Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[skeeter31]

I'll take a picture of a long, socially distanced line any day right now over a shorter, 'you're too close' line!! THAT would scare me away, not a long, SD line. Those are just to be expected right now, wherever we go.

Exactly. And they move quickly too. No FP to slow down the standby queue. And no one is walking up to the entrance of the ride and then having to walk 10 minutes to find the end of the queue, they’re positioning the queues so that you see the, well before you’d get to the actual ride entrance and have to backtrack.

Plus, they keep the lines well to the side of the walkways so you don’t have to cut through the, often when just walking around. We’ve been in Pandora a few times since reopening and have never felt like the lines were an issue.

 

[Jrb1979]

To add to this discussion, what this has really shown to me is the lack of attractions the parks have outside of MK. Replacing Ellen's energy adventure with Guardians is not a net gain. You still have the same amount of attractions. My hope would be once things get better, they focus more on new attractions instead of new night time shows or new Epcot festivals.

 

[Mit88]

Social distancing very likely ends before masks do, especially at theme parks. When that will be, no one knows, but distancing was first instituted as a substitute for when people didn’t have a mask, and once everyone had a mask distancing stuck because it was even more effective when both were used in conjunction with each other. I could see distancing go away at Disney/Universal/SW once a vaccine is widely available for a couple months and then it’ll be a few months after that when masks are no longer mandatory.

I do see both sides of the coin where it could set false optics of crowd levels and deter people, but it’s definitely not something that can or should go away until we have the virus more under control

 

[hertamaniac]

To add to this discussion, what this has really shown to me is the lack of attractions the parks have outside of MK. Replacing Ellen's energy adventure with Guardians is not a net gain. You still have the same amount of attractions. My hope would be once things get better, they focus more on new attractions instead of new night time shows or new Epcot festivals.

I am also in the new attractions (with new structures) camp. I presume there are footprint limitations at each park that corners them into new builds.

 

[Mit88]

To add to this discussion, what this has really shown to me is the lack of attractions the parks have outside of MK. Replacing Ellen's energy adventure with Guardians is not a net gain. You still have the same amount of attractions. My hope would be once things get better, they focus more on new attractions instead of new night time shows or new Epcot festivals.

It’s a net gain in that more people will be in line for a ride that they didn’t used to be in while freeing up space at other locations that were crowded. Let’s not pretend that because people were upset about Ellen’s being closed that it was an attraction people rushed over to go on every morning. Same goes for GMR. There’s also not exactly very much room in Epcot to make new attractions without them replacing something else. There are some spots, but most of the rides that were planned and/or rumored at one point in WS, something else was built in its place. Like you can’t just say “build that bullet train mountain coaster in Japan”. There’s no room for it anymore

 

[Mit88]

I am also in the new attractions (with new structures) camp. I presume there are footprint limitations at each park that corners them into new builds.

What was it last year that they had the balloons set up in Adventureland where the rumored Moana coaster would go? I think There’s room in that corner if they ever decide to revisit. They left plot for a Pandora expansion and Galaxy’s edge, iirc. The animation courtyard and Dinoland will probably eventually get something new. There’s a lot of land where AK is, but how much of it is usable? That’s also an issue around WDW is that while they have a lot of “land”, isn’t much of it conservation land? And then you have marshland where they also can’t build. I think most of us would prefer them build new attractions instead of replacing old ones, but as you said, there are definitely footprint limitations

 

[TheMaxRebo]

It’s a net gain in that more people will be in line for a ride that they didn’t used to be in while freeing up space at other locations that were crowded. Let’s not pretend that because people were upset about Ellen’s being closed that it was an attraction people rushed over to go on every morning. Same goes for GMR. There’s also not exactly very much room in Epcot to make new attractions without them replacing something else. There are some spots, but most of the rides that were planned and/or rumored at one point in WS, something else was built in its place. Like you can’t just say “build that bullet train mountain coaster in Japan”. There’s no room for it anymore

exactly - the amount of people that will be occupied by Guardians compared to Ellen's is so much higher that from a throughput perspective it is a big gain. Now, that could be offset by the fact that now more people will go to EPCOT in aggregate than before so that additional throughput is offset by just more people in the park, but still an overall "gain"

I do think there is opportunity for adding in some smaller attractions - like the proposed Mary Poppins one, even if small would have been something else for people to do and not needed a huge $ or space investment. Or even the Play pavilion, if done fairly well woudl be another thing for people to do

Also, have to remember a lot of the shows are closed now - so yeah, AK doesn't have a ton of rides, but the capacity for FotLK and Nemo is pretty high and that is just not there now

 

[mattpeto]

To add to this discussion, what this has really shown to me is the lack of attractions the parks have outside of MK. Replacing Ellen's energy adventure with Guardians is not a net gain. You still have the same amount of attractions. My hope would be once things get better, they focus more on new attractions instead of new night time shows or new Epcot festivals.

DHS added a net gain of 4 attractions (Rise, MF, Slinky, Saucers) since 2018. MMRR was a direct replacement to TGMR.

AK added FoP and Navi in 2017. Even with GoTG as an offset to UoE, Remy is a +1 at Epcot. Tron is a +1 at MK.

Things will pick up post Covid, guessing after the projects they announced (Tron, GoTG, Splash, BTM, Epcot spine), something substantial will come at AK.

 

[skeeter31]

What was it last year that they had the balloons set up in Adventureland where the rumored Moana coaster would go? I think There’s room in that corner if they ever decide to revisit. They left plot for a Pandora expansion and Galaxy’s edge, iirc. The animation courtyard and Dinoland will probably eventually get something new. There’s a lot of land where AK is, but how much of it is usable? That’s also an issue around WDW is that while they have a lot of “land”, isn’t much of it conservation land? And then you have marshland where they also can’t build. I think most of us would prefer them build new attractions instead of replacing old ones, but as you said, there are definitely footprint limitations

Was going to post the same thing. There were times I was on Ellen with less people than were normally in a MK restroom at the same time as me.

 

[only hope]

DHS added a net gain of 4 attractions (Rise, MF, Slinky, Saucers) since 2018. MMRR was a direct replacement to TGMR.

AK added FoP and Navi in 2017. Even with GoTG as an offset to UoE, Remy is a +1 at Epcot. Tron is a +1 at MK.

Things will pick up post Covid, guessing after the projects they announced (Tron, GoTG, Splash, BTM, Epcot spine), something substantial will come at AK.

HS was a net gain of 3 overall- the Backlot Tour was replaced with SW/Toy Story Land. Not sure of the footprint. Plus the walk through movie set thing was torn down too- it was Narnia at one point, then Pirates. That wasn’t a big draw though for the last few years.

 

[rteetz]

DHS added a net gain of 4 attractions (Rise, MF, Slinky, Saucers) since 2018. MMRR was a direct replacement to TGMR.

AK added FoP and Navi in 2017. Even with GoTG as an offset to UoE, Remy is a +1 at Epcot. Tron is a +1 at MK.

Things will pick up post Covid, guessing after the projects they announced (Tron, GoTG, Splash, BTM, Epcot spine), something substantial will come at AK.

DHS is a bit more complicated. You lost LMA and Backlot tour for that. Still a net gain but not of 4.

 

[Mit88]

exactly - the amount of people that will be occupied by Guardians compared to Ellen's is so much higher that from a throughput perspective it is a big gain. Now, that could be offset by the fact that now more people will go to EPCOT in aggregate than before so that additional throughput is offset by just more people in the park, but still an overall "gain"

I do think there is opportunity for adding in some smaller attractions - like the proposed Mary Poppins one, even if small would have been something else for people to do and not needed a huge $ or space investment. Or even the Play pavilion, if done fairly well woudl be another thing for people to do

Also, have to remember a lot of the shows are closed now - so yeah, AK doesn't have a ton of rides, but the capacity for FotLK and Nemo is pretty high and that is just not there now

Absolutely agree with this and it went through my mind as soon as I posted it. Epcot usually sees on average around 35% capacity pre-pandemic. When Guardians and Rat are open, that average capacity definitely rises. But unless they’re extremely slow loading attractions, it’ll still be a far exceeding net gain than just Ellen’s. Something like Mission Space replacing Horizons was probably a temporary net gain, but over time it probably shifted towards a Horizons style ride being a more effective attraction.

I don’t think Epcot is done with what we know is coming right now. They’ll hit the pause button until they can position themselves better, but they too are quickly approaching their 50th and I could see some of these plans come back to the forefront as that date gets closer. Maybe it’s no longer Mary Poppins, but something else. Even what they’re doing at the festival center location seems like it’s temporary and could be revisited, or at least I hope

 

[abs1978]

We are here now. I’ve truly appreciated the discussions here because it’s really helped mr formulate a plan and manage expectations.

We got in yesterday and headed to Epcot. Our hopes were to get in one ride before dinner at Garden Grill but we got in three. We walked on to Nemo, waited 20 minutes for Figment (35 posted), and walked on to Living with the Land (15 posted). The Christmas decorations were so cool. The dividers were um, not. Pretty smudgy but eh. I get it! After that we checked in to Garden Grill and were seated immediately which has never ever happened. Food was ok. Characters were fun. It’s not exactly the same but still great. After that we rode Soarin (45 minute posted, 40 actual) and headed back to the hotel. We were pixi dusted an amazing room at the GF. I could sit on the patio all day and just look at MK.

This morning we had breakfast at The Wave and then walked over to MK. We got there around 8:35 and rides were running. We had hoped to get on 7DMT but the wait was already crazy. Instead we did Winnie the Pooh, Barnstormer twice, dumbo, and Ariel all without much of a wait. We then did Peter Pan (30 minute posted wait, accurate). After that we did some shopping and headed back to the hotel. We plan on swimming and then relaxing until dinner. After that we will head back to MK and we hope to do Pirates and 7DMT.

We are having a great time. We are just trying to do what we can and not stressing about the big rides. Whatever we do is still better than home life. It’s busy but in no way crowded. We were here 2 years ago for Thanksgiving week and this is nothing compared to that. Cast members have been so nice and mask compliance is good.

 

[hertamaniac]

There’s a lot of land where AK is, but how much of it is usable? That’s also an issue around WDW is that while they have a lot of “land”, isn’t much of it conservation land? And then you have marshland where they also can’t build. I think most of us would prefer them build new attractions instead of replacing old ones, but as you said, there are definitely footprint limitations

To me, it's not just usable land, but it should be thematically tied to the attraction in that park. So they would have to shoehorn in an appropriate attraction at AK (yes, I would like to see Zootopia).

There is also that cleared out section in front of EPCOT that was rumored for a hotel. If that is viable building space, then I would rather see new attractions take root in that area.

They can refurbish and build new; they are not mutually exclusive.

 

[gottalovepluto]

It’s a net gain in that more people will be in line for a ride that they didn’t used to be in while freeing up space at other locations that were crowded. Let’s not pretend that because people were upset about Ellen’s being closed that it was an attraction people rushed over to go on every morning. Same goes for GMR. There’s also not exactly very much room in Epcot to make new attractions without them replacing something else. There are some spots, but most of the rides that were planned and/or rumored at one point in WS, something else was built in its place. Like you can’t just say “build that bullet train mountain coaster in Japan”. There’s no room for it anymore

Well now I’m bummed there is no bullet train mountain coaster in Japan!

 

[Mit88]

To me, it's not just usable land, but it should be thematically tied to the attraction in that park. So they would have to shoehorn in an appropriate attraction at AK (yes, I would like to see Zootopia).

There is also that cleared out section in front of EPCOT that was rumored for a hotel. If that is viable building space, then I would rather see new attractions take root in that area.

They can refurbish and build new; they are not mutually exclusive.

I too would like to see Zootopia in AK, and thematically taking the train (ala Hogwarts express) from Planet Watch over to that land would be ideal. But do we really want to get rid of Rafikis? Then you’re kind of taking some of the essence away from that park, even if it’s not utilized by a lot of people.
I’ll say I definitely don’t want to see Black Panther in AK, the film isn’t about animals at all and that property fits in Epcot far more cohesively.
I would still like to see Paradise Falls replace Dinoland, but I’m not sure they could really add attractions to that area

The Epcot hotel, iirc was supposed to be in front of the park at the entrance, so it would be a pretty messy situation to plop down attractions right at the entrance of the park.

yes, there are ways to both retheme and build new attractions on property, we’re seeing that with Rat and Tron, what I’m saying is that there’s only a finite amount of space for them to build without taking something away

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Well now I’m bummed there is no bullet train mountain coaster in Japan!

and it was to feature Godzilla! .... though, basically the ride concept was leveraged for Expedition Everest

 

[Mit88]

and it was to feature Godzilla! .... though, basically the ride concept was leveraged for Expedition Everest

Disco Godzilla would be cool

 

[jade1]

Yea prob moved quickly. Most just a reminder to go as early as possible of course.

At a little after 9 EE was EST 30 min back to Nemo.

 

[tlmadden73]

And all I think of now with your statements about other states locking down and Florida being open for business (you posted the same thing yesterday) is that Florida should look into copying Vegas’ old motto but amending it for the current day.
Florida - Catch it here, but then don’t stay here.

As funny as it is .. it is probably true -- not much we can do about it even if everyone is following the mask/distancing rules. It's not like every case of COVID is coming from careless people.