Return to normality tracker

[Patcheslee]

This is anecdotal, but I was just at dollywood two weeks ago. The staffing is not back to normal. The restaurant we ate at for dinner had half empty tables, and when I asked the hostesses they said they were short to be able to service all of the tables. Short for that day, or just short, I do not know.

The trams were plentiful and we never waited in a line to get on one. That was 30 minutes after park opening, and about 30-45 minutes before it closed.

We were there the 11th & 13th. We got seated for food immediately, but took 20 minutes for a server to come just for drinks. She mentioned being short handed and was an intern that didn't normally work tables. Tables were full. 90 minutes from seating till we paid the bill. Ride wise, eh, I'm not sure what's normal for them, load/unload times were at times slower than I would expect.
We didn't take trams, as DH wanted to park in preferred because people had said tram service was an issue.

 

[DisneyUniversal80]

We were there the 11th & 13th. We got seated for food immediately, but took 20 minutes for a server to come just for drinks. She mentioned being short handed and was an intern that didn't normally work tables. Tables were full. 90 minutes from seating till we paid the bill. Ride wise, eh, I'm not sure what's normal for them, load/unload times were at times slower than I would expect.
We didn't take trams, as DH wanted to park in preferred because people had said tram service was an issue.

Interesting, we were there the 14th. Aunt Granny's was the restaurant that was below capacity, and they were telling walk-ups it was a 1.5 hour wait at dinner time.

The hostesses were great. They were showing us photos of them with Guy Fieri as he was there filming recently for his show.

 

[esskay]

I feel like we've been saying "when the college program is back...." for quite some time now. Is it not fully back yet?

I can't believe the park to resort delivery hasn't returned. This is a basic perk that any theme park with associated resorts should have first and foremost.

I think its usually September that they all start, or just before that.

Every time I've been in September I've seen training going on with groups of new college students following someone around whilst they're shown the ropes.

So in theory if they've got a decently large student program this year that could solve a fairly large part of the staffing issues. A lot of them obviously end up going to Epcot, which would free up local staff for other jobs.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I think its usually September that they all start, or just before that.

Every time I've been in September I've seen training going on with groups of new college students following someone around whilst they're shown the ropes.

So in theory if they've got a decently large student program this year that could solve a fairly large part of the staffing issues. A lot of them obviously end up going to Epcot, which would free up local staff for other jobs.

The college program is back, and has been back. 100s of CPs start every week. They no longer come at specific times of the year

 

[Kamikaze]

The college program is back, and has been back. 100s of CPs start every week. They no longer come at specific times of the year

I mean, most of the CPs are there when they aren't in session for, you know, College.

 

[MagicHappens1971]

I mean, most of the CPs are there when they aren't in session for, you know, College.

That’s not really true. The CP has new move ins every Monday. Since last august. Some groups are smaller than others, some take semesters off, some take online classes.

 

[mattpeto]

Great Scott!

Victoria and Alberts and Merida M&G have pushed the Disney Comeback Index over the 88 MPH, er 88% threshold.

 

[IanDLBZF]

Great Scott!

Victoria and Alberts and Merida M&G have pushed the Disney Comeback Index over the 88 MPH, er 88% threshold.

And Crystal Palace and the other M&Gs will probably hit the Comeback Index close to 90%-95%!

 

[mattpeto]

And Crystal Palace and the other M&Gs will probably hit the Comeback Index close to 90%-95%!

I do have a penalty I’ll be able to remove when more of the character dining experiences return. It will help a little.

F! is what we need.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I don’t understand why they haven’t brought back the Ariel in her grotto M&G. That was one of the most popular ones with FP already part of it. It would be so easy to bring it back and make it a G+ attraction.

 

[GustoGummi]

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is back to it's full cast and no more social distancing.

 

[seabreezept813]

I don’t understand why they haven’t brought back the Ariel in her grotto M&G. That was one of the most popular ones with FP already part of it. It would be so easy to bring it back and make it a G+ attraction.

Agreed. And how is Pooh not meeting yet? Such an easy one to bring out!

 

[jrhwdw]

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage is back to it's full cast and no more social distancing.

Of course.....No Streamers at DHS Today!!!!!!! Not even TC that I see.....

Please tell me we have a normal Finale now?!?!?!?!

 

[esskay]

Agreed. And how is Pooh not meeting yet? Such an easy one to bring out!

Likely still staff shortages I'd assume. They did lose about 18k staff members and havn't had that many come back.

 

[mamamia2005]

I saw the promo photo of the barber shop re opening - and the CM's all had masks on. This isn't a sign masks are making a comeback is it?!

 

[GustoGummi]

Of course.....No Streamers at DHS Today!!!!!!! Not even TC that I see.....

Please tell me we have a normal Finale now?!?!?!?!

The show is 100% back to normal.

 

[jrhwdw]

The show is 100% back to normal.

Finally!!!!! Wonderful!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!!

 

[GustoGummi]

Photos from Allears.net and the Disney Food Blog.

 

[Casper Gutman]

The show is 100% back to normal.

This is a good thing, but man, the show needs to be replaced. When the show debuted, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia still existed. Less then a month earlier Nirvana had released Nevermind. The original Star Trek crew was still making movies and the Simpsons was in its second season. A little over a week after Beauty and the Beast on Stage opened, Ukraine voted for independence.

Its really old, is what I'm saying. And while a lot of things get better with age, theme park shows aren't usually one of them. Heck, keep it based on Beauty and the Beast, just bring it up to modern standards.

 

[GustoGummi]

This is a good thing, but man, the show needs to be replaced. When the show debuted, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia still existed. Less then a month earlier Nirvana had released Nevermind. The original Star Trek crew was still making movies and the Simpsons was in its second season. A little over a week after Beauty and the Beast on Stage opened, Ukraine voted for independence.

Its really old, is what I'm saying. And while a lot of things get better with age, theme park shows aren't usually one of them. Heck, keep it based on Beauty and the Beast, just bring it up to modern standards.

I think if they were to update the show to be more like the California version in terms of story. Then give it costumes more in line with the Broadway show of 1994 it would be a 10/10.
Just watch this below, notice how unlike the Florida version of the show it keeps much more of the story intact with simple set additions and dialogue.