Cruise and Theme Park Operational Updates due to Coronavirus

[hertamaniac]

And if people aren’t following Disney forums they would never know. People plan for and know about meal waits and ride waits.

That is a valid point. I could see guests mapping out their days/evenings with the understanding the pool(s) are available to everyone at anytime. But, a capacity limit does make sense IF it is communicated/conveyed to the guests PRIOR to arrival (perhaps a simple e-mail?).

 

[MickeyWaffles]

We've stayed there before COVID and we did have to wait to get into Stormalong Bay, so it's not unheard of.

Haha, I was going to say it’s clear many people here haven’t stayed at Yacht/Beach during a hot Easter Week or 4th of July week before. We have had to wait to get in to SAB midday on 2 different trips in the “Before Times.”

 

[Eric Smith]

Maybe nothing can be done directly in the pool areas, but certainly they could do some things to alleviate crowds. For starters they could open more up at the resorts to pull people out of the pools...arcades, resort activities, dining locations, etc.

There is a schedule for opening more resorts. I don't think arcades or resort activities are going to pull people away who want to go to the pool in March. Dining is also limited due to COVID.

 

[HokieRaven5]

That is a valid point. I could see guests mapping out their days/evenings with the understanding the pool(s) are available to everyone at anytime. But, a capacity limit does make sense IF it is communicated/conveyed to the guests PRIOR to arrival (perhaps a simple e-mail?).

Disney Resort Hotels: Know Before You Go

Pools

• Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools are open 24 hours a day
• Pools are operating with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
• Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels

Not sure if they are emailing it out but this is listed through their website.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

There is a schedule for opening more resorts. I don't think arcades or resort activities are going to pull people away who want to go to the pool in March. Dining is also limited due to COVID.

Of course it would. If my kids can't get into the pool, they would be happy to go to the arcade or do another activity. But they aren't going to be happy just waiting in an hour line to get into the pool with nothing else to do.

 

[Funfire240]

Anywhere I go, especially now, I will research and look into capacities. I understand not everyone thinks to do that but then that's on them, not on the destination. If I'm paying this much for a vacation, I want to know what it's like and how things are being handled right now (although I did this even before COVID hit to be aware) and if I don't feel it's worth it then we will just wait until it is. We are in a time (at least the State I live in - Ohio) where everything has capacity limits. I couldn't even go into Great Clips when I took my 10 year old for a hair cut. So of course when I travel during this time, I plan on looking at everything to know what I'm getting into.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Disney Resort Hotels: Know Before You Go

Pools

• Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools are open 24 hours a day
• Pools are operating with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
• Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels

Not sure if they are emailing it out but this is listed through their website.

Yeah, it’s not a secret that everything there is running at limited capacity. They’ve covered their bases here.

I understand the frustration from people who are on their trips, but reduced pool capacity should be expected - Disney isn’t hiding the fact that capacity of things is limited right now due to covid. They’re not over promising and under delivering. It’s all out there.

I do not want to see Disney packing the pool deck to the gills right now, especially since it’s a mask free area. I don’t really know what people want them to do. Reserve a time window in advance? Do people really want that? Weather is unpredictable, etc.

 

[Sarahslay]

Could this be in anticipation of the CDC annoucing spacing of 3 ft (and not 6 ft)? If/when this happens, the next step would be for Disney to annouce increase from 35% of capacity to 45%. If people feel crowded now, this will really make them uncomfortable.

I've been 5 times since reopening, and I can honestly say the crowds are only really a thing because of those long lines stretching throughout the park. In areas without this it feels pretty well wide open, but in areas with any social distancing markers it starts to feel cramped. I honestly haven't heard anything about an announcement of 3 ft., but by the way people stand in line they're pretty much already doing that. I still don't see capacity going up more until other things change, I don't think the spacing has anything to do with capacity.

 

[hertamaniac]

Disney Resort Hotels: Know Before You Go

Pools

• Feature pools may operate with reduced hours; leisure pools are open 24 hours a day
• Pools are operating with reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing
• Select poolside activities may be available at select Resort hotels

Not sure if they are emailing it out but this is listed through their website.

The word "may" is ambiguous by design. I would have added an additional bullet while using their "may" disclaimer:

• Due to a possibility of a capacity limit being reached, guests may encounter a delay in being allowed into the pool(s) at our resorts.

 

[Sarahslay]

Haha, I was going to say it’s clear many people here haven’t stayed at Yacht/Beach during a hot Easter Week or 4th of July week before. We have had to wait to get in to SAB midday on 2 different trips in the “Before Times.”

Seriously, it's a pool that people are willing to pay a premium for. This weekend it was pretty full, but the quiet pools weren't, so if I was dead set on swimming I'd just go to one of the many quiet pools on property. Thankful I'm not much of a pool person.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Yeah, it’s not a secret that everything there is running at limited capacity. They’ve covered their bases here.

I understand the frustration from people who are on their trips, but reduced pool capacity should be expected - Disney isn’t hiding the fact that capacity of things is limited right now due to covid. They’re not over promising and under delivering. It’s all out there.

I do not want to see Disney packing the pool deck to the gills right now, especially since it’s a mask free area. I don’t really know what people want them to do. Reserve a time window in advance? Do people really want that? Weather is unpredictable, etc.

Yeah I think that was what the Wyndham Bonnet Creek resort was doing at the start of all of this with the sign ups and all for a 2-3 hour window to be at the pool with cleaning to follow. I think that has since changed.

The big thing that will help change how this is currently will be the CDC changing their guidance to 3 feet or Disney deciding to forgo following CDC guidance. The latter isn't happening with how Disney has operated so far.

Now more than ever it's important to figure out every detail of what is/isn't current operations at wherever you are going on a vacation. If you don't prioritize the time to find that information out that's on you as a traveler.

 

[HokieRaven5]

The word "may" is ambiguous by design. I would have added an additional bullet while using their "may" disclaimer:

• Due to a possibility of a capacity limit being reached, guests may encounter a delay in being allowed into the pool(s) at our resorts.

That "may" is only for hours of operation though.

They are saying that pools are operating at a reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing which implies that there is a capacity limit.

 

[hertamaniac]

That "may" is only for hours of operation though.

They are saying that pools are operating at a reduced capacity to allow for physical distancing which implies that there is a capacity limit.

It doesn't imply a capacity limit, it downright states it.

 

[Heather07438]

Do you need to wait on a physical line or do they give you a return time if the pool is at capacity?

frustrating but can it be planned around? Say you wanted to leave a park midday and go swimming, so you check in at the pool and go have lunch in the meantime. Is that possible?

 

[hereforthechurros]

They have limits to how many people can get in the pool is that they need to implement distancing due to COVID. They don't want to pack people in to the pool deck since it is an area where masks aren't required.

Obviously, but then don’t be greedy and oversell the resorts that should also have limited capacity if dining/pools cannot account for the amount of guests.

 

[J-Dog]

Obviously, but then don’t be greedy and oversell the resorts that should also have limited capacity if dining/pools cannot account for the amount of guests.

Yes, I agree. I'm usually a TWDC apologizer, but it seems to be getting a little worrisome that they seem to care less and less about the guest experience - and when people ask why things are so bad, the excuse is always "Oh, sorry, Covid made us do it".

 

[hereforthechurros]

I don't think it's that big of a leap from having a COVID warning on just about every page on the website and the fact that you may not be able to get in to the pool exactly when you want.

Considering pool capacity is just now becoming a problem post-COVID, yes it is a leap to just assume maybe you can’t even use your resort amenities. Reminder Disney is still charging normal rack rates for resorts, they have exact numbers of guests, they know their capacity numbers and they can manage their resources accordingly. They’re choosing to book full resorts without full resort amenities available.

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Obviously, but then don’t be greedy and oversell the resorts that should also have limited capacity if dining/pools cannot account for the amount of guests.

They would not be able to operate the hotel if they only sold rooms to the number of people who fit in the pool area at a given time. Many people who stay at the resorts don’t even go to the pool.

The resorts aren’t even open to full capacity. Beach Club isn’t open, just villas and Yacht Club and SAB is still hitting capacity. They have a whole resort side closed!

 

[Br'er Rabbit is the Best]

Thanks to everyone who has been posting in this thread. I had been telling myself that I wouldn’t go until masks were lifted, but was starting to consider it for later this spring. After seeing all these posts about long wait times for quick service meals, to get into shops, and just to get into pools, I think I’ll be waiting until restrictions are lifted. It’s Disney’s right to do whatever they want with restrictions, but I truly wonder how many people who go are surprised by these considering not everyone reads Disney message boards. Here’s to hoping October will be a social distancing and mask free anniversary. If not, I don’t know when I’ll be back. One thing I do know is that it’s Disney property so I’m not going to show up and not follow the rules. I’ll follow them or stay home. Keep posting everyone! I’ll be keeping an eye out for when things start to change.

 

[hereforthechurros]

They would not be able to operate the hotel if they only sold rooms to the number of people who fit in the pool area at a a given time. Many people who stay at the resorts don’t even go to the pool.

The resorts aren’t even open to full capacity. Beach Club isn’t open, just villas and Yacht Club and SAB is still hitting capacity. They have a whole resort side closed!

No doubt they’re trying to recoup costs as much as possible right now. But people are also allowed to voice their concern as consumers. These are just a handful of guests at one resort who cannot access a pool, hours long waits are being reported at multiple resorts.