My two cents.

[mchouse]

I know I am comparing apples to oranges or maybe a tangerine to an orange. But Universal seems to have their stuff together when it comes to reopening. Disney seems tentative and disorganized coming out with new rules every other day. Universal came out with a very simple and concise plan and opened the gates. I'm sure Universal is just as concerned for their guest as Disney but it seems that Universal isn't over thinking it and maybe Disney is. What are the capacities being allowed for theme parks at this time in Florida?

 

[yulilin3]

As per phase 2 state guidelines some venues can operate at 50% some can open with no restrictions
The parks, well universal right now, has not said what their capacity limit is. But that are obviously not concerned with hitting it since they didn't implement a reservation system.
Sea world's reservation system opens tomorrow for a reopening on Thursday

 

[Wild4Walt]

To a certain degree I think this highlights the complexity of being Disney. Loews ultimately would make the decisions for the hotel portion, Disney decides for the hotels as well. Universal has opened with some basics which I think they may modify as they see what works and what doesn't. Disney may be able to loosen some restrictions and the situation evolves. I'd also think the NBA and Soccer thing is playing a factor as well. I'm excited to see how this goes for both organizations.

 

[glocker]

Truth told, though I am frustrated with Disney's communication wing, and some of the decisions they are making, I feel much better with how they are handling this as it pertains to guest safety. The first AP preview days at Universal were a disaster (if you watch the vlogs). Not enough staff, lack of social distancing signage on some rides, inconsistency all around. Disney prides themselves on being...well, Disney. They want to make sure they get this right, not as much before they open, but at "rope drop" on day one.

 

[mchouse]

Points well taken. I'm also curious to see when Disney will open up enough to make it attractive to out of state and also overseas customers. Because the way it looks for the next few months I'm guessing that few will want to spend that kind of money on about 50% of the amenities offered. Also, have they said anything about the monorail running. I'm assuming with social distancing that that it won't.

 

[yulilin3]

Points well taken. I'm also curious to see when Disney will open up enough to make it attractive to out of state and also overseas customers. Because the way it looks for the next few months I'm guessing that few will want to spend that kind of money on about 50% of the amenities offered. Also, have they said anything about the monorail running. I'm assuming with social distancing that that it won't.

Monorails and ferry will be operating

 

[yulilin3]

Truth told, though I am frustrated with Disney's communication wing, and some of the decisions they are making, I feel much better with how they are handling this as it pertains to guest safety. The first AP preview days at Universal were a disaster (if you watch the vlogs). Not enough staff, lack of social distancing signage on some rides, inconsistency all around. Disney prides themselves on being...well, Disney. They want to make sure they get this right, not as much before they open, but at "rope drop" on day one.

I was at universal first day on preview and I know some had a bad experience, I was there at rope drop and other than waiting a long time for food at noon, it was great and they definitely learned from previews (the whole point of previews) and are doing much very now
Disney is obviously a much bigger company but they've had almost 3 months to figure out reopening, and I agree that lack in communication is the biggest issue

 

[samsteele]

Curious if Universal could/would launch a free dining program this fall. They don't have the numerous venues that WDW has, but if they pulled in most of the City Walk 3rd party restaurants, their upscale hotels and even pushed guests to take a day with SeaWorld to eat in their venues, it would disperse hotel guests and be a coup. Big question is whether it would turn a profit for Universal and be worth it. Definitely would be an attention grabber. And definitely would turn heads of some unhappy WDW free dining guests. Just an out of left field spec.

 

[osufeth24]

Truth told, though I am frustrated with Disney's communication wing, and some of the decisions they are making, I feel much better with how they are handling this as it pertains to guest safety. The first AP preview days at Universal were a disaster (if you watch the vlogs). Not enough staff, lack of social distancing signage on some rides, inconsistency all around. Disney prides themselves on being...well, Disney. They want to make sure they get this right, not as much before they open, but at "rope drop" on day one.

And the first day at Disney Springs when World of Disney opened was a complete disaster as well, did you see the pics of all the people just huddled around WoD waiting to get in? People were waiting in line for over a hour, to be able to get in the virtual line that was almost a 6 hour wait at one time. It'll be the same at disney the first day they open I bet. It's brand new procedures for everyone.

I was at Universal Thursday and it was fine. People kept away and staff did a great job making sure everyone was complying

 

[ClapYourHands]

I was at Universal Thursday and it was fine. People kept away and staff did a great job making sure everyone was complying

I’ve only been on one trip to Universal, so I don’t really have much first hand knowledge to compare their TMs to Disney’s CMs in terms of customer interaction.

I know one common criticism at WDW is that guests get away with bad behavior because CMs don’t want to confront jerks or they are not backed by management. I’ve seen multiple threads over the years where, in the name of customer service, the loudmouth rule breakers are sometimes the ones who end up with the extra fast passes at WDW.

Does anyone have any insight on how enforcement of the new rules will be handled at Disney?

 

[TheConsciousness]

I'm a Universal fanboy, but I've got to say that Disney has a MUCH more complex system than Universal. The sheer number of people they have to manage, let alone each person's hotel reservation, dining reservation, fast passes, DVC stuff, all while the executives are screaming "Now's our time to make huge changes to reservation systems, while we have the chance!" I can't imagine the stress of working there right now.

 

[Disney Frenhines]

I’ve only been on one trip to Universal, so I don’t really have much first hand knowledge to compare their TMs to Disney’s CMs in terms of customer interaction.

I know one common criticism at WDW is that guests get away with bad behavior because CMs don’t want to confront jerks or they are not backed by management. I’ve seen multiple threads over the years where, in the name of customer service, the loudmouth rule breakers are sometimes the ones who end up with the extra fast passes at WDW.

Does anyone have any insight on how enforcement of the new rules will be handled at Disney?

I'm one of those who has been critical of how Disney implements the rules and how CMs are too afraid to confront the jerks. It's not just the management who should back up the CMs, it would be nice if other guests would also back them up until security comes if there is a problem. Not physically, but, sometimes calling a jerk a jerk to his/her face is enough to shame them into behaving. I'm one of those who will tell a person who is smoking that it's against the rules and I've had a variety of responses from an apology to aggression, but, I've only ever seen a CM tell someone they can't smoke, but, I've seen plenty look the other way when they see bad behaviour and that enables the jerks.

 

[ClapYourHands]

I'm one of those who has been critical of how Disney implements the rules and how CMs are too afraid to confront the jerks. It's not just the management who should back up the CMs, it would be nice if other guests would also back them up until security comes if there is a problem. Not physically, but, sometimes calling a jerk a jerk to his/her face is enough to shame them into behaving. I'm one of those who will tell a person who is smoking that it's against the rules and I've had a variety of responses from an apology to aggression, but, I've only ever seen a CM tell someone they can't smoke, but, I've seen plenty look the other way when they see bad behaviour and that enables the jerks.

I'm cautiously optimistic it might be different this time. My understanding is that mandatory mask-wearing was a condition negotiated by the union to protect the workers. Some people say masks should be optional, and they should be able to "take their chances" and not wear masks. But since the point of the mask is to protect others from your germs, you're not taking your chances by not masking; you're making me take my chances if you don't wear a mask. Perhaps the desire for self-preservation will be a motivator for CMs. Honestly, things like line-cutting or smoking don't really affect the CMs personally. Possibly infectious jerk from who-knows-where breathing on them does.

 

[mchouse]

I'm also curious to see when people will start traveling to Disney World again because when they open next month it will be mostly annual pass holders. Nobody in their right mind would spend the kind of money that a Disney vacation costs with no fireworks or parades etc... It could be this way for months and as we know annual pass holders don't spend near the money on souvenirs and food as people that travel to Disney. Also, More than likely no food and wine, Halloween Party or Christmas Party. It will be years for the Theme Park division to turn a profit.