Rumor about “modified experiences” when Disney reopens (read 1st post for potential modifications being considered)

[vinotinto]

In a Disney Facebook group for June someone said that their TA told them that their June 6-13 trip was cancelled. But would a TA even have that info on a Monday or Tuesday? Hasn't Disney been doing it on Wednesdays?

Maybe they are being told to say they are at capacity. She also told me I had 7 days in advance to cancel. But the website still states I could cancel up until the check in date which is what I was told during booking. We are driving but I will probably cancel 7 days prior regardless.
"To provide additional flexibility, we are waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in for reservations with arrivals through June 30."

The only case I've read of a June guests being informed they are canceled was posted in the Rumors thread on cancellations, and is coming from a guest that booked a package deal through a TA that included a charter flight. I can imagine that if the charter flight is a no-go, the entire package could be canceled, since there may not be a way to get the guest to WDW one the dates, airport and cost that they had originally.

I would be curious to know if anyone that has a regular package reservation without a flight has gotten cancelled. Normally, we start seeing the cancellations on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It could be that some are coming out earlier this week.

 

[UOAP]

If my kids were going on our July trip we would have already cancelled it. They have already been exposed since I had it and was around them before any symptoms showed (so we know they were exposed), but I'm still not taking any chances at all with that. It's just DH and I, and they are spending most of July shuttling between grandparents that they haven't seen since Christmas, but if this weren't the case we'd have already canceled/moved the trip. We do have a Christmas trip booked, with a cruise, and still haven't made a decision yet because we have no clue what the status of this virus will be that far out. Everyone needs to be realistic when deciding whether or not to still go once the parks open. It's not about not wanting certain people to go, it's people being knowledgeable and reasonable about the risks to themselves and their children, and anyone at any greater risk needs to stay home.

Yes and I hope that anyone who goes on any trip that involves crowds - including airplane travel - self-isolates from anyone (especially vulnerable people) for 14 days after the trip, at least for the next several months The problem isn't just that a crowd is higher risk to oneself, the problem is that now one can become a spreader to others after the vacation is over.

 

[SierraT]

I am not sure if this is new or was always there, but I read the operational update posted on MDE this morning and it said that even though reservations are being taken from July 1 forward, people can still modify reservations whether it be they open BEFORE or After. This was first time I saw the before thing mentioned... did i miss it before or this "new" language recently added...

I noticed today I have the option to modify and couldn’t do it before. Again, this may be typical as I’ve never really paid attention to it before.

 

[LSUmiss]

If I had small children I would not be going anywhere near WDW. Especially with this latest complication that appears to be fatal to children. And I don’t care if it’s 1 chance in a zillion. No chance is worth taking with my kids health. I know people have money at stake with annual passes or other stuff. Sorry. No cash value on my kids safety. Grown ups can assume any risk they want. Kids have no say.

I absolutely agree that my child’s life is priceless. However, at this point, there is a greater chance of him dying on the way to the trip than the odds of him getting & dying from Covid based on the latest numbers.

 

[abnihon]

Yes and I hope that anyone who goes on any trip that involves crowds - including airplane travel - self-isolates from anyone (especially vulnerable people) for 14 days after the trip, at least for the next several months The problem isn't just that a crowd is higher risk to oneself, the problem is that now one can become a spreader to others after the vacation is over.

Ideally but most won’t have that option with their jobs.

 

[AmishGuy91]

I noticed today I have the option to modify and couldn’t do it before. Again, this may be typical as I’ve never really paid attention to it before.

For my June 6th reservation (originally re-scheduled from March) today is the first day it shows my remaining balance and I can make a payment online. Before, I would have to call in to make a payment.

 

[mickeychickie]

The only case I've read of a June guests being informed they are canceled was posted in the Rumors thread on cancellations, and is coming from a guest that booked a package deal through a TA that included a charter flight. I can imagine that if the charter flight is a no-go, the entire package could be canceled, since there may not be a way to get the guest to WDW one the dates, airport and cost that they had originally.

I would be curious to know if anyone that has a regular package reservation without a flight has gotten cancelled. Normally, we start seeing the cancellations on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It could be that some are coming out earlier this week.

I'm actually on the phone on hold now to find out about my reservation for July4th weekend... I'm gonna ask about moving it up to June just to see what they say

 

[vinotinto]

I'd go by what it says on the website. CM's are notoriously uninformed.

Dat true!

I never 100% believe phone CMs, ever since my great ADR booking debacle of 2018 I don't really believe them (and I've had to remind CMs of tier group rules, and the fact they can't overlap my FP when I've had to call to book). I just thought it was interesting that they said the same thing, and it could have very well been the same exact CM. It gave my friend a shred of hope, and he's happy, so whatever floats his boat. I just want some kind of official news in the next couple of weeks, anything, even if it's a "it is not likely that we will open in the next 'x' months", I just want to know SOMETHING official even if it's bad news at this point. I booked a back up trip yesterday just in case, made sure it was before our ADR day so I can get in there and try to replicate our dining we have for our July trip. I'm hopeful I get to cancel it, but it makes me feel better to know I have it, but I'm not canceling July until Disney forces my hand (or does it for me).

Throughout my years on the DISboards, I've seen so much wrong information being given by the chat and phone CMs. They are not given any information prior to official announcements because they don't want it leaked. In the past, they were taking reservations right up until the Company announced they closed. And when June bookings were blocked, they didn't find out until guests started calling asking about it. So, often they have to reach their own conclusions.

@Sarahslay - what was the great ADR booking debacle of 2018?

 

[gottalovepluto]

I'm actually on the phone on hold now to find out about my reservation for July4th weekend... I'm gonna ask about moving it up to June just to see what they say

Will be interesting to hear back... so far even Junes haven’t been allowed to change within June...

 

[Tjddis]

That bums me out. If they start canceling June stays this week, I think it will be pretty clear that they are not planning on opening this summer, but they need to cancel one week at a time to not overwhelm the system and to keep deposits for as long as possible.

I have been watching this board in hopes of being able to take my rescheduled trip to WDW in late August. I have never blamed Disney for being unable to see their way to a clear resolution. It’s impossible for anyone. BUT my patience has its limits. And we are there. Why?
1) enough with the cloak and dagger. Disney needs to communicate better with their customers. In this day and age there is no reason why iger or chapel or Mickey can’t do some sort of broadcast with their most loyal customers to explain the thinking. For people to be monitoring chat boards to see when people are having their trips cancelled and guessing is insulting
2) they need to be way more transparent with what limitations and changes are being made. Not with any kind of dates but rather in relation to phases and how it corresponds or does not correspond to state/local govt requirements.
3) set a realistic opening date more than a week out. Bite the bullet. It is unfair to expect people to juggle vacations so scatter shot. Going to ovewhelm the CMS? Bring back some furloughed workers to help
4) lastly get some control over your phone CMS Disney. I don’t think anyone should be rude or abusive to them. BUT they are still working during this volatile time and getting paid for customer service. How do they not have a script to follow at this time. So much misinformation. We are lucky to have this community to vet info. Some are not as savvy

I know they don’t need to do any of this. I also know o don’t have to let them keep my money indefinitely. Or give them anymore in the future. They need to step up

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Ideally but most won’t have that option with their jobs.

Right, and if everything is pretty much re-opened by then (I'm talking offices, restaurants, theaters, etc) I don't really see any need to self quarantine. The population will all be mixing again anyways.

 

[LSUmiss]

I'm actually on the phone on hold now to find out about my reservation for July4th weekend... I'm gonna ask about moving it up to June just to see what they say

Let us know how it goes. I wanted to see about changing my resort for my 6/16-6/23 trip & was wondering if they’d let me.

 

[Eric Smith]

That bums me out. If they start canceling June stays this week, I think it will be pretty clear that they are not planning on opening this summer, but they need to cancel one week at a time to not overwhelm the system and to keep deposits for as long as possible.

I doubt Disney is worried about keeping a bunch of $200 deposits.

 

[Arym]

If I had small children I would not be going anywhere near WDW. Especially with this latest complication that appears to be fatal to children. And I don’t care if it’s 1 chance in a zillion. No chance is worth taking with my kids health. I know people have money at stake with annual passes or other stuff. Sorry. No cash value on my kids safety. Grown ups can assume any risk they want. Kids have no say.

I don't mean this reply for just you but in a more general way. We take chances for our children everyday. We let them get on swings, we let them play sports, we let them swim, we drive with them in our cars, we fly or drive to WDW. There is no guarantee our children will not get hurt doing everyday things. True, we can be extra careful with some of these but can only do so much about others. And, yes, some of these are necessary when a trip to Disney isn't but some are elective like sports and swings. I feel like some of us want guarantees of safety when we've always been willing to live with a little risk in life.

 

[Eric Smith]

Yes and I hope that anyone who goes on any trip that involves crowds - including airplane travel - self-isolates from anyone (especially vulnerable people) for 14 days after the trip, at least for the next several months The problem isn't just that a crowd is higher risk to oneself, the problem is that now one can become a spreader to others after the vacation is over.

Yes, we know, we know. No one should leave their house until the pandemic is over except for necessary trips. Maybe just let people make their own decisions?

 

[Tjddis]

For my June 6th reservation (originally re-scheduled from March) today is the first day it shows my remaining balance and I can make a payment online. Before, I would have to call in to make a payment.

So their big customer service innovation today is to make it easier to take more of your money for a trip that is more than likely not happening

beautiful...

 

[UOAP]

If I`m not sick my "droplets" wouldn`t hurt you. BUT! I could easily contaminate myself when I have to touch my mask basically every 20 sec because
-it`s hot and humid and I have to drink otherwise I would faint
-because I wear glasses and the mask really hurt my ears and I have to adjust it
-because the CM-s and anyone else can`t understand me through the mask
-because I can`t breath through it the mask being soaking wet
-because not be able to breath triggers a panic attack

There is impossible to wash your hand every time before you touch your mask. Also I`m not convinced that hand sanitizer is a valid option.

The above examples already happened to me and I`m pretty sure I`m not the only person who has the same issues. Apart from the inconvenience to wear a mask/face covering would put me in bigger danger than not wearing at all.

I`m also curious did anyone tried to wear a face mask 10-12 hours daily for 2-3 weeks straight in hot humid conditions?

You have no idea if you are a spreader or not. Most infected people are shedding virus long before they get symptoms. But I highly suspect Disney will allow face shields for people who cannot handle even a light paper mask. I don't know how many times people need to post that it doesn't matter if you touch your mask and it doesn't matter if you "contaminate" your mask, but it doesn't, because it isn't designed to protect you it is designed to protect others, so don't worry about it.

 

[yulilin3]

I have been watching this board in hopes of being able to take my rescheduled trip to WDW in late August. I have never blamed Disney for being unable to see their way to a clear resolution. It’s impossible for anyone. BUT my patience has its limits. And we are there. Why?
1) enough with the cloak and dagger. Disney needs to communicate better with their customers. In this day and age there is no reason why iger or chapel or Mickey can’t do some sort of broadcast with their most loyal customers to explain the thinking. For people to be monitoring chat boards to see when people are having their trips cancelled and guessing is insulting
2) they need to be way more transparent with what limitations and changes are being made. Not with any kind of dates but rather in relation to phases and how it corresponds or does not correspond to state/local govt requirements.
3) set a realistic opening date more than a week out. Bite the bullet. It is unfair to expect people to juggle vacations so scatter shot. Going to ovewhelm the CMS? Bring back some furloughed workers to help
4) lastly get some control over your phone CMS Disney. I don’t think anyone should be rude or abusive to them. BUT they are still working during this volatile time and getting paid for customer service. How do they not have a script to follow at this time. So much misinformation. We are lucky to have this community to vet info. Some are not as savvy

I know they don’t need to do any of this. I also know o don’t have to let them keep my money indefinitely. Or give them anymore in the future. They need to step up

I hope you actually wrote all this down in an email to disney. Nothing we can do here other than just vent
wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[tlmadden73]

I have been watching this board in hopes of being able to take my rescheduled trip to WDW in late August. I have never blamed Disney for being unable to see their way to a clear resolution. It’s impossible for anyone. BUT my patience has its limits. And we are there. Why?
1) enough with the cloak and dagger. Disney needs to communicate better with their customers. In this day and age there is no reason why iger or chapel or Mickey can’t do some sort of broadcast with their most loyal customers to explain the thinking. For people to be monitoring chat boards to see when people are having their trips cancelled and guessing is insulting
2) they need to be way more transparent with what limitations and changes are being made. Not with any kind of dates but rather in relation to phases and how it corresponds or does not correspond to state/local govt requirements.
3) set a realistic opening date more than a week out. Bite the bullet. It is unfair to expect people to juggle vacations so scatter shot. Going to ovewhelm the CMS? Bring back some furloughed workers to help
4) lastly get some control over your phone CMS Disney. I don’t think anyone should be rude or abusive to them. BUT they are still working during this volatile time and getting paid for customer service. How do they not have a script to follow at this time. So much misinformation. We are lucky to have this community to vet info. Some are not as savvy

I know they don’t need to do any of this. I also know o don’t have to let them keep my money indefinitely. Or give them anymore in the future. They need to step up

In their defense, Disney may not know what they are going to do yet. This thing has been a constantly changing landscape for 2 months now.
They may have target dates in mind, but no definitive plans. They may see a sudden spike in COVID cases/hospitalizations/deaths across the country that may get them to postpone things or futher modify their plans.

I think they are still getting a "feel" what their guests want. Why open at all, if they lay down a ton of restrictions that a lot guests may not want (and thus won't come anyway until things are more "normal"). Why open with restrictions and capacity limits if they have to pick and choose which already reserved vacations can come or not .. etc.

 

[UOAP]

Yes, we know, we know. No one should leave their house until the pandemic is over except for necessary trips. Maybe just let people make their own decisions?

I didn't say that at all. Read my post again.