Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[focusondisney]

Lol. The cms answer that question multiple times a day. The typical response as I heard my daughter say yesterday. We are excited you are coming back to visit. At this time we do not have information on packages for 2021 nor any information as to when they will be released. Be sure to watch the website or your email for updates

Ok, I have to ask. Where are you getting your information? In reading the last several pages, I was under the assumption you are a higher level employee & presenting information you have actual access to. But by the bolded, I’m now guessing you are just getting info from your daughter who happens to be a CRO agent working at home. Just wondering where the info is coming from, so I can weigh what you are saying against other sources. No offense to your daughter at all, but we all know those CMs are not always on the inside of the most current information.

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268559968833351680

 

[chicagoshannon]

@Remy is Up Will ADRs be 60 days and Park reservations be 30 days? Am I understanding that correctly? And, will both of those things be on a rolling basis or will they be length of stay? Thank you!

They can't do ADR's before park reservation. That would defeat the whole purpose. I would think that it won't be 60 day ADR at first since it's less than 60 days til when the parks open. I'm sure there will be some system where you aren't even able to reserve an ADR for a park unless you have a reservation for that park that day.

 

[kariyava]

Remy (or anyone else in the know) -- does anyone have more information regarding Florida resident discovery tickets? My mom and stepdad bought some for our now-postponed April trip. We have rescheduled for November, but the latest extension news I see is that the discovery tickets are only extended until September, which is not very long after their limited re-opening. Especially now that "regular" tickets appear to have a September 2021 expiration (moved significantly from December 2020), I was hoping for another extension on the discovery tickets as well (or at a minimum the ability to apply the cost of those tickets to new "regular" tickets). Any word on recovery for those tickets?

 

[LSUmiss]

I don’t think they resorted to something impossible. In my entire STATE, it’s mandated that everyone 2 and older wears a mask if indoors where 6 feet of distancing can’t be maintained. My local parks and recreation is even mandating them for outdoor activities. 2 years old seems to be the cutoff per CDC guidelines.

And for the record, I get it. I have a 4 year old and elected not to enroll him in the local sports programs this summer because of the mask requirement. We were supposed to be at Disney last week and have elected to postpone until next summer, hoping things are getting closer to normal by then. I fully support mask usage, but if I feel like wearing one is going to significantly detract from the enjoyment of an activity, I’m making the choice not to partake at this time. Wearing a mask on vacation isn’t a vacation to me. But I understand why Disney (and other businesses) have the mask requirement.

I think it’s impossible for a just turned 2 yr old no matter who came up with it. And that’s also the problem with all of this is ppl are coming from all over the country. Some states are much more into mask-wearing than others.

 

[chicagoshannon]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268559968833351680

yes. Reservations open on the 8th. Now sure how far out you can reserve yet though.

 

[AmberMV]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1268559968833351680

I think it's pretty safe to assume the reservation system is their way of "contact tracing"

 

[andyman8]

BlogMickey is a bit late on picking these stories up... @yulilin3 head's upped us days ago on that snippet from the call.

And it's a bit of take with a grain of salt no? Union doesn't exactly like the cheap CP labor right? ...Maybe we see a version of CP brought back that does not include housing for now?

It’s a far more complicated relationship, but I think they are right to say CPs likely will not be back soon, at least this year. From Disney’s perspective, it’s less about Housing (though that’s a factor) and more about the fewer roles available at the moment. With TL, BB, certain hotels, and certain restaurants remaining closed, those CMs will fill the roles vacated by CPs. This isn’t a one week or one month thing. As those closed areas come back online, Disney will start slowly shifting CMs back to those roles.

Disney also has a large population of “Part-Time” CMs who are not always regularly scheduled shifts each week. Because of their low seniority, they are sort of “reserves” that get many of their shifts by picking up shifts from co-workers. Given what they and the union have said (all PT called back before CP), they will have to have space for and call back all of those PTs (and there’s a lot) before any CPs are going to return.

In regard to Housing, the majority of CPs rely on Housing. In fact, all International Programs Participants are required to live in Housing. I actually think some of those IPs (specifically Cultural Reps) will be back before CPs because they’re going to need them to staff Epcot, more so than other front-kind CM roles (which have those PT CMs). I think Disney will see how schools in the fall handle dorms. They also happen to have a new complex opening later this year (well supposed to), so they could theoretically have more capacity to spread people out.

Keep in mind, there’s only one “term” left in 2020 for domestic CP arrivals: fall. Those arrivals are in August and September. Once those are canceled, that’s it for this year, and they still have two months to decide if they want to open applications for Spring 2021.

 

[mattpeto]

I respectfully disagree. If you ever looked at what is available for children at Disney you will find that, behind Magic Kingdom, EPCOT actually has the most for children to participate in among the 4 main parks.

Don't get me wrong. We love Epcot! It might be my favorite park!

I just think it serves best as a park-hopping experience and being the nightcap part of it. Especially if you are staying at an Epcot resort.

 

[DisneyEater]

Epcot as a full day theme park is a real stretch for families with children. Losing park hopper functionality might mean skipping that park for the summer.

Strongly disagree. This has always been a favorite for my kids and we spend multiple days at Epcot.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I think it’s impossible for a just turned 2 yr old no matter who came up with it. And that’s also the problem with all of this is ppl are coming from all over the country. Some states are much more into mask-wearing than others.

I don’t disagree that getting a 2 year old to keep a mask on is a giant pain, at best. If we had planned to come otherwise this summer the masks would probably stop us and my kids are older.

But I think the problem with different states having different levels of precautions isnt on Disney, it’s on guests to be aware of what they’re getting into. Masks aren’t worn in someone’s home state? Well they are in WDW at the moment so get used to it if you want to go. Just like those of us in different climates have to adjust and prepare for Florida weather, those coming from different COVID precautions will need to prepare and adjust.

 

[westie55]

I don’t think they resorted to something impossible. In my entire STATE, it’s mandated that everyone 2 and older wears a mask if indoors where 6 feet of distancing can’t be maintained. My local parks and recreation is even mandating them for outdoor activities. 2 years old seems to be the cutoff per CDC guidelines.

My state has the same rule, except this isn't what Disney is asking. Disney is asking for masks to be worn on 2 year olds at ALL times on property when not swimming or dining. There is technically no provision for toddlers to remove the mask when they are safely distanced (outdoors) from others. My guess is that people will use their judgment and allow their children to remove masks when they are outdoors and are distanced from others, but this is technically not permitted and seems to make no sense to me. I understand why masks are required: for the protection of others. But if you are alone on a walking path on Disney property with no one else around, forcing a mask on a toddler seems silly.

 

[catfan98]

They can't do ADR's before park reservation. That would defeat the whole purpose. I would think that it won't be 60 day ADR at first since it's less than 60 days til when the parks open. I'm sure there will be some system where you aren't even able to reserve an ADR for a park unless you have a reservation for that park that day.

Well, that is what I thought, but then I got confused. So much info is being slung about, lol. That is why I was asking for clarification. We don't go until October. Thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

 

[Pyotr]

Remy (or anyone else in the know) -- does anyone have more information regarding Florida resident discovery tickets? My mom and stepdad bought some for our now-postponed April trip. We have rescheduled for November, but the latest extension news I see is that the discovery tickets are only extended until September, which is not very long after their limited re-opening. Especially now that "regular" tickets appear to have a September 2021 expiration (moved significantly from December 2020), I was hoping for another extension on the discovery tickets as well (or at a minimum the ability to apply the cost of those tickets to new "regular" tickets). Any word on recovery for those tickets?

I had 4 Discover Disney tickets that I was unable to use. I called and they were fully refunded. Sure, I could have rolled it over to other tickets, but with me being unsure when my next family trip is, I’d just rather have my money back. Otherwise it’s like giving Disney a interest free loan.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

The worst full day no break park is DHS IMO. For us it feels like we circle that park like 30 times if we stay the full day.

Epcot naturally breaks itself up and lends itself to a full day park nicely. Morning in Future World, QS lunch (in Mexico thank you very much). Afternoon spent wandering World Showcase, snacking (drinking lol) and doing low wait things. Sit down dinner, then absorb the wonderful Epcot atmosphere until it’s time for evening entertainment (or just go).

......I miss Epcot

 

[AmberMV]

FL is going into Phase 3 tomorrow, governor ain’t about to pump those breaks!

(“More tests means more positives” is the line that will be used to justify it- rightly or wrongly we cannot discuss that specific aspect here.)

Phase 2

 

[mamaoftwincesses]

I also have 2 year old twins, I know exactly what you mean. They just turned 2 last month, and I can't even keep a hairtie in my girl's hair. At that age they absolutely freak out if their airways are covered. I also have an "older" 2 year old who is turning 3 this month and he may be able to handle it longer, but still questionable. It's unfortunate for us, but there were SO MANY people on just this board who were trying to get around mask rules for so many reasons I guess they had to resort to something so impossible that the people who really can't keep a mask on won't come. The CM I spoke with regarding my never-cancelled June reservation last week suggested we come later in the year when possibly the 2 year old mask requirement will not be mandatory anymore.

You're a rock star for having 3 under 3!! One of mine also refuses to wear a bow haha...

 

[gottalovepluto]

Phase 2

*facepalm* edited

 

[Moliphino]

I don't remember the last time I spent a full day in any park. We hop every day and are in Epcot at some point almost every day of a trip.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Good or bad, it’s going to take a lot more than that for any of them to shut down again. I don’t think DeSantis will ever shut the state down again. An individual business will have to make their own decisions. Each man for himself is the name of the game going forward.

I think so too.

Also part of the reason places like Disney are going so strict in their precautions, they’ll be likelier to be able to stay open through small (hopefully small) spikes reopening brings as well as any more waves.