Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[mickeymiss]

I would guess that any changes will be announced in advance. I also think if you really wanted to cancel after a covid safety measure was relaxed you could call and get a full refund if you gave that as the reason.

Thanks It seems unfair to not give a 30+ day heads up so that people can cancel. Kids can't be vaccinated yet so it's not like the coast is perfectly clear. I'm eager to get back to normal but we have gotten sick at Disney before covid despite taking major precautions so I hoped for the masks to stick for a bit longer. I agree that they might give us a refund for this reason but it'd be a bummer to lose the trip.

 

[disneygeek90]

This was brought up in another thread. My guess is that it's for PR purposes so Disney can say they are doing everything possible to keep people safe.

Probably. I rode Spiderman at universal tonight. They’re still only doing one party per row, but loading all rows. No plexiglass. I don’t know, with the recent development being that it’s 15+ mins for exposure, a 4.5 min ride isn’t really too concerning to me.

 

[mickeymiss]

My state is staying at the same numbers despite high vaccine uptake and mask mandates. Not budging. It seems like we are not among the ones coming out of the woods.

 

[GoofGoof]

My guess, simply educated guesses...

Likely:
-Attendance capacity increases beginning Memorial Day, 40-50% ball park
-outdoor masking lifted by July. (Likely continue indoors)
-modified FOTLK return (already announced)
-additional QS and TS opening, increasing capacity

My hopeful list— things that might happen, but I wouldn’t bet on it:
-Early entry starts
-reduced social distancing in queues and transportation
- Epcot Forever and Fantasmic
-full or nearly full capacity TS dining
Unlikely until maybe very late summer:
-Beauty and the Beast, Nemo, Indy stunt show, Etc
-Harmonious and Magic Kingdom fireworks
-buffets
-end of indoor masking
-AP sales

I’m almost positive won’t return until September or later:
-widespread character meets
- fastpass (or new system)
-dining plans
-full capacity

I think some of those shows might be more likely to come back sooner. Ride capacity is a big deal, but they really need some of those people eater shows as well or there will be some very long waits for the remaining rides. Extending hours helps some, but there is no replacing the attraction capacity of those shows.

I don’t think fast pass can come back until Indoor masking is over since there are too many queue lines where the FP lane and the standby are side by side. Dining is going to be a problem eventually. There’s still no safe way to have restaurants at full capacity and no masks. They may need to setup temporary dining space if they let crowds get too big.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Probably. I rode Spiderman at universal tonight. They’re still only doing one party per row, but loading all rows. No plexiglass. I don’t know, with the recent development being that it’s 15+ mins for exposure, a 4.5 min ride isn’t really too concerning to me.

It's completely dependent upon viral load. The 15 minutes is an estimation of how long it takes to build up to a viral load that will make you sick.

 

[GaBoy]

My state is staying at the same numbers despite high vaccine uptake and mask mandates. Not budging. It seems like we are not among the ones coming out of the woods.

May ask out of curiosity what state?

 

[danlb_2000]

It's completely dependent upon viral load. The 15 minutes is an estimation of how long it takes to build up to a viral load that will make you sick.

Yeah, and the guidance is "15 cumulative minutes over a 24 hour period".

 

[mickeymiss]

My guess, simply educated guesses...

Likely:
-Attendance capacity increases beginning Memorial Day, 40-50% ball park
-outdoor masking lifted by July. (Likely continue indoors)
-modified FOTLK return (already announced)
-additional QS and TS opening, increasing capacity

My hopeful list— things that might happen, but I wouldn’t bet on it:
-Early entry starts
-reduced social distancing in queues and transportation
- Epcot Forever and Fantasmic
-full or nearly full capacity TS dining
Unlikely until maybe very late summer:
-Beauty and the Beast, Nemo, Indy stunt show, Etc
-Harmonious and Magic Kingdom fireworks
-buffets
-end of indoor masking
-AP sales

I’m almost positive won’t return until September or later:
-widespread character meets
- fastpass (or new system)
-dining plans
-full capacity

There is a smaller window of early entry for resort guests now, correct? Just double checking.

 

[havoc315]

I think some of those shows might be more likely to come back sooner. Ride capacity is a big deal, but they really need some of those people eater shows as well or there will be some very long waits for the remaining rides. Extending hours helps some, but there is no replacing the attraction capacity of those shows.

Agree with the need for shows. But took 5 months from announcement date to bring back modified FOTLK.

So anything else is really at least 2-3 months away minimum. And I’ve heard rumors that possibly the equity union is making it hard to re-start shows.

I don’t think fast pass can come back until Indoor masking is over since there are too many queue lines where the FP lane and the standby are side by side.

FP isn’t coming back quickly because:
- they are likely scrapping the old system and the new system isn’t ready yet
- the park pass system is sticking around, and it’s built on the FP digital infrastructure.

So I suspect they will announce and introduce a replacement system next year.

Dining is going to be a problem eventually. There’s still no safe way to have restaurants at full capacity and no masks. They may need to setup temporary dining space if they let crowds get too big.

Even many “restricted” states have returned to full dining capacity already — as long as there is sufficient space between tables. And like rides, you could put plexiglass on booths. Keeping tables 5-6 feet from each other, plexiglass at booths, you could probably up dining capacity to 75%+.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Yeah, and the guidance is "15 cumulative minutes over a 24 hour period".

I don't know why they even said that publicly.

All it takes is enough virus particles getting past the body's defenses and starting to multiply. That can happen with a single cough if the projection of the particles is unfortunate enough. (I'm a mom of 2 boys who's had each of them sneeze or cough in my face enough times that I've lost count.)

 

[havoc315]

There is a smaller window of early entry for resort guests now, correct? Just double checking.

no window now. Resort guests and offsite can enter at the same time.

Eventually, it will be a 30 minute early entry.

 

[GoofGoof]

Thanks It seems unfair to not give a 30+ day heads up so that people can cancel. Kids can't be vaccinated yet so it's not like the coast is perfectly clear. I'm eager to get back to normal but we have gotten sick at Disney before covid despite taking major precautions so I hoped for the masks to stick for a bit longer. I agree that they might give us a refund for this reason but it'd be a bummer to lose the trip.

My gut feeling is distancing on rides is the first to go, it’s almost gone anyway at this point, and that makes sense considering half the people or more at the parks flew to Orlando on a plane with no distancing required. If I can sit next to a stranger for 2 hours from Philly to Orlando I can sit in the row behind a stranger on a 3 minute ride. Reducing distancing on rides also increases ride capacity which allows for expanded park capacity and happier guests. The next thing to be relaxed will be distancing in large outdoor spaces which also allows for more overall park capacity and brings back the potential for night shows and large people eating shows like Indy or Fantasmic.

IMHO masks are the last to go. The safety protocols today include masks, distancing and exposure less than 15 minutes. If Disney removes 1 thing (distancing) they still have the other 2 and masks don’t restrict capacity or limit crowd size. I would say it’s highly likely that Disney keeps masks for a while longer. If the CDC revises their recommendations for masking, particularly outdoor masking, that could trigger a change at Disney. Israel revised their mask policy to eliminate the mask requirement outdoors but that was only after they hit 57% of the population with at least 1 shot and under 2 cases per 100,000 people. We aren’t getting there before June. If your trip was in July or August I’d say you would have much more to worry about at least for outdoor masks.

 

[mickeymiss]

no window now. Resort guests and offsite can enter at the same time.

Eventually, it will be a 30 minute early entry.

Was there a temporary window recently? I swear I remember seeing that resort guests could enter 30 mins early.

 

[DCBaker]

Was there a temporary window recently? I swear I remember seeing that resort guests could enter 30 mins early.

Nothing since reopening - just the announcement of the 30 minute window at some point in the future.

See that thread here -

News - Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours coming for resort guests

"Early Theme Park Entry: We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day...

forums.wdwmagic.com

 

[mickeymiss]

Nothing since reopening - just the announcement of the 30 minute window at some point in the future.

See that thread here -

News - Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours coming for resort guests

"Early Theme Park Entry: We know how much guests enjoy extra park time, so coming later this year as part of our 50th anniversary celebration, Disney Resort hotel guests and guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to ANY theme park, EVERY day...

forums.wdwmagic.com

Thanks that must have been it. I must not have read it fully.

 

[GoofGoof]

Agree with the need for shows. But took 5 months from announcement date to bring back modified FOTLK.

So anything else is really at least 2-3 months away minimum. And I’ve heard rumors that possibly the equity union is making it hard to re-start shows.

I know nothing about union issues so that could be a sticking point. On the timeline, FOTLK is different. They were changing the show to adapt to a Covid world. It’s not necessary to do that for shows now that the cast can be vaccinated. Back when FOTLK was announced they had no idea when the general public would be vaccinated. Many people here said there was no way the general public would have vaccine access before June or July.

Even many “restricted” states have returned to full dining capacity already — as long as there is sufficient space between tables. And like rides, you could put plexiglass on booths. Keeping tables 5-6 feet from each other, plexiglass at booths, you could probably up dining capacity to 75%+.

There‘s no way to space tables 6 feet apart and then go back to full capacity at almost any WDW restaurant. Most places were pretty packed in with tables.

FP isn’t coming back quickly because:
- they are likely scrapping the old system and the new system isn’t ready yet
- the park pass system is sticking around, and it’s built on the FP digital infrastructure.

So I suspect they will announce and introduce a replacement system next year.

That may be true, who knows. For now it can’t be brought back due to spacing in queues. If that was removed there‘s no reason not to bring it back even if a new system is being planned in the future. It costs next to nothing to bring back. Some of the rumors about FP being scrapped came from the fact that they covered over or removed some of the FP signs but I read somewhere a quote from a parks exec that said it was just done so that guests weren’t confused when they saw the FP signage.

 

[GoofGoof]

Was there a temporary window recently? I swear I remember seeing that resort guests could enter 30 mins early.

MK and AK have gone to 8am opening times in May and June now. It’s for everyone, not just resort guests. I’m not sure how much earlier I am willing to get up to get to the parks Early entry would be at 7:30am

 

[DisneyFan32]

My gut feeling is distancing on rides is the first to go, it’s almost gone anyway at this point, and that makes sense considering half the people or more at the parks flew to Orlando on a plane with no distancing required. If I can sit next to a stranger for 2 hours from Philly to Orlando I can sit in the row behind a stranger on a 3 minute ride. Reducing distancing on rides also increases ride capacity which allows for expanded park capacity and happier guests. The next thing to be relaxed will be distancing in large outdoor spaces which also allows for more overall park capacity and brings back the potential for night shows and large people eating shows like Indy or Fantasmic.

IMHO masks are the last to go. The safety protocols today include masks, distancing and exposure less than 15 minutes. If Disney removes 1 thing (distancing) they still have the other 2 and masks don’t restrict capacity or limit crowd size. I would say it’s highly likely that Disney keeps masks for a while longer. If the CDC revises their recommendations for masking, particularly outdoor masking, that could trigger a change at Disney. Israel revised their mask policy to eliminate the mask requirement outdoors but that was only after they hit 57% of the population with at least 1 shot and under 2 cases per 100,000 people. We aren’t getting there before June. If your trip was in July or August I’d say you would have much more to worry about at least for outdoor masks.

I'd expect masks will be gone by fall or winter.

 

[Tom P.]

I insist on continuing to be the one who is optimistic about where we are headed with Covid. And, in that vein, I offer the following perspective from the same doctor whose analysis I quoted a while back. Again, you have to take it that she is just one person on Twitter doing an analysis and she could be wrong. But she is an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco and San Francisco General Hospital, so she's got the bona fides.

She feels that we have reached the same "inflection point" on cases in the United States that Israel reached several weeks ago, and that we are headed toward plummeting cases as they have seen. Again, she could be wrong, but her analysis and her data seem very solid. And she agrees with @GoofGoof 's analysis of our overall trajectory, so who can go wrong with that?

I do sincerely believe -- despite all of the doom and gloom predictions out there -- that by the end of May, the United States could be in a very different place with Covid.

 

[havoc315]

I know nothing about union issues so that could be a sticking point. On the timeline, FOTLK is different. They were changing the show to adapt to a Covid world. It’s not necessary to do that for shows now that the cast can be vaccinated.

No reason FOTLK cast can’t be fully vaccinated now. Yet— they just started rehearsing a modified reduced version.
May be union issues.
May simply be Disney using Covid as an excuse to save money. Reduce the size of the cast, cut the budget.

Back when FOTLK was announced they had no idea when the general public would be vaccinated. Many people here said there was no way the general public would have vaccine access before June or July.

Yes... so think about that. The plan was FOTLK for summer. They knew, worst case scenario, they could have a vaccinated cast by July. So why bother with a reduced show in May? A reduced show may have made sense if launched last year or early this year.
But if it was a choice of reduced FOTLK by late May or full FOTLK by early July, why not just wait the extra few weeks?
And that’s why I’m not hopeful of any “full show” returns for a while.

There‘s no way to space tables 6 feet apart and then go back to full capacity at almost any WDW restaurant. Most places were pretty packed in with tables.

Booths wouldn’t need distancing if they have plexiglass. So it’s just regular tables that need extra spacing. A restaurant owner told me he can do 75% capacity keeping tables 6 feet apart. They are usually about 3-4 feet apart

That may be true, who knows. For now it can’t be brought back due to spacing in queues. If that was removed there‘s no reason not to bring it back even if a new system is being planned in the future. It costs next to nothing to bring back.

That’s the problem — it can’t be “turned on” unless you “turn off” the park pass system. The park pass system was built on top of the FP infrastructure.

And if they are planning a new system anyway... smoothest transition would be to just go into the new system when it’s ready

Some of the rumors about FP being scrapped came from the fact that they covered over or removed some of the FP signs but I read somewhere a quote from a parks exec that said it was just done so that guests weren’t confused when they saw the FP signage.

There have been lots of credible rumors from reliable sources. It’s well known that FP+ has been a failure for Disney which is why it never went into any other park.