Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[choirfarm]

Yeah, evening entertainment was definitely the downside when we stayed for 2 weeks last month. With the parks closed early and the feature pools closed at 9pm, there really wasn’t much to do unless you wanted to go to DS (which we avoided due to social distancing concerns). We had the entire boardwalk to ourselves one evening. Another evening we rode the Skyliner around just for fun, given it stays open so much later than the parks.

LOL. My husband and I are in bed with lights out at 9 every night. For us, it would be the fact that the parks open so late. We are generally up by 4 or so, so half the day is gone if it doesn't open until 10 or 11.

 

[shoegal9]

Its almost as if they should treat it as a 2nd DS in the evenings. DS had no tickets, no reservations and no limits. Close the rides. Just open the gates for people to come and shop and eat. More revenue and takes some of the pressure off DS.

Crazy idea that wont happen, but seems to have some potential benefits as well.

that’s actually a great idea. No rides after “closing time” of 7:00. Rope off so only World Showcase is accessible, and let people eat and shop till 11.

Wishful thinking, I know...

 

[Marthasor]

Actually I'm pretty sure someone did say they would be available next day. And again, I'm not necessarily saying trashed from parties. Just general wear in the rooms as the PP had mentioned. I also think you're being pretty naive if you think players aren't visiting each others rooms in the evenings.

I'm not naive. If you actually followed the NBA and the bubble instead of making assumptions based on pre-conceived notions, you would know the NBA has come down very hard on players who have broken bubble rules. There is a "snitch line" and players have received everything from warnings for breaking rules to 3 players having to go back into 10-day quarantine for bigger violations. All social opportunities are in the players' lounges, pools, other recreation offered by WDW (golfing, fishing, lawn games, etc.) and meal times in the convention centers. Even then, mask and social distancing rules are in place. No one is allowed to enter anyone else's hotel room. The bubble is working and the playoffs start in 9 days. The NBA isn't going to let up on making sure rules aren't broken. There is too much money at stake for the league.

For anyone interested in how the NBA bubble works, this is a pretty good run-down: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba...ms-schedule-orlando/zhap66a9hcwq1khmcex3ggabo

Also, for those worried there may be another bubble, the NBA is, reportedly, looking to delaying the 2020-2021 season to allow for fan attendance which would mean possible pushing it into early 2021 and no bubble. Biggest concern, apparently, is pushing it too far into 2021 and creating a conflict with the Tokyo Olympics.

https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1998779

 

[DGsAtBLT]

that’s actually a great idea. No rides after “closing time” of 7:00. Rope off so only World Showcase is accessible, and let people eat and shop till 11.

Wishful thinking, I know...

I’ll just come along as Miss Glass Half Empty to add my POV, I think that would just serve to discourage people on the fence from visiting Epcot on a ticket (as F&W and World Showcase exploring is a draw for a lot of the visitors), and encourage a lot of milling about soaking up atmosphere without enough purchases to make it worthwhile to keep it open that much longer. I think it could potentially just shift around guest spending but with the additional cost of keeping Epcot open longer.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yup wait times are high at all 4 parks today. 40 min wait for Tomorrowland Speedway

Do we know if they are accurate? We were getting some reports, was it last week?, that wait times were not accurate in MK.

 

[brockash]

DH and I were talking about this last night regarding our week over Thanksgiving. It's our rescheduled anniversary trip, no kids, and we might actually not feel like we're dying by the middle of the week this time! He was a little bummed about it at first, but I reminded him that this can change by November, and with lower crowds, no FP and limited ADRs we're more free to ride what we want and take our time. I can't remember the last time I spent 9-10 hours in a park, the 8 they are moving to actually seems a bit much for my park style honestly. As long as the parks aren't slammed I think we'll have a good time.

Well it appears the last 2 days have had pretty long waits...a little concerned they're reducing hrs not long after they open more APs...I sure hope it gets better, but I thought someone said APs were at capacity for the rest of the month already.

 

[brockash]

Do we know if they are accurate? We were getting some reports, was it last week?, that wait times were not accurate in MK.

There have been multiple ppl posting today and yesterday that wait times and crowds are much higher than they were in the past.

 

[Eric Smith]

If Epcot closes at 7 what is the latest time for a dinner reservation there?

7

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

There have been multiple ppl posting today and yesterday that wait times and crowds are much higher than they were in the past.

Does anyone think that it's possible that it's because school starts soon, and families are getting their last vacations out? Virtual School in Orange county begins Monday.

 

[Mit88]

Does anyone think that it's possible that it's because school starts soon, and families are getting their last vacations out? Virtual School in Orange county begins Monday.

That and I think people are seeing that Disney has been considered “safe” and they’re coming out of their comfort zones. We’re not going to see crowds of even 10,000 people at the parks any time soon, and Disney doesn’t expect it given the reduction of hours and lack of hotel’s. But I think you’ll see more consistent crowds, especially on the weekends.

 

[Farro]

That and I think people are seeing that Disney has been considered “safe” and they’re coming out of their comfort zones. We’re not going to see crowds of even 10,000 people at the parks any time soon, and Disney doesn’t expect it given the reduction of hours and lack of hotel’s. But I think you’ll see more consistent crowds, especially on the weekends.

Yeah.

I'm just seeing more people coming out everywhere around here too. Parks are FULL. People in masks.

Lots of soccer clubs playing again.

I just think people in general are starting to venture out again.

 

[mshanson3121]

For right now it seems Pop and the cabins at the campground. AoA opens in November.

The cabins are 2-3x as much as the cost of an All Star room, so that's likely not an option for value resort folk. So that would just leave POP and AoA, both of which are more expensive. I'm sure many can swing the difference, but I'm sure some can't.

So my guess is a good chunk of the crowd that choose the Value resorts due to $, will be either forced off site, or just won't go.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Thanks for the info. Guess night as well reschedule them before they just get cancelled.

How has Disney springs been lately with compliance and crowds? A know a couple of weeks ago reports weren’t that great. I’m just wondering if it’s improved and if so I may try to book a couple dinners down there. So far I have mainly been booking dinners in the park restaurants or hotels.

I'm not caught up so idk how many responses you've gotten. On July 31 and Aug 2, walking paths in DS were pretty crowded, esp around WOD ~7-8 pm. Mask compliance seemed good. I only saw one person take his off (to take selfies by the benches outside the bathrooms near a Chicken Guy ), but a security guard told him to put it back on.
Tables at Morimoto were spaced out (every other table had signs saying they were not in use). The bathrooms were clean.
We had drinks on the patio at Jock Lindseys, but when we walked through the interior, it wasn't packed.
The Boathouse was, unfortunately, very full. It didn't look like they were distancing tables, and we asked to be seated on the patio (tables were a bit further away from one another out there, too). They also had an unmasked duo of piano players/singers playing.
There was only one entrance into WOD, all the way around the side. The line to get in was long but moved pretty fast. Inside, we tried to distance but many other customers did not.
The inside of the LEGO Store wasn't as crowded, and people were a bit more distanced.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Do we know if they are accurate? We were getting some reports, was it last week?, that wait times were not accurate in MK.

We went to MK on Aug 2 and 3.
Wait times def were not accurate last week. I think each time we got in line for Splash, it said 30 min. One ride, we had almost no stops while walking through the line (there were people in line, but it was continuously moving until the very end where we waited to load). On another, I think they'd stopped to clean, so we waited about 20 mins (in a long line).
Space said 10 min each time, but there was zero wait time. Same for JC, POTC, HM (we rode HM several times, and only waited once (but it was for cleaning).
7DMT also said 30. It was actually about 15.
I think the longest wait was for BTMRR, but they were only loading from one side.

 

[mamapenguin]

I don’t blame you. I do not care for the pools at Disney. Too many people, kids probably peeing, people constantly bumping into you. We don’t really plan pool days.

This. When we were at the Contemporary the pool was closed because someone pooped in it....they had treated the pool and were waiting for it to be useable again. Yuck!!

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I think you have to experience it to really understand it. It is so incredibly empty, especially Epcot at night, there's no reason to keep it open. The real question I have is why not make some fun stuff at the resorts at night? 2 or 3 hour pool party, subject to capacity, drinks, music from a boombox

When we walked by the movie under the stars at CBR, there were more people watching than I'd seen recently (they were distanced well tho). Lots of unhappy people when the main pool and Banana Cabana closed at 9 (also, apparently the website still said 10. Managers had to come out and talk to several upset guests). It sounded like a lot of folks were headed to the smaller pools. If they're going to close parks early, and not have all the dining locations open (Sebastians, for instance), I think it's a mistake to close what is open early.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I dont fill out many surveys, so I'm not sure if these questions are normally on them:

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Cont.

 

[shoegal9]

I’ll just come along as Miss Glass Half Empty to add my POV, I think that would just serve to discourage people on the fence from visiting Epcot on a ticket (as F&W and World Showcase exploring is a draw for a lot of the visitors), and encourage a lot of milling about soaking up atmosphere without enough purchases to make it worthwhile to keep it open that much longer. I think it could potentially just shift around guest spending but with the additional cost of keeping Epcot open longer.

Maybe. But some people do visit Epcot for attractions too. Especially once Ratatouille opens.

 

[AmberMV]

I dont fill out many surveys, so I'm not sure if these questions are normally on them:

Looks like a new one