Don't worry . . . DVC and Disney will be open this summer

[Mickey of the Villages]

The best minds in the industry are working hard right now to figure out how to safely open the resorts and parks. From March 15 to June 1 is 75 days - 75 days for these best minds to watch the curve flatten and gain a better understanding of what is involved in safely opening. If these folks cannot do that in 75 days and with the kind of financial pressure they are under then we've got bigger problems to worry about. For all of you out there with anxiety about whether the parks will open this summer or on June 1st . . . they will.

Let's say the park opens and only one family is allowed to enter - we'd all agree that it would be safe. Two families still safe. One hundred families, still safe. Ten thousand families . . . mmmm probably risky. So that's it, Disney has got to figure out the number between one hundred families and ten thousand families.

This is very doable as long as we are okay with everything looking a little different: no fireworks, no parades, no character meet and greets, . . . and temperature screens, masks for everyone, hand washing everywhere, and much much fewer guests.

For a moment imagine you are Bob Iger and you are responsible for an asset that generates $30 million a day in revenue. You find a way to use that asset safely.

So buy your sunscreen and get those FPs ready cause it's about to get fun and interesting.

 

[kboo]

I'm not sure I will be one of the first families there, but here in NYC we sure would like something to look forward to.

 

[mort1331]

And this is why the usa is going to have this virus so much longer than the rest of the world...take the time and the large pain and struggle now..and we will all be safer later.
We will not visit usa for at least a year. I will lose my dvc money before I will lose my families health.

 

[cvjw]

Our state is starting to open up Friday, and I can’t wait. Everyone still needs to be smart and take precautions, but it is time for life to go on for those who wish to venture out. Those that don’t can still safely shelter in place.

 

[lawboy2001]

Thank you for your calm, rational, and positive post! The key is....the parks will open early this summer, with whatever changes are necessary to do so safely. And we just need to prepare for how the experience will be different. No doubt many will not want to go that soon, but that doesn't mean the parks won't open, it just means those who are concerned won't be among the guests.

 

[xuxa777]

The best minds in the industry are working hard right now to figure out how to safely open the resorts and parks. From March 15 to June 1 is 75 days - 75 days for these best minds to watch the curve flatten and gain a better understanding of what is involved in safely opening. If these folks cannot do that in 75 days and with the kind of financial pressure they are under then we've got bigger problems to worry about. For all of you out there with anxiety about whether the parks will open this summer or on June 1st . . . they will.

Let's say the park opens and only one family is allowed to enter - we'd all agree that it would be safe. Two families still safe. One hundred families, still safe. Ten thousand families . . . mmmm probably risky. So that's it, Disney has got to figure out the number between one hundred families and ten thousand families.

This is very doable as long as we are okay with everything looking a little different: no fireworks, no parades, no character meet and greets, . . . and temperature screens, masks for everyone, hand washing everywhere, and much much fewer guests.

For a moment imagine you are Bob Iger and you are responsible for an asset that generates $30 million a day in revenue. You find a way to use that asset safely.

So buy your sunscreen and get those FPs ready cause it's about to get fun and interesting.

Come June 1st, the curve most likely will be non existent

 

[lawboy2001]

So buy your sunscreen and get those FPs ready cause it's about to get fun and interesting.

I'd love to! I hope the borders are open by then!

 

[The Prophet]

How will guests feel paying a premium price for a experience that will be of lesser quality?

Will Disney employ "mask police" to make sure you are wearing yours when the temperature and humidity are both over 90?

The Bob's (Iger and Chapek) have their work cut out for them

 

[lawboy2001]

How will guests feel paying a premium price for a experience that will be of lesser quality?

Will Disney employ "mask police" to make sure you are wearing yours when the temperature and humidity are both over 90?

The Bob's (Iger and Chapek) have their work cut out for them

If the parks are at 25% capacity, I would consider it a fair trade-off for the removal of entertainment. It would be like trips in the 80s before the parks were packed with people -- you could take a pic in front of the castle with....NO ONE ELSE IN THE FRAME (yay, no more photo bombers!)....you could take a pic up Main Street with only a few dozen people in the frame.

And yes, I expect there will be mask police if masks are required.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

Denial is the first phase of the grieving process. Many posters have already moved on to phase 2 - anger. Some are already at phase 3 - bargaining. (I’ll sue Disney). Whatever is on the other side of this will be very different. But we will get through this.

 

[artesian]

How will guests feel paying a premium price for a experience that will be of lesser quality?

Will Disney employ "mask police" to make sure you are wearing yours when the temperature and humidity are both over 90?

The Bob's (Iger and Chapek) have their work cut out for them

And therein lies my conflict. Do I really want to pay premium to have a reduced experience? 1/2 attractions closed maybe no Epcot? Talked it about with DW last night and yes we would go but if it's a limited experience I don't think we will want to spend the $$$. Frontier's change policy is going to force me to go to Orlando but I get the feeling we will be heading elsewhere for a nice quiet vacation

 

[Simba's Mom]

Will Disney employ "mask police" to make sure you are wearing yours when the temperature and humidity are both over 90?

Sorry, but this may happen. Where I live it was 98 degrees on Sunday, and it is currently 88. We're the third most humid city in the US, way ahead of Orlando. Yet we have "mask police"-signs at the entrance to almost every store that you aren't allowed in without a mask, and I've seen it enforced by employees and yes, the police.

 

[Mickey of the Villages]

I don't think there will be mask police but I would expect CMs to remind folks to wear a mask. I would also expect that you must have a mask on to enter the park, ride any attraction, and eat in any restaurant. Will they ask you to leave if you take your mask off while you're sitting on a bench? Maybe. If that's the policy then abide by it or don't go.

 

[heynowirv]

Sorry, but this may happen. Where I live it was 98 degrees on Sunday, and it is currently 88. We're the third most humid city in the US, way ahead of Orlando. Yet we have "mask police"-signs at the entrance to almost every store that you aren't allowed in without a mask, and I've seen it enforced by employees and yes, the police.

Good,as it should be.

 

[erin1715]

I’m curious how they are going to limit the amount of visitors? If they reduce daily capacity by a lot, are people going to have to show up hours before park open to get a chance at admission? If I bought tickets ahead of time and couldn’t use them based on reduced capacity, I would be fuming.

 

[WeatherLights]

Where do you think the costs associated with having the parks open break even with the revenue generated form having them open with a cap on attendance? Can Disney turn a profit at current prices with attendance reduced to 25% capacity? That's certainly going to be part of the equation in determining park opening date.

 

[Donna M]

I’m curious how they are going to limit the amount of visitors? If they reduce daily capacity by a lot, are people going to have to show up hours before park open to get a chance at admission? If I bought tickets ahead of time and couldn’t use them based on reduced capacity, I would be fuming.

They have closed the parks when they reached the limit already. They have a plan in place. The problem could be like you mention, where too many people arrive early creating a mass gathering. Maybe they institute fp++, to gain entry to a park, lol. Wouldn't that be fun, more planning! Lots of unhappy people!

Getting rid of those ridiculous dated tickets might be a result of limiting capacity.

 

[DougEMG]

Assuming Disney opens with reduced attendance levels and other restrictions, there are a lot of things they could do to mitigate some of the pain.

If reducing park capacity is a requirement, then increase park prices. For example, if capacity has to be halved then double park tickets.

Limiting admission could be done similarly to the way they do prioritize now when parks have to shut down to maximum capacity. So you could restrict when people could first enter. Priority could be Disney hotel/DVC guests only in the first hour the park opens, annual pass holders in the 2nd hour the park opens, etc. Then stop admission when you reach park capacity.

I'd still go under conditions like this and would consider lower attendance a fair trade off for higher prices and reduced entertainment.

 

[MrsBooch]

Denial is the first phase of the grieving process. Many posters have already moved on to phase 2 - anger. Some are already at phase 3 - bargaining. (I’ll sue Disney). Whatever is on the other side of this will be very different. But we will get through this.

when do we all get to elevated enlightenment phase?

 

[MICKIMINI]

Similar to a major holiday, the parks will close the gates when they reach "capacity", whatever it might be. At some point during the day they may allow more guests entrance as others leave. We have never been denied entrance and have visited at Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day on past trips, but we knew we had to be there for rope drop and when we left for the day, that was it. It certainly will make PH's less popular for the duration...