Do you think that Disney world will reclose its gates due to the rising number of COVID cases in Florida and around the country?

[GoofGoof]

My boss got a test about two weeks ago before her trip to visit relatives - she wanted to be safe around older folks. She took it a few days before the trip to give herself time to get results. She got results 10 days later - this is in a mid-Atlantic state that’s not seeing the huge upticks of a place like Florida.

She got the news she’s negative on the way *home* from the trip.

I have a friend who has relatives from FL who did the same thing. They came up here to PA but got the whole family tested before they left then quarantined until the results came in. They wanted to visit older relatives and didn’t want to to infect them. This was back in mid-June when FL testing was a little less backed up. I think they got the results 3 days after the test. I think the testing lag puts a hard stop on any plans to do daily testing. It would be ideal if there was a quick and painless instant test but that’s not reality.

 

[Serverfarm]

Bad news is that Disney won’t test their employees.

And that's the difference between WDW and DLR. And the difference between FL's attitude vs CA's attitude to this virus (unions got squeezed in FL and are pushing back in CA). And the difference between new and old mgmt. Such contrast nowadays, BUT no 100% right nor 100% wrong, we're all just in the middle at this point.

(Note CA just reclosed all, theaters, gyms, indoor gatherings this afternoon, not sure how it'll effect Sea World/Uni/Lego openings this week--cause that's going to create repercussions in the industry).

 

[DVCakaCarlF]

I am new to posting on these specific boards but not new to reading them. Just like almost all of you I am a life long disney-holic who lives for my next trip to Disney. We spend 10 days every August at the Poly and have been on 11 cruises. Some years we do two trips a year so you can see where my hard earned dollars have gone. I always joke that half my salary should just be direct deposited to Disney. But I am happy to do it because it provides us memories like no other.

In saying that we have thought long and hard about our upcoming trip this August. Back when Disney first announced they were re-opening we booked our park reservations and re-made our dining reservations and were fully intent on going. I am by no means a hypochondriac. However with the state of the virus in Florida my wife and I decided that it just wasn't worth the inherent risk for us to make the trip this year. It breaks our heart and we want to go so badly, but we just feel it may be too risky for us and our kids. Not because of anything Disney has done, as we fully believe they are doing everything possible to keep everyone safe. But as I said this is a CHOICE we are making.

Reading these boards, which are usually filled with great info and some fun debate, I am honestly blown away by the amount of people who believe it's OK to shame others or feel they have an invitation to tell others what they should do. We are making the decision not to go, because we feel it is too risky...that is OUR choice. However I would never begrudge anyone who felt differently and felt it was safe enough for them to go. If you feel safe...go and I hope you have a wonderful time.... if you don't feel safe, then do as we are and stay at home. It really sucks, but it's the choice we feel we have to make.

While I don’t agree entirely, this is the most American statement I’ve heard in a while - “choice.”

 

[Oddysey]

Sadly, I think a lot of resistance to things like tracing apps and vaccines come from conspiracies like the Bill Gates one. I'm noticing this is not just a conspiracy theorist thing. Perfectly sane and smart people that I know are posting things about tracking and the vaccine money maker.

I believe the reason there are a significant number of conspiracy theorist is because many do not know where to turn for credible information. Our news media on all sides is not designed to report the news but rather to entertain in an effort to sell ads. The media has misrepresented so many things over the last several years that they have lost the public trust.

Doing research I can find multiple stories of “experts” supporting the efficacy of mask and then find an equal number of stories of “experts” explaining how wearing a mask breaks down the immune system and increases the chances of one getting sick. When this occurs it forces individuals to formulate their own opinions based on biases and what they want to believe. Not necessarily because each individual lacks intelligence per se, but because a lack of credible sources and/or an abundance of conflicting information creates a breeding ground for conspiracy theories to flourish.

 

[Miss Bella]

This is the scenario that Disney fears most. Big family going to Disney, all have not seen each other in weeks. Flying in from 3 locations, different planes. Same resort for a week, then they all fly back home. 3 - 9 days later they start to get sick. Does not take long to figure out what they had in common.

It's coming. I am sure there are stories in these forums about family's bringing home the flu from Disney. But, the flu is not going to make national news.

Florida is a big stinking mess. There is no way Disney is going to come out of this smelling nice.

Since it was their choice to go to Disney and Disney has issued multiple waivers and warnings I really don't see how this is a problem. One of the family members could have had COVID before arriving at WDW so still no way to trace it back to Disney. Families are having get-togethers and parties all over the world it's not something exclusive to WDW.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Since it was their choice to go to Disney and Disney has issued multiple waivers and warnings I really don't see how this is a problem. One of the family members could have had COVID before arriving at WDW so still no way to trace it back to Disney. Families are having get-togethers and parties all over the world it's not something exclusive to WDW.

the PR from it would be Disneys biggest headache. Sure, they have legal protections and safety measure in place, but the societal reflection of an outbreak occurring from a family who visited would be disastrous for their image.

 

[Miss Bella]

the PR from it would be Disneys biggest headache. Sure, they have legal protections and safety measure in place, but the societal reflection of an outbreak occurring from a family who visited would be disastrous for their image.

I doubt anybody with half a brain is going to blame Disney for something that was their choice to do.

 

[WDW Pro]

I doubt anybody with half a brain is going to blame Disney for something that was their choice to do.

There are some quarter brained folks out there.

 

[Miss Bella]

There are some quarter brained folks out there.

Nobody cares what they think. Disney certainly doesn't because they are not their customers.

 

[havoc315]

The sick ones with symptoms are hopefully getting tested and if someone tests positive I would hope they would let their co-workers they have direct contact with know so they can get tested. I don’t think it’s practical for a place like Universal or WDW to test all employees every day. It would help FL with their percent positive though

No, not practical to test every day. But rotating so all employees are tested once per month is very doable and would catch cases before they become huge outbreaks.

But without any plan to test employees... and with a 1-week backlog on those who are tested, and without any coherent contact tracing program... It all falls apart.

 

[Polkadotdress]

I doubt anybody with half a brain is going to blame Disney for something that was their choice to do.

Clearly then, you’ve never worked in guest service. Wasn’t there just a notable news story about a guy who rode a Universal attraction and subsequently had a heart attack and died, yet the family is trying to blame Uni since the warning sign wasn’t in Spanish?

Or...there are countless stories about families who leave their purse/wallet/camera in a stroller parked outside an attraction and are shocked when their items are stolen.

OHHH! And there was one time we were riding on the Backlot Tour, and the guy in front of us dropped his iPhone over the edge of the tram during the shaking part of Catastrophe Canyon. He was distraught, because he couldn't get the attention of the Cast Member who was riding in the front of the tram (we were 2nd car from the back). We stuck around after exiting, and heard him GO OFF on the Cast Member since his phone was gone, and that Disney needed to replace it since he didn't know the shaking on the tram would be that bad AND they didn't bother to stop the tram to have it retrieved.

I could go on...

 

[mickeymiss]

I believe the reason there are a significant number of conspiracy theorist is because many do not know where to turn for credible information. Our news media on all sides is not designed to report the news but rather to entertain in an effort to sell ads. The media has misrepresented so many things over the last several years that they have lost the public trust.

Doing research I can find multiple stories of “experts” supporting the efficacy of mask and then find an equal number of stories of “experts” explaining how wearing a mask breaks down the immune system and increases the chances of one getting sick. When this occurs it forces individuals to formulate their own opinions based on biases and what they want to believe. Not necessarily because each individual lacks intelligence per se, but because a lack of credible sources and/or an abundance of conflicting information creates a breeding ground for conspiracy theories to flourish.

You're not wrong in the slightest. I just saw an epidemiologist try to say N95 masks don't even work.

Oh. Ok.

 

[DisneyCane]

You're not wrong in the slightest. I just saw an epidemiologist try to say N95 masks don't even work.

Oh. Ok.

I hope you misunderstood them. That is a ridiculous assertion if they said that. If that was the case then this virus isn't contagious at all which we know isn't true. I mean, every healthcare worker that treats COVID-19 patients would be infected if the N95s didn't work.

 

[mickeymiss]

Since it was their choice to go to Disney and Disney has issued multiple waivers and warnings I really don't see how this is a problem. One of the family members could have had COVID before arriving at WDW so still no way to trace it back to Disney. Families are having get-togethers and parties all over the world it's not something exclusive to WDW.

We mentally sign a waiver to do anything in the public. I've always been aware of the risk of getting sick especially at pre-covid Disney. Sure enough, my husband got sick last time. It's the contract of leaving your house. Covid is more important and that's why we will be reminded of the risk but nobody can go anywhere with a promise of not catching any sickness. The question is, how likely is it when extraordinary precautions are in place?

 

[mickeymiss]

I hope you misunderstood them. That is a ridiculous assertion if they said that. If that was the case then this virus isn't contagious at all which we know isn't true. I mean, every healthcare worker that treats COVID-19 patients would be infected if the N95s didn't work.

That is what he said loud and clear. He said the covid particles are smaller than what an N95 mask blocks. It certainly is contagious, he says, but no mask is going to fully block it. How do we decide who to believe? Where is the source that knows better than the others? It's overwhelming.

I think what we need to know more about is viral load. Some illnesses require more contact than others. One of the reasons we didn't see a lot of cases explode in every community at once was that maybe quick errands like groceries were never enough exposure to make someone sick. It's all interesting and I wish there could be an expert roundtable on it. By far my most pressing questions are about casual contact, viral load and infectious doses.

 

[Heppenheimer]

You're not wrong in the slightest. I just saw an epidemiologist try to say N95 masks don't even work.

Oh. Ok.

N95 masks are effective for an individual to protect themselves against an infection when they knowingly come in contact with an infected patient, for a limited amount of time, in a relatively controlled environment, like a negative-pressure hospital room. But probably not useful on a societal level to slow a pandemic, since it really isn't feasible to properly fit-test everyone. And these masks start to feel really uncomfortable after a few minutes.

 

[Jon81uk]

That is what he said loud and clear. He said the covid particles are smaller than what an N95 mask blocks. It certainly is contagious, he says, but no mask is going to fully block it. How do we decide who to believe? Where is the source that knows better than the others? It's overwhelming

The key phrase there is no mask (or any other prevention mechanism) is going to fully block it. But every little helps, wearing a mask, keeping 6ft distance, washing hands properly, add them all together and you lessen your risk.

Think of condoms, used correctly they are about 98% effective, but most don't put them on well so they are about 85% effective, so they don't fully prevent pregnancy. But a condom and a birth control pill together give a lot greater chance they won't get pregnant. Does knowing that a condom doesn't fully prevent pregnancy stop you wanting to use it?

 

[mickeymiss]

The key phrase there is no mask (or any other prevention mechanism) is going to fully block it. But every little helps, wearing a mask, keeping 6ft distance, washing hands properly, add them all together and you lessen your risk.

Think of condoms, used correctly they are about 98% effective, but most don't put them on well so they are about 85% effective, so they don't fully prevent pregnancy. But a condom and a birth control pill together give a lot greater chance they won't get pregnant. Does knowing that a condom doesn't fully prevent pregnancy stop you wanting to use it?

That's the thing. People are believing and parroting that all masks work. They think the bandana works and the homemade T-shirt masks work. I thought N95 masks were completely effective until this doctor said they weren't and then I wonder what to believe. That doesn't make any one ignorant. It's what the media has been confusing us about since March.

My point is you won't find too many people out in public thinking that the doily on their face isn't working. They think it is 100%.

 

[Jon81uk]

That's the thing. People are believing and parroting that all masks work. They think the bandana works and the homemade T-shirt masks work. I thought N95 masks were completely effective until this doctor said they weren't and then I wonder what to believe. That doesn't make any one ignorant. It's what the media has been confusing us about since March.

My point is you won't find too many people out in public thinking that the doily on their face isn't working. They think it is 100%.

I've not seen much where people think all masks work just that all masks help. A lot of the anti-mask people make a similar argument to you that its not completely effective so why bother at all, whereas in reality several small steps added together all help.

A simple cotton face covering is like using a handkerchief to cough into, it helps trap some of the droplets from your breath. Very few things will stop everything that leaves your mouth. The bandana still helps to trap some droplets, I don't think many reasonable people think it is 100%.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I've not seen much where people think all masks work just that all masks help. A lot of the anti-mask people make a similar argument to you that its not completely effective so why bother at all, whereas in reality several small steps added together all help.

A simple cotton face covering is like using a handkerchief to cough into, it helps trap some of the droplets from your breath. Very few things will stop everything that leaves your mouth. The bandana still helps to trap some droplets, I don't think many reasonable people think it is 100%.

This. If they came out tomorrow and said they are only 10% effective, well then we still need to wear them along with other measures. I don’t get the thinking of there not 100% so why bother.