Thoughts on rumor of only DVC/FW for rest of 2020?

[skeeter31]

Thanks. I understand the issues they face but the cons are really stacking up. I love the food and experience at FQ. I can't imagine everyone being stuffed in SS and OKW. Why are they only booking villas? Are they even modifying for people who will visit when the park is open yet? I was hoping more could be open by August.

Because DVC has to open and with the limited staffing available to Disney they can’t open all the resorts at this time. So since DVC has to open, that’s where they’ll be putting people. There and the campground.

 

[Eric Smith]

Thanks. I understand the issues they face but the cons are really stacking up. I love the food and experience at FQ. I can't imagine everyone being stuffed in SS and OKW. Why are they only booking villas? Are they even modifying for people who will visit when the park is open yet? I was hoping more could be open by August.

They’re only booking villas right now because those are the only hotels that are open.

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks. I understand the issues they face but the cons are really stacking up. I love the food and experience at FQ. I can't imagine everyone being stuffed in SS and OKW. Why are they only booking villas? Are they even modifying for people who will visit when the park is open yet? I was hoping more could be open by August.

There are reports of people’s rescheduled vacations here:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/post-your-rescheduled-relocated-resort-date-here.3804041/
Most are in early-to-mid July, some extending to when the theme parks reopen. I recently spoke to a travel agent friend and she is skeptical that anything else will reopen soon. Right now they are only putting people in DVC villas due to low demand. The next logical move would be to reopen the deluxe hotels since the accompanying villas are already open. There are more than 5000 deluxe hotel rooms. Until proven otherwise, I’m not convinced Disney will need any more than 5000 rooms (plus about 4000 villas) into the foreseeable future. Between highly controlled attendance at the theme parks and a natural drop in the people interested in visiting WDW, there’s no reason to reopen more hotels than are needed.

And when it comes time to reopen a moderate resort, my money would be on Caribbean Beach since it’s on the skyliner. The skyliner is built for social distancing, and now even more efficient than buses.

We’re all just speculating but that’s the direction I see things going until more people feel safe to travel, have the money to travel and Disney is able to increase park capacity.

 

[Sandisw]

I’ve seen posts saying the exact opposite of that. I saw one person that said member services told them that Jambo would be open for their stay on July 3. That post was from yesterday.

That may or may not be true but they have moved cash guests from DVC. They allow owners to book, because they have to...then, if the rooms need to be taken out of service, they will be moved.

You can book Aulani too, and it hasn’t been given an open date. So, with no official announcement from DVC or Disney that Jambo is open, I would not take one CMs word over another as some are telling owners it has not been given an open date...which is what I got when I made an inquiry.

 

[DebbieB]

Looking at the DVC reservation system, there is less availability for the fall, I think they may have to start opening some Deluxe or other resorts.

 

[soniam]

I’ve seen posts saying the exact opposite of that. I saw one person that said member services told them that Jambo would be open for their stay on July 3. That post was from yesterday.

As @Sandisw said, they have moved cash guests at Jambo with reservations before the parks open out of Jambo. That's an indicator that it will not be open July 3. As for after the parks open, we will see. I think they will cram everyone into Kidani if they can. No sense in opening more than necessary. Unfortunately, Jambo is the one with the real QS.

 

[Jess.stw]

They weren’t testing it though. They had to move the cars out of the holding pen in order to perform maintenance on the engine.

ah got it

 

[Ninjagrrl]

As @Sandisw said, they have moved cash guests at Jambo with reservations before the parks open out of Jambo. That's an indicator that it will not be open July 3. As for after the parks open, we will see. I think they will cram everyone into Kidani if they can. No sense in opening more than necessary. Unfortunately, Jambo is the one with the real QS.

And that's why I am so leery of this being moved stuff - if everything stays as is, the likeliest resorts I'd get moved to include 2 huge spread out resorts that aren't really great for the handicapped (SSR and OKW) or a resort with no real QS restaurants (Kidani.)
Ugh.

 

[TheEvilQueen24]

I'd believe the rumor. All the unknowns are stressing me out. I'm hanging in there for my early September trip but I have a feeing All Stars won't open.

 

[Sandisw]

Looking at the DVC reservation system, there is less availability for the fall, I think they may have to start opening some Deluxe or other resorts.

When they hit the Fall frenzy time for DVC, not much moving will happen without WDW resorts,

But, i think deluxe resorts will open before then.

 

[Anna H]

There are reports of people’s rescheduled vacations here:

https://www.disboards.com/threads/post-your-rescheduled-relocated-resort-date-here.3804041/
Most are in early-to-mid July, some extending to when the theme parks reopen. I recently spoke to a travel agent friend and she is skeptical that anything else will reopen soon. Right now they are only putting people in DVC villas due to low demand. The next logical move would be to reopen the deluxe hotels since the accompanying villas are already open. There are more than 5000 deluxe hotel rooms. Until proven otherwise, I’m not convinced Disney will need any more than 5000 rooms (plus about 4000 villas) into the foreseeable future. Between highly controlled attendance at the theme parks and a natural drop in the people interested in visiting WDW, there’s no reason to reopen more hotels than are needed.

And when it comes time to reopen a moderate resort, my money would be on Caribbean Beach since it’s on the skyliner. The skyliner is built for social distancing, and now even more efficient than buses.

We’re all just speculating but that’s the direction I see things going until more people feel safe to travel, have the money to travel and Disney is able to increase park capacity.

Thanks. Speculation is all we have Is your guess that moderate hotel guests could get moved to CBR? I’m still wondering if we will get bumped altogether despite having hotel and ticket reservations before the announced opening. We also had selected a garden room. CBR would be fine but I have heard rumors about people being more likely to get moved to SS, OKW and FW. Not sure I would want to stay there or not.
I’d like to start with knowing that we even have a valid booking. And where on earth are the NBA players going?

 

[Sandisw]

Thanks. Speculation is all we have Is your guess that moderate hotel guests could get moved to CBR? I’m still wondering if we will get bumped altogether despite having hotel and ticket reservations before the announced opening. We also had selected a garden room. CBR would be fine but I have heard rumors about people being more likely to get moved to SS, OKW and FW. Not sure I would want to stay there or not.
I’d like to start with knowing that we even have a valid booking. And where on earth are the NBA players going?

Honestly, IMO, and some have heard this too is that deluxe resorts open since they are in the same complex as DVC which is already opening.

Then, they will be moving or canceling reservations as we move forward, Again, speculation of course, but when, no one knows. By September, there will not be many DVC open rooms so the plan to move there cant continue.

 

[anthony2k7]

As @Sandisw said, they have moved cash guests at Jambo with reservations before the parks open out of Jambo. That's an indicator that it will not be open July 3. As for after the parks open, we will see. I think they will cram everyone into Kidani if they can. No sense in opening more than necessary. Unfortunately, Jambo is the one with the real QS.

Even if Jambo building and rooms opened, it looks likely Jiko/Boma will remain shut so also possible other facilities remain shut and make guests walk to Kidani for pool/shop etc.

 

[anthony2k7]

Looking at the FL numbers for the last few days the whole conversation of what planned to reopen may become irrelevant again pretty soon.

 

[OSUZorba]

I'd believe the rumor. All the unknowns are stressing me out. I'm hanging in there for my early September trip but I have a feeing All Stars won't open.

Would it actually upset you if they moved you from the All Stars to any Villa? I'd take that move any day.

 

[Broncho52]

Looking at the FL numbers for the last few days the whole conversation of what planned to reopen may become irrelevant again pretty soon.

They aren’t going to stop reopening.

 

[soniam]

They aren’t going to stop reopening.

Yep, that cat's out of the bag. I would be pretty surprised if any or many businesses, much less governments, close stuff down again. Not saying it should or should not happen; I just don't think it will despite covid stats.

 

[cel_disney]

Thanks. Speculation is all we have Is your guess that moderate hotel guests could get moved to CBR? I’m still wondering if we will get bumped altogether despite having hotel and ticket reservations before the announced opening. We also had selected a garden room. CBR would be fine but I have heard rumors about people being more likely to get moved to SS, OKW and FW. Not sure I would want to stay there or not.
I’d like to start with knowing that we even have a valid booking. And where on earth are the NBA players going?

We have stayed at OKW and I admit - it’s one of our faves...the rooms are large and there are so many small pools and playgrounds And parking spots that everything is close by. I think walking to Disney Springs would make SSR more attractive than usual right now..

I didn’t read the post TJ linked but If they decided not to open Jambo but did open other places with DVC - I would probably ask to move to Poly. Their DVC Studios are amazing with the 2 showers and the pools are great....and of course the Tonga Toast at Captain Cooks!!

 

[tjkraz]

Thanks. Speculation is all we have Is your guess that moderate hotel guests could get moved to CBR? I’m still wondering if we will get bumped altogether despite having hotel and ticket reservations before the announced opening. We also had selected a garden room. CBR would be fine but I have heard rumors about people being more likely to get moved to SS, OKW and FW. Not sure I would want to stay there or not.
I’d like to start with knowing that we even have a valid booking. And where on earth are the NBA players going?

When they decide to open a moderate, I think CBR is most likely since it's on the skyliner. (Similarly I think AOA and POP would also be next in line.) But that's purely my speculation. And it could be a long way down the road.

Disney was obligated to open the DVC resorts for legal reasons I won't go into. For early July, there are enough vacancies at the DVCs to move all cash reservations there. At this stage, they aren't even opening hotels that are attached to DVCs. That would be the next thing to happen--Poly, Grand Floridian, Contemporary and others will resume using their hotel rooms. It's only logical since those resorts are already partially-staffed to support the DVCs.

Until Disney can justify opening a moderate or value resort, they'll keep relocating people to deluxe. They are upgrading people for free. However, the current policy is that people must keep their original trip dates AND accept whatever upgrade is offered. If you have a reservation for POFQ and they offer a free upgrade to Old Key West, it's take it or leave it. Only other option is to cancel your reservation. It's kind of a harsh policy for Disney, but they're still trying to make the best of a bad situation where they need to restrict park capacity plus there are limits to which hotels they can afford to operate.

And when they remove the freeze on new reservations, expect they won't even offer to book a hotel until they're certain it will reopen. Discounts may also be hard to come by if they're limiting availability and park attendance. Right now, we're in a situation where Disney would much rather fill 3000 deluxe hotels with people paying high rates rather than using discounts to fill 10,000 rooms.

 

[TheEvilQueen24]

Would it actually upset you if they moved you from the All Stars to any Villa? I'd take that move any day.

Oh I’d be excited! I’ll take whatever. I don’t even mind staying in the Allstars. I just don’t like being unsure about what’s going to happen. I’m excited to go!