Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[brockash]

woohoo!!! Something to chew on....obviously not verified by Disney:

From a poster on wdwmagic (do I name their name? never sure how to do this) -

I am told we can expect Fantasmic!, Happily Ever After, and something blowy-uppy at Epcot by 10/1/21.

I‘ll take the win.

And there’s still hope for 2 out of 3 for summer.

Yay for postponing our trip until October!!!

Wow...that's pretty disappointing in my eyes...that's 8 months away and a 20 month lapse...very sad. How long has SW been doing fireworks since reopening? - Disney won't do it for a year after them... sad.

Don't get me wrong; I appreciate you postong the info., but REALLY disappointed if true.

 

[Farro]

The option is still there.

No, I'm asking that poster in particular. Since I ordered ours yesterday for our trip, I can no longer order anymore unless I go to shop Disney.

 

[SMRT-1]

Can you still order through MDE? Or is the option gone?

We're staying at the Swan, so that was never an option for us; we bought them directly from Shop Disney, and have actually had the bands since Aug. 2019, which is what prompted my concern.

 

[Farro]

Wow...that's pretty disappointing in my eyes...that's 8 months away and a 20 month lapse...very sad. How long has SW been doing fireworks since reopening? - Disney won't do it for a year after them... sad.

Don't get me wrong; I appreciate you postong the info., but REALLY disappointed if true.

Well, I think it's at least some positive rumors for once!

As was beat into my head - Disney will do what Disney will do, doesn't matter what the other parks do. But remember, he/she did say there is still hope for 2 out of 3 for the summer! (again, not verified)

 

[Wendy12]

We're staying at the Swan, so that was never an option for us; we bought them directly from Shop Disney, and have actually had the bands since Aug. 2019, which is what prompted my concern.

I saw in another thread that Swan guests have been able to order through MDE so give it a look.

 

[only hope]

Wow...that's pretty disappointing in my eyes...that's 8 months away and a 20 month lapse...very sad. How long has SW been doing fireworks since reopening? - Disney won't do it for a year after them... sad.

Don't get me wrong; I appreciate you postong the info., but REALLY disappointed if true.

It is a bit sad but people weren’t observing social distancing for a simple rotating image displayed on the castle during the holidays. What would guests do for a fireworks show? Disney needs to come up with a way to enforce distancing to run it during a pandemic. Because of the heavy use of projections, it has to be viewed on MS for the full experience which really limits capacity when groups need to be distanced.

 

[scrappinginontario]

No, I'm asking that poster in particular. Since I ordered ours yesterday for our trip, I can no longer order anymore unless I go to shop Disney.

Sorry, I misunderstood. The first time I ordered a specialty band for my daughter I didn't realize that I needed to order mine at the same time or else end up with a grey band. She got a pretty one and I had grey that trip. I won't make that mistake again.

 

[yulilin3]

It is a bit sad but people weren’t observing social distancing for a simple rotating image displayed on the castle during the holidays. What would guests do for a fireworks show? Disney needs to come up with a way to enforce distancing to run it during a pandemic. Because of the heavy use of projections, it has to be viewed on MS for the full experience which really limits capacity when groups need to be distanced.

I've said this before, fireworks can be done without the projections, even HEA, I've watched it from the Poly beach and didn't really miss the projections at all. As far as social distancing Disney can do what SW does, put circle markers around the park for people to stand separated from the other group. It can be done, Disney just has chosen not to and the biggest aspect of that decision is money saving, sure some safety issues to consider butt for the most part it's money saving, which I don't necessarily blame them. Fantasmic is even easier to execute, again it's a money saving issue masked (pun intended) by safety
Now if the rumor is true it gives them a great excuse to use already seen and staged and blocked entertainment as brand new or at least a big TA-DA we're celebrating the 600th by bringing back these favorites

 

[preemiemama]

Well, I think it's at least some positive rumors for once!

As was beat into my head - Disney will do what Disney will do, doesn't matter what the other parks do. But remember, he/she did say there is still hope for 2 out of 3 for the summer! (again, not verified)

I'm hoping this rumor is true- most especially the longer hours. We have 8 night stay in July for our 25th anniversary (which was supposed to be in Italy, but COVID...). I don't mind no fireworks- though having them gives people a reason to not be on the rides. But that heat without an afternoon break? Not so much...

 

[Farro]

quoting myself from news thread, new IP inspired apparel around resorts for quick service (Boardwalk - Dumbo, Contemporary - monorail, etc.,) - and I hope they start selling these in the gift shops of each resort. See below for picture of Contemporary apron!

(sorry, one more post)

I LOVE THAT.

As previously posted, new quick-service apparel around the resorts - here is the one at Contemporary.

trusted site!
https://allears.net/2021/02/05/photos-these-disney-cast-members-have-a-new-monorail-inspired-look/
View attachment 554477

 

[preemiemama]

February hours update. Hoping this bodes well for summer!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1357830957252939776

 

[mshanson3121]

He wouldn't have been there this year anyways

You shut your face!

 

[princesscinderella]

We're staying at the Swan, so that was never an option for us; we bought them directly from Shop Disney, and have actually had the bands since Aug. 2019, which is what prompted my concern.

I have a magic band that I have been using for at least 4 years so I wouldn’t worry about the battery it lasts a long time.

 

[yulilin3]

I have a magic band that I have been using for at least 4 years so I wouldn’t worry about the battery it lasts a long time.

The mb battery is only an issue for on ride photos, usually mb batteries last a couple of years. For everything that you tap, like at the entrance and fp that doesn't need or use the battery so the mb can last forever

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I know most are aware that solid color magicbands now cost $5 for resort guests, instead of being free. But they are now including new colors at the $5 price point!View attachment 554439

I did what I said I would never do and paid money for magic bands . The pastel pink was calling to me, and the husband wanted black.

The last thing I need is more bands.... but pretty colors!!

February hours update. Hoping this bodes well for summer!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1357830957252939776

I am LOVING THIS. I've been twice since reopening and we really missed evening time in the parks.

Third time must really be the charm because we are now getting longer hours and hopping privileges back.

 

[Runnsally]

The mb battery is only an issue for on ride photos, usually mb batteries last a couple of years. For everything that you tap, like at the entrance and fp that doesn't need or use the battery so the mb can last forever

Stupid question...I assume the clock on the MB battery starts as soon as the band is produced and battery-life is independent of how often the band is used?

 

[yulilin3]

Stupid question...I assume the clock on the MB battery starts as soon as the band is produced and battery-life is independent of how often the band is used?

just like anything with a battery the more use, storage , weather and no use all affects the battery.

 

[SMRT-1]

The mb battery is only an issue for on ride photos, usually mb batteries last a couple of years. For everything that you tap, like at the entrance and fp that doesn't need or use the battery so the mb can last forever

Yep. I'm aware that the "tap" functionality is unpowered and will essentially work indefinitely, but I do care about the long-range functionality for ride photos/videos, etc., and I've seen the low end of the battery estimates put at 2 years, so as COVID continues to push our trip back (<- that keeps this semi on-topic, right?), it's moving past 2 years since we bought the bands (and who knows when they were manufactured), and I'm starting to get paranoid about the batteries.

 

[vacationer1954]

Stupid question...I assume the clock on the MB battery starts as soon as the band is produced and battery-life is independent of how often the band is used?

Yes. The battery-operated functionality continually broadcasts as long as power remains.

 

[Runnsally]

Yes. The battery-operated functionality continually broadcasts as long as power remains.

Thanks. So it has nothing to do with use in the parks as it’s always broadcasting?