Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[DGsAtBLT]

Since it keeps getting brought up that Disney is held to higher standards...

 

[mshanson3121]

If these posts were directed at me, I’m not complaining about the parks being empty. I know we can’t have it both ways—low wait times and medium crowds. I was just surprised at how much it changed the vibe of the parks. Animal Kingdom was awesome just strolling through. It was very peaceful. But at MK I do enjoy seeing the “magic” through the eyes of kiddos on their first trip. But, again, not complaining, just stating.

I completely understand what you're saying. The theme parks have a certain energy, which does in part come from the other people. I've experienced all three at Disney - dead, moderate crowds, and jam packed. There is definitely a different feel to all three, and while yes, there's a lot to be said for walk on rides, the atmosphere was by far the best when there were moderate crowds.

 

[princesscinderella]

Thanks for posting all the pictures of the plexiglass dividers. It’s been interesting to see how they have really tried to “theme” them to the rides as much as possible with colored borders etc.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1282724718420918276

I guessed there would be no standing at the bar but what a bummer to see, still.

Since it keeps getting brought up that Disney is held to higher standards...

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Too freaking true. A lot of people in my discords have been making jokes about Disney this week, but not one comment about USO opening (and how the reports/pics from there showed a significant lack of masks).

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Interesting to see the water t times at EPCOT - Gran Fiesta tour has longer wait than Test Track or Soarin' so looks like Magic Carpets has some competition for "new old hotness"

 

[MegaraWink]

I completely understand what you're saying. The theme parks have a certain energy, which does in part come from the other people. I've experienced all three at Disney - dead, moderate crowds, and jam packed. There is definitely a different feel to all three, and while yes, there's a lot to be said for walk on rides, the atmosphere was by far the best when there were moderate crowds.

It will be interesting going solo. I'm seeing these pictures of people being separated into groups in ride lines. That's just going to be me standing there alone. When there were more crowds and no separation, people would assume I'm with the other group, I'm sure. I've done a cruise solo, so it CANNOT be as bad as that. (That was pretty weird!) I'm sure I will have a great time, but it will be interesting seeing how that dynamic has changed.

 

[Anna_Sh]

And Goody leading a M&M cavalcade! It’s no double decker bus but still a cute experience!

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I miss the busses, but this looks like a great idea.

 

[Badlands2020]

Rumor mill: I heard from a friend Disney was considering a WDW closure sometime after labor day if things keep getting worse. Not that they will, but making plans in case they decide to later on. Won't be a crazy no notice thing, but might be a planned thing unless things start to get better.

Would make sense to me, finish the summer and maybe announce near or right after the next shareholder meeting? I would bet after, knowing Disney the announcement would be carefully timed when some other news is out there. Again no plan to do it, but they are making plans in case thing keep going downhill so they can be prepared on food orders, unemployment is smoother, construction can move forward etc etc. I do believe it , makes sense to have a backup plan so it's smoother of they do decide to re-shut down again.

 

[Lilias]

My introverted, very easily sensory-overloaded self is super jelly of these low crowds and wait times O_O

Hoping it stays this way through the end of the year (we go in December).

 

[dreamit]

Did anyone confirm that the line at MK on Saturday morning was at guest services versus the line being held up that was coming from the Contemporary? The Contemporary one was the only line I noted.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Rumor mill: I heard from a friend Disney was considering a WDW closure sometime after labor day if things keep getting worse. Not that they will, but making plans in case they decide to later on. Won't be a crazy no notice thing, but might be a planned thing unless things start to get better.

Would make sense to me, finish the summer and maybe announce near or right after the next shareholder meeting? I would bet after, knowing Disney the announcement would be carefully timed when some other news is out there. Again no plan to do it, but they are making plans in case thing keep going downhill so they can be prepared on food orders, unemployment is smoother, construction can move forward etc etc. I do believe it , makes sense to have a backup plan so it's smoother of they do decide to re-shut down again.

Definitely makes sense to have a plan. I have a bad feeling that December and January are going to suuuuuuuck virus wise.

 

[Farro]

Definitely makes sense to have a plan. I have a bad feeling that December and January are going to suuuuuuuck virus wise.

I actually hope it's the opposite. More people staying home again in colder weather, we are much better prepared to handle outbreaks (most cities anyways), more people working remote, easier to wear masks (not as hot), and if capacity restrictions still in place, hopefully with all the hand-washing, sanitizing and mask wearing, our flu virus count goes down! Get your flu shots everyone!

 

[Pdollar88]

Definitely makes sense to have a plan. I have a bad feeling that December and January are going to suuuuuuuck virus wise.

*sigh* I just convinced myself to buy a plane ticket to Orlando for January. At least Delta will let me change/cancel. I really hope things don’t take another dive this winter.

 

[SaintsManiac]

I actually hope it's the opposite. More people staying home again in colder weather, easier to wear masks (not as hot), and if capacity restrictions still in place, hopefully with all the hand-washing, sanitizing and mask wearing, our flu virus count goes down! Get your flu shots everyone!

I mean it’s good to be optimistic, but it’s still pretty warm in my area that time of year. People will be gathering for Thanksgiving, traveling, etc. I do hope I am wrong.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Rumor mill: I heard from a friend Disney was considering a WDW closure sometime after labor day if things keep getting worse. Not that they will, but making plans in case they decide to later on. Won't be a crazy no notice thing, but might be a planned thing unless things start to get better.

Would make sense to me, finish the summer and maybe announce near or right after the next shareholder meeting? I would bet after, knowing Disney the announcement would be carefully timed when some other news is out there. Again no plan to do it, but they are making plans in case thing keep going downhill so they can be prepared on food orders, unemployment is smoother, construction can move forward etc etc. I do believe it , makes sense to have a backup plan so it's smoother of they do decide to re-shut down again.

I’m team anything is possible, and they would be stupid to not be preparing for all possible scenarios after going through what happened with initially having to close.

I think we are all somewhat taking that kind of stuff more seriously, individuals and businesses alike. I‘d like to think we’ve all experienced a bit of crow eating with things that would “never” happen (schools, businesses, etc shutting down), that even if it’s just something as small as mentally preparing for the possibilities, there are plans in place that would never have been needed before.

 

[bffer]

From the site we don’t name... I will give WDW credit for their cleverness


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A+ for ingenuity!

 

[Mit88]

Rumor mill: I heard from a friend Disney was considering a WDW closure sometime after labor day if things keep getting worse. Not that they will, but making plans in case they decide to later on. Won't be a crazy no notice thing, but might be a planned thing unless things start to get better.

Would make sense to me, finish the summer and maybe announce near or right after the next shareholder meeting? I would bet after, knowing Disney the announcement would be carefully timed when some other news is out there. Again no plan to do it, but they are making plans in case thing keep going downhill so they can be prepared on food orders, unemployment is smoother, construction can move forward etc etc. I do believe it , makes sense to have a backup plan so it's smoother of they do decide to re-shut down again.

Im sure there are many contingency plans. It would be irresponsible not to. The worst thing to happen would be to get caught off guard AGAIN without a plan in place to soften the blow. There are probably 100s of individual plans they’ve come up with. You can see it in the parks that Disney is taking things seriously, so to keep the safety to only the parks operations would be dumb business.


that being said, plans are plans. Doesn’t mean anything until they need to be implemented. While not 0%, the odds that WDW closes back down are slim. Spare me the “I said the same thing in March” spiel. Or the Hong Kong comparison.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

Hong Kong park is closing again after being open less than a month. I can’t see Disneyland opening at all this year, atleast it shouldn’t IMO. Not sure why people think things should open before virus is under control. Just making it last longer.

Hong Kong is most likely for political reasons, not covid.

 

[Anna_Sh]

This is stressing me a little bit with our November trip. Our son is almost 6 and has bad indoor allergies during the cold months (we live in New England). I give him allergy medication but he does cough a lot overnight and first thing into the morning almost every day. It usually subsides once we arrive in warm Florida air, but still...I’m nervous to spend money on a vacation if they turn us away because they don’t know if it’s allergies or Covid. While I understand Disney’s point of view, it seems to just be one of those tough things to try to figure out

I wonder if people with allergies can get a note from their doctor or something...

 

[RapunzelIsMyHomeGirl]

Kinda missed the point again didn't you?

If these posts were directed at me, I’m not complaining about the parks being empty. I know we can’t have it both ways—low wait times and medium crowds. I was just surprised at how much it changed the vibe of the parks. Animal Kingdom was awesome just strolling through. It was very peaceful. But at MK I do enjoy seeing the “magic” through the eyes of kiddos on their first trip. But, again, not complaining, just stating.

It's probably also things like not having the dancers in Asia, the entertainment in Africa, people choosing to be more quiet b/c of the virus etc. Less workers hustling and bustling, no vine lady. It's not just the crowds but the pulling of staff and entertainment. As well as people not being as dart here and there, scream, jump around etc.