We have been to Disney twice now since reopening. Once in July, and once for Labor Day weekend.
In July, we stayed at Wilderness Lodge DVC. Crowds very low. Many things not open. Sad to see MK with no strollers (I counted 5 one day). Wearing a mask sucks (especially outdoors), but if that is the rule, that is the rule.
For Labor Day, we stayed off site. Parks were much busier, but the social distancing on lines made it seem much longer than it was. I really did not have an issue with lines. I think the lack of as fastpass actually helps the situation, as there is now real stopping the standby line to inject a lot of people on the fastpass line. Of course, there were a few Rider Swap and
DAS, but nothing like normal. Well, nothing is like normal anymore. Are you happy or smiling, I cannot tell as you have a mask on.
Our plan was to spend four days in the parks for Labor Day Weekend (Friday – Monday). As AP holders, we could only get reservations for three. My plan was to get a reservation for AK for Monday, the thought being that parked opened the earliest, and we would just go for a couple of hours before driving back home. I explained to my wife that this would be the test. If we could not get into a park on Monday, I would complain. She said who will you complain to. It is the same story for everyone.
I explained that I understood if we could not get into our “preferred” park, but as an AP holder, if we cannot get into ANY park, well, then the pass is worthless. As it turned out, Disney opened more reservations before the end of the weekend. We choose in the end not to make a reservation for Monday. With the lines increasing, was it really worth it just to go in and do FoP and EE? Perhaps if we did have a FP. But that was ok, just knowing I could get a park reservation made me feel better.
As others have stated, while the crowd levels are lower, the parks are operating at a very reduced capacity. While the social distancing does make the lines appear longer than they really are, many rides have seats blocked off to have dividers in place between parties. In addition, those groups of seats only hold one party, so you may now have a party of two taking up a section of four seats, plus a fifth seat for a divider. Other rides a party take up an entire car or train. So while six people can fit into a “train” at space mountain, it may be filled with a party of two of even one.
So while most rides are open, I would say most are running at a maximum of 50% capacity.
Without any shows, or character meets, there are less things to occupy people. With all those people waiting to go on the frozen ride, some of them may have been on the Anna and Elsa character meet line. Those lack of shows reduce the overall capacity. Indian Jones can hold over 2,000 people, while the Beauty and the Beast show can hold about 1500.. Finding Nemo and Festival of the Lion King in AK also hold about 1500 people each.
I have no idea of what the capacity of or how many people per hour the meet and greets handled, but there are a lot of them, across every park, and they do keep a lot of people busy.
Of course, that is in addition to other attractions that are closed. Everything from the Railroad, to Lilo and Stitch, to the various rides and attractions in DinoLand.
I would estimate the parks operating in this model probably have a capacity of only 25 – 30% of their normal capacity. I do not see that changing anytime soon.
Not that I blame Disney in the least for this. They need to get butts in seats to make money. They have to make money to keep the parks open. People are not going to pay admission to just “walk around”. I have said on this board before, Disney has not had a need to open a fifth gate, as the various special ticket events act like a fifth gate, yet using existing infrastructure. But with all of those special events cancelled (Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party &
Mickey's Very Merry
Christmas Party, Disney After Hours, Disney Villains, Disney Early
Morning Magic,
H2O glow nights, etc.), Disney is losing Millions there as well.
On the flip side, tried to sneak in a trip for this weekend. Fell apart for server reasons, but also because I was having a hard time getting a dinner reservation in Epcot. Reduced capacity, closed restaurants, and earlier closing times all killed that idea. So, Disney did lose out on some revenue this weekend form at least one family.
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