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

[DCBaker]

 

[DisneyCane]

The Florida Keys opened to tourists on Monday. There was not the surge in business and people that was expected. Duval street is empty. No cruise ships. Some of our issues will also affect Disney. There are almost no foreign tourists and all bars are still closed. I am not sure how Disney makes up for the lack of foreign tourists. Our bars being closed is similar to Disney not having shows, fireworks, character meets, and parades. The Keys is not the same experience for many visitors without our bars. For many, the best part of their vacation here is having a few drinks and watching the sunset from a waterfront bar. We will not have those visitors return until the bars are open. Disney will have the same issues. For my family, the biggest issue with Disney is the lack of park hopping. We are up early, rope drop, then back at the pool about noon, nap, then a few hours at a different park. Only one park a day will keep us from making the 6 hour drive north.

I had posted before about the locals dislike of cruise ships here, and how they cause crowding while not spending much money. There was a petition to limit the size and environmental impact of cruise ships in Key West. This week it got enough signatures that it will be on the ballot this fall. When we had to vote to allow a study to widen our channel to let bigger ships into our port, it was defeated by a large majority. I would expect the same anti cruise ship result at our next election. This will mean no DCL ships in Key West.

I think no bars in the keys are more analogous to Disney having half the rides closed. The bars are a primary factor in visiting. I think the stuff you mention at Disney are more of a secondary factor, if that, for a lot of people.

 

[Doberge]

An interesting list. It may or may not be comprehensive, but it does not include a single "deluxe" restaurant. Also nothing for Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Wildnerness Lodge. BC and YC are somewhat surprising given DVC components, but I understand the list may not be comprehensive and that they'll have food for those folks.

Maybe they don't think deluxe dining with 25% capacity and long turnover times is worth the expense of operating? I can see the listed places turning into big takeout joints. I also think some kitchens like Ohana could do well with takeout/room service.

While not noted, I can only assume Gurgling Suitcase will operate with only one seat so I'm calling dibs now.

 

[peter11435]

An interesting list. It may or may not be comprehensive, but it does not include a single "deluxe" restaurant. Also nothing for Yacht Club, Beach Club, and Wildnerness Lodge. BC and YC are somewhat surprising given DVC components, but I understand the list may not be comprehensive and that they'll have food for those folks.

Maybe they don't think deluxe dining with 25% capacity and long turnover times is worth the expense of operating? I can see the listed places turning into big takeout joints. I also think some kitchens like Ohana could do well with takeout/room service.

While not noted, I can only assume Gurgling Suitcase will operate with only one seat so I'm calling dibs now.

The graphic you linked to is cut off at the bottom. There are locations at wilderness lodge and the beach club.

 

[Doberge]

I also misspoke about no deluxe (meant signature), but Topolino is on there.

ETA: Also important to remember it's only the opening list and that signatures could open when hotels reopenn after initial DVC only phase.

 

[WDWTrojan]

I also misspoke about no deluxe (meant signature), but Topolino is on there.

ETA: Also important to remember it's only the opening list and that signatures could open when hotels reopenn after initial DVC only phase.

I'd imagine with only DVC open they are going to provide limited menus/hours, as many hotels are, before going to a more normal operations, including signatures, once the resorts fully open.

 

[DisneyCane]

Maybe they don't think deluxe dining with 25% capacity and long turnover times is worth the expense of operating?

Florida entered "full phase 1" on 5/18 which allows 50% capacity in restaurants as long as tables are 6 feet apart.

 

[TeriofTerror]

Dear @lentesta -
I just wanted to take a quick moment to say your personal statement was, in a word, perfect. Well done. I hope others follow your example.
Sincerely,
Teri

 

[Bob Harlem]

One of the biggest legit issues from Universal's reopening was in park dining. Citywalk restaurants didn't open until 4pm. The reduced restaurant capacity REALLY hurts, and add that with hungry people who have thin patience, and it's probably going to one of Disney's worst issues. The only relief at Uni was reservations at the sit down, otherwise it was common to see 30+ minute waits at quick service just to get inside, much less order around the typical food rush times, and that was with low park capacity.

It's to the point even quick service should have reservations. Places like Columbia house, and Village Haus are pretty screwed. Although Starlight may be a bit better, it's still going to be absurd. Sit down places that require reservations already will be even in more demand than usual.

 

[surfsupdon]

They are calling it Yacht and Beach but only restaurants on Beach side are opening.
With Florida moving into Phase 2 soon that should help with more things slowly reopening as demand is needed.

 

[disneygeek90]

One of the biggest legit issues from Universal's reopening was in park dining. Citywalk restaurants didn't open until 4pm. The reduced restaurant capacity REALLY hurts, and add that with hungry people who have thin patience, and it's probably going to one of Disney's worst issues. The only relief at Uni was reservations at the sit down, otherwise it was common to see 30+ minute waits at quick service just to get inside, much less order around the typical food rush times, and that was with low park capacity.

It's to the point even quick service should have reservations. Places like Columbia house, and Village Haus are pretty screwed. Although Starlight may be a bit better, it's still going to be absurd. Sit down places that require reservations already will be even in more demand than usual.

Why is Columbia Harbor House screwed? If they cap the entrance capacity correctly there shouldn’t be any issues with 50% dining capacity. Albeit restaurants in City Walk should be opening before 4pm, especially with the limited park hours. Sit down restaurants in park are pretty limited at Universal.

 

[Bob Harlem]

Why is Columbia Harbor House screwed? If they cap the entrance capacity correctly there shouldn’t be any issues with 50% dining capacity. Albeit restaurants in City Walk should be opening before 4pm, especially with the limited park hours. Sit down restaurants in park are pretty limited at Universal.

There's not a lot of room there, it'll wind up having to be <50% capacity to get enough distancing going on. The lines for food will spill way out into the park at peak times if it isn't tackled right.

 

[tissandtully]

Good to see stuff getting into motion re: resorts. What do we think about Hoop De Doo being running by October?

 

[disneygeek90]

There's not a lot of room there, it'll wind up having to be <50% capacity to get enough distancing going on. The lines for food will spill way out into the park at peak times if it isn't tackled right.

But if the park capacity is diminished along with it you’d think it would even out.

 

[Bob Harlem]

But if the park capacity is diminished along with it you’d think it would even out.

Peak times won't care about that, if everyone is trying to eat around the same time (reduced hours make it even more pronounced).

It definitely wound up that way at Universal so it's something Disney should be aware of.

 

[splashtest]

This makes sense as this is only for June 14th. Parks don't open until Almost a month later outside soft openings. Attendance will be light for that time frame and these are good test location to see the demand. I expect more to open the following month.

 

[natatomic]

Good to see stuff getting into motion re: resorts. What do we think about Hoop De Doo being running by October?

Gotta wait for the performers’ union to give the okay for them to return first.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

Good to see stuff getting into motion re: resorts. What do we think about Hoop De Doo being running by October?

Gotta wait for the performers’ union to give the okay for them to return first.

Besides the union, it's anybody's guess as to what will and what will not be open by then. Optimistically - yes it could be back up with limited seating. Or it could be deemed not 'safe' enough to re-open. Even Disney doesn't know. I have the Park Hopper plus option for my trip in September. They haven't adjusted it yet (remove park hopping) as they don't know when PH will be restored. Same with Water Parks. They are still showing as having hours in September, but as of now they are staying closed when the parks open in July.

 

[JayWDW]

Really bummed... We have a room only reservation at POFQ from July 11 to 21. I didn't add park tickets as we are AP holders. When I called to make sure our reservation ensured we would stay somewhere at WDW...even if that meant being moved from POFQ to another resort, the cast member told me they're only planning to have DVC resorts and the campground open when they re-open the parks on July 11. I asked if our reservation is no good and she said yeah, you'll likely have to cancel or reschedule. That stinks... I hope she was just misinformed...

 

[AugieMorosco]

Really bummed... We have a room only reservation at POFQ from July 11 to 21. I didn't add park tickets as we are AP holders. When I called to make sure our reservation endured we would stay somewhere at WDW...even if that meant being moved from POFQ to another resort, the cast member told me they're only planning to have DVC resorts and the campground open when they re-open the parks on July 11. I asked if our reservation is no good and she said yeah, you'll likely have to cancel or reschedule. That stinks... I hope she was just misinformed...

Someone posted, I think earlier in this thread, a chat with a CM who told them Pop Century would be open. I'm sure the CMs doing their best to relay accurate info, but unless we hear consistent info coming from them, I'd say grain of salt.