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

[Dulcee]

We've had our resort reservation bumped by disney in the past. Many, many years ago, when I was a teen, our Dixie Landing's reservation was bumped (due to them closing to create Port Orleans). We were offered a standard room at Poly or a Savannah view room at the brandy new AKL. I guarantee no one was upset with being bumped in our house.

We have CSR reservations for the first week of August. My spreadsheet of plans is looking awfully sad right now but we'll continue to wait and see what happens. We certainly wouldn't be upset to be moved to an equal or better resort. Universal isn't appealing to us as a family. With two young kids and their first come/first serve, no guarantee of admission to the parks is a bit of a recipe for meltdowns with kids in my opinion.

 

[Anna H]

I was thinking over the rumor that Disney wasn't expecting UO to open. Let's say they truly were blindsided - I'm not sure how it could ever be safer than UO if Disney is scambling to pull their safety training together last minute versus UO being prepared already.

I sincerely hope Disney will shoot for late June or July and were always prepared to do so. Contrary to my present lamenting, I actually think Disney is an exceptional park. I'd like to think they had a Plan B and C. I was stunned by UO's announcement too but in a good way. This is not something that needs to wait when they have appropriate measures to promote safety in place. I'm impressed by how both parks pulled it together for DS and CW.

I can't see a good reason why they couldn't have prepared themselves to host the NBA and open at the same time. They didn't think UO was going to wait until 8/31, did they? I'm trying to have faith lol.

 

[Mickeymoosea]

We've had our resort reservation bumped by disney in the past. Many, many years ago, when I was a teen, our Dixie Landing's reservation was bumped (due to them closing to create Port Orleans). We were offered a standard room at Poly or a Savannah view room at the brandy new AKL. I guarantee no one was upset with being bumped in our house.

We have CSR reservations for the first week of August. My spreadsheet of plans is looking awfully sad right now but we'll continue to wait and see what happens. We certainly wouldn't be upset to be moved to an equal or better resort. Universal isn't appealing to us as a family. With two young kids and their first come/first serve, no guarantee of admission to the parks is a bit of a recipe for meltdowns with kids in my opinion.

Is it confirmed that those with Universal hotel reservations won't be guaranteed admission? That'd be a big no for me then. I'm out of state and would never agree to a mystery game every day of my stay. There's no saying Disney would do it differently either. Better odds at Universal since they open sooner and get a rhythm by the end of the month versus Disney not even getting started.

 

[Dulcee]

Is it confirmed that those with Universal hotel reservations won't be guaranteed admission? That'd be a big no for me then. I'm out of state and would never agree to a mystery game every day of my stay. There's no saying Disney would do it differently either. Better odds at Universal since they open sooner and get a rhythm by the end of the month versus Disney not even getting started.

Per Universal's website:
2. Is a reservation required in order to visit the theme parks beginning June 5?
No, a reservation is not needed in order to visit the theme parks. Please note that since we’re limiting attendance, there may be times when the parks reach capacity and additional guests will not be admitted.

They haven't released any information on how/if hotel reservations at their resorts might change this. This would be the one deal breaker on a trip this summer for us. While we are only traveling from NC, we won't go if we aren't guaranteed getting into at least one of the parks each day of our tickets.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Is it confirmed that those with Universal hotel reservations won't be guaranteed admission? That'd be a big no for me then. I'm out of state and would never agree to a mystery game every day of my stay. There's no saying Disney would do it differently either. Better odds at Universal since they open sooner and get a rhythm by the end of the month versus Disney not even getting started.

We don't know the details of how capacity will be handled at UO - all they said is that they will run at a limited max capacity but nothing beyond that.

From what is saw on Twitter and stuff people were indicating they understand there won't be reservations needed (like what Disneyland Shanghai is) and more just like how capacity is treated now (just a lower max)

Have to wait and see for how they really handle it

 

[realestateanddisney]

My wife and I decided last night that if they cancel our trip due to the NBA, we are going to take our money and purchase annual passes to Universal.

As an DW AP I am considering the same. We haven't even been to Universal but it seems like they have their guest's best interest at heart here. I am not asking DW to open tomorrow, but I do wish they would announce a target date TODAY!

Edited to correct major typos!

 

[hertamaniac]

As an DW AP I am considering the same. We haven't even been to Universal but it seems like they are their guest interest at heart here. I am not asking DW to open tomorrow, but I do will they would announce a target date TODAY!

Although it is frustrating to us as well, Universal doesn't offer the same experience for our AP dollar (subjective).

The most curious part to me is how the transportation at WDW will function/look, resort wide. That experience weighs heavily on our overall plans when visiting.

 

[LSUmiss]

You got bad info from whomever you spoke with. You can always add tickets on even if you are booking under a room-only discount. If it's a split stay, you simply book the first reservation of the trip as a package and add the length of tickets you need for your whole stay. If you trip is impacted, I would definitely call back and lobby for a full refund on your tickets.

Not if it’s an AP discount room only. I have an AP, DH doesn’t so I had to buy his tickets outright.

 

[Fantasia79]

Just cancelled July 5th trip. Very tough to do.

dominant factors:
1. Masks in July
2. Potential of not gaining admission to parks
3. Possibility of missing DVC Banking window after cancelling (May 31, hearing the closure exceptions won‘t be offered if you cancel and not them).
4. Potential of no character meets (5 y/o daughter)
5. Potential of losing dining reservations
6. Potential of no fireworks shows

I know many of you are in the same debate we had. Deciding to save the cash and do another trip later.

 

[npatellye]

Just cancelled July 5th trip. Very tough to do.

dominant factors:
1. Masks in July
2. Potential of not gaining admission to parks
3. Possibility of missing DVC Banking window after cancelling (May 31, hearing the closure exceptions won‘t be offered if you cancel and not them).
4. Potential of no character meets (5 y/o daughter)
5. Potential of losing dining reservations
6. Potential of no fireworks shows

I know many of you are in the same debate we had. Deciding to save the cash and do another trip later.

I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip but I definitely see why! I’m sitting tight until July since our banking window closes on 7/31 and I’m also worried about losing all of those points.

 

[jlwhitney]

Just cancelled July 5th trip. Very tough to do.

dominant factors:
1. Masks in July
2. Potential of not gaining admission to parks
3. Possibility of missing DVC Banking window after cancelling (May 31, hearing the closure exceptions won‘t be offered if you cancel and not them).
4. Potential of no character meets (5 y/o daughter)
5. Potential of losing dining reservations
6. Potential of no fireworks shows

I know many of you are in the same debate we had. Deciding to save the cash and do another trip later.

We cancelled our end of june/beg of july trip the other day too. Now trying to decide what to do with our week in September, which was gonna be a Disney/Aquatica/Legoland trip, but now who knows what.

Masks required will be a a no go, most other things we can tolerate.

 

[gottalovepluto]

You have a sure thing, but are you sure it’s safe? I’m sticking with Disney.

Traveling now isn’t safe. Those of us traveling have accepted that.

If you’re thinking Disney might be a better safety bet because they’re waiting, I disagree. I think they will have similar safety protocols between all the parks.

 

[Fantasia79]

I’m sorry you had to cancel your trip but I definitely see why! I’m sitting tight until July since our banking window closes on 7/31 and I’m also worried about losing all of those points.

That’s pretty lucky! Hope it’s a good experience! Best of luck.

 

[Fantasia79]

We cancelled our end of june/beg of july trip the other day too. Now trying to decide what to do with our week in September, which was gonna be a Disney/Aquatica/Legoland trip, but now who knows what.

Masks required will be a a no go, most other things we can tolerate.

Every time It gets hot and we’re wearing masks, we cant wait to take them off.

 

[realestateanddisney]

I'd disagree. Universal said closed until May 31 and they're opening 5 days later. Disney offered free dining for June 1st, kept those reservations, and is cancelling, despite also saying that July 1st may not happen and not offering anything to people who booked that free dining promo. Disney just needs to tell us something. Literally anything would be better than what they're doing now.

Agreed! A date, even in 2021 is better than no date at all!

 

[Anna H]

I'm worried that certain safety measures will be loosened by the end of the summer versus early on since UO is opening faster than most assumed. I won't go to either park this year if they reduce whatever safety measures they have. My Disney trip was for August. If they open in June, I'm worried that social distancing will be an experiment that they ease up on too much by then. I'm adamant about re-opening cautiously until we have evidence that the disease has dramatically decreased.

 

[Jrb1979]

I'm worried that certain safety measures will be loosened by the end of the summer versus early on since UO is opening faster than most assumed. I won't go to either park this year if they reduce whatever safety measures they have. My Disney trip was for August. If they open in June, I'm worried that social distancing will be an experiment that they ease up on too much by then. I'm adamant about re-opening cautiously until we have evidence that the disease has dramatically decreased.

The concerning thing to me is how so many people are pushing for those measures to disappear.

 

[Anna H]

The concerning thing to me is how so many people are pushing for those measures to disappear.

I understand that these measures will significanty impact the experience but I'd still rather be safe than sorry while the virus is still circulating. I think masks should be required for indoor spaces but I feel okay about relaxing that rule when outside in the cruel heat as long as physical distancing is still expected. Indoor enforcement would be easier too since there can be a CM at every entrance. I wouldn't mind required sanitizing upon entry to restaurants. My husband has his temperature checked and is told to put on sanitizer every day at his work. No issues.

Fact is, masks are probably not as effective as we hope but everyone needs to wear one in risky areas to make a difference. I think requiring them inside but not outside is a fair compromise. They won't get my business if they let go of precautions before the end of summer. Honestly, they should have precautions through flu season at this point in case we have a double whammy.

I wonder what capacity Shanghai has reached by now?

 

[TwoMisfits]

Just cancelled July 5th trip. Very tough to do.

dominant factors:
1. Masks in July
2. Potential of not gaining admission to parks
3. Possibility of missing DVC Banking window after cancelling (May 31, hearing the closure exceptions won‘t be offered if you cancel and not them).
4. Potential of no character meets (5 y/o daughter)
5. Potential of losing dining reservations
6. Potential of no fireworks shows

I know many of you are in the same debate we had. Deciding to save the cash and do another trip later.

That's why I canceled my late August NYC trip yesterday (timeshare) and rebooked for SC (no timeshare, but a great condo deal) - I didn't want to lose banking my points for later (I picked 2 years out, so I'd have time to use and figure things out then)...I figure in 2 years, I'll want an awesome vacation anyway...

 

[Hoodie]

I understand that these measures will significanty impact the experience but I'd still rather be safe than sorry while the virus is still circulating. I think masks should be required for indoor spaces but I feel okay about relaxing that rule when outside in the cruel heat as long as physical distancing is still expected. Indoor enforcement would be easier too since there can be a CM at every entrance. I wouldn't mind required sanitizing upon entry to restaurants. My husband has his temperature checked and is told to put on sanitizer every day at his work. No issues.

Fact is, masks are probably not as effective as we hope but everyone needs to wear one in risky areas to make a difference. I think requiring them inside but not outside is a fair compromise. They won't get my business if they let go of precautions before the end of summer. Honestly, they should have precautions through flu season at this point in case we have a double whammy.

I wonder what capacity Shanghai has reached by now?

I think the first protocol eased will likely be the masks outdoors. I do think indoors you will need them - both stores and internal queues/dark rides.

My son did ask what happens with masks and roller coasters. I hadn't even thought about it (I was just assuming masks all the time) but I do wonder how many will be lost. Ironically with people screaming, it's probably one of the few places where a mask would actually be helpful.