I give up - going to pack it in for now

[epcotty]

i agree. sadly this is what chapek's disney probably will always look like, i don't expect otherwise

 

[JimYvette]

The current recommendations and guidelines pertaining to social distancing, mask wearing make it almost impossible to open and run a theme park. Disney is only doing what they can in the current climate. I’m sure they fully understand that they’re upsetting a lot of people and turning a lot of people away. Unfortunately, that is what they have to do at this time. They are going to have the advantage of watching what happens at Universal and Sea world to see what they do right and wrong. As time goes by and restrictions are eased and even lifted things will change in the theme parks as well. They have over 40 days before they’re set to reopen and a lot can change in that time. In their releases they even acknowledge that fact by using words such as “temporarily”. We just need to give it time. You have to start somewhere.

 

[mjr0483]

The current recommendations and guidelines pertaining to social distancing, mask wearing make it almost impossible to open and run a theme park. Disney is only doing what they can in the current climate. I’m sure they fully understand that they’re upsetting a lot of people and turning a lot of people away. Unfortunately, that is what they have to do at this time. They are going to have the advantage of watching what happens at Universal and Sea world to see what they do right and wrong. As time goes by and restrictions are eased and even lifted things will change in the theme parks as well. They have over 40 days before they’re set to reopen and a lot can change in that time. In their releases they even acknowledge that fact by using words such as “temporarily”. We just need to give it time. You have to start somewhere.

I am not applauding or beating up Disney for this. This is just what they need to do at this time.
My point was with the current offering, as much as I would love to visit right now. It just isn't the right time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Don't people realize that the entire point of Disney's decisions and safeguards is so that fewer people show up to the parks and resorts? It's purposely designed to deter a large portion of people who would generally come to the parks. Disney isn't going to give deals or discounts or be overly accommodating (at least, to show up during this time period) because it is limiting capacity. The worst thing that could happen is having another breakout, which would cause everything to close down again.

I agree. This may be a time when Disney sees what happens without the freebies and discounts vs. profits. Lower attendance usually means lower staffing meaning lower costs.

 

[hillg1868]

This bob Chapek character does not inspire confidence in who is steering this ship. What a mess , we have been 15 times and I am seriously considering never returning - there is a whole world to explore

You got to also understand Bob is inheriting an unknown and uncontrollable dumpster fire. Riddled with M-80s that explode every random 5 minutes. Its like you taking over chernobyl whilst trying to make money from bleeding millions over 3 months...blind folded (have i made enough analogies?) Plus the unknown of the CDC and GOD AWFUL ( mean really really awful) guidance on what to do with this G.D. virus. Does it respond to chlorine? Hot/humid heat? Does it transfer easily on biodegradable non-gmo agave straws? Who knows cause again, the guidance is pitiful. I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE to the Nth degree what Disney has done for their "magical mitigation" (to not sound like a Karen). *inhales*
I have a trip in september and every time new news comes out I want to go less and less and less. Reserve a spot for going INTO a park? NOPE
Mask in FL heat and humidity? NOPE (call me an a** for not wanting to 'protect others' i really dont care at this point)
cancelling really everything we focus on going to WDW for...meet and greets, character dining, Food and Wine, shows, fireworks, parades...probably closing some rides.
What is the point? What are you going for at this point? Display your etsy shop mask? Or to be betrated by a cast member for taking it off to get air and dry out 3/4 of your face cause youre sweating profusely...i sweat just standing outside.
I am more ticked off (i guess thats what it seems at this point) that my son cannot meet mickey, get a hug from goofy, or smile at chip & dale.
I get what disney is up against, stock holders, bankers, bottom lines. They have sacrificed all but their first born to save their amusement park division of the corporation. Its a business man's nightmare, i get it, business 101 really.
At this point though great they are opening (fantastic, more tourists traveling means my job is closer to being secure), those that want to go, GO! i hope it is a great time. For me, its a NO, its sad. To me, the mitigation, separation, closing, checking, it all defeats the idea of getting away from reality for what WDW is for. I go to not be reminded of the reality of the real world. The mitigation efforts, YES are needed for WDW to be open, make a dollar, get people back to work, but remind this WDW regular of the negativity that lays outside of those purple signs.

 

[Canooknic]

My family is clearly not 'the norm'.
Yes, wearing masks is an inconvenience, but we'll be wearing them wherever we are through the summer anyway!

We don't ever do the dining plan (we don't eat enough to justify the cost), we don't stay for fireworks, haven't met any characters for the last few visits, the only reason I like the parades is because we can get on ride faster, we never have breaks or resort days so don't care if the pools aren't open.....this awful situation has basically created my ideal trip with less people than I could ever have dreamed

 

[Disney Bubble Lover]

I completely understand not wanting to pay full price for a diluted experience! The only thing that would keep me hanging on to still making the trip would be experiencing Disney with really low crowds.

We’ve done a ton of character dining and meet and greets and my kids have now grown to the age where rides are their favorite. If there was a good chance that we could have an all day experience similar to an after hours paid event where we could walk around without crowded walkways and short waits for almost every attraction I would still go for that unique experience. Unfortunately that is not guaranteed either and with so many other unknowns it would be hard to justify spending the money for the modified experience.

For all of you who do keep your trips I hope Disney finds some way to add in a little extra magic wherever possible to help make up for the lost experiences and that you’re able to make some fun and unique “modified” Disney memories.

 

[Amy&Dan]

My family is clearly not 'the norm'.
Yes, wearing masks is an inconvenience, but we'll be wearing them wherever we are through the summer anyway!

We don't ever do the dining plan (we don't eat enough to justify the cost), we don't stay for fireworks, haven't met any characters for the last few visits, the only reason I like the parades is because we can get on ride faster, we never have breaks or resort days so don't care if the pools aren't open.....this awful situation has basically created my ideal trip with less people than I could ever have dreamed

I hope it works out for you! There is always someone who new rules and policies work for, I suspect many others feel just as you do.

As long as you can get a reservation into a park, which given the amount of people cancelling may not be an issue.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

What people fail to realize, lower crowds do not correlate to shorter lines or shorter wait times. Disney will be staffing accordingly and most rides are going to be running at reduced capacities. They do this all the time, and I would not anticipate anything less during this phase of their opening either. Less people riding a ride at 40% capacity is not better than a 9 or 10 park day with the ride running at 100% capacity.

 

[Indio]

My family is clearly not 'the norm'.
Yes, wearing masks is an inconvenience, but we'll be wearing them wherever we are through the summer anyway!

We don't ever do the dining plan (we don't eat enough to justify the cost), we don't stay for fireworks, haven't met any characters for the last few visits, the only reason I like the parades is because we can get on ride faster, we never have breaks or resort days so don't care if the pools aren't open.....this awful situation has basically created my ideal trip with less people than I could ever have dreamed

This is US!! We don't do the dining plan, don't meet characters, only watch the parades in passing and we have a pool at home so for us, we're looking forward to seeing what "low crowds" look like. We're scheduled for 7/18-7/25 and still going. NOT looking forward to wearing masks (we hate them) but we'll deal if we have too. Also, we have been working every day through the whole quarantine mess so we are more than ready for vacation - regardless of what it looks like. We can make fun out of most experiences! Bring it on!!

 

[parasail_of_congress]

What people fail to realize, lower crowds do not correlate to shorter lines or shorter wait times. Disney will be staffing accordingly and most rides are going to be running at reduced capacities. They do this all the time, and I would not anticipate anything less during this phase of their opening either. Less people riding a ride at 40% capacity is not better than a 9 or 10 park day with the ride running at 100% capacity.

I suppose you could be right, but I seriously doubt there will be three-hour waits on rides even if the parks are at 30-40 percent capacity.

 

[dismom58]

I know Disney World is like Pizza. When it's good, it's good and when it's bad, it's still pretty good.

But Disney World costs way more than a pizza.

I had an April trip, rescheduled to July, and just received the sorry we canceled your plans email.
One part of me wants to still try to go, but the realist in me is saying, just pack it in. It's just not worth it.
With the laundry list of things closed and not knowing what kind of luck you will need to get a reservation along with getting dining reservations.
As if planning a Disney World trip wasn't stressful enough, now this?

Oh and to wear a mask all day in Orlando July heat. That alone should be a pass.
I know there are people still itching to go and will enjoy the cheapened experience, but I think I am done until this looks more like the old normal, no matter how long that takes.


No water parks
No EMH
No Park Hopping
Reduced Hours
No Parades
No Fireworks
No shows
No Fast Pass+ (Well this one might actually be a good thing)
Reduced transportation

You forgot no dining plan and no guarenteed entry or tickets before 60 days

 

[zebrastreyepz]

Don't people realize that the entire point of Disney's decisions and safeguards is so that fewer people show up to the parks and resorts? It's purposely designed to deter a large portion of people who would generally come to the parks. Disney isn't going to give deals or discounts or be overly accommodating (at least, to show up during this time period) because it is limiting capacity. The worst thing that could happen is having another breakout, which would cause everything to close down again.

They've done a bang up job of it! Hope they can recoup some of the good will when they WANT the parks full again!

 

[mjr0483]

What people fail to realize, lower crowds do not correlate to shorter lines or shorter wait times. Disney will be staffing accordingly and most rides are going to be running at reduced capacities. They do this all the time, and I would not anticipate anything less during this phase of their opening either. Less people riding a ride at 40% capacity is not better than a 9 or 10 park day with the ride running at 100% capacity.

I totally agree. Lower capacity crowds may not translate to lower wait times. But who knows maybe the virtual queueing will work wonders and maybe people will still wait, just outside the line. And when the line does form it will be a social distance. So it will take much longer to load. The Disney mantra, fill in all the available space and that little hand wave forward like a drill Sgt move move move. This will result in much slower loading times. And when people are standing on top of you and practically get in your speedway car as you are trying to get out. All of this will change. Good luck everybody.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I'm out as well. Disney had me at mask required because who can tolerate a mask in the summer for 12+ hours? My August Land & Sea trip is on the brink of being canceled once DCL extends the dates. I look forward to getting back once things have calmed down and returned to normal. It is a great opportunity for locals though! There are just too many changes in the parks to justify a trip right now.

In the meantime...maybe I'll explore a trip to Aulani.

 

[tnolan]

I know Disney World is like Pizza. When it's good, it's good and when it's bad, it's still pretty good.

But Disney World costs way more than a pizza.

I had an April trip, rescheduled to July, and just received the sorry we canceled your plans email.
One part of me wants to still try to go, but the realist in me is saying, just pack it in. It's just not worth it.
With the laundry list of things closed and not knowing what kind of luck you will need to get a reservation along with getting dining reservations.
As if planning a Disney World trip wasn't stressful enough, now this?

Oh and to wear a mask all day in Orlando July heat. That alone should be a pass.
I know there are people still itching to go and will enjoy the cheapened experience, but I think I am done until this looks more like the old normal, no matter how long that takes.


No water parks
No EMH
No Park Hopping
Reduced Hours
No Parades
No Fireworks
No shows
No Fast Pass+ (Well this one might actually be a good thing)
Reduced transportation

Don't forget the new mask requirement. Now required for age 2 and up instead of 3 and up. They make it awfully hard to want to go, and we been going there over 20 yrs.

 

[brockash]

What people fail to realize, lower crowds do not correlate to shorter lines or shorter wait times. Disney will be staffing accordingly and most rides are going to be running at reduced capacities. They do this all the time, and I would not anticipate anything less during this phase of their opening either. Less people riding a ride at 40% capacity is not better than a 9 or 10 park day with the ride running at 100% capacity.

Exactly...wait times are not going to be shorter...if anything they'll be longer. Disney's not bringing back their full staff...not even close they're going to do the bare min. with the bare min. Anyone buying into the low crowds thing is just fooling themselves. Now, walkways should be more pleasant, but not wait times.

 

[Amii]

Exactly...wait times are not going to be shorter...if anything they'll be longer. Disney's not bringing back their full staff...not even close they're going to do the bare min. with the bare min. Anyone buying into the low crowds thing is just fooling themselves. Now, walkways should be more pleasant, but not wait times.

I wonder how many of these cutbacks are due to the fact that Disney doesn't know how fast they will be able to get enough employees back. They cancelled the International Program and furloughed their park employees. I am sure at this point they do not know how many will return or how quickly they can get them back. I think Disney had more time to figure it out until Universal unveiled their plan and Disney is scrambling to try to open Disney World ASAP.

 

[nwcutie]

We cancelled our November trip. Too little value for too much $$, and no guarantees. We went in 2009, 2013, and 2014 and had a great time but decided to wait a few years while we went other places. Last fall, we decided to go back to WDW. But now? No.

It looks like we will keep exploring until (when/if) Disney gets it together. If the unbridled pursuit of profit and descent into greed continues, we will just stay happy with our memories and continue to go other places and have other experiences. I'm grateful for the family fun we had there, but not willing to sully those memories.

 

[cakebaker]

I'm grateful for the family fun we had there, but not willing to sully those memories.

The trick is to get out before that happens, so smart move. It’s one of the reasons we chose not to go. If it’s a last trip, and honestly, who knows when, if ever, Disney will return to what it used to be, I don’t want it to be under these conditions.

I can’t imagine never going back, but I couldn’t imagine what we’re dealing with now either.