Odds of getting bumped due to capacity constraints?

[MomOTwins]

A thought occurred to me today and it set me off on a panic. If Disney World is at 20% capacity after reopening, and given resort guest levels may be even lower if people cancel their summer trips (e.g., due to being high-risk medically; not wanting to wear masks; etc.) is it really likely that Disney World will open all of its hotels for the first couple of months after reopening? Or will it just open one or two in each category to save on operational cost and reshuffle guests around within a category? Or might they "upgrade" value and mod reservations to a "deluxe" but potentially less desirable ones (e.g., ones like Old Key West or Saratoga Springs that only have bus transportation).

We are not moderate people normally, but this trip (mid-August, assuming it is open), we booked a stay at CBR. This is our second time staying at a moderate instead of a deluxe and our last stay at a moderate (POR) left us very unimpressed. We were persuaded to give CBR a try to save some money this trip because (1) CBR has the skyliner, and bus transportation was my biggest frustration at POR; (2) my "pirate crew" of three boys have been drooling over the CBR pool ever since seeing it form the skyliner last fall; and (3) the recent renovation of Old Port Royale plus the addition of Riviera within walking distance make me feel much happier about the on-site dining options. If they move us to another moderate or a bus-only deluxe, we'd basically lose all the reasons why we booked CBR in the first place. I am starting to wonder if I should book a backup at a deluxe hotel just in case they decide not have CBR open, since if they do move folks around there might be limited inventory at deluxes if I wait to book later.

I guess this was a bit of a rambling post, but I'm wondering if others have experience of being moved around and if so if it was an upgrade or downgrade, and am also looking for thoughts on whether I should double-book us a duplicate package for the same dates at a deluxe resort (if that is even possible; not sure if we can book the same person in two rooms at the same time). I don't want to change my package outright because I got the recovery free dining and will lose it if I make any modifications

 

[Lynne M]

I understand the uncertainty and the concern, but there are honestly no answers to your questions yet. Disney hasn't announced any reopening plans for the resorts, and a lot of those decisions probably won't even be made until they're ready to announce the reopening. And even then, things will still be subject to changes on the fly.

I know it gets said constantly, but this is a brand-new situation. There are no precedents to compare to. I think travel to Disney in the first couple months after reopening is going to require a lot of flexibility and a spirit of adventure - a willingness to roll with whatever happens.

Sorry, I know you were looking for some concrete information, but I don't think even Disney knows the answers to your questions.

 

[MomOTwins]

I understand the uncertainty and the concern, but there are honestly no answers to your questions yet. Disney hasn't announced any reopening plans for the resorts, and a lot of those decisions probably won't even be made until they're ready to announce the reopening. And even then, things will still be subject to changes on the fly.

I know it gets said constantly, but this is a brand-new situation. There are no precedents to compare to. I think travel to Disney in the first couple months after reopening is going to require a lot of flexibility and a spirit of adventure - a willingness to roll with whatever happens.

Sorry, I know you were looking for some concrete information, but I don't think even Disney knows the answers to your questions.

True--and to clarify, I know there is nothing concrete or decided at the point. But would be interesting to hear if others have been "walked" before (e.g., due to overbooking, renovations etc.) what the change was and whether they were satisfied with it. And I don't think it hurts to have others guesses, whether they are educated guesses or not.

 

[Gordon Gekko]

I think you will be happy with CBR for all the reasons you listed. My educated guess would be a slower start once Disney opens (put Disboards aside), and Disney opening all resorts (think DVC and cash customers). I would hold tight and wait until Disney makes decisions so you keep the recovery offer. Best of luck!

 

[fla4fun]

Probably the closest situation to this would be after 9/11 when they did close some resorts for a while. Maybe do a search for posts around that time frame to see what people were saying. IIRC, for example, one of the PO resorts was shuttered and guests moved to the other, things like that.

 

[Primeval Princess]

True--and to clarify, I know there is nothing concrete or decided at the point. But would be interesting to hear if others have been "walked" before (e.g., due to overbooking, renovations etc.) what the change was and whether they were satisfied with it. And I don't think it hurts to have others guesses, whether they are educated guesses or not.

This was one of the questions asked by Disney on the survey that went out to some prospective resort guests a couple of weeks ago, about things that would impact their decision to visit WDW upon reopening. That said, it doesn't mean it will happen, just that it's a possibility that has been on Disney's radar. I know that bookings for late July are very low, because I've made recent changes, and have never seen such widespread availability. ADRs (another indicator) are incredibly easy to get, too.

So their reservations must be way down for July at least. It's certainly possible that they might try to minimize losses by consolidating guests into fewer hotels, even though that goes against social distancing logic, particularly in relation to the use of those resorts' pools... But as another poster said, we have no idea. Disney is choosing not to share any information about this summer, and yes, it's highly frustrating to those of us with firm travel plans.

If Disney puts us in a different hotel than what we're booked for, we'll cancel our resort reservation. I booked a back-up reservation for the same dates with Four Seasons, to use in case of such a situation, or if Disney were to require masks to be worn everywhere even while at the resort, which would be too much mask-wearing for us. Having a back-up plan is a good idea, as anything could happen. Only Disney knows.

 

[cakebaker]

True--and to clarify, I know there is nothing concrete or decided at the point. But would be interesting to hear if others have been "walked" before (e.g., due to overbooking, renovations etc.) what the change was and whether they were satisfied with it. And I don't think it hurts to have others guesses, whether they are educated guesses or not.

Historically, if they move you to another resort or change your type of room, it results in an upgrade. I don’t know that would apply now. We were moved once from AOA suites and got OKW, 2 br Villa. The reason being, we were a party of 6 and the reason we chose the suites was the separate bedroom. We were more than satisfied. They generally try to move you to a resort that gives you perks similar to what your original resort offers. In the OP’s case, it’s the skyliner. There’s not another moderate with the skyliner and they definitely don’t downgrade you. She could well end up at the Riviera.

But again, this is a unique situation and they may be wanting to condense each class of resorts. Upgrades may not happen. I’m glad we’re in villas for most our stay. With them being DVC, I’m fairly sure they’ll all be open. If not, we’ll roll with the punches, but our whole trip started because we wanted to try out the Riviera.

 

[DMLAINI]

We were booked for All Star Sports & were upgraded to an Art of Animation suite because our room was needed for cheerleaders.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I can only speak to Disney calling me and asking me, "Pretty, pretty please can we rebook you in a better room. We'll charge you the same rate."

I had a split stay scheduled for 1 night at Pop and several nights at Contemporary. They wanted my Pop room, so I agreed to the upgrade to Coronado Springs. It was only one night and didn't affect anything since we were on a late flight and weren't going to do anything but crash for the night, dump our bags bell services and then head to a park.

 

[MomOTwins]

This was one of the questions asked by Disney on the survey that went out to some prospective resort guests a couple of weeks ago, about things that would impact their decision to visit WDW upon reopening. That said, it doesn't mean it will happen, just that it's a possibility that has been on Disney's radar. I know that bookings for late July are very low, because I've made recent changes, and have never seen such widespread availability. ADRs (another indicator) are incredibly easy to get, too.

Oh wow, the fact it is on the survey makes it sound even more "real" -- ADRs and resorts at every category are available and discounted (even standard views at popular resorts like Poly/BC/Yacht Club) for our August dates. So it seems similar to what you are seeing in July.

Historically, if they move you to another resort or change your type of room, it results in an upgrade. I don’t know that would apply now. We were moved once from AOA suites and got OKW, 2 br Villa. The reason being, we were a party of 6 and the reason we chose the suites was the separate bedroom. We were more than satisfied. They generally try to move you to a resort that gives you perks similar to what your original resort offers. In the OP’s case, it’s the skyliner. There’s not another moderate with the skyliner and they definitely don’t downgrade you. She could well end up at the Riviera.

But again, this is a unique situation and they may be wanting to condense each class of resorts. Upgrades may not happen. I’m glad we’re in villas for most our stay. With them being DVC, I’m fairly sure they’ll all be open. If not, we’ll roll with the punches, but our whole trip started because we wanted to try out the Riviera.

Yeah, I would be thrilled with something like the Riviera ; same transportation/dining, and a nice pool (even if no pirates), and they have all room categories there available for our dates. It's good to know they usually upgrade you at least--I am just dreading another experience like the POR trip with that looooooong bus loop!!! I am anxious that getting the perk of free dining will make them downgrade us though to save costs.

 

[Sue M]

I doubt if they were closing resorts that CBR would be the moderate they’d close. Because of Skyliner, 2 parks they don’t need busses for and worry about reduced capacity on the bus. They won’t be able to jam pack busses anymore.

We did get moved from Poly to GF, when Poly pool was closed and half the resort was a construction zone. When we got the letter we asked to be moved to another resort. It made sense they’d move us to GF.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I don't know what Disney will be doing now but once I got upgraded from POR to the Club Level of Grand Floridian. That was amazing! I changed up my long weekend trip that time to have more time at the resort and it was great.

 

[CastAStone]

I wouldn’t expect a ton of people to get moved from cash resorts to DVC ones like OKW and SSR. While some inventory does wind up going up for sale on Disney’s website, nearly all of the DVC resort inventory will go to DVC members if those resorts are open.

 

[CastAStone]

Probably the closest situation to this would be after 9/11 when they did close some resorts for a while. Maybe do a search for posts around that time frame to see what people were saying. IIRC, for example, one of the PO resorts was shuttered and guests moved to the other, things like that.

I believe DISboards had a server/site outage in January 2002, and there’s not really much history before that available.

 

[creativeamanda]

Potentially they could do moves. Historically they have done upgrades when this has happened. I do agree with previous posters--if the level has an alternate transportation to the parks, it is likely that would be the last resort shuttered. So that would be POP and AOA (value), Caribbean Beach (moderate), Epcot Area and Monorail (deluxe and DVC). I left out WL because the boats have you pretty close together, but left in Epcot Area, because you can walk to parks.

 

[starry_solo]

I figure that whatever capacity they have at the parks, they will have less capacity at the hotels. So open up one or two value resorts, one or two Moderate resorts, and a few deluxe. The DVC portions would be open so I think they would open the deluxe that has a DVC component to it....which is most of them? DVC so the owners can use their points and the hotel portion because the DVC portion is open.

 

[maryj11]

I’m not sure if Shanghai is the same as WDW, but what did they do when it opened?

 

[kylenne]

I’m not sure if Shanghai is the same as WDW, but what did they do when it opened?

Shanghai required passholders to make reservations to get in the park. But keep in mind their cap on capacity was set by the Chinese government. Things are different there.

 

[Eastern]

I recently moved an August stay (previously a July stay ...) because I figured I could not wear a mask (if necessary) in the heat and humidity. I think a lot of people are seriously considering the logistics of a summer stay (and they are cancelling/moving).

 

[Julie Amber]

In 2009, we had 3 rooms booked at ASMU and got free upgraded to 3 one bedroom suites at SS. The rooms were great, but we were in the very back of the resort and missed being close enough to dining and pools to use them. We didn't dine anywhere at SS because it was just too dang far. Never made it to the main pool either. There was a quiet pool near our room