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

[Jrb1979]

I can see "character meals" remaining without characters or character interaction. They can have the characters come into a specific area of the restaurant and have the characters wave or do a dance (not go table to table). That may be a great way for Disney to keep some of that revenue while maintaining social distancing. The only issue is that they would need to let parents know that they will need to make sure their kids do not go up to the characters and I am sure some parents would have difficulty with that.

I don't see it mainly cause most character dining is buffet and I don't see how you can safely open those

 

[vinotinto]

I don't see it mainly cause most character dining is buffet and I don't see how you can safely open those

You can have CMs serving the food, using gloves and masks. That is how cruise lines do it when there is noro on board.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I think buffets may become a limited selection done family style if they open (or just a regular menu) in order to keep people seated in their space as best they can as well as keeping them away from the food.

 

[vinotinto]

Maybe I am not following or I don't know enough to understand, but if all the people entering the park (including cast members) are testing negative, why do we need all the other restrictions?

We had a good discussion about this about 15 pages ago. First of all, that is something Universal is considering and I am making the assumption that WDW has also considered it. But here are the issues:

1. They would need other modifications until this is ready. The current COVID test takes at least 45 minutes to come back, so we are NOT at that 15 minutes yet, although we may be in the future.

2. And it has a 20% false negative rate. Which means, it misses COVID in about 20% of those tested that are positive, so some may still be coming with COVID into the parks.

3. And they need to ask if people are willing to do this because we've seen how guests respond to any modifications. The current test takes a swab up your nose. It feels like you have put a bunch of spicy wasabi up there. I can just imagine the cries in this forum of "my 3-year old will not be able to have this swab done."

4. There's also logistical issues - when and where would this be done? When they enter the Disney bubble? Outside the parks? And if someone is positive, what do they do then?

So, I actually do not think testing will be one of the modifications in place when they reopen.

 

[whiporee]

Based on some things I'm hearing from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, I think there's a decent chance WDW may not provide transportation. They'd waive parking fees, but if you visited you'd need to rent a car or a cab, and if you chose not to have your own car, you'd be dependent on Mears or Minnie Vans for interpark transportation. From what they say, WDW feels as though they can manage the ride queues with reduced capacity and staffing, but busses and monorails are a different concern, especially since they are often overcrowded, and WDW doesn't know how it will mitigate the bus traffic that's currently a necessity at the resort.

The folks are in the OCC, but I don't know how connected they are. But they've said a lot of their conversations have been about car availability and private transportation options.

Don't know how true it is, but that's what they told me today.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Based on some things I'm hearing from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, I think there's a decent chance WDW may not provide transportation. They'd waive parking fees, but if you visited you'd need to rent a car or a cab, and if you chose not to have your own car, you'd be dependent on Mears or Minnie Vans for interpark transportation. From what they say, WDW feels as though they can manage the ride queues with reduced capacity and staffing, but busses and monorails are a different concern, especially since they are often overcrowded, and WDW doesn't know how it will mitigate the bus traffic that's currently a necessity at the resort.

The folks are in the OCC, but I don't know how connected they are. But they've said a lot of their conversations have been about car availability and private transportation options.

Don't know how true it is, but that's what they told me today.

True or not, it makes sense.

Thats another reason to keep resorts closed longer than parks, much fewer transportation issues. They’d really only need to figure out how to properly distance people and keep the ferry cleaned for TTC to MK. Buys them more time to deal with DME logistics too.

 

[mshanson3121]

I agree. I think they only bad thing Disney did in all of this is allow rebooking.

I agree. I just said this on the other thread. They knew darn well that they had no assurance of June 1st, they did it for money, and it was really crappy of them. In a sense, it's false advertising.

I was watching vlogs today and also thinking about my own experience at resorts. Packed food courts and pools. Packed buses. This is why I think resorts open after the parks. Or they open at very reduced capacity.

I had never thought of parks before resorts, I was with everyone else - DS and resorts first, but the more I read here, I think parks first is what will happen. It really does make more sense.

Based on some things I'm hearing from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, I think there's a decent chance WDW may not provide transportation. They'd waive parking fees, but if you visited you'd need to rent a car or a cab, and if you chose not to have your own car, you'd be dependent on Mears or Minnie Vans for interpark transportation. From what they say, WDW feels as though they can manage the ride queues with reduced capacity and staffing, but busses and monorails are a different concern, especially since they are often overcrowded, and WDW doesn't know how it will mitigate the bus traffic that's currently a necessity at the resort.

The folks are in the OCC, but I don't know how connected they are. But they've said a lot of their conversations have been about car availability and private transportation options.

Don't know how true it is, but that's what they told me today.

This too, would make perfect sense. Especially if they open the parks before the resorts. I'm also thinking this lends credence to the idea that park hopping won't be allowed even when they do eventually open up the other parks (assuming WDW Pro is right and only MK opens initially).

 

[HuskieJohn]

At this point if we go for our trip in 2 months we were planning on taking a Minnie Van to every location to avoid the busses...but by requiring everyone to use them would cause huge waits.

 

[Jrb1979]

At this point if we go for our trip in 2 months we were planning on taking a Minnie Van to every location to avoid the busses...but by requiring everyone to use them would cause huge waits.

Not if the measures laid out by WDWpro are put in place. If only the MK resorts are open at first.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

At this point if we go for our trip in 2 months we were planning on taking a Minnie Van to every location to avoid the busses...but by requiring everyone to use them would cause huge waits.

I think without transportation many more people opt for rental cars or Uber/lyft to get around rather than paying what is it $30 a pop for a Minnie Van.

Minnie Van wait times are probably the least of your issues for a trip in June.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Based on some things I'm hearing from the Orlando Chamber of Commerce, I think there's a decent chance WDW may not provide transportation. They'd waive parking fees, but if you visited you'd need to rent a car or a cab, and if you chose not to have your own car, you'd be dependent on Mears or Minnie Vans for interpark transportation. From what they say, WDW feels as though they can manage the ride queues with reduced capacity and staffing, but busses and monorails are a different concern, especially since they are often overcrowded, and WDW doesn't know how it will mitigate the bus traffic that's currently a necessity at the resort.

The folks are in the OCC, but I don't know how connected they are. But they've said a lot of their conversations have been about car availability and private transportation options.

Don't know how true it is, but that's what they told me today.

Did the CC read my posts from last week - I mentioned that I expected the open to be everyone driving their own cars with no Disney transport available, and now there's the idea getting pitched...dang...

 

[mmackeymouse]

No matter when they open they aren’t going to just open as normal. Whoever is in that first group is going to get a lesser experience. There is no way around it.

Agreed. The question is....do they stick it to the guests? Do they offer discounted tickets? Do they offer some sort of incentive? They can't really afford to discount much; nor can they really afford to offer free goodies/food/merch/etc.

Maybe a massive bounceback offer? Like 50% off resort stays effective 2021-2022.

Maybe guaranteed admission for 10/1/21?

 

[mmackeymouse]

No transportation? Lord...everytime I read this thread, it gives me heart palpitations. You'd think I'd stop but....nope.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

Opening parks first could make some sense, but doesn't address the big issue (IMHO) of DVC members. I think opening the parks but not the resorts would anger a lot of us owners if it was for any extended period of time.

 

[midnight star]

At this point if we go for our trip in 2 months we were planning on taking a Minnie Van to every location to avoid the busses...but by requiring everyone to use them would cause huge waits.

And they would be expensive? I've never taken a Minnie Van, but aren't they similar to an uber/lyft with increased cost with more demand? If more people request them, they will be very expensive.

 

[mshanson3121]

Opening parks first could make some sense, but doesn't address the big issue (IMHO) of DVC members. I think opening the parks but not the resorts would anger a lot of us owners if it was for any extended period of time.

I'm almost thinking they would have to just refund you guys.

 

[TwoMisfits]

No transportation? Lord...everytime I read this thread, it gives me heart palpitations. You'd think I'd stop but....nope.

Honestly, if Disney were ever to get out of the business of free bus transport from the airport and around the resort, now would be the time.

Especially now that the sanitation needs and costs of said transport are about to skyrocket.

It's an easy cost to chuck on the consumer without having to directly raise prices.

And they can say they have the Minnie cars for anyone who needs to have someone else drive.

Before, it was a "trap you on the resort to keep your money" strategy in an economic boom...but now, it might be "figure out how to lower the cost of business so we can keep price raises in check" in a down economy...

 

[tinkerhon]

I took this off another forum but this is what they think what Disney will look like for now.

• Magic Kingdom reopens with limited capacity, no theaters, no parades, no castle shows, no fireworks and sanitized ride vehicles after every guest exit.
• Magic Kingdom resorts reopen with strict distancing guidelines in place.
• Monorails would not operate.
• Ferries and boat transportation would operate with distancing in place.
• Health checks would be introduced at every security checkpoint. This would include temperature checks and Q&A (including locations you have traveled to in the past 14 days).
• Guests will have to sign additional legal forms clearing Disney of liability for potential exposure to COVID-19.
• EPCOT will remain closed if other parks are able to reopen prior to September.
• Hollywood Studios reopens with limited capacity, no indoor theaters, no parades, no fireworks, and sanitized ride vehicles after every guest exit.
• Animal Kingdom reopens with limited capacity, no indoor theaters, no parades, no Rivers of Light, and sanitized ride vehicles after every guest exit. Maharajah Jungle Trek would remain closed, and no close encounters with any animals at any place in the park will be permitted. Details about Animal Kingdom are still being developed.
• Transportation guidelines are still being developed.
• Dining guidelines are still being developed.
• No character meet and greets.
• No character dining.
• Water parks will not reopen while Secure Circuit is in place.
• DVC details are still being developed.
• Sanitation stations will be available throughout the parks, as well as directions on the ground to keep guests moving in proper directions for limited pedestrian crossing.
• It is likely, though not officially determined, that masks will be a requirement for adults.
• Magic Bands mandatory for all guests, fingerprints temporarily on hold.
• Non-MK resorts are unlikely to reopen until Phase 2 begins (Secure Circuit is for Phase 1).
• Disney is currently evaluating every single ride and queue to determine how and if it can operate with strict distancing guidelines. This includes determining how to move people through the queue in a safe manner even if virtual queue is in place for that particular ride. For example, even just moving through the queue of Pirates exposes guests to whatever guests passed through the queue 20 seconds prior.
• Chapek ultimately makes the call on when to reopen and how, once DeSantis gives the green light... so while the protocols for Secure Circuit have been developed, there may be changes from the top.
• What's on and what's off for future construction is now largely on how much and when Disney receives US government money, as well as the realities of the economy on the other side of this situation. Expect Disney to NOT announce cancellations of projects in 2020, but also for some projects to simply sit with no announcement. Disney is likely to be very bearish in 2020 until we get Q4 economic data.

Sounds like a recipe for a really fun vacation - oy !

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Honestly, if Disney were ever to get out of the business of free bus transport from the airport and around the resort, now would be the time.

Especially now that the sanitation and costs of said transport are about to skyrocket.

It's an easy cost to chuck on the consumer without having to directly raise prices.

And they can say they have the Minnie cars for anyone who needs to have someone else drive.

Before, it was a "trap you on the resort to keep your money" strategy in an economic boom...but now, it might be "figure out how to lower the cost of business so we can keep price raises in check" in a down economy...

Why does the long term implications of this bother me more than loss of anything in the parks, including fireworks?

We have become really attached to starting our vacation with DME.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I'd be ok driving a rental car, we usually stay onsite and have one anyways. It does seem like not providing transportation could save a lot of money and hassle for Disney, at least initially.