News Walt Disney World's COVID-19 reopening plans announced - July 11

[_caleb]

That’s during the pandemic. The question is post-pandemic, whenever that is deemed to be. What happens to FP+/park pass system/park hopper?

I think they're trying to take the opportunity to undo some of the crowding that NextGen caused. In other words, scrapping FastPass+ now is easy (because it's not needed) and replacing it with something that might actually help control crowds while also giving Disney that coveted guest data. I think MDE has already shown them that magic bands and FastPass+ aren't necessary.

To be specific, I think reservations (whether it's ADRs, FastPasses, or whatever) will be adapted to be more like realtime offers. If one side of the park is crowded (limiting guest satisfaction and spending), they can lure guests to less crowded areas with coupons, offers, and announcements (cavalcades, parades, popup shows, etc.).

This ability would be helpful when trying to enforce some level of social distancing, but it would be of long-term benefit in actually delivering what NextGen failed to deliver.

 

[nickys]

That’s during the pandemic. The question is post-pandemic, whenever that is deemed to be. What happens to FP+/park pass system/park hopper?

Martin has hinted several times that FP+ will not be coming back, but also that they may not have decided exactly what system they want to put in place.

We know there are no FPs whilst park reservations are in place.

We’ve also heard several times that park hopping will return, it’s just a matter of when.

 

[Rteetz]

Governor DeSantis and execs from Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are wrapping up a press conference right now. All three companies said that they are seeing travelers from out of state. They said the majority is those driving though. The governor endorsed increasing capacity. Disney and SeaWorld talked about their animal care and how both companies worked together on many aspects there. All three also noted that they have plans in place for CA parks but are waiting on CA government.

 

[JohnD]

Martin has hinted several times that FP+ will not be coming back, but also that they may not have decided exactly what system they want to put in place.

We know there are no FPs whilst park reservations are in place.

We’ve also heard several times that park hopping will return, it’s just a matter of when.

Right. Which means how will park hopper work? Just revert to the old system in the past? Just show up and ride standby? Maybe offer legacy FP in some capacity? Because I cannot see how you can have a park pass system and PH at the same time.

 

[Touchdown]

Did he actually say that in the interview? Your quote doesn't mention fastpass.

As a rope dropper who also uses fastpasses, I will be very sad to see it go. It's made out trips so much easier and more efficient.

You fail to realize how much FP ruins hour 2. Back in the before times, I could start in Frontierland and do the two mountains, Pirates, mansion, Pan, Pooh and Snow White all before Noon. Now, I can only be that productive with Fastpasses because Pan, Pirates and Mansion never get the old “2nd hour lull” they used to get after the initial opening. Crowds just build. I would love if Maxpass was brought over. It was like old Fastpass but better. I can ride practically every ride I want at both parks out west most days.

 

[JohnD]

Governor DeSantis and execs from Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are wrapping up a press conference right now. All three companies said that they are seeing travelers from out of state. They said the majority is those driving though. The governor endorsed increasing capacity. Disney and SeaWorld talked about their animal care and how both companies worked together on many aspects there. All three also noted that they have plans in place for CA parks but are waiting on CA government.

Due to Florida being a peninsula, how are people "driving through"? Unless you enter at the FL/AL border and exit I-75 or I-95 at the FL/GA border or reverse.

 

[JohnD]

Did he actually say that in the interview? Your quote doesn't mention fastpass.

As a rope dropper who also uses fastpasses, I will be very sad to see it go. It's made out trips so much easier and more efficient.

I quoted WDWMagic's story. That's a question for them.

 

[DCBaker]

Due to Florida being a peninsula, how are people "driving through"? Unless you enter at the FL/AL border and exit I-75 or I-95 at the FL/GA border or reverse.

The majority is driving "though", not through - they were in a discussion about where theme park guests were coming from and most are arriving via ground transportation vs planes.

 

[Rteetz]

Due to Florida being a peninsula, how are people "driving through"? Unless you enter at the FL/AL border and exit I-75 or I-95 at the FL/GA border or reverse.

That says though not through.

 

[JohnD]

The majority is driving "though", not through - they were in a discussion about where theme park guests were coming from and most are arriving via ground transportation vs planes.

I'd say that's a given anywhere in the world. Air travel is down like 90%.

 

[JohnD]

Did he actually say that in the interview? Your quote doesn't mention fastpass.

As a rope dropper who also uses fastpasses, I will be very sad to see it go. It's made out trips so much easier and more efficient.

So I watched the video. It's one of those best practices type videos with lots of buzz words. One of the takeaways is leverage technology. Josh referred to "queue reservation systems". That could mean FP+. But I don't think it's coming back. More likely, it's building on the virtual queue as currently utilized for ROTR.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Interesting that reservations to manage capacity "are here to stay."

Previously, WDW was using carrot and sticks to discourage overcrowding. Reservations take care of that. It's a nuclear option for people who plan a Christmas trip to Disney and find they might be blocked from getting into the MK because reservations are full. Which will lead to a new competition for reservation spots for those times the parks are ordinarily too crowded.

 

[easyrowrdw]

You fail to realize how much FP ruins hour 2. Back in the before times, I could start in Frontierland and do the two mountains, Pirates, mansion, Pan, Pooh and Snow White all before Noon. Now, I can only be that productive with Fastpasses because Pan, Pirates and Mansion never get the old “2nd hour lull” they used to get after the initial opening. Crowds just build. I would love if Maxpass was brought over. It was like old Fastpass but better. I can ride practically every ride I want at both parks out west most days.

Ruins is a subjective assessment and it certainly doesn't happen for me. There are plenty of short waits to be had in hour two. I have no problem doing seven or eight rides before lunch. I don't do the combination you present, but that wouldn't be an efficient plan for my family anyway. And after a break, late afternoons into evenings for us are almost all fastpass pick-ups.

There are plenty of easy wdw plans one can follow (but sadly they're not allowed here).

 

[easyrowrdw]

I quoted WDWMagic's story. That's a question for them.

Ah, my mistake. I didn't see that.

So I watched the video. It's one of those best practices type videos with lots of buzz words. One of the takeaways is leverage technology. Josh referred to "queue reservation systems". That could mean FP+. But I don't think it's coming back. More likely, it's building on the virtual queue as currently utilized for ROTR.

Thank you. I can't watch right now so I was curious.

 

[wishiwere@wdw]

Governor DeSantis and execs from Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld are wrapping up a press conference right now. All three companies said that they are seeing travelers from out of state. They said the majority is those driving though. The governor endorsed increasing capacity. Disney and SeaWorld talked about their animal care and how both companies worked together on many aspects there. All three also noted that they have plans in place for CA parks but are waiting on CA government.

Article on today’s presser.

Edit- really just posted to share a link to the article .

Florida governor says state would support theme parks expanding capacity

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that the state would support a move by theme parks to increase capacity at their attractions.

www.wesh.com

 

[JohnD]

Ah, my mistake. I didn't see that.

Thank you. I can't watch right now so I was curious.

Yeah. It has catchy music playing underneath at all times. The host and Josh are in separate windows. A third window shows scenes from WDW, mostly of guests wearing masks. Screens get larger or smaller depending on what they want to emphasize. Captions are at the bottom with several misspellings. Then there is Josh providing his observations with text beside his face writing out what he said in case you didn't understand him. The host at the end, consolidates everything into three takeaways, also written on the screen as three bullet points. It was a Guest Services 101 video with Josh D'Amaro.

 

[Stevie Amsterdam]

Yeah. It has catchy music playing underneath at all times. The host and Josh are in separate windows. A third window shows scenes from WDW, mostly of guests wearing masks. Screens get larger or smaller depending on what they want to emphasize. Captions are at the bottom with several misspellings. Then there is Josh providing his observations with text beside his face writing out what he said in case you didn't understand him. The host at the end, consolidates everything into three takeaways, also written on the screen as three bullet points. It was a Guest Services 101 video with Josh D'Amaro.

True. I liked the video but it was very produced and all questions were prepared.

 

[networkpro]

Due to Florida being a peninsula, how are people "driving through"? Unless you enter at the FL/AL border and exit I-75 or I-95 at the FL/GA border or reverse.

You forgot I-10

 

[JohnD]

You forgot I-10

Actually, I was implying I-10 when I said FL/AL border but forgot that that border is both to the north and west in FL.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Disney Parks Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D'Amaro talks about the reopening of Walt Disney World

The Walt Disney Company News

A new interview with U.S. Travel Association CEO Roger Dow offers some insight into Disney's hopes for the future.

www.wdwmagic.com

So in the interview, D'Amaro implies that among other things, Park Pass is here to stay. That could mean any number of things, including reverting back to the Fastpass+ rules (as it would accomplish the same thing). I also don't believe they will forego park hopping revenue if the parks can support it.

Having said that, if the choice is between reserving the park with no Fastpass+ (or Fastpass for that matter) vs. the way things were done pre-COVID, I'm on team Park Pass.