News Round Up 2020

[preemiemama]

DVC discount passes have been available as renewals, so I would assume they would be available during this new sale as well. We renewed ours a month ago and got the DVC discount. So if you meet the criteria to buy the new APs, I would try calling member services first before calling the VIP Passholder number. I also have to say the member services people were much more knowledgeable than the VIP Passholder line when I was calling a few times last month (less wait time too).

Can I ask if they are vouchers or active passes (like renewals)? We are still waiting on our refund from the closure- but have a trip planned in July that we plan to buy DVC passes for when it's an option.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311483781828628480

 

[Tigger's ally]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311483781828628480

Sounds like he wants to take his family.

 

[skeeter31]

Can I ask if they are vouchers or active passes (like renewals)? We are still waiting on our refund from the closure- but have a trip planned in July that we plan to buy DVC passes for when it's an option.

The actual renewals are just like normal, where they start the day after your current AP ends and retains the same expiration date the next year.

I‘m not sure how they are handling these new sales to people who’s APs expired or were cancelled since the shut down.

 

[CastAStone]

Sounds like he wants to take his family.

According to Newsom, he's never been!

 

[closetmickey]

According to Newsom, he's never been!

Well therein lies the problem

 

[RivShore]

I do wonder (as many analysts have posited) if the business model of parks will be changed forever as a result of this pandemic. Thinking much higher ticket prices, a fraction of the max capacity that existed in 2019 and prior, and a fraction of the employees.

I don't believe for a second that the parks are profitable currently even with them maxing "covid capacity". Neither are any of DIS other divisions (besides disney+).

The target wasn't bottom line profitability from opening the parks, they just wanted to cover variable costs and hit what they called a "net positive contribution level". That means they are OK operating at an overall loss when including the fixed costs that would be there whether open or closed.

When you objectively look at the parks financial picture against the continuing pandemic, no one should need to wonder why they had to have a massive layoff, they just can;t bleed dollars forever.

From the August earnings call:
Bob mentioned that we would not be opening a park unless we believe that we could, shortly after opening, generate revenue that exceeded the variable costs. So we are able to do that, although it is to a lesser extent because of the current COVID situation in Florida. As we said, as that abates, we expect the demand to pick up. But right now, it's not as high as we had expected, but we're still in the net positive contribution level. And I'd also like to mention Shanghai has consistently been operating in that net positive contribution area as well

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311513190006747136

 

[Shelby Schroepfer]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311513190006747136

oh, this one made a funny thing happen in the back of my throat

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So, probably doesn't really feel like a day to "celebrate" much, but Happy 49th Birthday to WDW and the Magic Kingdom and 38th Birthday to EPCOT!

Hopefully something we can all reflect on, think of the positives, think about the positives yet to come, and how we can help out any CMs that might be needing some support and joy sent back to them (even if just trying to put some positive vibes out into the world)

 

[sherlockmiles]

Trying to add a little Disney magic at home....picked this up at Lowes last night. We also have last year's edition (which had a normal 'top' and a mickey greenery wreath hanging) so the two should be quite nice together.

 

[rteetz]

News

https://blogmickey.com/2020/10/first-look-at-donuts-coming-to-everglazed-donuts-at-disney-springs/

 

[mikeamizzle]

News

https://blogmickey.com/2020/10/first-look-at-donuts-coming-to-everglazed-donuts-at-disney-springs/

This looks a bit, underwhelming? lol sorry to be a downer

 

[Farro]

This looks a bit, underwhelming? lol sorry to be a downer

Underwhelming? They look ridiculous. Makes my teeth hurt.

Were you expecting them to talk?

 

[Jrb1979]

This looks a bit, underwhelming? lol sorry to be a downer

VooDoo donuts is much better.

 

[Gusey]

Disney+/Marvel News
https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/ms-marvel-disney-plus-series-cast-iman-vellani-1234788063/

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney+ Introduces Halloween Playlist with Seasonal Favorites

 

[rteetz]

Tickets on Sale Now for Night of a Million Lights Benefitting Give Kids the World!

 

[tlmadden73]

I do wonder (as many analysts have posited) if the business model of parks will be changed forever as a result of this pandemic. Thinking much higher ticket prices, a fraction of the max capacity that existed in 2019 and prior, and a fraction of the employees.

I don't believe for a second that the parks are profitable currently even with them maxing "covid capacity". Neither are any of DIS other divisions (besides disney+).

You'd think with higher prices (and lower capacity) .. and thus lower staff needed, the parks could run at a profit. The problem is we'd potentially lose the "extra" things as they wouldn't be needed.

Could things go back to the "old days"? .. I mean I was going to the parks in the 80s/90s as a kid/teen and there was no FP+, no dessert parties, no Early Morning Magic, no Photo Pass and definitely not as crowded. Yet they must have been making money, right?

So what would the ticket prices have to be for Disney to get the profits they want when they have less capacity and lose all these very lucrative add-ons (because they won't be in as demand)?

Either way, I would suspect that we'll see a very paired back Disney experience for many many months (if not longer). With less guests, you simply need to do less to entertain those guests because the crowds don't need to be spread out.

Just curious -- and playing armchair theme park president.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1311714685109121024