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

[DebbieB]

Blog Mickey is saying that Disney pulled the free dining guest recovery offer 3 weeks early. You can’t find it anywhere on Disney’s site. I think it’s no longer offered.

My guess is if they do open with limited tables, there will not be enough dining reservations available. They are offering 25% off rooms.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I find it extremely hard to believe that Disney would opt to keep the parks closed if they are allowed to open. Given that the parks will likely be opened to a lower capacity than usual, I expect there will be plenty of people going despite of any "stringent" rules. Not necessarily a direct parallel, but Shanghai opening tickets sold out. I also think this is why Disney canceled the free dining offer for later in the summer - they already have enough reservations to the capacity they consider might be allowed.

Opening at 25% capacity might not be profitable, especially with all the additional requirements for cleaning, social distancing, etc. Disney might decide they lose less money staying closed.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Has anyone outside of the USA received a survey?

I just tried to start a booking from June 1st on the Disney UK booking site, and it allowed me to choose a hotel room and tickets. I don't know if it would've let me finish the booking though.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

Disney is protecting themselves and their guests. My guess is they won't open before the CDC/WHO deem it safe. Florida isn't exactly the standard I'd want them to follow (and I'm saying this as a Florida resident).

Opening at 25% capacity might not be profitable, especially with all the additional requirements for cleaning, social distancing, etc. Disney might decide they lose less money staying closed.

Right, Disney knows the capacity they need to hit to be profitable. When I said "be allowed to open," I didn't mean, "be allowed to open with one guest in the park."

 

[RatherB@Disney]

For those of you who received the survey, would you please share as to what the questions were. Also, what are your vacation dates and resort?

I received the survey for my August 8th week reservation at BWV. I’m not sure if the previous question regarding DVC’ers receiving the survey was answered, but this stay is using points, so it’s not just going out to cash reservation guests.

Since I cancelled a trip in June and rebooked as this August trip, I’m waiting to see if my dated tickets get extended to the 12/15 expiration date. Even if the phased reopening starts in June, I’m hoping they will based on the new ticket and resort purchase dates being pushed to July. Hopefully that increases my chances of not having to pay the upcharge.

 

[yulilin3]

SDL showing their safety measures in place

 

[pangyal]

For those wondering about the free dining recovery offer, and I know it came from a phone CM so please take this with a grain of salt, but I modified that category of package today and the CM had to contact guest services to help her modify it as the code was no longer in existence. However, she advised that they told her that a new code would be issued not far from now for the upcoming June cancellations (since the original code ran from June 1, which is no longer a viable date).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

For clarity for causal readers or those that don’t follow the details closely, Josh’s internal statement was about the Disney Springs phased reopening which basically says the same thing as what is on the Disney Springs info page: Disney Springs will begin to reopen in a way that incorporates enhanced safety measures, including increased cleaning procedures, the use of appropriate face coverings by both Cast Members and Guests, limited-contact Guest Services and additional safety training for Cast Members.

https://www.disneysprings.com/reopening/
While this may shed some light on policies for the eventual reopening of the theme parks (or it may not, who knows), nothing has been announced yet.

 

[BlueRibbon]

Back to the July 4th topic really quick. I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks it would be awesome if the MK livestreamed fireworks on the 4th? When DisneyParks streamed the fireworks a couple of weeks ago, I initially thought it would be live, and was disappointed to just see that it was a recording.

 

[Mal6586]

Back to the July 4th topic really quick. I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks it would be awesome if the MK livestreamed fireworks on the 4th? When DisneyParks streamed the fireworks a couple of weeks ago, I initially thought it would be live, and was disappointed to just see that it was a recording.

They’ve actually done this the last couple of years from the parks blog site. Assuming fireworks are happening again by July 4th, I’d expect them to continue doing a stream.

 

[tzeitel]

With that, I am off to tweak my August back up trip for when this June trip takes a

 

[PamNC]

Anyone think free dining will be extended if June reservations are cancelled by Disney?

I think so

 

[pangyal]

I really wish they could update all of their systems at the same time. I‘m sure that there are guests who might be living under a rock (or, in all fairness, don’t read the various message boards) who aren’t aware that Disney is no longer accepting reservations prior to July 1st, so they are happily making and modifying their June fastpasses and looking forward to their trips. The fastpass system appears to be completely unchanged; only dining, resort and event reservations have been blocked. I’m not quite sure why they didn’t just block everything at once.

 

[Yooperroo]

I really wish they could update all of their systems at the same time. I‘m sure that there are guests who might be living under a rock (or, in all fairness, don’t read the various message boards) who aren’t aware that Disney is no longer accepting reservations prior to July 1st, so they are happily making and modifying their June fastpasses and looking forward to their trips. The fastpass system appears to be completely unchanged; only dining, resort and event reservations have been blocked. I’m not quite sure why they didn’t just block everything at once.

Because maybe their trips will still be happening? We have no idea what any of this means.

 

[TISHLOVESDISNEY]

I got an email from KTP for Disneyland offer:
https://www.kennythepirate.com/2020/05/10/new-disneyland-discounts-for-eligible-guests/Curious now to see what is up with WDW.

 

[pangyal]

Because maybe their trips will still be happening? We have no idea what any of this means.

I have a trip booked June 19-30 and honestly, I cannot see how it would be happening. I completely agree with you that it is all mystifying, but the pattern completely mirrors how they shut down May, so I’m going by that.

 

[pangyal]

I got an email from KTP for Disneyland offer:
https://www.kennythepirate.com/2020/05/10/new-disneyland-discounts-for-eligible-guests/Curious now to see what is up with WDW.

I’m guessing if the promotion specifically includes all reservations that had been booked up until June 30th, there is no way they are considering opening DL before July 1. Maybe I’m just reading it with a really pessimistic eye?

 

[Dis5150]

I got an email from KTP for Disneyland offer:
https://www.kennythepirate.com/2020/05/10/new-disneyland-discounts-for-eligible-guests/Curious now to see what is up with WDW.

Is it the same offer people cancelled in May received? Just curious too!

 

[Tjddis]

I have a trip booked June 19-30 and honestly, I cannot see how it would be happening. I completely agree with you that it is all mystifying, but the pattern completely mirrors how they shut down May, so I’m going by that.

They clearly have some sort of strategy at play with the rolling weekly cancellations. Maybe trying not to overwhelm the system by closing too much at once? Maybe hedging that something will be able to open in some fashion? They have themselves lots of leeway with the “closed indefinitely” language and now the “closed temporarily” designation. It’s crazy but don’t see it changing.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

SDL showing their safety measures in place

Not sure if this is the right place to comment on this video, but I was impressed with the modifications. Outside of the initial health screening (which of course is pretty critical but will have to be different at WDW), I thought the most interesting thing was having CMs stationed in various places to ensure people were following the rules. I'm generally skeptical but this actually seems as if it could work.