This makes NO sense - Old Key West

[Mickeynutty]

We went to the boat dock expecting to board and head over to DS. Of course, the boats - open air - are not running. We had to take a crowded bus, instead. How does this closure because of COVID make any sense??? Surely it is just Disney cutting cost. BOOOOO.

 

[Nabas]

We went to the boat dock expecting to board and head over to DS. Of course, the boats - open air - are not running. We had to take a crowded bus, instead. How does this closure because of COVID make any sense??? Surely it is just Disney cutting cost. BOOOOO.

It could be a staffing issue. There are several reports that Disney is having problems hiring a sufficient number of Cast Members.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

And boat captain is a skilled position.

 

[Nabas]

And boat captain is a skilled position.

Side story...

We were staying at BCV in November 2020 waiting for the boat to dock. It crashed in very hard, by far the hardest docking I had ever seen at WDW. A new boat captain in training, we were told.

I said, "That's not supposed to happen."

The Case Member on the dock stared at me for a moment, thought about saying something substantial, but then shook his head, raised his eyebrows, and simply said "No."

 

[Mickeynutty]

IMO, this is Disney cutting costs. I would imagine boat captain is a skilled position but they could hire more if they were willing to PAY enough. I hate that so many things have been lost.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For some positions it is likely coming down to cost being a key factor. Assuming Disney is not up for taking much profit hit, they may be reaching limits of absorbing cost. A lot of the boat captains are older and may be highly reluctant to return to what amounts to operating mass transit in a pandemic.

 

[Uh_Oa]

It's also my understanding that the merchants at DS along with the resorts on that boat route pay for the boat transportation. With POR and POFQ not open yet, and retail stores still trying to recoup losses, they could be holding out as long as possible before starting them up again. You will probably see them start again once the PO resorts open.

 

[Mickeynutty]

It's also my understanding that the merchants at DS along with the resorts on that boat route pay for the boat transportation. With POR and POFQ not open yet, and retail stores still trying to recoup losses, they could be holding out as long as possible before starting them up again. You will probably see them start again once the PO resorts open.

I so hope you are right that it comes back. As I said, riding a crowded bus was a disappointment when we thought we could take the open air boat.

 

[RivShore]

They may be getting ready to start them up again - on 9/24 I saw one dock at OKW. Just the boat caption was with it and no one was on the dock. Maybe some kind of test run?

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

It could be a staffing issue. There are several reports that Disney is having problems hiring a sufficient number of Cast Members.

This is what happens when you put a vaccine mandate on your employees— many leave. Especially when universal has no such mandate. Just saying.