Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Racheldb]

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 are several places in Disney Springs that have outdoor seating...The Boathouse, STK, Raglan Road, Frontera Cocina, Terralina, Paddlefish. It's much more limited in the parks...Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Rose & Crown Pub, Spice Road Table...

 

[rpb718]

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.

I mentioned long ago in March or early April - possibly in this thread - that there would be long term psychological effects for otherwise normal young children to suddenly have an aversion to crowds. I failed at the time to consider how this would effect a lot of folks after a prolonged period of relative isolation. I'm starting to find myself feeling uncomfortable when I see older YouTube videos of how crowds in the parks used to be for otherwise normal times. And don't me going on looking at any vlogger of the boarding group process for RoTR at HS.

I have a feeling in the foreseeable future once paid options begin to return, all dessert and after hours parties or really ANY paid options that allow for enjoying parks or attractions or experiences amid reduced crowds will certainly become almost instant sell-outs.

 

[Disneylover99]

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

There are many people who are beginning to realize they shouldn’t go, but that doesn’t mean they will actually cancel/postpone and decide not to go. They may be thinking along the same lines as you...... Lots will cancel now, so it should be safer.

 

[dancergirlsmom]

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.

I know that I would actually be in a different ride line while waiting for the virtual ride time. We have a trip coming up on July 24th and Sept. 2nd travelling from Michigan. I am waiting to see how things go and how the lines are when they open to make a final decision on cancelling or not. We never wait any longer than 1/2 hour or so for a ride. I have always had a fast pass for the "big rides" when we go or went for rope drop, emh, emm, dah to avoid the long waits. We have already had to cancel two trips due to park closure and are so excited to see Galaxy's Edge (Huge Star Wars fans, just missed opening last year), but if lines are 2 hours, I will cancel and we will go another time.

 

[Jothmas]

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?

The Plaza would be a great place for Disney to take advantage of smaller crowds and set up some outdoor dining. They could easily close off the walkway in front of the restaurant and set up outdoor seating. It would still be a lovely view of the castle and be a nice experience.

 

[RWinNOLA]

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

For crying out loud, can you please give it a rest? Everyone knows your feelings on the subject.

 

[LSUmiss]

There was a poster who said the same thing about her April trip back in February. She was so happy so many people were canceling becuase of coronavirus because it would mean lower lines for her. It did not work out well for her in the end.

Really don’t think they’ll close this time so don’t think it’ll be the same. Do you have a trip planned that you come here to read actual news or do you just pop in to antagonize ppl?

 

[Dulcee]

The Plaza would be a great place for Disney to take advantage of smaller crowds and set up some outdoor dining. They could easily close off the walkway in front of the restaurant and set up outdoor seating. It would still be a lovely view of the castle and be a nice experience.

I'm actually kind of surprised disney hasn't taken advantage of trying to set up more outdoor options. Although I guess the food and wine festival set up does achieve this to some degree.

 

[Lewisc]

are so excited to see Galaxy's Edge (Huge Star Wars fans, just missed opening last year), but if lines are 2 hours, I will cancel and we will go another time.

You might as well cancel your trip now. Announced social distancing policies will slash capacity on both of the new star wars attractions.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I mentioned long ago in March or early April - possibly in this thread - that there would be long term psychological effects for otherwise normal young children to suddenly have an aversion to crowds. I failed at the time to consider how this would effect a lot of folks after a prolonged period of relative isolation. I'm starting to find myself feeling uncomfortable when I see older YouTube videos of how crowds in the parks used to be for otherwise normal times. And don't me going on looking at any vlogger of the boarding group process for RoTR at HS.

I have a feeling in the foreseeable future once paid options begin to return, all dessert and after hours parties or really ANY paid options that allow for enjoying parks or attractions or experiences amid reduced crowds will certainly become almost instant sell-outs.

I think there are so many people who got restless and bored and gave up any idea of distancing or quarantining after a couple months that there won’t be any major worries of people being afraid to gather in crowded places. Way too many are doing it already.

 

[OKWFan88]

In regards to tickets sales for 2020. I know they said later this summer for that, maybe they are waiting to see how everything unfolds once they re-open and then more info will come out.

 

[mmackeymouse]

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.

I totally agree. That's been my plan all along, to wait until the parks are open to see how the flow is. Right now, all I have to go on is anecdotal from other parks, which may or may not be applicable.

But, when I see people on the thread talking about how long the lines will be, one person even said they anticipated consistent 3 hour waits for the e-ticket rides.....I tend to get triggered. I hope they are wrong.

Like you said, using FP as standby should help.

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

I am completely with you on this...I feel like DVC really screwed the pooch with AKV. All the other resorts they seem to have done well, kept under control.

To open one pool, when another pool is available. To only open 2 restaurants...it just seems absolutely ridiculous. Like you said, zero excuse.

And to read that when JH re-opens, they are not going to re-open any of the shops/restaurants...it just seems like absolute lunacy.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

At least through September, Delta has reduced capacity on their flights, including blocking the middle seats. They’re also being great about flight changes.

When I moved my flight from March to July the agent on the phone told me I wouldn’t be allowed to move it again, and that they’ve ended allowing people to change flights.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I had thought VQ’s would have been used in the way they were for ROTR, not used to eliminate waiting but to control the number of people in the queues.

My uneducated guess is that they aren’t because of potential tech issues not because of too many people spilling out into the park. VQ’s didn’t have to mean people out of lines.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

You might as well cancel your trip now. Announced social distancing policies will slash capacity on both of the new star wars attractions.

I think we will have to see how things balance out - how does the reduced capacity for the rides compare to reduced crowds in the parks as a whole and also the impact of no fast pass, what will that do to the standby lines

I definitely don't think popular rides will be walk ons but will something like the Falcon have 30mins? 60mins? 120mins? I don't know. Other than Rise I would be surprised if things are more than and hour consistently but guess we shall see

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Really curious to see how RotR performs. Shades of pre COVID life lol.

 

[Mit88]

Really curious to see how RotR performs. Shades of pre COVID life lol.

1/2 the attendance will be on line at RotR at all times, every other ride in the park will be essentially walk-on is my guess.

 

[Amy11401]

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!

I agree about being much more comfortable with outdoor dining than indoor dining. So when you make an ADR, there is no way for you say you want to sit outdoors verses indoor. So I guess when you show up for your ADR, you just let them know that you want to sit outdoors and then just wait if all outdoor tables are full. What do you think will happen if outdoor dining becomes a very popular choice and it backs up alot?

 

[Jothmas]

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

It’s always better to reserve anything you might use as soon as you are able and then drop the reservations later when your plans are more certain. I always took it as a given that people would make park and restaurant reservations during the recent gold rush that they would later cancel. It’s just like fastpasses and the way ADRs have always been. There will be available space opening up for parks and restaurants the day before or day of when people cancel like they normally do.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

1/2 the attendance will be on line at RotR at all times, every other ride in the park will be essentially walk-on is my guess.

I meant the reliability. Did time and some rest help? Will snacks and Chewy make some sort of distanced appearance? What happens when the queue needs to be dumped?