News Walt Disney World theme parks increase capacity but see longer waits and less physical distancing

[SoFloMagic]

Which is great for APs, but pretty bad for guests who are only there once every few years. They'd get their 3 FP+ rides with little wait, and then spend the rest of the day waiting hours and hours for a few additional attractions. I think a regular guest might need 3 full days at the Magic Kingdom to be able to experience everything.

The food issue you mention is a serious problem, though. They desperately need more capacity for dining, and yet they have former locations sitting empty/unused.

It seems they're cost-cutting by having 50% of food closed (or at least closed on weekdays), then cost-cutting by eliminating cashiers and going mobile-only, then cost-cutting by only having half the windows open and a kitchen that's clearly critically understaffed. If you're gonna do mobile and keep stuff closed, at least staff what's open. Pecos was doing less business than usual, with a limited menu, and still had 20 minute+ waits... that's some bull.

And no argument from me on the FP. I acknowledge my privilege and understand it's a net negative for the average guest. For me though, it's awesome.

I apologize to all if I re-awakened the FP debate . I think we can all agree that it's great if you know how to use it and can use it to your advantage, and is a net negative for anyone who isn't a pro or doesn't know it exists.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It seems they're cost-cutting by having 50% of food closed (or at least closed on weekdays), then cost-cutting by eliminating cashiers and going mobile-only, then cost-cutting by only having half the windows open and a kitchen that's clearly critically understaffed. If you're gonna do mobile and keep stuff closed, at least staff what's open. Pecos was doing less business than usual, with a limited menu, and still had 20 minute+ waits... that's some bull.

This is a great example of how Disney’s operating philosophy has shifted. It’s no longer about quality and service, but making you just miserable enough to continue. The parks reopened to glowing satisfaction surveys and instead of trying to capitalize on that positivity (happy customers often buy more), they very quickly reverted to trying to squeeze as much as possible.

 

[UNCgolf]

It seems they're cost-cutting by having 50% of food closed (or at least closed on weekdays), then cost-cutting by eliminating cashiers and going mobile-only, then cost-cutting by only having half the windows open and a kitchen that's clearly critically understaffed. If you're gonna do mobile and keep stuff closed, at least staff what's open. Pecos was doing less business than usual, with a limited menu, and still had 20 minute+ waits... that's some bull.

I wasn't even talking about right now under Covid (I haven't been), although I'm sure it's awful. But even under regular operations they don't have enough, at least at the Magic Kingdom. You often can't even find anywhere to sit down and eat after waiting 20 minutes to get your food. And yet the Tomorrowland Terrace, with outdoor seating and a great view, is just sitting there unused the vast majority of the time.

 

[Goofnut1980]

I would argue the fact that they should be able to open most of their quick service locations everywhere with a 35% capacity. Lets be honest. That is about 35,000 people needing to eat. Not only would it make the experience positive, it would also spread people out. Tomorrowland Terrace is sitting unused. Get rid of a "free" mask-free zone and make money making mask-free zone.

Don't get me wrong, we love Disney and will continue to go. But if you have 4 keys (soon to be 5) and one is about Safety. Lets try that one out. The company I work for is all about Safety and as of late with covid they just have let things slip and now positive cases are popping up here and there in offices and work sites. Don't take the eye off the ball Disney.

 

[matt9112]

If they're going to increase capacity, they need to increase the park hours - ESPECIALLY at MK and DHS! There is frankly not enough time to do everything with the current crowds and limited capacity on attractions.

But also yeah, the crowds I saw a few weeks ago during "Fall Break" (around Columbus Day) did not seem like 25% to me and 35% seems more accurate.

There was never enough time to do everything in MK with busy crowds pre covid unless you ramboed the park...and that is well i have done it but less than ideal.

 

[matt9112]

It seems they're cost-cutting by having 50% of food closed (or at least closed on weekdays), then cost-cutting by eliminating cashiers and going mobile-only, then cost-cutting by only having half the windows open and a kitchen that's clearly critically understaffed. If you're gonna do mobile and keep stuff closed, at least staff what's open. Pecos was doing less business than usual, with a limited menu, and still had 20 minute+ waits... that's some bull.

And no argument from me on the FP. I acknowledge my privilege and understand it's a net negative for the average guest. For me though, it's awesome.

I apologize to all if I re-awakened the FP debate . I think we can all agree that it's great if you know how to use it and can use it to your advantage, and is a net negative for anyone who isn't a pro or doesn't know it exists.

Dont they do this pre covid ? Isnt it well known they use mm+ and hotel reservations etc to do predictable staffing? Aka on a slow day only half of space is open so your still waiting 60 minutes etc?

 

[Tom Morrow]

There was never enough time to do everything in MK with busy crowds pre covid unless you ramboed the park...and that is well i have done it but less than ideal.

I should have specified "major attractions", though on some lighter days when going all day I have been able to do -almost- everything. I live close by and almost never used to go to the parks before, say 4 PM. On a typical pre-covid weekday, I was almost always able to hit every major MK attraction plus a few minor ones on those evening visits. Currently with the reduced capacity and 6 PM closings, it's not possible to do every major attraction.

 

[Magic Feather]

A small handful of capacity increase measures are expected to go live in time for the Thanksgiving rush next week. This should include Runaway Railway starting to seat two parties per car, one other attraction might get glassed in time as well.

In addition to that, expect more restaurants open, and those already open to have longer hours. Lots of CMs being deployed for the week in what should be the first big (and publicized) "stress test" of the measures.

 

[Walt d]

increased park capacity = longer waits and less physical distancing , am I missing something?

Yes” cough cough wheeze!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The locals and frequent visitors may stop coming as often as normal but Disney has millions of annual visitors to pull from, I think Disney knows they have enough fans they can sustain the limited capacity for several months, even without a lot of return visitor traffic. They just need to survive the next several months until we have a vaccine or treatment and then things can start to get back to some sense of normal.

I know at least a dozen DL AP holders from CA going in the next month, my Gf and I are coming from NV, my brothers family is coming from UT.. for all of us this is our first trip to a Disney park since before the shut down. We are all just happy to be going to a Disney park, if I can get on half a dozen rides a day I’ll be content. Judging by some of the negative reviews we may not be booking return trips for the next month but if they don’t reopen DL by next spring I can almost guarantee we‘ll all be back to WDW for another fix by next summer, my guess is thats true of a large percentage of the people saying they won’t be back too, they may not return next month but give them 3 months and they’ll be back for a Disney fix again too.

That’s not really the situation they’re actually in...but would sure love it if you’re right

 

[Purduevian]

A small handful of capacity increase measures are expected to go live in time for the Thanksgiving rush next week. This should include Runaway Railway starting to seat two parties per car, one other attraction might get glassed in time as well.

In addition to that, expect more restaurants open, and those already open to have longer hours. Lots of CMs being deployed for the week in what should be the first big (and publicized) "stress test" of the measures.

Trying to think of what other Major ride could have plexiglass installed to increase capacity.
MK;
Pirates- Maybe but the drop would splash the glass
Splash- Same issue as Pirates but worse
BTMRR- I don't think this would work well on coasters, too much stress on the glass
Small world- could work
Pooh- could work
7D- coaster
Space-coaster

Epcot
TT-too fast
Frozen-Splash issue

DHS
MFSR- could possibly use it to seat more than 1 party in cabin?
SDD- speed issue
RnR-Speed issue
Tot- This could work

AK
Navi- could work
Everest- too fast

So I'm guessing either Small world, Pooh, ToT or Navi

 

[Dr.GrantSeeker]

A small handful of capacity increase measures are expected to go live in time for the Thanksgiving rush next week. This should include Runaway Railway starting to seat two parties per car, one other attraction might get glassed in time as well.

In addition to that, expect more restaurants open, and those already open to have longer hours. Lots of CMs being deployed for the week in what should be the first big (and publicized) "stress test" of the measures.

Thanksgiving is literally a week away. Is that enough time for Disney to get ready for the rush? At least they acknowledging they need more places to put all the guests. Any idea what restaurants may open?

 

[Magic Feather]

Thanksgiving is literally a week away. Is that enough time for Disney to get ready for the rush? At least they acknowledging they need more places to put all the guests. Any idea what restaurants may open?

"Every major restaurant in MK, DHS, and DAK and some additions at Epcot" was the quote I was given. That quote was from before Harambe Market reopened at DAK, so I assume that was AK's contribution.
I think MK has been firing on all cylinders for a few weeks.
I'd assume that DHS references TSL and some more on Sunset.
Epcot will probably have one or two more WS restaurants opening.

 

[Unbanshee]

A small handful of capacity increase measures are expected to go live in time for the Thanksgiving rush next week. This should include Runaway Railway starting to seat two parties per car, one other attraction might get glassed in time as well.

In addition to that, expect more restaurants open, and those already open to have longer hours. Lots of CMs being deployed for the week in what should be the first big (and publicized) "stress test" of the measures.

Looks like Runaway had a good start for plexiglass

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Wait Times Slashed After Introduction of Plexiglass

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

 

[Magic Feather]

Looks like Runaway had a good start for plexiglass

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Wait Times Slashed After Introduction of Plexiglass

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

I’d still bet money that posted is decently greater than actual wait time.

 

[UNCgolf]

I’d still bet money that posted is decently greater than actual wait time.

Isn't that always the case?

 

[Ldno]

Looks like Runaway had a good start for plexiglass

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway Wait Times Slashed After Introduction of Plexiglass

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

It was dirty, I felt bad for the people recording behind me because the plexiglass here and in rise of the resistance were completely dirty.

not even sure how since we have masks

the plexiglass inside the tower of terror was only in one row and it was sideways.

The food situation is a bit tricky
Yes I don’t miss fast pass, some people might be spoiled here but me as an avid theme park goer that’s there from rope drop to park close I did more rides and managed to do kids rides more than I would had done so on a regularly filled day at Magic Kingdom, usually I have to sacrifice some queues but not this time I did every single posted queue on the map short of space mountain and I could had done space mountain because I literally spent an 1:30 taking pictures in front of the castle between changes.

hahaha I missed a castle projection by seconds then it changed up on us.... dammit
So yes, fast pass can be kicked to the curb.

Going back to the food situation, it sucks

lines, LINES, LINES FOR EVERYTHING.

bathroom, snacks, entering a store, rides, always keep an eye for cast members that are holding an entrance queue sign people will have the balls to cut in front of you because they don’t know either, happened multiple times

Get used to mobile order everything even blue milk, I heard a cast member get into with a guest because of it, so I quietly pulled out my phone and ordered.

menus are digital, the queues and rides felt crowded YES, but I did way more than any of my previous trips, because the line keeps moving and doesn’t cut you off from prioritizing fast pass guest anymore and I love it. You would be surprised how fast they move as previously stated and yes they exaggerate the numbers but everything is easy and doable the only miserable queue I ever did was in runaway railway because half the queue is outside in the hot sun and there’s minimal shade....

my 4 year old daughter was singing to herself “stop and go” from just how she was sitting down to play on her iPad then she had to stand up and keep moving.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Get used to mobile order everything even blue milk, I heard a cast member get into with a guest because of it, so I quietly pulled out my phone and ordered.

There isn’t an option to order in person and/ or pay in cash?

 

[Ldno]

Nope they’ll kindly remind you to do it on the mobile order app, I was waiting in line to purchase to purchase in person/cash and had to be pulled off and be told to go through the app and “wait“ to be called up by the cast member then Mr. “so, so” your drink is ready. This happened a lot while I was doing the order, FYI the name on the mobile order app Is “Milk Stand“, I was dead set on finding blue milk with no success haha

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Nope they’ll kindly remind you to do it on the mobile order app, I was waiting in line to purchase to purchase in person/cash and had to be pulled off and be told to go through the app and “wait“ to be called up by the cast member then Mr. “so, so” your drink is ready. This happened a lot while I was doing the order, FYI the name on the mobile order app Is “Milk Stand“, I was dead set on finding blue milk with no success haha

And that’s at an outdoor stand... so there really isn’t a reason to insist on mobile order is there?