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

[Jrb1979]

I haven't followed the entire NBA situation so this may have been covered but just because they're playing at WWoS doesn't mean they have to stay at a Disney hotel. Maybe they'll rent out the 4 seasons or Waldorf for the players. Maybe they'd use the college housing. The College housing would actually make the most sense because they'd have a kitchen etc. Maybe they'd all be told to rent houses. Maybe they'd bring in trailers and set them up at WWoS.

Doubtful. The point of using Disney is to create a bubble for everyone involved to avoid the outside world.

 

[TomServo27]

I meant to ask this last night, but got tired - did I read that there was a possibility that people might be moved from their booked hotel IF it was one of the places where NBA players might be staying ? That would go over really well -

If anyone is say booked at CSR and the NBA basically takes over that resort. I would encourage everyone in that situation to really keep up with what Disney is willing to offer. I have been in this situation before and only because I was aware Disney would offer me upgrade if I pushed for it was able to get one. I was at CBR and I knew they were closing that resort and that Disney was slowly going through and contacting everyone and offering to move you to another moderate resort. But I was seeing people saying they were getting upgraded to the Poly if you pushed hard enough. I did eventually get into the Poly I did let my wife talk to Disney she doesn’t take no for an answer. I was charged $10 a night extra lol.

 

[chicagoshannon]

Doubtful. The point of using Disney is to create a bubble for everyone involved to avoid the outside world.

so then the trailers on site would be the only legit option. Otherwise they'd be traveling from whatever hotel to the complex anyway. I don't see renting out the 4 seasons as any different than the All Stars as far as bubble goes. I'm sure the players would prefer the 4 seasons too. lol

 

[SaintsManiac]

(For those on these boards and those like us on other boards, the anger will pass.. as soon as the 50th Anniversary plans are posted! )

We always find our way back. We are Disney ingrained. lol!!

Yep.

I'm sorry, but swearing off Disney because of how they are trying to navigate reopening during a pandemic just seems silly to me.

ETA: I doubt anyone means it when they say that anyway.

 

[Anna H]

Nobody has said they will not open in July. They could announce Wednesday a June opening. We have to wait and see. Don't believe the rumors....

Yes, sorry everyone. My frustration would come only if they jerk people around. We still don't know but it's easy to assume with mounting reasons to believe they will delay. I need to hold my horses.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Yep.

I'm sorry, but swearing off Disney because of how they are trying to navigate reopening during a pandemic just seems silly to me.

People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry.

As long as the Disney parks experience is exactly what they want it to be, I think the anger and frustration will be replaced by desire to go pretty quickly after they open.

 

[SaintsManiac]

People say things they don’t mean when they’re angry.

As long as the Disney parks experience is exactly what they want it to be, I think the anger and frustration will be replaced by desire to go pretty quickly after they open.

I make it a habit to never say never.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I make it a habit to never say never.

This pandemic has definitely taught me that is good advice!

 

[SaintsManiac]

This pandemic has definitely taught me that is good advice!

It’s my new rule since I ran and booked deluxe rack rate for next year after swearing I would NEVER.

 

[KBoopaloo]

There is so much uncertainty right now, it really is that hard.

Agreed 100%.

 

[Randy Miller]

I really don't know who is booking a new trip right now. I can't look at a thing on the website. It will not allow me in to check availability. I am betting new reservations are close to nonexistent, which is why they haven't made a big move to announce anything concrete yet.

We did! Just on a whim. We have been multiple, multiple times so it’s not a “once in a lifetime” or any special trip. We have ridden everything so many times it’s not a “tragedy” if we have to cancel or reschedule. We booked Aug 2-8. We actually thought it would be a great opportunity to “introduce” or 2 severe medical/special needs foster boys to the park. ( less hysteria, less noise, less crowds) we wanted to take a lot of resort time ( at Yacht Club ) so, we booked about 2 weeks ago. Who knows what will happen? Might be open, might not. Don’t need plane tickets, best to drive with them and their equipment. Don’t need character meals, would scare the bejeezus out of them as “meeting” characters would. It would just be an experience for them to stay in hotel, eat at a restaurant, and swim. It might be a great idea, or like many of our other ones, a horrible idea . Our family motto has always been “prepare for the best, but expect the worst”

 

[shoegal9]

I have a hard time imagining that WDW will open to just locals first for a long period of time. Maybe for a few days to test out procedures, etc... but financially I think that's a loss for Disney. Locals usually have APs, the ability to eat meals at home before or after visiting the parks, free parking, and probably spend less on merchandise on a normal day at the parks as compared to families traveling from far away. So, what's in it for Disney? No ticket sale revenue, no parking revenue, and less spent on food and merch. Maybe for a couple of days like UO is doing- but I just can't see anything beyond that.

 

[brewhome]

I thought I’d throw out my two cents, because I’m completely bored and totally fascinated by some of the worst case scenarios that folks are throwing out there... keep in mind I have absolutely no inside information and this conjecture is purely my own. I’m sure I will get slaughtered for this scenario so have fun ripping it apart!

Disney will choose one hotel to house NBA (and possibly MLS?) players/staff/media and whatever entourage comes with them, including families if they are allowed to come. I can’t imagine them quarantining the staff for this hotel... they would never be able compensate that staff enough for the 24/7 child care they’d have to obtain along with all the other things that someone has to do to take care of a family - it’s absolutely unreasonable. Enhanced health checks and cleaning protocol should protect these guests.

CL rooms have been pulled out of inventory to accommodate “regular” travelers who need to be moved from the hotel used for above group... a nice perk to appease these guests with an upgrade from a mod (assuming it‘s CSR). CL will not be run in the same fashion as previous... no buffet-style food, etc... only pre-packaged drinks and snacks, perhaps some room service options. They will test these new options with this group of guests that were upgraded to see how it goes.

I cannot imagine a scenario where all four parks will be open to ONLY the NBA/MLS group. In fact, I think to preserve their “bubble”, this group will not be allowed to go to the parks or DS, which means most families will not want to come. For those that do, I could envision some special programming being available at the game venue, which is the only place on property that this group can go other than the hotel complex.

All four parks and the DVC resorts will open Monday, June 29 at very limited capacity; I’m guessing FL residents with AP and DVC reservations for 3 weeks, then the rest of the resorts will open on 7/20 and capacity will increase to include resort guests with reservations. Perhaps that lasts for 3 weeks, and then on 8/10 they will increase capacity again to all AP holders not staying on property. Then 3 weeks later on 8/31 they open up to the general population (by Labor Day weekend)... but perhaps still limited to dated tickets and a minimum number of “buy at the door”.

Again, this is all pure conjecture on my part and I’m certain it will provoke a lot of negative response for those planning on traveling this summer... it’s just meant to throw out a different scenario. This is all with the assumption, of course, that the number of COVID cases doesn’t spike significantly. And at the risk of sounding preachy, I do want to say that I feel blessed that I still have the financial means and the good health to even think about my Disney trips... many are less fortunate than those of us who are wondering when we can take expensive vacations and what the protocols will be as our biggest concerns. Off my soapbox now! Comment away!

 

[PetePanMan]

Me

Disney owns ESPN, they most certainly have a meaningful association to sports.

they have an entire wide world of sports complex that caters to large sports tourneys etc. Cheer competitions, POp Warner football, soccer etc.

 

[tinkerhon]

Depending on the reason for the booked-room unavailability, typically Disney will upgrade your room type at the same property with no change in rate or they'll move you to another same tier or higher tier resort and take care of transporting you and your luggage over there, plus throw in some fastpasses for the inconvenience. They could also give you a gift card or credit for the inconvenience.

thanks again for you help and clarity ! Just one more thing - (obviously, you know how the industry works)
I normally think of over -booking as accidental - ( I know it happens with airlines frequently - restaurants - ( for example - adrs, when so many ppl might be booking online at the same time)
But, I guess those are considered to be accidental, in a sense

With this situation still be considered over-booking ?
If ppl had a reservation for a particular hotel/section , and then the space is needed for a larger group, like in the NBA situation, and ppl are asked to relocate - would the hotel /company consider that an "over-book", when they just found out that those rooms would be needed ?

Sorry if post is confusing, and thanks !

 

[JaxDad]

Yep.

I'm sorry, but swearing off Disney because of how they are trying to navigate reopening during a pandemic just seems silly to me.

ETA: I doubt anyone means it when they say that anyway.

I’m guessing they’re the same people who “swore off” Disney when they started charging to park at resorts and when FP+ started and etc, etc.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

The whole reason for the NBA to play out the season in a "bubble" is to try to prevent any more players being exposed to the virus while working. (Remember that the NBA was hit hard early on; at least a dozen players contracted COVID-19.) Allowing them to mingle in any way with other guests not confined to the "bubble" would make that effort completely wasted.

They may even decide to quarantine members of the press, hotel and ESPN cast members for periods of time, in order to keep the bubble fully closed. I think it is possible that the extra support staff might require use of a second resort property, but they won't need more than 2.

I'm kind of surprised that they don't plan to put the players at AKL; if they did that they could just close everything on property that is south of Osceola to public access. Using CSR will make it trickier to keep fans away.

There aren't enough rooms at AKL to accommodate the NBA and putting them in a DVC property isn't happening.

If the NBA resumes the season at Disney isn’t it more likely they stay at the Four seasons and Golden Oak rather than CSR and the All-Stars? I just can’t see a multi-million dollar athlete staying in a $160 a night room.

I would love for the NBA to play at Disney. This may be the year my Milwaukee Bucks win a championship!

Golden Oak consists of privately owned residences - the NBA can't kick people out of their own homes.

I understand that completely, but stop accepting reservations and expecting people to pay for their trips they can’t take because Disney keeps moving the goal posts. Tell the public we are definitely closed for trips and reservations for the summer. It’s not that hard

But they may not have that information as of yet. Why tell the public that if it isn't true?

Yeah, that part is tough to take.

I get wanting to wait to open the parks: if they think August is safest/best then great. I get hosting the NBA in one hotel and using WWOS - it's controlled, has no impact on the parks and lets them take in some money

But it is tough to take that if August was a realistic end point in their mind that they would cancel people's April/May trips and let them reschedule for June (and entice the to do so with free dining). Just feels like stringing them along

Now, we have no idea what they are really thinking - maybe at the time they thought June was doable. Just feels like June 1st and Aug 31st (if that story is correct) is pretty different and they could have pivoted quicker

I think, at the time, they thought June was doable. In retrospect, they really jumped the gun on that guest recovery promo and made a big mistake, IMHO. That's why, I think, all we are getting now is legalese and ambiguities. It's driving everyone nuts, but, in Disney's mind, it may be better than not being able to deliver on a definitive goal post.

Well, that won't be a good thing - I wonder how they would be compensated ? (Or if)

In situations where WDW hotels are overbooked or rooms need to be taken out of inventory unexpectedly, WDW typically either laterally move the guests (mod to a mod) or offers upgrades. When WL started construction on CCV, many guests were moved to GF. There weren't a lot of complaints with those upgrades . . .

so then the trailers on site would be the only legit option. Otherwise they'd be traveling from whatever hotel to the complex anyway. I don't see renting out the 4 seasons as any different than the All Stars as far as bubble goes. I'm sure the players would prefer the 4 seasons too. lol

You bring up an interesting point. They do keep referring to WWOS as the "site" for housing, practices and games. Could they rustle up enough trailers to accommodate everyone? I don't know - my money is on CSR. Lots of rooms and suites at that property. Food and Bev services set up to cater to large conventions. Pools, a gym. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

 

[cakebaker]

CL rooms have been pulled out of inventory to accommodate “regular” travelers who need to be moved from the hotel used for above group...

While guests at a moderate may get an upgrade, I’m pretty sure it won’t be to CL.

 

[gwynne]

There aren't enough rooms at AKL to accommodate the NBA and putting them in a DVC property isn't happening.



Golden Oak consists of privately owned residences - the NBA can't kick people out of their own homes.



But they may not have that information as of yet. Why tell the public that if it isn't true?



I think, at the time, they thought June was doable. In retrospect, they really jumped the gun on that guest recovery promo and made a big mistake, IMHO. That's why, I think, all we are getting now is legalese and ambiguities. It's driving everyone nuts, but, in Disney's mind, it may be better than not being able to deliver on a definitive goal post.



In situations where WDW hotels are overbooked or rooms need to be taken out of inventory unexpectedly, WDW typically either laterally move the guests (mod to a mod) or offers upgrades. When WL started construction on CCV, many guests were moved to GF. There weren't a lot of complaints with those upgrades . . .



You bring up an interesting point. They do keep referring to WWOS as the "site" for housing, practices and games. Could they rustle up enough trailers to accommodate everyone? I don't know - my money is on CSR. Lots of rooms and suites at that property. Food and Bev services set up to cater to large conventions. Pools, a gym. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out.

WWOS as the "site" for everything is just shorthand.
The NBA knows exactly what resort rooms they are contracting for.
(I'm 99.9% sure it's CSR)

 

[StevieB81]

There is so much uncertainty right now, it really is that hard.

Maybe, but they've had since the shutdown to figure out what to do to open. The restrictions are probably less than what were originally envisioned. I know WDW is big, but they've had months. It's time to execute. Announce this week what the plan is, give a week or two of margin for opening so you don't miss the date. Address any compensatory measures as related to mitigation strategies. If transportation is an issue, cancel it until Phase 3. Everyone has to drive. All busses will only be used to get from TTC to MK so only half the bus is full. No monorails, no boats. Waive all overnight parking fees until normal transportation is available. For every ADR that gets cancelled due to limited spacing, your entire party gets an anytime fast pass. Or two. Whatever. They know what the plan is, I'm sure. They know what it will take to execute the plan. And they have contingencies for a multitude of what if's. If that's not true, several people should look for another line of work, because they're failing. Supply chains better be in motion by now. They should have been ready and waiting for the OK to re-open. Maybe they are. Maybe they just needed a week to try to get the NBA thing halfway finalized. I hope so, so that all of you with late June plans can still go. If the NBA is a hang-up, they can still announce a date and let people know that the resort they booked may be impacted and you will receive a replacement of equal or greater value. Nothing can possibly be keeping them from opening end of June/beginning of July unless they simply don't want to. If that's the case, tell us. Let people make other plans or re-schedule the one's they have with WDW. For a date that is actually going to be OK. Or maybe we're all so rumored out with not much else to do that everything is getting amplified 1000 times what it should be. And Disney is going to announce that they'll be opened on 6/22 and we've gotten ourselves spun up over nothing. They were just allowed to submit plans only a week ago, right?