Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[hertamaniac]

CDC now surveys the public on what they would like to see for a return to cruising.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/cdc-coronavirus-cruise-no-sail-order-public-opinion
Personal opinion: With a deadline of the public inputs due by September 21st, I highly doubt they can compile all the information for the no-sail order to be lifted on October 1st. This points to a much longer no-sail order. The issue I have is why is the CDC looking to the public for guidance on how to safely re-open the cruise industry? The CDC and the cruise lines should be working together with industry experts to determine the protocols. I see this as another delay and that no other tourism sector was inquired from the CDC to the public on how to open safely.

Survey questions: https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ng-and-infrastructure-resumption-of-passenger

Here is question #1:

1. Given the challenges of eliminating COVID-19 on board cruise ships while operating with reduced crew on board during the period of the April 15, 2020 No Sail Order Extension, what methods, strategies, and practices should cruise ship operators implement to prevent COVID-19 transmission when operating with passengers?

Question #28:

28. Should cruise ship operators be required to designate a responsible company official who will accept legal responsibility for failure to implement measures to protect public health?

I just can't imagine how the general public can answer these type of questions when I feel it is the core responsibility of the CDC working with the cruise lines.

 

[Mit88]

I don't want to come off as selfish or entitled, BUT...am I the only one who, after seeing these wait times increasing day after day, now considering canceling their APs because the waits are too long? Before the shutdown, 3 hour waits became 15 minute waits by use of FastPass+, which made visiting with 3 toddlers something we actually could do by my husband and I baby swapping. But unbridled 60 minute waits without FastPass+ now make actually getting to do any rides (and avoiding toddler meltdowns from waiting too long) seem like an impossibility. I'm feeling pretty discouraged, and I'm glad I still have another week to decide if we want to cancel

Only reason I’d be hesitant if I were in your shoes is because of the not knowing aspect of if/when APs will become available again. Maybe some time in the fall you’ll want to hop over to one of the parks and you’d have to buy a day ticket, and sometimes that stings if you could have had an AP to use. But different situations for different people. If long lines in the current climate aren’t ideal for you, then the refund is probably the best option

 

[AmberMV]

Only reason I’d be hesitant if I were in your shoes is because of the not knowing aspect of if/when APs will become available again. Maybe some time in the fall you’ll want to hop over to one of the parks and you’d have to buy a day ticket, and sometimes that stings if you could have had an AP to use. But different situations for different people. If long lines in the current climate aren’t ideal for you, then the refund is probably the best option

Yeah those aspects are floating around in my head right now too. We only just got our APs a month before the shutdown. We are not planning to visit until late August so maybe by then the older kids being "back in school" (whatever that may mean) means the parks won't be so busy-but today was a regular Thursday and the wait times were a little hard to swallow. I'll say I would be pretty devastated if we had to cancel our APs. I've been practicing with my 2 year old twins and my 3 year old with their masks every single day. We do "Mask time, high-five" and we play games and they can run around my twin's room before their bedtime. I've been doing this for weeks already so that they are ready. I've been telling them that if we want to see Mickey and Minnie we have to wear our masks, and they are seeming to understand-even though they don't even grasp the concept of a theme park, or a pandemic. I've been cooking every single day for weeks so that we could eat freely at Disney for our visit without having to think about the cost as much. I know everyone has been disappointed this year, I know others have had it way worse. I am one of those unlucky people who had Disney trips for: March, May and June all canceled from the closures so I've tried to remain flexible. I hope today's crowds and waits were a fluke and my feelings about it improve.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

^ To add my 2 cents @AmberMV, if the money coming back isn’t a major factor I would keep the pass active as someone who lives so close.

Lines could fluctuate anytime, especially come September. FP+ could even return if they felt like it for all we know. You also might find yourself with major FOMO not even being able to walk around the parks when things like seasonal decor happen (I think they will), if they bring back fireworks while your pass would have been active, etc. With them not selling APs right now, holding onto one when you’re actually willing to go to WDW feels like an insurance policy lol.

 

[AmberMV]

^ To add my 2 cents @AmberMV, if the money coming back isn’t a major factor I would keep the pass active as someone who lives so close.

Lines could fluctuate anytime, especially come September. FP+ could even return if they felt like it for all we know. You also might find yourself with major FOMO not even being able to walk around the parks when things like seasonal decor happen (I think they will), if they bring back fireworks while your pass would have been active, etc. With them not selling APs right now, holding onto one when you’re actually willing to go to WDW feels like an insurance policy lol.

That's a pretty good point too. We have FL Weekday passes that cost us $350/pp x3 and one was a Christmas gift last year and another was Disney Visa rewards redemption lol, so we are not technically "out" a bunch of money. I was able to grab my son a pass right before he turned 3 in June (right before Disney put a stop to new APs) so luckily he's covered.

Thanks you guys and gals, I'm already feeling a little bit better by some different perspectives.

 

[Mit88]

That's a pretty good point too. We have FL Weekday passes that cost us $350/pp x3 and one was a Christmas gift last year and another was Disney Visa rewards redemption lol, so we are not technically "out" a bunch of money. I was able to grab my son a pass right before he turned 3 in June (right before Disney put a stop to new APs) so luckily he's covered.

Thanks you guys and gals, I'm already feeling a little bit better by some different perspectives.

Do what’s best for you. Monetarily, safety wise, whatever. Disney will be there when this is all over, and I’m sure APs will be back soon, probably when they can finally start talking about park hopping again. Unless they came up with a temporary no-hopping AP in the mean time thats cheaper and if they add hopping back before your pass expires, you can add it on for a certain price. But as @DGsAtBLT said, the lines fluctuate day to day, park to park. They could be back to being short next week. Sometimes just being in the park is more enjoyable than the rides, imo

 

[nkosiek]

Question, we went right after they opened up but have no plans to go again for at least a year. Can we cancel our APs and if so, are we eligible for a refund?

 

[DisneyElite4]

Yeah those aspects are floating around in my head right now too. We only just got our APs a month before the shutdown. We are not planning to visit until late August so maybe by then the older kids being "back in school" (whatever that may mean) means the parks won't be so busy-but today was a regular Thursday and the wait times were a little hard to swallow. I'll say I would be pretty devastated if we had to cancel our APs. I've been practicing with my 2 year old twins and my 3 year old with their masks every single day. We do "Mask time, high-five" and we play games and they can run around my twin's room before their bedtime. I've been doing this for weeks already so that they are ready. I've been telling them that if we want to see Mickey and Minnie we have to wear our masks, and they are seeming to understand-even though they don't even grasp the concept of a theme park, or a pandemic. I've been cooking every single day for weeks so that we could eat freely at Disney for our visit without having to think about the cost as much. I know everyone has been disappointed this year, I know others have had it way worse. I am one of those unlucky people who had Disney trips for: March, May and June all canceled from the closures so I've tried to remain flexible. I hope today's crowds and waits were a fluke and my feelings about it improve.

Amber, I have a friend who is there right now. She texted me just today and told me that lines are posted way longer then the wait time. She was at DHS today, and she said it was crazy trying to get in, but that after the 10 a.m. rise drop everyone dispersed, and it was easy to move around. They didn’t wait longer then 15-20 minutes for anything, and she said they got in quite a few lines that were posted between 30 minutes to an hour.

 

[AmberMV]

Amber, I have a friend who is there right now. She texted me just today and told me that lines are posted way longer then the wait time. She was at DHS today, and she said it was crazy trying to get in, but that after the 10 a.m. rise drop everyone dispersed, and it was easy to move around. They didn’t wait longer then 15-20 minutes for anything, and she said they got in quite a few lines that were posted between 30 minutes to an hour.

That is very encouraging, thank you. DHS was one of my top concerns because we got APs for the chance to ride Rise and MMRR. I'm glad to hear your friend didn't have to wait as long as what the times said

 

[DisneyElite4]

I wanted to add that she thinks they are inflating wait times on purpose to discourage guests from getting in a line when it may be close to using up all of its allotted physical distancing queueing spots without overflowing too much into walkways that can get congested. I thought that was an interesting theory that made sense!

 

[AmberMV]

CDC now surveys the public on what they would like to see for a return to cruising.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/cdc-coronavirus-cruise-no-sail-order-public-opinion
Personal opinion: With a deadline of the public inputs due by September 21st, I highly doubt they can compile all the information for the no-sail order to be lifted on October 1st. This points to a much longer no-sail order. The issue I have is why is the CDC looking to the public for guidance on how to safely re-open the cruise industry? The CDC and the cruise lines should be working together with industry experts to determine the protocols. I see this as another delay and that no other tourism sector was inquired from the CDC to the public on how to open safely.

Survey questions: https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ng-and-infrastructure-resumption-of-passenger

Here is question #1:

1. Given the challenges of eliminating COVID-19 on board cruise ships while operating with reduced crew on board during the period of the April 15, 2020 No Sail Order Extension, what methods, strategies, and practices should cruise ship operators implement to prevent COVID-19 transmission when operating with passengers?

Question #28:

28. Should cruise ship operators be required to designate a responsible company official who will accept legal responsibility for failure to implement measures to protect public health?

I just can't imagine how the general public can answer these type of questions when I feel it is the core responsibility of the CDC working with the cruise lines.

This is pretty shocking tbh. I'm not sure how they thought this was the path to go?? I wonder if the CDC feels like if passengers tell the cruise lines exactly under what circumstances they will cruise again (and out of CDC jurisdiction) it's ultimately an agreement between cruiseline and consumer?

 

[anthony2k7]

I don't want to come off as selfish or entitled, BUT...am I the only one who, after seeing these wait times increasing day after day, now considering canceling their APs because the waits are too long? Before the shutdown, 3 hour waits became 15 minute waits by use of FastPass+, which made visiting with 3 toddlers something we actually could do by my husband and I baby swapping. But unbridled 60 minute waits without FastPass+ now make actually getting to do any rides (and avoiding toddler meltdowns from waiting too long) seem like an impossibility. I'm feeling pretty discouraged, and I'm glad I still have another week to decide if we want to cancel

Plus with the distancing I guess a lot of those waits are out in Florida sun/heat

 

[anthony2k7]

CDC now surveys the public on what they would like to see for a return to cruising.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/cdc-coronavirus-cruise-no-sail-order-public-opinion
Personal opinion: With a deadline of the public inputs due by September 21st, I highly doubt they can compile all the information for the no-sail order to be lifted on October 1st. This points to a much longer no-sail order. The issue I have is why is the CDC looking to the public for guidance on how to safely re-open the cruise industry? The CDC and the cruise lines should be working together with industry experts to determine the protocols. I see this as another delay and that no other tourism sector was inquired from the CDC to the public on how to open safely.

Survey questions: https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ng-and-infrastructure-resumption-of-passenger

Here is question #1:

1. Given the challenges of eliminating COVID-19 on board cruise ships while operating with reduced crew on board during the period of the April 15, 2020 No Sail Order Extension, what methods, strategies, and practices should cruise ship operators implement to prevent COVID-19 transmission when operating with passengers?

Question #28:

28. Should cruise ship operators be required to designate a responsible company official who will accept legal responsibility for failure to implement measures to protect public health?

I just can't imagine how the general public can answer these type of questions when I feel it is the core responsibility of the CDC working with the cruise lines.

There is growing belief by epidemiologists that the virus is airborne or rather can linger in the air for several hours at least.

There is no way people should be on cruise ships until we're back to zero cases in most countries.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

Well it’s been fun following this thread for what feels like forever. We are officially in the “I’m too excited to sleep phase” here. We check in to CBR for 9 nights tomorrow greatly appreciate all the things I’ve learned here and look forward to reporting back.

Can’t wait to hear what you think. We are 15 days out from check in there and just got moved there this week so I feel underprepared

 

[New Mouse]

There is growing belief by epidemiologists that the virus is airborne or rather can linger in the air for several hours at least.

There is no way people should be on cruise ships until we're back to zero cases in most countries.

If thats the case, the same could be said about Disney or anywhere really.

 

[Geomom]

@AmberMV
We're here now. Wait times are generally inaccurate, unless you hit a 20 minute cleaning cycle for the ride, that happens every 2 hrs. We were at Epcot yesterday. Test track posted at 40 minutes, actual was 17. Frozen said 30 minutes, actual 15. But if you are in line during a cleaning cycle, it would likely be the posted time. I think they're also having trouble judging the times with the social distancing.

 

[armerida]

Where did all the people at Disney Springs come from?? We had a dining reservation at 6:30 and it was already packed....which means either most of these people weren't in the parks or left pretty much every park hours early to head to DS. And they are buying stuff like crazy!! The wait for World of Disney was 15 minutes long. We grabbed 4 things and then had to wait in another 10 minute line to check out. I don't know if it is the 30% annual pass discount or what, but I've been coming here 20 years and have never encountered crowds like this shopping for no special reason.

Good news about Boardwalk....it was hopping tonight! We filled our mugs just before 9pm and it was bustling with people. Almost all of the outdoor tables were full. The line for pizza was deep. People were heading in and out of the other buildings. And we could hear the movie playing at Beach Club. It wasn't quite like a normal Boardwalk night, but it also wasn't eerie and sad like the first few nights of our trip. Plenty of room still to feel safe outside. The only down side is that everything closes at 9 so it's almost impossible to get food or drinks after that and you have to plan coming back from the parks accordingly. Especially the refillable mugs since you have to wait in the bakery line to fill them.

@indylaw99 Did you happen to notice if Abracadabar on the Boardwalk was open past 9? I thought their hours were now 4-10...hoping to have some relaxing nightcaps here after park days. Thanks!

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

CDC now surveys the public on what they would like to see for a return to cruising.

https://www.travelandleisure.com/cruises/cdc-coronavirus-cruise-no-sail-order-public-opinion
Personal opinion: With a deadline of the public inputs due by September 21st, I highly doubt they can compile all the information for the no-sail order to be lifted on October 1st. This points to a much longer no-sail order. The issue I have is why is the CDC looking to the public for guidance on how to safely re-open the cruise industry? The CDC and the cruise lines should be working together with industry experts to determine the protocols. I see this as another delay and that no other tourism sector was inquired from the CDC to the public on how to open safely.

Survey questions: https://www.federalregister.gov/doc...ng-and-infrastructure-resumption-of-passenger

Here is question #1:

1. Given the challenges of eliminating COVID-19 on board cruise ships while operating with reduced crew on board during the period of the April 15, 2020 No Sail Order Extension, what methods, strategies, and practices should cruise ship operators implement to prevent COVID-19 transmission when operating with passengers?

Question #28:

28. Should cruise ship operators be required to designate a responsible company official who will accept legal responsibility for failure to implement measures to protect public health?

I just can't imagine how the general public can answer these type of questions when I feel it is the core responsibility of the CDC working with the cruise lines.

We booked a Disney Panama Canal trip for next year and the rooms appear to be going quickly. We missed the deposit date and had to rebook. It was $800 more. Looks like the demand will be there for next year.

 

[Jiminy76]

@AmberMV
We're here now. Wait times are generally inaccurate, unless you hit a 20 minute cleaning cycle for the ride, that happens every 2 hrs. We were at Epcot yesterday. Test track posted at 40 minutes, actual was 17. Frozen said 30 minutes, actual 15. But if you are in line during a cleaning cycle, it would likely be the posted time. I think they're also having trouble judging the times with the social distancing.

Yes this is exactly what I found to be true as well whenI was there last week. Waits generally overstated unless you hit the cleaning cycle. Looking back on the trip last week I have to say it was oddly one of my best trips to WDW. Don’t get me wrong I would have liked to have parades, fireworks and pictures of the kiddos without masks, but we were able to ride so much in such a short time in the parks. It allowed us to really slow down and explore and relax without the crowds and waits for everything. We have a December trip planned and I cannot wait.

 

[TakesFaithTrust&PixieDust]

Only reason I’d be hesitant if I were in your shoes is because of the not knowing aspect of if/when APs will become available again. Maybe some time in the fall you’ll want to hop over to one of the parks and you’d have to buy a day ticket, and sometimes that stings if you could have had an AP to use. But different situations for different people. If long lines in the current climate aren’t ideal for you, then the refund is probably the best option

I renewed my pass end of May for just what you mentioned. I’m not going presently as I’m dealing with some health issues. But hopefully by early next year I’ll be better and there’s a vaccine and I’ll be back in.