Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[TomServo27]

Yeah, we had a not so great experience last trip trying to watch HAE to the point my kids say they don't want to ever watch it again in person - so I would welcome some adjustment from the point it was at

The problem is the projections are so good everyone wants to be in front of the castle. With wishes it did not seems as necessary to be in front of the castle so it helped spread the crowds out. If HEA wasn’t as good as it is I wouldn’t put up with the madness for sure.

 

[KBoopaloo]

Agreed - and not even just from the point of view of viruses, but as a person with mild claustrophobia, I haven't been able to bring myself to even attempt to deal with those HEA crowds. Just thinking about it gives me the heebie jeebies. Then when you add our collective new way of looking at crowds... shudder.

I tried to watch the projection show that they used to show before or after Wishes (Celebrate the Magic?) once and it was so brutal getting around on Main Street that I swore never again. Now if I watch any fireworks at MK I do it from the New Fantasyland area. You miss all the projections obviously and the angle is different but there is usually hardly anyone around and I still find it pretty magical.

 

[Racheldb]

Take a day off from this thread for the 4th and it takes me all morning to catch back up!

Lovely to see some of the resort photos and confirmation of transportation openings.

We’re in vacation prep mode here and I will say I was grateful that we were easily able to find hand sanitizer, masks and cleaning products to take to the beach next week. Also spoke to a nurse friend who said that having weeks of PPE on hand, along with some treatment protocols in place of “flying blind”, has significantly increased the morale level of staff on her covid ward compared to weeks ago. All good news regardless of where you stand on the stay home/risk taking debate.

We stopped to grab lunch out a restaurant for the first time since February and realized we feel much more comfortable dining outside. Need to do some reservation swapping I think for Disney in August... Spice Road Table here we come .

We've discovered we feel much more comfortable with outdoor dining as well and are rethinking some of our dining reservations. Our trip begins July 14th. I will probably be switching some of these reservations today and investigating what locations offer patio dining. On the plus side, this will probably get me to try some restaurants I wouldn't have tried before!

 

[BrianR]

Since I have a track record of getting the off topic stuff in this thread deleted when I finally reply to it, let's try this question again:

Is there a list of places that are taking ADRs with outdoor seating? I'd rather keep the risk a little further down and sweat. I know Tony's and The Plaza have some outdoor tables, and Homecoming added that whole patio. Any others I'm missing here?

 

[mmackeymouse]

I think people are in for a real surprise thinking wait times will be low. For me personally long wait times don't bother me much. I'm used to waiting over 2 hrs for the better rides at parks.

To be fair, it's understandable why they would. Both the Asian Disney parks opened to relatively short/shortER wait times than usual. And, not to compare apples and oranges, but if they've been paying attention to Universal...none of the rides there have come consistently over the 1 hour wait time. Hagrids sometimes peaks at an hour, but usually evens out.

Yes, I know, Universal and Disney are different beasts. But, I just can't imagine why Disney would choose not to use virtual queues, seeing how it has worked at UO. Why in the world would Disney rather have people waiting in line, than much more happily NOT waiting in line, and experiencing some attractions multiple times because they have the extra time to do so? I'm getting off track.

The point is....we know lower wait times CAN be done. Disney is just choosing not to do it.

We did get the Ricotta and it was wonderful, make sure you do ricotta, tomato marmalade and olive oil for the full flavor profile!

Oh man.....amazing.

I was planning to go to the Topolinos Lounge for this dish alone. The dish alone. And me alone.

I'm glad it's as phenomenal as I imagined.

 

[yulilin3]

@BrianR Limited outdoor seating restaurants at parks taking ADR
MK Tony's
Epcot Rose and Crown, Spice Road Table, Via Napoli
DHS Brown Derby
AK
The Plaza doesn't have outdoor seating

 

[mmackeymouse]

Since I have a track record of getting the off topic stuff in this thread deleted when I finally reply to it, let's try this question again:

Is there a list of places that are taking ADRs with outdoor seating? I'd rather keep the risk a little further down and sweat. I know Tony's and The Plaza have some outdoor tables, and Homecoming added that whole patio. Any others I'm missing here?

There was a thread over on the restaurant board about outdoor restaurants. I feel like most of them are typically quick service.

There is the Brown Derby lounge.

D-Luxe Burger has a fantastic porch. We just love that spot. No, it's not a table service/ADR type restaurant, but it's definitely one of our fave outdoor seating options.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Just saw this.. not sure if it’s been posted — if so please delete @rteetz

https://blogmickey.com/2020/07/disn...k-pass-inventory-for-previously-filled-dates/

 

[NWOhiogal]

Florida had 11,000+ new COVID cases on Friday. Honestly, I don't think WDW should open. But, probably too late to change anything now.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Yes, I know, Universal and Disney are different beasts. But, I just can't imagine why Disney would choose not to use virtual queues, seeing how it has worked at UO. Why in the world would Disney rather have people waiting in line, than much more happily NOT waiting in line, and experiencing some attractions multiple times because they have the extra time to do so? I'm getting off track.

Disney wants people in the lines to spread them out. It’s pretty logical. What will all these people be doing waiting for their virtual queue besides crowding the shops, walkways, QS tables they aren’t even using to eat at, etc. There’s not as many crowd eaters like parades, stage shows, character meet and greets, etc. Having people in the physical lines keep the general areas less busy and ensures better physical distancing out there. They need people to be in the ride lines.

 

[mmackeymouse]

Disney wants people in the lines to spread them out. It’s pretty logical. What will all these people be doing waiting for their virtual queue besides crowding the shops, walkways, QS tables they aren’t even using to eat at, etc. There’s no parade. No outdoor stage shows. Having people in the physical lines keep the general areas less busy and ensures better physical distancing out there.

Yes, I know "why" they are doing it.

But again, not to harp on Universal, but if they can make it work, Disney can make it work. No, they are not the exact same thing....but UO also has common areas, walkways to worry about. UO also has parades and stage shows shut down. They are not THAT far apart.

Disney ingenuity reigns above all. So, like I said.....if there was a way to spread people out, but by use of VQ or whatever, keep wait times low, Disney could do it. Disney CAN do it. They are just choosing not to.

By the way, that's not a criticism. It's just an acknowledgement of fact. Disney's way to address this is to have long lines to keep people out of the walkways. That's one way to do it. I think they had other options; they chose to go this direction. That's their right and prerogative.

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again.....it will backfire on them, because (many) people are not going to want to wait in the long lines, so they will just go out and meander on Main Street, go into shops, etc anyway. Their better bet is to have moderate wait times....long enough to absorb the crowds, but short enough that people don't just bypass the attraction.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Yes, I know "why" they are doing it.

But again, not to harp on Universal, but if they can make it work, Disney can make it work. No, they are not the exact same thing....but UO also has common areas, walkways to worry about. UO also has parades and stage shows shut down. They are not THAT far apart.

Disney ingenuity reigns above all. So, like I said.....if there was a way to spread people out, but by use of VQ or whatever, keep wait times low, Disney could do it. Disney CAN do it. They are just choosing not to.

By the way, that's not a criticism. It's just an acknowledgement of fact. Disney's way to address this is to have long lines to keep people out of the walkways. That's one way to do it. I think they had other options; they chose to go this direction. That's their right and prerogative.

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again.....it will backfire on them, because (many) people are not going to want to wait in the long lines, so they will just go out and meander on Main Street, go into shops, etc anyway. Their better bet is to have moderate wait times....long enough to absorb the crowds, but short enough that people don't just bypass the attraction.

Pretty much every attraction in the Universal parks is spread out. But, in MK, you can walk from Fantasyland to Fantasyland attraction in about 1 minute...that's probably the difference...Universal, even with VQ, has "spread" b/c of the sheer volume of walking...it's not EPCOT, but it's close...

 

[sara_s]

Yeah, we had a not so great experience last trip trying to watch HAE to the point my kids say they don't want to ever watch it again in person - so I would welcome some adjustment from the point it was at

Yeah, same here. I've only tried it in MK twice - nightmare both times plus horrible viewing spots. Every other time I make sure we have an ADR at the Contemporary and watch it from there.

If things ever go back to "normal," I may opt for a one-time-only dessert party. Then just watch it on Youtube if I ever get the urge haha.

 

[SwirlTheCitrus]

Yeah, same here. I've only tried it in MK twice - nightmare both times plus horrible viewing spots. Every other time I make sure we have an ADR at the Contemporary and watch it from there.

If things ever go back to "normal," I may opt for a one-time-only dessert party. Then just watch it on Youtube if I ever get the urge haha.

Try going to contemporary and watching it from one of the higher balconies.

 

[Katrina Y]

I am struggling to keep up with this thread...is there another thread with just operational updates? I like the news only one, but I find feedback from others experiences to be helpful. Or can we separate the Covid back and forth into another thread on the community board?

News Round Up 2020

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Yes, I know "why" they are doing it.

But again, not to harp on Universal, but if they can make it work, Disney can make it work. No, they are not the exact same thing....but UO also has common areas, walkways to worry about. UO also has parades and stage shows shut down. They are not THAT far apart.

Disney ingenuity reigns above all. So, like I said.....if there was a way to spread people out, but by use of VQ or whatever, keep wait times low, Disney could do it. Disney CAN do it. They are just choosing not to.

By the way, that's not a criticism. It's just an acknowledgement of fact. Disney's way to address this is to have long lines to keep people out of the walkways. That's one way to do it. I think they had other options; they chose to go this direction. That's their right and prerogative.

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again.....it will backfire on them, because (many) people are not going to want to wait in the long lines, so they will just go out and meander on Main Street, go into shops, etc anyway. Their better bet is to have moderate wait times....long enough to absorb the crowds, but short enough that people don't just bypass the attraction.

Perhaps they don’t want to deal with/dedicate resources to the potential technical issues associated with VQs model. Look at the bright side - no one will be whining about the VQs not working. I’d trust what the Disney operations team decides to do to manage and spread the crowd in their own parks. There are clearly reasons they aren’t implementing this and it’s sure easy to armchair quarterback from
home without access to any data.

Without FP stopping and starting standby, the lines will likely move more swiftly. Maybe wait until the parks are open and there’s actual data before saying standby only is going to backfire.

 

[gottalovepluto]

View attachment 506492

Saw this posted by DisneyDebRob on WDWmagic.

I worried about everyone saying no parks open would be fine, they would just spend the day at the pool...
As far as this goes at Kidsni there is zero excuse for Disney not opening the pool at Jambo to relieve this pressure. They knew what their bookings looked like, they knew people going had nothing to do. A 5yo could have told them everyone would go to the pool

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

NEWS

Disney adds back in more park pass inventory as resort guests cancel trips (seems like just back to that "bucket" not reallocation)

https://blogmickey.com/2020/07/disn...k-pass-inventory-for-previously-filled-dates/

Well at least some people are seeing what’s happening and realizing they shouldn’t be going right now.

 

[sara_s]

Try going to contemporary and watching it from one of the higher balconies.

We did! It was great!

 

[LSUmiss]

Well at least some people are seeing what’s happening and realizing they shouldn’t be going right now.

Good! So it makes it that much safer & less crowded for those of us who are still going.