News regarding your Disney vacation

This was in my inbox and is apropos to my last post. 

Everything will be timed admission and specific attractions on a reservation.

I'm thinking FastPass+ will also be eliminated/amended in favor of this new reservation system. 

Information on our new Theme Park reservation system. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 

VIEW in your browser ‌ An Important Walt Disney World Update As we plan for the reopening of our Disney Resort Hotels and Theme Parks, we are keeping the wellbeing of our Guests and Cast in mind. And we're here to help you as we introduce new procedures focused on delivering an enjoyable and magical experience for everyone who visits. ‌ To manage attendance and foster physical distancing during this unprecedented time, we will be changing and suspending some Park experiences. In addition, we will also be introducing a new Theme Park reservation system. Unfortunately, these new measures have required us to cancel any FastPass+ selections you may have made. We recognize the inconvenience this poses and we're deeply sorry. ‌ However, because you have valid Theme Park admission, you will have access to the Theme Park reservation system before new tickets are sold to other Guests. There's nothing you need to do at this time. We'll be contacting you soon with details on this new system. ‌ At this time, while systems update, we are temporarily suspending all modifications. However, you have the option of canceling your entire reservation. ‌ We're putting great thought into helping you return to the magic and appreciate your patience. ‌ For more information, please visit disneyworld.com, call 407-W-DISNEY (934-7639), or contact your travel professional or Member Services. ‌ ‌ ©Disney

Disney’s subtle clarification

While the initial report said that they wanted to open select hotels and resorts to guests on July 11th, they amended that and said resorts would not be open. They'll open them "at a later date"

But DVC will still be open, beginning on June 22nd.

The change suggests that they will be catering almost exclusively to dvc guests in the near term. As I mentioned in my previous post, Disney is contractually bound to these timeshare owners. There are certain rights and responsibilities that both Disney and the "fractional owner" has, and Disney has to provide the rooms.

Now owners can start using their points, and it avoids Disney having to amend terms of the agreement, or carryover points for most guests (points expire and there is a financial burden to Disney in extending them). And it stops owners from potentially suing for breach of contract.

This is fairly savvy of Disney. And of course, they can put these guests in deluxe rooms at other resorts at some exchange rate if there is a large number of people taking advantage of the opportunity for a vacation.

With that being the case, I would guess that will mean at least a few reservations will be available to annual pass holders. Disney extended passholder expiration dates by 117 days, so it makes sense to let people use them. But without hotels, only locals can take advantage of this for now. I'm sure they figured out the number of guests that could mean based on historical data, and they will use that to their advantage in determining capacity.

Disney submits reopening plans

Disney submitted its re-opening plan yesterday. I watched it, and to be honest I found the whole thing kind of amusing. Mainly it's because of the formality of the proceedings, coupled with the video conference anomalies.

But also because I was involved with the Orlando naval training center shutdown back in the 90s. Watching those events and the endless meetings with all their formality just seemed, well, silly to me at the time. But there was prime real estate that had to be carved up and sold off for various uses (some for common good, some for profit), and the process had to at least appear fair. 

This is similar in many ways, and the overall nature of it reminded of all the people I met with and talked to during the NTC days. Many saw it similar to the way I did, and would give me insights into the decision making process and how things would inevitably end up because you have a lot of influential players. 

On the surface, Disney's plan seems a little aggressive time-wise, but as you listen to the details, maybe not. 

Okay, first off, we already knew about the NBA, even though it wasn't specifically mentioned.  They're resuming in July at disney world, and will take up some number of hotel rooms somewhere on property. So no matter what, that area will be ostensibly off limits. I imagine they will put them in a nice place (not the all-stars for example), and will consider that hotel and the wide world of sports unavailable. 

I would also take away from the discussion that "for now" most of the (not so) value resorts will remain closed. 

The reason is two-fold. First these are at the southern edge of disney, down by wide world of sports. They could be separated. And second, as I'll get to a minute, the "select groups" likely will include higher value customers. 

On to the announcement and my take on it. Here goes. 

The magic kingdom and animal kingdom will open on July 11th. 

• That is after July 4th. It's still more than a month away giving time to figure out how it will all work through training, planning, and inviting a few select people (cast members, locals, etc) to see what works and what doesn't. 

Epcot and studios open a few days later (July 15)

• Epcot has issues with international staffing so that still has to be worked out. Studios has the enormously popular new attraction and you have to see guest behavior before you consider opening it. 

No fireworks, parades, shows, or character meet and greets, high touch areas are also closed  

• this seemed like a no brainer as you want to make sure people don't crowd together. 

Touchless, no contact options for everything - from checking in to food service will be used. 

• he emphasized the magic band and being cashless. And clearly said that most things would be done in the disney experience app. You do not want people queuing up or interacting in a high touch way

• I see this as a bit of an issue. One of the best parts about disney is the castmember interaction. They are the magic. He made a point of saying they still are, but how curious that he emphasized that while telling us interactions will be curtailed. 

Select attractions will be open, which can utilize a ride reservation system and you won't wait in a queue. 

• first off, this changes the nature of immersive attractions and makes them "rides" ... 

• there is also the matter of "select" coupled with no queues and general social distancing, that will further limit the number of available rides

• and everything will use ride reservations like "rise of the resistance" and each would have very limited capacity. 

• no standby line was mentioned. And one would assume won't exist. 

There was a vague statement about who will be on the guest list. 

• this was an interesting comment. I took away from it that the parks won't be open to just anyone. Rather, they will choose people to invite early on

• there are a large number of DVC owners who they are contractually obligated to, and they typically spend more. It would make sense to include them first. You get the benefit of them not using housekeeping and because they are in studio type rooms, it limits some burdens on the food service.
• dvc members will be allowed to start making reservations for mid June to start using points and having a vacation of sorts, so this fits in the hypothesis.

Reservations will be required to enter the park

• related to the above point, if you have to go online to reserve a reservation just to enter the park, it's easy to make few - or no - spots available to locals, annual pass holders, or day guests - at whatever level they choose. I would assume it would favor those who are dvc, or those who make a reservation to stay at a deluxe resort. And we'll never know. 

• the assumed max capacity of the magic kingdom is 100,000. On a more typical day it might be lower, more like 80,000. If you took maybe 20% of that to start, that would set an upper limit of 16,000 people in the park for attractions that are open. I would argue the other parks are a little lower. In any case, no more than about 15,000 people per day in any park. That's small and reservations would be gone quickly. 

• they didn't say hours of operations or whether there would be a limited time guests can visit. For example, I wonder if they might have people staged at entrance. So your reservation time to come in as at 10, or noon, or whatever. Or if there will be a 4 hour window to visit and then they usher you out and bring in another group. 

Face masks must be worn at all times in public spaces, and regular hand washing is recommended. And of course social distancing will be enforced. 

• this is the hardest one for people to rally around. Why we argue about this is beyond me. But in any event. July, August in Orlando in a face mask doesn't sound like fun. But it's your choice. 

• he also talked about a "social distancing squad" who will help remind guests about the expected behavior in "an enthusiastic way"

There was a discussion about how guests will be reminded about "the rules" before they arrive and while they are there 

• quite clearly in the presentation, they showed a sign they will be putting up. Like the one posted at Disney Springs it reads "enter at your own risk. We assume no liability if you get sick" (but worded in a more disney way). 

• the other part I took away is that is disneys private property. You are agreeing to abide by the rules and the "social distancing team" will be on the lookout for perpetual offenders, or people who choose to flaunt the rules. What they didn't say, but implied: failure to adhere will get you escorted from the park, and removed from disney property. (Remember that has always been true, now they're taking it to a new level)

Bus transportation will be available, but in a limited capacity. 

• monorails are harder to manage because of the queues and wait times. Plus you would need someone monitoring the cars. My assumption is that they will be closed. 

• the skyliner will also remain closed for similar reasons. 

• watercraft also might be closed. 

• it's unknown what the bus capacity might be or how often they come. But this will be interesting. Perhaps they'll select families or groups of families to board? Or maybe use the reservation time at a park as a scheduled bus time?

• most other activities (water parks, mini golf, etc) were not on the list for re-opening. So you'd have no reason to take a bus there. There's no park hopping. So it does seem more likely specific bus trips would be planned and tied to reservations.

Social distancing will be observed in restaurants, and something about select ones being open 

• he didn't say it, but it seems like most sit down type restaurants will be closed for now. Buffets are absolutely closed. 

• I would think that since mobile ordering, touchless type of things would be available, that this would be more like quick service restaurants as primary options for food. 

• tables will be organized in a way to let families sit together, away from other families. 

—-

And of course this means a very different experience, should you decide to go. This is not the disney world we left in March. And who knows if it will ever be that way again?

This is a very controlled situation. You come to the resort. You have a time to go to the park and see this, this, and this. Bus is there and takes you over. You do those things on the schedule. In the times between you get some food. And then you leave at a specified time by bus. And that's it. Otherwise enjoy the hotel and the pool. 

I would imagine that once they kick this off, 15,000 at each park would be overly optimistic. The "crowds" will likely be smaller. 

So yes they have the plan for a phased re-opening. All plans subject to change as needed, whether it's because the nature of the virus, guest reaction, or another reason, this may (or may not) be the norm for some period of time. 

Good on them that they are making an effort. But the devil is in those details. And I imagine there will be guests who will complain loudly that it's too early, or too much, or too little. 

Whaddya gonna do? 🤷🏼‍♂️

Vanity Fair: “This Is So Unfair to Me”: Trump Whines About His COVID-19 Victimhood as Campaign Flails

It should be obvious to everyone: he is only in this for himself. He doesn't care about anyone. So continuing to support him is just folly. He will lead us all to ruin, and death. 

"This Is So Unfair to Me": Trump Whines About His COVID-19 Victimhood as Campaign Flails
Raging at campaign manager Brad Parscale and Joe Scarborough, Trump attempts a campaign reset. But "Trump can't pivot to a different strategy," says an adviser. Because he's the problem.

Read in Vanity Fair: https://apple.news/AVfp3FFXgThar3bKqUVx8Wg


Shared from Apple News

Sent from my iPad

Tracking Americans....

There was an article yesterday about some large number of stupid, ignorant people thinking there's some wild conspiracy by Bill Gates to implant tracking chips as part of a made up immunization. 

https://www.businessinsider.com/republicans-bill-gates-covid-19-vaccine-tracking-microchip-study-2020-5

Sorry to burst your bubble people, but that ship sailed long ago. The "patriot act" was a turning point on that front and we gave up a lot of liberty (and relative anonymous freedom) when we let those go into effect under W Bush (so much for it being a liberal thing...)

Your phone. Your banking transactions, including credit cards. Your car. Your online activity. All of it is tracked, used, stored, and sold. And you can't get out of it. 

Is it bad? Not necessarily. It's the price of progress. 

And if you need a little hint of proof just open up google maps and look at information it shows...because it's been tracking what you do all along. 

Need more? Here's an article that shows just how complete this data is - and goes into the absurdity of lockdown protests for good measure. 

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/18/lockdown-protests-spread-coronavirus-cellphone-data

Short. Sweet. To the point. That's the beauty Dave's iPhone. 

Aw snap

Looks like Biden got under the weak little mans collar. He “claps back” by attacking Obama....who last I read wasn’t running for office.

Such a douche.  

The future of football (this season)

The NFL has some contingency plans in place for "if" the Coronavirus is still a factor (which is kind of laughable if only because they are only thinking about their economic interests). So for now they are marching to the beat of opening training camps, and business as usual with packed stadiums starting in late summer.

The contingency plans call for pushing back the season a few weeks, or reduced capacity at stadiums. But that's reportedly as far as they've gotten. They're just wishing things away. Just remember that these billionaire Owners can suck up a loss of revenue for a time if they have to.

The nfl typically resumes sometime in late July / early August, but doesn't start their preseason until about 3 weeks later; and don't start playing "real" games until after Labor Day. So their schedule could be tweaked perhaps.

College football is coming at it a little differently. For them, the single most profitable thing major universities have is football. From gate receipts, to booster donations, to big tv contracts, this is the money maker that schools rely on building their budgets around.

But it's clear (and the ncaa has emphasized this) that unless the campuses are more or less open to all students, that football shouldn't happen. And so the bigger conferences (especially in the south) are pushing to get campuses open so they can get the football teams up and running.

But there is absolutely no consensus on when they might start play, or if they'd even allow fans to come to games. While students do make up a portion of these fans, most of them are alumni who travel back to their college campuses to attend the games.

So while you maybe could control testing the student and student-athlete population to keep the virus at bay, having 5 or so Saturday's with tens of thousands of outsiders coming on campus could be a disaster. But these are paying customers who often make a donation back to the university, so you do not want to alienate them. Especially in these weird times where some would argue that the university is taking this too seriously, or not seriously enough.

There is talk of maybe delaying the start of the season into the spring semester, which very well might be the best option they can come up with.

But who knows at this point what is going to happen?

The ncaa has the first scheduled game on August 29th, and usually gives about a 4 week build up time. But since spring football didn't happen, where coaches start building for he following year, they want an extra 2 weeks to practice. That would require athletes back on campus in mid July, or late July if they follow their regular schedule.

Except that most universities will remain closed until the first or second week of August. Can the student-athletes come back early?

And some (all schools in California) won't be open at all in the fall...so I guess California schools won't play football?

It's bizarre.