Monthly Archives: August 2020

theDIBB > 2020 > August

Disney Park Reservations And Other Changes at Disney Theme Parks Are “Here To Stay” Says Disney Chairman

Anyone that has been following the reopening changes that have been implemented at Walt Disney World will know that one of the changes Disney made was to introduce a new theme park reservation system.

©Disney Mickey and Friends Cavalcade (Kent Phillips, photographer)

Disney’s park reservation system requires guests to prebook the park they wish to visit on any given day. Annual Passholders are able to book 3 park days at a time and Disney hotel guests are guaranteed entry into one park per day of their stay. Continue reading →

theDIBB > 2020 > August

Universal Orlando Seems To Be Faring Slightly Better Than Disney In Attracting Visitors After Reopening

It seems that Visitors are returning to Universal Orlando faster than they are returning to Walt Disney World.

According to reports, Universal Orlando, which reopened their theme parks on 5th June are seeing an upturn in attendance, although attendance is still down 64% from 2019. In comparison Walt Disney World, which reopened their theme parks in mid July seems to have attendance levels down by 80% from 2019.

Disney CEO, Bob Chapek acknowledged that Disney World had a higher than expected number of reservation cancellations when he spoke during a quarterly earnings call.

One simple theory is that Universal Orlando is attracting an older audience that feel more confident to enjoy the parks. Families with younger children that would normally visit Walt Disney World for the character experiences, etc, are probably less confident to visit at this time.

The general feeling though is that confidence is growing and as the COVID-19 cases decrease Walt Disney World will see ongoing improvements in attendance.

theDIBB > 2020 > August

Disney To Increase Capacity at Shanghai Disneyland Starting 24th August

Shanghai Disneyland was the first Disney theme park to reopen after the recent closures and as such has been the model for the reopening of other Disney theme parks around the world.

Shanghai Disneyland ©Disney

The Chinese Government in response to the slowing of the pandemic in China is allowing tourism venues to increase their capacities. Currently the capacity is set at 30% of the venues maximum, this will be increased to 50% from 24th August. Continue reading →

theDIBB > 2020 > August

Disney+ Premiers ‘Magic Of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’, A Behind The Scenes Documentary Of Disney’s Theme Park

A new documentary series going behind the scenes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT is set to show on Disney+ starting 25th September.

Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Using cutting-edge technology, such as custom-built GoPro enclosures, 18-foot cranes and underwater camera systems to highlight the magic found in every corner of the kingdom. “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” from National Geographic, will give viewers an all-access pass behind the scenes of two of Disney’s famous parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT’s The Seas with Nemo & Friends.

The eight part series was filmed over a five month period and introduces viewers to a magnificent array of 300 species and 5,000-plus animals that have their own unique personalities and family dynamics. Continue reading →

theDIBB > 2020 > August

Virgin Atlantic Could Face Formal Enforcement Action By Civil Aviation Authority regarding Customer Refunds

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has conducted a review into airline refund practices during the Covid-19 pandemic and has found Virgin Atlantic to be one of the worst for delayed customer refunds.

A quote from the review, “Virgin Atlantic is one of the airlines that our review identified as not processing refund requests sufficiently quickly and as having a sizeable backlog of refund requests”. Some customers have had to wait 120 days to receive their refunds. Continue reading →