Horizons '83
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Honestly, even pre-Covid, those lockers needed to be relocated. Glad that is happening.
-
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Universal Puts Disney's Reopening on Defensive
- Thread starter WDW Pro
- Start date
Absolutely. Shame it’s taken ten years though.
Rider
Well-Known Member
OS summary: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/bus...0200603-rf6l5xerpvcbvbk37egh3tykze-story.html
Some highlights:
The reservations for the popular Hagrid ride went quickly Wednesday morning. By noon, despite the virtual-line approach, there was a long physical line that stretched into the neighboring Lost Continent section of the park.
At the studios, parade units came by separately with dancers on board and wearing masks. A Marilyn Monroe-based show previously done on street level is on a stage in front of the park’s Pantages theater now. Characters from the “Scooby-Doo” cartoon stood on elevated platforms for photo opportunities in front of Mel’s Drive-In restaurant.
As visitors watched the Monroe show’s singers and dancers, one character urged onlookers to support the performers despite the face coverings.
Some attractions and eateries were closed Wednesday, and Universal has said that will be the case when the parks reopen. By midday, guests were standing in spaced-out lines that extended out restaurant doors.
By afternoon, Islands seemed to be the more congested of the two theme parks, particularly in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area. Universal employees counted visitors manually as they entered and exited the Hogsmeade section.
A few visitors were frustrated by new park procedures that weren’t always clear and at times caused long lines that weren’t socially distanced. Around 10 a.m., people lined up in the parking garage, but no 6-feet reminder spaces were placed onto the ground until people got closer to the temperature check-ins before security.
The park’s pace felt different, at times. A guest might stand longer in the line for the ride lockers as employees orchestrated them in one-by-one than on the actual ride. The queue inside the Hogwarts Express station moved at a stuttering pace through the wide-open building.
Some highlights:
The reservations for the popular Hagrid ride went quickly Wednesday morning. By noon, despite the virtual-line approach, there was a long physical line that stretched into the neighboring Lost Continent section of the park.
At the studios, parade units came by separately with dancers on board and wearing masks. A Marilyn Monroe-based show previously done on street level is on a stage in front of the park’s Pantages theater now. Characters from the “Scooby-Doo” cartoon stood on elevated platforms for photo opportunities in front of Mel’s Drive-In restaurant.
As visitors watched the Monroe show’s singers and dancers, one character urged onlookers to support the performers despite the face coverings.
Some attractions and eateries were closed Wednesday, and Universal has said that will be the case when the parks reopen. By midday, guests were standing in spaced-out lines that extended out restaurant doors.
By afternoon, Islands seemed to be the more congested of the two theme parks, particularly in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area. Universal employees counted visitors manually as they entered and exited the Hogsmeade section.
A few visitors were frustrated by new park procedures that weren’t always clear and at times caused long lines that weren’t socially distanced. Around 10 a.m., people lined up in the parking garage, but no 6-feet reminder spaces were placed onto the ground until people got closer to the temperature check-ins before security.
The park’s pace felt different, at times. A guest might stand longer in the line for the ride lockers as employees orchestrated them in one-by-one than on the actual ride. The queue inside the Hogwarts Express station moved at a stuttering pace through the wide-open building.
BlackCauldron
Well-Known Member
Does anyone know if having Express Pass trumps the Virtual Queue?
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Or if they’re available on the 6th
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
This guy was confirmed by a few folks on insideuniversal forums to be a “troll” and notorious for making things seem worse than they are... at least in comparison to other peoples reviews.
Express Pass will allow visitors to bypass the standby or VQ lines. It isn't impacted by the changes.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Are they available on the 6th
milordsloth
Well-Known Member
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Was just triple checking. I saw that too, but was just making sure. I'm actually happy they won't be available on the 6th. Hopefully that means standby lines/VQ still move quicker.
Are going with your family? If so, book a room at one of their version of a deluxe resort. That will get you all Express Passes.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Uhhh......
moneeeyyyyyyy we got an airbnb one mile away for $50 a night in a condo (-:
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
But If you were to pay for express pass...it would blow those “savings” out of the water.Uhhh......
There are always drawbacks to “saving” on rooms in Orlando. Or anywhere...for that matter.
WondersOfLife
Blink, blink. Breathe, breathe. Day in, day out.
Going for 1 day at the parks. I’m not paying for express. I was More just interested in seeing if they’d be utilized when I’m there.
Has there been any indication of if/when the borders will be opened, particularly to Europe? I've not heard anything reported here (the UK) beyond talks about these "air bridges" to stop the need for a 14-day quarantine period, but nothing other than that.
I've heard nothing. Florida still has restrictions on visitors from the New York area. Hawaii is enforcing, jail for violators, a 14 day quarantine for all incoming. Our president is saying the travel ban, first from China, has saved numerous lives.
I think the ban wont be lifted soon. You also have to worry about a possible quarantine on your return.
Coming from Europe I'd move my plans to 2021.
Thanks for the answer, good to get a clearer idea. Booked to fly over in September but considering moving it to September 2021 depending on how things go...
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
The ballpark is 15% or so...not a deal breaker for Disney.
If there is a big drop in demand...it will be Americans outside of Florida that will stay away.
I still think the masks will clear a lot of the decks...much more than zealots are thinking.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
All completely accurate assessments of the situation and things being mostly glossed over by we Disney purists...
I think the masks and potential to have to “distance” is a near complete turn off to those that aren’t in a bind to change their plans. I can only say a small polling sample of the DVC membership I’ve talked to is “eh...I’ll pass” across the board.