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

[e_yerger]

Is there anything that would really prevent WDW from, at least temporarily, turning the parks into a 24-hour operation? I know that they have done it previously for 24-hour events, but it seems like it may be a different way to keep park revenue roughly even with pre pandemic levels while practicing social distancing. I hadn’t seen this idea floated in this context yet. Just wondering if there is a large operational impediment that would prevent it?

Staff?

 

[Lewisc]

Is there anything that would really prevent WDW from, at least temporarily, turning the parks into a 24-hour operation? I know that they have done it previously for 24-hour events, but it seems like it may be a different way to keep park revenue roughly even with pre pandemic levels while practicing social distancing. I hadn’t seen this idea floated in this context yet. Just wondering if there is a large operational impediment that would prevent it?

Staff. $$$ Possible need to do a deep cleaning after park hours.

 

[only hope]

Is there anything that would really prevent WDW from, at least temporarily, turning the parks into a 24-hour operation? I know that they have done it previously for 24-hour events, but it seems like it may be a different way to keep park revenue roughly even with pre pandemic levels while practicing social distancing. I hadn’t seen this idea floated in this context yet. Just wondering if there is a large operational impediment that would prevent it?

As others said, staff, sanitation, and I would add wear and tear on the rides. Continuous operation can't be good for them (and neither can no operation...I hope someone is running them weekly or something). Running a 24 hour event at MK is different than continuous operation. Even in normal times, there was a night crew who cleaned every park every night. That's why sidewalks are wet in the morning. Even during the 24 hour events, rides were still on a schedule with certain ones being closed for a few hours, presumably for safety checks.

 

[Oldnewfan]

A consensus seems to be forming across all boards and sites related to the Coronavirus. If the parks and resorts are to be scaled back in this fashion, people are saying they are not interested in going. There are many with summer and fall reservations that are saying they will be canceling ASAP. Scaling back drastically will not be good for Disney. They will lose tremendous business. I’m sure they have no intention of drastic cuts to their prices. Virus or not, people want the experience they have come to know and love. if they cannot have that or only have some light version of it, they will not go and spend money to be disappointed and face the entire trip talking about what once was and how it now is. we have moved our next trip which would have been this fall to next May but if things are scaled back in any way still at that time, we will cancel. I don’t know how everyone else feels but we don’t want to come for disappointment. Is that wrong?

A Disney trip and all the planning is already akin to doing battle. This level of intrusion that folks are talking about is going to suck what's left of the magic right out of it. I mean, step back for a second and imagine that day at Disney. Do you guys think it's anything at all like what you fell in love with? Now these guys want to introduce this added hurdle-jumping to a very expensive vacation that is going to be super weird and intrusive. Like a massive white coat syndrome every morning where you wonder if you'll cut the mustard with Disneys virus police? So you can what.... have a once a year break from reality when the reality of what were living through it right in front of everyone with a mask over their face? And now we're walking around like masked bandits wondering if security is now taking a hit... nope. I say you guys spent your thousands like you want. I think this experience is going to take a hit like no other and it sucks.

 

[rteetz]

As others said, staff, sanitation, and I would add wear and tear on the rides. Continuous operation can't be good for them (and neither can no operation...I hope someone is running them weekly or something). Running a 24 hour event at MK is different than continuous operation. Even in normal times, there was a night crew who cleaned every park every night. That's why sidewalks are wet in the morning. Even during the 24 hour events, rides were still on a schedule with certain ones being closed for a few hours, presumably for safety checks.

Yeah the 24 hour events are not something Disney really likes to do because of staffing, cleaning, and maintenance. A large portion of their maintenance is done overnight.

 

[Farro]

A Disney trip and all the planning is already akin to doing battle. This level of intrusion that folks are talking about is going to suck what's left of the magic right out of it. I mean, step back for a second and imagine that day at Disney. Do you guys think it's anything at all like what you fell in love with? Now these guys want to introduce this added hurdle-jumping to a very expensive vacation that is going to be super weird and intrusive. Like a massive white coat syndrome every morning where you wonder if you'll cut the mustard with Disneys virus police? So you can what.... have a once a year break from reality when the reality of what were living through it right in front of everyone with a mask over their face? And now we're walking around like masked bandits wondering if security is now taking a hit... nope. I say you guys spent your thousands like you want. I think this experience is going to take a hit like no other and it sucks.

Well, I'm starting to have second thoughts about all this.

Right now? Sure, I would never go with all these restrictions.
Next year? Well, at that point I would be pretty used to those restrictions if they are still in place.

You can get used to anything. Anything will become "normal".

My point is by next spring I have no idea what I'll be feeling and maybe I'll be so used to social distancing and wearing a mask that of course I'm going to WDW!

 

[mdglover]

Secure Circuit proposal on post 1 says no buffets.

Lumiere’s Kitchen in Shanghai looks to be a buffet. Does anyone know how they are handling it there since it’s open?

 

[Tonberry]

Anyone who thinks that wearing masks are a great idea in the Florida heat and humidity is seriously mistaken.
I wear an N95 mask at work (inside mind you) and after an hour, my face is hot and sweaty. My wife's best friend is a nurse, and they're told to hydrate with lots of electrolytes before starting their shift because of the heat and perspiration caused by constantly wearing the masks.

 

[EmJ]

A consensus seems to be forming across all boards and sites related to the Coronavirus. If the parks and resorts are to be scaled back in this fashion, people are saying they are not interested in going. There are many with summer and fall reservations that are saying they will be canceling ASAP. Scaling back drastically will not be good for Disney. They will lose tremendous business. I’m sure they have no intention of drastic cuts to their prices. Virus or not, people want the experience they have come to know and love. if they cannot have that or only have some light version of it, they will not go and spend money to be disappointed and face the entire trip talking about what once was and how it now is. we have moved our next trip which would have been this fall to next May but if things are scaled back in any way still at that time, we will cancel. I don’t know how everyone else feels but we don’t want to come for disappointment. Is that wrong?

Looking at the pictures from Shanghai, that is a hard NO from me. My family loooove theme parks. All of them. Everywhere. We love them because when we go, we step out of reality for a few days. We are suddenly immersed in fun, entertainment, no (few) rules, sugar, thrills, and being generally carefree.

I am absolutely not interested in flying across the country and paying $5,000 to watch my every footfall to make sure I am standing in exactly the right spot, wrestling a mask onto my five year old and reminding him 5,154 times per minute not to touch it, having my health surveyed, and just generally being reminded at every turn that we haven't left reality behind after all.

To be clear - I agree COMPLETELY with the social distancing measures that are occurring, and support Disney (and other theme parks) in staying closed as long as necessary, even though it makes me sad. But if they open and that is the "vacation" experience?... yeah, I'll pass.

 

[andyman8]

Lumiere’s Kitchen in Shanghai looks to be a buffet. Does anyone know how they are handling it there since it’s open?

I’ve asked this question myself and heard conflicting reports. It’s my understanding that they’re either doing family-style (like ‘Ohana) or are doing a limited buffet where CMs at each station serve you. My guess is it started as the former and has transitioned to the ladder. According to their website, the ladder seems to now be the case. I do know that characters are appearing, but they’re “roaming” the restaurant as opposed to stopping at tables and posing for pictures.

 

[kiki02]

Is there anything that would really prevent WDW from, at least temporarily, turning the parks into a 24-hour operation? I know that they have done it previously for 24-hour events, but it seems like it may be a different way to keep park revenue roughly even with pre pandemic levels while practicing social distancing. I hadn’t seen this idea floated in this context yet. Just wondering if there is a large operational impediment that would prevent it?

Saying this from day 1. REcoup some losses, spread out people if they'd just open at 7 am or even 6 am. 9 am was too late for most of us anyway! We were up at 5 am in March just waiting......

 

[TheMaxRebo]

A consensus seems to be forming across all boards and sites related to the Coronavirus. If the parks and resorts are to be scaled back in this fashion, people are saying they are not interested in going. There are many with summer and fall reservations that are saying they will be canceling ASAP. Scaling back drastically will not be good for Disney. They will lose tremendous business. I’m sure they have no intention of drastic cuts to their prices. Virus or not, people want the experience they have come to know and love. if they cannot have that or only have some light version of it, they will not go and spend money to be disappointed and face the entire trip talking about what once was and how it now is. we have moved our next trip which would have been this fall to next May but if things are scaled back in any way still at that time, we will cancel. I don’t know how everyone else feels but we don’t want to come for disappointment. Is that wrong?

Not sure if that is consensus - I've seen many posts from people saying they don't care how limited things are they just want to be in the park and able to walk down Main St again. More often people that are local or go multiple times a year, not people that have to travel far/go infrequently

Plus I would think Disney would want to ease into things - so by opening with restrictions that they can then adapt (and maybe lessen) over time would help them get back to full operation (or at least what "new normal full operations") quicker.

 

[mshanson3121]

Apparently our discussion of Secure Circuit has earned a mention in national news...

https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/d...eopen-until-2021-wall-street-analyst-says.amp
https://www.latimes.com/business/st...me-parks-may-stay-closed-until-2021-then-what
Now that this is getting mention in more "official" headlines, do you think it may encourage Disney to release some details?

 

[Bossk_mr]

We are DVC members and have a trip booked Min June at the Beach Club. If 10% of the restrictions are real, then I cannot justify going. Masks alone are enough for me to cancel.
We booked our fast passes this past Saturday and was able to get most of the harder rides but things like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were gone on a few of the days…never seen that before. So, we called DVC and found our that there at capacity. Reason being, everyone who had trips in March, April and May booked for June. If the resorts are at capacity and the restrictions are what we’re hearing then it’s going to be a disaster.
If Epcot is closed, then that takes a huge benefit out of staying at the Beach Club.
Were cancelling and with try and go next year if the restrictions are reasonable

 

[lluv3971]

A Disney trip and all the planning is already akin to doing battle. This level of intrusion that folks are talking about is going to suck what's left of the magic right out of it. I mean, step back for a second and imagine that day at Disney. Do you guys think it's anything at all like what you fell in love with? Now these guys want to introduce this added hurdle-jumping to a very expensive vacation that is going to be super weird and intrusive. Like a massive white coat syndrome every morning where you wonder if you'll cut the mustard with Disneys virus police? So you can what.... have a once a year break from reality when the reality of what were living through it right in front of everyone with a mask over their face? And now we're walking around like masked bandits wondering if security is now taking a hit... nope. I say you guys spent your thousands like you want. I think this experience is going to take a hit like no other and it sucks.

This is why we cancelled our summer trip. I was 1000% on board with going until I actually took a moment to think about what the experience would be like.
Disney HAS TO make modifications to the overall experience, and I support that, but I know that if I went during this time period, I would be extremely disappointed. I would also have to be super vigilant about washing my hands and keeping myself as "safe" as possible, moreso than I would at home. I would be more stressed, anxious and frustrated on my "vacation" than I would be at home.

I fully support anyone who feels comfortable going to WDW this year. We need people to go the parks to help reopen the place that we all love so much.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

<snip> It'll come to personal accountability. You don't want to be exposed to the virus,? Stay home
You want to come? Take your own precautions </snip>

Personal responsibility. What a novel idea.

 

[mshanson3121]

I fully support anyone who feels comfortable going to WDW this year. We need people to go the parks to help reopen the place that we all love so much.

This, I don't begrudge the people that want to go. I just won't be one of them - and that's primarily due to finances/the return. Too much money for such a limited experience. But, if I lived locally, and was able to go often/didn't have to travel a few thousand miles, then sure why not!

 

[rpb718]

We are DVC members and have a trip booked Min June at the Beach Club. If 10% of the restrictions are real, then I cannot justify going. Masks alone are enough for me to cancel.
We booked our fast passes this past Saturday and was able to get most of the harder rides but things like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad were gone on a few of the days…never seen that before. So, we called DVC and found our that there at capacity. Reason being, everyone who had trips in March, April and May booked for June. If the resorts are at capacity and the restrictions are what we’re hearing then it’s going to be a disaster.
If Epcot is closed, then that takes a huge benefit out of staying at the Beach Club.
Were cancelling and with try and go next year if the restrictions are reasonable

Frankly, I'd be surprised if only 10% of the proposed restrictions aren't part of the "new normal" going forward at WDW. I know they wouldn't want to be caught off-guard if there were ever another pandemic in the future.

 

[marinejjh]

A Disney trip and all the planning is already akin to doing battle. This level of intrusion that folks are talking about is going to suck what's left of the magic right out of it. I mean, step back for a second and imagine that day at Disney. Do you guys think it's anything at all like what you fell in love with? Now these guys want to introduce this added hurdle-jumping to a very expensive vacation that is going to be super weird and intrusive. Like a massive white coat syndrome every morning where you wonder if you'll cut the mustard with Disneys virus police? So you can what.... have a once a year break from reality when the reality of what were living through it right in front of everyone with a mask over their face? And now we're walking around like masked bandits wondering if security is now taking a hit... nope. I say you guys spent your thousands like you want. I think this experience is going to take a hit like no other and it sucks.

Or the other option is to go on other vacations elsewhere.

 

[Bossk_mr]

Frankly, I'd be surprised if only 10% of the proposed restrictions aren't part of the "new normal" going forward at WDW. I know they wouldn't want to be caught off-guard if there were ever another pandemic in the future.

I completely understand why Disney will have many of these restrictions and can't say I blame them. I'm going to guess that the list we've seen is close to 100% true