[Chat] Silver Lining

[Werner]

It sounds like when Disneyland reopens, reservations will be required, and capacity will be kept much, much lower than the usual bursting-at-the-seams levels. I'm thinking this could be a real silver lining!

I have long contemplated the concept of a "reserved seat" to attend the Disneyland "show". The Park is such a compact and cozy venue. I've been there when I've felt like I'm but just a handful of guests, all the way up to a "SRO" condition. It goes without saying that the charm of the place is most enjoyable when it's balanced with a number of guests appropriate to the theater. In recent years, I've often felt -- even during what used to be the "off season" -- that it's gone beyond an "SRO" situation to more of a "mosh pit".

So, I welcome the restricted access, if only for a time. How wonderful to be able to encounter the joy of Disneyland in more of the way it was originally designed to be enjoyed!

[Eagleman]

Opening nice and slowly is wise move........to monitor the ongoing situation !
IMO

[Spongeocto4]

I understand the need and purpose for reservations. I'm worried though, that it will be a messy process. It was only last year, that Disneyland started the boarding pass for ROTR.

It also begs to ask, how the new passholder/membership program affects the reservations, as well.

[Stormy]

I understand the need and purpose for reservations. I'm worried though, that it will be a messy process. It was only last year, that Disneyland started the boarding pass for ROTR.

It also begs to ask, how the new passholder/membership program affects the reservations, as well.

We're going to WDW in May. Already have our daily park reservations. We'll see how it goes there before I start worrying about DL, lol.

WDW's system is super easy peasy to use (even making changes) and we got exactly what we wanted because we started planning last fall. The availability 'general' calendar (link below) shows that some parks get booked out a week in advance, others seem to have 'same day' available. I expect to see it get harder to get reservations once we get into Spring and 'tourist season' really gets going.

There are 3 'buckets' of reservations; ticket holders, resort guests (that's us!), and APs. The available reservations are handled separately for each category with each having its own reservation calendar to use, and I expect WDW juggles the allotments now and again. I expect DL to follow the WDW model. I don't know for certain sure how the reservations are allotted, but I heard (RUMOR ALERT...RUMOR ALERT!!) that it's resort guests first, then ticket holders, then APs in that order. I heard that APs have the lowest allotment as they (generally) have more flexibility in choosing dates, they aren't 'locked' into just their vacation days (END RUMOR ALERT!!!).

What I don't like, and I expect DL to also follow) is that FP+ has been suspended, ostensibly to allow the FP+ queues to be used for expanded SD lines, although many people are reporting that the FP+ queues are NOT being used with the exception of VIPs and others who are being allowed to skip the lines (no judgement, just jealousy). Personally, I think with capacity at 35% for WDW they just don't see the need for FP+. When I've checked the wait times they haven't been too terrible, even for the popular rides. So, expect DL to NOT offer FPs or have MP available. I think it'll be 'standby' only. WDW is still doing the 'boarding' passes for RotR.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/availability-calendar/

Note: the calendars for Resort Guests and APs may show different availability than the 'general' availability calendar.

[whoever]

We're going to WDW in May. Already have our daily park reservations. We'll see how it goes there before I start worrying about DL, lol.

WDW's system is super easy peasy to use (even making changes) and we got exactly what we wanted because we started planning last fall. 'Last minute' reservations appear to be harder to get. The 'general' calendar shows that some parks get booked out a week in advance, others seem to have 'same day' available. I expect to see it get harder to get reservations once we get into Spring and 'tourist season' really gets going.

There are 3 'buckets' of reservations; ticket holders, resort guests (that's us!), and APs. The available reservations are handled separately for each category with each having its own reservation calendar to use, and I expect WDW juggles the allotments now and again. I expect DL to follow the WDW model. I don't know for certain sure how the reservations are allotted, but I heard (RUMOR ALERT...RUMOR ALERT!!) that it's resort guests first, then ticket holders, then APs in that order. I heard that APs have the lowest allotment as they (generally) have more flexibility in choosing dates, they aren't 'locked' into just their vacation days (END RUMOR ALERT!!!).

What I don't like, and I expect DL to also follow) is that FP+ has been suspended, ostensibly to allow the FP+ queues to be used for expanded SD lines, although many people are reporting that the FP+ queues are NOT being used with the exception of VIPs and others who are being allowed to skip the lines (no judgement, just jealousy). Personally, I think with capacity at 35% for WDW they just don't see the need for FP+. When I've checked the wait times they haven't been too terrible, even for the popular rides. So, expect DL to NOT offer FPs or have MP available. I think it'll be 'standby' only. WDW is still doing the 'boarding' passes for RotR.

Resort guests should absolutely get priority. If you are paying for a resort hotel, you are only doing so to go to the park..

[mickdaddy]

I highly doubt Disneyland will have any AP system in place until they can operate at a higher capacity as the rumor has been that they will initially open at 20 to 25%. I think resort hotel guests should get first crack then open it from their. It will be interesting to see but I would also guess that would include good neighbor partnered hotels would get priority as well since they are advertised on the Disneyland website and Like @whoever said the main if not only reason one is stay at these hotels is to go to the parks they should have priority.

[Stormy]

Resort guests should absolutely get priority. If you are paying for a resort hotel, you are only doing so to go to the park..

I wholeheartedly agree. Even though we're towing our trailer from No Cal to WDW and staying at Ft Wilderness. But hey, resort accommodations are resort accommodations, be it the Cinderella Suite or an RV site.


You guys really need to plan a WDW trip and rent an RV. The girls would just love that X-country drive!

[bayouguy]

maybe the not so silver lining may be the phasing down of Disneyland's historical audience: locals of Southern California...I think Disney cannot please all the factions of who had attended Disneyland or DCA back 65 years...so it'll be interesting how Disney can do a reservation system that seems no better that trying to get concert tickets, or camping reservations...but let Hollywood stars or sports stars enter with their families and turn the system into a "who you know" game...

[Chief Leaky War Canoe]

maybe the not so silver lining may be the phasing down of Disneyland's historical audience: locals of Southern California...I think Disney cannot please all the factions of who had attended Disneyland or DCA back 65 years...so it'll be interesting how Disney can do a reservation system that seems no better that trying to get concert tickets, or camping reservations...but let Hollywood stars or sports stars enter with their families and turn the system into a "who you know" game...

This is easily remedied by having premium days where people who are willing to pay much more for a better experience are not co-mingled with the "steerage class" style of local AP ticket holders. That way celebrities and sports stars, as well as those eager and willing to buy a "first class ticket" are all happy. And then on the other days, the folks who would go everyday toting in their outside the park sacks of food, and giant SUV size strollers full of jackets and backpacks-- and who seem to love standing in long lines... are happy too.

So no, it is not about who you know, but how much you are paying. Disneyland has always been essentially in some ways "a classed society" (Club 33 members), now just expand on that idea across all parts of the park on limited special days. Why not?