Rumor about “modified experiences” when Disney reopens (read 1st post for potential modifications being considered)

[BryGuy415]

I agree with you that the money is with Disney resort guests. However there seems to be this assumption that only out of state residents actually book Disney resort rooms, which is far from the truth. I think there are enough Florida residents who book enough Disney resort rooms that Disney could feasibly open to those people only at first as a soft opening.

According to 2018 data - over 72% of hotel stays were booked by people more than 100 miles away from Walt Disney World...Yes Florida is much much bigger than 100 miles in length, but the point is locals, no matter how loyal and amazing, they just aren't the key demographic to the success of Walt Disney World having a successful reopening. You have to have confidence that the consumer will want to travel.

Can't post the link - but streelightdata is the source

 

[AmberMV]

According to 2018 data - over 72% of hotel stays were booked by people more than 100 miles away from Walt Disney World...Yes Florida is much much bigger than 100 miles in length, but the point is locals, no matter how loyal and amazing, they just aren't the key demographic to the success of Walt Disney World having a successful reopening. You have to have confidence that the consumer will want to travel.

Can't post the link - but streelightdata is the my source

For reference, I'm less than 2 hours away and WDW is 92 miles away. 100 miles is really not far. People living on or near the beaches of Tampa Bay/Clearwater are 100 miles away.

 

[cakebaker]

I agree with you that the money is with Disney resort guests. However there seems to be this assumption that only out of state residents actually book Disney resort rooms, which is far from the truth. I think there are enough Florida residents who book enough Disney resort rooms that Disney could feasibly open to those people only at first as a soft opening.

I don’t make that assumption. I do think you’re wrong in that a lot of residents book. And with people hesitant to travel, bookings are down already. I think residents, when they do book, book shorter trips and go more often. Not all, but a great majority. I think they’re much more likely to be AP holders and not ones to buy a lot of souvenirs. But the best evidence of them not opening to only locals is they aren’t restricting reservations. They’re not going to cancel guests who already lost a trip if the parks are open.

 

[Violetspider]

According to 2018 data - over 72% of hotel stays were booked by people more than 100 miles away from Walt Disney World...Yes Florida is much much bigger than 100 miles in length, but the point is locals, no matter how loyal and amazing, they just aren't the key demographic to the success of Walt Disney World having a successful reopening. You have to have confidence that the consumer will want to travel.

Can't post the link - but streelightdata is the my source

Yes! I seriously doubt Disney would cancel hundreds of thousands of dollars of existing reservations in lieu of a soft opening for locals that they hope will want to grab up all of those newly available resort rooms.

 

[BryGuy415]

For reference, I'm less than 2 hours away and WDW is 92 miles away. 100 miles is really not far. People living on or near the beaches of Tampa Bay/Clearwater are 100 miles away.

But you understand the general sentiment right? It's going to take people who have to: book a hotel, eat in the park, stay for more than one day, etc. to give the company confidence that a reopening won't be a gigantic financial disaster. And the most basic assumption would be that a majority (72%) of people in that category would not be considered local residents.

 

[Duck143]

My backup trip is planned for the second week of June. We have AP's that expire next week, so our trip was originally planned for this week. We were supposed to be in GE for May 4th. I read somewhere that someone speculates that only some of the parks will open and maybe EPCOT won't open until next year. I wonder what they do for AP's or tickets if only 3 out of the 4 parks open. I'm really hoping they open all 4 of the parks. I'm ok without parades and/or fireworks happening, even though it would be more magical to have those events, but not sure how I would feel about an entire park not being open.

 

[AmberMV]

But you understand the general sentiment right? It's going to take people who have to: book a hotel, eat in the park, stay for more than one day, etc. to give the company confidence that a reopening won't be a gigantic financial disaster. And the most basic assumption would be that a majority (72%) of people in that category would not be considered local residents.

I think it would become more than a "financial disaster" and become a "financial AND PR disaster" if they open initially to people outside the central Florida/local community and the virus is spread to other communities by way of Disney.

 

[michellej47]

Can I just say how jealous I am of you that live so close?!?!?!? I'd go every dang weekend if I was within about an hours drive!

 

[cakebaker]

I think it would become more than a "financial disaster" and become a "financial AND PR disaster" if they open initially to people outside the central Florida/local community and the virus is spread to other communities by way of Disney.

You realize that most states have a lower infection rate than Florida? I’m more likely to be infected by a Floridian than residents from many other states.

 

[AmberMV]

You realize that most states have a lower infection rate than Florida? I’m more likely to be infected by a Floridian than residents from many other states.

That's exactly the reason why Disney shouldn't open to out of state residents first. Keeping the local community to the local businesses at first is the best and safest roll out of reopening. There is no way Disney is going to bar it's locals from visiting, so they wouldn't want locals mixing with out of state until they know the effects.

You may say "well if they open to only out of state residents it'll be less infection"....who do you think WORKS at WDW? The hint is: it's not out of state workers. It's locals.

 

[BryGuy415]

I think it would become more than a "financial disaster" and become a "financial AND PR disaster" if they open initially to people outside the central Florida/local community and the virus is spread to other communities by way of Disney.

I agree in that Disney is keenly aware they cannot be associated with the spread of this disease like the cruise lines are. cruise lines will take YEARS to recover from this. A spike in cases caused by Disney is the PR disaster regardless if they're local or from out of state. I think that's why we're seeing nothing from the company in terms of opening up. If there's a spike, let it happen and not allow it to be associated with their brand.

 

[rpb718]

That's exactly the reason why Disney shouldn't open to out of state residents first. Keeping the local community to the local businesses at first is the best and safest roll out of reopening. There is no way Disney is going to bar it's locals from visiting, so they wouldn't want locals mixing with out of state until they know the effects.

You may say "well if they open to only out of state residents it'll be less infection"....who do you think WORKS at WDW? The hint is: it's not out of state workers. It's locals.

I have no problem with a "soft" opening to invited APs. I'll let other APs that have been on the board longer than a week chime in. I think the DVC folks might have issue.

 

[AmberMV]

I have no problem with a "soft" opening to invited APs. I'll let other APs that have been on the board longer than a week chime in. I think the DVC folks might have issue.

LOL, who cares how long you've been on a forum. I'm born and raised in Florida and a lifetime Disney visitor. Saying someone's opinion matters less because of the time they've been on a forum is like saying your opinion matters less because you like cheddar cheese-completely inconsequential.

 

[mshanson3121]

But this is exactly why we shouldn’t be so worried about places opening. This article should be encouraging. 400 people who work at a meat plant have it and none of them have any symptoms!

Who were all walking around spreading it to others...

 

[Violetspider]

I have no problem with a "soft" opening to invited APs. I'll let other APs that have been on the board longer than a week chime in. I think the DVC folks might have issue.

Not sure about that. Aren't DVC by definition considered residents/owners? They get the resident rate for AP's. I would imagine any "soft-opening" for FL residents would probably include the DVC's that have existing reservations at the least.

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

Entire state

The orders specifically say tri state.

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

 

[rteetz]

Reminder this is not a thread to discuss death numbers.

This thread is about what Disney may or may not do to reopen.

 

[rpb718]

Not sure about that. Aren't DVC by definition considered residents/owners? They get the resident rate for AP's. I would imagine any "soft-opening" for FL residents would probably include the DVC's that have existing reservations at the least.

I don't think all DVC owners have APs depending on how many points and/or trips they plan.

 

[Violetspider]

Oops, wrong thread. Deleted