Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[Eric Smith]

You seem fairly certain that it's constantly broadcasting. I'm curious what your source is? I have yet to find anywhere that provides a definitive answer as to which method of active RFID is used by MBs.

I'm not saying a MB isn't constantly broadcasting - it may very well be, but active RFID does not have to be constantly broadcasting, so it's entirely possible that the active RFID tag is only broadcasting its ID when prompted by a signal from a receiver. In this case, the transceiver operates in low-power mode until it gets a request from a receiver, then wakes up, broadcasts the ID, and then goes back in to low-power mode. It still drains the battery, but at a much slower rate than constant broadcasting - even more so outside of the parks since it's not being asked to broadcast its ID.

That’s how active RFID works. It always has to broadcast its ID. You’re arguing semantics.

 

[SMRT-1]

That’s how active RFID works. It always has to broadcast its ID. You’re arguing semantics.

That's incorrect.

Active RFID does not have to be constantly broadcasting. Active RFID simply means that it's powered and longer-range (as opposed to passive RFID tags which are unpowered and very short-range). Yes, there is definitely a type of RFID that is constantly broadcasting; however, not all active RFID operates that way. Active RFID can also operate in low-power, receive-only mode and only broadcast its ID when it is pinged by a receiver. It's still powered, and still long-range; it just uses less power by not constantly broadcasting. How is pointing out that there's more than one type of active RFID arguing semantics?

It's entirely possible that the active RFID inside the MB is operating in this low-power, on-demand mode.

I've written code for tracking systems, and have experience with various types of passive and active RFID equipment. I know what I'm talking about.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

They don't use the magic bands to time the lines. They stopped giving the cards out for COVID reasons.

I don’t believe you’re correct. Pretty sure they stopped using the cards months if not a year before the pandemic hit.

 

[disneygirlsng]

I don’t believe you’re correct. Pretty sure they stopped using the cards months if not a year before the pandemic hit.

They stopped in late 2017, then I believe they brought them back briefly then stopped again, but it was definitely pre-Covid. When they first stopped the info that was given was that MBs would be used to time the lines.

 

[Jennasis]

They don't use the magic bands to time the lines. They stopped giving the cards out for COVID reasons. I think they're just estimating line time by how long the line is. That's probably why there has been such a great variance post-COVID with how long the line is supposed to be and how long it actually takes.

They stopped handing out the red cards a LONG time before Covid was a thing.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

You know what...I never actually watched Wishes. HEA either. We are there during it, but would be on rides or what not. I did see the fireworks throughout the park though.

I second that this is worthy of having your Disney card revoked. SHAME!

Fireworks at MK on our first evening at WDW has been a family tradition. Wishes was the show when we started taking our DS to WDW. He was 4 the first time. 22 now. The first time I saw HEA, I thought the projection mapping was very cool, but it all seemed like a 15 minute commercial for Disney movie IP. HEA has since grown on me. I'll watch Youtube videos of each and Wishes looks really dated now. I'd love to have Wishes come back occasionally, but HEA is the better "show".

I have to agree, HEA has really grown on me. I was devastated when Wishes came to an end, I will admit that I totally shed a tear or two the last time I saw it when I knew it was ending. Now the husband and I have grown to love it so much we sometimes listen to the HEA soundtrack in the car.

Wishes is the fireworks show I remember from my own childhood, so it leaving was such an end of an era nostalgia sort of thing for me. Watching children see HEA though, I can see that it has the stories that they know and love and is more representative of their interests today. I mean their faces when they see Moana, it just gets you!

It's a wonderful show with a great message. I like to think of the you'll be in my heart section as a little nod to those of us that watched Wishes throughout our childhoods and now watch HEA with our own families ❤.

 

[Eric Smith]

They stopped handing out the red cards a LONG time before Covid was a thing.

We got a few in January of 2019, when did they stop?

 

[Teamubr]

I like to think of the you'll be in my heart section as a little nod to those of us that watched Wishes throughout our childhoods and now watch HEA with our own families ❤.

That is the section that makes me tear up. As I said above, the first time (of many) we saw Wishes was when DS was 4. We adopted DS when he was 2, so that song has special meaning to us. When I heard it the first time in HEA, DS was 19 then... let's just say I was a little more than teared up.

j

 

[preemiemama]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1358581724767207426

 

[MommaBerd]

My kids were literally crying because of how it was (they were getting pushed and could see, etc)

This made me so sad to read. It is crazy how people lose any sense of politeness or consideration when it comes to fireworks...and sometimes parades.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We got a few in January of 2019, when did they stop?

https://chipandco.com/red-cards-disney-world-soon-thing-past-280766/

 

[Eric Smith]

https://chipandco.com/red-cards-disney-world-soon-thing-past-280766/

I think this ended up being wrong seeing as we got some back in early 2019. “Some castmembers” aren’t the most reliable source.

 

[disneygirlsng]

We got a few in January of 2019, when did they stop?

They stopped in late 2017 for a while. They brought them back briefly, early 2019 sounds about right. Then a couple months later they stopped them again.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1358644922451124224

checking out of Ft wilderness today, have an MK reservation. , so close yet so far..

 

[vacationer1954]

It doesn't work that way. If you dock in a US port, you are subject to US laws.

I did say "avoiding US law ALMOST entirely". However, in this case, my saying that was really just a hedge related to how the IRS would tax profits that might find their way from these cruises back into the US. The way they're talking about doing it would avoid the US laws we're talking about completely: I found the FB group posts referring to the articles about it. It is Royal Caribbean doing this: “Sailing from the heart of the Windward Islands unlocks new memorable vacations to share with family and friends in breathtaking places, such as Grenada, St. Lucia and now St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago. The pink-sand beaches and unexpected adventures across Barbados also make it an ideal destination for our guests to experience even more of the Caribbean charm and culture before or after their cruise.” These cruises start on December 5 (whether the CDC likes it or not).

... it's incredibly unlikely that people would fly to another country to get on a cruise during the pandemic.

I belong to a number of cruise-related forums, especially related to Holland America. Some of these folks are those "pinky in the air drinking tea" folks who have had (pre-COVID) major "look down their nose at" disease with regard to what they consider lesser cruise lines (like Royal Caribbean), and the way some of them are talking today they are jumping at the opportunity to take these Royal Caribbean cruises.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Most of the major cruise lines sail foreign registered ships and already don’t have to follow US labor laws etc . Which is why there was discussion as to whether they should get any stimulus money from the US

 

[vacationer1954]

Most of the major cruise lines sail foreign registered ships and already don’t have to follow US labor laws etc . Which is why there was discussion as to whether they should get any stimulus money from the US

Yes. The laws that we've been discussing are those the CDC is imposing that blocks them from accepting passengers.

 

[GrantDB]

I think this ended up being wrong seeing as we got some back in early 2019. “Some castmembers” aren’t the most reliable source.

We got given one for Primevil Whirl in August 2019

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We got given one for Primevil Whirl in August 2019

They might have been used on occasion when the magic band readers weren’t working or to check them but I think they have not been widely used in many years.

 

[Just654]

I am sure this had been answered before. But are most Disney World Parks opening parking lots about an hour before park open? Then letting in about 45-30mins before actual open time? I know rides may or may not be running.