Re-opening WDW - Here's how I wish they would do it

[bunnysmum]

Having attended a DAH event at MK in the past, and LOVED it, I wonder if a similar model might work for re-opening WDW?

They could sell tickets that are good for 3-4 hour stretches at a time (say from 7-11 am, 12-3 pm, 4-8 pm (and possibly 8-12 pm) on each day. Limited park attendance permitted during each time slot (as with DAH events), with cleaning done during the 1 hr turn-over time. Although key attractions would be open, less popular ones might not be. Restaurants would still be open (this is my dream, remember!), and most shops, etc. As with DAH, they could still charge a full-day rate (or even a bit more), which guests like me would jump at, given that crowds would be so much lower, and attractions could be enjoyed (even multiple times) with much less wait time.

While certainly not a comprehensive plan, I wonder if this might provide a workable starting point for the future? It would certainly help with the social distancing concerns and would appeal to many guests who dislike crowds anyway.

(They could also offer some type/combination of free snack: popcorn, drinks, and/or ice cream - as they do during DAH, to help make the full day price point more attractive. Maybe just during a portion of each time slot even.)

I'd love it! You?

 

[parasail_of_congress]

This does seem like a reasonable idea. The main issue I see is the changeover for the different groups of guests. Even with fewer people, I think they'll have to figure out the logistics of getting people in and out in a timely and physically distanced manner. But I agree, it seems they could possibly work out the details to make something similar be possible.

 

[patty57]

Not a bad thought, but I would be afraid once they start charging full price for a partial day ticket, it will never change back.

 

[vinotinto]

And how would this model accommodate those that have purchased Annual Passes?

 

[FallsChurchDad]

This makes a lot of sense. If they are re-opening at lower max capacity, which seems inevitable, they need to balance filling the on-site hotel and DVC capacity with also keeping annual passholders happy. There could be set hours blocked off for annual passholders only, with separate hours blocked off for on-site guests, etc. There could be different blocks with different parts of each park open.

Of course, there will be lots of big changes need to accommodate this. One of the most important will be to have separate entrances vs. exits, both with walking access to parking lots, to prevent the crush that most of us have experience when the day guests are leaving and party guests are entering MK.

 

[FallsChurchDad]

And how would this model accommodate those that have purchased Annual Passes?

Good question, but I think OP's solution is exactly the only way that Disney can accommodate APs while also keeping their on-site resorts full AND (of course their top priority) maximizing revenue while minimizing operating expenses. See my response above.

 

[LSUmiss]

And how would this model accommodate those that have purchased Annual Passes?

Or ppl with packages booked?

 

[JaNelson38]

Its an interesting thought, but good luck getting people to fly in from far away and purchase a multi-stay day at a resort if they know that they literally can't be in the park for more than a few hours at a time.

In my view, WDW is not going to be able to re-open if we're still in the "adhere to all social distancing" life.

I could see WDW controlling crowds in the parks and hotels by limiting the amount of people allowed at a time, which is something they could monitor via ticket and room sales and attendance counts - especially early on as WDW tries to re-build its employment structure after all the layoffs/furloughs. But simply put, there's no way they can possibly control things like "social distancing" on rides, or in lines, or in restaurants. Its simply unsustainable. And how are you supposed to tell someone who purchased a ticket or room that they can't do something they paid for?

With regards to allowing crowds to congregate and enjoy life again, someone needs to be first, whether its entertainment venues or sports leagues or something like that. Right now nobody wants to be first, which is disappointing. Well, the first person through the door always gets bloodied the most....but after one goes, the rest will follow, especially once everyone finds out that everything will be okay. Im just hoping someone - whether its Disney, Universal, a sports league, or something else - goes first before its too late for any of them.

 

[LSUmiss]

Perhaps these potential modified experiences are the reasons Disney is offering ap holders a partial refund? I was planning to just let my ap be extended, but if I don’t like the modifications I might just take the money.

 

[DisSurfer878]

Its an interesting thought, but good luck getting people to fly in from far away and purchase a multi-stay day at a resort if they know that they literally can't be in the park for more than a few hours at a time.

In my view, WDW is not going to be able to re-open if we're still in the "adhere to all social distancing" life.

I could see WDW controlling crowds in the parks and hotels by limiting the amount of people allowed at a time, which is something they could monitor via ticket and room sales and attendance counts. But simply put, there's no way they can possibly control things like "social distancing" on rides, or in lines, or in restaurants. Its simply unsustainable. And how are you supposed to tell someone who purchased a ticket or room that they can't do something they paid for?

With regards to allowing crowds to congregate and enjoy life again, someone needs to be first, whether its entertainment venues or sports leagues or something like that. Right now nobody wants to be first, which is disappointing. Well, the first person through the door always gets bloodied the most....but after one goes, the rest will follow, especially once everyone finds out that everything will be okay. Im just hoping someone - whether its Disney, Universal, a sports league, or something else - goes first before its too late for any of them.

And, it's summer ya'll. EVERYONE IS GOING TO WANT MORNING OR NIGHT.

people are going to flip their crap if they're "stuck" with afternoon times. Imagine if APs only got afternoon slots. Imagine the uprising.

imagine if families of toddler got a 7-12midnight slot.
this isn't at all sustainable

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Perhaps these potential modified experiences are the reasons Disney is offering ap holders a partial refund? I was planning to just let my ap be extended, but if I don’t like the modifications I might just take the money.

I really think they're just offer AP holders some options due to the fact that the parks are closed and we can't use them since mid-March.

I would believe, though, that Disney execs are throwing all kinds of ideas around, and probably some similar to the OPs. It's probably going to be many months/years before WDW is back to what we would consider normal with crowds and attractions.

 

[JaNelson38]

And, it's summer ya'll. EVERYONE IS GOING TO WANT MORNING OR NIGHT.

people are going to flip their crap if they're "stuck" with afternoon times. Imagine if APs only got afternoon slots. Imagine the uprising.

imagine if families of toddler got a 7-12midnight slot.
this isn't at all sustainable

Correct. Either WDW opens full-steam where everything is available, or it doesn't open. About the only thing it can do to control attendance early on is, as I said, control ticket sales via quantity. Just like a sports league does with a stadium. Decide what the max people you want in a park or hotel on a given stay, and stick to it.

Its unsustainable to do it piece-meal, as you said. Too many variables. And this is supposed to be a vacation.

That being said, if Disney is hemorrhaging $30 million a day, they're going to be open sooner rather than later. Even for Disney, the checkbook isn't infinite. And the blow would be a crushing blow to Florida's economy. Because of Disney fails, so will Universal. I suspect we'll soon see a plan from both places on how they will re-open in June.

 

[jo-jo]

My thought is what is a good ride for you, might be an awful ride for us. We might be the one that wants little mermaid and forget space mountain.

 

[westie55]

Correct. Either WDW opens full-steam where everything is available, or it doesn't open. About the only thing it can do to control attendance early on is, as I said, control ticket sales via quantity. Just like a sports league does with a stadium. Decide what the max people you want in a park or hotel on a given stay, and stick to it.

Its unsustainable to do it piece-meal, as you said. Too many variables. And this is supposed to be a vacation.

That being said, if Disney is hemorrhaging $30 million a day, they're going to be open sooner rather than later. Even for Disney, the checkbook isn't infinite. And the blow would be a crushing blow to Florida's economy. Because of Disney fails, so will Universal. I suspect we'll soon see a plan from both places on how they will re-open in June.

I agree that WDW will probably open this summer because it needs to stop the hemorrhaging, but I don't think a full opening will be in compliance with whatever government restrictions are in place at that time... and I think there will be some at the very least. Some experiences won't be conducive to the social distancing required and others will be cut because limited capacity will mean limited revenue which often leads to a pared down experience. I don't think it will be all or nothing. Only allowing guests entrance for a few hours a day, however, for the same price will probably not fly. It wouldn't be worth it to my family. Babies and children slow you down. A few hours isn't sufficient to get much done, although that may work for others.

 

[JaNelson38]

I agree that WDW will probably open this summer because it needs to stop the hemorrhaging, but I don't think a full opening will be in compliance with whatever government restrictions are in place at that time... and I think there will be some at the very least. Some experiences won't be conducive to the social distancing required and others will be cut because limited capacity will mean limited revenue which often leads to a pared down experience. I don't think it will be all or nothing. Only allowing guests entrance for a few hours a day, however, for the same price will probably not fly. It wouldn't be worth it to my family. Babies and children slow you down. A few hours isn't sufficient to get much done, although that may work for others.

Without getting too political or too virus-talky, the guidelines being put forth by the federal government are just that - guidelines. In the end, states have control over what is implemented and how its implemented.

Florida is dependent on tourism to survive - they have no state income tax. They're going to do everything they can to have Disney, Universal, et al up and running as soon as they want to be, because without the tourism dollars, Florida is in real trouble. So as long as they have a reasonable plan in place for a re-opening, I don't see much in the way of the State of Florida keeping them closed. Disney will have a bigger issue to tackle in public relations to get people to come down to WDW as opposed to government restrictions when it comes to re-opening, much like what happened after 9/11. Its entirely possible they will have a harder time getting Disneyland in California open before WDW in Florida, just for political reasons.

In the end, people are just going to have to trust each other, and government and business are going to have to trust the people. That's the only way we as a society survive this. People will have to make choices for themselves - if people think a WDW trip isn't appropriate for health reasons for the timebeing, they should act accordingly. For those people who want to come, WDW is open. That's how its going to HAVE to go. Because the simple fact remains is that there may NEVER be a vaccine for this. We will have to learn to live with this. So its probably in WDW best interests to come up with a plan to be able to live with and operate with this as soon as possible, because it may be permanent.

 

[kimmar067]

Without getting too political or too virus-talky, the guidelines being put forth by the federal government are just that - guidelines.....Florida is dependent on tourism to survive - they have no state income tax. They're going to do everything they can to have Disney, Universal, et al up and running as soon as they want to be, because without the tourism dollars, Florida is in real trouble.

....my DS is a CM at Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar. He has been basically alone in his apartment since all of this - one roommate went to live with friends nearby and hasn't returned and the other finally returned home to family in Michigan. He will be joining us [in the NY/NJ metro area] in a few days for a month, but has allotted enough time to be in the mandated 2-week quarantine period, if need be, for his return late May. He's told us that WDW has furloughed more than 43,000 CMs in the last week. Logistically, they just do not have the manpower to get WDW up and running at full capacity, so he's with the understanding that only some of the parks and resorts will be open at the onset, with everything relatively operating near-capacity for some time. They depend heavily upon DCP - that process takes a long time to get their final candidates. Also, the International "ambassadors" program will take quite a while, depending upon which countries are allowed to fly back into the U. S.

 

[JaNelson38]

....my DS is a CM at Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar. He has been basically alone in his apartment since all of this - one roommate went to live with friends nearby and hasn't returned and the other finally returned home to family in Michigan. He will be joining us [in the NY/NJ metro area] in a few days for a month, but has allotted enough time to be in the mandated 2-week quarantine period, if need be, for his return late May. He's told us that WDW has furloughed more than 43,000 CMs in the last week. Logistically, they just do not have the manpower to get WDW up and running at full capacity, so he's with the understanding that only some of the parks and resorts will be open at the onset, with everything relatively operating near-capacity for some time. They depend heavily upon DCP - that process takes a long time to get their final candidates. Also, the International "ambassadors" program will take quite a while, depending upon which countries are allowed to fly back into the U. S.

It might be a possibility that only a handful of resorts are open to start, and perhaps only Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom as far as parks go. But they'll have to really be creative if they want to do something like that with regard to pricing. And a partial re-opening where all the parks dont open could really throw a monkey-wrench into what they do with regards to AP pricing.

I do agree that getting the employees back will be the most challenging part of reopening WDW. But its also important to keep in perspective that June 1 is still 6 weeks away, and if maybe they plan on a partial re-opening in June with a target towards something like July as a full opening, that's 10 weeks out. I know it doesn't seem like it, but that's a ton of time to get things squared away with regards to employees. If anyone can make that work, it will be Disney.

To be frank, they're gonna have to make it work somehow. If they're closed all summer....yeesh. Its fair to wonder if they can recover from that. I don't think they can. If it gets to that point, you're not just firing the run of the mill cast members...you're firing the suits too.

 

[kimmar067]

It might be a possibility that only a handful of resorts are open to start, and perhaps only Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom as far as parks go. But they'll have to really be creative if they want to do something like that with regard to pricing. And a partial re-opening where all the parks dont open could really throw a monkey-wrench into what they do with regards to AP pricing.

I do agree that getting the employees back will be the most challenging part of reopening WDW. But its also important to keep in perspective that June 1 is still 6 weeks away, and if maybe they plan on a partial re-opening in June with a target towards something like July as a full opening, that's 10 weeks out. I know it doesn't seem like it, but that's a ton of time to get things squared away with regards to employees. If anyone can make that work, it will be Disney.

To be frank, they're gonna have to make it work somehow. If they're closed all summer....yeesh. Its fair to wonder if they can recover from that. I don't think they can. If it gets to that point, you're not just firing the run of the mill cast members...you're firing the suits too.

...ITA. My middle DS is a new DVC member; he had booked a May visit and has already rescheduled for the 2nd week of June. He's hoping that he doesn't have to reschedule AGAIN, since their flights have already been changed once, wth no cancellation fees, but that was a one-time Covid19 allowance....

 

[Heather07438]

And how would this model accommodate those that have purchased Annual Passes?

Hypothetically only 1 slot allowed per day? Yeah, not really feasible with a purchase contract already in place.

What they could do is change the regular park hours to a smaller window legally. Then sell AM and PM hard tickets that offer lower attendance, and probably high price.

 

[StuckInKS]

....my DS is a CM at Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar. He has been basically alone in his apartment since all of this - one roommate went to live with friends nearby and hasn't returned and the other finally returned home to family in Michigan. He will be joining us [in the NY/NJ metro area] in a few days for a month, but has allotted enough time to be in the mandated 2-week quarantine period, if need be, for his return late May. He's told us that WDW has furloughed more than 43,000 CMs in the last week. Logistically, they just do not have the manpower to get WDW up and running at full capacity, so he's with the understanding that only some of the parks and resorts will be open at the onset, with everything relatively operating near-capacity for some time. They depend heavily upon DCP - that process takes a long time to get their final candidates. Also, the International "ambassadors" program will take quite a while, depending upon which countries are allowed to fly back into the U. S.

Disney has a lot of local PT CMs that would love to be switched to FT. One big issue most of last year was the fact that DCP in some areas were getting 50-60 hrs a week, while many PT CM were begging for hours at their statused locations and relying on the "extra hours" (EHH) posted each week, as PT are not guaranteed any number of hours and many available hours were going to FT and DCP. So, if Disney can change these PT to FT and move them around to the most needed areas of the parks, then maybe they can open everything at once, especially since they will probably see reduced (say 50% of 2019 numbers) guest numbers due to health concerns and the fact that quarantine has put many people in a tough financial spot. One thing that needs to be held off when they reopen is extra experiences during park hours like Eat to the Beat, parades, etc, as they cause increased guest flow into areas that would otherwise not need as much staffing.