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

[vinotinto]

I've been wondering the same thing. If they go to a reservation system for park days, will everyone staying onsite get in?

There is a lot of speculation about this, but I think everyone onsite will get in, along with “good neighbor”/Disney Springs/Swolphin resorts. I think the question becomes if they will need reservations for APs and date-based tickets not staying onsite or at a partner resort. It really depends on how much they are reducing capacity. Some of the numbers we’ve heard would not require much reductions at all. I also think it will depend on whether they open all the parks or only some and what they are able to staff immediately (while they could call back all the CMs, maybe they start by calling back those under 65 or those who indicate willingness to come back).

 

[tlmadden73]

I absolutely feel you guys on the wishing we could plan again. My trip for November (a reschedule from cancelled March trip) has ADR coming up. I have no excitement because I probably won't be going. I doubt this will be under control enough for me to feel my family is safe or the whole experience will be too different to justify the amount of money it costs to attend.

I still read this daily in hopes Disney has some magic fix.

Don't be bummed about a November trip .. that is a LONG way away. Just use the ADR scheduling to give you a boost and some hope. I picked out my FPs for my mid-June trip a month ago, knowing that was a long shot (and still is), but still had fun with it.

But it is hard to NOT get bummed about this. Even if they did open up June 1st (doubtful) I don't even know if I want to go to Disney on June 15th if they are open with "modified" experiences .. (no shows, no fireworks, "socially distant" M&Gs, etc.). Being there and seeing things closed and cast members all in masks will just depress me even more to see how this virus and the fear from it has wrecked a happy place for everyone. (at least temporarily).

 

[Mit88]

I've been wondering the same thing. If they go to a reservation system for park days, will everyone staying onsite get in?

There’s over 9000 rooms on site not including good neighbor hotels. If they’re allowing 30% in, potentially less, I think they’re stretching the limit if all resorts and rooms are open, and theyre all guaranteed a park entry. And thats just Disney resorts, which would mean no one without a resort reservation, and EPCOT being open along with the other 3 parks. Maybe not all resorts are full, and there’s probably people waiting for Disney to release the news before they cancel because I believe you can only cancel airfare with no fees if/when your accommodations are cancelled. And not every resort guest will go to the parks on every day of their stay, some will have a resort day, some will venture off property, or go to DS. Either way, it’s going to be interesting how they go about the capacity and who’s allowed in

 

[westie55]

So question that may have been discussed. Even if Disney World opens June 1 (which seems really unlikely to me) aren't they going to have to cancel some reservations to satisfy the limited capacity requirements, especially ADRs? Or maybe they are hoping enough people self-cancel so that it doesn't become an issue.

I suspect that enough people aren't rushing out to travel to a theme park on June 1 that this won't be a problem.

 

[cakebaker]

So question that may have been discussed. Even if Disney World opens June 1 (which seems really unlikely to me) aren't they going to have to cancel some reservations to satisfy the limited capacity requirements, especially ADRs? Or maybe they are hoping enough people self-cancel so that it doesn't become an issue.

I just took a look at availability for ADRs on our trip in late June. I can get CRT any day of our trip. I don't think they're going to have a problem with over crowding.

 

[vinotinto]

Not sure if anyone has checked out Shanghai DL Resort page.Before anyone jumps out, we all know SDL is not the same as WDW or DL and they operate differently in many ways but here's their wording on several aspects of reopening, and if it's been discussed already I apologize, I took a day off from the DIS yesterday.
BTW their reservation tickets go on sale tomorrow
This one is from the page when you book rooms


As a precautionary measure in line with prevention efforts taking place across China, please kindly note that to ensure the health and safety of every guest, and to comply with relevant legal requirements, when you arrive you will be asked to submit information about your travel record and health status, and if you are unable to submit such information or if you are not in a suitably healthy condition, you may be refused check-in.


A park ticket is not included in the room price, but admission to the park is guaranteed for hotel guests (including Shanghai Disney Resort Annual Pass holders staying in the hotel) in accordance with the room occupancy. If hotel guests wish to visit the park, hotel Cast Members will assist in handling the ticket purchase or reservation procedure of valid tickets to ensure smooth entry.


Upon reopening, Shanghai Disneyland Hotel will operate with limited capacity and provide select offerings and services.

This one is from their general advisory at the front page:

During this initial reopening phase, the park will institute new measures and procedures, including opening with limited attendance and required advanced ticketing and reservations, accommodating social distancing in queues, restaurants, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park, and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection.

Ticket sales will be available via the resort’s official online channels and official travel partners’ channels beginning on May 8 at 8:00 a.m., with a limited number of tickets available each day during the initial reopening.

On May 11, the majority of Shanghai Disneyland’s attractions, rides, some shows and shopping and dining locations will resume operations, with controlled attendance. Some interactive attractions and experiences, such as children play areas, and theater shows will remain closed. Guests can check the availability of attractions and entertainment through the resort’s official website and app.

To accommodate social distancing, parades and nighttime spectaculars will also return at a later date. During the initial reopening phase, a special Disney character procession, Mickey and Friends Express, will take place several times daily, and the Enchanted Storybook Castle will come to life with light and music at dusk each day with Evening Magical Moments. Beloved Disney characters will appear in the park in a new way, as they make appearances in each of the themed lands, greeting and welcoming everyone back to Shanghai Disneyland. Close interaction and close-up photos with characters will be suspended during the initial phase of reopening.

I think that we will see some of the same general modifications from Shanghai Disney at WDW, such as increased sanitation, increased CM training, distancing and spacing in the attractions, characters still around, but distanced, touchless services/mobile ordering, virtual queues for select attractions, masks (either required or encouraged), and decreased capacity. The info about no parades/fireworks, but having characters instead in the distance, is very telling. They will probably test to see how it goes in Shanghai and may implement it at WDW.

I do wonder if they will go the "reservations" and date-based ticket route, though. Chapek was very clear on the call that the opening procedure for Shanghai may be different than what they do in other parks, because of the unique nature of Disney Shanghai. They only have one onsite hotel and they do not offer advance FPs, so it is much harder to determine who will show up at Disney Shanghai than at WDW, so it makes a lot of sense they are requiring either a date-based ticket, or an AP with reservation.

But, WDW is a different beast. They have multiple onsite hotels, and they offer advance FPs. They know who is planning to show up at WDW, and even what park they may visit (through FPs, ADRs and other reservations). So, to me, requiring separate reservations for APs seems a bit redundant. Unless they really want to tighten down who is able to come in.

All of that is to say, I think WDW resort guests and good neighbor/Disney Springs hotel guests will be allowed into the parks without any additional reservations. They may require APs to make a reservation if they are not staying onsite, if they really want to control things, and also depending how much they want to reduce the capacity. Some of the numbers we've seen for 50% of capacity are not that much different than a regular day, but my guess is that WDW will go beyond the 50% capacity suggested by the task force.

 

[rpb718]

I think that initially they will rely on self cancellation or maybe they already know that some borders will be closed.

There are many folks with early reservations that are just waiting to hear of the "modifications" or "restrictions" first before cancelling. Each has their own "stopping point" (fireworks, shows, masks, etc.).

 

[tlmadden73]

I suspect that enough people aren't rushing out to travel to a theme park on June 1 that this won't be a problem.

This -- when Disney announces their opening date AND announces the "modified experiences", Disney will have a flood of self-cancellations if people feel those restrictions are too much to make the cost of the trip worth it or feel the restrictions aren't enough for their safety (or various other reasons they can't make it, money, job, inability to travel).

I suspect a lot of people (like me) are just hanging onto June reservations until Disney releases more info. So it is going to be hard for Disney to know at this point (until they give more details) who can or will show up for existing reservations if they do open up in June.

 

[cakebaker]

I suspect a lot of people (like me) are just hanging onto June reservations until Disney releases more info.

That's us too....depends on if they open and what opening looks like. I expect to see a lot of cancellations, hopefully we won't be one of them.

 

[Sandiz08]

My DH says no table service dining is a deal breaker. Thats half the fun.

 

[jade1]

I absolutely feel you guys on the wishing we could plan again.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

This -- when Disney announces their opening date AND announces the "modified experiences", Disney will have a flood of self-cancellations if people feel those restrictions are too much to make the cost of the trip worth it or feel the restrictions aren't enough for their safety (or various other reasons they can't make it, money, job, inability to travel).

I don't know how much of this will cause people with current reservations to cancel. Those with job or money issues, or who are nervous about going out during a pandemic, have probably already cancelled.

 

[ajksmom]

That's us too....depends on if they open and what opening looks like. I expect to see a lot of cancellations, hopefully we won't be one of them.

As you, I and many others agree.

I do not understand why Disney won’t release what their plans are for reopening regardless of WHEN they reopen.

 

[Tiki Birdland]

My DH says no table service dining is a deal breaker. Thats half the fun.

Our trip is scheduled for the 2nd week of July. We've been pondering cancellation. But, I like yours and others' wait-and-see approach. That's what we'll do too.

We were able to book an ADR for Ohana (our fav at WDW) for 8pm on Jul-13. So, table service may be our breaking point as well. Our original plan was to do DLR but it looked like they're not going to be open any time soon.

Another deal breaker -- for me at least -- is CoP and Tiki Room. Those are must-do and if they're "must-don't" in Disney's eyes, I'd have to cancel. Everyone has their breaking point!

 

[MickeyWaffles]

As you, I and many others agree.

I do not understand why Disney won’t release what their plans are for reopening regardless of WHEN they reopen.

Well, I think what they will do depends on when they are reopening.

What they would do in in June could look differently than what they would do if they didn’t open until September ... or beyond.

The earlier they open, the more limited the experience (IMO.)

 

[anthony2k7]

I think Dining will be easy. Tables will be set apart at least 6 feet, so you will not need to wear a mask.

You still need to interact with your waiter though and they'll still be walking by you all the time to get to the other tables.

 

[Violetspider]

Our trip is scheduled for the 2nd week of July. We've been pondering cancellation. But, I like yours and others' wait-and-see approach. That's what we'll do too.

We were able to book an ADR for Ohana (our fav at WDW) for 8pm on Jul-13. So, table service may be our breaking point as well. Our original plan was to do DLR but it looked like they're not going to be open any time soon.

Another deal breaker -- for me at least -- is CoP and Tiki Room. Those are must-do and if they're "must-don't" in Disney's eyes, I'd have to cancel. Everyone has their breaking point!

My nephew's family is waiting as well for decisions about our early July trip. It's less to do with dining and parades, the kids are super picky eaters so we don't bother with table service, but has everything to do with parks and rides. If, for instance, only MK is open then our 10 day trip will become a 5 day trip. If three parks are open, we are all in. If a substantial number of rides are closed (unlikely), we are out.

 

[Jrb1979]

Well, I think what they will do depends on when they are reopening.

What they would do in in June could look differently than what they would do if they don’t open until September ... or beyond.

I disagree other then maybe the mask part. This virus is going to be around for the foreseeable future. Physical distancing in queues, mobile ordering and cashless transactions are most likely to be in place for awhile. I'm sure Buffet's will be family style for awhile too.

 

[anthony2k7]

Even if the restaurants in DS and CW decide to open next week they probably won't be able to. I'm seeing some huge shortages currently in the food distribution network. Take beef briskets for example. The price of brisket has almost doubled in the past week and that's if you could buy them. It appears that anything that can be ground is being put into ground beef to supply retail demand. Retail is currently driving the industry. Pork Butts are much the same. If you can buy them the cost is exploding. Get ready for a $22 pulled pork sandwich at The Polite Pig. These are just a few examples of what's happening. Now imagine what these supply issues will be like when you start adding the volume of restaurants waiting to come back online. It's going to be a painful few months.

Also part of the equation is anything imported from Europe and specifically Italy. Are you a fan of Il Mulino, Via Napoli, Tutto Italia? Don't be surprised if some of their staple items aren't available for a while.

Good point!

What about all the other country specific foods in epcot? Many will have supply chain issues I bet.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

I disagree other then maybe the mask part. This virus is going to be around for the foreseeable future. Physical distancing in queues, mobile ordering and cashless transactions are most likely to be in place for awhile. I'm sure Buffet's will be family style for awhile too.

I’m more talking about parades, fireworks, shows, meet & greets (plus masks). Things that could really diminish the all around guest experience. It would for us. I think with a later opening we could see some of those things happen in some way, but who knows.

Long term, I wouldn’t mind things like physical distancing in queues, and I love mobile ordering and cashless transactions. Those would all actually be benefits of this to me!