Reopening. How did it go?

[Cinderelley]

I've been too busy to stay up on things. Does anyone know how reopening went?

[Zippy 1]

My DD has been talking with her cast member friends. They say for the most part it is going well. There are a few things that have needed to be adjusted. All most all of the guests are following the rules without problems. Even saying that wearing the masks is not as horrible as they thought it would be given the heat and humidity. One thing guests do not like is not being able to wear gators. Disney has a rule against those and bandanas. My DD's friends are trying to adjust to all the new rules.

[Cinderelley]

My DD has been talking with her cast member friends. They say for the most part it is going well. There are a few things that have needed to be adjusted. All most all of the guests are following the rules without problems. Even saying that wearing the masks is not as horrible as they thought it would be given the heat and humidity. One thing guests do not like is not being able to wear gators. Disney has a rule against those and bandanas. My DD's friends are trying to adjust to all the new rules.

What is a gator?

[PopPhan]

What is a gator?

Gaiters. Those are the things that look like an oversized neck collar. LOL

For examplpe:
https://dks.scene7.com/is/image/Golf...2000&fmt=pjpeg

[Cinderelley]

Gaiters. Those are the things that look like an oversized neck collar. LOL

For examplpe:
https://dks.scene7.com/is/image/Golf...2000&fmt=pjpeg

Interesting. It looks like they would be hotter than a regular mask

[azcavalier]

Interesting. It looks like they would be hotter than a regular mask

Not really, because most of the gaiters that people would be wearing are cooling gaiters. You soak them, and they cool your skin while also protecting the back of your neck from the sun. I have one, and have used it here when I knew I would be outside for a longer period of time.

I think there are two issues with using gaiters as masks:

1. Unless you pull the gaiter up far enough to fold it back over, and thus creating a double-fabric layer, it's not nearly as effective as a mask. That's probably why they're not allowing them to substitute as a mask. You can't really enforce whether the guests are doing that.

2. They don't stay up as well because there are no straps. I was readjusting mine *all the time* to keep it over my face. It definitely kept me cooler, and it protected my neck. But it was a pain to keep over my face as a mask.

[texas211]

Interesting. It looks like they would be hotter than a regular mask

Nah, way more comfortable. Thinner, made for summer activities like fishing, etc (there are cold weather versions. Fortunately most places don't care what you wear as long as it is something, so it works pretty well. Stays on my face and a lot more comfortable than the things that stretch over your ears. I also rotate to my scarves/giant handkerchief type things. Like a tshirt material, so pretty breathable and more comfortable, especially in hot places like AZ or Tx. I saw some that are made out of a mesh. But they are only the ear loop kind (yeah I know not as "protective" but I'm only wearing it for local compliance), so I'll stick to my gaiters and handkerchiefs/scarves.

[texas211]

Way more comfortable too. I've used that and vietnam scarves as it is way more breathable. Dont like this trend starting companies defining masks. Ive convinced the wife we aren't going again until this mask nonsense has passed, if ever. She wants to come back to wdw at some point.

[dnickels]

It seems to have gone pretty well.

They've had to tweak some things already, for example the original policy allowed masks-off when guests were eating or drinking, but as usually happens, people found ways to take advantage of that by walking around with a water bottle in hand and claiming they were drinking so they didn't have to wear their masks. The new policy basically doesn't allow that walking around loophole.

[Cinderelley]

It seems to have gone pretty well.

They've had to tweak some things already, for example the original policy allowed masks-off when guests were eating or drinking, but as usually happens, people found ways to take advantage of that by walking around with a water bottle in hand and claiming they were drinking so they didn't have to wear their masks. The new policy basically doesn't allow that walking around loophole.

People need to be able to drink though or else they will have people dropping from dehydration like flies.

[azcavalier]

People need to be able to drink though or else they will have people dropping from dehydration like flies.

And they can. They just have to stop in place to do it.

[Cinderelley]

And they can. They just have to stop in place to do it.

Ok. That would be a pain in the butt when dashing from place to place, but it is better than not drinking at all. Without fast passes, I suppose there's probably a lot of standing in line too. People would be able to drink then.

[Park Hopper]

Ok. That would be a pain in the butt when dashing from place to place, but it is better than not drinking at all. Without fast passes, I suppose there's probably a lot of standing in line too. People would be able to drink then.

From what I have read, the waits are really short (at least in the Magic Kingdom) and often less than what you would have for a FastPass line. I think Splash Mountain waits are still long, as people are trying to see it before it gets the makeover.

[Bass T-bone]

I know I won't be returning until all this mask business goes away...

[goofyskier]

AMEN to the FastPass change. FP+ is terrible. I've still never figured out what they were thinking when they tried to spin it as allowing you to be MORE spontaneous in your vacation planning. I mean, if you have to plan the day and time to be on a roller coaster two months in advance, that is the absolute opposite of "spontaneity".

We finally went back to DL this past October (first time in 25 years) and LOVED MaxPass, even though we had to pay for it. So much better than FP+. Although, i'll admit that I do like the MagicBands for my park ticket and ability to tie a CC to it.

Same....I’ve hated it from the outset and refuse to go back u til it is gone. I have made multiple trips to Disneyland though and love the new / old system there.

[azcavalier]

Same....I’ve hated it from the outset and refuse to go back u til it is gone.

I mean, I really don't like FP+, but it's not going to keep me from going back. We just had to change how we do things. And, of course, people really don't like change.

I think that eventually, Disney will get there with a good system for Fast Passes. FP+ just isn't it. You can choose to protest by not giving them your money. However, if you want them to change and you want your voice heard, not going isn't the way. Disney isn't going to ask people who aren't there what they think about the systems and the park. No one will be calling you, asking, "Hey! How come you're not at Walt Disney World!" to which you can respond, "Because FP+ *****!" However, if you're there, and you get a chance to do one of those surveys which they're always trying to get people to do, you at least have a chance to voice your opinion, and you can still have a pretty good time in the process.

[1DisneyNut]

I mean, I really don't like FP+, but it's not going to keep me from going back. We just had to change how we do things. And, of course, people really don't like change.

I think that eventually, Disney will get there with a good system for Fast Passes. FP+ just isn't it. You can choose to protest by not giving them your money. However, if you want them to change and you want your voice heard, not going isn't the way. Disney isn't going to ask people who aren't there what they think about the systems and the park. No one will be calling you, asking, "Hey! How come you're not at Walt Disney World!" to which you can respond, "Because FP+ *****!" However, if you're there, and you get a chance to do one of those surveys which they're always trying to get people to do, you at least have a chance to voice your opinion, and you can still have a pretty good time in the process.

I have to disagree with this. Businesses realize they have made a bad move when customers drop off and revenue drops. If you want to get their attention, you quit going/paying for their service. I have done just that but up until now, they have done such a good job of advertising and promoting, they have been able to overcome those of us that quit going or cut our number of trips back by drawing in first timers or people that have only been a few times within the last several years. They have been drawing in a lot of new business. Covid 19 has completely blown that strategy out of the water. They are now paying the price because those of us who are die hard fans and used to love WDW have been ignored and turned off to visiting the park. We are the ones that would plan trips and get them going again but we have been alienated.

On the topic of the surveys, I have been asked to do those numerous times. They have always been carefully crafted questions that are geared more towards what you are spending money on or if you think this service would be desirable at this price if we were to offer such a service or perk. It is all about finding ways to get more money out of you. They questions have never opened the door for me to tell them what I think about the changes they have made. At the end of the survey I just go on my little rant and tell the CM what I think anyway but they don't type it into anything because the survey doesn't have that option included. I started refusing to take the surveys a couple of years ago. I just tell them I have a stupid FP+ I am late for and need to get to. lol

[texas211]

The surveys are for learning how to get more money out of you and who knows what else. DNA sampling perhaps

[texas211]

I think its an over emphasis on the die hards. I bet spend per person is greater for non die hards since die hards have figured out ways to save money, have saturated their ownership of disney stuff, shorter stays and potentially have ways to save money on housing, etc.

However, the financial impact of covid and the riots, may be too great. Its not just opening, its the right people and a heavy dose of them. Less people are going to want to air travel, to spend that money, will be able to spend that money, and uncertainty of the future. Elections certainly won't help that. I wonder what their breakeven to population count and demographic is.

Glad I don't work in accounting for Disney. Just tons of forecasting, reforecasting, etc.

[JPPT1974]

Think nobody will go there until the cases decrease and possibly making the nation mask mandatory. As Europe is taking this seriously. Wished we would do that.