Rumor about potential major reduction in operating hours for WDW if Disney Asia parks remain closed due to coronavirus

[lisa cameron]

There are many more precautions that DLP, WDW & DL could put in place before shutting down their parks.

Phase 1 park closure to prevent anyone from buying a walk up ticket
Thermal scan everyone at the security gate and deny entry to anyone with a fever over 100.4
Stop all face character meet and greets
Thermal scan all CMs before and after shifts
Stop all parades and night time spectaculars when large crowds gather


Doing these all would reduce the risk to park goers and CMs a significant amount.

Thermal scanning if CM and guests would be fabulous! Wish they would do that during flu season too.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Disney is not the one renting the points out. The DVC owner is using a broker who in turn rents the points out. There’s a whole thread on DVC boards about whether or not Disney would give owners the point back.

I don’t think Disney will give it’s owners points back for cancelled vacations due to park or even resort closures. It would leave a huge pool of points unused in this UY which at some point may lead to a run on reservations. Or if the closures drag on, angry owners that those points are going to expire and can’t be banked forward

if Disney doesn’t give the owner the points back, then is the owner just supposed to give the money back to the renter and eat the cost?

We don’t rent our points out ever so I don’t have a horse in this race.

also I would disagree with the statement of Disney's really good customer service: it has really gone downhill over the past decade and I don't trust them to give me my points back if our May 2020 vacation gets cancelled due to closure.

I get that Disney might not be able to give the points back, but it's Disney, they have phenomenal customer service, and I am confident they will do something to "make the owners whole," whether that is equivalent room reservations in a non-dvc hotel or something similar, they're going to do something. If they pass that on to the owners, then that should be passed on to the DVC rental agency and on to the renter. Similarly I know there is some level of markup that the DVC store charges per point. That should absolutely be refunded as well.

 

[Diz Bee]

Ive had several large projects that have just been frozen financially within the past couple days. A lot of contractors are running around right now trying to finish projects. There’s a whispering of closures. People are becoming nervous and rightfully so. It’s already affecting peoples income, and even more importantly individual safety precautions are starting to feel fruitless. Is it here? Most likely given the odds. People keep coming from all over the country and the world. We've always joked that we work in an international Petri dish... it’s not so funny anymore. A lot of us are scared for our families, friends and our own health. Some are wondering now, if the best thing to do is to shut it down, reorganize on how to go forward. Social distancing is NOT a possibility at this moment.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Ive had several large projects that have just been frozen financially within the past couple days. A lot of contractors are running around right now trying to finish projects. There’s a whispering of closures. People are becoming nervous and rightfully so. It’s already affecting peoples income, and even more importantly individual safety precautions are starting to feel fruitless. Is it here? Most likely given the odds. People keep coming from all over the country and the world. We've always joked that we work in an international Perri dish... it’s not so funny anymore. A lot of us are scared for our families, friends and our own health. We chose to work at the happiest place on earth, but some of us are wondering now, if the best thing to do is to shut it down, reorganize on how to go forward. Social distancing is NOT a possibility at this moment.

Containment is not going to happen at this point, but social distancing to slow this down is very very important. If, over the next 3 years, 70 percent of the population gets this, that's not great but it's not the end of the world. If, over the next 3 months, 70 percent of the population gets this, that's catastrophic. Hospitals are overrun and the mortality rate skyrockets. That's why social distancing is still important even though there's basically no way to stop this thing now.

 

[SarahInMN]

I get that Disney might not be able to give the points back, but it's Disney, they have phenomenal customer service, and I am confident they will do something to "make the owners whole," whether that is equivalent room reservations in a non-dvc hotel or something similar, they're going to do something. If they pass that on to the owners, then that should be passed on to the DVC rental agency and on to the renter. Similarly I know there is some level of markup that the DVC store charges per point. That should absolutely be refunded as well.

I don’t rent my points so I don’t really have a horse in this. I don’t think it’s right the owner should lose all their points potentially when they pulled them for a renter. I feel like a lot of prior posts are placing blame on DVC owners for broker policies about refunds and travel insurance.

If the renter agreed to the brokers terms, that’s not on the owner nor is it the owners responsibility to fix what the renter thinks is unfair.

the onus is on both parties who agreed to the terms. It does not fall on one party (ie the owner) to change the brokerage’s policy.

if Disney refunds the owner, I agree that should be passed on. It’s not the owners responsibility that the renter agreed to terms which they may or may not agree with.

I applaud your optimism on Disney making it right but I don’t feel it. I just don’t think we should be blaming DVC owners for the brokers’ policies.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Containment is not going to happen at this point, but social distancing to slow this down is very very important. If, over the next 3 years, 70 percent of the population gets this, that's not great but it's not the end of the world. If, over the next 3 months, 70 percent of the population gets this, that's catastrophic. Hospitals are overrun and the mortality rate skyrockets. That's why social distancing is still important even though there's basically no way to stop this thing now.

Agreed...and by slowing it down, you give a chance for science to find something to cure (unlikely) or mitigate (more likely) the virus.

 

[HockeyBasedNYC]

Man, it's not looking good for our April trip - gotta be honest. What a shame.

Reported cases are increasing. The NBA said certain teams will be begin playing games with no fans this week. I'm sure the other major sports leagues will follow suit soon. Tons of gatherings & conventions across the nation have already been postponed.

Massive gatherings ≠ "Containment" of the virus.

 

[TaylorTexan]

I hadn't realised that the hotels in Tokyo remained open. However, I still don't think that would happen in Orlando in the event of the parks closing. Tokyo is one of the worlds great cities with many things to see and experience, there is no reason for a tourist to be in Orlando if not to go to Disneyworld (or the other theme parks).

Regardless, I never "demanded" anything from the DVC rental store - I politely asked for them to consider a delay in the date of the second payment on compassionate grounds to give the whole virus situation more time to play out. Many companies in the travel industry with "no refunds, all sales are final" policies have relaxed those policies and it was completely reasonable of me to ask if they would do the same. Anyone else in my position should do the same.

I feel for you. My husband and kids have booked through Disney but I advised my mom to book through DVC rental for AKL since she's joining us at the end of the trip. We're 2 days from the final payment being due and we do have the protection plan so we are trying to cancel before the charge goes through. I've emailed and called but no response from them yet. She'll lose $400 even with cancelling before the deadline and having protection. But she will come out ahead to book through Disney AND have more flexibility if she ends up deciding not to join us. She'll be out her flight too. We're driving and have more flexibility so at this point, we're planning to go but we will be very cautious and keep evaluating over the next month.

I do feel like the resorts would stay open even if the parks close but that's just a guess. Even still, you're paying a TON of money to only be at the resorts. And I've heard just having resorts days are a blast but if the parks are closed, I would imagine resort activities would also be cancelled so we'd essentially be watching animals from our room, playing cards, watching TV or what have you for a LOT of money. It's just not worth the risk. I hope you're able to get refunded somehow OR better yet, the trip stays on and the parks stay open!

 

[Diz Bee]

Man, it's not looking good for our April trip - gotta be honest. What a shame.

Reported cases are increasing. The NBA said certain teams will be begin playing games with no fans this week. I'm sure the other major sports leagues will follow suit soon. Tons of gatherings & conventions across the nation have already been postponed.

Massive gatherings ≠ "Containment" of the virus.

With some states shutting down public gatherings of over 250 people, and those people from those states come here to Orlando and Florida for spring break, to be shoved in parks with tens of thousands of other people with no social distancing practices, no travel history, no temperature check points, no forced hand washing, and a lack of a serious disinfectant regimen, we sit on the edge of a catastrophic possibility. WDW, universal, and sea world need to be seriously figuring this out. NOW! Many cast members and sub contractors live paycheck to paycheck here, but can you imagine the infection rate? When this blows over... and god knows when that is, the work force here could be devastated. Is it worth it? My family stocked up... we’re ready, and other cast members and contractors should do the same. Coming to work is starting to feel like Russian roulette.

 

[Karin1984]

Latest news from Disneyland Paris, after the statement from the doctors. The cancelling of face characters meet & greets (replacing them with a parade), so that means no Princesses / Gaston / Jack Sparrow etc. throughout the parks, including the princess breakfast (replaced by royal Mickey & Minnie, Goofy, Suzy & Perla). The release of the new pins has been delayed due to delivery problems ( I suspect pins are made in China?). Lower capacity for shows (Mickey and the Magician's theater can hold over 1000 guests, it's now reduced to 900 people). Billy Bob's is closed.
Other measurements taken are things like disposable cutlery, and extra cleaning rounds etc.

We don't see reduced hours here yet, but the Annual Passholder event for this Friday (hard-ticketed) is cancelled.
Also we saw some cheaper hotel rooms, 2 weeks ago a room for end of March at the Disneyland Hotel was 650 euro a night, it's now at 470 euro, refundable rate.

But with everything going on: It won't take long till the park closes, I suspect. I believe 3 of the night maintenance workers at DLP have caught the virus now.

 

[Krandor]

Man, it's not looking good for our April trip - gotta be honest. What a shame.

Reported cases are increasing. The NBA said certain teams will be begin playing games with no fans this week. I'm sure the other major sports leagues will follow suit soon. Tons of gatherings & conventions across the nation have already been postponed.

Massive gatherings ≠ "Containment" of the virus.

I agree. I'm scheduled for star wars half marathon weekend in april and love that race (done it every year) but wouldn't be shocked if at least the races are cancelled let alone the park.

 

[Brianstl]

Latest news from Disneyland Paris, after the statement from the doctors. The cancelling of face characters meet & greets (replacing them with a parade), so that means no Princesses / Gaston / Jack Sparrow etc. throughout the parks, including the princess breakfast (replaced by royal Mickey & Minnie, Goofy, Suzy & Perla). The release of the new pins has been delayed due to delivery problems ( I suspect pins are made in China?). Lower capacity for shows (Mickey and the Magician's theater can holder over 1000 guests, it's now reduced to 900 people). Billy Bob's is closed.
Other measurements taken are things like disposable cutlery, and extra cleaning rounds etc.

We don't see reduced hours here yet, but the Annual Passholder event for this Friday (hard-ticketed) is cancelled.
Also we saw some cheaper hotel rooms, 2 weeks ago a room for end of March at the Disneyland Hotel was 650 euro a night, it's now at 470 euro, refundable rate.

But with everything going on: It won't take long till the park closes, I suspect. I believe 3 of the night maintenance workers at DLP have caught the virus now.

Replacing meet and greets with a parade is not a good solution. Having people on top of each other trying to get the best view for the parade is not the best way to stop this virus from spreading.

 

[Karin1984]

Replacing meet and greets with a parade is not a good solution. Having people on top of each other trying to get the best view for the parade is not the best way to stop this virus from spreading.

It's not announced on the program (at least not for this week). It's only in the app. By the looks of it, the park is not really full, today at noon, Big Thunder mountain had a waittime of 40 minutes.

To add, this just came in: The nighttime shows in both parks are cancelled as well, the parade still is scheduled. Probably as people spread out more than for the fireworks.

 

[DerEchte]

I have a trip to DLP planned at the beginning of May. I am absolutely going as long as the parks will be open. But things are looking bad.

Also, in 3 weeks all the seasonal parks in Europe, which are pretty much all the parks here, are supposed to open. I wonder if the will open.

 

[Diz Bee]

It would also help a lot, if WDW would refill their new Purell dispensers a little more throughout the day. Sure they look great but it would help if there was Purell in them.

 

[Krandor]

It would also help a lot, if WDW would refill their new Purell dispensers a little more throughout the day. Sure they look great but it would help if there was Purell in them.

They just put them in so they may not have good data yet on how often they need to be refilled. I suspect that will improve.

 

[BrianL]

I have a trip to DLP planned at the beginning of May. I am absolutely going as long as the parks will be open. But things are looking bad.

Also, in 3 weeks all the seasonal parks in Europe, which are pretty much all the parks here, are supposed to open. I wonder if the will open.

Yeah, I almost booked a trip to DLP this April - I really wanted to. Now I am glad I held off. I mean, I'd still go, but if everything is closed, including DLP, it wouldn't be too fun.

 

[Brianstl]

Yeah, I almost booked a trip to DLP this April - I really wanted to. Now I am glad I held off. I mean, I'd still go, but if everything is closed, including DLP, it wouldn't be too fun.

You could grab a "I want to Paris and all I got was the plague" shirt.

 

[mshanson3121]

1918 Flu Pandemic second wave was even worse than the first. I do have some confidence that our scientists will have some help for some people by then. Maybe not a full cure but something to lessen the impact. I am not confident that everyone will be able to be protected though.

There are some drugs already in human testing, so I wouldn't be surprised. Vitamin C and Quercetin are both showing some promise, as well as the anit-viral drug Remdesivir.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I don’t rent my points so I don’t really have a horse in this. I don’t think it’s right the owner should lose all their points potentially when they pulled them for a renter. I feel like a lot of prior posts are placing blame on DVC owners for broker policies about refunds and travel insurance.

If the renter agreed to the brokers terms, that’s not on the owner nor is it the owners responsibility to fix what the renter thinks is unfair.

the onus is on both parties who agreed to the terms. It does not fall on one party (ie the owner) to change the brokerage’s policy.

if Disney refunds the owner, I agree that should be passed on. It’s not the owners responsibility that the renter agreed to terms which they may or may not agree with.

I applaud your optimism on Disney making it right but I don’t feel it. I just don’t think we should be blaming DVC owners for the brokers’ policies.

To be clear I’m not blaming DVC owners at all. The only criticism I have leveled has been against the brokers who are not even offering to refund their “profit.” Also I’m not at all convinced that the brokers won’t legally owe the money back to the renters if the resorts themselves shut down.