Why are people still going to Disney if the Parks are Closed?

[5kidsmommy]

We'll be there in September. Hopefully we'll get into the parks. If not we have a lovely resort to hang out at. We can also do plenty of other things in Orlando. Honestly since the parks are closing so early now we actaully may eat a few meals off site. We'll save some money and check out some decent places.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

The wife had an amazing idea. If we go and can't park hop we will fill in the non Disney days at Universal parks and Sea World by renting a car. Or....just say see ya till next year. It's just up and down all day with us and Disney right now

 

[jennyq87]

There’s ALWAYS a cheaper alternative to Disney. For us, the parks have little to do with our enjoyment of being on property. We’ve seen the fireworks. We don’t do character stuff. We go down to get some sun, stay in a nice resort, eat some good food/drinks, and enjoy time away from our home state. We’re ready to be flexible and excited to get away!

 

[bumbershoot]

Apart from two DVC parties and running through them for rundisney events, I haven’t set foot in a disneyworld park since 2015, and I’ve been yearly since then. Just being at their resorts is nice. If the pools are open I’d go, too.

We definitely don't plan on staying at a DVC room. We need two real beds, so unless they plan on giving us a 2 bedroom suite, that is a deal breaker.

Nor sure what two real beds has to do with having a two bedroom be a deal breaker.

I haven't been contacted by them yet telling me to call them so I wouldn't think they would just cancel me.

Oh I think you’d be surprised.

I bought a ton of gift cards for this trip, so maybe if they cancel me, they break the contract and will have to give me cash back instead of disney gift cards?

The world’s reaction to a coronavirus canceled or changed your trip, not Disney.

You seem a bit loaded for bear, when you’re simply in the same situation that many many other people are. Disney doesn’t always contact people before making changes (if you’re flying, FYI, you might have been canceled even if they didn’t tell you)

 

[JM23457]

We have a reservation booked for the first week of July and still haven't received the e-mail everyone else seems to be getting. Looking up my reservation, it still says I have free dining. They did cancel all my dining and fast pass reservations. When they do eventually decide to get to me, I can't see keeping my dates. And I am not booking a new reservation without a free dining or some other heavy discount. Why are people going when the parks (and many of the restaurants) are closed? Disney hotels aren't cheap. You could go to a nice beach resort, in the mountains, a city, or anywhere else you want for less than Disney hotel prices. I guess if you lived close, booked a value and they gave you a 3 bedroom DVC suite, I could see still going, but not in almost any other scenario.

Also, what do people plan to do all day?

Newsflash: Disney World isn't the only theme park in Orlando. People staying at a DVC can easily drive to Universal, Sea World & Legoland, and their respective waterparks.

 

[bfost87]

What is this contract you keep referring to?

 

[The Sasquatch]

Many people and it’s very popular with DVC members to do “no park” stays just like a hotel anywhere else outside of wdw. You can relax at the pool and enjoy the resort, go to Disney Springs or even Universal.

 

[Minniesgal]

We have a reservation booked for the first week of July and still haven't received the e-mail everyone else seems to be getting. Looking up my reservation, it still says I have free dining. They did cancel all my dining and fast pass reservations. When they do eventually decide to get to me, I can't see keeping my dates. And I am not booking a new reservation without a free dining or some other heavy discount. Why are people going when the parks (and many of the restaurants) are closed? Disney hotels aren't cheap. You could go to a nice beach resort, in the mountains, a city, or anywhere else you want for less than Disney hotel prices. I guess if you lived close, booked a value and they gave you a 3 bedroom DVC suite, I could see still going, but not in almost any other scenario.

Also, what do people plan to do all day?

If we could get there I'd be there tomorrow with or without parks. i'd be happy just chilling in our 1 bedroom villa even if we had to cook our own food. After 12 weeks at home I'd love to go.

 

[spleuchan]

Nor sure what two real beds has to do with having a two bedroom be a deal breaker.

I've never stayed at a DVC resort, so I could be wrong, but don't DVC studios and 1 bedrooms only have one real bed and the other is a sleeper sofa? We are only interested in something with at least two queen beds, so staying in a studio or 1 bedroom DVC would be a deal breaker.,

 

[spleuchan]

What is this contract you keep referring to?

I called them up to make my reservation. I agreed to pay them $X and they agreed to give me a room, theme park access, and dining package. I kind of hijacked my own thread with that comment, so just focus on my original question.

 

[PopGirl26]

We are staying at BWV for a full week before the parks open. After many years of visiting the parks multiple times per year, we’re long overdue for a resort-only trip. The five of us, kids included, have seen and done it all. This trip is about making it back to our second home (and we’re driving, a long way) and soaking up that comforting sense of place that Disney provides. During a global crisis, there is nothing more reassuring to me than being back “home.”

I think you’ll find many deep deep Disney-loving folks on these boards who think far less about what Disney owes them and much more about all the amazing memories we owe to this place.

 

[ezma]

We are staying at BWV for a full week before the parks open. After many years of visiting the parks multiple times per year, we’re long overdue for a resort-only trip. The five of us, kids included, have seen and done it all. This trip is about making it back to our second home (and we’re driving, a long way) and soaking up that comforting sense of place that Disney provides. During a global crisis, there is nothing more reassuring to me than being back “home.”

I think you’ll find many deep deep Disney-loving folks on these boards who think far less about what Disney owes them and much more about all the amazing memories we owe to this place.

You are so right about the "memories" we all have them! Would love to make memories with grandkids ,that is if we ever get any. We live in the north west part of Indiana and we have been there 30 plus times and it breaks my heart to see Disney going the way its going. We are planning to go next Oct. but if this continues going down the same path we will walk away. Disney wont miss my money because there are plenty out there that will play by the new rules.

 

[mcurran]

I called them up to make my reservation. I agreed to pay them $X and they agreed to give me a room, theme park access, and dining package. I kind of hijacked my own thread with that comment, so just focus on my original question.

Dude. Chill.

Disney has been reaching out to people who’s trips ended on or prior to 7/11. If your trip the first week in July doesn’t end by then that would be the reason you haven’t been contacted.

Your time would be better spent picking up the phone and calling wdw. Be calm and nice when you talk with them. Talking about contracts and whatnot will not get you to a satisfying result. Ask what your options are. Tell them that you need 2 queen beds regardless of when and where you stay.

Plan on a 35% discount to the room rate due to cancellation of free dining you booked under (tickets, memory maker and other extras not discounted) if you keep your existing dates. Also plan on not getting any discount if you change dates. Lots on the boards here have gotten better deals or pixie dust (which is not part of your contract...) and lots haven’t. There’s a lot of luck that plays into it - but being upbeat and understanding increases your chances greatly. Also so does time - the longer you wait to call the less options/inventory become available to satisfy you.

Finally if you cancel (or Disney cancels) your funds will return to the form of payment. So gift cards for you. That’s just the way it is.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I've never stayed at a DVC resort, so I could be wrong, but don't DVC studios and 1 bedrooms only have one real bed and the other is a sleeper sofa? We are only interested in something with at least two queen beds, so staying in a studio or 1 bedroom DVC would be a deal breaker.,

Mostly. Some of the rooms also have a fold-down under-TV Murphy bed for one person.

Also, from what I understand, Old Key West studios have two queen beds, but no sofa.

Studios at Riviera and the renovated studios at Saratoga have a Murphy bed that folds down over the couch, so it should be more comfortable than a traditional sofa bed.

 

[jsmla]

I was planning on cancelling my 7/1-8 CBR reservation but we decided to go when we were upgraded to a 1 BR at OKW at no extra cost. We’re going to chillax at the pool, go out in Disney Springs and make a few day trips.

 

[nkereina]

I agreed to pay them $X and they agreed to give me a room, theme park access, and dining package.

The contract became voidable when they canceled dining plans and refunded the difference in price where applicable. It also became voidable when the parks were closed. Disney was never in breach because they have been offering full refunds up to the day of travel, and have been refunding the difference where warranted after changes were made. Disney is making people whole. You have the option to void the contract and receive a refund.

 

[Sandisw]

I've never stayed at a DVC resort, so I could be wrong, but don't DVC studios and 1 bedrooms only have one real bed and the other is a sleeper sofa? We are only interested in something with at least two queen beds, so staying in a studio or 1 bedroom DVC would be a deal breaker.,

Yes, the majority do, Again, if you want information right now, I’d give them a call and see what is up..u less you are there beyond the 11th of July.

People have posted not getting the email and then calling and we’re given the info of where they would be moved it they kept the trip.

 

[spleuchan]

Yes, the majority do, Again, if you want information right now, I’d give them a call and see what is up..u less you are there beyond the 11th of July.

People have posted not getting the email and then calling and we’re given the info of where they would be moved it they kept the trip.

Since we aren't going to keep our dates with the parks closed, aren't interested in DVC resorts, and can cancel up to the day before, I think I will still just play the waiting game and see if they open up the regular resorts. If they cancel us, its not a big deal, we will go another year. If I call now there would be a 99% chance we would wind up cancelling. If I wait, there is a higher chance we would reschedule since eventually they will allow booking of the regular resorts (who knows if that will be before our trip or not). Our checkout day is before the 11th, by the way.

I do appreciate the advice though, so thanks!

 

[MomOTwins]

The contract became voidable when they canceled dining plans and refunded the difference in price where applicable. It also became voidable when the parks were closed. Disney was never in breach because they have been offering full refunds up to the day of travel, and have been refunding the difference where warranted after changes were made. Disney is making people whole. You have the option to void the contract and receive a refund.

I disagree on the "refunding the difference after changes were made part." We had a free dining plan worth well over $200 a day for our family. We were given a 35% discount that amounted to about $60 a day. That's not even close to refunding the difference, and I do still think Disney is in breach of contract because I have yet to see anything in the contract that allows them to withdraw a discount once given and replace it with a lesser discount. .

 

[SaintsManiac]

I disagree on the "refunding the difference after changes were made part." We had a free dining plan worth well over $200 a day for our family. We were given a 35% discount that amounted to about $60 a day. That's not even close to refunding the difference, and I do still think Disney is in breach of contract because I have yet to see anything in the contract that allows them to withdraw a discount once given and replace it with a lesser discount. .

There won't be character meals. Restaurants will not be operating at 100% capacity. How can they give you anything equal to your own personal math?