Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[anthony2k7]

I agree it’s unlikely.

Here is why I think it’s possible:

All parks are closing earlier and MK closes at 6 pm. Yes, the demand is down overall but the crowd volume is spread across 4 parks with their reservation system.

The choices could be one paid event at MK or like Farro just stated, the other choices for visitors is Disney Springs, chill at your hotel or go offsite in the evenings.

Cutting the evening hours at each Park just created the demand.

They haven’t cancelled Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party yet.

But if that was viable then why not do it for Halloween as well?

Main issue is that they still can't really run the parades and fireworks for the parties I guess

 

[Marionnette]

I agree it’s unlikely.

Here is why I think it’s possible:

All parks are closing earlier and MK closes at 6 pm. Yes, the demand is down overall but the crowd volume is spread across 4 parks with their reservation system.

The choices could be one paid event at MK or like Farro just stated, the other choices for visitors is Disney Springs, chill at your hotel or go offsite in the evenings.

Cutting the evening hours at each Park just created the demand.

They haven’t cancelled Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party yet.

How will they justify the price of a MVMCP without parades, meet & greets or fireworks? You’re basically left with an after-hours event with ride overlays.

 

[anthony2k7]

How will they justify the price of a MVMCP without parades, meet & greets or fireworks? You’re basically left with an after-hours event with ride overlays.

And walk on rides.... which most rides are anyway at moment!

 

[Poohbear538]

Agree. My concern now is marathon weekend. Even at reduced attendance does Disney want to be the first "big" race to come back? I'm not so sure.

I agree. Star Wars this year was supposed to be my first rD race, now it moved to Marathon weekend. I’ve done the virtual ones but I really want to do an in person one. It would actually be my first 5k ever.

 

[mattpeto]

How will they justify the price of a MVMCP without parades, meet & greets or fireworks? You’re basically left with an after-hours event with ride overlays.

A smaller event that is not focused mostly on projections could lead to a firework holiday show.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

But if that was viable then why not do it for Halloween as well?

Main issue is that they still can't really run the parades and fireworks for the parties I guess

Nobody needs exclusive events right now as the parks especially the last few hours are effectively exclusive events. Without the parades and fireworks I don’t think there’s enough of a draw for the parties.

Unpopular opinion, one fantastic thing to come out of this pandemic would be majorly scaling back on special events. They have become way too frequent IMO and I still wonder if not for COVID would we have seen a full shift to basic daytime tickets and evening tickets not too far in the future.

 

[Krandor]

I agree. Star Wars this year was supposed to be my first rD race, now it moved to Marathon weekend. I’ve done the virtual ones but I really want to do an in person one. It would actually be my first 5k ever.

I hope you can but right now I'm thinking Star Wars 2021 may be the first race back with basically 1 full year of races gone. I hope I'm wrong. Please make be wrong.

 

[yulilin3]

How will they justify the price of a MVMCP without parades, meet & greets or fireworks? You’re basically left with an after-hours event with ride overlays.

Wondering what's the max amount of money someone is willing to pay to have a regular Christmas party. Meaning they limit the crowds so entirely that they can have social distance areas for each of your group along the parade route, to watch the fireworks and have the characters meet from afar. $300? $400?

 

[mattpeto]

Wondering what's the max amount of money someone is willing to pay to have a regular Christmas party. Meaning they limit the crowds so entirely that they can have social distance areas for each of your group along the parade route, to watch the fireworks and have the characters meet from afar. $300? $400?

It has to be profitable, safe and the demand needs to be there. This is not impossible gang.

 

[AmberMV]

I think the change in hours is due to demand.

But, I also think this could be opening a slight possibility that the Christmas Party will be happening.

Cutting the hours in all the parks and specifically at 6 pm in MK allows them to budget the same labor costs for an upcharge event.

Do they always reduce hours in the slowest time of the year? (September) and why would they add an upcharge event when you can already go and ride everything faster than you ever could even at upcharge events before?

 

[only hope]

I can think of 2 reasons...
1. Employee preference
2. Maximize sunlight hours with Covid

The sun doesn’t set early here though. Even in the middle of winter, it’s not fully dark til about 8:30.

 

[mattpeto]

There’s not much else to do!

 

[anthony2k7]

Wondering what's the max amount of money someone is willing to pay to have a regular Christmas party. Meaning they limit the crowds so entirely that they can have social distance areas for each of your group along the parade route, to watch the fireworks and have the characters meet from afar. $300? $400?

To run parade and fireworks seems like a big cost on top of CMs having every ride open as well. Im not even sure $400 would be enough with only maybe 10% of a normal party capacity?

 

[AmberMV]

I just got a notification on my phone for the reduced hours. AK opens at 9am not 8am

 

[Poohbear538]

I hope you can but right now I'm thinking Star Wars 2021 may be the first race back with basically 1 full year of races gone. I hope I'm wrong. Please make be wrong.

Thank you @Krandor My SiL and I signed up for the 2012 Star Wars virtual race because I hate to say it, I wasn’t sure it would happen then either. I was a bit too optimistic for Marathon weekend.

 

[mattpeto]

Do they always reduce hours in the slowest time of the year? (September) and why would they add an upcharge event when you can already go and ride everything faster than you ever could even at upcharge events before?

The demand spread across the 4 parks is low overall. They don’t need to have more operating hours to have guests feel like they are getting their money’s worth for those who agreed to go. September is a slow time.

For one, it allows for park hopping (With ticket), merchandising, specialty foods and themed attractions. Mix a social distancing parade and fireworks people will buy it.

 

[WonderlandisReality]

well its been a while since we had a late Friday bad news dump hasn't it!

I’m not convinced this is all we see for late night Friday news dump today or this month.

The sun doesn’t set early here though. Even in the middle of winter, it’s not fully dark til about 8:30.

Lucky! The week of Christmas it’s almost dark by 4:00 here.

 

[Krandor]

Thank you @Krandor My SiL and I signed up for the 2012 Star Wars virtual race because I hate to say it, I wasn’t sure it would happen then either. I was a bit too optimistic for Marathon weekend.

I'm the optimistic one. I'm in for Dopey in January and Star Wars kessell run in April.

My first half marathon was disney (marathon weekend) and was a great place to hit a milestone like that. Love the races there. I typically do 2 race weekends every year (right now marathon and Star Wars). Such a great experience and I hope you get a chance to do it. They are so much fun. If I'm there when you are after you finish the race would be glad to buy you a beer.

 

[Farro]

There’s not much else to do!

Yes!!!

Disney After Dark offered nothing special except to be there with no crowds after dark! No fireworks! Closing this early makes that event priceless for anyone who wants to be in parks after dark, experience how amazing it is...gawd, I would soooo do this for AK and DHS!!!

 

[HikingFam]

Reminds me a lot of the resort happenings in May/June ish. Some people report they or their TA’s are being contacted about dates and then there are people who have heard nothing who have much earlier or similar dates.

I’m in a FB group with someone who was told BC will not be open in September 2021. 2021!! They are being offered Kidani 2br or Yacht CL.