Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[MusicalAstronaut]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

 

[bellanotte10]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

Same.

 

[Mal6586]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

Same. I about had a heart attack thinking it was going to be an actual update.

 

[Looper]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

Same here! I was ready for some news!

 

[Krandor]

Oh how ridiculous. This just keeps getting more & more absurd.

I think it makes sense to do but would defnitiely change things in world showcase where I almost always have a drink in my hand.

 

[dislee1164]

It startled me that the dining cancelation emails have the same “Important Update to your Upcoming Reservation” subject line! I had a second of excitement which turned into “Oh that old news”.

Same! I am an AP, and re-booked as a room-only reservation (since dining plans were cancelled) right when the conference call was happening last week. Now I am hearing that people with dining/ticket packages are getting their room change emails, but I haven't gotten mine yet. Nervous.....

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

Same. I about had a heart attack thinking it was going to be an actual update.

Me too! I was like "OMG here it is, I can make my park reservations!". Don't scare me like that, Disney!

 

[chicagoshannon]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

I just got that too but my Star Wars ressies are still there. Looks like they're indeed canceling experiences last.

 

[mhautz]

I know many of us annual passholders who aren't sure we feel safe revisiting when they open, or have difficult logistics due to distance, have been wondering if we'll get any options beyond the partial refund or extension. Thought I would share the response I received today from guest services. No new info, but honest and gives a potential time frame of when to check back with them.

"You asked some great questions. Currently, the honest answer is I don't know. I do know our systems are not set up to freeze or put a hold on membership as of course, this has never happened before. This are changing and updating regularly as you can imagine there is a lot of planning and developing safety protocols in alliance with the CDC, local and federal government.

Any exceptions made would be on a case by case basis and not for everyone on social media. A lot of them are correct, they have 2 options. Our international Guests currently have the same options that are listed for everyone. Answer for the travel band guests and international guests is something I have asked about and have been told This is new territory for people around the world and much is still unknown. We encourage our Annual Passholders to wait until we are closer to reopening the Parks as we will have more definitive information at that time.

Please visit Walt Disney World® Operations for the most up-to-date information available.

So I am going to ask that you give us a call back around the end of July. Hopefully, we will have a lot more answers than we have now.

I do wish you a day of wonder and magic. "

I don't know how it'd work, but I'd be happy if Disney offered some sort of third option that didn't extend your AP, but provided you a set number of tickets that expire later (heck, use the 9/26/2021 date being used for other types of tickets) in lieu of a refund or extension. Essentially, give me "one more trip" worth of tickets and I don't need a refund. A lot of us bought our APs with a specific 12 month period in mind, and an extra four months does us no good if it's the wrong part of the year.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I feel Disney is trying WAY too hard to accommodate "social distancing" and masks in their parks.

If someone is willing to take the RISK of going to a very crowded theme park and come in close contact with way more people than they have for the last 3-4 months are obviously OK with being potentially infected. Just open up the parks at reduced capacity and let the guests make their own decisions on social distancing. You'd probably be surprised how people will just do that on their own. I mean .. no one wants to sit right next to people in theatre attractions so much cast members have to repeatedly TELL people to do that! We naturally socially distance ourselves. None of us want to be shoulder-to-shoulder watching fireworks or parades, but they parks are so crowded there is no choice.

How things go at Universal will be very telling. What if Universal after a month just ditches the mask requirement (either because it seems like it isn't needed anymore or because most people are just ignoring it)? Will Disney follow suit?

As a person who has spent her entire career managing customer facing frontline teams, I can assure you that relying on people to follow some sort of unwritten rules on their own is a recipe for disaster. I suspect that part of the reason Disney and Universal are coming out of the gate so strict and at the very cautious end of the spectrum is because they know that people will try to skirt the rules whatever they are and dealing with someone skirting what might seem like an extreme rule is probably a better outcome for them than being lax out of the gate and having people just do whatever the heck they want when they get into the parks.

Laying things out for people in stark, straightforward detail is the only way to set any parameters for how they expect guests to behave in the parks. They know people will not obey all the rules all the time because that is true any time no matter how lax the rules. All they have to do is read five minutes in this thread to know that. The rules are so strict in this scenario so that if someone breaks them, the outcome is still probably not too terrible for them from a public safety standpoint. And having it all outlined gives their CMs something concrete to point to when trying to enforce things.

 

[MusicalAstronaut]

I don't know how it'd work, but I'd be happy if Disney offered some sort of third option that didn't extend your AP, but provided you a set number of tickets that expire later (heck, use the 9/26/2021 date being used for other types of tickets) in lieu of a refund or extension. Essentially, give me "one more trip" worth of tickets and I don't need a refund. A lot of us bought our APs with a specific 12 month period in mind, and an extra four months does us no good if it's the wrong part of the year.

I was thinking about this too. I normally go in May (my birthday), a couple times in the fall for Food & Wine, Christmastime, and then I'll try to do a couple very quick weekends in the early spring. I try to avoid June-August but I have gone before. It's just so hot, even though it's not as crowded as it used to be. Now this change is likely just extending my pass into the months I normally avoid....I wouldn't mind something like what you suggested. I don't know how likely it is, but I kind of would love a "Hey, you get 50 days added on to your pass, choose a window of dates that you'll use it". It might be better because instead of "forcing" us to use our remaining days in July & August, we could wait until park capacity is higher.

Probably wouldn't happen, but I like the thought!

 

[hertamaniac]

So funny how the concern has been it’s too hot to wear masks in Florida, and now they’re giving you an indoor place to safely hang out without it and complaints there too.

And yet Legoland and their policy regarding them started today and doesn't 100% align with Uni, Seaworld or WDW (of course the population scales are orders of magnitude, different).

 

[Raggou]

Just got a notification from the Disney app, saying there was an update on my reservation & the reservation system. However, it took me to the same Update on Operations page. What a bummer.

Just got the same as well
Thought it was GO TIME!!@!!

 

[gottalovepluto]

Seriously! This makes absolutely no sense to me.

It hasn't made sense to me since I saw the rumor. It's even more absurd that they want on inside and there will supposedly be CM's in there?! *facepalm*

 

[gottalovepluto]

And yet Legoland and their policy regarding them started today and doesn't 100% align with Uni, Seaworld or WDW (of course the population scales are orders of magnitude, different).

Could still have been a union requirement for wdw, at this point we don't know.

 

[chicagoshannon]

And yet Legoland and their policy regarding them started today and doesn't 100% align with Uni, Seaworld or WDW (of course the population scales are orders of magnitude, different).

I think since the key demo for Legoland is the under 10 set they figured why even try.

 

[Pyotr]

It hasn't made sense to me since I saw the rumor. It's even more absurd that they want on inside and there will supposedly be CM's in there?! *facepalm*

I can’t walk from the Wilderness Lodge to the boat dock or sit at the pool deck without a mask, but I can in an indoor location with other people at the Magic Kingdom.

It’s an illusion of safety.

 

[yulilin3]

Notes from today’s Union Zoom Call, most of it is known but more clarification. The CM are expected to be recalled by June 28

- All attractions H/H are being recalled
- recalled in seniority order by location
- In seniority order by park
- In seniority order global
- Health concern - when you are recalled (in any phase) you are able to say “I have an underlying health condition for myself or someone I care for” you will be skipped and you will be called on the next phase of the global phase is reached and still can not return to work you will be placed on medical leave, by June 28th all FT CMs will have been recalled
- High number of PT people will be call back to work, may not be 100%, will be recalled in the same way as full time ( in seniority order by location, by park, global)
- no CPs any time soon, no seasonal’s
- scheduled on an as needed basis over the 1st week
- Week 2 will be given a preference sheet (just like a bid)
- Possibly conducting another schedule bid
- will we be safe at work? Yes!
- Temp checks for Cast Guests (Cast paid off sent home for high temp)
- Waived attendance policy is you have COVID-19 symptoms
- Pay if you contract the virus
- Safety measures
- Enhanced cleaning (closing restrooms for cleaning every 2 hours)
- Social distancing
- Physical barriers (on and off stage)
- Masks are required
- Limited capacity
- No parades, no fireworks, no playgrounds, no character meet and greets, no photo taking for Guest using their personal device

 

[4forthemouse]

Interesting, I just got a 2nd and different ADR Cancellation email. As it is different that what has been previously posted, I'll include it here:


Hello Kevin,

As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. To manage capacity and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented period, at reopen we will be changing - and suspending - some dining and other experience bookings.

As a result of limited capacity, we have made the difficult decision to cancel existing dining reservations and experience bookings.

We’re putting a great deal of thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. We look forward to welcoming you again soon.

​

Your Cancellation Confirmation Number is 501361180928

​

Reservation for 2 on 7/7/2020

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - Disney Springs

11:00 AM

​

Reservation Contact

I just got this too - looks like a lot of people did. I did not get it for any of my other dining reservations during the mass cancellation. Like yours, mine was for a Disney Springs restaurant too, so wondering if that's why?

I still have never received notice that my June reservation is canceled, that anything out of the ordinary is going on with my July reservation... but apparently the cancellation of Morimoto Asia was important enough to notify me.
Makes no sense.

 

[DGsAtBLT]

I can’t walk from the Wilderness Lodge to the boat dock or sit at the pool deck without a mask, but I can in an indoor location with other people at the Magic Kingdom.

It’s an illusion of safety.

They’re obviously going to be controlling the people inside and keeping them apart just like any restaurant that is open.

Why is this so much more concerning than restaurants? We know they are going to be open in some fashion.