Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[DisneyCane]

I know whether if I am employed or not, when I see many suffering, higher than more unemployment rates and a virus that has no vaccine, the last thing on my mind is to spend money on vacations or support the discretionary spending market. Survivors guilt?

However, if you can afford it then you will help support people to get their job back. Right now I go out of my way to spend more on takeout from local family owned restaurants to help support the owners and their employees. When the restrictions are eased I will spend whatever discretionary income I have on as many non-essential things and activities as possible for the same reason. I look at it as doing my part to help the country recover.

Even in the best times I can afford vacations that many people can't. I don't feel guilty about it normally and won't when this is over. The economy can't thrive unless people with means spend on things they don't need.

 

[Giss Neric]

Even if some people may have somehow never heard the song One Day More, They can still enjoy a video of talented family with funny clever lyrics. Prior knowledge of the song isn’t required.

But what if the type of song ain't just your thing? My type of music would disappoint a lot of people here.

 

[Polynesia]

However, if you can afford it then you will help support people to get their job back. Right now I go out of my way to spend more on takeout from local family owned restaurants to help support the owners and their employees. When the restrictions are eased I will spend whatever discretionary income I have on as many non-essential things and activities as possible for the same reason. I look at it as doing my part to help the country recover.

Even in the best times I can afford vacations that many people can't. I don't feel guilty about it normally and won't when this is over. The economy can't thrive unless people with means spend on things they don't need.

Very nicely stated. I’m also blessed that our household still has an income. I’m retired on ss. My husband works at a hospital. We, too, are patronizing local restaurants for take out to try and help a bit. A job is a job that families depend on. Because it’s in the discretionary spending category doesn’t make it any less important. There’s a family that thinks it’s vital. I will do my part as you stated to help this economy get back on its feet. If those that can afford more than the necessities start hoarding all their money, like the toilet paper fiasco, this country will never survive.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

Very nicely stated. I’m also blessed that our household still has an income. I’m retired on ss. My husband works at a hospital. We, too, are patronizing local restaurants for take out to try and help a bit. A job is a job that families depend on. Because it’s in the discretionary spending category doesn’t make it any less important. There’s a family that thinks it’s vital. I will do my part as you stated to help this economy get back on its feet. If those that can afford more than the necessities start hoarding all their money, like the toilet paper fiasco, this country will never survive.

I believe it will be the same as before this all hit. People that can afford discretionary spending will do it, the ones that can’t won’t. Just as before. I know people that said they are putting the stimulus check to a Disney vacation in the fall. Others are going to need it just for food and bills. Whatever works for your own family is what matters.

 

[Rimmit]

The economy can't thrive unless people with means spend on things they don't need.

Perfectly stated. The entertainment and travel industry support millions of jobs which has become painfully obvious ever since the whole pandemic started.

As they say “You can’t take it with you.”

 

[Lilofan]

Perfectly stated. The entertainment and travel industry support millions of jobs which has become painfully obvious ever since the whole pandemic started.

As they say “You can’t take it with you.”

That's a reason why the dream of a good retirement in the USA is just a dream... The USA is a "slaves to debt" economy. Live for today because there may not be a tomorrow mindset.

 

[GoofGoof]

I believe it will be the same as before this all hit. People that can afford discretionary spending will do it, the ones that can’t will get a credit card and do it anyway. Just as before. I know people that said they are putting the stimulus check to a Disney vacation in the fall. Others are going to need it just for food and bills. Whatever works for your own family is what matters.

Made one edit for you

 

[Communicora]

Those masks are relatively useless for preventing the wearer from getting infected. They will help reduce the risk to others if the wearer is infected.

Any mask that doesn't noticably restrict breathing while you are wearing it isn't going to do much, if anything to prevent getting infected.

The early recommendations to not wear masks were intended to keep people from hoarding them and thereby not leaving enough for healthcare workers to use.

This is a good piece that outlines the issues with those recommendations:

Opinion | Why Telling People They Don’t Need Masks Backfired (Published 2020)

To help manage the shortage, the authorities sent a message that made them untrustworthy.

www.nytimes.com

We are likely going to hear new recommendations once masks are more available. It's about reducing risk. Not eliminating it. Look at Hong Kong. Mask wearing has greatly reduced/slowed this there:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/asia/coronavirus-mask-messaging-intl-hnk/index.html

More useful reading:

It's Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work

Official advice has been confusing, but the science isn't hard to grok. Everyone should cover up.

www.wired.com

I expect people will be regularly wearing masks when Walt Disney World opens again.

 

[Weather_Lady]

That’s actually pretty fascinating. Hard to extrapolate how the average fan would respond. But, I definitely didn’t expect that.

I don't think we should assume that the answers are all Coronavirus-motivated, though (although given the context of the poll, I'm sure it was for many). For example, my answer to the poll was based on the fact that I wouldn't visit WDW within 12 months of a reopening, solely for strategic planning reasons - we need 11 months out to get a DVC room on rented points... and even if we decided to book directly through Disney, we'd still push the trip out by 6 months for dining reservations...

 

[GoofGoof]

The results are a bit misleading. If you read the posts connected to that poll you can see the various reasons why people answered like they did. Many have trips planned in the future already so they answered truthfully when they were going. Others had work limitations. Not too many posts said it was because of the virus. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out over the next few months.

I don’t really think it’s misleading. There was someone claiming if the parks opened today they would be packed with crowds. The poll shows that only 12% of hard core fans would be back as soon as they open. Whether it’s because they have plans to return later or not isn’t relevant. As I said before, I think a lot of people who already have plans for the summer and definitely fall will keep them for now and try to go assuming it’s safe and WDW is open. I don’t see a whole lot of new people making plans to go over the summer. Locals with APs probably will since they can change plans on the fly. I think it will be a little while before people book trips involving airfare and longer term stays further from home.

This doesn’t take into account international visitors (a material part of WDW visitors) who may be reluctant to fly out of country or possibly could still be banned. China had to pull back on international flights due to a relapse from foreign visitors. It may be several months after we open things up domestically before we allow international flights in. Foreigners may also see what’s happening with cruise ships heading to Florida now and fear they will be denied medical treatment if they get sick in FL or if there is a sudden relapse of cases. There may be a lot of reluctance to visit right away.

 

[GoofGoof]

I don't think we should assume that the answers are all Coronavirus-motivated, though (although given the context of the poll, I'm sure it was for many). For example, my answer to the poll was based on the fact that I wouldn't visit WDW within 12 months of a reopening, solely for strategic planning reasons - we need 11 months out to get a DVC room on rented points... and even if we decided to book directly through Disney, we'd still push the trip out by 6 months for dining reservations...

All good points. All reasons why the parks are not likely to be packed when they first reopen.

 

[DisneyCane]

The early recommendations to not wear masks were intended to keep people from hoarding them and thereby not leaving enough for healthcare workers to use.

This is a good piece that outlines the issues with those recommendations:

Opinion | Why Telling People They Don’t Need Masks Backfired (Published 2020)

To help manage the shortage, the authorities sent a message that made them untrustworthy.

www.nytimes.com

We are likely going to hear new recommendations once masks are more available. It's about reducing risk. Not eliminating it. Look at Hong Kong. Mask wearing has greatly reduced/slowed this there:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/asia/coronavirus-mask-messaging-intl-hnk/index.html

More useful reading:

It's Time to Face Facts, America: Masks Work

Official advice has been confusing, but the science isn't hard to grok. Everyone should cover up.

www.wired.com

I expect people will be regularly wearing masks when Walt Disney World opens again.

None of that changes the fact that wearing a surgical mask does not significantly reduce the risk of acquiring the virus. They do help to prevent the infected from spreading it because they catch droplets from coughs and sneezes. Wearing one can protect other people but doesn't provide much protection for the wearer.

They could help a little keeping particles from landing on your nose and mouth directly but when you breath most of the air is going around the mask, not through it.

 

[Jon81uk]

I expect people will be regularly wearing masks when Walt Disney World opens again

I'd much rather sick people just stayed at home. Doesn't matter if its flu, covid, common cold. If you are coughing and sneezing a lot just stay at home.

 

[Communicora]

None of that changes the fact that wearing a surgical mask does not significantly reduce the risk of acquiring the virus. They do help to prevent the infected from spreading it because they catch droplets from coughs and sneezes. Wearing one can protect other people but doesn't provide much protection for the wearer.

They could help a little keeping particles from landing on your nose and mouth directly but when you breath most of the air is going around the mask, not through it.

You are just making the argument that everyone should wear masks. Not that they are useless. A reduction in risk is better than doing nothing.

 

[Lilofan]

Coronavirus could travel 27 feet, stay in air for hours: MIT researcher

Social-distancing guidelines to stay 6 feet from others may be woefully inadequate, one scientist warns — saying the coronavirus can travel 27 feet and linger for hours. MIT associate profess…

nypost.com

Interesting info.

 

[Communicora]

I'd much rather sick people just stayed at home. Doesn't matter if its flu, covid, common cold. If you are coughing and sneezing a lot just stay at home.

I wholeheartedly agree, but asymptomatic people are spreading it too.

 

[Disstevefan1]

There’s an actual poll on the main page:

POLL: When are you planning to return to Walt Disney World?

I thought it would be interesting to see what your plans are for returning to Walt Disney World once the parks reopening following the closures due to coronavirus.

forums.wdwmagic.com

Only 12% of respondents plan to return to the parks as soon as they are open....and this is a Disney fan board.

In my opinion there are a lot of folks who would want to return to the parks as soon as they are open but simply can't.

I think the 12% represent: (the folks that are APs(with no blackouts) AND live driving distance away AND has the money AND free time)

This is a small subset of folks who ACTUALLY would return to the parks as soon as they are open if they could.

 

[Lilofan]

I'd much rather sick people just stayed at home. Doesn't matter if its flu, covid, common cold. If you are coughing and sneezing a lot just stay at home.

In reality, some guests that are sick while on vacation will still somehow go out in public at WDW.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

Interesting info.

Dr. Fauci directly addressed that as a journalist asked about it - he seemed rather ticked that the MIT guy said it at all and Fauci basically said that it doesn't reflect reality.

 

[JohnD]

Interesting info.

Yeah, it you're a rude ingrate who decides to sneeze in someone's direction without covering your nose with a cloth or sneezing into your elbow.