Superthread for Disneyland Resort Closure and Reopening, 3/14/20 - 7/17/20: Please Post All Relevant Questions and Information Here!

[Aurora0427]

I think Disney closing is so profound, because it’s just always there. No matter what’s going on in our lives, the magic that Walt built is always open.... and now it’s not, and it’s sad and scary. This has only happened three other times since JFK was assassinated... it’s just a lot given all of the uncertainty out there right now.

 

[Kender]

So many hugs. I FEEL this so hard. It has been an extraordinarily difficult fall and spring for my family. There have been multiple nights I've gone to sleep telling myself to just "focus on Disney" as our "prize" for surviving it and to give me light at the end of the tunnel. Today I had to tell my so-excited 5-year-old it's not happening.

Of course a trip to Disneyland isn't the end of the world, but it's just really bad news on top of 6 months of bad news. Meanwhile, four school districts near me closed today, it looks like my office may shutter, and I've been told to prepare for my son's daycare to close next week or the week after. I am legitimately terrified of the both macro- and micro-economic impact of all this.

I'm so so sorry. I can't even imagine having to have had to break the news to a child. That's just an additional heartbreak for you having to break a child's heart. Hugs right back to you.

My mom's district may close Monday. We find out tomorrow. And same. It's the issue as a whole and its impact I worry about. I'm trying to find out if a couple of my side gigs are even happening since it feels like everything in the Bay is closing down for at least the next couple weeks. I have so many friends out of work because of theatres closing in the city.

 

[karrit2000]

Yes; Disney will give comps for the total of the unused days. Front desk / GR CMs were able to add comps to accounts when WDW closed for hurricanes.

I just talked to the front desk a while ago and was told that as of now they will refund unused tickets but if a ticket has been used already for one or more days there will be no refunds. I can understand the no refund but at this point I'm hoping that they will at least waive the expiration &/or allow a credit toward future admissions. I have a future booking for late August that I wasn't really planning on keeping but if they will credit me the 3 days of admission I may reconsider. I just used my first day of a 5 day hopper today and will probably use the second day tomorrow since I have nowhere to go for now. Hoping they will credit me somehow someway for the final 3 days. Still have to deal with DVC to try to get back points for the days I won't be here since I have to leave before I was scheduled to. Glad I rebooked my flight earlier today since the rates have increased a bit since I booked earlier this afternoon.

 

[Kender]

Someone just shared this screenshot on the AP Facebook page. It's for WDW, but I will be shocked if it's not done for Disneyland. WDW is extending AP expirations. Going to keep an eye on DLR's fine print to see if it updates.

Also looks like WDW is going to extend expiration on partially used multi day tickets. So hopefully DLR will too.

 

[midnight star]

Someone just shared this screenshot on the AP Facebook page. It's for WDW, but I will be shocked if it's not done for Disneyland. WDW is extending AP expirations. Going to keep an eye on DLR's fine print to see if it updates.

Also looks like WDW is going to extend expiration on partially used multi day tickets. So hopefully DLR will too.

View attachment 480597

I heard this on the Facebook group I'm on earlier today. I just didn't want to say anything since emotions were so high earlier with the news. But someone I guess called the AP line for DL and they said they would extend passes the number of days the park is closed. So let's hope that is accurate info. DL CM's do sometimes have a track records of giving misinformation.

I'm also going to be looking out for any official updates from DL.

 

[mentos]

Still have to deal with DVC to try to get back points for the days I won't be here since I have to leave before I was scheduled to. Glad I rebooked my flight earlier today since the rates have increased a bit since I booked earlier this afternoon.

Do post back here when you hear about DVC. How and when those points get deposited makes all the difference between useful and useless points, unfortunately.

hopefully they’ll let you rebank to next UY even if they were borrowed/banked already

 

[Kender]

I heard this on the Facebook group I'm on earlier today. I just didn't want to say anything since emotions were so high earlier with the news. But someone I guess called the AP line for DL and they said they would extend passes the number of days the park is closed. So let's hope that is accurate info. DL CM's do sometimes have a track records of giving misinformation.

I'm also going to be looking out for any official updates from DL.

If it had come down to "pay the CMs for the forced closure" or "extend the APs", I am happier they chose the CMs (still so thrilled they're doing the former). But if both could happen, that would be the amazing.

Here's hoping

There's definitely a ton of people asking on the official page. Lot of negativity going on too as people argue back and forth about it.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

If it had come down to "pay the CMs for the forced closure" or "extend the APs", I am happier they chose the CMs (still so thrilled they're doing the former). But if both could happen, that would be the amazing

I’m not sure how the two are connected? It doesn’t cost Disney any money to extend APs by a few weeks. If anything it would bring in more money when those people visit and spend money. I do think it’s wonderful that the CMs are being paid while the parks are closed. That is a financial hit for sure but they are doing it.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This Superthread has been created to be the place to post all our questions and any answers/articles/information/updates on the current DLR closure. This will make it easier for everyone to search for information in one place, instead of having to comb through pages of this board. Please remember that this is a sensitive and stressful topic for many people, so let's keep our posts respectful and calm. Thank you!

 

[Kender]

I’m not sure how the two are connected? It doesn’t cost Disney any money to extend APs by a few weeks. If anything it would bring in more money when those people visit and spend money. I do think it’s wonderful that the CMs are being paid while the parks are closed. That is a financial hit for sure but they are doing it.

Extending APs would be a financial hit too just not as obvious a one. Paying CMs is an up front, out of pocket cost. Extending APs (and extending expiration on partially used multi day tickets) is a potential loss of additional income in the future in the form of AP renewals and ticket purchases to cover the lost time. Not everyone would, but it's still a possible number Disney had to crunch.

Does that make what I was saying more understandable?

 

[mentos]

It would have been very, very strange to continue paying professional staff that work for parks (ie accountants, etc...), as well as studio division employees, and/or letting them work from home while NOT paying front line CMs.

it would have just laid bare the economic differences between both classes of employees. They almost had to pay them, even with relatively robust Calif. unemployment insurance in place.

 

[B3rlingirl]

I think Disney closing is so profound, because it’s just always there. No matter what’s going on in our lives, the magic that Walt built is always open.... and now it’s not, and it’s sad and scary. This has only happened three other times since JFK was assassinated... it’s just a lot given all of the uncertainty out there right now.

I have been wondering about that... when and why did Disneyland close in the past... does anyone know?

 

[theluckyrabbit]

A little perspective. We went 3 weeks ago, just as this all started to unfold. I am big on handwashing and sanitizers. I packed bleach wipes and disinfected every thing when we sat down or after rides. I got the flu. No matter how careful I was...it wasn't enough. Sad for those who have to postpone their trips but I think this was a necessary step.

Sorry to hear that you got sick on your trip. How are you doing now?

What are the chances they’ll refund my tickets? I would far prefer a refund to keeping them for later.

Definitely call Guest Services to ask! But don't forget that your unused tickets will still keep their value even after they expire. So if you were to visit next year, for example, your could apply the value of your expired tickets toward the purchase of new tickets at the ticket booths.

I'm hoping they extend the expiration date on our tickets! We were going to go in two weeks...and it'd be nice to be able to use my tickets next spring break instead..but currently they say they expire January 2021.

See above about expired, unused tickets not losing their monetary value.

... I'm not bothering phone lines for now since I know they're being slammed. Just hoping if someone gets an answer to this they post it here...

I'm so sorry for all the upset you're going through right now. Have you tried asking your questions on the AP twitter and FB pages? Sometimes the social media outlets work much faster than the DLR phone lines.

Spoiler: just for size

If one good thing can come out of this... please let this be the end of Captain Kidd's.

Well, this is a good reminder for all the nearby locals to remember to stop by your favorite businesses around DLR during this park closure. Stop by Pizza Press, Jim Boys Tacos, Marri's, etc. These businesses need our support!
Don't forget that DTD is still open -- so give the CMs there some love.

The second best feature available is to hide ALL signatures. I HIGHLY recommend it...

How do you do this?

I have been wondering about that... when and why did Disneyland close in the past... does anyone know?

Disneyland closed after the JFK assassination, after 9/11, and for a few other occasions.


For everyone calling Disney, hotels, airlines, etc., please be patient and kind with the reps on the phone!

 

[disneyland_is_magic]

How do you do this?

To hide all the signatures on the browser experience, click your name/initial on the top right and go to preferences. The fifth option down will say "Show people's signatures with their messages", unclick it and hit the save button.

Most signatures are short and sweet, some for me were too distracting with colors and moving emojis. Someone who makes a one line comment might have a ten line signature that automatically posts! Two people with large, colorful signatures get in a rapid fire debate and IMO it's difficult and cumbersome to read.

You can always view their signature line in the "About" section on a poster's profile page.

And again, if anyone has a signature above, seriously please don't take it personally, I can't see them, so I am not referring to you.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

@disneyland_is_magic : Thank you!

 

[StormyCA]

It would have been very, very strange to continue paying professional staff that work for parks (ie accountants, etc...), as well as studio division employees, and/or letting them work from home while NOT paying front line CMs.

it would have just laid bare the economic differences between both classes of employees. They almost had to pay them, even with relatively robust Calif. unemployment insurance in place.

The multinational corporation my son works for has closed their offices world-wide and told all their 'white collar' workers to telework. However their 'blue collar' warehouse workers have been told that they must report to work as usual.

The 'divide' between classes of employees is alive and kicking.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Even though we'd heard earlier on the news, there's just something a little heartbreaking about seeing it on Disney's own website.

AGREED! I can't imagine breaking the news to children or someone else whom this is their 1st visit or someone whom might not have it easy making new reservations. WE have not told my 5 yr old GS about our upcoming WDW vacation simply because he'd ask about it all day, everyday. So much planning goes into a vacation. I'm not currently working but if I was, I'd have to wait until 2021 to book another trip. As it is now, if I have to cancel my May trip, only my sister and daughter are working and have to try for different dates but I'm confident it could be done!

 

[mentos]

I have been wondering about that... when and why did Disneyland close in the past... does anyone know?

Five unscheduled closures of DL since 1955: 1-JFK assassination, 2-anti-Vietnam protests at the park, 3-1987 extreme cold weather, 4-9/11 terrorist attacks, 5-COVID 19

DL didn’t close for the Northridge quake in 1994, it just had a delayed opening as they inspected the park and every ride.

 

[ClapYourHands]

AGREED! I can't imagine breaking the news to children or someone else whom this is their 1st visit or someone whom might not have it easy making new reservations. WE have not told my 5 yr old GS about our upcoming WDW vacation simply because he'd ask about it all day, everyday. So much planning goes into a vacation. I'm not currently working but if I was, I'd have to wait until 2021 to book another trip. As it is now, if I have to cancel my May trip, only my sister and daughter are working and have to try for different dates but I'm confident it could be done!

My daughter knows we are going to WDW, but as she is 4, she doesn’t have a good grasp of time. If we can’t go in May, I’ll move it to another time. This is already a rescheduled trip from the fall due to my Mom’s rapid decline in health.

Fingers crossed everything is back up and running by mid-May. Doesn’t look too likely based on the length of closures abroad, but we’ll see. For now, I’m not mentioning anything about a delay to DD.

 

[ClapYourHands]

Regarding unused tickets: while it’s great that they retain their purchase price, if you bought before the last round of increases, you still might owe hundreds of dollars to rebook the same number of days at a later time.

There’s obviously a lot still to work out, including compensation for partially used tickets.

My other unknown is what happens if the resorts remain open while the parks are closed. I booked a non-refundable Disney room through a third party website. I assume I’ll be refunded if the resort is closed so I can’t stay there, but if it’s open when the parks aren’t, I may be out of luck.