Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[DisneyDebRob]

We almost always stay at Riverside. I feel like it's been 5 years since I've been on the Sassagoula River! Hoping they announce a re-opening date soon.

We were at Old Key West and I will tell you the worst part of the trip. Masks were brutal but.. the boat being down from OKW to the Springs is one of my favorite things to do so that was missed immensely. Along with no international CM’s at Epcot.

 

[CosmicRays]

That’s gonna be chaos. Odd that they took 2 week to phase out temp screenings and less than 12 hours for outdoor masks.

The Universal effect methinks.

 

[Nickp1983]

The Universal effect methinks.

It's like the Monday Night wrestling wars (WCW vs WWF) in the late 90s.

I fully expect some MCU superheros to show up outside Universal and threaten Harry Potter.

 

[GoofGoof]

One thing that is very odd to me is Disney is still requiring outdoor CMs to wear masks even after this announcement. Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to allow vaccinated outdoor CMs to drop the mask? You ask for proof of vaccination and if a CM doesn’t volunteer it then they have to wear a mask, if they do provide it they get the exemption. If anyone violates the policy they are disciplined with suspension or firing. Then they would get near 100% of outdoor CMs to get vaccinated. Nobody would opt to wear a mask all day if there was a way out. Missed opportunity.

 

[GoofGoof]

Well I think we still have a ways to go.

Sure do. Lots of vaccinations to go.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

All sounds great but have heard nothing on FP or any form of that at all. Increased capacity is wonderful but if people are now forced to wait in lines that are going to increasingly get longer there will be a lot of complaining to be had. The lines with 35% or so capacity were hitting 45 minutes and more on most big attractions. Even a increase of 5-10% will quickly make them much longer. Up to 50% and I wouldn’t want to be a CM or work in guest relations without some way for people to get on a few rides with little wait.

At one point on Thursday this week, The Seas With Nemo and Friends had a 35 minute wait. I'm sure that happens sometimes during really busy times, but it was obvious that capacity had been expanded.

 

[Jrb1979]

One thing that is very odd to me is Disney is still requiring outdoor CMs to wear masks even after this announcement. Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to allow vaccinated outdoor CMs to drop the mask? You ask for proof of vaccination and if a CM doesn’t volunteer it then they have to wear a mask, if they do provide it they get the exemption. If anyone violates the policy they are disciplined with suspension or firing. Then they would get near 100% of outdoor CMs to get vaccinated. Nobody would opt to wear a mask all day if there was a way out. Missed opportunity.

I think it has to do with the contract the Union signed when they reopened.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think it has to do with the contract the Union signed when they reopened.

Maybe, although I can’t imagine why the union would object to removing mask requirements for fully vaccinated CMs considering guests are getting that benefit.

 

[GaBoy]

Maybe, although I can’t imagine why the union would object to removing mask requirements for fully vaccinated CMs considering guests are getting that benefit.

Takes time and they don't want Uni too far ahead. It's coming I bet.

 

[GoofGoof]

Takes time and they don't want Uni too far ahead. It's coming I bet.

Maybe they also know the number of CMs vaccinated and it’s not high enough. I know my company isn’t actively asking for proof of vaccination but we have been polled numerous times about vaccination plans. They may be doing something similar and waiting for a larger percentage done. They started running clinics on site but those people aren’t all 2 weeks past their 2nd shot.

 

[Bullseye1967]

Maybe they also know the number of CMs vaccinated and it’s not high enough. I know my company isn’t actively asking for proof of vaccination but we have been polled numerous times about vaccination plans. They may be doing something similar and waiting for a larger percentage done. They started running clinics on site but those people aren’t all 2 weeks past their 2nd shot.

I was thinking the same thing, but you know the unions are involved in some way.

 

[correcaminos]

That’s gonna be chaos. Odd that they took 2 week to phase out temp screenings and less than 12 hours for outdoor masks.

Weren't they subcontrated? Could be minimum required to cancel services.

 

[disneygeek90]

Weren't they subcontrated? Could be minimum required to cancel services.

Temp check notice has been pulled from the site, so they may be ditching the last day.

 

[BrianLo]

Not sure how to define the goal or what exactly is wrong with good enough. So the entire United States government and every state and local government should have a goal of 75% because you say that’s the goal? There are real world examples where numbers much less than 75% vaccinated have crushed the virus.

As per the above, the evidence is in concert with many other precautions and restrictions that are still in place. The US is embarking on a grand experiment to find out if 50% is good enough on its own.

Because we all know you can't take them off for only a few... they'll be off for nearly all. I honestly wouldn't be surprised if more vaccinated people choose to still mask than the unvaccinated in a few weeks.

It's not the rules that raise the eyebrows, it's the lack of enforcement.

 

[correcaminos]

Temp check notice has been pulled from the site, so they may be ditching the last day.

Very true! One day paying for no work wouldn't be bad if required too!

 

[DisneyCane]

Weren't they subcontrated? Could be minimum required to cancel services.

They could have just paid and not had the service performed if they really wanted to.

 

[DisneyCane]

Dropping the outdoor mask requirement will make WDW a much more enjoyable experience. It was outdoors where there was discomfort and annoyance from wearing them especially in hot and humid weather.

Will they bring back the water effects on FoP? Missing those was a lot more detrimental to the ride than wearing a mask last summer. I'm still not sure why a mist of clean water would spread a virus.

 

[LondonTom]

One thing that is very odd to me is Disney is still requiring outdoor CMs to wear masks even after this announcement. Wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to allow vaccinated outdoor CMs to drop the mask? You ask for proof of vaccination and if a CM doesn’t volunteer it then they have to wear a mask, if they do provide it they get the exemption. If anyone violates the policy they are disciplined with suspension or firing. Then they would get near 100% of outdoor CMs to get vaccinated. Nobody would opt to wear a mask all day if there was a way out. Missed opportunity.

I guess maybe Disney would still rightfully be on the hook for the safety of CMs? The potentially unvaccinated hordes turning up/potential for varrients that are semi vaccine resistant or worse?

Better to wait it out, and see how the current changes effects things before opening yourself up.

Could also just be they can't in a workplace discriminate against those choosing not to get the vaccine, so its easy just to keep the policy in place.

 

[disneygeek90]

Dropping the outdoor mask requirement will make WDW a much more enjoyable experience. It was outdoors where there was discomfort and annoyance from wearing them especially in hot and humid weather.

Will they bring back the water effects on FoP? Missing those was a lot more detrimental to the ride than wearing a mask last summer. I'm still not sure why a mist of clean water would spread a virus.

Water effects seem hit or miss. I've definitely experienced rides post covid with water effects working, but more times than not they aren't. Not sure what's up with that.

Also, we need shows or it's not going to be any more enjoyable with MMRR a 90 min wait outside and masked in the heat.

 

[DisneyCane]

In an article about Walmart dropping the mask requirement for fully vaccinated people, it mentioned that they are offering $75 bonuses to all employees who get vaccinated. Since it can be done at most of their stores I'd imagine a pretty high percentage will take advantage.