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Disney Guides Disney Parks

How to Thank a Walt Disney World Cast Member for Great Service

To say that right now is a tough time for Orlando’s hospitality professionals is an understatement. And for those that are still able to work in Orlando’s theme parks, it can be very difficult to keep going when so many of your colleagues are no longer working. And so, in the spirit of gratitude as we begin the month of November, the month of Thanksgiving, we’d like to share some ways you can show your appreciation for any Cast Members who help make your trip to Walt Disney World a magical one. 

Guest Relations

Each Walt Disney World park, as well as Disney Springs, has a Guest Relations location, generally near the front of the park. You can think of it as the front desk of the park. Many times Guest Relations Cast Members are fielding complaints and problem solving. It usually brightens a Guest Relations Cast Member’s day when someone wants to give praise for one of their colleagues in the park. Usually the Guest Relations Cast Member will fill out a form so that the Cast Member you are praising can receive formal recognition. Many times this form is noted on the Cast Member’s record which can help them in their career with Disney. If the line is too long at Guest Relations there are alternative ways to give recognition.

Guest Services “Welcome Center” at Disney Springs

Email Guest Communications

As big as Walt Disney World is, they provide multiple ways to get in contact with them. Sending an email to the Guest Communications team is a great way to formalize your feedback. You can imagine this department receives a ton of communication on a daily basis. I have had success reaching out using the email address for Guest Communications, but naturally it does take quite a few business days to hear back. Not every email is responded to, it does depend on the nature of the message. Cast Member recognition is very important and Cast Members are formally praised when an email is received about their kindness or performance.

The email for Walt Disney World Guest Communications is wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com. My understanding is this team has unfortunately been reduced as part of the labor cutbacks. If you are able to visit Guest Relations in person that is the ideal way to ensure your praise is formally received.

Magic Kingdom Reopening Be Our Guest Dining July 2020

Sending a Cast Compliment Via Twitter Is No Longer Supported

Many people use Twitter to voice their complaints, especially about airlines. (My heart goes out to social media managers for airlines.) Once upon a time you could give a quick shout out to a Cast Member and tweet to @WDWGuestService with #CastCompliment. Sadly, this account closed up shop months ago. You can still tweet @WaltDisneyWorld, but the formal Cast Member recognition through Twitter is no longer supported. It makes sense to save labor costs, but it’s a shame to lose one of the nicer things about social media.

Bring Your Own Small “Thank You” Sign

When I was a Cast Member a few families over the years gave me a small card to say “thank you”. Many were the size of business cards and had been personalized with messages like “Thanks for spreading the magic, The Smith Family” or “Thanks for making our day a magical one, The Jones Family.” Sadly, it is hard to recommend giving out such cards right now given the importance of physical distancing. 

Instead of having individual thank you cards to give out, consider making a small sign. Many Cast Members are welding small paddle-like signs as a reminder to wear your mask properly and so on. Maybe return the favor and make your own paddle sign that’s easy to carry so you can hold it up quickly anytime you want to wish to thank a Cast Member. Get a little creative and think about what you’d want to see as a thank you or word of encouragement if you were a Cast Member in the parks.

Magic Kingdom Reopening Jungle Cruise Plexiglass Ride Vehicle July 2020

A Verbal “Thank You”

A simple and heartfelt “thank you” said to a Cast Member with a smile goes a long way. Times are tough for everyone right now and even a simple “thank you” can help brighten a Cast Member’s day. And chances are the more you dish out the thanks the better you’ll feel. Even a head nod and a wave helps too.

Final Thoughts

  • Be sure to include their name, and hometown if you catch it, as listed on their name tag, and their work location when submitting a thank you to Disney.
  • If you have a concern or a challenge, ask for a member of Disney management. It is usually best to give them a chance to right a wrong immediately rather than waiting to write a formal letter, tweet, etc.
  • Most important of all, the best way you can thank a Cast Member right now is to follow all the COVID-19 safety precautions. Wear your mask properly, especially when talking to a Cast Member.

Has a Cast Member ever helped to make your Disney vacation more magical? What are your suggestions for ways to thank a Cast Member?

The post How to Thank a Walt Disney World Cast Member for Great Service appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, kids, Trip Planning, disney cast members, disney service, walt disney world tips

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Disney Parks Disney Vacations

How to Choose a Walt Disney World Hotel

Now that the Walt Disney World hotels are starting to reopen, you may again be in vacation planning mode. One of the first decisions you’ll have to make is choosing your hotel. There are pros and cons to most accommodation options. I’ve had great experiences at All-Star Sports, the Grand Floridian, and everything in between, but not every hotel is right for every situation. Here are some things to think about as you embark on your planning.

How to Choose a Walt Disney World Hotel
The “best” hotel really isn’t the best if it’s not right for your needs.
  • What is my budget? Budget is, of course, key to most vacation planning. There’s no sense in planning a deluxe hotel stay if your budget is tiny. However, there are many ways to slice and dice vacation spending. So, given the total amount you want to spend on your trip, think about whether you might want to splurge on accommodations but skimp on dining; or skimp on accommodations but go all out with meals, park hoppers, and a shopping spree; or find a happy medium. Whichever route you choose, keep your overall vacation budget in mind.
  • How long are you planning to stay at Disney World? Consider if your length of stay will be impacted by your hotel. For example, if you’re visiting for a two-night visit when you’ll be at the parks from sunup to sundown, you might be perfectly okay at All-Star Sports, but if you’re staying for two weeks and planning leisurely non-park days, then a hotel with larger rooms and more amenities might be a better fit.
  • How many people are in my travel party? Larger parties who want to stay in one room will have to avoid places like the regular rooms at the value resorts. Be sure to look at maximum room capacity.
  • Are the people in my travel party comfortable sharing a bed? There are many situations where you’re comfortable sharing a room with people, but might not want to sleep in the same bed with them: unrelated adult friends, opposite gender siblings, siblings from blended families, in-laws, etc. In those cases you’ll want to look at not just the capacity of the room, but also at the number of sleep surfaces (beds, daybeds, trundles, and so on) in the room. For example, the standard rooms at All-Star Music have a capacity of four guests, but only two separate sleep surfaces. If you’re a party of three who don’t want to share beds, you could be better off in, say, a deluxe hotel room with two beds and a daybed.
  • Are there issues with sharing a bathroom? When I travel with my three young adult daughters, we’re fine sharing beds, but encounter issues with four people sharing a bathroom. Getting ready in the morning takes an absurd amount of time when we all have to share one commode, shower, and hair dryer. If I’m traveling with all of my girls, for about the same price I’d opt for two rooms at a value resort (or a family suite) thus having access to two bathrooms, rather than one room with one bathroom in a deluxe.
  • What are the ages of people in my travel party? While every Disney hotel is appropriate for small children, some are more appropriate than others. Think about whether your kids would be excited to see a giant dalmatian at their hotel or to go down a twisty water slide at the pool. On the other hand, older adults might prefer a resort with a smaller physical footprint that would allow them to enjoy the amenities with minimal walking.
  • Does anyone in my group have any physical limitations? Guests with mobility issues might appreciate staying at a resort, such as the Wilderness Lodge, where there’s no need to navigate a wheelchair or walker outdoors when visiting the hotel restaurants and shops.
  • What are the park hours during the time of my visit? During some times of the year, the theme parks close early. If you like to be active in the later part of the evening, you might like to have a hotel that’s near Disney Springs for easier access to nighttime activities.
  • Am I planning to visit a theme park every day? If you’ll be at the parks all day, every day, then where you stay might not be particularly important. If you’re planning a leisurely day off from park touring, then you may want to look at a hotel with a more interesting pool or a wider range of recreational opportunities.
  • Will I be at one theme park more than the others? Disney World encompasses about 40 square miles of property. At some times of the year, getting from your hotel to a distant theme park could take nearly an hour. If you’re planning to spend most of your time at a particular theme park, you could save transportation time by staying at one of the hotels closer that park.
  • What form of transportation will I be using to get to the parks and resorts? If you’re driving your own car, staying at a huge resort like Coronado Springs might not be a big deal, but you could be frustrated there if you’re relying on a bus that makes multiple stops before you even leave hotel property. Similarly, if you have stroller-age children, staying at a resort which uses Disney busses at the primary form of transportation could be frustrating due to constant need to fold the stroller. A monorail or Skyliner resort might make your life easier.
  • Is there a reason why I need to be in the same room with everyone in my party? Some hotel-related issues (like the crowded bathroom scenario above) can be solved by breaking a party into two rooms. With adults, the two rooms could be near each other, but not connected, and still work. But if, for example, you’re an adult traveling with several minors, the rooms would have to connect for the two-room strategy to work. While Disney can often make connecting rooms happen, they do not guarantee that you’ll have connecting rooms if you request them. I personally have been in a situation where connecting rooms were requested but not received. If you’re an adult with more than three minors, you’ll have to look at accommodations like the Art of Animation or All-Star Music family suites, a multi-room DVC villa, or a deluxe resort that sleeps five.
  • Is there a reason why I want or need to cook my own food? Regular hotel rooms at Walt Disney World do not include microwave ovens or any other in-room means to cook food. If cooking is important to you (due to allergies, cost savings, or other issues), then you’ll want to look at the family suites or DVC studio villas, which have a microwave and toaster, or a larger DVC villas equipped with a full kitchen.
  • Will I need to work during my stay at WDW? If you’re combining your WDW visit with some work from “home,” you may want to stay somewhere with a real desk or an extra room for quieter Zoom calls. The larger DVC villas might fit the bill for this.
  • How loud is my party? If you know that members of your party are loud, for example a fussy baby prone to extended nighttime crying, you might prefer accommodations that are isolated from other guests such as a Fort Wilderness cabin or a Saratoga Springs treehouse villa.
  • What time do we go to sleep? Parties with kids that go to bed early and are light sleepers might want to avoid the hotels within close proximity to evening fireworks.
  • Will my participation in an event be easier if I stay in a particular location? If you’re visiting WDW for a runDisney race, you might want to be at a hotel that’s close to race starting line. If you’re mostly visiting for the Food & Wine festival, you may want stay at a hotel within walking distance to EPCOT.
  • Am I willing to change hotels during my Disney World stay? Some of the “where do I stay” issues can be resolved by staying at two different places. For example, staying at a value resort for part of your stay can save money making a few nights at a deluxe possible. Or staying at a Magic Kingdom area resort when you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom and then moving to an EPCOT resort when you’re visiting EPCOT could save some transportation time.
  • Does anyone in your party have an obsession that matches a resort theme? Many children go through a particular animal obsession phase, for example. If you’re in that zone, a stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge with a view of the savannah might be the best choice. Or if you love Hawaii, the Polynesian Village resort might be your best choice.
  • How often do I visit Disney World? If you’re a frequent visitor, you may want to change things up by visiting a different resort every time, or you may want to stick with a tried and true favorite.
  • Am I celebrating anything? If you’re visiting WDW on a honeymoon, anniversary, big birthday, or other special event, you may want to consider whether the occasion will feel more festive if you’re at one of the more posh hotels.

What issues do you consider when you make your hotel selection. How do you make your decision? Let us know!

The post How to Choose a Walt Disney World Hotel appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Resorts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), hotels, resort selection

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Disney Guides Disney News Disney Parks

New Interstate Quarantine Guidelines May Impact Your Disney World Visit

Effective at 11:59 this evening, Thursday, June 24, 2020, travelers to the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut tri-state area, will be required to quarantine for 14 days if they have visited a state with a high incidence of COVID-19 cases.

So, you’re asking, how does this impact my Disney World trip? Well, if you don’t live in the tri-state area and you don’t have an upcoming visit to that area in the works, the new rule (announced by NY Governor Cuomo this afternoon) does not affect your Disney World visit. Move along, nothing to see here at this time.

However, if you are, like me, one of the millions of NY/NJ/CT residents who visit each year, this could be a problem.

The quarantine order will apply to people who have visited states which have a 10% COVID-19 positive test rate on a seven-day rolling average. According to Gov. Cuomo, as of today, that includes nine states: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, North Carolina, South Carolina, Washington, Utah, Texas, and Florida.

New Interstate Quarantine Guidelines May Impact Your Disney World Visit
COVIDactnow.org map, July 24, 2020

So, if you live in NY/NJ/CT and you visit Florida, you’ll be required to quarantine at home for 14 days upon your return. For some folks, this will make little difference in their lives, but if, for example, you have a Disney trip planned toward the end of the summer and you want to head back to work or have your kids head back to school in the early fall, the two weeks stuck back at home could have a real negative impact on your life. A Disney vacation may not make sense if you have to restrict your movement when you get back home.

It’s worth noting that Florida has had a similar quarantine restriction for visitors from New York. Throughout the spring, New Yorkers traveling to Florida were asked to isolate for two weeks before going out. While there is still some confusion about the issue, we believe that the Florida rule for New Yorkers is set to expire on July 7. This means that it’s theoretically possible that you could go from New York to WDW today (as some of the WDW resorts are now open), have to quarantine at your hotel for two weeks, and then return back to NY and have to quarantine there for an additional two weeks. Sigh.

According to USA Today, if someone is caught in NY violating a quarantine rule, they could be subject to a $2,000 fine for the first offense.

As with everything else in the brave new world of Coronavirus, this is all a moving target. There is no specific date for the quarantine rule to end and the rules are subject to change.

If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, does this change your thinking about a Disney trip? Do you have a trip booked this summer? Will you still go? Let us know in the comments.

The post New Interstate Quarantine Guidelines May Impact Your Disney World Visit appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus

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Disney Guides Disney Parks Disney Vacations

Disney World Trip Packing in the Time of Coronavirus

Universal Orlando is now open to the public, and Walt Disney World will be reopening in a few weeks. This means that some of you will soon start PACKING for vacation!

TouringPlans has run approximately eleventy-billion posts about WDW trip packing over the years. A greatest hits list of them might include:

Now that we’re living in the COVID-19 era, there may be a few tweaks you want to make to your usual packing routine.

MASKS

Disney will require that all guests wear face coverings in the parks. That’s a non-negotiable given. It’s also a given that it’s summer and Florida, so the weather will inevitably be hot, hot, hot. Keep that in mind as you decide what type of mask to bring with you on vacation.

I’ve purchased half a dozen styles, from disposables sold at my local supermarket, to heavy multi-layered multi-filtered washables bought from Etsy. As much as possible, you should try to experiment with a variety of masks BEFORE you show up on vacation. They’re not all stifling and uncomfortable. Think about:

  • Will this provide protection to me and those around me?
  • Is the fit secure? Will I constantly be worried about this falling off while I’m walking around or on a ride? Is there something I can do to adjust the fit? (It could be particularly fun to use a monkey to adjust your mask in Toy Story Land.)
  • How does the paper/fabric feel next to my skin?
  • Can a take a deep breath while wearing this mask? How does it feel when I’m slightly exerted, like walking around my neighborhood?
  • With disposable masks, what is my environment impact? Is it worth it to avoid washing masks during my vacation?
  • With reusable masks, how will I care for it or clean it during my vacation?
  • Do I have enough masks with me if one becomes soiled due to food spills or sweat?
  • Will my mask withstand the inevitable Florida summer downpours? Do I have replacements for a wet mask?
  • Do I care about the aesthetics of my mask? Do I want it to match my attire?
  • Have I evaluated the mask situation for my kids? Have we practiced at home and do they understand that mask wearing in the parks is non-negotiable?
  • If I’m planning to buy Disney-branded masks on site, do I have a back-up plan if I find them uncomfortable or otherwise bothersome?

SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen is almost always a must at Walt Disney World. When you’re wearing a mask, you’ll want to be extra attentive to sunscreen application on your face lest you end up with some really wacky tan lines. Be sure you bring one that works for you with frequent application.

HAND SANTIZER

Yes, you should absolutely wash your hands thoroughly many times throughout the day. Yes, cast members will increase their sanitation of attractions and high-touch surfaces. Yes, there will be hand sanitizer stations located throughout the parks and resorts. Nevertheless, you probably want to keep at least a small amount of hand sanitizer with you at all times, just in case.

Bear in mind that TSA has now changed the rules about quantities of sanitizer that are allowed to be carried onto airplanes.

As you decide what form of sanitizer to have with you (liquid, spray, wipes), consider whether you’re a no-bags-in the park person or be-prepared-for-anything person and whether your choice of sanitizer will be impacted by that.

WATER BOTTLES

Proper hydration is essential and many folks bring reusable water bottles for environment reasons. Normally this is fantastic, but if you’re in a higher-risk group you may want to consider how you’re going to refill your bottle. Will you feel comfortable having your bottle close to taps that may have been touched by many people?

SMALL DIVERSIONS

Given the reduced park hours, you may be spending more time at your hotel than you would during a typical Disney vacation. Will you need to bring any items to help fill your down time? A deck of cards, a small board game, an extra novel, etc.?

HOW MUCH CLOTHING TO BRING

Some guests pack minimally, planning to do laundry while at Walt Disney World. The COVID factor may change your laundry strategy. If you think you’ll have more time on hand to do chores like washing clothes (because of less time in the parks), then you may decide to pack less overall. On the other hand, if you’d rather avoid enclosed spaces like public laundry rooms, then you may want to bring more clothes and skip doing laundry on this trip.

PAYMENT METHODS

Prior to your trip, you may want to check whether your credit cards have a no-contact payment feature. If one does, that may be the one you choose to use for this trip (to help you avoid touching card readers). Apple Pay is another good option for this.

Do you have any thoughts on packing for a post-COVID Disney vacation? Is there anything new you’re planning to bring? Is there anything you used to bring that you won’t take this time? Let us know!

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From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), coronavirus, packing

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Disney Parks Other

Fact Check: Walt Disney World Parks Reopening Theories Vs. Reality

Over a month ago I put together a list of my own theories, and theories from many others, about what procedures would be in place whenever Walt Disney World’s theme parks reopen. We received a lot of feedback on our “What Will Walt Disney World Be Like When It Reopens?” post. Since that time, Disney Springs reopened and we got a glimpse of the new temporary reality. Now, the big announcement has come. We can compare the theories we discussed to the reality that will come true in mid-July.

It is important to note that procedures and policies will change as the situation evolves.

Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols

By Reservation Only – TRUE (!!!)

This is a big announcement. When I wrote about the parks being accessible only by making a reservation to visit on a specific day, I wasn’t 100% convinced it would come true. Alas, Disney did announce that they are implementing a new reservation system for entry into the theme parks. Personally, I am very glad that the Disney parks will be reservation only. Doing so has a lot of positive implications. Obviously it allows for capacity control. But, it also means guest buy-in and education. Guests who make a reservation to visit the parks on a certain day or days will have committed to their plans. And, one can expect Disney to have a terms and conditions section which would review the safety policies. Maybe even guests will have to acknowledge that they will abide by these policies.

One Orlando attraction is already by reservation only: SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove. Perhaps there are some examples of this system that Disney will follow. There will be lots more information about Disney’s theme park reservation system to come, so stay tuned.

Reduced Capacity of the Disney Theme Parks – TRUE

A month and a half after I wrote about this theory, it seems obvious that yes, Disney will indeed have reduced capacity. Disney has not shared what the capacity looks like exactly, nor should anyone expect them to. As described in this CNBC recap of its interview with Bob Chapek immediately following the announcement of the proposed opening dates: Disney CEO Bob Chapek declined to provide a specific breakdown of its capacity reduction on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” Wednesday, noting that there is no governmental guideline like there is in China. He did say the company would adhere to the CDC’s 6 foot social distancing guidelines when limiting attendance.

Controlled Directional Flow Throughout Disney Property – TRUE

In the original post I discussed the potential for Disney to control traffic flow throughout the property. I mused that Disney might even go so far as to control traffic flow throughout the park, like they do during parade time for example. There was nothing about such specific plans in their presentation and announcement. However, Disney Springs already has directional flow implemented in certain high traffic areas, small areas, and certain retail locations have designated entrances and exits.

Walt Disney World Health and Safety Protocols

All Hands Off Deck and Cleaning Stations – TRUE

We already saw this partially come true during the final days of operation at Walt Disney World, and now, with Disney Springs open we’ve seen hand sanitizing and washing stations added. In addition to these new mobile hand cleaning stations, there is increased signage and reminders about the importance of sanitizing and cleaning. Disney announced that high touch areas such as playgrounds would remain closed and certain water effects would be turned off.

Hand sanitizer station at signage at Disney Springs

Reduced Shows, Attractions, and Character Experiences – TRUE

In our original post, the potential closure and reduction of high touch areas and activities was discussed. This is coming to pass as Disney announced all character meet and greet experiences would become an appearance and interactions from a distance. The possible closure of certain shows and other experiences was also mentioned. Disney states that this would be the case with reopening as well. What we didn’t touch on in our original post was the possible suspension of parades or fireworks. Disney has shared that for the time being parades and fireworks will not resume. You can imagine what a social distancing disaster it would be otherwise.

Required Masks and Temperature Screening – TRUE

It comes as no surprise that temperature screenings and face coverings or masks are required for attendance at Walt Disney World theme parks. After all, they are required at Disney Springs and will be required at both SeaWorld Orlando and Universal Orlando upon reopening of their theme parks. Temperature screenings at Disney Springs  are conducted by one of Florida’s largest healthcare and hospital providers, AdventHealth. What I did not anticipate was the possibility of what Disney is calling “relaxation zones.” To be clear, this is not a definite feature, but Disney representatives mentioned at the Task Force meeting that they were considering creating places where people could take off their masks briefly.

Walt Disney World Theme Park Reopening Protocols

Designated Days for Each Theme Park – TRUE (Kind of)

In the original post it was discussed if Disney would designate certain theme parks to be open on certain days, in order to reduce costs and control capacity. We also wondered if Disney would even designate certain parks to certain types of guests like Annual Passholders and on-site hotel guests on certain days. This is somewhat coming true, only for a short period of time. The theme parks are not reopening on the same day. The kingdoms, Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom reopen first, on July 11, 2020. Then Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT reopen on July 15, 2020.

Restricting Access to Resort Hotels – TBD

The big piece that is yet to be fully communicated is Disney’s resort hotels. Which ones will open and when? How many hotels will stay closed? One would assume since the parks will be reservation only, that top priority will be given to resort guests. What I mused about in the original post is whether or not Disney would restrict access to the resorts to hotel guests only. This would potentially mean no dining at any of the resort hotels’ restaurants, visiting their merchandise locations, or simply sightseeing.

Additional Considerations

One of the potential operational changes we did not discuss in the original piece was the addition of Plexiglas to ticket windows and registers. Disney stated in their presentation to the Orange County Economic Task Force that barriers were being installed in certain retail and restaurant locations. We also got a peek at some of the signage that will be displayed throughout the parks.

Walt Disney World COVID-19 Health and Safety Signage

As we’ve seen with other theme parks and amusements in their reopening announcements, there will be changes to how attractions operate. Ride vehicles will have certain seats and rows closed. There will be multiple instances, especially in queues, in which travel parties will be kept together and served one at a time, other guests not in the current travel party will be asked to keep a safe distance.

This will be a very interesting time to say the least. We have never seen anything like this in modern theme park operations. I am hopeful that this reopening, with its purposeful safety measures, will help in a variety of ways. What are your thoughts?

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From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dos and Don’ts, Trip Planning, Walt Disney World (FL), disney covid-19, disney reopening, disney safety, walt disney world reopening