Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[mmackeymouse]

So, the VQ news is good news...not great news. I feel like...there will still be the masses congregating at opening trying to get into that 10 am time slot. For me, if I think just....not knowing how the ride will be running, 10 am feels safer than 4 pm. So, in that essence, it makes it hard for me to see how the staggered times will help. I mean yes it will help, some. But, I think the rush of people coming in at 10 am for a VQ is still going to be an issue.

I guess for me, I look at it this way: they have a park pass reservation system. They know, theoretically who is going to be there and who isn't. They know how many people should be there any given day. I don't see why they can't do the VQ system from home, and even ahead of time. Sure, some people may end up cancelling. Some people may oversleep. Some people may get there and get overheated and leave before their 4 pm slot. But...again....theoretically, it should work most of the time.

Maybe open up the 10 am slots one day, the 1 pm slots the next day, the 4 pm slots the next day......30 days ahead of time, or whatever. The park reservation system is proof that the IT has the capacity to set up a limited capacity reservation system. Once the slots are full, they are full. Try again the next day. If you don't get a VQ slot, sure, it's disappointing. But at least that disappointment is contained before they/you arrive. They/we would have time to come to terms with it before the trip and would hopefully alleviate some of the burden on the CMs. Maybe some people would even cancel their day, if they know they can't get into ROTR, which only helps even more with capacity.

 

[Mit88]

My point is that this potential example is where we/guests might become the pseudo Disney compliance entity. And that is where I have deep concerns for any CM in any role.

Absolutely agree. And people know that, hence why the picture was taken in the first place. Maybe they didnt know jobs would be lost, but obviously the picture was taken for clout and attention because they knew they’d get it.

Ive known since the parks shut down that there would be Parksparazzi looking for ANYTHING to get followers on social media. And these people, or this person that took this picture, and DFB gained following while people who havent gotten paid unemployment for 3.5 months because of a faulty system in Florida, those people are now unemployed in a very dire time. Its messed up.

 

[Mit88]

I just hope if true there’s more to the story. CM’s with a history of problematic behaviour, pushback when confronted about the 7DMT situation, something. Otherwise I’m 100% with you, there is a major learning curve here and room for correction before termination.

I’m sure tons of CMs had to be gently reminded about protocols during the previews and beforehand when they returned to work initially. It (distancing) goes against everything a lot of us have done for our entire lives, old habits die hard.

I’m hoping this is yet another BS report from this site, or theres more to the story, if its true.

Theres a big difference between telling employees what they need to do, and expecting it to be perfect on the first try in a real life situation.

 

[JacknSally]

If it wasn’t them it would be someone else, IMO. There was similar pictures coming out of the DS opening too (with mask usage). I’m not gonna excuse Disney for firing based on a moment in time given the circumstances. That’s pretty crappy if true, IMO.

I can see Disney being on edge and feeling the need to do something because of all the pressure on their reopening right now, especially with the cases in Florida being what they are. I can absolutely see them overreacting to a photo that went viral and made them look like they already weren't upholding their safety measures. Social media wants the clicks, and there are people seeking this stuff out.

If Disney felt the need to address the photo, I think it would've been better for everyone involved if they came out with something like "we're aware of this instance, here's the context around it, we're working to do what we can to avoid it happening again, and we've talked with the CMs who were involved". They can still lead by example that way.

But absolutely, moments like this are going to happen. The video of the rush on the 65th Anniversary merch in Downtown Disney was . People have to be prepared for this kind of stuff, though. It's not ideal and probably not even going to be the norm, but it's definitely going to happen periodically.

Hopefully this "termination" rumor is just that other site being bored and wanting clicks, and no one lost their job over just that situation. CMs deliberately shirking the rules is one thing, but slip-ups happen.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

2.5 hours. The email says
If you were impacted by this error and incurred bank fees or other harm as a result, please contact V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407) 939-7277 for assistance.
I was done with this whole thing, I stressed out for 2 days because I didn't know when the money would be put back in especially when I emailed guest relations and they said 7-10 days.
This girl didn't even know about the email, I had to read it to her, then she puts me on hold and tells me that right now they are just taking guests information, and if I didn't incur in any financial fees there was nothing she could do. I asked her what the "other harm" wording meant...she stumbled the answer, had no clue
I was done with it, I only called cause of the email. What is wrong with Disney AP services? do they really want to get rid of us this much?

Their entire phone system needs a major overhaul. I don’t know if it’s better training, more accountability, or what. Maybe it’s gotten worse during the pandemic since I think they’re at home?

The complete lack of WDW knowledge is funny sometimes and we all joke about it, but you should be able to call and get accurate information. One person could have your experience, and at the same time someone else could be on the line with a different CM getting compensated for whatever other harm means. Experienced guests know calling is a last resort and to take it all with a grain of salt, and that’s not okay.

Even if things leak, nothing should be released or implemented without properly informing CMs who will be immediately in contact with the guests. Last time I called the AP extensions had already begun rolling in and the CM had no idea, that’s ridiculous.

 

[runningstitch]

Do you see anything more than this?

I don't, but as long as I know that it's not supposed to be showing up on the main page, I'm good. There was a pic posted last night I think that showed a new button, and then I think it was removed...

 

[Jrb1979]

I’m not so sure they’re going to start mixing between buckets. The discounts lead me to believe they’ve got a good amount of resort inventory they want to fill, even without all them open, and even when the overall park attendance is being capped. Unless they mix the buckets day of, I think it stays how it is right now. They warned APs of difficulty making reservations, I think resort guest availability stays as open as they can keep it as a motivator for people to book stays.

The decisions they’ve made with APs are understandable and make sense, but not when you consider the lack of clarity surrounding a lot of the details and the inability for a lot of us to make a decision what to do.

With the rumor that a lot of AP holders no showed yesterday I'm not sure Disney is in a hurry to change anything. Why cater to a group that couldn't be bothered to show up for AP preview. They probably want more resort guests as they tend to spend more. Money coming is something Disney is need of.

 

[yulilin3]

Their entire phone system needs a major overhaul. I don’t know if it’s better training, more accountability, or what. Maybe it’s gotten worse during the pandemic since I think they’re at home?

The complete lack of WDW knowledge is funny sometimes and we all joke about it, but you should be able to call and get accurate information. One person could have your experience, and at the same time someone else could be on the line with a different CM getting compensated for whatever other harm means. Experienced guests know calling is a last resort and to take it all with a grain of salt, and that’s not okay.

Even if things leak, nothing should be released or implemented without properly informing CMs who will be immediately in contact with the guests. Last time I called the AP extensions had already begun rolling in and the CM had no idea, that’s ridiculous.

exactly, don't send an email telling people to call if you don't have the info. She tells me that she's sorry but this is all unprecedented, and I agree, it was in March, April, May but once you give an opening date you should have an idea on how to proceed, we are still waiting on the "info coming in early July" for refunds and cancelations

 

[yulilin3]

With the rumor that a lot of AP holders no showed yesterday I'm not sure Disney is in a hurry to change anything. Why cater to a group that couldn't be bothered to show up for AP preview. They probably want more resort guests as they tend to spend more. Money coming is something Disney is need of.

if they have space, why not open availability a day before, sure an AP might not spend the same as a resort guest but they will spend something. So better leave it empty than trying to make some money? makes no sense to me, but Disney operations have strayed away from making sense even pre covid

 

[DGsAtBLT]

exactly, don't send an email telling people to call if you don't have the info. She tells me that she's sorry but this is all unprecedented, and I agree, it was in March, April, May but once you give an opening date you should have an idea on how to proceed, we are still waiting on the "info coming in early July" for refunds and cancelations

That refund situation drives me nuts. If you don’t want to give us info yet fine just put it out there in black and white that we do not have to make a decision until further information is released.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

if they have space, why not open availability a day before, sure an AP might not spend the same as a resort guest but they will spend something. So better leave it empty than trying to make some money? makes no sense to me, but Disney operations have strayed away from making sense even pre covid

Maybe they’re hoping that AP will book a staycation to get park access

 

[Mit88]

With the rumor that a lot of AP holders no showed yesterday I'm not sure Disney is in a hurry to change anything. Why cater to a group that couldn't be bothered to show up for AP preview. They probably want more resort guests as they tend to spend more. Money coming is something Disney is need of.

You don’t know where those no shows came from. There’s at least 1 member here that got an AP preview pass but was never going to go. There could be a ton of those cases. There’s no restrictions on who was and wasn’t able to apply for the previews

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Maybe AP no shows also included people not feeling 100% so they did the responsible thing and stayed home. People who were in contact with a sick person. Who knows.

The last thing anyone wants here is to discourage people from staying home if there’s a need.

 

[AmberMV]

I can see Disney being on edge and feeling the need to do something because of all the pressure on their reopening right now, especially with the cases in Florida being what they are. I can absolutely see them overreacting to a photo that went viral and made them look like they already weren't upholding their safety measures. Social media wants the clicks, and there are people seeking this stuff out.

If Disney felt the need to address the photo, I think it would've been better for everyone involved if they came out with something like "we're aware of this instance, here's the context around it, we're working to do what we can to avoid it happening again, and we've talked with the CMs who were involved". They can still lead by example that way.

But absolutely, moments like this are going to happen. The video of the rush on the 65th Anniversary merch in Downtown Disney was . People have to be prepared for this kind of stuff, though. It's not ideal and probably not even going to be the norm, but it's definitely going to happen periodically.

Hopefully this "termination" rumor is just that other site being bored and wanting clicks, and no one lost their job over just that situation. CMs deliberately shirking the rules is one thing, but slip-ups happen.

100% agree. I'm sure ALL CMs were told during their training that all eyes are on them and they should be on their absolute best behavior to set the example. This one viral bad press photo really hurt them from a PR standpoint, and the comments were wild about it on the AP FB pages. I really hope the CMs weren't terminated but instead reprimanded to show how important it is they uphold Disney's standards and protocols with a warning.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Its like the Carpets of Aladdin of Animal Kingdom. A perfect attraction

Breeze blowing through your hair + intermittent camel spit = nothing better on 105 degree day.

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

100% agree. I'm sure ALL CMs were told during their training that all eyes are on them and they should be on their absolute best behavior to set the example. This one viral bad press photo really hurt them from a PR standpoint, and the comments were wild about it on the AP FB pages. I really hope the CMs weren't terminated but instead reprimanded to show how important it is they uphold Disney's standards and protocols with a warning.

Unfortunately, in today's climate, if you are in public, you have to assume that you are always being watched, photographed, or video taped. I experience this on a daily basis with my job. There simply is no reasonable expectation of privacy and you have to assume everything you say and do is being watched/heard by someone else.

 

[LSUmiss]

There are rumors that more states are getting added to Florida travel restrictions. I'm from Louisiana, and we've been on the restriction list and then removed. I just hope we don't get added back.

I hear ya. I leave tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Mit88]

What they should have done, again, IF this is true, is to let it leak that these CMs were “terminated” while just having a conversation with them about the need to full compliance and understanding of the rules. If all it takes to get someone fired is a picture then I can go to my target and grocery store and take a video of how those employees don’t clean every package of meat or every box after people touch them, or wipe down the self checkout machines after people use them. But I wouldn’t do that because I’m a human being and people NEED Jobs right now, not jobs taken away from them when it’s a simple mistake, or learning mishap

 

[LSUmiss]

We leave on Wednesday so I called the Florida hotline that those in the other threads got their information from. The man I talked to said he had heard of no such talk of any additional state restrictions and he said he thinks if that was gonna happen it would have been done when the tri state restrictions were extended. The only place that I have found any trace of this rumor is in these threads on these boards. Nothing on twitter or any searches of anything discussing additional states being added. Anyone have different sources other than just hearsay in here and the other couple of threads?

I’m hoping it’s all just b/c one person talked to an overeager Sven/Flynn at the hotline who thought he had insider info.

 

[DisMommyTX]

APs no-showing really upsets me because so many of us really wanted to go but were unable to get a reservation. I wish they would incentivise releasing reservations you are not using, even the night before or day of.

They also need a modification option on park passes. I'd like to switch if others come available, but no way I'm giving up one of the three I have just to see if something is released. I know others have found passes on days that were grey and I myself was repeatedly unable to book passes on a day that showed availability for another few minutes.