Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[JaxDad]

I have the say the schtick blaming this on CA is getting old.

Schtick?!?! So, in your opinion, the decisions of the state are not a factor?

 

[jlwhitney]

Agreed.

I think it’s easy to assume the crowds and demands are normal, they aren’t. This current state of the parks will only go so far.

They still don’t have some resorts scheduled for opening. What I’m getting it as, the people returning to Disney is good for all of us right now but it won’t have staying power for repeat visits.

The locals may keep flocking but without the entertainment options to keep the attraction waits at bay, and lack of fireworks and parades, character meet and greets, it’s just an another amusement park.

That’s why I’m confident we will get the big misses. It will take time and it will bring people back to work.

Even the bigger question is how many with current AP will renew right now or in the next month or two will no clue when things will change. Since being only 2.5 hours away I know quite a few AP holders and none of them plan to renew until things are more normal. They are going some now since ether ready paid for it but they are spending less and not staying on property like they would sometimes.

 

[mattpeto]

Scott Gustin is indicating Space 220 could be open in March. That’s also his current educated guess for Remy’s.

And the Yeti is never getting fixed.

 

[rpb718]

There was an economic fallout and fear of traveling. Moreso the latter than the former when it came to 9/11. There are comparisons between now and then, just on different levels and different reasons behind the same reasons

Not sure about fear of travel but fear of flying - yes. And economic fallout - yes. But how long was WDW closed and outside of security & bag check I'm under the impression that the WDW that reopened was pretty much the same as the WDW that closed.

 

[Devil13]

He’s not innocent either though. He was made CEO for a reason. He’s good at bean counting. He’s not a people person like Iger but when it comes to helping turn this financial tide he is likely the best for the job.

I agree, and think this is why he’s not long for the job. I believe he’s been brought in to implement a flurry of unpopular changes that will bolster the bottom line, and now, guide them through the pandemic as well. As soon as things straighten out, he’ll be gone. His legacy within the company will be how he “kept things moving forward and lead them in an unprecedented time”. Very few people outside the company liked him to begin with so he is the perfect bad guy. All he needs is a black hat and a handlebar mustache to twirl as he ties park guests to the railroad tracks. At that point Josh or someone more likable takes over and plays the hero.

Not saying that there isn’t an important role for the type of guy he is, just think that it’s a quick hit and then after he lays down a path of destruction, he’ll be on his way like a hired gun. Seen it many times.

 

[Mit88]

Not sure about fear of travel but fear of flying - yes. And economic fallout - yes. But how long was WDW closed and outside of security & bag check I'm under the impression that the WDW that reopened was pretty much the same as the WDW that closed.

WDW was seen as a “target” for quite a while after the attacks. So when it comes to fear of travel, it includes flying and driving to Disney World. People still went, people still traveled to WDW, but it absolutely impacted Disney vacations. Still, not on the same level as what it is now, But there was an impact

 

[Anna_Sh]

I don't know what's sadder. People only really use park hopping to go to Epcot or that Epcot has fallen that far that the only reason to go is to eat. Any Disney park should be known for their attractions not the food available. IMO I would love the festivals to go away and instead invest more money on attractions for each pavilion.

EPCOT is my absolute favorite park. I love going through WS and exploring the merchandise, and the architecture, and the train set...and yes eating. I love the rides (SE forever), but I can easily fill up a day without them. I’ve been twice since they reopened. It’s the only park I feel completely safe in right now because it really lends itself to social distancing. I’m also not planning to ride anything anywhere or eat inside a restaurant until this thing is gone. After the way 2020 has gone, shopping and eating my way around WS is heaven.

 

[Mit88]

Epcot should never be an “Attraction” park. Epcot’s charm comes from the simplistic nature of the park. Each of the 4 parks have their issues, but they all serve their own individual purpose. I never park hopped to get away from Epcot. I park hopped because I could. I spent an entire park day at Epcot in August, and I loved the entire day and I think I rode 4 attractions. The park itself is an attraction. I love the attractions at DCA, but it was a theming disaster for almost its entire existence. It still is.

Journey to the Center of the earth is regarded as a top 5-10 attraction in the world. When people talk about DisneySea it’s almost never Journey to the Center of the Earth Thats talked about first, it’s the park, the atmosphere, the theming.

Walking down sunset blvd and seeing Tower of Terror is half the fun of the attraction itself.

Am I happy Epcot is getting Rat and Guardians? Absolutely. The latter could end up being another game changing attraction to go along with Rise and FoP. But those rides will never be the biggest reason I visit Epcot

 

[Eeyore daily]

Can you now make park reservations past 9/26? It’s all green as of this morning for the fall of 2021.

 

[yulilin3]

The recovery from this will be longer and a bumpier road than it was with 9/11 simply because the nature of the virus, all of the unknowns. Couple that with the fact that things are not running at 100% because they can't
Disney easily started offering huge room discounts, the ddp, year of a million dreams, trying to entice people to come after 9/11, right now they can't really do that. It's a donde line between trying to get as many people in and keeping people at bay.
Recovery from 9/11 lasted about 5 years, i think full this from this will be much longer

 

[Leigh L]

Can you now make park reservations past 9/26? It’s all green as of this morning for the fall of 2021.

It looks like reservations are open through Dec. 31, 2021 from what I can tell.

I looked for Christmas week just to see and Pop was $290 a night!

Edit: Sorry, I read that as room reservations

 

[yulilin3]

Room bookings are now available through the end of 2021

 

[yulilin3]

Can you now make park reservations past 9/26? It’s all green as of this morning for the fall of 2021.

I can't check cause my ap expires Dec 31sr. If someone can check that would be awesome

 

[jlwhitney]

The recovery from this will be longer and a bumpier road than it was with 9/11 simply because the nature of the virus, all of the unknowns. Couple that with the fact that things are not running at 100% because they can't
Disney easily started offering huge room discounts, the ddp, year of a million dreams, trying to entice people to come after 9/11, right now they can't really do that. It's a donde line between trying to get as many people in and keeping people at bay.
Recovery from 9/11 lasted about 5 years, i think full this from this will be much longer

I think its gonna be hard to predict how long, a lot will depend on human nature and how long till many feel comfortable going to crowded places. There are many many many now that have no problems which has been seen many places but there are still many more that are not. Plus I really think its gonna change what people do with their money and where they spend their vacation time. People have been looking for other options to travel this year and finding they like other things too vs doing the same thing they always do.

 

[Leigh L]

I can't check cause my ap expires Dec 31sr. If someone can check that would be awesome

I read the OP as room reservations, and corrected my post. I have a 1-day 2030 expiring ticket I'll load into MDE and report back.

 

[Leigh L]

Can you now make park reservations past 9/26? It’s all green as of this morning for the fall of 2021.

I just loaded a ticket and picked a random day in 12/2021 and I picked MK and got all the way to the confirmation screen so looks like yes.

Edit: went back and clicked confirm and I do have a 12/16/21 reservation lol.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Can you now make park reservations past 9/26? It’s all green as of this morning for the fall of 2021.

Thank you for posting - just got my reservations for Magic Kingdom on Oct 1, 2021 for the 50th!

 

[skeeter31]

Yeah, my AP expires 10/2/21 and I was able to get all the way to the confirmation page for days up til 10/2/21 as well.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

FYI - article from WDW Info covering the expanded booking window:
https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...1-BTl5Ji48uL7yC_qEcvNMKmvIHJ1esHjdF7O5iz2PULE

 

[hertamaniac]

I don't know what's sadder. People only really use park hopping to go to Epcot or that Epcot has fallen that far that the only reason to go is to eat. Any Disney park should be known for their attractions not the food available. IMO I would love the festivals to go away and instead invest more money on attractions for each pavilion.

Agreed. It's almost like going to a food truck festival and expecting them to have world class attractions.