WDW COVID-19 Operational Changes- Reservation System-Rope Drop Procedures

[ratfam]

We were scheduled to leave for WDW tomorrow for a week for a family trip between a college graduation and jobs starting. We are DVC members and decided to move the reservation to August, hoping we could make it work and not wanting to wait until too close to our May reservation to avoid the risk of our points going into holding (this was before the parks closed and DVC became more flexible). Decided to call it today--even if it would work for the kids' jobs we knew we wouldn't be comfortable with the public health situation and didn't want to invest that much in a vacation with so much uncertainty around how things would look. Additionally, based on my employer's current reopening plans I would likely not be allowed back into the office until after a 14-day quarantine, which wouldn't be feasible. Masks were not an issue for us--these are mandated in our states currently and make sense to us. I called DVC wanting my points to all go back into their original use years (we had borrowed from 2021) and then Disney wanting to get a refund on the $2600 I had wrapped up in tickets rather than ending up with credits that I had no idea when I would be able to use (I had purchased our tickets directly). I was prepared with the facts behind my decision to plead my case to the best of my ability and was pleasantly surprised that both requests were easily accommodated--DVC is returning points to original use years and Disney agreed to refund really quite easily. I will say that I went into the calls very respectfully and willing to accept no's but I was happy that Disney seems to be understanding that these unusual circumstances require a little more flexibility. I look forward to the day that we can return again, but for our family particularly given the unique nature of some of our work circumstances I suspect this won't be until after the public health risk is controlled. We look forward to continuing our family's journey with Disney in the future, and I wish those who are still hoping to travel there this summer the best of luck that their plans come together

 

[cakebaker]

Well, so much for the "fan sites" being unreliable, just because they are not "official". Truth be told, some fan sites post WDW news that is 100% accurate well before WDW puts anything "official" on their web site. Just saying.

Personally, I love the site that can't be named. We had an amazing night the last night of Illuminations with a private party they sponsored. They aren't always right, but they are right a good deal of the time. But, the point is, it gives me a heads up on possibilities, I always wait to make any decisions based on what they say until I have official confirmation. And I'm in no way in the mood to argue the point, just saying, alternate sites serve a purpose.

 

[DebbieB]

If they announced as definitive they’d have to cancel the June reservations and issue refunds. They’re a scrambling mess today but even today they’re not that dumb...

They hope that people reschedule and move the money. That’s why they offered free dining originally. The free dining was supposed to be available to 5/31 but they pulled it off the site yesterday. Now it’s a 25% room discount. I suspect tables will be limited so free dining doesn’t work anymore.

 

[cakebaker]

They hope that people reschedule and move the money. That’s why they offered free dining originally. The free dining was supposed to be available to 5/31 but they pulled it off the site yesterday. Now it’s a 25% room discount. I suspect tables will be limited so free dining doesn’t work anymore.

The 25% discount isn’t new. It’s been available for at least a couple of months.

 

[gottalovepluto]

They hope that people reschedule and move the money. That’s why they offered free dining originally. The free dining was supposed to be available to 5/31 but they pulled it off the site yesterday. Now it’s a 25% room discount. I suspect tables will be limited so free dining doesn’t work anymore.

Actually now the offer is nothing. The 25% “offer” is just the general public offer...

 

[gottalovepluto]

The 25% discount isn’t new. It’s been available for at least a couple of months.

Darn. Missed it by that much...

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Just keeping track of the upcharges, Disney added “No Longer Available” for all the June Villains After Hours dates on their website, leaving the originally two scheduled July dates.



And for H2O Glow Night status:

 

[NJlauren]

You can’t book new June reservations this morning, at least I can’t.

I can book ADRs, but no BBB or hotels.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

You can’t book new June reservations this morning, at least I can’t.

I can book ADRs, but no BBB or hotels.

Yeah, they rolled the no June reservation thing out last night.

FYI, the only ADRs bookable right now in June are at Disney Springs.

 

[NJlauren]

Yeah, they rolled the no June reservation thing out last night.

FYI, the only ADRs bookable right now in June are at Disney Springs.

Yeah I saw people posting about it, I just didn’t see any reports of confirmation, so was confirming I noticed it too this morning.

Ah makes sense on the ADRs

 

[iujen94]

Just a data point to share - I’ve got an onsite stay booked, starting June 11. I got a Disney survey yesterday (the same day that the July 1 announcement was made), asking things like, how likely am I to cancel the trip, what would make me cancel or not cancel the trip, am I going to fly or drive for the trip, how much notice would I want from Disney that the parks will be open, etc. That makes me think a final June decision may not have been made yet. I haven’t read through this whole thread, but I’m guessing others have also speculated that perhaps they are capping June park attendance by shutting off additional resort reservations (and limiting attendance to those with reservations).

 

[wilkydelts]

I posted this last night, for what it is worth on my June 23 EPCOT day I STILL can not change my Frozen FP+ to Soarin or EPCOT Forever like I could yesterday. I can change my lesser FP+.

Im interested to know if they pulled EPCOT Forever as a choice because that could be a huge indication of changes

 

[Cinderbrella1]

We have a trip booked in June, too, but haven't received a survey. Our trip starts on the 8th, and we're using our DVC points. WE would love to get a survey!

 

[peaceluv&mickeymouse]

Just a data point to share - I’ve got an onsite stay booked, starting June 11. I got a Disney survey yesterday (the same day that the July 1 announcement was made), asking things like, how likely am I to cancel the trip, what would make me cancel or not cancel the trip, am I going to fly or drive for the trip, how much notice would I want from Disney that the parks will be open, etc. That makes me think a final June decision may not have been made yet. I haven’t read through this whole thread, but I’m guessing others have also speculated that perhaps they are capping June park attendance by shutting off additional resort reservations (and limiting attendance to those with reservations).

Nothing is certain until Disney announces it.

 

[yulilin3]

Well, so much for the "fan sites" being unreliable, just because they are not "official". Truth be told, some fan sites post WDW news that is 100% accurate well before WDW puts anything "official" on their web site. Just saying.

Where did i say they were unreliable. I said they were not official. I don't understand why you're so set on misquoting what I'm saying

 

[Tissa]

Today is my fastpass day for my July trip. It is for my 50th birthday and we only have 2 park days since we went in October. I couldn't get any tier 1 FP for DHS. I always go in the summer and I expected the new attractions to be hard, but no RNRC Really? I did get AK and MK fastpasses but all in the afternoon/evening. Kind of a bummer.

 

[taraaplin]

I just got this email

 

[Spridell]

FWIW late last night the Governor of Florida extended the State of Emergency for Florida until July 7

I have a feeling Disney will do NOTHING until this is lifted and that is why we are seeing June now being canceled

https://www.nbc-2.com/story/4210848...xtends-florida-state-of-emergency-for-60-days

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I posted this last night, for what it is worth on my June 23 EPCOT day I STILL can not change my Frozen FP+ to Soarin or EPCOT Forever like I could yesterday. I can change my lesser FP+.

Im interested to know if they pulled EPCOT Forever as a choice because that could be a huge indication of changes

I still have my dinner reservation at Rose and Crown for the Epcot Forever Dining package for June 12th. They haven’t cancelled those.

And when I try to change my Soarin’ fastpass, I can get Frozen, but not Epcot Forever.

If you look at Epcot Forever on the fastpass list, it says “There are no fastpasses + selections available. Enjoy the experience using the standby entrance.” When they close rides or attractions, like with Spaceship Earth, it days “Fastpass service not available.” That’s how you can tell if an attraction is just full or whether it is not available for fastpass booking.

They haven’t taken away fastpasses for Epcot Forever yet for June. It’s coming, I imagine. But not yet.

 

[Yooperroo]

FWIW late last night the Governor of Florida extended the State of Emergency for Florida until July 7

I have a feeling Disney will do NOTHING until this is lifted and that is why we are seeing June now being canceled

https://www.nbc-2.com/story/4210848...xtends-florida-state-of-emergency-for-60-days

Maybe? But the state of emergency just means they can get federal funding. States of Emergency have been in place several times throughout history while Disney has been open. While this situation is certainly different than say a hurricane, it doesn't necessarily mean Disney can't open