Rumor about potential major reduction in operating hours for WDW if Disney Asia parks remain closed due to coronavirus

[rteetz]

Yeah, maybe. I mean, my plan on my next trip is to spend a day in Blizzard Beach. If they shut down BB and I have to go to TL instead, I will. Why have both water parks at all then? If you are saying that they temporarily need to squeeze WDW profits due the the loses in China, well, I guess I can see that. Otherwise, I don't see the correlation though.

They want to increase WDW (and DL) profits because of those losses in China. Cutting things does that.

 

[rteetz]

What's the plan if it shows up in Orlando and Anaheim ?

I mean it already is in the US. Its just being controlled. There is no expectation that any major closures would happen here.

 

[rteetz]

Careful Disney, you're gonna end up losing even more guests to the parks up the road that are open!

I'm quite surprised about the mini golf closures, surely they need almost no CMs anyway so hardly any saving to be had there?

Next shock will be from the cruise line, nice new boats and no one wants to book cruises on them after seeing how the virus spread throughout the entire ship in Japan.

Most guests won't notice these smaller cuts. Now if they start doing even more then it may be more noticeable. Most guests also won't know/care about the future projects. They care about their current vacation or one they are taking soon.

How long until double digit % price rises on wdw tickets?

They just raised them. Its not expected they will do so again quickly. The cuts is where they typically focus on these situations.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Would Touring Plans know this before the calendar on the DW website was updated? Because it still shows EMH at Epcot that morning.

They shouldn’t.

 

[Thecouch]

Management bonuses depended on profits and share prices. Some are probably not worried about long term growth but each 1/4 to earn there bonuses

 

[AvidDisReader]

@rteetz- You seem to have a very good pulse on the parks. To help make up for the loses in Asia, might they try more after hour ticketed events in the Parks?

 

[rteetz]

@rteetz- You seem to have a very good pulse on the parks. To help make up for the loses in Asia, might they try more after hour ticketed events in the Parks?

Eh, I don’t think so on that aspect. Those are pretty much set and while they do sell out they don’t do so as frequently as holiday parties.

 

[JenluvsDisney]

Would Touring Plans know this before the calendar on the DW website was updated? Because it still shows EMH at Epcot that morning.

Oh, maybe it was a mistake on touring plan's end then . Wouldn't be the first time they sent me out an alert in error

 

[Wakey]

Can I get the money back on my annual passes, if the product reduces well below what was reasonably expected.

 

[rteetz]

Can I get the money back on my annual passes, if the product reduces well below what was reasonably expected.

I’m sure that’s covered in the fine print.

 

[gottalovepluto]

OF COURSE they should be discussing the possibilities. But does it really mean it will happen, I hope not!
IMO, it should be done for health concerns, not monetary concerns. I hope they are also thinking of the flipside, should they reduce anything.

I concur they should be discussing all possibilities and this is probably just one of a few scenarios they’ve run.

If they go the park hour limit route it will suck but how many people would cancel a trip over it? I see no reason they won’t change posted hours and cancel ADRs with a we’re sorry note to your email. Disney has never faced what they are facing now in Asia.

As far as health concerns there isn’t much Disney can do. If this becomes a pandemic active in the US they’re going to have to close, not limit hours.

 

[rteetz]

Walt Disney World Reverses Decision to Reduce Operating Hours of Select Epcot Attractions

Interesting change

 

[HuskieJohn]

They won’t. Disney has never done that to my knowledge. Like other have mentioned that would eat into FPs and ADRs.

Touring Plans has an article relating to this part of the discussion...

https://touringplans.com/blog/2019/11/21/park-hour-changes/

 

[SaintsManiac]

Touring Plans has an article relating to this part of the discussion...

https://touringplans.com/blog/2019/11/21/park-hour-changes/

How does this relate? They were discussing WDW taking hours away, not adding them.

 

[HuskieJohn]

How does this relate? They were discussing WDW taking hours away, not adding them.

It was confirming with actual data what rteeze said that he thought that WDW did not take hours away.

 

[Clockwork]

Do we know that they are actually paying the CMs?

All full time employees are being paid, part time have the option to come in and work in other areas.

 

[Animal]

I concur they should be discussing all possibilities and this is probably just one of a few scenarios they’ve run.

If they go the park hour limit route it will suck but how many people would cancel a trip over it? I see no reason they won’t change posted hours and cancel ADRs with a we’re sorry note to your email. Disney has never faced what they are facing now in Asia.

As far as health concerns there isn’t much Disney can do. If this becomes a pandemic active in the US they’re going to have to close, not limit hours.

I highly doubt a Disney park in the US would close. They didn't close for H1N1. Disney would not voluntarilly close the parks and the Govt would not take the PR hit by ordering them to.

 

[Brianstl]

I highly doubt a Disney park in the US would close. They didn't close for H1N1. Disney would not voluntarilly close the parks and the Govt would not take the PR hit by ordering them to.

There could come a point where Disney's insurers force them to shut down the parks for fear of financial liability. It doesn't even have to make sense when it comes to public health to shut down the parks. If Disney's insurers and legal people think the risk is too great for substantial losses in courts around the country, they will shut down the parks.

 

[rteetz]

There could come a point where Disney's insurers force them to shut down the parks for fear of financial liability. It doesn't even have to make sense when it comes to public health to shut down the parks. If Disney's insurers and legal people think the risk is too great for substantial losses in courts around the country, they will shut down the parks.

Of course but I don’t think we are anywhere near that point and the likelihood that happens isn’t high.

 

[Brianstl]

Of course but I don’t think we are anywhere near that point and the likelihood that happens isn’t high.

I agree we aren't close to that point right now. The likelihood of it happening really depends on how US public perception on the dangers of the virus in the US evolve. If a sizable vocal minority starts screaming for restrictions on large public gatherings, all bets are off. That is when a seed would be planted in the minds of potential jurors in any potential case against Disney. That is when Disney would move to protect itself from potential litigation.