News Round Up 2020

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Chicken meet egg. We aren't releasing movies because movie theaters aren't open. We aren't opening theaters because there are no movies. Except the real problem is we aren't opening theaters because they don't believe anyone actually wants to sit in one for 2 hours with a bunch of unknown people around.

It's kind of a mess and I'm not sure how it gets resolved, but going to a movie theater right now, like going to a theme park, is very, very low on my list of things to do.

Yeah I think it can be both or more a mixture of "we know a risk with enclosed space for a prolonged period of time (which I would call a move that) so we don't want to release big movies that can be money makers because that would likely mean not enough people go see it because of the risk" with the movie theaters being like "well where's the big movies, hard to keep a place open with the costs associated with that if we don't feel enough people will come in".

I love going to movies, I love AMC, but I admit sitting in a theater with my mask on trying to eat popcorn or drink a drink doesn't sound like the most enjoyable experience. Oddly I am more confident in the 'unknown people around' aspect. I feel like as more time has gone on they can more easily have a concrete plan for social distancing as things have reopened with that in play (theme parks and rides, restaurants, etc). But that's just my opinion.

 

[only hope]

Chicken meet egg. We aren't releasing movies because movie theaters aren't open. We aren't opening theaters because there are no movies. Except the real problem is we aren't opening theaters because they don't believe anyone actually wants to sit in one for 2 hours with a bunch of unknown people around.

It's kind of a mess and I'm not sure how it gets resolved, but going to a movie theater right now, like going to a theme park, is very, very low on my list of things to do.

The other problem is concessions. Theaters make very little off of tickets. It’s concessions that turns a profit. They probably can’t open without the income from concessions. Perhaps studios can lower their fees so that theaters can make a profit without opening concession stands, but I doubt it. I think more people would go if there weren’t concessions, masks were required to be on the entire time, and patrons stayed physically distanced.

 

[Moliphino]

One of our local small theaters is opening soon. They removed every other row of seats and added tables, though they aren't allowing concessions in the theaters. Concessions will be available to go. Only 25 people per showing max (they are very small theaters, not your normal AMC/Rave/etc size), at least 3 empty seats between parties.

 

[scrappinginontario]

It's interesting that in our area theatres were allowed to start reopening last Friday and both major chains have chosen to remain closed.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

The other problem is concessions. Theaters make very little off of tickets. It’s concessions that turns a profit. They probably can’t open without the income from concessions. Perhaps studios can lower their fees so that theaters can make a profit without opening concession stands, but I doubt it. I think more people would go if there weren’t concessions, masks were required to be on the entire time, and patrons stayed physically distanced.

There's at least one theater chain here that actually sells concessions for your to take home. Like you can order popcorn and get it curbside and then take it home with you. They specifically mention that it help keep people employed.

A couple weeks ago when I mentioned our Theater in the Park experience those tickets cost $1 per person. They weren't making any real money off people and they were being sponsored by the local community college (for the licensing fees and whatnot) but they did have concessions to purchase (as well as some beer and wine).

Outdoor venues right now are just the easiest thing to do with or without concessions because you can spread out and with open air. The thing that will be hard is once colder temperature season hits many of these outdoor places won't really work and the big question will be will indoor theaters start to really make a comback. I know our Theater in the Park for the movie nights only runs through mid-August for example.

 

[only hope]

There's at least one theater chain here that actually sells concessions for your to take home. Like you can order popcorn and get it curbside and then take it home with you. They specifically mention that it help keep people employed.

A couple weeks ago when I mentioned our Theater in the Park experience those tickets cost $1 per person. They weren't making any real money off people and they were being sponsored by the local community college (for the licensing fees and whatnot) but they did have concessions to purchase (as well as some beer and wine).

Outdoor venues right now are just the easiest thing to do with or without concessions because you can spread out and with open air. The thing that will be hard is once colder temperature season hits many of these outdoor places won't really work and the big question will be will indoor theaters start to really make a comback. I know our Theater in the Park for the movie nights only runs through mid-August for example.

Here (Florida) it’s the opposite problem weather wise. May-October is too hot to do much if anything outside, and especially June-September.

 

[mollmoll4]

I think that depends on how many people choose the refund option.

I did not know the theme for this year's Wine & Dine. Now I'm REALLY hoping they open up some virtual spots. I'd love to do the 5k for that Kronk & Yzma swag!!

 

[dlavender]

On the movie topic, I wish they would release to the drive ins!

We've discovered that we prefer them to the traditional setting with our 3 kiddos.

However, would love to now see a new feature film on one.

I understand that there aren't many drive ins so this isn't really a plausible idea, but just wanted to send it out into the universe just in case

 

[wareagle57]

Looks like Disney came out with an announcement about this:

https://blogmickey.com/2020/07/disn...istance-virtual-queue-a-week-into-operations/
"For guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the attraction will continue to have limited availability accessible through the My Disney Experience app virtual queue. Starting Friday, July 24, guests will have an opportunity at either 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. to join the virtual queue. These two opportunities are intended to give guests more flexibility in their planning, and are also a way to further support physical distancing. "

bold is mine - still not sure this is enough as if you want to get on the ride you really need to be there prior to opening to try for the 10am slot so you are still going to have the crowding at "rope drop"

Idk what the solution is, but they really need to come up with a way to top people from showing up at rope drop. That’s why other parks are so calm in comparison. People show up in waves and leave in waves. At DHS your entire day is often revolving around that ride. Almost everyone shows up at 9:30. No one leaves until either: they have ridden Rise. Or they have failed at each of the 3 VQ drop times. So this will help with that one slightly. I think people with reservations need to make them 24 hours prior. So you get your VQ number and time approximation before you even wake up so you know when to get there.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Here (Florida) it’s the opposite problem weather wise. May-October is too hot to do much if anything outside, and especially June-September.

Oh it's hot and humid here too (right now it's 81 feels like 96 at just before 11am) Although it hasn't hit the "still feels like 95 degrees at 11pm yet" time of year .

The theater in the park is at night (roughly 8:30-8:45pm when the movie starts) so that def. can help at least here. Now I'd say for weather for FL may be more storms. This part of the year we don't get as much rain (normally that is we just had a bunch of rain a few days ago) where I'm at in the Midwest so that can help with outdoor activities.

But yeah we aren't trying to do too too much outside during the day at least at the moment haha.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

On the movie topic, I wish they would release to the drive ins!

We've discovered that we prefer them to the traditional setting with our 3 kiddos.

However, would love to now see a new feature film on one.

I understand that there aren't many drive ins so this isn't really a plausible idea, but just wanted to send it out into the universe just in case

Yeah, we have a drive in somewhat close to us that we usually go to once or twice a year. Just checked and this weekend they are doing Gremlins and Nightmare on Elm St double feature

They are also participating in an Amazon Studios free screenings several Wednesdays - and next Wed (July 29th) they are showing Hook and Into the Spiderverse so might actually go to that

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

On the movie topic, I wish they would release to the drive ins!

We've discovered that we prefer them to the traditional setting with our 3 kiddos.

However, would love to now see a new feature film on one.

I understand that there aren't many drive ins so this isn't really a plausible idea, but just wanted to send it out into the universe just in case

I agree! The drive-ins are doing well with showing the older stuff but new stuff would be nice. I'm guessing there just probably isn't enough drive-ins left to scrape up enough revenue for them.

 

[Gusey]

News
https://dclfan.com/itineraries/disney-cruise-line-announces-fall-2021-itineraries-and-booking-dates/

 

[Tom_E_D]

Idk what the solution is, but they really need to come up with a way to top people from showing up at rope drop. That’s why other parks are so calm in comparison. People show up in waves and leave in waves. At DHS your entire day is often revolving around that ride. Almost everyone shows up at 9:30. No one leaves until either: they have ridden Rise. Or they have failed at each of the 3 VQ drop times. So this will help with that one slightly. I think people with reservations need to make them 24 hours prior. So you get your VQ number and time approximation before you even wake up so you know when to get there.

Your idea has merit from an attendee point of view, but may not benefit Disney. It seems that more people are going to DHS daily than are getting to ride RotR, and I think Disney is happy about that. They want the revenue. With your idea, people who realize they're not getting to ride RotR that day may decide to cancel their park reservations, save their tickets for another try at RotR on another day, and do something else that day . . . and the something else may not have anything to do with Disney. This may be less true for those staying at Disney resorts than for the locals and those staying offsite, but I suspect Disney wants the locals and those staying offsite coming to their parks. They don't want the daily attendance numbers at DHS limited to how many people can ride RotR in a day. (Of course, many people would go to DHS even if they didn't have RotR boarding groups, but I think a significant number wouldn't.)

 

[wareagle57]

Your idea has merit from an attendee point of view, but may not benefit Disney. It seems that more people are going to DHS daily than are getting to ride RotR, and I think Disney is happy about that. They want the revenue. With your idea, people who realize they're not getting to ride RotR that day may decide to cancel their park reservations, save their tickets for another try at RotR on another day, and do something else that day . . . and the something else may not have anything to do with Disney. This may be less true for those staying at Disney resorts than for the locals and those staying offsite, but I suspect Disney wants the locals and those staying offsite coming to their parks. They don't want the daily attendance numbers at DHS limited to how many people can ride RotR in a day. (Of course, many people would go to DHS even if they didn't have RotR boarding groups, but I think a significant number wouldn't.)

My main concern is Disney should seek an option like this because it is necessary from a safety aspect, not a guest satisfaction aspect, though that would be good too. You’re right that the reason they don’t is $, which apparently is the real first key these days.

 

[nkosiek]

Thank you - that's very helpful. Our kids are 6 & 8 now, so we're hoping we fare a little better with the stops. We're also worried a little about our 6 y.o., when she was 4, we drove up to Rhode Island, and she started feeling nauseous from the motion and watching movies along the way. Those are additional reasons we're driving overnight - try to minimize the need for breaks and the need to keep them occupied. Hopefully now that she's older, she'll fare a little better. I downloaded that iExit app, so I'll have to play with it. I'm a little worried about what will be open when we're traveling, but I'm also going to try to keep a list of the companies that are requiring masks in their businesses nationwide and look for those near the travel route. Thanks for the info!

Honestly, if you're going overnight, there's not going to be a lot open other than the rest areas and some of the 24 hours gas places. I'd pack food and drink with your timing. Less need to stop places other than you needing a bathroom break. I can't state enough how different the "Disney-bubble" was from the drive. Drive-thrus are your friend if you can find any of those. There were a few stops where we'd do a drive-thru right near a rest area. Get the food, get to the rest area, go to one of the tables.

 

[bookbabe626]

It's interesting that in our area theatres were allowed to start reopening last Friday and both major chains have chosen to remain closed.

If you read the statements by Cineplex, it’s because the Ont govt is only allowing 50 people per *building* not 50 per theatre/screen. Even if they only open one or two screens per location, there’s no way they can make a profit at those numbers. They’re in negotiations about an alternate reopening plan. We’ll see how this goes. Luckily the drive-in near us is open, even if most of the movies are really old.

 

[bffer]

Idk what the solution is, but they really need to come up with a way to top people from showing up at rope drop. That’s why other parks are so calm in comparison. People show up in waves and leave in waves. At DHS your entire day is often revolving around that ride. Almost everyone shows up at 9:30. No one leaves until either: they have ridden Rise. Or they have failed at each of the 3 VQ drop times. So this will help with that one slightly. I think people with reservations need to make them 24 hours prior. So you get your VQ number and time approximation before you even wake up so you know when to get there.

I know last year after the original hype wore down from Hagrid's, the standby line would be terrible at rope drop (3+ hours), but after lunch, the line was much shorter (no more than 90 minutes in September). I don't know what the solution is for Rise except to switch to a reservation system. Then every day as some people cancel reservations (because it happens), new reservations can become available to people who may not have been able to get a reservation in advance. It still seems fair and would help with the rope drop situation.

 

[Moliphino]

I know last year after the original hype wore down from Hagrid's, the standby line would be terrible at rope drop (3+ hours), but after lunch, the line was much shorter (no more than 90 minutes in September). I don't know what the solution is for Rise except to switch to a reservation system. Then every day as some people cancel reservations (because it happens), new reservations can become available to people who may not have been able to get a reservation in advance. It still seems fair and would help with the rope drop situation.

So fastpass+.

 

[osufeth24]

My main concern is Disney should seek an option like this because it is necessary from a safety aspect, not a guest satisfaction aspect, though that would be good too. You’re right that the reason they don’t is $, which apparently is the real first key these days.

Let's be honest, it always has and always will be about the almighty dollar, no matter what is going on (that's for every major company, not just disney). It's why I get a chuckle when I read posts, etc from people thinking Disney would be any different from every major corporation out there.