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

[Sandiz08]

So it seems like July maybe their new target month.

 

[elgerber]

i wouldn’t say July 1st opening is dead just yet. That’s still 51 days away. The parks have only been closed for 55 days and though we’re not getting concrete news, there are things that are indicative that they’re getting closer to reopening.

Delta has made it so I pretty much have to cancel, no matter what Disney does. Sadly it would hurt less if they did not open on July 1st. Hard to try to reschedule too, when I don't know yet how long our APs will be good for.

 

[cakebaker]

Maybe I missed something, but I thought they said they won’t be taking “new” reservations before July 1st. They haven’t canceled any of the existing ones yet.
This seems indicative of opening in June with limited capacity. I thought there were others who stated the same idea. But again maybe I missed something after that.

Had not the exact same thing happened with June 1, I’d see it that way too. #onceburned

 

[cakebaker]

So it seems like July maybe their new target month.

Absolutely all we can take from the no reservations until July 1, is they aren’t open in June. Who knows if they have a target date or not.

 

[Mit88]

So it seems like July maybe their new target month.

It’s all very fluid. On June 5th they could say that things are looking clear for them to open in June 15th with limited capacity, which could be a reason they’re only cancelling one week at a time.

 

[cakebaker]

It’s all very fluid. On June 5th they could say that things are looking clear for them to open in June 15th with limited capacity, which could be a reason they’re only cancelling one week at a time.

SInce they’ve removed all parties and events as well as the ability to make ADR’s, I think it’s pretty certain there won’t be an opening in June. I wish there was.

 

[michellej47]

But did they cancel June ADRs?

My June ADRs are still there.

 

[vinotinto]

We have gotten a lot of clues in the past few days of modifications when the park reopens. I am trying to keep the OP updated. Here are the highlights of the latest rumored modifications:

May 5 Update:
Chief Medical Officer for Disney, Dr. Pamela Hymel, has indicated the following set of modifications we can expect when WDW reopens (underlining is all mine). This is the first direct information coming from Disney.
Thanks to @yulilin3 for the info posted in this thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/rumor-about-“modified-experiences”-when-disney-reopens-read-1st-post-for-potential-modifications-being-considered.3797114/post-61853903

• Phased reopening: We’re looking at all of our locations and how best to begin the reopening process, including a gradual reopening and/or partial reopening of certain locations. For example, the opening of retail and dining locations prior to the opening of our theme parks.
• Physical distancing and capacity measures: As you can imagine, managing guest density in queues, restaurants, hotels, ride vehicles and other facilities throughout the park and across the resort is a major focus, as we implement physical distancing guidelines based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies. This will likely include implementation of guest capacity measures to comply with state and federal guidelines. We’re also exploring ways to use technology to aid us in these efforts, like with our Play Disney Parks App and through virtual queues at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
• Cleanliness and sanitization: We’re planning increased cleaning and disinfection, determining where that should take place (for example, in high-traffic areas), and the cleaning products and processes we’ll use.
• Screening and prevention support: We’ll follow guidance from the government and the medical community regarding enhanced screening procedures and prevention measures, including those related to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face coverings. Some measures, like adding hand sanitizers and hand washing stations across our resorts, have already been implemented.
• Cast training: We’re further emphasizing our strong culture of health and safety amongst our cast members, and will continue to provide new training and reinforcement as we get closer to reopening.

These are just a few examples of the many areas we are developing plans for, so please keep an eye on our online channels, where we’ll provide more details as we confirm and begin to implement our plans.

May 8 Update
Disney sent a survey to a random sample of guests with resort stays June through November (anyone get one for after November?) asking how likely they are to keep their reservation and whether certain modifications would make them more likely to keep or cancel their reservation. This is the first time Disney has reached out to guests to ask their opinion about modifications once they reopen.

The survey asks guests to assume that there will be health and safety measures in place that include face coverings for CMs and guests, limited capacity and enhanced cleaning. These modifications may be a "given" once parks reopen:

• Travel providers and Central Florida attractions, including the Walt Disney World Resort, will have implemented a new set of health and safety measures (such as employees and customers wearing face coverings, enhanced disinfecting and cleaning of facilities, limiting capacity and density of large gatherings, etc.)

It also asks if any of the following modifications would make guests cancel their WDW resort reservation (screenshot credit: Blog Mickey).

The modifications mentioned in the survey that would have a direct impact on guest experience at WDW are:

• Parks not being open or only some being open
• Attractions require reservations
• Rides, shows or entertainment in the parks not available
• Dining options and bars limited.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/rumor-about-“modified-experiences”-when-disney-reopens-read-1st-post-for-potential-modifications-being-considered.3797114/post-61865529

CM Survey
Disney also sent a survey to its CMs asking if they would be willing to work in a different location. This suggests they are gathering data to move CMs, potentially if certain areas are closed due to the phased opening, to new areas.
Thanks to @yulilin3 for the info posted in this thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/rumor-about-“modified-experiences”-when-disney-reopens-read-1st-post-for-potential-modifications-being-considered.3797114/post-61865750

May 9 Update
Video of VP of Operations in Shanghai Disneyland shows the health and safety measures in place when they reopen on May 11th. Note that the procedures for Shanghai may be different than what we see in WDW, but we have to assume that if they are successful, some of them may take place at WDW. They include:

• Temperature checks
• CMs and guests required to wear masks (except for dining)
• Markers on the ground marking where guests cannot stand, to maintain 1 meter (3 feet) of social distancing (this can be seen in the entrance queue, food queues, attraction queues, etc.)
• Instead of character meets, there is a small parade of characters at a distance, with markings on the ground indicating where you can stand to watch (and where you cannot) to maintain social distancing. Once those spaces are filled, CMs will ask guests to wait for the next parade.
• Increased sanitation, especially in high touch areas, throughout the day (example: CM cleaning trash can)
• Seating every other row in rides like Pirates
• Spaced seating in other rides (for example, middle seats left open in the Jungle cruise)
• Some of the restaurant tables have a note asking guests to not sit there to maintain social distance.

 

[michellej47]

I can't select anything for the month of June at all.

I was able to change a few of my FP this morning. My trip is June 19-26.

 

[Mit88]

SInce they’ve removed all parties and events as well as the ability to make ADR’s, I think it’s pretty certain there won’t be an opening in June. I wish there was.

Im not saying they will, I’m just saying they could. Giving the people the option of making ADRs forces the, to give out extra capacity that they may not be able to give. Eliminating ADRs gives them the ability to not have to give entry to people just because they have an in park reservation.

 

[cakebaker]

My June ADRs are still there.

As are ours, but they cancel once a week so I assume next week will see the first wave of cancellations.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I have Boardwalk Inn ressies 5/23-25 that are not showing as cancelled on MDE nor have I received an email from WDW. Were you referring to ADRs not resorts? We won't be going regardless but haven't had the heart to cancel yet. I'm sure some of you have had that same feeling. This is our 2nd planned trip we'll be missing.

Disney is slow doing the actually cancelling but all hotel reservations through 5/31 are/will be cancelled.

 

[vinotinto]

Wait.. I thought I had read this entire thread, but somehow I missed talk of a CM survey. Could someone point me to that post please?

Thanks to @yulilin3 for the info posted in this thread:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/r...ations-being-considered.3797114/post-61865750

 

[michellej47]

We are pretty fortunate in that we live close enough to drive. So we are going to hold on until Disney cancels us (or hopefully they won't). If it doesn't work out, we'll go to the beach or somewhere else that may be open.

 

[disneyfan150]

Delta has made it so I pretty much have to cancel, no matter what Disney does. Sadly it would hurt less if they did not open on July 1st. Hard to try to reschedule too, when I don't know yet how long our APs will be good for.

What happened with Delta?

 

[michellej47]

Just staying optimistic here, but maybe, just maybe, they stopped taking any new reservations for June while they take time to assess how many current reservations they have and how many more they can accept to stay within the limit they set. Once they do that, they can then reopen reservations until they fill that limit. I'm sure it takes some time to update the system with the new limits. I may be way wrong, but like I said, just keeping the hope alive!!

 

[Mit88]

Events and after hours stuff like VAD seems like an obvious cancellation regardless of when they open as long as social distancing protocols are in place. Yes, some people buy those tickets for the reduced capacity, but it’s also for the character interactions, shows, fireworks, etc. none of which could take place right when the parks reopen no matter when that may be. So parties and ADRs aren’t something I’d look at as concrete evidence. Not accepting new room reservations is the big indicator

 

[vinotinto]

Maybe I missed something, but I thought they said they won’t be taking “new” reservations before July 1st. They haven’t canceled any of the existing ones yet.
This seems indicative of opening in June with limited capacity. I thought there were others who stated the same idea. But again maybe I missed something after that.

Some of us thought that, but the complete removal of ADRs and events seems ominous.

Im not sure how much of an indication the ADR’a is. They could realistically just not have sit down dining options in the parks for the foreseeable future. It would cut down the angst of locals that have ADRs booked but can’t get into the parks which would cause a lot of issues, especially if they’re doing an advanced registration issue. If you keep previous ADRs, those people have the expectation they have guaranteed access to the parks, when in reality, that’s not something theyll be able to guarantee with reduced capacity

WDW has not yet cancelled June stays, but they have frozen June stays so you cannot make additional June reservations nor modify current reservations. I think there are two plausible reasons:
1. They are fairly certain they are not opening in June and will continue the rolling cancellations. In the meantime, they are freezing new reservations.

2. They are optimistic they are opening in June, but the opening will be limited (consistent with modification rumors). Freezing current reservations allows them to assess the number of guests that they can allow entry. The reopening may also have very limited or no TS dining and limited or no ADRs, and that is why they are not allowing new ADRs.

There will be two important clues coming within the next 5 days:
1. The CM schedule update - The next one was supposed to be out this morning and is delayed. If we see schedules for late May, we can expect that WDW is ramping up preparation to reopen. If we do not, I would seriously doubt a June 1st opening.

2. Rolling cancellations - The rolling cancellations typically start happening on Wednesdays. If we see cancellations for June 1st on Wednesday, well, that pretty much will tell us we won't see an opening soon.

 

[michellej47]

I don't need a June 1st opening, just a June 19th!!

 

[SierraT]

Happy Mom’s day to all the moms and dads! At this stage, I’d take a vacation at the Yacht Club as long as the pools are open and most of the restaurants in Disney Springs. Really need to get the heck out of the house!!!!