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

[koszmok]

I have a MID June reservation (literally June 15 -20).
For me it has very little to do with being the first or not, but more on what the parks will LOOK and FEEL like by June 15th. Meaning -- what requirements are there to get in or not (temp checks, masks). I am fine with Disney requiring them, but I personally want to feel like I am going to a magical place, not a prison camp.

Will attractions be closed like indoor shows? Will there be M&Gs? Will there be parades/fireworks? Will pools be closed? Will there be Disney transportation running? Etc.

The more things "different" from a normal vacation, the less I will want to go UNLESS Disney offers me a MAJOR discount to come anyway. (Which I think they should, I shouldn't be paying pre-Covid full price for HALF a vacation).

The things people are speculating Disney will do when they open (which is fine, they have to start somewhere) -- will make it "ok" to go there as a local, but not on a out-of-state vacation.

I just think there will be a LOT of disappointed guests if people with June/July vacations go there expecting a "near normal" vacation, when it doesn't seem like that will be the case for LONG LONG time. Especially UPSET guests if Disney doesn't adjust prices somehow or offer huge bounceback promotions for those willing to come despite the reduced experience.

That`s my concern as well. The difference is that my holiday is 3 weeks long. Which is a fantastic thing
but If half of WDW is closed I don`t know what to do for that long... we skipped a lot of things last year because we knew already that this year we will have 3 whole weeks to cover everything.

That was my mantra for months... 3 whooooole weeks

 

[Eric Smith]

The more things "different" from a normal vacation, the less I will want to go UNLESS Disney offers me a MAJOR discount to come anyway. (Which I think they should, I shouldn't be paying pre-Covid full price for HALF a vacation).

I think that one thing we can be certain of is that Disney will not be cutting prices any time soon.

 

[CheshireCas]

This. Everyone has differing opinions on what they're OK with not being present in the parks - for me I could care less about M&G but tell me I can't ride Haunted Mansion 14 times and it's not worth it.

For us, it’s definitely not about meet and greets. Even a lack of fireworks and parades wouldn’t bother us too bad. Yes, we love both of those. But we go frequently enough that missing those one time wouldn’t deter us from all the fun we could have riding attractions and just being somewhat in that Disney bubble.
But I agree with you 100% on the attractions. Tell me I can’t ride HM or POTC and I’m upset.

 

[StephenM84]

I’d love to be a guinea pig and be one of the first people back in the parks (June 18th arrival and staying at French Quarter).

I'll wear a mask if its required and let them check my temperature.

Things I don't mind missing
Pools, Shows (Lion King, Carousal of Progress, etc..), M&G, Parades, fireworks

Things I need to keep my reservation
FOP, Tier 1 rides at Hollywood Studios, Big Thunder and all the rides at MK, TS meals (Tiffans, Ohana, BOG prepark, etc), Nomad Lounge/Trader Sams/Jock Lindsey

Things I hope to still have but wouldn't kill the experience for me
Villains Party, Early Morning Magic, Country Bear Jamboree

This trip is just for my wife and I so certain things don't matter. I just hope its still set up with lower crowds where we can get as many rides in as we want on certain things.

I have a trip in July booked with our 11 and 2 year old daughters so that list would change a lot.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I would think that when they reopen it will look like Shanghai-- all rides will open, all restaurants will open (maybe buffets will change), no characters meets, no fireworks/shows, and safety measures in place.

 

[shoegal9]

Things I need to keep my reservation
FOP, Tier 1 rides at Hollywood Studios, Big Thunder and all the rides at MK, TS meals (Tiffans, Ohana, BOG prepark, etc), NoMad Lounge/Trader Sams/Jock Lindsey

SAME! Nomad Lounge is so underrated! And Trader Sam's is just the best place on earth. As two adults with a trip planned, we are hoping for the same!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Welp, looks like June 1 is out. Cancellations have started being sent for early June on the other thread.

 

[Mit88]

For us, it’s definitely not about meet and greets. Even a lack of fireworks and parades wouldn’t bother us too bad. Yes, we love both of those. But we go frequently enough that missing those one time wouldn’t deter us from all the fun we could have riding attractions and just being somewhat in that Disney bubble.
But I agree with you 100% on the attractions. Tell me I can’t ride HM or POTC and I’m upset.

these are my exact sentiments.The absence of things suck, but I understand why they can’t be done, and why Disney needs to open before they can give you those things back. I go 2-3 times a year, so missing out on fireworks and M&Gs isnt a deal breaker. Massive ride closures or only having 1, or no parks open would be my deal breakers

 

[MrsBooch]

Yeah people are getting cancelled for their June ressies - I feel like a deflated balloon and I didnt even have a june reservation.

 

[RamblingMad]

That`s my concern as well. The difference is that my holiday is 3 weeks long. Which is a fantastic thing
but If half of WDW is closed I don`t know what to do for that long... we skipped a lot of things last year because we knew already that this year we will have 3 whole weeks to cover everything.

That was my mantra for months... 3 whooooole weeks

Good article on python hunting in south Florida in Outside magazine. Should be able to maintain social distancing.

 

[SierraT]

Welp, looks like June 1 is out. Cancellations have started being sent for early June on the other thread.

Oh no!!!!!

 

[Sandiz08]

Yeah people are getting cancelled for their June ressies - I feel like a deflated balloon and I didnt even have a june reservation.

Same here, June 8th is now the earliest resorts could be open, unless only a few are opening at a time.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think that one thing we can be certain of is that Disney will not be cutting prices any time soon.

Oh, for sure. I think that if the economy and tourist industry doesn't bounce back soon (which, there are no indications that either will), Disney will offer incentives to get people back in the park WHEN they want to try and get the parks to higher capacity. Free dining promotions, discounts at hotels, etc. on top of price increases on souvenirs, foods, etc.

 

[BryGuy415]

Same here, June 8th is now the earliest resorts could be open, unless only a few are opening at a time.

I can't imagine the company cancelling only certain hotel reservations. If they're going to only open select resorts I would imagine they would transfer your reservation to one of those resorts that are open. Could you imagine the inequity and bad press if they only cancelled value resorts with no warning?

 

[zackiedawg]

For those with early June reservations....IF they open June 1 or around that time, do you have any concerns with being the first to visit? My trip isn't until late July, but if the parks don't open until just before then I'll most likely cancel as I'd like to see a few weeks of operation before I go. Just wondering if anyone else feels that way or if most are ok being the "guinea pigs".

No issues for me going the moment they open...I personally haven't ever felt any deep concern about the virus, any more than I would for a flu or other seasonal virus that I'd prefer to not get, but wouldn't stop living a normal life to avoid. My issues aren't to do with the virus, but the measures that have been taken - which I'm willing to follow to a degree, but that might be too destructive to enjoying a vacation to be worth the trip. Meet and greets, lack of shows, no parades or concerts or constant loud music interludes would actually be a good thing for me, as I never really liked those anyway. Some rides being closed I could cope with. Temperature checks to get in I could cope with. Mask wearing if strictly when in indoor facilities where social distancing can't be met I could live with, but full-time mask wearing inside and out might be a bit too much for me to want to go to the parks. Restaurants open for table service would be fairly important. Bars being open would be extremely important.

 

[tlmadden73]

Same here, June 8th is now the earliest resorts could be open, unless only a few are opening at a time.

But still no details of when they WILL open or what it will be like when it does? The waiting game continues.

But with the earliest they will be opening is a week before my trip, I just don't see the need to go. I'll have to figure out some other type of vacation to take the family on. At this point, I am not even sure if my family wants us to come visit (in WI), so not sure what even a vacation will look like this summer.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Bars being open would be extremely important.

Amen to that!

 

[Eric Smith]

Oh, for sure. I think that if the economy and tourist industry doesn't bounce back soon (which, there are no indications that either will), Disney will offer incentives to get people back in the park WHEN they want to try and get the parks to higher capacity. Free dining promotions, discounts at hotels, etc. on top of price increases on souvenirs, foods, etc.

Agreed, I wouldn't expect to see any offers until the parks are back to near normal operations though. I wouldn't see that happening until some time in the fall.

 

[dismom58]

I rescheduled my June 1st reservation for mid-August. I see that Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party is starting August 13th. My question would be: if they are not going to have parades and fireworks, do you think they will still have these events? What would the selling point of these events be if the parks are already at a limited capacity? Thoughts?

I have an October reservation just to see Mickeys Halloween and good and wine but not sure either will happen! If not will cancel

 

[vinotinto]

Hi all,

On the topic of modifications, @yulilin3 will be live streaming from Universal's Citywalk on Facebook today at around 4pm or shortly afterwards. To view it, go to the Facebook page that she has set up to share info on WDW/UO. You don't need to become friends, you can just click on the link below at around 4pm:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008669016411
This is a great opportunity to see modifications from UO live and glimpse at what the modifications at Disney Springs later this month will likely be.