trip if there is still a need for masks indoors. I think a lot of others would also.

 

[OhBother1984]

I am guessing no more masks indoors by March. I don’t think that everyone paying top $$ for the Galactic Starcruiser will be willing to wear masks through their entire experience. I know I won’t and will definitely cancel our June Starcruiser trip if there is still a need for masks indoors. I think a lot of others would also.

Probably soon and def by end of year , but that’s just my vote.