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

[DaBourques4]

Honestly, at that point, I would just rather not have the characters there after all. Think of all the little ones, especially those who this is their first visit. Or even worse, those who have been before or have watched videos on Youtube, and are expecting to be able to meet the characters. You're going to have to stop the kiddos from wanting to interact with the character, and potentially breaking your kids' hearts and spirit. The especially little ones aren't going to understand what's going on. I can see lots of tears and lots of stress on parents' parts.

Plus who is gonna pay a premium to see the characters from a distance?

Just get rid of the character meals until it can be the full experience.
[/QUOTE
Me. I'll pay. It will be my grand daughter's first visit so she won't know what she's missing out on. And we've watched videos of meet/greets and such, but we also educate her at 3 (almost 4 years old) about not getting to close to anyone because we don't want to get sick. Also, I feel pretty good about the facts that it would take more than a little distance between her and her favorite characters to break her heart or spirit. #wearereadytogo

 

[Julie Amber]

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/new...r-meet-greets-at-enchanted-garden-restaurant/

• The restaurant was previously a buffet and resumed food service mid-March on weekends only through a manu rather than a buffet.
• Guests will be allowed to take pictures of the characters from their tables, but can’t hug or touch them as part of safe social distancing practices.

I could Disney implementing that here. I would imagine meet and greets would be the same here.

This link also talks about them going from menu ordering to all you can eat again. I'm wondering if they are going to do this as a traditional buffet or family style. Has anyone heard how they are going to handle this part?

 

[Jrb1979]

This link also talks about them going from menu ordering to all you can eat again. I'm wondering if they are going to do this as a traditional buffet or family style. Has anyone heard how they are going to handle this part?

I would imagine family style. Much easier to control social distancing

 

[hereforthechurros]

I was considering DL for Halloween if my summer WDW trip gets cancelled, but I had the exact same thought about the crowds for the first six months after reopening.

Same. We have family in SoCal we are dying to see and it’s very appealing to do a DL trip while there but convinced it will be crazy. If it’s even open.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Me. I'll pay. It will be my grand daughter's first visit so she won't know what she's missing out on. And we've watched videos of meet/greets and such, but we also educate her at 3 (almost 4 years old) about not getting to close to anyone because we don't want to get sick. Also, I feel pretty good about the facts that it would take more than a little distance between her and her favorite characters to break her heart or spirit. #wearereadytogo

Understandable.

I don't know if you've ever seen it. But, I think back to a video the DIS crew did a while back. And Steve Porter was talking about Trattoria al Forno breakfast. And, the way that works, is there is a character breakfast price, and there is a non-character price.

But, he talked about how it was kind of uncomfortable, because all these little kids wanted to go up to the characters. And sometimes, the parents just let them and didn't try to control them. And sometimes the parents did intervene, but there were many crying and disappointed children.

I guess I am just imagining that on a much larger scale. And yes, obviously people would be like you and have that discussion with their kids/grandkids in order to prepare them. But, many won't. Many may not even be prepared for it. And, I love the US, but I have to imagine our folks won't be as polite as those in Hong Kong. So, I'm imagining people screaming at the servers/CMs about "I paid a lot of money..." And then I imagine character wranglers having to control a situation in which parents are not following the rules and they are being forced to intercept other people's kids.

 

[Mit88]

My worry is that they will do just that with little to no discounts just to keep the numbers down. Really depends on demand and how much they plan on restricting attendance.

I wouldn’t complain (as an AP holder) because to me, as long as I go into the parks 5 times a year, it’s beyond paid for. Technically it would be less than because I get the DVC pricing, but I don’t typically spend full days in the parks anymore, I’ll do about 4 in one, take a break and go to another for about 3 hours. But once I reach that 5th day, I’ve already surpassed what I feel the pass is worth, to me. The 2 times I’ve had an AP I think I’ve used it over 20 park days in 4 trips, so beyond worth it.

but if there’s no fireworks, no parades, there will be a lot of AP holders, maybe not the locals, but a lot that had gotten their AP before the shutdown, paid the price, discounted or not with the full experience in mind that wont be very happy. I love the fireworks, but I’m more of a nighttime parade type of person. No fireworks isn’t a dealbreaker for me, but I understand it’s part of the full Disney day experience for many. And not having that, while expecting AP holders to be satisfied is risky PR

 

[cakebaker]

I'm surprised there's much more chatter about masks than the possibility of them not having fireworks, parades, etc! To me, that would make much more of an impact on my trip.

Me too. Those are the things that will determine whether we go or not. No shows or fireworks will make it very hard for me to justify the long trip we have planned.

 

[whiporee]

It would be bad PR not to follow suit if all other theme parks are doing it.

i don't think anyone who isn't already going to be upset abut reopening will care at all. You won't have people saying "I was agains them opening, but since they are recommending masks I'm okay with it" or "I was in favor of them opening, but since they aren't requiring masks I'm now opposed." People's opinions won't be mitigated because of mask usage -- if you think it's too early, you'll think it's too early masks or not.

A large percentage will wear them, a portion of the guests won't. I don't think Disney will require or recommend them, because they'll not want to set up a system of some guests getting mad at others for not following rules or "rules." But some PR is going to be bad if they open anytime before a vaccine or proven treatment, and it won't be because of masks. The lack of requyired masks will be part of the argument, but the argument would exist either way.

 

[saskdw]

I'm surprised there's much more chatter about masks than the possibility of them not having fireworks, parades, etc! To me, that would make much more of an impact on my trip.

I feel like for most in this debate masks are a symbol for a bunch of other opinions were not allowed to discuss on DIS.

 

[Jrb1979]

I feel like for most in this debate masks are a symbol for a bunch of other opinions were not allowed to discuss on DIS.

I think it's more that if masks are required it really takes away from the Magic of Disney and the escape from the world. People can live without characters and parades.

 

[Mit88]

I think there’s a lot to the debate. And they’re all valid reasons. Trips to Disney, or anywhere are individual experiences. But Disney is a very expensive escape from reality. And when reality enters the parks with you (seeing all of the in park modifications reflecting “real life” issues outside of the Welcome to Disney World signs) some people just cant justify the experience and price. There would have to be more than the “M” word, 6 foot distancing and lack of Fireworks and Parades to keep me away, personally. But thats just me.

 

[xuxa777]

Plus the security issues that come from everyone wearing a mask worries Disney a bit I imagine. There was a reason the banned mask in Disney before.

 

[Cfiiitz]

Plus the security issues that come from everyone wearing a mask worries Disney a bit I imagine. There was a reason the banned mask in Disney before.

I am really stuck on the Vegas thing but I feel like if casinos are getting on board with masks (which they are, as long as the full face isn’t covered) then so can Disney. I don’t know if security is going to be a valid argument.

Eta: I actually firmly believe that masks will be recommended but NOT required and I actually think that people speaking in absolutes about the mask issue is crazy and I’m also so tired of talking about it and I wish this went the way of the buffet discussion but here I am just adding to it so I’ll stop.

 

[anthony2k7]

I think it's more that if masks are required it really takes away from the Magic of Disney and the escape from the world. People can live without characters and parades.

I think its more about realisations. Masks are happening everywhere now so people are having to accept they might be required or at least strongly suggested at disney.

No fireworks or parades though!? I dont think many people have really started to think about that properly yet. Nearer the time of opening or maybe not until after opening then people we be talking a lot more about there being no fireworks/parades/meet and greets etc and questioning whether the hassle of the trip and price is still worth it.

 

[anthony2k7]

Plus the security issues that come from everyone wearing a mask worries Disney a bit I imagine. There was a reason the banned mask in Disney before.

The process for entering the parks might get a bit more complicated!

1. Masks on whilst queueing.
2. Masks off temporarily where disney does the previously unmentioned facial recognition. "Wait, what? Disney does this?!"
3. Masks back on again!

 

[cakebaker]

No fireworks or parades though!? I dont think many people have really started to think about that properly yet. Nearer the time of opening or maybe not until after opening then people we be talking a lot more about there being no fireworks/parades/meet and greets etc and questioning whether the hassle of the trip and price is still worth it.

For us, that's all we're waiting on to find out - when they're going to open and what will the experience be. Ours is a long trip- a little extra to make up for the huge disappointment of being cancelled at the last minute. That makes for a very expensive trip and one we're not willing to make if the experience is seriously reduced. Whatever safetly measures they put in place are almost irrelevant to me. Masks? We'll wear them. Temp checks? Ok. Social distancing? I'm in. It's what the actual park experience will be that determines whether we go or not.

 

[yulilin3]

Maybe if they are going to cut experiences when they open they'll give guests snack vouchers or lunch vouchers like they do sometimes when parks reach any sort of capacity. I don't think they'll lower the entrance price or refund ap at all.

 

[anthony2k7]

For us, that's all we're waiting on to find out - when they're going to open and what will the experience be. Ours is a long trip- a little extra to make up for the huge disappointment of being cancelled at the last minute. That makes for a very expensive trip and one we're not willing to make if the experience is seriously reduced. Whatever safetly measures they put in place are almost irrelevant to me. Masks? We'll wear them. Temp checks? Ok. Social distancing? I'm in. It's what the actual park experience will be that determines whether we go or not.

Temp checks are maybe the biggest issue there for me. Spend several 1000 $ on a trip only to get to the gate and fail a temp check and get put on a 14 day quarantine? Insurance probably wont be covering that either.

Ok if you're feeling slightly unwell then you should be staying at the hotel anyway, but with most paying huge amounts of money for their trips few will be willing to skip trying to get into parks no matter how ill they feel.

 

[cakebaker]

Temp checks are maybe the biggest issue there for me. Spend several 1000 $ on a trip only to get to the gate and fail a temp check and get put on a 14 quarantine? Insurance probably wont be covering that either.

I would definitely be taking a themometer with me to stop any surprises at the gates. lol But honestly, if your fever is over 100 degrees, you know you're sick- you feel it. And at that point, I'm good with Disney saying nope, not spreading your germs today. For those who say they run 100 degrees normally, I'm sorry, you're going to have a problem. In all honesty, I don't see temp checks happening- but it wouldn't stop me. None of us run 100 + when we aren't sick. We had a trip where one by one, we all got sick. Some of us missed most of the trip staying in the room, others just got caught at the end of the trip. Getting sick on vacation and missing out has always been a risk.

 

[Boomatt]

I’ve read through most of the posts in this thread but have not come across anyone pointing out the discrepancy between the Orange County phases and the Florida Governor’s phases. The Governor’s plan dictates that Theme Parks shall remain closed during Phase 1 and in Phase 2 they can reopen with reduced capacity, social distancing policies and extra cleaning procedures in place.
Correct me if I am wrong or am missing something here but, don’t the local governments have to follow the state guidelines at a minimum? IOTW, they can be stricter but not more lax.
This would mean that OC’s Phase 1 is meaningless unless their phase 1 doesn’t kick in until the states phase 2, which is just confusing.