Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[andyman8]

When we stayed at RIV in December, you could order from the QS and have it delivered to your room. We didn't try it because we were there shortly after it opened, they were still working out the kinks and I was afraid it would take too long. I think this would be a nice option to continue given the current circumstances and if they would have enough staff to be able to deliver the food. We thought the food at the QS was really good!

That's a great idea! It seems sort of strange to me that a hotel like Riviera wouldn't have it. And PP quickly became one of my favorite resort QS restaurants, so that sounds great!

 

[NoTime42]

I’ve looked it up and it appears BLT, VGF, PV, BCV, AKV, CCV, and BRV offer it, while SSR, OKW, and RR don’t.

In the past, I think SSR just had pizza delivery from POR
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/in-room-dining/But with SSR’s “outside” entrance to rooms, it was easy to get pizza delivery from outside Disney (like Giordano’s) vs other deluxe that needed a lobby drop off.

 

[wdwoutsider]

With parks closing early we’re going to see many more people heading back to the resorts to hang out. Wonder how they’ll handle that as far as resort resources.

Not being negative here, but i don't think Disney is even close to being able to tackle issues like that. They have so much to figure out just with parks and transportation and virtual ques and mobile ordering. The changes needed are just so massive and totally different Disney experience. They only have so many resources and Covid requirements are demanding so much more for everything.

 

[Leigh L]

I am surprised that Ohana dinner isn't on there as it is family-style.

I was too for this reason and it's a non-character dinner.
It'll be interesting to see the progression of how WDW plans to reopen different restaurants, and at what pace.

 

[Sara W]

I'm not surprised about O'hana. If they are only doing 1 TS restaurant per hotel, I'd rather have one where I can choose a different meal each time I go (assuming I'm utilizing my resort's specific restaurants for the duration of my stay)

 

[skeeter31]

I'm not surprised about O'hana. If they are only doing 1 TS restaurant per hotel, I'd rather have one where I can choose a different meal each time I go (assuming I'm utilizing my resort's specific restaurants for the duration of my stay)

Not to mention the fact that the experience at Ohana would be vastly decreased from what people are used to, so there would be the complaining aspect they don’t want to deal with. Easier to open a restaurant like Kona and have it be as close to normal as possible. If they opened Ohana and people didn’t have the singing and the games and the open grill in the middle of the floor (which is probably another big reason its staying closed as they’d need o put plexiglass around it to protect from droplets) they’d be dealing with upset people.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

When we go in August - we'll just make sure we bring a bottle or two or three of wine and enjoy the balcony of our hotel room.

Yes the parks are closing earlier than most would like but maybe its nice to take a step back from a go-go-go vacation and relax some?

Boardwalk has full room service on the DVC side. We've used it many times on race vacations or longer trips. Menu is rather large as well but I'm sure it will be smaller like most menus nowadays.

 

[BrianR]

Not to mention the fact that the experience at Ohana would be vastly decreased from what people are used to, so there would be the complaining aspect they don’t want to deal with. Easier to open a restaurant like Kona and have it be as close to normal as possible. If they opened Ohana and people didn’t have the singing and the games and the open grill in the middle of the floor (which is probably another big reason its staying closed as they’d need o put plexiglass around it to protect from droplets) they’d be dealing with upset people.

Would it though? Family style would still work since it's within the party, you just have to cut out the "presentation on the skewer" and instead put it family style in the same type of bowl as the wings / pot stickers / etc. They would still come by and ask if you want any more of anything and just bring it back on a plate. Breakfast with characters would be a different experience, but the actual food service portion is easily done. I would argue that any "buffet" style could ultimately end up family style like Ohana has been doing for forever.

 

[atricks]

My daughter and I were at Universal from 8:00am until 3:00pm today and I thought things went very well for the first day. There are definitely a few kinks that need to be ironed out but most issues could be pretty easily fixed. We had a blast and were able to do a lot. I also felt pretty safe.

I think one of the biggest issues for Universal and for Disney once they open is going to be dining. There just isn't enough room for everyone in the restaurants with the extra space between diners. We just grabbed pretzels and cauldron cakes because the restaurant lines were so long. I think some sort of reservation system is going to have to be the way to go, maybe even for quick service too.

I was surprised by how little the masks affected the experience. Everyone didn't look anonymous and expressionless, it wasn't too difficult to communicate, and it was still fairly easy to read each other's facial expressions. We still chatted with other guests in line from our six feet of distance through our masks. Luckily it wasn't too hot today, but I think that by utilizing the break areas (which we didn't need today) I could get through a park day in July without much more difficulty than usual (although I usually try to avoid the parks in summer, mask or no mask).

I was pleasantly surprised to find that while everything was so different, it was still so much the same.

Yes, I think the in-park food situation is going to be one of the biggest problems at Disney too (probably even worse) judging by what was going on yesterday at Universal. People tend to get really angry if they are hungry and can't eat. Reservations are near require, where they were optional before at Universal, but you could only get those at the 4 in park sit down table service restaurants. At Disney the reservations are even more difficult to get normally, so this will be one thing to follow closely. Quick Service is going to need reservations too, the reduced capacity just isn't there for the normal food rush times.

 

[Remy is Up]

people who are preparing for a much different normal at WDW are the smart ones. People who realize things are about to change and it wont be a short term change, many changes will be permanent, and many will be things the management has wanted to change for a long time anyway, are the ones who will not be upset or disappointed. Rather than throwing childish tantrums about the changes, first understand, Disney didnt create covid. They are merely reacting to a situation noone was prepared for. Second. Quit calling and chatting with the CMs online and being a baby when they cant answer your question. If they cannot answer, it is because they have no answer to give. Getting mad at them is displaced anger and serves no purpose, other than giving them more people to laugh at. And trust me, when you say dumb things like "the free dining I paid for" They talk to one another and you become the biggest laughing point in the room. Asking the same question over and over in different ways will not change the answer either. Acting entitled ( MOST DVC and SOME AP holders in particular are the worst bunch) is going to get you nowhere. You are not the only person who paid for their vacation or time at Disney. You arent special.
Once everyone realizes that noone is going to be happy with every decision the company makes and a lot of the changes that will be implemented moving forward, A. make the best of it if you intend to still go because there is still a lot of magic to enjoy OR B. Dont go. it IS that simple.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Would it though? Family style would still work since it's within the party, you just have to cut out the "presentation on the skewer" and instead put it family style in the same type of bowl as the wings / pot stickers / etc. They would still come by and ask if you want any more of anything and just bring it back on a plate. Breakfast with characters would be a different experience, but the actual food service portion is easily done. I would argue that any "buffet" style could ultimately end up family style like Ohana has been doing for forever.

Since Ohana an AYCTE experience, people stay a loooong time, and there’s often backups at check in because of it.

Kona with the menu is a much more efficient option, even with menu service. People love to hang at Ohana dinner tables for hours.

 

[Tess]

From the recall list, I was surprised that BWV did not have a housekeeping recall? Odd. . .that is a rather large DVC. I did see Boardwalk was listed on the Blog Mickey list.

 

[yulilin3]

Just a word of caution and I feel like ever since things starting reopening I've been doing this a lot.
If you are coming to Universal now or Disney in July SET REAL EXPECTATIONS
The masks are bothersome, you think you can handle them? then honestly wear them all day in your house, go outside for a walk around the block...
Queues for attractions will be long. It won't matter what type of capacity they impose. Universal was empty yesterday, compared to a typical day but because of ride capacity they were only loading less than half of the vehicles
Queues for food will be long: same thing, the restaurants will operate with some sort of capacity, if you want to eat inside anywhere it'll be long, yesterday I waited an hour for food at Leaky Cauldron, once seated I could see why, 2 tables on my left and 2 tables on my right were left unoccupied.
Disney will reopen with more lenient capacity if things keep moving forward but still they will have some sort of capacity. Places Pinnochios Village Haus or Satuli Canteen or Captain Cooks, with smaller indoor seating will be the most affected. There just isn't space outside most venues to put more tables and chairs, be prepared to grab your food and eat on the curb
Goes without saying but be kind to the TM and CM, this is all new to them as well, no matter how much training you get it will not be enough for when you have real guests at the parks. The TM at Universal yesterday were doing a fantastic job in this new situation.
I'm not saying this can't be done and still enjoyed but just check your expectations.

 

[aroundtheriverbend]

From the recall list, I was surprised that BWV did not have a housekeeping recall? Odd. . .that is a rather large DVC.

it was updated on the Facebook page to be included after the first screenshot got posted.

 

[Remy is Up]

Just a word of caution and I feel like ever since things starting reopening I've been doing this a lot.
If you are coming to Universal now or Disney in July SET REAL EXPECTATIONS
The masks are bothersome, you think you can handle them? then honestly wear them all day in your house, go outside for a walk around the block...
Queues for attractions will be long. It won't matter what type of capacity they impose. Universal was empty yesterday, compared to a typical day but because of ride capacity they were only loading less than half of the vehicles
Queues for food will be long: same thing, the restaurants will operate with some sort of capacity, if you want to eat inside anywhere it'll be long, yesterday I waited an hour for food at Leaky Cauldron, once seated I could see why, 2 tables on my left and 2 tables on my right were left unoccupied.
Disney will reopen with more lenient capacity if things keep moving forward but still they will have some sort of capacity. Places Pinnochios Village Haus or Satuli Canteen or Captain Cooks, with smaller indoor seating will be the most affected. There just isn't space outside most venues to put more tables and chairs, be prepared to grab your food and eat on the curb
Goes without saying but be kind to the TM and CM, this is all new to them as well, no matter how much training you get it will not be enough for when you have real guests at the parks. The TM at Universal yesterday were doing a fantastic job in this new situation.
I'm not saying this can't be done and still enjoyed but just check your expectations.

I have a relative who is the GM at Mythos at universal. Be kind to servers and patient with the restaurants at the parks and resorts. they are also in a new world that is not easy to navigate.

 

[chicagoshannon]

I would assume the recall list was specifically for the 3 weeks that only DVC will be open. I'm sure when the parks reopen there will be a lot more things open.

 

[Jiminy76]

I was not surprised in that the meats are taken table to table too much like a buffet even though different

I would think it would be very easy to turn this into a standard dining option and they bring the table their own plate(s) of food instead. Not much different than all the other restaurants who have a waiter bring individual meals to the table. I can see them delaying at first as they did have Kona as a table service which would not require as much changes to make it operational. Hopefully it can come back online sooner rather than later.

 

[Remy is Up]

I would assume the recall list was specifically for the 3 weeks that only DVC will be open. I'm sure when the parks reopen there will be a lot more things open.

It will be very limited initially. At least at opening and for the first 4-6 weeks as they adjust capacity limits and use the new 30 day rolling reservation window to see what they need.

 

[Remy is Up]

I would think it would be very easy to turn this into a standard dining option and they bring the table their own plate(s) of food instead. Not much different than all the other restaurants who have a waiter bring individual meals to the table. I can see them delaying at first as they did have Kona as a table service which would not require as much changes to make it operational. Hopefully it can come back online sooner rather than later.

Expect later for many restaurants. It is not as "simple" as it seems

 

[BrianR]

Expect later for many restaurants. It is not as "simple" as it seems

Going back to the Ohana thing, I would think the experience table side is easy to adapt, but the big risk is the cook staff in front of that big grill. If they're wearing a N95 or any mask even, how does the open flame grilling / smoke affect the efficacy of it, and at what point is it a possible fire hazard on the worker's face?