Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Leigh L]

I’m curious. For those getting the email about your experiences, FPs, ADRs, and Dining Plans getting cancelled, how late in 2020 are your trips? Anyone received it for after August?

I actually have two FD trips that I had originally booked (wasn’t sure about the dates back in 2019 and they are a bear to move) - one for July and one for Labor Day, and I’ve only received one email and it doesn’t say for which trip. I assume it’s for the July one, but should not assume anything with Disney IT!

I have two trips on the books, one with the whole family in August (DH booked these resort reservations) and one in November with just DD and me. I received an email, and he did not.
Neither trip has dated tickets, so we have no idea for which trip - I suspect it was the November one since that reservation is in my name and I got the email.

Edited to add, we all have tickets but 2 expire in 12/20 (military Salute and will be split between two trips) and 2 expire in 2030

 

[BrerMama]

I just noticed that I had a $1700 balance to be paid on my July 18-26 trip. I hadn't paid yet because *chaos*. That balance no longer shows on MDE. I did have recovery free dining and got the 35% off email. Combine that with a possible upgrade to a deluxe hotel (because moderates & values may not be opening), and I'm curious. Still not ready to say I'm for sure going until I see what the reservation system looks like.

 

[Brianstl]

Gotcha. That makes sense, although I doubt that's the actual reason businesses have embraced reduced hours.

When the reduced hours were first introduced at stores those reason played a major role along with providing time to restock and dealing with staffing issues. Now since the public accepted it at the time it feels like a growing list of places are using it as a way to cut cost.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

For the people who are posting which version of the email they received, it would be helpful if you described your particular reservation. I received the earlier generic email about introducing a new Theme Park reservation system and that I would be provided with early access to book new dining and experiences. We have a DVC points reservation and have new linked APs that have not been initiated yet.

From our e-mail: "However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests."
We have room-only reservations (Oct and Dec). I am pretty sure our expired APs have dropped off our account, too. I think it was a fast push to get the e-mails out, and they have been tweaking as they realize some of the things described here have been happening. But really, who knows?????

 

[mhautz]

When the reduced hours were first introduced at stores those reason played a major role along with providing time to restock and dealing with staffing issues. Now since the public accepted it at the time it feels like a growing list of places are using it as a way to cut cost.

Yep. One "positive" of the crisis is it's forcing/allowing businesses to make changes they might not otherwise make.

 

[New Mouse]

I'm sure it's been discussed, but how do reduced hours improve safety? I'm sure it's obvious, I just don't know.

It doesnt, it actually forces a larger crowd together rather than spreading out like they normally would. Close a park at say 6pm and people are looking for entertainment elswhere, so now Disney Springs is even more crowded.

The only thing closing early does is limit labor costs.

 

[skeeter31]

It doesnt, it actually forces a larger crowd together rather than spreading out like they normally would. Close a park at say 6pm and people are looking for entertainment elswhere, so now Disney Springs is even more crowded.

The only thing closing early does is limit labor costs.

And allows for more cleaning. If they are going to sanitize ride vehicles overnight, they need additional time to do so.

 

[woody337]

They need extra time to clean and sanitize is the reason I read. I am sure at some point, they'll try to add a few parties, because honestly, there's no real reason to close early. But I think it's unrealistic to think that will happen with the original dates and in the meantime Disney gets to keep all that money from ticket sales stringing people along with the hopes that they might.

I honestly feel the REAL reason of them having shorter hours is to limit staff shifts (save money) under the guise of safety measures

 

[mhautz]

It doesnt, it actually forces a larger crowd together rather than spreading out like they normally would. Close a park at say 6pm and people are looking for entertainment elswhere, so now Disney Springs is even more crowded.

The only thing closing early does is limit labor costs.

That's kind of what I thought. I like to shop early in the morning, and once our 24 hour grocery store reduced their hours, suddenly the dead time I shopped became one of the busiest because everyone was coming in as they opened.

I do think the staggered hours for the parks serve a transportation purpose, so the reduced hours at least allow for that.

 

[mhautz]

And allows for more cleaning. If they are going to sanitize ride vehicles overnight, they need additional time to do so.

I still feel like this is not necessary for safety, but I know it sure "sounds good".

 

[Disneylover99]

I honestly feel the REAL reason of them having shorter hours is to limit staff shifts (save money) under the guise of safety measures

I think it’s to encourage people to cancel their trips. Disney needs a lower capacity and nobody likes shorter hours. It feels like an additional push to get people to cancel.

 

[Brianstl]

That's kind of what I thought. I like to shop early in the morning, and once our 24 hour grocery store reduced their hours, suddenly the dead time I shopped became one of the busiest because everyone was coming in as they opened.

I do think the staggered hours for the parks serve a transportation purpose, so the reduced hours at least allow for that.

I really do like staggered openings for that reason. Even if that means no more breakfast at the Garden Grill.

 

[Leigh L]

I'm sure it's been discussed, but how do reduced hours improve safety? I'm sure it's obvious, I just don't know.

I'd speculate it's a cost-savings measure until they get an idea of who plans to still come. Disney has always added hours on the fly, even the same day. I could see things being extended as reservations, capacity, demands, COVID-19 stats, etc unfold or change. Disney is highly data-driven, so they'll probably start off low and then make adjustments.

 

[cristen72]

I have a DVC stay during thanksgiving week.
I have no tickets bc we always wait until a bit closer.
I assume there are a lot of people booked for that week already with tickets who will be offered park reservation opportunities prior to me being offered to purchase a ticket and do that myself - I get that.

my question is....would it a terrible idea to buy tickets from a third party (working advantage/UT) online and link them now “on the sly”...

I’m hesitating bc they’ll see the ticket purchase date is after this edict...but will that potentially not matter? Thoughts?

Let me know if you try this. I have two resort stays booked (one is rented DVC points the other a value resort). I had ADRs made but no tickets purchased yet (was waiting until the end of June to purchase right before my 60 day window). I’m a member of TicketsatWork so I could easily purchase from there and link.

 

[Janet McDonald]

I have yet to receive any type of email at all. I have two reservations booked. One for July and a back up in August. Both are a room and ticket package. I have received no emails for either. My fast passes did get zapped, but my dining reservations are still in MDE. Any clue why I haven’t received an email?

 

[mhautz]

I really do like staggered openings for that reason. Even if that means no more breakfast at the Garden Grill.

It's a shame. I feel like WDW was starting to step up in park breakfast. Ironically, the park that will open the earliest (AK) is the one I can't think of any great QS breakfast options

 

[Llama mama]

We are staying at VGF Sept 12-19 and have tickets booked. I received the email yesterday morning with the phrase “you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests“.

Is you vacation paid in full? I have a half paid package and my email didn’t have that sentence

 

[disneyfan150]

Oh boy! There is a new post on BlogMickey that just irritates me on so many levels. Chapek had been interviewed. This pandemic has made me feel so manipulated.

 

[DougLovesYou]

Finally got our email last night. However, it only mentioned that they will be canceling all dining reservations and experiences and will be implementing a new 60 day reservation system. Nothing about having priority access to anything even though we have 8 day park hoppers attached to our resort reservation in November. I'm utterly perplexed.

Which resort are you booked for? My email was the same as yours, we've got tickets and POFQ booked for Sept. May help reveal more about which resorts they don't plan on opening...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

My ADRs are still all showing EXCEPT Topolino's. I made two of those for two separate trips. Both are gone but nothing else. So curious as to how they are doing this! It seems either strangely inefficient, or purposely precise in an undecipherable way.

Was it breakfast there? Wonder if they are getting rid of Character meals first since they know those aren't going to happen going forward