WDW Reopening Estimates

[Tom P.]

You are correct that chlorine will kill the virus. At the water park it is not the water that you need to be concerned about. It's the person next to you in the pool sneezing, coughing, etc that you need to be worried about.

That is true. However, if I were going to go to any kind of park venue right now, I would be less concerned about a water park than other theme parks. At least in a water park, during most of the attractions you are somewhat submerged in virus-killing chemicals.

 

[VaderTron]

Fair enough. But at what point is it okay to open. With the Karens of this world, it seems that every day is too soon. We're coming up on June and summer. Three months since lockdown. Enough already. Be smart. Be responsible. But it's time to open.

Now it may seem like three months, but stay at home orders didn't start till the end of March at the earliest with many others not enforcing till April. One and a half to two months.

 

[Herdman]

I saw where the CDC said today that the virus does NOT spread easily via contaminated surfaces. This could be huge news for the theme parks if they do not have to be quite as diligent or commit as many resources to wiping down surfaces.

CDC now says coronavirus ‘does not spread easily’ on surfaces

In early March, the federal health agency was warning that it “may be possible” to pass on the virus from contaminated surfaces, according to Fox News.

nypost.com

 

[Katelynbird]

I saw where the CDC said today that the virus does NOT spread easily via contaminated surfaces. This could be huge news for the theme parks if they do not have to be quite as diligent or commit as many resources to wiping down surfaces.

That is huge. Not only tables for outdoor eating, but also rides such as Dumbo or Aladdin where they use those levers to move the ride up and down would have to be wiped down each ride. That would take a lot of time.

 

[VaderTron]

Not tested and under reported are two very different things. The antibody testing and research from virus detectives is showing that the virus was in the United States (including Florida) much earlier than thought. Asymptomatic or people with very mild symptoms would have had absolutely no reason to get tested back when there was supposedly no human to human transmission and all cases were supposedly around Wuhan, China.

Even now, I doubt that anywhere close to 100% of people with a mild cough or slight fever will go get tested.

As far as the parks opening, that has more to do with what type of procedures for social distancing and other preventative measures can be implemented within WDW than what the surrounding communities do. Honestly, neither Orange or Osceola counties really had much of an outbreak to begin with. Both could have been in Phase 1 (or Phase 2) since the beginning.

The antibody test has many flaws including that it doesn't test for Sars-CoV-2 (the current coronavirus) antibodies, but ANY type of coronavirus antibodies. So, you could have had a different coronavirus and still have antibodies from that causing a positive reading on the test for antibodies.

I don't know how many times this must be stated, there are more questions than answers right now. Every "fact" that is stated remains questionable. There is no reason to rush back to opening until there is a better handle on this situation. Those who want to rush back to opening are putting the rest of the world who are financially and physically on thin ice at risk. Could everything be OK? Yes, that is a possibility. There is also the risk that everything will get worse. It's a roll of the dice. I don't think a trip to WDW is a dice roll I want to take with my family and my community's well-being the purse that's up for grabs.

 

[VaderTron]

I saw where the CDC said today that the virus does NOT spread easily via contaminated surfaces. This could be huge news for the theme parks if they do not have to be quite as diligent or commit as many resources to wiping down surfaces.

CDC now says coronavirus ‘does not spread easily’ on surfaces

In early March, the federal health agency was warning that it “may be possible” to pass on the virus from contaminated surfaces, according to Fox News.

nypost.com

If that is true then the situation is worse, not better. That means it's extremely transmissible through the air as nearly all community spread would have to be through breathing in droplets. That means masks are not sufficient even when worn over the mouth and nose, unless you have N-95 masks or other form-fitting masks. It means that 6 ft of distance isn't likely to be enough space with wind and other factors spreading from contaminated breathers/coughers/sneezers/etc.

Less things to clean: Yes

Good news for relaxing social distancing: No

 

[Herdman]

If that is true then the situation is worse, not better. That means it's extremely transmissible through the air as nearly all community spread would have to be through breathing in droplets. That means masks are not sufficient even when worn over the mouth and nose, unless you have N-95 masks or other form-fitting masks. It means that 6 ft of distance isn't likely to be enough space with wind and other factors spreading from contaminated breathers/coughers/sneezers/etc.

Less things to clean: Yes

Good news for relaxing social distancing: No

I'm just saying that it's good news in the procedures that Disney will have to implement in opening. They can concentrate more on the social distancing aspect and enforcing mask wearing with their cast members.

Plus, I think we've known all along that the virus was much more transmittable by air than by contaminated surfaces. I think today's news just reenforceses that a little more.

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

A few things could put Universal first.

Don’t you think there won’t some some indirect pressure to open after UO opens first?

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

Perhaps I’m off the mark, but I feel Universal can more readily enforce rules. Too many WDW fans feel entitled to vacation the way they want to.

You need to specify a date if you expect guests to pre-book park dates.

Idk why, but people act like jerks when they “pay for something.” I’m on vacation, so you can’t tell my kid no, I can do whatever I want, and I’m not waiting...

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

BTW, does anyone know if Disney furnishes masks or do you need to bring your own? I’m asking specifically at Springs today.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

BTW, does anyone know if Disney furnishes masks or do you need to bring your own? I’m asking specifically at Springs today.

The documentation from Disney says you need to bring your own.

 

[GoofGoof]

You need to specify a date if you expect guests to pre-book park dates.

A good reason not to give a date too far in advance. Things change so frequently. Imagine the outcry if they say July 1 and people book flights, park day reservations, fast passes, etc and they end up pushing to July 10. Better to wait until a few weeks before open to announce a date. They don’t want too many people right away anyway.

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

The documentation from Disney says you need to bring your own.

I wonder how they will regulate the concept of what is or what is not a mask.

 

[GoofGoof]

I wonder how they will regulate the concept of what is or what is not a mask.

It’s pretty well defined:

Face Coverings: All Guests ages 3 and older are required to wear face coverings when visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

All face coverings should:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules.

Guests are required to wear face coverings at all times, except while dining. The use of face coverings should not be seen as a substitute for physical distancing. Guests must provide their own disposable or reusable face covering.

 

[ThatMouse]

That is huge. Not only tables for outdoor eating, but also rides such as Dumbo or Aladdin where they use those levers to move the ride up and down would have to be wiped down each ride. That would take a lot of time.

I'd be less worried about the levers and more worried about the amount of saliva coming from the elephant in front of you. That's not rain you're feeling on your face.

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

It’s pretty well defined:

Face Coverings: All Guests ages 3 and older are required to wear face coverings when visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

All face coverings should:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

Costume masks are not considered appropriate and are prohibited from being worn, in alignment with our existing rules.

Guests are required to wear face coverings at all times, except while dining. The use of face coverings should not be seen as a substitute for physical distancing. Guests must provide their own disposable or reusable face covering.

Is a scarf or bandana acceptable?

 

[GoofGoof]

Is a scarf or bandana acceptable?

If it covers your nose and mouth, has ties or ear loops, fits snug and is made of a breathable material I’d say yes

I‘m sure there will be some people who test the limits or work the grey areas.

 

[Katelynbird]

Is a scarf or bandana acceptable?

I would think so if it covers your mouth and nose.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'd be less worried about the levers and more worried about the amount of saliva coming from the elephant in front of you. That's not rain you're feeling on your face.

Better that it’s coming out of that end of the elephant at least

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Must....not....type....."ok Karen" on some of these...

Hmm, why didn't you type that?