Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Chi84]

I was just in a touristy spot with outdoor shopping, and the guidance was: wear masks indoors or outdoors if crowds prevent social distancing.

While it's true masks are generally not necessary when outdoors and people are sufficiently spread out, allowing this flexibility at WDW would be an enforcement nightmare.

It would just lead to many guests choosing never to use a mask. Would cast members be expected to evaluate every instance and decide if the guest in question is adequately socially distanced? They'd ask some guests to wear a mask and they'd argue because another guest off on their own isn't.

Disney's policy is effective because it's straight forward and simple. That doesn't make it "stupid", just the opposite in fact.

I think it depends on your beliefs about how effective masks are for people just passing each other outside. But regardless of one's feelings, Disney is going to have to confront the issue pretty soon if they want people to return to the parks. Wearing a mask outdoors in the sun with oppressive heat and humidity is not the answer to difficulties with enforcement - Disney is going to have to figure it out. It's been my experience that internet enforcement of rules is much more difficult and complex than real world enforcement.

 

[MisterPenguin]

 

[SamusAranX]

I think it depends on your beliefs about how effective masks are for people just passing each other outside. But regardless of one's feelings, Disney is going to have to confront the issue pretty soon if they want people to return to the parks. Wearing a mask outdoors in the sun with oppressive heat and humidity is not the answer to difficulties with enforcement - Disney is going to have to figure it out. It's been my experience that internet enforcement of rules is much more difficult and complex than real world enforcement.

Again, it's gonna be awhile before they relax that rule.

Besides, Florida is entering their 2nd of two seasons, "less summer"; we already are having unseasonable drops in humidity and heat indices later this week. So for at least 3 or more months, the humidity and heat issues with mask wearing will be minimized or even void some days.

 

[Mark52479]

Again, it's gonna be awhile before they relax that rule.

Besides, Florida is entering their 2nd of two seasons, "less summer"; we already are having unseasonable drops in humidity and heat indices later this week. So for at least 3 or more months, the humidity and heat issues with mask wearing will be minimized or even void some days.

I agree on this.

Come october temps and humidity go down here in Florida and then pretty much perfect weather comes for 6 months.

It will NOT be that uncomfortable wearing the masks all day when this happens.

 

[SamusAranX]

I agree on this.

Come october temps and humidity go down here in Florida and then pretty much perfect weather comes for 6 months.

It will NOT be that uncomfortable wearing the masks all day when this happens.

As a (almost) lifelong Floridian, I can't say I like living here overall, but dang, I do live for our Florida "winters". Brisk mornings, somewhat warm afternoons, and least where I'm at north of Tampa, a few days of freezing temps to feel sort of wintery

 

[Mark52479]

As a (almost) lifelong Floridian, I can't say I like living here overall, but dang, I do live for our Florida "winters". Brisk mornings, somewhat warm afternoons, and least where I'm at north of Tampa, a few days of freezing temps to feel sort of wintery

I am in Southern Florida and I can not wait for those cooler temps.

Its been brutal down here all summer.

 

[GoofGoof]

They will be having indoor receptions. Disney has a lot of people working very hard on all the details to do it safely.

I assume then it’s masks on except when eating and tables spaced at least 6 feet apart and a cap on the number of attendees. I guess since there are no longer any restrictions in FL they can technically do what they want unless Orange County has specific restrictions.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think it depends on your beliefs about how effective masks are for people just passing each other outside. But regardless of one's feelings, Disney is going to have to confront the issue pretty soon if they want people to return to the parks. Wearing a mask outdoors in the sun with oppressive heat and humidity is not the answer to difficulties with enforcement - Disney is going to have to figure it out. It's been my experience that internet enforcement of rules is much more difficult and complex than real world enforcement.

I don’t think anyone’s personal beliefs about how effective masks are factors into Disney’s decision. They will continue to have a mask policy as long as the vast majority of health experts and officials from various agencies like the CDC and local departments of health recommend it. It makes it much more difficult to monitor and enforce the rule if there are more exceptions created. They tried allowing an exception for people walking around to eat/drink with their mask off and the enforcement caused too many issues. They had to simplify the rule to no walking around without a mask on and if you want to eat or drink step to the side away from others to do it. IMHO Disney will go from the full current mask policy to no masks required when it’s time to do that vs a gradual relaxing of the rules.

 

[DCBaker]

"Now, it appears that Disney is allowing guests who had previously cancelled their passes, or those who had their Annual Pass expire after March 16th, the ability to purchase a new Annual Pass. Guests who are interested in purchasing a new Annual Pass, and qualify for the deal as a result of a cancelled or expired pass, should call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407)-WDW-PASS. Guests are highly encouraged to make the changes at a Guest Relations location either at the Disney World theme parks or Disney Springs.

After speaking with Guest Relations Cast Members, we’re told that the ability to purchase a new Annual Pass based on an expired or cancelled Annual Pass is done on a case-by-case basis."

Disney World Begins Selling New Annual Passes to Passholders With Expired or Cancelled Annual Passes

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

 

[Lilofan]

I am in Southern Florida and I can not wait for those cooler temps.

Its been brutal down here all summer.

Cooler temps? Maybe in late Dec-early Feb.

 

[Mark52479]

Cooler temps? Maybe in late Dec-early Feb.

LOL

When I mean cooler I mean low 80s.

Below 70 is cold

 

[danlb_2000]

I was just in a touristy spot with outdoor shopping, and the guidance was: wear masks indoors or outdoors if crowds prevent social distancing.

While it's true masks are generally not necessary when outdoors and people are sufficiently spread out, allowing this flexibility at WDW would be an enforcement nightmare.

It would just lead to many guests choosing never to use a mask. Would cast members be expected to evaluate every instance and decide if the guest in question is adequately socially distanced? They'd ask some guests to wear a mask and they'd argue because another guest off on their own isn't.

Disney's policy is effective because it's straight forward and simple. That doesn't make it "stupid", just the opposite in fact.

Not to mention the distinction between indoor and outdoor can get a little fuzzy. If I am walking through the Castle, do I have to put my mask on as I enter the castle? How about the market in the Morocco pavilion, is that indoor or outdoor? As you say, have simple rules makes it more likely there will be compliance.

 

[Twisted Ballerina]

I believe Disney is in many ways there own entity. They will choose there own way and process how to do things that may be different to what the Florida Government is trying to enforce. Where I live is actually really far away in Vancouver from the WDW area in Florida, but we do hear some news concerning that area from time to time. Mostly we hear news about Disneyland California and the happenings or not happenings there. I still think that WDW will still continue monitor the situation, but will also monitor there own safety issues as well and plan accordingly to that.

 

[danlb_2000]

I just got back from a weekend at the Jersey shore. Stayed in a hotel and had no issues. They had the plexiglass at checkin and everyone had masks on the whole time indoors. There was definitely extra cleaning going on too. We declined housekeeping on Saturday to avoid any extra contact with staff. The room itself was fine but I was a little more cautious with wiping down surfaces especially in the kitchen area....

If I didn't feel confident in the housekeeping so much that I felt the need to wipe down surfaces, I also won't have enough confidence that the bed linens has been properly washed. One of the reasons I am still reluctant to stay in a hotel.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I tried to get my son a new bike since he is really too big now for the one he has. Good like finding a bike anywhere. DSG had them on back order for a few months now. Walmart, Target, even Amazon all sold out. Basically anything outdoors has flown off the shelves. Bikes, fishing gear, camping, golf clubs. I know a handful of people who picked up golfing again as a hobby mainly because their usually ridiculously busy weekends were suddenly empty this spring and they actually had time to play. I know my other friends who play golf regularly are saying it’s next to impossible to get tee times at some of their favorite courses now.

My wife and I had a hard time finding bikes for ourselves. She was eventually able to order one for delivery from Target in late-August and I was able to find one from a local bike shop that was a little more than I had hoped to pay, but worth it in the end. The local shop said to allow up to 2 weeks for it to be ready, but had it ready for me to pick up on Day 7. My wife liked mine so much that she gave hers to our niece and ordered the same one I got. They're just beach cruisers and we love them. I just wish we had ordered them sooner, but everywhere we looked had such lo g estimated delivery dates earlier in the summer that we figured our orders would end up getting canceled. We won't have too many chances to ride them this year before it gets too cold, but we're ready when Spring rolls around now.

 

[MisterPenguin]

"Now, it appears that Disney is allowing guests who had previously cancelled their passes, or those who had their Annual Pass expire after March 16th, the ability to purchase a new Annual Pass. Guests who are interested in purchasing a new Annual Pass, and qualify for the deal as a result of a cancelled or expired pass, should call V.I.PASSHOLDER Support at (407)-WDW-PASS. Guests are highly encouraged to make the changes at a Guest Relations location either at the Disney World theme parks or Disney Springs.

After speaking with Guest Relations Cast Members, we’re told that the ability to purchase a new Annual Pass based on an expired or cancelled Annual Pass is done on a case-by-case basis."

Disney World Begins Selling New Annual Passes to Passholders With Expired or Cancelled Annual Passes

Walt Disney World news, photos, and reviews! We provide you with daily news from the Walt Disney World theme parks and beyond

blogmickey.com

Hmmm... I'd want to know if there's a bargain here, and if the new countdown for one year's worth starts the next time I visit and not right away.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Remember: Outdoors is less risky, not risk-free. Outdoors isn't magic.

Certainly, the larger air volume of outdoors reduces risk with light breezes blowing aerosols away... unless you're downwind of someone with COVID.

I'd be comfortable talking to a neighbor outdoors six feet away with no masks. But that's not what being outdoors at Disney is like.

Outdoors at Disney is not just one neighbor, it's several thousand neighbors. And many are walking near or past you over and over and over again. Outdoors is a large volume of air. Several thousand people is a large number of possible virus vectors all exhaling into that volume of air. If they're all wearing masks, that risk drops significantly, but not entirely... masks aren't magic -- neither is the outdoors.

 

[larryz]

We won't have too many chances to ride them this year before it gets too cold, but we're ready when Spring rolls around now.

Nonsense. Where there's a will, there's a way...

Spoiler

And if you do it this way, make sure your will is up-to-date!

 

[Twisted Ballerina]

Remember: Outdoors is less risky, not risk-free. Outdoors isn't magic.

Certainly, the larger air volume of outdoors reduces risk with light breezes blowing aerosols away... unless you're downwind of someone with COVID.

I'd be comfortable talking to a neighbor outdoors six feet away with no masks. But that's not what being outdoors at Disney is like.

Outdoors at Disney is not just one neighbor, it's several thousand neighbors. And many are walking near or past you over and over and over again. Outdoors is a large volume of air. Several thousand people is a large number of possible virus vectors all exhaling into that volume of air. If they're all wearing masks, that risk drops significantly, but not entirely... masks aren't magic -- neither is the outdoors.

This is why there should be restrictions on the numbers of people in places. You are 100% correct that the mask is not to end the threat of passing on this virus, it is just to drop the risk of the threat significantly which if you wear your mask correctly it does. As for places like WDW or other theme parks I do not know how they came up with the specific numbers allowed in the parks, but it is still quite a bit of people at any given time. It does however seem like Disney is taking every measure to keep things as safe as possible for both the guests and workers.

 

[Chi84]

I don’t think anyone’s personal beliefs about how effective masks are factors into Disney’s decision. They will continue to have a mask policy as long as the vast majority of health experts and officials from various agencies like the CDC and local departments of health recommend it. It makes it much more difficult to monitor and enforce the rule if there are more exceptions created. They tried allowing an exception for people walking around to eat/drink with their mask off and the enforcement caused too many issues. They had to simplify the rule to no walking around without a mask on and if you want to eat or drink step to the side away from others to do it. IMHO Disney will go from the full current mask policy to no masks required when it’s time to do that vs a gradual relaxing of the rules.

Oh, I agree personal beliefs may not influence Disney's decision, but no one knows when or how they are going to relax/drop the mask requirements. People feel very strongly that their opinion is the correct one, but the fact is no one actually knows. Our grandson turns 2 years old a few days before our trip in May - we will probably cancel if Disney requires us to put a mask on him while he's being pushed in a stroller outside. My opinion is that we will be there in May.