Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Pickle Rick]

People would need somewhere to eat on their scheduled Epcot day, won't they?

Since EC is opening the latest, it's obvious it's because of dining.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

The private events are probably happening after we leave the parks so that’s why some parks are closing early.

I would be very surprised. They’re closing when they’re closing for reasons unrelated to the NBA IMO.

Something bigger may happen after the season ends or players from individual teams May visit the parks after they’re eliminated.

 

[Pickle Rick]

Yeah but how many TS restaurants is that gonna take? EP is a 1/2 day park if they don't have festivals or theaters or live entertainment...

Since the other parks are closing earlier, and in the case of AK and MK, three and two hours earlier, some people may try to hop over to EC for dinner.

 

[Krandor]

I haven't seen an official statement on the 35% off, what are the details on that?

we don’t know. My ta is saying she thinks the deal is 35% off to keep existing reservation. Basically trade free dining for 35% but isn’t sure yet. Obviously very crazy right now.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

I just read a post over on the Club Level thread that was cut & pasted from a travel agent - take it with a grain of salt.. not sure it’s been verified

No club Level services - the difference in price to be credited back to the guest on their reservation.

All park hoppers will be converted to base tickets - again difference refunded.

Friday got a jump on us with its news dump...

those actually sound pretty realistic

 

[Eric Smith]

From an ESPN article, since the subject of NBA families has come up:

Will family members be able to join players in Orlando?
The NBA and the union are progressing on a plan that would allow for a limited number of family members in the bubble environment, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.
Conversations have centered on the timing of family arrivals at Walt Disney World Resort, which are likely to start once an initial wave of teams is eliminated and the number of people within the league's bubble decreases.
Family members would be subjected to the same safety and coronavirus testing protocols as everyone else living in the NBA's biosphere. Many players are eager to have family join them in Orlando, particularly those on contending teams who anticipate lengthy stays in the playoffs.

That makes sense. The NBA playoffs take forever if they keep to the normal schedule. They're like 2 months long.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Since the other parks are closing earlier, and in the case of AK and MK, three and two hours earlier, some people may try to hop over to EC for dinner.

Just read park hoppers are being converted to base tickets.. no hopping

 

[DGsAtBLT]

we don’t know. My ta is saying she thinks the deal is 35% off to keep existing reservation. Basically trade free dining for 35% but isn’t sure yet. Obviously very crazy right now.

That would make a lot of sense. I really think people need to wait and see before pitchforks are drawn.

Of course people are convinced Disney was just trying to screw people by getting them to book at rack rate and then pull the DDP, so maybe not to them.

 

[Farro]

Just read park hoppers are being converted to base tickets.. no hopping

Knew it was coming but that's horrible.

If they don't have some kind of opportunity for hopping by next year we would have to think about if we want to change the way we vacation at Disney or just skip Disney altogether.

 

[Eric Smith]

I would like to know how far in advance you can make the park reservations in the new system. Is that info anywhere or it is coming soon? Since they are changing the time frame for ADR's I wonder if they will do the same time frame for which park you can reserve. I haven't read the entire thread, just scanned so forgive me if the info is here. I have a trip for November and do not have tickets yet. I want to wait until I see how this all unfolds. If it is 60 days then I have plenty of time to buy tickets. If it is as soon as you can get into the new reservation system then I guess I will have to make a decision sooner. LOL! Decisions! Decisions!

I would guess that it would be along the same timeframe if not even farther out. Last night, my wife and I did discuss potentially limiting our table service dining to resorts and Disney Springs if we can't reserve parks before we reserve dining.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I wonder if they’re going to convert all hoppers out there. Some are valid until late 2021.

 

[Krandor]

That would make a lot of sense. I really think people need to wait and see before pitchforks are drawn.

Of course people are convinced Disney was just trying to screw people by getting them to book at rack rate and then pull the DDP, so maybe not to them.

thst is why I’m not cancelling free dining sep reservstion yet. Going to wait and see what happens. I doubt I’ll go without free dining but if there is an offer for that trip or future trip want to get them and consider whatever it is.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I just read a post over on the Club Level thread that was cut & pasted from a travel agent - take it with a grain of salt.. not sure it’s been verified

No club Level services - the difference in price to be credited back to the guest on their reservation.

All park hoppers will be converted to base tickets - again difference refunded.

Friday got a jump on us with its news dump...

If this plays out like yesterday it's accurate. Some TAs got the notification about the Disney changes hours before most of the TAs were notified, maybe those that book the international groups are getting the communications first?

This wasn't entirely unexpected after they pulled all CL rooms from booking.

Base tickets is more complicated, many people aren't going during this limited offering masked up period so why would they force refunds on them- unless they're getting rid of park hopping for until Sept 2021... but on the bright side they won't have any customers left by then so maybe they'll bring park hopping back? ...and how will APs take no park hopping? Swimmingly I'm sure....

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Knew it was coming but that's horrible.

If they don't have some kind of opportunity for hopping by next year we would have to think about if we want to change the way we vacation at Disney or just skip Disney altogether.

Same. We always buy hoppers & we always do a split stay. Any other way would be like a step backwards to the way it was long ago.

 

[Eric Smith]

Is there any doubt NBA will be renting out parks for private parties?

They won't, the players will probably be locked down to the hotel and WWoS

 

[Eric Smith]

Yeah I meant clock starting when activating on-site. SDL is keeping APs "frozen" during the reservation period, so I'd imagine we'd do the same thing here. I'm not wanting my 1 year to start while we're under all these restrictions, so hope would be that we can activate but be under the same "frozen" status as currently active APs.

Oh, sorry. I misunderstood your question. I could see it going either way.

 

[cakebaker]

It's amazing how much leeway Disney fans give UO compared to WDW.

Not directed right at me but.....I actually don’t care about Universal and how they handle anything means nothing to me. I don’t think there’s an argument to be made but that they have far superior thrill rides. I also haven’t given them 10’s of thousands of dollars over the past 35 years or so. You really don’t know me, you have no clue how loyal a guest and how much I have defended them over the years I’ve been on these boards. But despite what I’ve been told a million times, I am not blind to their faults. I suspect a lot of those dissatisfied now are much like me.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Knew it was coming but that's horrible.

If they don't have some kind of opportunity for hopping by next year we would have to think about if we want to change the way we vacation at Disney or just skip Disney altogether.

The mind boggles. They have the IT infrastructure in place to allow people to reserve two parks (Disneyland AP FlexPass) guess the math is just too daunting *eyeroll*

 

[Tjddis]

So you like it because Universal is opening earlier? That doesn't say anything about how they communicated or how Disney communicated poorly. Since you're not sure on the 2 for 1 tickets, that also doesn't lead to the conclusion that Universal's communications are better.

I realize the grass is greener on the other side, but once you realize all that grass really has is Harry Potter you'll be sorely disappointed.

I really don’t need or appreciate your pontification. You completely missed my point in your rush to I don’t know, come off as smarter than me
my original post said people saw UO as a viable alternative to WDW. I’ve been fairly explicit in terms of Disney’s poor communication and handling of this situation. By comparison if UO had put out a release that said “Duh, we’re open” it would have been better in comparison. Never been to UO. Not going to UO. But many people looking for a vacation right now are switching over in large part due to their dissatisfaction with WDW. Got it? Have a nice day. No condescending response is needed.

 

[Violetspider]

I just read a post over on the Club Level thread that was cut & pasted from a travel agent - take it with a grain of salt.. not sure it’s been verified

No club Level services - the difference in price to be credited back to the guest on their reservation.

All park hoppers will be converted to base tickets - again difference refunded.

Friday got a jump on us with its news dump...

Well, if no park hopping is the case (which I understand) and they begin to refund the difference to ticket holders I hope they don't forget about the out of state AP Platinums. They've jacked the price up so high on those in the last two years and now one of the biggest perks (second line item) is being removed? Dang!

Disney Platinum Pass

• Admission for a year to all 4 theme parks (No blockout dates)
• Visit more than one theme park on the same day
• Includes Disney PhotoPass downloads*
• Up to 20% off on select dining
• Up to 20% off select merchandise in store
• Standard theme park parking