Politics 28000 Layoffs coming to Disney's domestic theme parks - statement from Josh D'Amaro

[marni1971]

We are at Disney World, having an enjoyable time with all the appropriate precautions in place, including:

1. Mandatory masks except when eating or drinking stationary.
2. Temperature checks at theme parks and restaurants.
3. Extra cleaning.
4. Many extra hand sanitizing stations.
5. Social distancing.

So far (and hoping it stays this way), there are no reports of mass outbreaks originating from Disney World. License plates in the parking lots are from numerous states: New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Illinois, Maryland, etc.

Checking this morning, the New York Times reports that Florida has 23.8 cases per 100,000. California has 15 cases per 100,000.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/california-coronavirus-cases.html

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/florida-coronavirus-cases.html

If Disney World can operating under these conditions, so can Disneyland.

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Maybe that means Orlando shouldn’t be open either?

But I know where you’re coming from. We did DLP in September. Which is of course now closed again.

 

[ParentsOf4]

Maybe that means Orlando shouldn’t be open either?

But I know where you’re coming from. We did DLP in September. Which is of course now closed again.

Disney World has now been open for 4 months with no reports of major outbreaks.

As we've seen elsewhere, it's possible to have mostly outdoor events if the appropriate precautions are observed.

Several have commented to me that they feel safer at Disney World than they do a their local grocery store.

The key is that Disney enforces their rules and, as far as I can see, everyone follows them.

 

[marni1971]

Disney World has now been open for 4 months with no reports of major outbreaks.

As we've seen elsewhere, it's possible to have mostly outdoor events if the appropriate precautions are observed.

Several have commented to me that they feel safer at Disney World than they do a their local grocery store.

The key is that Disney enforces their rules and, as far as I can see, everyone follows them.

Let’s be honest though it’s virtually impossible to trace any infection back to WDW. Unless there’s a viable track and trace system the moment of infection would never be known.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Maybe that means Orlando shouldn’t be open either?

But I know where you’re coming from. We did DLP in September. Which is of course now closed again.

I have no doubt they’re doing the best they can...other than TOO many people in some of the pictures I’ve seen and of course lack of ride capacity - a problem before and a problem with limited capacity now for sure...

But they have to “hope” that the corona wave crashes or they’ll have more logistics to deal with. And they’re not totally in control of that.

There won’t be an outbreak “traced” to them (nobody controls the “message” like Disney in Orlando...which is why Anaheim is a problem)...but there are tens of thousands of workers and vendors crisscrossing the property line. Some have corona...more will get corona. Mathematical certainty. Temperature checks and hand sanitizer is great...but not as effective is a rapid test or an immunized customer group. Disney is not clear yet. But there’s hope nothing huge will Happen.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Disney World has now been open for 4 months with no reports of major outbreaks.

As we've seen elsewhere, it's possible to have mostly outdoor events if the appropriate precautions are observed.

Several have commented to me that they feel safer at Disney World than they do a their local grocery store.

The key is that Disney enforces their rules and, as far as I can see, everyone follows them.

It’s a tad naive to think they’d let any of their mitigation efforts out...if they have happened.

Disney isn’t really taking some cutting edge measures than many other places and enterprises have not. Our schools have been super careful in my area and they’re still now registering cases.

A bit of luck and message management is almost certainly involved.

 

[olie64]

Let’s be honest though it’s virtually impossible to trace any infection back to WDW. Unless there’s a viable track and trace system the moment of infection would never be known.

I also if some of it lies that its impossible to say you got it there.... But I can tell you in my field I way more likely to get it at work then at Disney.

 

[olie64]

It’s a tad naive to think they’d let any of their mitigation efforts out...if they have happened.

Disney isn’t really taking some cutting edge measures than many other places and enterprises have not. Our schools have been super careful in my area and they’re still now registering cases.

A bit of luck and message management is almost certainly involved.

schools as an educator the problems do not seem to be school as much as it is the other hours of the days.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Let’s be honest though it’s virtually impossible to trace any infection back to WDW. Unless there’s a viable track and trace system the moment of infection would never be known.

I expressed that ages ago. I don't see how it would be possible to say that WDW was the source. People that travel to the place had to go through so many points of possible connections from Airplanes, Airports if they fly or Restaurants, rest stops, hotels along the way, gas stations (rest room again). They come from every area in the country and could just as easily been exposed before they ever left home. Disney will continue to have a clean slate on the source scenario because of the nature of the beast. Disneyland is a much more local oriented destination and could even be compared to rally's and much more tracible. It's like a more localized gathering point. Both have the same amount of risk involved though and just because they can't pin it on WDW doesn't mean that it wasn't a passing along point.

 

[Lilofan]

Disney World has now been open for 4 months with no reports of major outbreaks.

As we've seen elsewhere, it's possible to have mostly outdoor events if the appropriate precautions are observed.

Several have commented to me that they feel safer at Disney World than they do a their local grocery store.

The key is that Disney enforces their rules and, as far as I can see, everyone follows them.

The difference I see in WDW is that fellow guests do follow the rules and take pride. Heck, I've seen some fellow guests pick up other people's trash off the sidewalks to keep the park clean. I know I do it also.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

schools as an educator the problems do not seem to be school as much as it is the other hours of the days.

Of course...

But what I’m saying is that all the traffic on an off Disney property - even if lower than usual volume - is NOT coming from hermetically sealed bubbles...plenty of spread potential still there. Particularly from employees...no matter how many temperatures you take.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The difference I see in WDW is that fellow guests do follow the rules and take pride. Heck, I've seen some fellow guests pick up other people's trash off the sidewalks to keep the park clean. I know I do it also.

Those are disneyphiles...and every current or former employee...it’s part of the “legend of Disney”

 

[ParentsOf4]

The difference I see in WDW is that fellow guests do follow the rules and take pride. Heck, I've seen some fellow guests pick up other people's trash off the sidewalks to keep the park clean. I know I do it also.

From what I have read and observed, hot spots most commonly occur at locations where social distancing rules are not followed.

Whether it's a family gathering, political rally, or simply fatigue from following the rules, the worst outbreaks seem to trace to locations where the rules are not being followed.

At Disney World, these rules are strictly enforced and closely followed.

The rules at WDW were created by scientists and are being enforced by a company with financial incentive to enforce the rules.

"Follow the science."

Science is about proposing a hypothesis and then putting it to the test.

This is exactly what is happening at WDW today.

 

[duder]

I would think the best way to "track" cases that tie back to the parks would be the number of cast members who have confirmed positive. Not that they couldnt have gotten it at their grocery store, but it is at least a data point that could be looked at......in the unlikely event Disney would ever reveal it, which Im sure they wouldnt.

Have there been any reports of cast members testing positive?

 

[Parker in NYC]

We're doomed.

 

[wannabeBelle]

I was watching a local news broadcast in my area ( NYC, Staten Island specifically) and they of course were reporting on the uptick in cases in our area. They were saying that over 80% of the cases in this area, they simply cannot trace to a specific cause.
I was in WDW Last week and felt perfectly safe even with all of the people around. Masks were being worn for the most part correctly and most people were good about keeping some distance. I am not sure about 6 feet but definitely more than I am used to in the lines for attractions. Marie

 

[ParentsOf4]

Skepticism is a natural and healthy part of science. However, we have to accept what evidence shows us, even when it's counterintuitive or does not match our expectations.

I accept Quantum Theory not because I agree with it or it makes sense, but because experiment after experiment has shown it to be true.

At WDW, we have 4 months of data to show us that the science is right. Adhering to strict rules of social distancing, including:

1. Mandatory masks except when eating or drinking stationary.
2. Temperature checks at theme parks and restaurants.
3. Extra cleaning.
4. Many extra hand sanitizing stations.
5. 6 feet of separation where possible.
6. Capacity limits.

Greatly reduces the spread of COVID-19. Nothing (except for staying locked in the basement for months on end) is perfect. We take a risk each time we pump gas, go to the grocery store, visit a friend, or go to work.

If you feel unsafe going to WDW then, by all means, don't go.

However, also accept evidence from the last 4 months that it is possible to continue life, as long as the necessary precautions are strictly followed.

 

[GymLeaderPhil]

Have there been any reports of cast members testing positive?

Tons.

 

[DisneyTransport]

Tons.

wouldn't of expected anything less, unfortunately

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I always heard not a “nice” person at all. I’ll leave it at that.

That’s a shame if true. He’s incredibly talented, his arrangements for voices and the candlelight are incredible.

His wife was always very nice to us. She was full time with the voices up until a few years ago.

 

[brettf22]

That’s a shame if true. He’s incredibly talented, his arrangements for voices and the candlelight are incredible.

His wife was always very nice to us. She was full time with the voices up until a few years ago.

I had the opportunity to work with Derric a couple of years ago. While it was for only about a week, he was affable, professional, and an all around nice guy. Of course, my experience was limited. And he was very much a stickler for having things done "the right way." But that's true for just about any director/arranger of his level.

One thing I can say for certain ... he is definitely an old school EPCOT guy, and NOT a fan of the direction Epcot/IPcot is going,