Tri-Circle-D

23 hours ago, Travisma said:

When did they move the Fort and Lodge boat landings at MK?  Now they are near the monorail and share the entrance to the new GF walkway.

Last time we took a boat, the launch was closer to the ferry dock.

The dock reassignment coincided with the closure of the Polynesian Resort monorail station in November. I’m guessing they needed a bigger covered waiting area for the Polynesian guests, and with only the DVC rooms open at Wilderness Lodge it made sense to give the Polynesian the bigger dock. 

21 hours ago, Travisma said:

It was closed due to the Reflections construction.  There was a truck crossing the path not sure where it was heading.  Until they figure out that mess I doubt it’ll reopen

I agree. If the exercise trail was going to reopen, it wasn’t going to be until after the Reflections construction was completed. Now, I doubt there’s a plan or any money budgeted to reopen it.  It will probably remain closed until someday long in the future when a new DVC resort is built. 

TCD

Typical Tampa Bay Times. WDW has not been selling new APs since July. 

TCD

What a dumb article. Why should Disney push forward with spending millions of dollars on new attractions when the pandemic remains uncontrolled and there are no signs that travel will be returning to normal levels for a long time?  I hate what is happening as much as the next guy, but Disney is shrewdly doing what it needs to do to weather the storm. 

TCD

Mark- thanks for sharing this article. I ran into Billy several years ago when he was running a special event we attended at the Magic Kingdom. Great guy!  I love the part of the article mentioning that Prince Charles, Diana, William, and Harry attended the Hoop Dee Doo show. Wow. 

TCD

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

They only reason I can think of them enforcing the cart/bike/jogging masks, is to make it simpler on the CMs.

The rule as it stands, is the only time masks aren't needed is on your site or unless you are on the pool deck.

Human nature and a lot of entitled Disney goers are always looking for loopholes and stretching the rules.

So it will go from  no masks on carts to no masks walking up stairs to .... you get the picture.

People tried to skirt the early mask rules about eating/drinking at Disney Springs and the parks and that ended up with stricter rules/enforcement.

And over Halloween weekend the rules were on pretty big signs at the entrance to each loop and at the bathroom bulletin boards.  I have a feeling they are there until this mess clears up.

A few times I started leaving my site to head to the bathroom and had to turn around because I forgot to grab my mask.

 

 

I agree with all of the above. The other reason for having to wear masks while on golf carts and bikes is laziness and lack of leadership by Fort management to craft specific rules for the Fort. This is another example of them just using the rules for hotel rooms at the campground. In the hotels it’s easy enough to say that the rule is all guests must wear masks when they are outside of their rooms. That doesn’t make sense for certain activities at the campground, where the common spaces are vast, and guests can participate in outdoor activities where they are not likely to come in close contact with other guests. 

But just because the rule is stupid doesn’t mean that guests get to ignore it or do what they want. Like the teapot says in the video, wear your F***ing mask or stay home. 

TCD

1 hour ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Not sure how long this will stay up.. Not for the little ones.

WEAR A MASK parody to BE OUR GUEST

 

Very good.

I hope some of the posters and friends of posters on this thread watch this. Probably won’t do any good though.

TCD

On 11/8/2020 at 7:54 AM, Starbuc71 said:

Hey Andrew. Nice to see you’re still enjoying the fort.  This is the first time on this site for me in well over a year.  We miss camping at the fort, owning the TT and the memories we made there. But, with this crazy year, the TT would have been in storage for over a year without use.  Disney will never be like it was even without the pandemic.  We enjoy remembering how it was instead of what it has become. Have fun in your future visits. 

Good to see a post from you Dave. You’re right, the Fort we knew and loved is just about gone. What’s left is a nice but overpriced campground. We still like to visit, but not anywhere near as often. 

38 minutes ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Update as of November 11th:  We have a friend staying at the Fort right now; he has been stopped by a CM twice and required to put a mask on.  The first time he was riding in a personal golf cart (so not a Disney rental) and the second time, he was exercising by riding his bike.   Just got back on to let you know that as of today, they were enforcing that you cover your face.

This is consistent with what I posted upthread. Your friend is one of the many guests who choose to blatantly ignore the mask rule. A CM asking him to follow the rules didn’t work the first time. And it probably didn’t work the second time. I don’t consider that enforcement.

TCD 

Yes, you can still fax site requests. 

No, they have not let up on the mask rules. In fact, they are using new signage identical to the signs they are using in the parks that say you will be asked to leave if you are not wearing your mask properly. That said, we were there for a two night stay last weekend, and compliance and enforcement were practically nonexistent.  Guests were blatantly ignoring the mask rule. On a previous trip over Labor Day weekend, there were castmembers stationed at the four way stops of the major roads monitoring mask compliance. Last weekend, there were no castmembers stationed anywhere. So, it’s likely no one will say anything about a four year old not wearing a mask. 

TCD

5 minutes ago, LONE-STAR said:

I blame covid 19 for killing my dad. Even though he tested  negative for it. We were unable to see the bad care he was getting in a nursing home that he went in to for 30 days of physical therapy. He got a bed sore that started tunneling into him and since he was fighting prostate cancer there was nothing they could do for him. He passed away at the end of June and I don't think my mom will ever be the same. They had just had there 50th wedding anniversary in March.  There was supposed to be a big party, but due to covid it was postponed. Thank goodness my daughter made them a cake. 

Michael I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I know he was a fighter. 

TCD

16 hours ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Cast Member Union Blames State, Federal Officials for Layoffs not DISNEY

"those getting laid off held recall rights on their job for up to two years, and that is a deal these employees can brag about."

https://insidethemagic.net/2020/10/union-blames-layoffs-tm1/

What a stupid thing to brag about. The chance to be recalled to a part time job that pays a bit over minimum wage with no benefits?  Gee, I’ll bet those castmembers are glad about all the union dues they paid for the union to cave in and kiss Disney’s ass. I’m sure the part time workers all have huge savings accounts they can live off while they’re waiting around for two years to be recalled.

6 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

Why do you think Disney hasn’t moved into phase 3???

 

Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis has also moved the Sunshine State into Phase 3 of reopening which stated, “Theme parks may return to normal operations with limited social distancing protocols.” Keep in mind, however, that Disney World operations have not changed, despite the go-ahead from DeSantis.

Disney is doing exactly what they want to do. Their financial experts made a long term plan, and it’s playing out beautifully for them. Plenty of revenue is rolling in, and they are slashing expenses everywhere they can. It’s a brilliant plan. Money grubbing and heartless, but brilliant.

TCD

34 minutes ago, fladogfan aka Gretchen said:

Article in Orlando Sentinel this morning says 8,857 more cast let go.  They are part-time union cast members.  So that is over 15,000 employees from Disney World.  Now I guess the full time cast will get their cuts.  Disney will expect those workers who are still there to cover all the work the laid off/fired cast won't be there to do.  But at the same pay.

Yes more is on the way. Disney now will take advantage of the circumstances to gut the union workers. Dumping non-union employees first helps with the optics, but this is their chance to decimate the union and you can bet they will. More money for the executives and shareholders, and more castmembers kicked to the curb.

Walt Disney World as we knew it is gone for good.

TCD

54 minutes ago, Travisma said:

 

But I bet they are sitting on plenty of reserve funds that could comfortably take them past this mess without screwing over the workers and guests!

 

And don’t forget that they received untold billions of pandemic bailout money. I’m sure some of it helped to fund the payment of health insurance for the furloughed workers. But now that the free money is gone, so long suckers. 

TCD

On 10/5/2020 at 6:16 PM, lightbikes said:

This has been building for a long time.  It started in subtle, quiet ways, just a little less service here or there at the Fort, not being able to resolve an issue/25 people on a site on weekends; fewer people behind the counter at the restaurants or clearing tables; a couple of staff less in the Emporium or World of Disney when you were shopping; more people getting fast passes than the system could handle; less gardening here or there; and higher prices for everything. As TCD notes; cut the parades, cut the fireworks, cut away anything they can.    All small things by themselves  but they have added up.  Now, with COVID 19 it is the perfect opportunity/excuse to really cut deeply across the board, to get rid of staff and entertainment, the student program, the foreign staff at Epcot,  DVC staff, DCL staff; all with the justification it is necessary now.

In a couple of years they will hire some folks for minimum wage who have no idea what being a Disney cast member should mean and there will be nobody left to teach them.  All the "old timers" will be gone and their collective memories vanished.  No-one will even know what "Kungaloosh" means never mind be able to mix a batch!  

The shareholder price will increase, the executives will continue to get their exorbitant pay cheques and bonuses.  

People like us will be sad, weep a little, and say "remember when" whenever we do visit but we are a dying group and frankly I don't think Disney gives a hot damn about any of us.   

Walt is  spinning in his grave. 

You are absolutely right. 

The current Disney management would be perfectly happy to operate the parks department like a Six Flags or even a traveling carnival as long as the dollars keep rolling in. And that’s clearly the direction they’re heading. 

TCD

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

Still catering to the big spenders...

How many projects have been put on hold that all park goers could enjoy without paying extra?  Mary Poppins in EPCOT was cut at the moment.

A new permit suggests that the next step in construction will soon commence for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser at Walt Disney World.

A permit was recently filed with the state of Florida by Walt Disney Imagineering to install “set items” for the future resort hotel. The work will be carried out by InterAmerica Stage, Inc., whose work focuses on “stage rigging, stage machinery and specialty theatrical equipment.” The company has experience in the theme park and resort industries, as they’ve worked on projects for Universal Orlando and SeaWorld. Another set installation permit was filed for the project back in July.

Last month, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was listed as a “prioritized” construction project by Disney’s Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Christine McCarthy, as the company decreases its capital expenditures due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It makes sense for them to go full speed ahead on this project. The set up is perfect for post COVID-19 travel. They can require everyone to be tested before arriving, and then keep them in the bubble while they’re there. 

There are plenty of folks who have weathered the pandemic with no negative impact on their finances. Enough to keep this hotel booked for the next few years.  And Disney is undoubtably salivating at the idea of how little they will have to pay starving ex- castmembers to come back and work. 

Disney always wins. 

TCD

Seems like a pretty good deal for the guy. 

I bet he comes back.

TCD

I know bloggers need to drum up interest by speculating, but this probably really is only for installing parking lot lighting. They already have been using the cleared site for castmember parking. Now, they’re adding some light poles. That’s all. 

TCD

25 minutes ago, Travisma said:

The rich get richer, and it's always on the backs of the "little" people.

The compassionate corporations are few and far between and are a dying breed.

You’re right- it’s the American way. 

I don’t think there are any more compassionate corporations. Disney used to be different. In my personal experience, they are the last corporation I’ve dealt with that at least made an effort at customer service.  Have you dealt with Amazon or Walmart or any other big company  lately?  The pits. Now Disney is right down there with the rest of them. Sad. 

TCD

40 minutes ago, Travisma said:

I know a lot of big companies are hurting (or not performing to their shareholders expectations more than likely), but they should have some sort of reserves to make it thru, or at least be able to work out deals with lenders for $$ to carry them thru.

It's the mom and pop/small businesses that are being devastated all around the country.

I'm starting to see more negative posts about the parks than positive, and some of the pictures from WDW, Busch, Sea World show packed areas and long lines.

Remember how WDW cut and did not replace the MK night parade, added all those before and after hours events and dessert parties by taking away park hours and venues, and began charging hotel guests for parking?  Not to mention endless price increases and smaller food portions?  That money grubbing adds up to billions of profits that are sitting as billions of dollars of cash on the corporate books. 

All of it made possible by the blood, sweat and tears of their loyal castmembers.

Could they use some of that cash to help their paycheck to paycheck castmembers?  You know, the money they helped them make? Of course. But will they?  Hell no!  They are going to try and rake in a few more billion by charging more and delivering less for as long as they can get away with it. It’s worked for them in the past, and they’re betting it will again.  And it probably will.

Like I said. They’re just another money-grubbing heartless corporation. 

TCD

Gee, thanks Mayor.

I can assure him that no hardworking WDW CM expected to be laid off back in March 2020. 

My daughters and I’m sure thousands of CM’s like them naively believed that Disney would treat them differently than a common money-grubbing heartless corporation. 

Bad on them for being so stupid.  

TCD

23 minutes ago, djsamuel said:

So sorry to hear about this.  The layoffs are going far beyond the performers and Guest Services.  I have friends with 25+ years in at Team Disney in the same situation.  Other whole divisions have been completely wiped out and eliminated.  It is not a good situation at all.  If they don't get California opened soon, it is going to get much worse.

Wow. The Disney Parks experience that we all knew and loved in the US is gone, and I don’t see it coming back. When they get around to rehiring, the new employees will be trained in a new way.  Guests with issues will probably be directed to call a call center, where issues will be handled with the same friendly incompetence that we’ve seen them use for passholders during the closure.  Live entertainment, parades and fireworks will be rare or nonexistent. But prices won’t come down. 

TCD

27 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

I'm really sorry to hear that TCD. I've been in that "you gave a company your heart, soul and loyalty for years only to get dropped like a hot potato" seat before and it really does stings.  Throw the fact that the company is Disney and all that means to them as well, and I'm sure it hurts all the more.

I hope they're both able to put their skills and all they've learned over the years to use with new jobs and companies that will truly appreciate them.

`

Thanks, Mo.

Yes, we will all get over it, but it really stings now. 

And, we need to keep things in perspective- millions of people have lost their jobs, and 200,000+ more families have lost a lot more.

One more thing- if any of you Disney lovers out there think this won’t affect you, think again. Disney is firing performers who are irreplaceable, and has decimated its Guest Relations staff. The things that distinguished Disney from a Six Flags amusement park are all but gone. The current management thinks guests won’t care.  We are all in for a rude awakening. 

TCD

1 minute ago, Travisma said:

Hope when things rebound #1 can get her job back (if she wants it) and #2 weathers the storm and not get fired.

Things can change, but I was surprised to hear from Twin #1 that she does not want to go back. Honestly, she and her fellow castmembers were not treated very well before this, and now the company has demonstrated quite clearly that they consider them worthless and expendable. What future is there in that?

TCD

Unfortunately, TCD Twin #1 got the call last week that she is one of the 28,000. We are all gutted. Two college programs, both at WDW and DL, and three years of hard work since graduating from college, and she has been kicked to the curb so Disney can afford to pay their executives and shareholders and sit on billions of dollars of cash in hopes of buying up some bargains in the coming economic crisis.  

For now, Twin #2 remains employed in the Disney HR department, but she suspects that will only last as long as it takes to clean up the little messes caused by firing tens of thousands of employees. Then she will get kicked to the curb in another wave of layoffs.

They grew up foolishly believing that Disney would reward them for their love, hard work, and effort. 

It turns out that Disney is just another money grubbing heartless corporation. What a tough lesson to learn at 25. 

TCD

Hey Ray-

two things:

1. Disney IS offering discounted tickets. Florida residents can currently buy a 4 day pass for $49 a day:  https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/florida-resident-disney-magic-flex/?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI47DX3I-U7AIVBo_ICh0akAspEAAYASAAEgIgrPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!5060!3!468198360657!e!!g!!disney world tickets&CMP=KNC-FY21_WDW_TRA_FL_W365_TKT_TCKC_Tickets_EVRGRN_Gold_Exact|G|5201013.RR.AM.01.01|MSHBVUJ|BR|468198360657&keyword_id=kwd-98099335|dm|disney world tickets|468198360657|e|5060:3|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI47DX3I-U7AIVBo_ICh0akAspEAAYASAAEgIgrPD_BwE

2. No park hopping and restricting entry to APs frees up room for them to sell these cheap tickets.

Why doesn’t Disney do what Universal does?  Because Disney has more aggressive bean counters and they are squeezing every drop of revenue they can from Florida so they can keep their executives and shareholders happy.  Like Walt said- screw the guests and the castmembers.  Who needs ‘em?

TCD