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

[Llama mama]

So if reservations needed no park hopping??

 

[Krandor]

So if reservations needed no park hopping??

I'd expect so but we don't know yet,

 

[butterscotchcollins]

Chapek on CNBC - he's giving us N-O-T-H-I-N-G. This host is hammering him on the capacity issue. Also, aerial views of the empty parks is bumming me out :/

 

[wombat_5606]

So if reservations needed no park hopping??

One way I can imagine that working is that when you make your reservation, you will also say you are hopping. The numbers of people who say they are hopping will then be counted in the reservation system for all the parks. It will be a way to further control capacity.

 

[Anna H]

Someone said having a hotel reservation that includes tickets still won't guarantee park entry? That's a dealbreaker for us. We will be driving many many miles to come.

 

[Krandor]

Someone said having a hotel reservation that includes tickets still won't guarantee park entry? That's a dealbreaker for us. We will be driving many many miles to come.

We don't know that yet.

 

[b2k1121]

If this is the "new normal" people aren't going to be spending the big money to come to Florida and vacation to Disney. They'll go back to more regional vacations - state parks, beaches, local amusements. I know people who are already planning that for this summer -- buying boats, buying campers, etc.

I don't think the majority of people will LET this be the "new normal". This virus has barely touched the majority of Americans (just think about yourself .. how many people do you know had the flu this winter? Now how many do know have COVID?) (For me that answer is zero). If it isn't affecting people's normal lives, they aren't going to let it change their habits too much and people will go where there are less restrictions because it will be less inconvenient and more fun.

This 'if it hasn't affected me personally, I don't care about it' attitude is pretty gross.

 

[Violetspider]

That's our trip done. DVC July 6th through the 16th. We skipped last year to bank points for a 10 day trip this year. My autistic great-nephew wanted to do everything in SW:GE that he could. We were planning on 5 days there. All the reservations were in. What a bummer. I feel terrible for him. His dad, my nephew, is a teacher so he can only manage June and July trips. Rescheduling, if we even could, wouldn't give us the experience we were hoping for when we booked back in November. I just hope he doesn't lose his points from last year. I don't know how DVC works and I know my nephew doesn't really know either. He's a very casual wing it kind of guy. That's why I'm always invited, I'm willing to do all the leg work.

 

[Krandor]

That's our trip done. DVC July 6th through the 16th. We skipped last year to bank points for a 10 day trip this year. My autistic great-nephew wanted to do everything in SW:GE that he could. We were planning on 5 days there. All the reservations were in. What a bummer. I feel terrible for him. His dad, my nephew, is a teacher so he can only manage June and July trips. Rescheduling, if we even could, wouldn't give us the experience we were hoping for when we booked back in November. I just hope he doesn't lose his points from last year. I don't know how DVC works and I know my nephew doesn't really know either. He's a very casual wing it kind of guy. That's why I'm always invited, I'm willing to do all the leg work.

Then I'd suggest you head over to the DVC forums on here and people there can help you figure out what your options are on the points. A lot of knowledgeble and helpful people there.

 

[abnihon]

I also worry they could delay further if Universal sees low mask compliance or cases spike..

 

[Violetspider]

Then I'd suggest you head over to the DVC forums on here and people there can help you figure out what your options are on the points. A lot of knowledgeble and helpful people there.

Thanks! I'm heading over there to post the question.

 

[Josh125]

I don't think the majority of people will LET this be the "new normal". This virus has barely touched the majority of Americans (just think about yourself .. how many people do you know had the flu this winter? Now how many do know have COVID?) (For me that answer is zero). If it isn't affecting people's normal lives, they aren't going to let it change their habits too much and people will go where there are less restrictions because it will be less inconvenient and more fun.

It doesn't impact you until it does. Why should I wear a seat belt, I've never been in an accident in my 30 years of driving? Disney's park, their rules. Follow the guidance of those with M.D. after their name folks.

 

[Krandor]

Chapek stated that a lot of hotels will NOT be reopening.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

As predicted, Disney announces dates and people blow up. Everyone was mad because of no dates, and now . . .

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

Chapek stated that a lot of hotels will NOT be reopening.

That sort of makes sense if they are going to limit capacity at the parks. Won't need all the hotels open. Maybe a few in each category? 2 of 3 monorail and either Yacht/Beach or Boardwalk for that area, one of Port Orleans? But just speculating.

 

[Krandor]

That sort of makes sense if they are going to limit capacity at the parks. Won't need all the hotels open. Maybe a few in each category? 2 of 3 monorail and either Yacht/Beach or Boardwalk for that area, one of Port Orleans? But just speculating.

And of Pop or AoA.... only 1 or 2 All Stars.. some of my guesses.

All DVC has to be open. Others we'll see.

 

[JacknSally]

I know pieces have been sprinkled throughout so far, but here are most of the Qs/As from CNBC with Chapek in one place. I tried to get his exact wording as best I could.

what made you pick july 11, more than a month after the rest of orlando?
- chapek: we want to make sure what we present after opening is a quintessential disney experience and though we'll have a substantially lower number of guests we want to make sure we do it in a responsible way

what kind of capacity? 30% like shanghai?
- not giving specific numbers bc there's no government guidance as to how dense they can be. capacity will be a function of the 6 foot social distancing guidance from the cdc bc they will always strive to maintain social distancing

are you expecting to get guidance on capacity from the gov?
- we do not expect that but TWDC has a long history of being very responsible

at what level of capacity do you expect the park to be profitable?
- i said before we won't reopen until we believe we can make a positive contribution to revenue. we expect we will be able to cover our costs. we'll slowly but surely make baby steps while improving the number of guests we allow in while making sure we operate responsibly.

do you think masks will discourage your biggest fans from coming?
- there are several data points we find encouraging. number one, we still have a large number of future reservations on our books. also, demand at disney springs has been really encouraging.

how is shanghai going so far? how is capacity?
- right now still within the 3ft social distancing guidelines set up by chinese gov. right now at about 20,000 people per day in the park. guests in china have been spectacular in respecting social distancing and i expect the exact same thing to happen in orlando when we reopen.

NBA?
- we would be very excited to have NBA and MLS play out the balance of their seasons however they see fit at WDW. fans are anxious to get back to sports and if we can be entrusted to make that happen we would be more than glad to do so.

is there a risk related to that?
- we have ample space as you know. this is a very big property. the real constraint is density. as long as we don't butt up against that density issue we'll be ok. we have plenty of hotels to reopen and plenty of hotels will not be reopened to help with that density issue.

 

[courtney1188]

That sort of makes sense if they are going to limit capacity at the parks. Won't need all the hotels open. Maybe a few in each category? 2 of 3 monorail and either Yacht/Beach or Boardwalk for that area, one of Port Orleans? But just speculating.

I would hope/assume that the campgrounds would stay open - easy to social distance there.

 

[VeronicaZS]

do you think masks will discourage your biggest fans from coming?
- there are several data points we find encouraging. number one, we still have a large number of future reservations on our books. also, demand at disney springs has been really encouraging.

Yeah, because a lot of people were in wait and see mode. Now we will see what happens with cancellations...

 

[butterscotchcollins]

NGL I'm looking forward to my stay at Yacht Club in Sept but I am going to be a little mad if I'm paying 2x what the person in the next room paid who reserved at POFQ and had to be moved. This is a mess - I don't think Chapek/Disney was properly prepared at all and they should be a teeny bit embarassed.