WDW COVID-19 Operational Changes- Reservation System-Rope Drop Procedures

[cakebaker]

I'm so sorry you were right on the cusp like that. I was really rooting for all of us.

Thanks, but I had the opportunity to get my reservations extended, I just chose not to, for many reasons that have nothing to do with the cutbacks. We could have still gone as our reservations were mostly DVC cash resorts. They're supposedly doing some soft openings and we could've done those. I'm terribly sad about it, but not because I can't go. I could have. Choosing not to do it rather than being forced not to do it makes a lot of difference.

 

[Chrizwald]

I agree. All the other parks in the area opening undoubtedly forced Disney's hand. I think that's why we're seeing parks opening, but honestly, opening with as few offerings as possible. I just wonder how many CM's will actually get called back with all the cuts. They're certainly not going to need the numbers they normally do. I honestly feel for the CM's who, despite the opening, will still be waiting for unemployment. Even with other parks opening, the job market has got to be tough right now in the area.

I'm thinking for every position that gets cut, there's going to be an opening for somebody wiping down rides and refilling hand sanitizer.

 

[going/again]

How would that work with RotR's boarding system?

So what if your time is say 2 hours after park opening could be hardly worth going.

 

[hertamaniac]

I would agree except that DVC members are much more likely to be satisfied with a partial opening and spending more time at their resort. They can still make reservations by calling and from what I read, they were booking quickly yesterday. Since resort guests with tickets have priority, and what I think will be a high demand to go to the parks regardless of the cuts, those without reservations may not have a great many reservations open to them by the time Disney fills the resort demand, especially if we're looking at a 20-30% park capacity limit.

I do think that DVC members and resort guests will be the majority of guests for the initial opening. I do think that will be supplemented with the local AP audience (I didn't say they would be the majority, just a larger portion/percentage).

 

[lilypgirl]

I’m really curious how non date based tickets will work. We have the military salute park hopper plus tickets and a room booked at French Quarter in September. Will we be contacted about the new reservation process? Or will only those with date based tickets purchased from Disney be eligible for that?

If water parks and park hopping are a no go, will a partial cost of the ticket be refunded?

I’ve been trying really hard to remain positive and wait and see but it’s starting to become very difficult for me. I’m starting to become very discouraged about our trip in September.

I am wondering the same thing. We have the same tickets and a split stay at a DVC resort with points and than a value Disney resort.

 

[WEDWDW]

I think with these new policies and reduced hours Disney is hoping enough people cancel reservations on their own.

If The 15s are unable to come (HIGHLY likely-especially the Brazil 15s),that will open up HUGE numbers of July rooms.

 

[cakebaker]

I do think that DVC members and resort guests will be the majority of guests for the initial opening. I do think that will be supplemented with the local AP audience (I didn't say they would be the majority, just a larger portion/percentage).

I haven’t really kept up with all the details, but have they said at what point off site guests with tickets will be in the pool for reservations?

 

[dmband]

https://people.com/travel/10-things...flNhaCPjlzopS3XpQ961MgFTxMHi0wyrArsJ1Tp22Qbgk
Sorry if this has already been shared, but this article brought up a couple things I hadn't heard yet. Like "relaxation zones" for masks, and water effects not being used. My question is, what are water effects? "Most water areas will be closed for the foreseeable future."

Think the water play area outside of Dumbo, or the splash pads in Epcot.

also things like Tough To Be A Bug and Pirates.
the Pirates mist you go through I can see as one they would drop because people are riding right through it after someone else seconds before.
plus I don’t think they want people having any extra excuse for a ”wet mask”

 

[greg9x]

It almost seems like WDW is purposely making choices that benefit their smaller rivals. Universal and SeaWorld are probably grateful that they're going to have a month to operate out from under the Mouse's shadow. They'll be the main game in town for the locals for an entire month. That has to be very beneficial to them. And with Disney keeping their water parks shuttered, that helps the places that are opening their water parks be able to compete.

In order to phase into these reopenings, I would imagine one area of concern is flooding Orlando with tourists from all over the country and world. The way it stands now, with Universal and SeaWorld being opened first, then Disney opening a month later, it seems to me that they're targeting locals first and then expanding to the national and international guests. Not that national and international guests don't come to Universal and SeaWorld, but I think most of those also come for WDW, and if WDW remains closed, less national and international guests will come to Orlando just for Universal and SeaWorld.

I think there is a much bigger picture and a lot more in play here than "Disney only cares about money." I guarantee you SeaWorld and Universal care about money just as much as WDW, and are relishing in the opportunity they've got now to have an entire month in prime summer vacation time to welcome Floridians and others who choose to visit without WDW.

Disney is a much bigger 'machine' to get operating again, and will have more money at stake to get employees back off furloughs. I think they don't want to start back up until they know they can stay open. Probably letting the other parks be the test subjects to see how things go.. if it all gets shut down again 2 weeks later, then Disney comes out ahead by not spending all the money to get going again.

Not sure if part of the plan to limit crowds to see if hospitals start to get overwhelmed.

 

[Violetspider]

Just out of curiosity, can anyone whose fast pass window opened this morning (July 27th arrival) report what they encountered in MDE?

 

[emilymad]

I would definitely "think" masks on the Pool Deck would not be "policed"----Guests will be in and out of the Pool a lot,the Chairs/Loungers will be "socially distanced",etc.

If it is policed,just keep a sandwich in your hand!lol

I am hoping so but our reservation starts 7/17 so not much time to see what happens in reality. We are going to book an offsite hotel as a backup. No need to pay to be in the Disney bubble if it is miserable.

 

[GPC0321]

I'm thinking for every position that gets cut, there's going to be an opening for somebody wiping down rides and refilling hand sanitizer.

Yeah, the "Social Distancing Squad" or whatever he called it yesterday. It's going to be strange to have CMs telling us to stay apart. Usually they're ordering us to pack ourselves in as close as humanly possible. We may never hear the words, "Please move ALL the way down/forward/over and fill in ALL available space!" again.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

I thought with DS open I could add a another Paddlefish reservation for Nov. Could not do it on Disney site or MDE. Tried going thru Open Table and they are not taking reservations that far out.

 

[Sandiz08]

I thought with DS open I could add a another Paddlefish reservation for Nov. Could not do it on Disney site or MDE. Tried going thru Open Table and they are not taking reservations that far out.

Looks like any new reservations of any kind are shut down. They are probably rolling out a new system.

 

[mrsap]

Just out of curiosity, can anyone whose fast pass window opened this morning (July 27th arrival) report what they encountered in MDE?

There’s a board for it...

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-day-today.3802919/

 

[Violetspider]

There’s a board for it...

https://www.disboards.com/threads/fastpass-day-today.3802919/

Thanks I did not know that.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Looking for some green shoots in this situation.

Moving beyond the shorter hours, restrictions, etc, it does seem to me that park touring/crowd conditions in the near to mid term are going to be very favorable, generally speaking. There are so many segments of WDW's typical demand base that can't/won't be traveling until things settle down (and by settle down, I mean that in a broad sense - economic, virus, WDW operations, masks).

For those that go frequently and don't need that 'perfect' experience and perhaps those of the mindset that the parks have grown too crowded over the last few years, this could possibly be a great time to go.

Disney speaks of pent-up demand, of which I'm sure there is some. Looking past the initial "first" crowd and some of us committed fans, I'm curious to see just what kind of 'demand' is actually out there.

 

[cdurham1]

Just out of curiosity, can anyone whose fast pass window opened this morning (July 27th arrival) report what they encountered in MDE?

Yes, my window opened this morning and getting errors. Not able to make any fp reservations. Won't load after choosing the park.

 

[GPC0321]

Disney is a much bigger 'machine' to get operating again, and will have more money at stake to get employees back off furloughs. I think they don't want to start back up until they know they can stay open. Probably letting the other parks be the test subjects to see how things go.. if it all gets shut down again 2 weeks later, then Disney comes out ahead by not spending all the money to get going again.

That makes sense. I don't envy any of them given the tough decisions they're having to make. These are such uncertain and unprecedented times. I'm sure they're doing the best they can given the situation.

 

[Anna H]

also things like Tough To Be A Bug and Pirates.
the Pirates mist you go through I can see as one they would drop because people are riding right through it after someone else seconds before.
plus I don’t think they want people having any extra excuse for a ”wet mask”

What about water rides like splash and kali? If that's allowed, the risk from a spitting camel is so miniscule. I hope they tinker with some of these rules by July. It's getting kind of arbitrary even for a safety minded person like me. It's chlorinated water.