Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[MickeyWaffles]

@andyman8, just curious. When you said DVC owners would have some disappointment (along with other affinity guests, of course), was it the news that dropped today, I.e., they are being given no special priority if they have resort reservations but no tickets AND, because of the 11-month window, they are being shut out of reserving park reservations next summer next week? Or is there other news yet to drop? Thanks!

I wonder if DVC is legally able to temporarily extend the 11 month booking window. Not anything I’ve ever researched before because I haven’t had any reason to.

This could be a pretty big disadvantage for DVC members next week if resort guests can book for later dates and secure their park reservations and DVC members can’t.

 

[New Mouse]

Just spent an hour on hold with WDW tickets. First line cast member (20 minute mark) said no problem getting a refund for your park hoppers. 40 minutes later, no we can't do that until July 11th - our system hasn't been set up yet to process those refunds. Good Grief, another case of left hand not telling the right hand what they are doing AND Disney holding onto my money.

So Disney systems are set up to process ticket downgrades. They always have been able to do that. Right now they are just choosing not to.

 

[cakebaker]

It was always going to be unfair to someone. I think they made the priority right. Though I probably would have added DVC members (without tickets) in the order before non resort non ticket holders. But thats just me.

This is going to really make the bloggers angry as for the time being, they’re going to need resort reservations to almost ensure them entry into the parks for the next 2-3 months

I agree, not everyone is going to be happy. But they could not allow guests to book onsite without giving them priority to book park time.

There are plenty of people having to deal with cuts and unknowns that are paying a lot of money to be there. Bloggers and vloggers will just have to adjust like everyone else.

 

[rpb718]

To address some past posts concerning getting folks to want to reserve EPCOT for a park day, I wanted to address the elephant in the room, or more on point, the giant RAT in the room. Nothing gets more folks excited to visit a park then a highly anticipated new ride - and especially one that was fairly close to being completed and would probably be running today if it weren't for the parks closure.

What's the odds for the new Ratatouille ride opening any time in 2020?

 

[TropicalDIS]

I have an 11 day trip booked for late August, and I am hoping for three Epcot, two MK, two Studios and one AK day, for a total of 8 park days. I am not going to be too picky about which days for which parks, but that’s the total I am hoping for. With the reservations in place, we shouldn’t see attendance spikes on the weekends like we normally would.

I like your plan. Good luck!

 

[Bjn10]

So just got off chat about my August CSR reservation she said Disney will be emailing effected guest you guessed it ....soon

 

[WonderlandisReality]

DVC CM just confirmed that reservations will be allowed at the 60 day window for PARKS.

relieved then realized I am at 57 days now so panic is back. I really could use a confirmation on time this opens up

 

[skeeter31]

I’m guessing an inactivated AP voucher wouldn’t count as a ticket to allow park reservations correct?

 

[fla4fun]

I’m thinking I’m also going to try to get all of my “might” dates. I wonder if cancelling will have a penalty, or if it will be like the FP?

I have heard that it will be similar to an ADR, only instead of a monetary fine, you will be restricted from booking park reservations for a set time if you don’t cancel with enough notice. No confirmation on that so far as I know, but it makes sense.

 

[TropicalDIS]

Yep I get that idea now, too. My TA's email was a little clearer:

Booking Dates for Park Reservations

The Disney Park Pass system will be available soon to select Guests. Booking dates vary based on your plans.

• Beginning June 22, 2020, Disney Resort and other select hotel Guests with valid theme park admission can make reservations.

Park reservations will be available through September 26, 2021, based on your Resort stay and ticket eligibility or ticket eligibility window.

Disney’s wording is very murky. I’d be ready for Monday morning unless an email comes out.

 

[Disneysoule]

To address some past posts concerning getting folks to want to reserve EPCOT for a park day, I wanted to address the elephant in the room, or more on point, the giant RAT in the room. Nothing gets more folks excited to visit a park then a highly anticipated new ride - and especially one that was fairly close to being completed and would probably be running today if it weren't for the parks closure.

What's the odds for the new Ratatouille ride opening any time in 2020?

I would think highly likely.. not at opening but as soon as they possibly can.

 

[vinotinto]

So, here would be my question: what happens if you make a resort and/or ticket change?

Let's say you are staying at FW, get your reservations, then decide you want to stay at BLT...cancel your FW stay, and book BLT. Do you lose your reservations or does it come with it?

Similarly...if we book with hoppers for example, but then later on, I decide I want to save my hoppers, and I use AP passes instead.....does re-prioritizing the tickets make you lose those reservations?

So, both, the screenshots from the Disneyland Reservation Test and the info posted today shows that you need to make reservations separately for those with tickets and those with APs.
Note: You may need to make more than one Disney Park Pass reservation for your party depending on your admission type. Please make sure your party consists of Annual Passholders or theme park ticket holders.

What happens if you have valid AP and valid tickets for the *same* period?

Does it allow you to select which one to use? Is the entry tied specifically to the ticket or AP or as long as you have a valid ticket media, your reservation is OK?

And for those of us that currently have tickets in our package, and have finally had our APs extended, will we be able to drop off the tickets and make it a "base" package? Do we need to do this *before* the parks reservation system opens on Monday? Or could we do it after?

Anyone here a TA that will be getting the"training" on the new system this afternoon and can fill us into the details of the system?

 

[koszmok]

It should be fine. I received the email they sent out early on about needing to make park reservations and I have UT tickets and a room only in my MDE.

Cool. If I understand right you do have tickets bought back in 2016. Are you planning to use those after 09/26 too ? Or you only using those tickets for earlier in 2021?

It keeps bugging me If Disney will honour my ticket (which I bought earlier in this year) after 09/26 for the 50th ?! When I bought those tickets the T&C said they are valid through 12/31/21.... but right now they are not selling tickets which are valid after 09/26. (I`m talking about UK ticket right now) but I`m curious about the principle? Can they / would they change the validity period, T&C after purchase? Would you think so ?

 

[Mit88]

Most days, no, But on the exact 50th anniversary, it’s a huuuge disadvantage.

Reservations only run through September 26th, the Anniversary isnt for another week and a half later. So it’ll be an equal parts free-4-all

 

[shoegal9]

When this reservation system was first mentioned, there was information that AP would be limited as to how many park reservations they could book outside of a hotel reservation. My guess is it will work similar to the old FP limits. I could always book FP for every day of a hotel stay, and even multiple stays, if they were close enough on the calendar. But I was limited to 7 days at a time outside of those stays. They may be waiting to see how much is left after the hotel guests book on the 22nd to set an AP limit for those without hotel stays.

I didn’t know that about the 7 days. I’m an out of state DVC Platinum AP so I generally just reserve the resort and then plan. But this is like forcing me to plan next year when I’m not even at the 11 month booking window for my home resort. I wish/hope they do the 30/60 day thing like FPs were but I guess we shall see.

 

[chasgoose]

Yeah I actually read it as it will be available to you based on when you check in etc just like ADRs & fps used to be.

I agree. There is no way Disney wants everyone to be booking park reservations through September 2021 starting on Monday. I think they are intentionally being vague on committing to a specific window for how far in advance you can book park reservations because they want flexibility to make changes to the system (including increasing/lowering capacity as needed) so they can adjust based on how COVID is progressing and how things go once they actually open the parks. I imagine they will clarify further in e-mails to individual guests that will be able to make park reservations and probably provide more clarity on their website once the system actually opens.

That said, I still don't think people are going to have a ton to worry about with getting park reservations. Even at 20% capacity and even with staggered time slots, there are going to be far more reservations available for each park than an ADR/FP+ at a specific restaurant/attraction. Not to mention that while it might not seem this way if you only read DISBoards, demand for WDW is radically reduced right now. I would be surprised if Disney will even be able to attract 20% of its normal capacity for the rest of the summer.

 

[cakebaker]

If not limited, all this does is encourage AP holders to book a bunch of dates for the heck of it. I have villas booked for July & September- so that’s fine to reserve on Monday. I usually plan a long weekend in December, but haven’t yet & don’t really want to at this time. So, I’ll just use my AP to book dates that I “might” come after September. Which clogs the system... not smart Disney.

Well that’s assuming there will be availability since resort guest will have had several days access before you. You may have trouble getting your July and September dates.

They are instituting a cancellation policy with adrs though, I suspect they will with park reservations too. And there was talk of limiting off site APs for the number you can have at one time. I suspect you won’t be able to just book as much as you want, just in case.

 

[Kmedders]

So, both, the screenshots from the Disneyland Reservation Test and the info posted today shows that you need to make reservations separately for those with tickets and those with APs.
Note: You may need to make more than one Disney Park Pass reservation for your party depending on your admission type. Please make sure your party consists of Annual Passholders or theme park ticket holders.

What happens if you have valid AP and valid tickets for the *same* period?

Does it allow you to select which one to use? Is the entry tied specifically to the ticket or AP or as long as you have a valid ticket media, your reservation is OK?

And for those of us that currently have tickets in our package, and have finally had our APs extended, will we be able to drop off the tickets and make it a "base" package? Do we need to do this *before* the parks reservation system opens on Monday? Or could we do it after?

Anyone here a TA that will be getting the"training" on the new system this afternoon and can fill us into the details of the system?

I am on the training now

 

[SaintsManiac]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1274035707309244418

 

[andyman8]

@andyman8, just curious. When you said DVC owners would have some disappointment (along with other affinity guests, of course), was it the news that dropped today, I.e., they are being given no special priority if they have resort reservations but no tickets AND, because of the 11-month window, they are being shut out of reserving park reservations next summer next week? Or is there other news yet to drop? Thanks!

Well, the DVC disappointment was two-fold: 1) not being given priority alongside AP holders if they don't have tickets (which some DVC members were hoping for) and 2) the lack of amenities that will be available at their home resorts. I believe there will be more info on that slowly trickling out as we approach 7/11, but I wouldn't be expecting any grand additions to what we already know.

For those wondering, the AP disappointment was mostly about the delayed booking window (and the forthcoming restrictions about how many active reservations an AP holder without a resort stay can have). That and the minimum extension. Again, I don't think any of this is devastating but it might be disappointing.

The next piece of the puzzle will be resort guests, particularly Value/Mod...