July 2021...so really...where are we at this point capacity-wise?

[cbonewjersey]

I ask here, because I trust my DVC colleagues more than anyone.....here we are...months after the mask mandate is dropped...but no TIW, no dining plan (yay), no FP, now charging for magic bands.....but where are we in terms of capacity? It was one thing to be at 50% in parks and restaurants, and have no FP, but now?? It sounds like we're full, or almost full? I'm at BLT in August and just wondering, are we in no-mans land? Super crowded and no tool to manage it? And finally, here's why I ask....i use ************ for ADRs...it's pretty good. Well, a few days ago, I had an open alert for Oga's Cantina....and it went crazy....dozens of reservations opened up...my phone beeped all night for 2 nights. August 3, 6, 8, 9...whatever you wanted. It seemed like Disney just released it. is that because we are expanding to pre-covid capacity?

 

[UrsulaWantsYourSoul]

I'm guessing you meant park capacity instead of point capacity? I'm very curious too! And yes if they are back to normal capacity (and no masks required) I hope a few more things return to normal. Fireworks is a great start!

 

[Sandisw]

Most recent rumors I have seen is maybe getting around 65% capacity in the parks.

 

[CarolynFH]

As College Program CMs and recalled/new hire CMs come on board and are trained, capacity increases. They can staff more restaurant tables, run more ride cars, clean more rooms, etc.

 

[chrish2]

Does Disney need 100% capacity (and therefore 100% operating cost) before international tourism returns?

 

[kilik64]

Capacity and actual attendance are two different things. No one knows what actual 100% for Mk is but estimates put it at 100k. Avg attendance is around 60k. So if they really are at 65% we are back to normal to your typical day attendance.

 

[LPnerd]

Does Disney need 100% capacity (and therefore 100% operating cost) before international tourism returns?

funny you mention this. I just read an article in Le Monde talking about the only Europeans wanting to travel is to visit family they haven't seen in almost 2 yrs. No one will be cleared to travel here and back unless they have the time to quarantine , complete with ankle bracelet, for 10-14 days, depending on country.

 

[Brian Noble]

Does Disney need 100% capacity (and therefore 100% operating cost) before international tourism returns?

This cuts both ways. Many international visitors won't be coming to the US (and hence Orlando), but many US residents who might normally have traveled abroad are looking for domestic trips in their stead. For example, my daughter and I were originally planning to visit TDR (and maybe HKDL or SDR) last summer. It looks to be at least 2022 before that trip is even possible, and we have other international trips planned for that year already.

 

[LPnerd]

it's interesting to see how people who take covid seriously have adapted , adjusted, and planned accordingly.

 

[kes601]

We were just there for 17 days. We also visited at the same time period a couple of years ago for 16 days. Attendance felt pretty much the same between the two trips. We’ve also been there the week between Christmas and New Years. The crowds during the two summer trips are NOWHERE NEAR where they are during that busy week. So, as others said….capacity limits and actual people there don’t go hand in hand. I’d guess they are saying they are limiting capacity to 65-70%, but in reality the attendance levels are at their average for this time of year.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

July 4 weekend looked about like every other July 4 weekend I've ever been to. I was at Epcot, but pictures from MK Sunday night reflect about the same thing.

We all have to remember that the parks are rarely ever at 100% capacity. 100% of a 70% capacity is still a helluva lotta people.

 

[kristenabelle]

This cuts both ways. Many international visitors won't be coming to the US (and hence Orlando), but many US residents who might normally have traveled abroad are looking for domestic trips in their stead. For example, my daughter and I were originally planning to visit TDR (and maybe HKDL or SDR) last summer. It looks to be at least 2022 before that trip is even possible, and we have other international trips planned for that year already.

We're in the same boat! We had a Shanghai/Tokyo trip planned for 2020, and now it'll be delayed until 2023. We didn't plan any domestic trips for next year initially, but now we are

 

[The Jackal]

We were just there for 17 days. We also visited at the same time period a couple of years ago for 16 days. Attendance felt pretty much the same between the two trips. We’ve also been there the week between Christmas and New Years. The crowds during the two summer trips are NOWHERE NEAR where they are during that busy week. So, as others said….capacity limits and actual people there don’t go hand in hand. I’d guess they are saying they are limiting capacity to 65-70%, but in reality the attendance levels are at their average for this time of year.

For example the MK has a maximum capacity, I have seen 2 numbers for it, 100,000 or 110,000. So 65% of that is between 65,000-71,500 people. Back in 2019 the MK on average day had around 56,000 people per day. Yes a few days they maxed out, but most days they were under maximum capacity. So on an average day, the MK and the other WDW theme parks capacity is above their 2019 average, so if it feels like the same crowd size, it probably is pretty close.

 

[Stargazer65]

I'm guessing you meant park capacity instead of point capacity?

I think what they are saying is "Where are we at this point?" as the question. Then the subject of the question would be "capacity-wise" (for example a rephrase might be "In terms of capacity, where are we at this point?')