If the "magic" isn't back by Fall 2021...

[JakeAZ]

Then profits are now officially more important than the guest experience.

We've all known for years that Disney will try to squeeze every last dime out of its guests, but (most) people were happy to pay it for the (sometimes) once in a lifetime experience. I have never had a problem paying a premium price for a premium experience.

I get not wanting to move too quickly, but other amusement parks (Universal namely), have been able to maintain or bring back quite a bit of what they had to shut down. Shows, more restaurants, EP lines, better hours, etc.

I see WDW has announced more hotels opening and more restaurants, but it's time to give us the details on what's really important to guests. The experiences people come to Disney for! When are they coming back? Just be honest. If it's not until 2022, tell us.

Numbers are falling, vacinations are rising. By the time Fall rolls around, everyone who wants a vaccine will have had numerous chances to get one.

Stop raising the prices on everything, while keeping the experience under lock and key.

Just for perspective. I am very much in favor of protections against the virus. I will wear my mask. I will give you your space. I am pro-vaccine. But at this point, we know so much more. Surfaces are safe. Outdoors is safer. The spread is down. Everyone has so much more info available to them in order to make a decision they are comfortable with.

I'm not necessarily saying they need to put the pedal to the metal tomorrow, but come on, give us a timeline.

Let's go.

 

[GBRforWDW]

There have been reports of lots of cast members getting call backs recently. Not sure what all this means, but hopefully that spells good news by the 50th anniversary, but maybe sooner, for a lot of things that have been missing. I really do hope everyone that is wanting to work can go back to work soon. I can't imagine what the last year has been like for those that lost jobs when things first shut down.

 

[FCDub]

This is still an unprecedented situation in modern American history.

 

[JakeAZ]

This is still an unprecedented situation in modern American history.

Agree. But just tell us what to expect. It’s not like these trips are cheap. Lots of us have credits that needed to be used, so postponing until Disney makes an announcement really isn’t an option.

 

[Nabas]

Then profits are now officially more important than the guest experience.

That's been true since 1984 when the last of Walt Disney's followers (Ron Miller) stopped running the company.

 

[JakeAZ]

That's been true since 1984 when the last of Walt Disney's followers (Ron Miller) stopped running the company.

True. But in the past, they at least tried to "justify" what you spent with lots to see and do.

However, right now they are charging more than what they charged pre-pandemic for a completely watered down experience.

They should be actively ramping up for the Fall / Winter right now. Think ahead, be ready! Maybe they are, but it doesn't seem like it.

Again, I get it. We are in a once in a lifetime (hopefully) situation. But science dictated precautions that needed to be taken. Science can also dictate when to loosen up.

Disney isn't alone in this thinking. Hawaii hotels desperately want people to come back, yet they sell too many rooms based on the staff they are willing to bring back and pay. The end result is a guest experience nightmare.

 

[Ursula J]

I would LOVE a timeline. They have to know more than they're saying, even about things like when the earliest date is that they'd cut social distancing or open a show. Honestly the changes without warning are so hard on all of us travelers, even when they seem positive. For example, someone in my June trip group won't go if masks are not required (definitely NOT here to debate that lol) because of her kids not being vaccinated yet.

 

[Nabas]

I would LOVE a timeline. They have to know more than they're saying, even about things like when the earliest date is that they'd cut social distancing or open a show. Honestly the changes without warning are so hard on all of us travelers, even when they seem positive. For example, someone in my June trip group won't go if masks are not required (definitely NOT here to debate that lol) because of her kids not being vaccinated yet.

Earlier this week, President Biden announced plans to get 70% of the population with at least one dose by July 1.

Consulting with local theme park operators, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said all restrictions will be lifted when 70% of the local population has received 1 dose and/or the positivity rate is under 5%. (At the time of this announcement, Orange County was at 44.5%.)

Disney is going to want fiscal year 2022 (which starts in October) to be a bumper year.

I suspect Disney is trying to get WDW back to normal (step by step) before the 50th anniversary celebration, October 1, 2021.

 

[Heather07438]

I’m thinking most of the same you are. I figure WDW is just waiting a bit longer that we see big drops come down in the numbers. That puts them in a better position to defend any negative press about planning to reopen stuff too soon.

In another few weeks they’ll have a lot more confidence in just how far they can go. It can’t be soon enough for guests with trips planned later this year, including us

 

[nivekious]

Honestly it's not even a matter of getting rid of precautions. Universal is able to have more things open and still have precautions. Disney is choosing to close things rather than open them at partial capacity for financial reasons. If they can open one show or restaurant with limited seating there is no safety reason they can't do the same for all other shows and restaurants, and the limited menus have nothing to do with safety.

 

[JakeAZ]

If they can open one show or restaurant with limited seating there is no safety reason they can't do the same for all other shows and restaurants

This 100%

and the limited menus have nothing to do with safety

Correct, just more cost cutting measures

 

[Nabas]

Correct, just more cost cutting measures

Just keep in mind that even with all those cost cutting measures, Disney's Park division lost $119 million last quarter.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Wait a minute! You mean businesses exist to turn a profit? Whoa whoa whoa don’t get all crazy on me.

 

[JakeAZ]

Just keep in mind that even with all those cost cutting measures, Disney's Park division lost $119 million last quarter.

Are there numbers out there for what just WDW did during the same time period? Or do they just group all parks (even those closed into the number)?

 

[Randy Miller]

Wait a minute! You mean businesses exist to turn a profit? Whoa whoa whoa don’t get all crazy on me.

I know! Imagine when I found out even “non-profits” really do make a profit!

 

[Brett Wyman]

Honestly it's not even a matter of getting rid of precautions. Universal is able to have more things open and still have precautions. Disney is choosing to close things rather than open them at partial capacity for financial reasons. If they can open one show or restaurant with limited seating there is no safety reason they can't do the same for all other shows and restaurants, and the limited menus have nothing to do with safety.

I think they are simply understaffed at the moment. And it seems like they are working to rectify that.

 

[JakeAZ]

Wait a minute! You mean businesses exist to turn a profit? Whoa whoa whoa don’t get all crazy on me.

Fair. But a business also needs the consumer needs to feel they are getting their money's worth, even if they aren't (stolen from another post on another thread here).

 

[Nabas]

Are there numbers out there for what just WDW did during the same time period? Or do they just group all parks (even those closed into the number)?

All parks.

I get where you are coming from but the people who run this look at it holistically. One part is doing bad? Someone else has to pick up the slack.

It's not fair to us, the customer, but it's what they do.

 

[JakeAZ]

I think they are simply understaffed at the moment. And it seems like they are working to rectify that.

They have access to just as much info as the CDC. An operation like this needs to ramp up in advance. They failed at that. If only they could see in advance how many people were planning on coming...

 

[Nabas]

Fair. But a business also needs the consumer needs to feel they are getting their money's worth, even if they aren't (stolen from another post on another thread here).

Just look at American auto manufacturers in the 1970s.

They lost customer focus and paid dearly for it.

Disney is smarter than that but still can take it a step too far and turn off customers. We will see.