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

[cakebaker]

anything is possible. I am of the thought that both properties would open at the same time, but they might just open Universal first and Disney will wait and see and let Universal take the brunt of the PR-madness "oh my God they opened the theme parks, that's crazy"

That's exactly what my daughter said...let Universal take the heat. lol I can't imagine that they'd be open for long without Disney following- IF everything goes smoothly. We do have 1 day scheduled for Universal on our trip, but no way we go without Disney being open. My grandson is 8 and has only been once as a toddler, so they're taking a day to take him there.

 

[RamblingMad]

Universal is such a relaxed vacation as opposed to Disney, people used to hate on it because it didn't have the same level of costumer service but I can tell you without a doubt they have upped their game and almost all TM are as atentive or even more than CM. Universal is the only place where I have scanned my ticket and they tell me "thanks for being an annual passholder" The food at quick services is better and the rides are more advance. They do have a fascination with screen rides which is my only complain and the fact that I cannot stream or video tape in almost none of the attractions
If you have a HP fan they will absolutely love it

I agree. I now only go to FL for Universal.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Universal is such a relaxed vacation as opposed to Disney, people used to hate on it because it didn't have the same level of costumer service but I can tell you without a doubt they have upped their game and almost all TM are as atentive or even more than CM. Universal is the only place where I have scanned my ticket and they tell me "thanks for being an annual passholder" The food at quick services is better and the rides are more advance. They do have a fascination with screen rides which is my only complain and the fact that I cannot stream or video tape in almost none of the attractions
If you have a HP fan they will absolutely love it

we need to do a Universal focused trip on of these years - been waiting for my kids to get a bit bigger/older.

I haven't been to Universal since 2000 (my understanding is there are a couple of changes since then )

My wife and oldest did do one day there to see the Harry Potter stuff - they enjoyed it but said it was exhausting and wound up leaving a bit early so didn't seem relaxed to them (but it was a one day thing and trying to fit stuff in - but then the rides got to be a bit much for them after doing them a few times each)

And now with the new value family suites T think it becomes a real option for us

 

[Eric Smith]

We have never been to Universal, but if they’re open while we are down there this year and Disney isn’t, I would not be opposed to going. My kids love Harry Potter. I’m just trying to find something to look forward to...

I don't know how well the Harry Potter areas would work if distancing measures have to be put in place. Diagon Alley is built to be kind of tight and cramped to fit with the theme.

 

[HuskieJohn]

It still costs money to have construction going. Disney just borrowed more money so construction is the last thing they want to do.

It costs money just to have the equipment sit there doing nothing.
It costs additional money (not planned) to stop a project, have it sit for months exposed and get damaged by the natural elements because its not in its finished form.
It costs additional money to have workers resume the work after a long break. Even more costly if they are not the original workers who were on the job.

 

[michellej47]

We have never been to Universal, but if they’re open while we are down there this year and Disney isn’t, I would not be opposed to going. My kids love Harry Potter. I’m just trying to find something to look forward to...

Same, if Disney won't open shortly after UO, we are fine going to UO.

 

[Tandy]

It costs money just to have the equipment sit there doing nothing.
It costs additional money (not planned) to stop a project, have it sit for months exposed and get damaged by the natural elements because its not in its finished form.
It costs additional money to have workers resume the work after a long break. Even more costly if they are not the original workers who were on the job.

Plus there is too much revenue to be lost as there is a huge return on investment of these new projects for the anniversary coming up

 

[Eric Smith]

Plus there is too much revenue to be lost as there is a huge return on investment of these new projects for the anniversary coming up

Yeah, I don't see a way that anything that was started will not be finished. There may be some future plans that get scrapped (Mary Poppins), but Disney isn't going to just leave things half built in a park. They'll still need reasons for people to travel once this is over.

 

[Mit88]

anything is possible. I am of the thought that both properties would open at the same time, but they might just open Universal first and Disney will wait and see and let Universal take the brunt of the PR-madness "oh my God they opened the theme parks, that's crazy"

Lol, Universal would be praised for being brave opening up first and how they’re bringing people back to work. Doesn’t matter if Disney opens up 5 weeks after Universal, they’ll get flamed by the media. The last few days open, it was all pictures of Disney being crowded, but nothing about Universal. I remember checking wait times and Universal was still very busy

 

[Tjddis]

I find it interesting that everyone seems to have a different breaking point in which they would decide to cancel a trip. For some it’s no pools, for others it’s no TS. Some would cancel if masks are required while others may cancel if they aren’t. Etc. Etc.

For me I think it would be the mask requirement, if nighttime shows were cancelled, and to a lesser degree if there is no TS. I understand that Disney will do whatever they need to do to give both CMs and guests a feeling of safety. If I’m going to spend $6k for my family of 5, my choice would be to postpone our trip until a time when things are more “normal”.

For me it’s the combined effect that all of this will have. WDW is a different kind of vacation for some. I spend hours crunching ride time numbers, adjusting reservations and FPS and scouring boards for tips. My friends think I am nuts. At times my family has questioned the need to plan so much. But then they don’t get to do something they wanted to and they see the error of their ways! Lol
Even if you are not a big planner if you want to eat in a certain restaurant you need to know 6 months out. I am aware others don’t approach it like we do. But we always have a great time and feel we have gotten the most out of our vacation. Which is important to us given the cost. So adding all of the restrictions, limiting the experience and now seeing people seriously discussing the proper reaction to getting punched in the face while at an amusement park? Jeez. Just not what we signed up for when we originally planned to go. And I have not even mentioned any concern over virus exposure. So we can wait and see how it all plays out...

 

[Mit88]

We have never been to Universal, but if they’re open while we are down there this year and Disney isn’t, I would not be opposed to going. My kids love Harry Potter. I’m just trying to find something to look forward to...

And this is probably the reason why Disney wouldn’t open up much after Universal. Disney wants people to reschedule their trips later in the year and come back to Disney. But if people are still coming down because Universal is open and they don’t reschedule for later in the year, then thats lost money.

 

[Skippyboo]

I rescheduled my June 1st reservation for mid-August. I see that Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is starting August 13th. My question would be: if they are not going to have parades and fireworks, do you think they will still have these events? What would the selling point of these events be if the parks are already at a limited capacity? Thoughts?

. Fireworks, Parade, Character Meet & Greets, Trick or Treating that’s basically most of party activities. Maybe it becomes an After Hours type event.

 

[yulilin3]

Lol, Universal would be praised for being brave opening up first and how they’re bringing people back to work. Doesn’t matter if Disney opens up 5 weeks after Universal, they’ll get flamed by the media. The last few days open, it was all pictures of Disney being crowded, but nothing about Universal. I remember checking wait times and Universal was still very busy

Universal also has a bigger need in reopening as they only furloughed their part time tm, full time are still being paid but with a 20% cut

 

[Cdn Jeff]

It costs money just to have the equipment sit there doing nothing.
It costs additional money (not planned) to stop a project, have it sit for months exposed and get damaged by the natural elements because its not in its finished form.
It costs additional money to have workers resume the work after a long break. Even more costly if they are not the original workers who were on the job.

Crisis management 101 - end all superfluous activity and deal only with the matter at hand. Resume peripheral activity only once the full impact of the crisis is understood.
It’s about risk management.

 

[CheshireCas]

And this is probably the reason why Disney wouldn’t open up much after Universal. Disney wants people to reschedule their trips later in the year and come back to Disney. But if people are still coming down because Universal is open and they don’t reschedule for later in the year, then thats lost money.

I agree 100%. If we chose Universal, we would skip out on Disney until 2021. I just checked the Universal website and it is still allowing reservations to be made June 1. Not sure if that means anything, but it's more than I can do with Disney right now.

 

[abnihon]

As far as wanting Universal to take the heat which is quite likely it would take weeks to know if cases increased because of Universal opening so it’s possible Disney could wait and see how that plays out.
It would not surprise me if Disney were more cautious than Universal about this..

 

[Skippyboo]

Sea world is probably going to be first. They are hated anyways. It’s going to take awhile to clean all those Legos at LEGOland.

 

[Mit88]

Universal also has a bigger need in reopening as they only furloughed their part time tm, full time are still being paid but with a 20% cut

It’s also a lot easier to control 2 parks right next to each other, and much few resorts than Disneys 4 parks and numerous resorts. I could see Disney opening a week after Universal, but I’m not sure they’d want to wait much longer than that. Seaworld and Busch Gardens would be easier to open than both Disney and Universal

 

[Mit88]

Sea world is probably going to be first. They are hated anyways. It’s going to take awhile to clean all those Legos at LEGOland.

Hey Seaworld, aren’t you worried about the bad PR you might get if you open up first?

Have you seen Blackfish?

 

[yulilin3]

As far as wanting Universal to take the heat which is quite likely it would take weeks to know if cases increased because of Universal opening so it’s possible Disney could wait and see how that plays out.
It would not surprise me if Disney were more cautious than Universal about this..

Especially after the firestorm when they closed with the huge party they had for varsity cheer that night (in the end there was no outbreak from that)