Rumor about “modified experiences” when Disney reopens (read 1st post for potential modifications being considered)

[AmishGuy91]

I go primarily for the fireworks, parades and characters so there would be absolutely no grab for me at that point.

Same, if things are altered greatly, which seems likely at this point, I'd postpone even further, probably til next year.

 

[Mzpalmtree]

Since it was brought up about modified experiences when they do re open. Hypothetical, when Disney does re open but all fireworks, parades and character meets no longer exist would a lot of you still go? If they take away all of those, then to me a lot of the "Disney experience" will be gone. It will be a more expensive version of the regional parks with more family rides.

We don’t care for the characters and parades but we LOVE the fireworks. I am grappling with this myself as we have a CR TPV room booked for July 4th. The room cost will not be worth it to me without fireworks. I’m not even sure I really want to go if they don’t have them, but if I do I’d definitely be looking to downgrade room views/resorts.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

Of all of the places I could visit in America to have the best chance of catching CV, I would think that WDW would be #1 on the list - over Vegas casinos, Times Square, anywhere! This thing will have to be managed before they reopen at all.

Actually I think Six Flags tops Disney on the list. I never got sick at Disney. Got sick many times at Six Flags. Maybe my complete euphoria at being at Disney creates some sort of antibodies inside me? Perhaps the scientists should look into it. . . .

 

[rteetz]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1242520460056842247

 

[Krandor]

3rd party can be verified- hotel reservations/ cancellations and airline reservations/ cancellations. I did have a trip this week- verifiable including Cinderella tea at DLH which will likely not happen again. I would still be there today.... anything Disney does cannot discriminate.

just because somebody was coming to orlando doesn't mean they were coming to disney. If there is nothing in disney's computer about that person coming to disney then that shouldn't entitle them to any special compensation.

But the "disney cannot discriminate" is likely why they are likely just going to extend dates (maybe tack on an extra month or something) and leave it at that. Start doing special things and somebody will be upset you did it for them why not me?

 

[mshanson3121]

Since it was brought up about modified experiences when they do re open. Hypothetical, when Disney does re open but all fireworks, parades and character meets no longer exist would a lot of you still go? If they take away all of those, then to me a lot of the "Disney experience" will be gone. It will be a more expensive version of the regional parks with more family rides.

No. If Disney is reduced to rides only, it's just an ordinary theme park, nothing special. And we can get rides anywheres, for a lot less. We go to Disney for the fireworks, parades, shows, characters etc... That's what makes Disney for us.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

Since it was brought up about modified experiences when they do re open. Hypothetical, when Disney does re open but all fireworks, parades and character meets no longer exist would a lot of you still go? If they take away all of those, then to me a lot of the "Disney experience" will be gone. It will be a more expensive version of the regional parks with more family rides.

I would hate to see a lot of those things go, especially fireworks/projection shows. But there's still an awful lot of great stuff that would set Disney apart from an "ordinary" park.

Animal Kingdom - limited character interactions, a somewhat forgettable nighttime show, and I think they have a sort of "mini-parade?" But this is still our FAVORITE park! Animal trails, Safari ride, Pandora (FOP!), Everest, Dinosaur (the ride, not so much the carnival), Tree of Life. We enjoy the occasional street musicians that we sometimes encounter randomly, but never actively plan to attend a show. Now, if they did away with Festival of the Lion King show, that we would definitely miss. That would be a cost cutting measure (don't have to pay the performers, keep the lights on, etc.) rather than a health measure, I think. Granted, being crammed in on the bleachers is not "social distancing" but how is it any worse than sitting in the ride seat someone else just got out of?

DHS - Champing at the bit to visit Galaxy's Edge! Haven't been there since before Toy Story Land either and looking forward to that as well as MMRR and one of our longtime favorite rides: ToT.

EPCOT - Of late, they started adding more character M&Gs, but full disclosure... these have been less of a priority since we no longer have young children. But now that we may take our granddaughter some times, characters may become a bigger deal for us. We enjoyed IllumiNations (and I'm sure would like the new show), but it wasn't on our "must do" list. I was sad that Maelstrom was lost, but the Frozen ride that replaced it is cute. Love Soarin' and Test Track as well as viewing the aquariums at the Seas pavilion. Shopping and dining around the World Showcase. Looking forward to Ratatouille (rode it several times when it first opened in Paris).

Magic Kingdom - I assume they would still have a Mickey Mouse M&G even others were significantly reduced or eliminated. That would be a pretty big deal-breaker. As I said, we love the castle projection/fireworks show, but there have been visits where we didn't stay late enough to see it anyway.

Thinking about all of the great theming at California Parks too... Carsland, Avengers Campus (hopefully still coming soon), Galaxy's Edge, etc.

I hate the cuts they've already made over the years, and would loathe to see more, but still... the lands are so wonderfully immersive and the experiences of the rides go far beyond your average regional theme park. So, while I would lament the loss of certain "extras" there's still a LOT that makes it special and MANY reasons to love going to Disney IMO.

 

[jkh36619]

I like the fireworks too but they are slowly going away. I don't think they will be around in a decade.

 

[Jrb1979]

I like the fireworks too but they are slowly going away. I don't think they will be around in a decade.

I agree. I think you will see more of what Universal does with their show. Lasers and water effects. You do have to wonder if Meet and Greets will change now. Either they will cease to exist or you won't be able to get up close to them.

 

[jkh36619]

I agree. I think you will see more of what Universal does with their show. Lasers and water effects. You do have to wonder if Meet and Greets will change now. Either they will cease to exist or you won't be able to get up close to them.

I'm afraid you are right

 

[Tandy]

I agree. I think you will see more of what Universal does with their show. Lasers and water effects. You do have to wonder if Meet and Greets will change now. Either they will cease to exist or you won't be able to get up close to them.

The fireworks are insanely expensive.. You are correct. It will be a 80% Projection show with a little fireworks for the finale. They will send an anamatronic Tinkerbell down the wire too.

 

[Feberin]

Same, if things are altered greatly, which seems likely at this point, I'd postpone even further, probably til next year.

Same with me. We were supposed to go in April and my daughters are super excited about princesses. We've accepted that April looks unlikely so we've switched to August. If princesses meet and greets weren't happening we'd probably switch to 2021. I really don't want to wait that long since it's been 6 years since out last trip but we probably wouldn't go back for many years and that would be a dealbreaker. Even if the had rules and they couldn't get very close to the princesses it would still be better than nothing.
Also my husband pointed out if cast members aren't allowed to be close to guests how are they going to check restraints on rides?

 

[mshanson3121]

Also my husband pointed out if cast members aren't allowed to be close to guests how are they going to check restraints on rides?

The first thing that popped into mind is that they'll wear masks and gloves. Which kind of ruins the illusion of happiest place on earth.

 

[Dutch Inn '76]

Actually I think Six Flags tops Disney on the list. I never got sick at Disney. Got sick many times at Six Flags. Maybe my complete euphoria at being at Disney creates some sort of antibodies inside me? Perhaps the scientists should look into it. . . .

I hear ya, but I lean to Disney because of the fact that people are there from all over the nation (and world) every day. Six Flags is an amusement park for a metro area.

 

[Grumpy by Birth]

It will be a 80% Projection show with a little fireworks for the finale.

IMHO, the projections have greatly enhanced the MK fireworks and are the focal point of the show already.

I don't want to see limited or no fireworks, but I bet Disney could reduce the number of actual canisters going up and it wouldn't be too noticeable (unless the keep gradually reducing the number until it does become noticeable or make a big cut all at once).

The problem is that even a projection show on the castly results in a huge crowd crammed into the hub. The only solution if "social distancing" remains a permanent thing would be to not have these kinds of shows at all, which would absolutely suck!

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I hear ya, but I lean to Disney because of the fact that people are there from all over the nation (and world) every day. Six Flags is an amusement park for a metro area.

A very sick metro area. Haven’t you been watching Containment?

 

[Kdeutsch]

The meet and greets were the highlights on the last trip because we have toddler aged kids. We are supposed to go in may but it really looks like we will reschedule. Hoping when Disney does announce it will extend into our dates so we can get a refund. I would rather hold onto my money and rebook when the time is right. We will see.....

 

[rstevens333]

I'd really enjoy a no characters, no fireworks, no parade trip. I hope they would come back because they're a big part of the atmosphere, but I think I'd enjoy a rides and food only trip.

(Parades though, I could do without forever. Unless it's the Main Street Electrical.)

 

[Helvetica]

I'd be cool with a resort only stay for May, but that's because I'm (hopefully) staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Sleep til noon, eat at Sanaa, watch the Zebras, hang out at the pool, play Pump it Up at the resort arcade. Sounds like a vacation to me.

 

[wareagle57]

IMHO, the projections have greatly enhanced the MK fireworks and are the focal point of the show already.

I don't want to see limited or no fireworks, but I bet Disney could reduce the number of actual canisters going up and it wouldn't be too noticeable (unless the keep gradually reducing the number until it does become noticeable or make a big cut all at once).

The problem is that even a projection show on the castly results in a huge crowd crammed into the hub. The only solution if "social distancing" remains a permanent thing would be to not have these kinds of shows at all, which would absolutely suck!

Hard disagree on this. I hardly ever watch Once Upon a Time or any of the Hollywood Studios projections shows with minimal fireworks in them. They just aren't interesting enough and their score/narration isn't captivating or emotional enough.

The focal point of Happily Ever After and Wishes, and Remember Dreams Come True, and Disneyland Forever were the fireworks and the awesome narration/music. I do really like the addition to projections for HAE, but once you've seen them, you can watch from anywhere in the park as long as you can hear the music it's just as good to me.

The projections like you said also make the crowds a much bigger problem. If HAE ran twice a night without projections then the crowds would spread out enough that it wouldn't be a big deal. Especially with lower crowds.