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

[Mit88]

I was hoping we'd have a little more certainty so that I could book a late June trip...but it's looking like I'd be cutting it too close for that to be possible/reasonable. Even if I booked a resort for a couple of nights (which it seems like this is one way they're looking at crowd control?) I don't know if I could handle the disappointment of another cancelled trip this year.

I think late June is a very good possibility, much more so than June 1st at this point, and even June 1st still technically isn’t a lost cause yet. But if you’ve been cancelled already, I can’t speak confidently enough to tell you you'd be booking for a guaranteed trip

 

[woody337]

I think late June is a very good possibility, much more so than June 1st at this point, and even June 1st still technically isn’t a lost cause yet. But if you’ve been cancelled already, I can’t speak confidently enough to tell you you'd be booking for a guaranteed trip

I have a trip for late July. Given the news yesterday that DL is not taking reservations before July and WDW still taking them for June tells me that they are still aiming for a June opening. Otherwise WDW would follow what DL did and block through July.

 

[alison228]

I have a week stay June 21st-27th that I'm dying to know if it's cancelled, but I knew it was up in the air when I booked. We always always fly but are going to be driving from MA. Are you guys with reservations flying? I checked southwest a few days ago out of our airport PVD and it was only $250 roundtrip for my husband and I!

Side note - I'm curious if they will open up 2021 bookings next month like they usually do in June for the following year. I'm eager to book my 30th birthday in February 2021 as well as October for the anniversary!

 

[yulilin3]

Something that I don't think has yet been discussed here: how many people, besides me, are heartbroken at the news that coffee makers will be removed from resort rooms? I need my coffee, stat!

remember those were suggestions fro the task force, Disney has not come out with their set of guidelines yet

 

[ziravan]

And why does that earn the need for sarcasm?

A theme park is a theme park. They're all going to run similar protocols. If the "small" parks are taking those measures, and a giant like Disney doesn't at least match what they are doing... that is going to be horrible PR for them.

A politician is a politician. A local city councilman is the same as the President. That’s true to some extent, but the President is far more likely to set policy that gets adopted on the local level than a city councilman is to set policy for the nation.

WDW has enough clout to limit the usefulness of such a comparison. More specifically, if WDW and a regional theme park set differing policies, WDWs policy is going to make a much bigger splash and get far more attention as far as precedent goes.

I just don’t see anybody in any board room at WDW taking the view that a regional theme park has gone and set precedent for WDW so now WDW must fit it’s policy objectives to that precedent or suffer bad PR.

 

[C&Jx2]

I have a week stay June 21st-27th that I'm dying to know if it's cancelled, but I knew it was up in the air when I booked. We always always fly but are going to be driving from MA. Are you guys with reservations flying? I checked southwest a few days ago out of our airport PVD and it was only $250 roundtrip for my husband and I!

Side note - I'm curious if they will open up 2021 bookings next month like they usually do in June for the following year. I'm eager to book my 30th birthday in February 2021 as well as October for the anniversary!

Our reservation is 6/20-6/27 but we booked way before the closures. We’re flying. It is cheap, and our flights have been changed a few times, but not cancelled.

 

[Jroceagles]

I have a week stay June 21st-27th that I'm dying to know if it's cancelled, but I knew it was up in the air when I booked. We always always fly but are going to be driving from MA. Are you guys with reservations flying? I checked southwest a few days ago out of our airport PVD and it was only $250 roundtrip for my husband and I!

Side note - I'm curious if they will open up 2021 bookings next month like they usually do in June for the following year. I'm eager to book my 30th birthday in February 2021 as well as October for the anniversary!

we are flying but we are booked for Aug 31 to Sept 7th

 

[yulilin3]

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.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Our reservation is 6/20-6/27 but we booked way before the closures. We’re flying. It is cheap, and our flights have been changed a few times, but not cancelled.

Wife and I are flying on 6/20 for a long weekend. SW airfare was a total of $254 total for two round trip non stop flights originating in Indy. That is total, not apiece. Couldn't turn that down. We will wear masks on plane and have plenty of hand sanitizer. As I travel for business, I was tired of completely full flights. Thinking these won't be full.

 

[Mit88]

I have a trip for late July. Given the news yesterday that DL is not taking reservations before July and WDW still taking them for June tells me that they are still aiming for a June opening. Otherwise WDW would follow what DL did and block through July.

Still some factors that need to align in order for June to become a reality. Mainly what the numbers look like in 10-14 days now that the state is “open”. I think they can open up in a 1-2 week turnaround as well, especially with less CM’s on staff at first. Re-training, getting rides back up and running, getting shipments of food and supplies necessary for opening would all take about a week. We don’t know if they have/haven’t started getting the park ready in terms of plexiglass sneeze guards and 6ft markers, but since we haven’t seen any evidence of it being done, it probably hasn’t yet, but that would only take a couple days.

I think a lot of people are under the assumption it would take a long time from getting CM’s back to opening the parks, because of how long Shanghai took from having employees brought back to opening the park. I don’t think how things are operated over there should be taken as any indication of what will happen here. Different park ownerships, completely different government regulations. We’ll see social distancing measures be about the same here as there (though their markers don’t look to be anywhere close to 6 feet). Other than that, I’m not sure there’s any other similarities to how they open.

 

[alison228]

Wife and I are flying on 6/20 for a long weekend. SW airfare was a total of $254 total for two round trip non stop flights originating in Indy. That is total, not apiece. Couldn't turn that down. We will wear masks on plane and have plenty of hand sanitizer. As I travel for business, I was tired of completely full flights. Thinking these won't be full.

Same! $250 roundtrip for 2. It's so cheap we always fly but I'm pregnant. We will see when it gets closer, I still have to OK our trip with my Doctor when it's closer. We love Disney and do 1-2 trips a year and I would be okay with just hanging at the resort and disney springs.

We own a car transport company and have transported 600 cars this season for our "snow birds" that are returning home from the south up to the northeast. They are all older and all have been flying home and thank god have been fine. They did tell my husband that the flights have been very full, which is expected due to limited flight times. Everything is day to day so we'll see come mid june if our trip is still on if we will fly.

 

[woody337]

Still some factors that need to align in order for June to become a reality. Mainly what the numbers look like in 10-14 days now that the state is “open”. I think they can open up in a 1-2 week turnaround as well, especially with less CM’s on staff at first. Re-training, getting rides back up and running, getting shipments of food and supplies necessary for opening would all take about a week. We don’t know if they have/haven’t started getting the park ready in terms of plexiglass sneeze guards and 6ft markers, but since we haven’t seen any evidence of it being done, it probably hasn’t yet, but that would only take a couple days.

I think a lot of people are under the assumption it would take a long time from getting CM’s back to opening the parks, because of how long Shanghai took from having employees brought back to opening the park. I don’t think how things are operated over there should be taken as any indication of what will happen here. Different park ownerships, completely different government regulations. We’ll see social distancing measures be about the same here as there (though their markers don’t look to be anywhere close to 6 feet). Other than that, I’m not sure there’s any other similarities to how they open.

I'm far from saying june is a go, I dont see how early June is possible right now

 

[Tigger's ally]

Same! $250 roundtrip for 2. It's so cheap we always fly but I'm pregnant. We will see when it gets closer, I still have to OK our trip with my Doctor when it's closer. We love Disney and do 1-2 trips a year and I would be okay with just hanging at the resort and disney springs.

We own a car transport company and have transported 600 cars this season for our "snow birds" that are returning home from the south up to the northeast. They are all older and all have been flying home and thank god have been fine. They did tell my husband that the flights have been very full, which is expected due to limited flight times. Everything is day to day so we'll see come mid june if our trip is still on if we will fly.

Yeah, wife and I will go if we can hang out at hotel and DS is open. Parks would be great but not a deal breaker. And don't you go and ruin my dream of a non full flight now you hear? Arghhhh

 

[vinotinto]

Dining is an interesting one. Those at TS restaurants are sat around quite a while waiting for food - should they be wearing whilst waiting? Maybe. But how do you suggest that? Most probably wont.

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

 

[Mit88]

I'm far from saying june is a go, I dont see how early June is possible right now

I think it’s a possibility until we see the cancellations. They’re definitely still aiming for the June 1st date or they would have cancelled reservations through a certain date that they feel more comfortable aiming for like they’ve done at DL. I don’t think it’s set in stone, and it becomes more unlikely by the day, but I think it’s a possibility until said otherwise. If everything is in place, they can probably give a 10 day forewarning to those with reservations. That brings us to 2 weeks from tomorrow. A lotof dominoes still need to fall to meet that date, but there’s still a lot of days left in the month

 

[michellej47]

I have a week stay June 21st-27th that I'm dying to know if it's cancelled, but I knew it was up in the air when I booked. We always always fly but are going to be driving from MA. Are you guys with reservations flying? I checked southwest a few days ago out of our airport PVD and it was only $250 roundtrip for my husband and I!

Side note - I'm curious if they will open up 2021 bookings next month like they usually do in June for the following year. I'm eager to book my 30th birthday in February 2021 as well as October for the anniversary!

We are there about the same time, June 19 - 26th. I booked after the closure fully knowing that it may be cancelled, but I'm going to continue to hold on to hope. It will be my husband and I's 17th anniversary. It would be awesome to be there with our kids to celebrate.

We would like to fly, but we are waiting to see if we get any final word on opening first. We live in South Carolina and without traffic (haha, not likely), we can make it in 6 hours driving, so not too terrible at all. But if we ever hear a final word on opening date, and the flight cost is still good ($165 per ticket?!?!?!?), we will fly.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

We have June and July ressies booked (depending on when WDW opens and what the restrictions are in the park) and we will be flying from Wichita (KS). The flights are super cheap (SW on points). If we had to drive we probably wouldn't go.

 

[Jrb1979]

I think it's going to closer to July if not later. While it may take a short time to train CM's and implement social distancing measures this biggest thing people overlook is getting all the attractions up and running again. They all have been shutdown this whole time as well as some have had their hydraulic fluid drained. I look at the same as a seasonal park when they reopen. It takes them a good month to get the rides up to speed from being closed.

 

[Cramden]

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.

 

[woody337]

I think it's going to closer to July if not later. While it may take a short time to train CM's and implement social distancing measures this biggest thing people overlook is getting all the attractions up and running again. They all have been shutdown this whole time as well as some have had their hydraulic fluid drained. I look at the same as a seasonal park when they reopen. It takes them a good month to get the rides up to speed from being closed.

I remember reading about the fluid being drained but I dont know who it was. Do we know if that was a fact or was it a random "insider'?