Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[brockash]

So they’re just building a station on Disney property for show, no trains will actually arrive there? Because that’s the only way this isn’t a “realistic” option. If it’s there, people will use it. Disney isn’t allowing something like this be built on their property if they didn’t research prior to the agreement that people would actually utilize it.

Hmmm...I'll be honest, when I first heard of them making a station at DS, the only thing I could imagine was that it would be for local/day guests, going to DS, not the parks so much. It seems so odd and very inconvenient that the intention would be for people to fly to MCO to get their luggage and lug it to a train to go to DS, to get their luggage and lug it to a bus to finally arrive at their resort??? I mean is that what people are thinking? That just seems so odd and I can't imagine many people would see it as a realistic option.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Over the years I’ve read lots of similar complaints about DME. People didn’t like the possible waits for the bus, then the bus to leave, then the many stops, then how long it took the luggage to get to your room, then how early it picks you up to go back to the airport (along with the length of the drive with more possible stops), etc.

Rose coloured glasses. People often spoke of voluntarily skipping it or disliking it but now it was apparently the last thing keeping everybody onsite and their occupancy is going to tank.

Too bad the "solution" to complaints isn't to improve a service but instead to remove the service altogether (assuming the surveys had any impact on their decision and it wasn't completely short-term financial).

 

[Eric Smith]

With the train...I'm wondering how that will work? It's not a monorail taking folks back and forth to the airport. It's a train that runs from the airport, to the park, to Miami right? So what happens when your plane lands and the next train isn't for another hour or 2 or 3 or 4?? Plus you then have to transfer (with all your luggage) from the train station at Disney, to a bus to your resort.

If the train is one of the answers, they're going to run it more often than once every couple hours. it's a short trip, so the round trip time (not counting stops) would probably be under a half hour.

 

[Eric Smith]

DME takes people to the front entrance of their hotel, where there are most often bellmen and luggage racks waiting. I read the train station will be at DS - is this accurate?

If the train station is at DS:
How will everyone get from the single train station to their hotel, with all their bags? Doesn't that create a separate logistical nightmare? Will they have to create a separate "bell services" type desk at the train station to help people with their bags, or at least have airport-type carts, at both the train station and the DS bus corral area? Won't that create even bigger backups on the DS buses (I've had to wait through 3 or 4 buses of people to get back to my hotel as it is, I can't imagine ALSO adding in all the people coming from the airport and their luggage)?

DME takes people to the front of their hotel....after a few stops at other hotels....and waiting at the airport, possibly for a long time. I understand people are upset that it is going away, but let's not pretend it was a perfect service. I've seen tons of complaints about it over the past few years. For us, getting to the airport hours before our flight meant we would never use it on the way back.

 

[Mit88]

Hmmm...I'll be honest, when I first heard of them making a station at DS, the only thing I could imagine was that it would be for local/day guests, going to DS, not the parks so much. It seems so odd and very inconvenient that the intention would be for people to fly to MCO to get their luggage and lug it to a train to go to DS, to get their luggage and lug it to a bus to finally arrive at their resort??? I mean is that what people are thinking? That just seems so odd and I can't imagine many people would see it as a realistic option.

I wasn’t suggesting it’s a total replacement of DME, but there’s no denying that it is an option. You’re undoubtedly going to have people using it as airport transportation. And you’re going to see people use it as a local service to go to DS. I don’t think anyone wants to see DME go away, but fighting back as if DME were the only option of transportation that’s currently there and will be coming at some point in the future will have this conversation moving in circles until the end of time

 

[xuxa777]

yeah, but in 1971 they weren't charging $500/ night for a deluxe room of $200/night for a themed motel room

and they didn't have major competition down the road they were trying to keep people away from

Still the real price not much different from today, Contemporary hotel room in 1972 was around $45 which is around $300 today with inflation factored in, plus there was only one park then. I can book at Contemporary room for $348 for this week, very close to the same amount as back then, with four parks and a bunch more amenities even without DME.

In 1987, poly rooms were $187, in today's dollars $430

GF in 1988 was $160 around $370 now

Disney room costs have go up a bit but the vast increase in prices is due to inflation.

In 1971 : Average salary was $10K, new house was $25K, new car $3K, movie ticket $1.50

 

[hereforthechurros]

Disneyland is opening!!!....but not for your enjoyment

https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/...-vaccine-super-site-in-orange-county/2504250/

Says you, I'm more excited for this vaccine than any ride at DL!

 

[Mit88]

Says you, I'm more excited for this vaccine than any ride at DL!

While I’m going to take the vaccine as soon as I can, I don’t think it falls under the category of being “excited” for me.

 

[Mit88]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1349024935419719687

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Still the real price not much different from today, Contemporary hotel room in 1972 was around $45 which is around $300 today with inflation factored in, plus there was only one park then. I can book at Contemporary room for $348 for this week, very close to the same amount as back then, with four parks and a bunch more amenities even without DME.

In 1987, poly rooms were $187, in today's dollars $430

GF in 1988 was $160 around $370 now

Disney room costs have go up a bit but the vast increase in prices is due to inflation.

In 1971 : Average salary was $10K, new house was $25K, new car $3K, movie ticket $1.50

Good point

However, I believe in 1972 and 1987 those were luxury hotels.
I'm not so sure now.

 

[hereforthechurros]

Too bad the "solution" to complaints isn't to improve a service but instead to remove the service altogether (assuming the surveys had any impact on their decision and it wasn't completely short-term financial).

This is where I am too. Rather than do things to compete or even create with a new standard they're just eliminating and putting it all back on the consumer, while increasing cost for them as well. MinnieVans were a genius way to compete but that's now gone too. Their standing in the world of business cannot be overstated, and I frankly expect better.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Still the real price not much different from today, Contemporary hotel room in 1972 was around $45 which is around $300 today with inflation factored in, plus there was only one park then. I can book at Contemporary room for $348 for this week, very close to the same amount as back then, with four parks and a bunch more amenities even without DME.

In 1987, poly rooms were $187, in today's dollars $430

GF in 1988 was $160 around $370 now

Disney room costs have go up a bit but the vast increase in prices is due to inflation.

In 1971 : Average salary was $10K, new house was $25K, new car $3K, movie ticket $1.50

guess the price to stay on property has always been (in my mind) crazy

I can get a multi-bedroom condo/townhouse off property for $150/night ... I can stay at other hotesl that are just as nice or nicer than Disney hotels for way cheaper that come with breakfast included and loyalty programs

It was things like ME, EMH, FP+ early access, free magic bands, etc. that helped justify those costs when comparing to other options.

For some, simply staying at a Disney hotel and being in the bubble is enough to pay those crazy rates - but for others, it was those "extras' that made it easier to pay those rates

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Still the real price not much different from today, Contemporary hotel room in 1972 was around $45 which is around $300 today with inflation factored in, plus there was only one park then. I can book at Contemporary room for $348 for this week, very close to the same amount as back then, with four parks and a bunch more amenities even without DME.

In 1987, poly rooms were $187, in today's dollars $430

GF in 1988 was $160 around $370 now

Disney room costs have go up a bit but the vast increase in prices is due to inflation.

In 1971 : Average salary was $10K, new house was $25K, new car $3K, movie ticket $1.50

and just to double check - it was $44/night at the Contemporary for a Theme Park view room - the cheapest room at Contemporary was $29 which would be $187 in 2021 dollars

no way you can get anything at the Contemporary now for $187/night

 

[DGsAtBLT]

Too bad the "solution" to complaints isn't to improve a service but instead to remove the service altogether (assuming the surveys had any impact on their decision and it wasn't completely short-term financial).

I don’t think this was in response to complaints or lack there of at all. Lots of cost cutting going on, it’s just another victim of it.

My point was that this was not a service that was ideal, good, or even utilized by everybody, which I think is being glossed over by some who are talking like it’s going to tank occupancy at the resorts. It’s like people who are upset about EMH being lost, but for years the consensus was often to either avoid them or that they were completely watered down from what they once were.

I think occupancy at the resorts is going to be relatively unchanged from this. Cool if I’m wrong, because that’s incentive to bring it back and I’m a DME fan.

 

[Jennasis]

If the train is one of the answers, they're going to run it more often than once every couple hours. it's a short trip, so the round trip time (not counting stops) would probably be under a half hour.

But it isn't an around trip From the airport to Disney. It goes from the airport to Disney to south Florida.

 

[skeeter31]

If the train is one of the answers, they're going to run it more often than once every couple hours. it's a short trip, so the round trip time (not counting stops) would probably be under a half hour.

But the train line isn’t being built to be a Disney shuttle service, it’s being built to connect Miami to Orlando and Orlando to Tampa. The stop at WDW is just that, a stop along the way. They won’t be having multiple dedicated trains running on the single track back and forth between MCO and WDW. It would most likely just be the stop along the way from MCO to Tampa.

 

[skeeter31]

But it isn't an around trip From the airport to Disney. It goes from the airport to Disney to south Florida.

Almost. Goes from Miami to MCO then a different set of tracks will go from MCO to Tampa. MCO will serve as the Caribbean Beach sort of stop on the Skyliner. It will be the midpoint for both sections of the train.

 

[Eric Smith]

But it isn't an around trip From the airport to Disney. It goes from the airport to Disney to south Florida.

To be an option, there would need to be a dedicated train running between Disney World and the airport, maybe two. I'm skeptical that the train factors in to transportation from the airport to property but people seemed to have latched on to it.

 

[Heather07438]

In all 4 parks nothing is over 60 minute wait.
And it is noon, usually the busiest time

 

[gottalovepluto]

Still the real price not much different from today, Contemporary hotel room in 1972 was around $45 which is around $300 today with inflation factored in, plus there was only one park then. I can book at Contemporary room for $348 for this week, very close to the same amount as back then, with four parks and a bunch more amenities even without DME.

In 1987, poly rooms were $187, in today's dollars $430

GF in 1988 was $160 around $370 now

Disney room costs have go up a bit but the vast increase in prices is due to inflation.

Today’s prices are very discounted due to COVID. If you want to compare apples to apples you need to use Rack Rate as discounts are much harder to get outside COVID times, smaller for the general public and availability usually sucks. Rack rate for this week starts at $518 for CR.

For 2021 rack rates: https://www.mousesavers.com/2021-contemporary-room-rates-season-dates/