Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Lilofan]

Plans are now formulated for a closure of one or both US parks. Paris is following government advice and taking precautions (hand sanitizers are out on every shop counter, in restaurants etc.)

Theres a lot of meetings happening quite a lot.

We're due to visit Paris very soon. Right now I’m hoping for the best and assuming the worst.

Iger just gave his day to day responsibilities to Chapek. He knew what was coming. Chapek will be the face of TWDC now in front of the media. City of Paris cancelled their annual Chinese Lunar parade. Give or take 80,000 cast members work at WDW?

 

[unmitigated disaster]

A little under half the trips I’ve taken to WDW ended up with me getting some kind of cold/head cold/ flu ish thing .

there’s a million ways to get sick in Disney. Surfaces touched by many. Including that fingerprint scanner at the parks! We use a lot of hand sanitizer especially right after scanning

lots of people sneeze or cough into their hands still. Can’t make that change.

I have a trip planned in 4 weeks and will still use hand sanitizer, and I’ll still probably get sick.

Sooo.... have no point in this post.

I was checking out a doctor a week or so ago who was here for a seminar - only for doctors - and she coughed right in my face. I felt it. She really didn't care, either.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

At WDW? It was busy as hell yesterday. Didnt see anything different whatsoever.

Did see Expedia laid off 12% of their workforce.

This is not a situation where people that booked 9 months ago are going to cancel. Yesterdays crowds are not a measuring stick. If we have some US Increase in cases - particularly In Cali and the state of Florida - then you’ll see some cancellations.

Longterm forecasting is the bellweafher. Or worst case scenario: a spike in cases causing a travel recession that then crashes into a full blown economic retraction due to world market stress.

Remember: most world economies have been in recession for several years. The gamblers on the NYSE and S&P have managed to stave it off as they try to extract maximum blood from their rocks.

 

[Piebald]

So people are continuing to travel/keep reservations if no virus cases are reported at their already booked destinations, but are hesitant to book new trips until things die down.

The parks seemed busy but I did see a lot of reservations at the China pavilion. We had friends come and visit and always kind of last minute check for dining since they have a small child and their day is always volatile. China had open reservations for parties of 8 pretty much the whole day

I hope things begin to level out personally because my wedding in Italy in May has become 100x more stressful than it already was.

 

[Piebald]

This is not a situation where people that booked 9 months ago are going to cancel. Yesterdays crowds are not a measuring stick. If we have some US Increase in cases - particularly In Cali and the state of backwards - then your see some cancellations.

Longterm forecasting is the bellweafher. Or worst case scenario: a spike in cases causing a travel recession that then crashes into a full blown economic restriction due to world market stress.

Remember: most world economies have been in recession for several years. The gamblers on the NYSE and S&P have managed to stave it off as they try to extract maximum blood from their rocks.

Absolutely but just anecdotally I was wondering if youd see a drop off of maybe locals who didnt require the extended planning ahead or just less people but nope....still busy.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

So people are continuing to travel/keep reservations if no virus cases are reported at their already booked destinations, but are hesitant to book new trips until things die down.

Yes...as would be expected. Nobody is cancelling their trip they geeked themselves up for months for because of a nursing home case in Seattle. Yet.

What if cases pop up in Daytona though? Game on then.

Plans are now formulated for a closure of one or both US parks. Paris is following government advice and taking precautions (hand sanitizers are out on every shop counter, in restaurants etc.)

Theres a lot of meetings happening quite a lot.

We're due to visit Paris very soon. Right now I’m hoping for the best and assuming the worst.

There have been contingency plans to shift operations for awhile now. Based originally off hurricane disruption but we all had to evaluate how to handle things in a more broad scope 20 years ago.

I would Caution to not get lead on a goose chase with these “insiders”. Full scale disruptions are about money more than PR...and often involves insurance and political contacts being worked to apply pressure for relief and considerations to plug the dam.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The parks seemed busy but I did see a lot of reservations at the China pavilion. We had friends come and visit and always kind of last minute check for dining since they have a small child and their day is always volatile. China had open reservations for parties of 8 pretty much the whole day

I hope things begin to level out personally because my wedding in Italy in May has become 100x more stressful than it already was.

That maybe the worst restaurant in the entire complex and you can always walk in - FYI

It’s also outsourced so it doesn’t shut itself down if there aren’t full reservations like the disney operates sites do

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Absolutely but just anecdotally I was wondering if youd see a drop off of maybe locals who didnt require the extended planning ahead or just less people but nope....still busy.

I really think that depends on if we see more spread in the US.

If we start to see more cases/fatalities over the coming days that aren’t geographically contained? - then yes I think you’ll see just that effect.

 

[Lilofan]

That maybe the worst restaurant in the entire complex and you can always walk in - FYI

It’s also outsourced so it doesn’t shut itself down if there aren’t full reservations like the disney operates sites do

During NYE there is a backstage walkway from China to Test Track for guests to get from Worldshowcase to Futureworld to help improve congestion in the main walking areas of Epcot. Walking behind backstage China by the restaurant , one can surely smell the grease...

 

[John park hopper]

I have had worse meals at the Coral Reef. Nine Dragons IMO is not the worst it is not outstanding Chinese food but all the times I have eaten there it has been consistently good not great but good

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I have had worse meals at the Coral Reef. Nine Dragons IMO is not the worst it is not outstanding Chinese food but all the times I have eaten there it has been consistently good not great but good

So what you’re saying is: it’s average Chinese at severe tourism upsell?

Yeah...that and I think it’s personally bad. There are others that fit the category of “not worth it”...nine dragons is up there.

 

[Genie_naughty_whispers]

But they had nothing to do with the virus - unless WDW has a seer on staff.

Didnt they hire a shaman a few years back? Usually works from a ride instead of sitting at a cubical. No seer but close enough.

 

[John park hopper]

So what you’re saying is: it’s average Chinese at severe tourism upsell?

Isn't that typical of most WDW restaurants

 

[The Mom]

This is not a situation where people that booked 9 months ago are going to cancel. Yesterdays crowds are not a measuring stick. If we have some US Increase in cases - particularly In Cali and the state of Florida - then you’ll see some cancellations.

Exactly - when the first case is announced in Florida, specifically Orlando (because locals know that a case in JAX doesn't mean it's a problem in Orlando) the crowds will drop.

So, unfortunately, some people will cancel travel plans through an overabundance of caution, or just ignorance.

 

[Lilofan]

Exactly - when the first case is announced in Florida, specifically Orlando (because locals know that a case in JAX doesn't mean it's a problem in Orlando) the crowds will drop.

So, unfortunately, some people will cancel travel plans through an overabundance of caution, or just ignorance.

I'm looking at I've taking a big paper loss in the stock market lately and that future leisure travel is not happening.

 

[The Mom]

I'm looking at I've taking a big paper loss in the stock market lately and that future leisure travel is not happening.

I think that goes without saying - if you have lost money (even on paper), most practical people will cut down on luxuries until things get better, and will start putting more aside in safe places in case things get even worse.

So if the market doesn't recover quickly from the virus effect - mostly a hit to supply chain - the parks, and any tourist related businesses - will suffer.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Plans are now formulated for a closure of one or both US parks. Paris is following government advice and taking precautions (hand sanitizers are out on every shop counter, in restaurants etc.)

Theres a lot of meetings happening quite a lot.

We're due to visit Paris very soon. Right now I’m hoping for the best and assuming the worst.

I don't have the inside track, but I see it unlikely they close either of the 2 US parks, particularly if Paris is not yet closed.

Here's to wishful thinking since I'll be there in 2 weeks.

 

[marni1971]

I don't have the inside track, but I see it unlikely they close either of the 2 US parks, particularly if Paris is not yet closed.

Here's to wishful thinking since I'll be there in 2 weeks.

I’d expect Paris to close first, then if things got worse the American parks. Obviously they’ll do everything they can to avoid closure at all costs.

 

[Chef Mickey]

I’d expect Paris to close first, then if things got worse the American parks. Obviously they’ll do everything they can to avoid closure at all costs.

Agreed. However, I just don't see the need to actually close the US parks if the US case incidents are so tiny. I would think and hope the US could handle the situation by implementing appropriate travel bans from the impacted countries, but leave our tourist spots alone for visitors with no issues.

 

[marni1971]

Agreed. However, I just don't see the need to actually close the US parks if the US case incidents are so tiny. I would think and hope the US could handle the situation by implementing appropriate travel bans from the impacted countries, but leave our tourist spots alone for visitors with no issues.

I think for all six parks to be shut things would have to get a lot lot worse.

It’s a possibility with contingencies drawn up. But its also a possibility they don’t close.