Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[DGsAtBLT]

Exactly. Jaws, even with its flaws had a huge fanbase at Universal. Think a majority of those people hate Diagon Alley?

I’ll never truly believe that in my lifetime that Disney will become just another theme park. Even if they have their rough patches, I’ll see it as just that and know eventually they’ll always bring the charm back. Too many people are pessimistic about the course Disney is taking as if it’ll last forever. There will always be things down there that will have me planning my next trip to go back

There is so much that is still there that sets them apart from a Six Flags. They would have to literally take a wrecking ball to entire parts of their parks and lower their service standards beyond the “low” that people think is already happening before I can even entertain the comparisons. They’d also have to somehow erode at the loyalty and memories we have associated with Disney that makes a lot of us feel different about Disney Parks compared to any other amusement park.

Don’t get me wrong I’m sad at the immediate differences between March 2020 and now, but they would have to seriously WORK to eliminate the Disney difference IMO. I don’t think it’s something we will see. I think in the immediate future there will be a lot we can point at being lost or changed, but that is still far far away from your run of the mill local amusement park. (No matter how cool their coasters are )

 

[Farro]

right, but all those things you mention are what helped so many people fall in love with WDW in the first place and motivate us to keep going back and to bring our kids, etc. .... yes, the people that are new visitors now don't know what they miss but will they have that same passion for Disney that us veterans do - or will it feel like just another amusement park without those "extras"? ... so not an issue for the next 5-10 years, but what about long term?

and maybe Disney knows what they are doing and they realize the bulk of people coming dont' care about parades, etc. - that what will build nostalgia for 20 years from now is new attractions, new dining offerings, etc. ... and some of us will still be on Main Str pining for the days of Wishes and Horizons and Tapestry of Nations and yelling at people to "get off the grass!" - but Disney wont' care

In my opinion.... I think things are just different today. I think kids are exposed to so many different ideas and experiences just through social media/internet alone that going to Disney won't get the same kind of passion.

For me, WDW was a place that I saw the future of living underwater (in all of it's 70's glory), magic happened, characters were alive, I walked through pirate towns, flew on a pirate ship and stayed in hotel that seemed like Hawaii.

Today kids have so many outlets for their imagination that we didn't have. They are often well traveled at young ages. Heck, they have Universal/IOA - Harry Potter! We didn't have any other parks like Disney at the time.
I'm not saying they won't love Disney and like to visit, but it's hard to imagine them having the passion that Horizons gave to me when I was 10.

Now everyone go ahead and yell. I'm just the worst!

 

[DGsAtBLT]

right, but all those things you mention are what helped so many people fall in love with WDW in the first place and motivate us to keep going back and to bring our kids, etc. .... yes, the people that are new visitors now don't know what they miss but will they have that same passion for Disney that us veterans do - or will it feel like just another amusement park without those "extras"? ... so not an issue for the next 5-10 years, but what about long term?

and maybe Disney knows what they are doing and they realize the bulk of people coming dont' care about parades, etc. - that what will build nostalgia for 20 years from now is new attractions, new dining offerings, etc. ... and some of us will still be on Main Str pining for the days of Wishes and Horizons and Tapestry of Nations and yelling at people to "get off the grass!" - but Disney wont' care

I truly believe they are good enough at what they do to have each generation of guests fall in love with whatever their nostalgic version of Disney is. In 30 years we can blow new DIS members away telling them we remember when the Poly was only $500 a night because now it’s $3000.

 

[Moliphino]

Parade and a half? What did that rolling dance party at the hub qualify as?

An obstacle.

 

[yulilin3]

Yeesh. Sorry. We don't miss the "parade".

Last time we went there were 2 because we also had Boo To You. And yes I also remember the one in Epcot.

I didn't mean for my comment to be sarcastic at all, just that I've seen a lot of people use the same "parades and fireworks"

 

[yulilin3]

Parade and a half? What did that rolling dance party at the hub qualify as?

technically Disney calls it a dance party not a parade. Same way as now all the floats and cars that come down MK and Epcot and DHS are called cavalcades and not paraades

 

[SaintsManiac]

In my opinion.... I think things are just different today. I think kids are exposed to so many different ideas and experiences just through social media/internet alone that going to Disney won't get the same kind of passion.

For me, WDW was a place that I saw the future of living underwater (in all of it's 70's glory), magic happened, characters were alive, I walked through pirate towns, flew on a pirate ship and stayed in hotel that seemed like Hawaii.

Today kids have so many outlets for their imagination that we didn't have. They are often well traveled at young ages. Heck, they have Universal/IOA - Harry Potter! We didn't have any other parks like Disney at the time.
I'm not saying they won't love Disney and like to visit, but it's hard to imagine them having the passion that Horizons gave to me when I was 10.

Now everyone go ahead and yell. I'm just the worst!

I agree with you. The only reason my kid is a Disney freak is because I've encouraged that passion being one myself. She doesn't want to vacation anywhere else. None of her friends are into it, though.

 

[yulilin3]

I wouldn't say I'm a nostalgic person to where I miss something that Disney cut so much it affects my current experience, out of everything that has been cut I miss Osborne and SWW the most and yes, during Christmastime I still walk my beloved Batuu and get a bit weepy about the lights. Or go into FNtM and long for Tarzan Rocks
I am in the camp that thinks change is not only inevitable but is needed to keep new people coming and keep it fresh. But I do miss the days where all the parks had parades, almost all of Epcot's pavilions had entertainment, some of them more than one. I hope Disney brings back some sort of entertainment but I do not expect them to go back to normal at all. They will have people used to the new offerings (or lack thereof) and will cater to them

 

[Moliphino]

Ditto. I’ve lost so many WDW & DLR trips this year. And with rumors swirling today we find out DLR isn’t going to open until 2021- I am not cancelling this trip either. The fam needs something to look back on while we sit stuck with nothing to do in CA for eternity

Yup. We lost March, May, and August trips and eventually decided we needed a real vacation and went at the end of September. We really missed longer hours and park hopping, but it still just felt so good to be there. It was like a huge weight was lifted as soon as we arrived and we had a great time.

Vacations are what I look forward to most, so not being able travel was so miserable.

 

[JacknSally]

I would be going crazy! One month out? You have more patience than I do!

I would not go in this current state, but I know plenty people have gone and had a wonderful time. Tough choice to make.

Oh, I *am* going crazy. And I have *no* patience.

At this point we’re super thankful for the ability to cancel both our flights and the resort at the literal last minute. Gives us more time to waffle.

 

[Moliphino]

Oh, I *am* going crazy. And I have *no* patience.

At this point we’re super thankful for the ability to cancel both our flights and the resort at the literal last minute. Gives us more time to waffle.

I didn't believe my trip was really happening until we were in the car driving to FL. We'd had so many disappointments.

 

[yulilin3]

I believe there's a resort offer coming out soon for the 2nd quarter. Heads up for those with vacations during that period

 

[SaintsManiac]

I believe there's a resort offer coming out soon for the 2nd quarter. Heads up for those with vacations during that period

Help me out. What dates are 2nd q?

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I agree with you. The only reason my kid is a Disney freak is because I've encouraged that passion being one myself. She doesn't want to vacation anywhere else. None of her friends are into it, though.

As a child none of my friends felt the way about Disney I did, I would guess because most were taken on the once in a lifetime check it off the list Disney visit, if that. I don’t see a difference in my kids peers vs mine.

I think those of us who go often have always been the weird outliers lol. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard (I’m sure you all have too, save for maybe locals) things like “aren’t you bored with Disney?” or “isn’t it just for little kids?”

 

[yulilin3]

Help me out. What dates are 2nd q?

April to June

 

[Farro]

April to June

It's on!!!

 

[hertamaniac]

First, I am glad we cancelled our AP's this year. We are fortunate to be local and being retired I/we can go during any weekday (and only will purchase this type of AP). We avoid the weekends for visits to any local park/attraction due to inflated crowds.

So while not necessarily bored with WDW, the current restrictions, etc. have put us on a long pause on purchasing an AP to any theme park. But, a staycation at FW is always on the radar.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

It's on!!!

Booze
Coffee makers in rooms
Coronado opened
Discounts... maybe??

 

[Farro]

Can you apply discounts to an already made reservation if your resort/room type available? Or do you need to make a new one?

 

[mattpeto]

I think using "parades" is appropriate.

Besides Festival of Fantasy, there's the holiday evening parades. There's also marches (or smaller parades) in Hollywood Studios (Incredibles and in Galaxy's Edge).

The Electrical Water Pageant is also a form of a parade.