Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[GoofGoof]

That’s what I am wondering. I am envisioning masks on Disney transport, security, turnstiles. The places where people are going to wait and not have room for proper distancing. Once you are in the park you can remove them. Attraction queues (including the FP return) would be taped on the floor, like at the grocery to maintain distance. Mobile ordering highly encouraged.

Well, mostly I’m envisioning them not being open. But if they are going to try.

Assuming it’s not mandated by the state that everyone wears masks in public I think this sounds like a likely plan for many. The queue thing may be partially solved with the virtual queues and boarding groups for headliners are MK and tier 1 everywhere else. Still need to space people out when they return but much less time in line and if crowds are really way down the rest of rides could be walk ons.

 

[KikoKea]

I think this could be the beginning of the end for movie theaters. A lot of people are too cheap/lazy to go out and pay to watch a movie, and the people that weren't are now adapting to at-home viewing as well. Not saying they will all close but I could see them becoming "old fashioned".

DH and I rarely see a movie in a theater, easily going a year or two between visits, and never more than 1 or 2 movies in a year. There's a bunch of movies I've missed, but I'll get around to them on my TV eventually. I can see some theaters surviving, particularly if they offer the recliners and better food. However, I think streaming services will continue to grow and cut out a portion of theater's traffic.

 

[Lora Baines Bradley]

Disney is now accepting applications for Epcot Cultural Representative Programs | Chip and Company

Disney is now accepting applications for the Epcot Cultural Representative Program on the Disney Careers website.

chipandco.com

Super helpful article. I wouldn't be surprised if Epcot doesn't open until August (or any of the parks, really).

 

[Calmdownnow]

Thanks for the post. With 1.5 million people infected, it seems that it shouldn't be that hard to find a statistical "control group".

Control groups are difficult to establish. You can't just treat 1,500 patients with a drug and not treat the next 1,500 with any drug. To determine efficacy and predictable outcomes you need treatment criteria so that the experimental drug doesn't just go to the people doctors think have the best survival chance. You need to be able to test whether a patient with a particular level of heart problems or diabetes at a certain stage, is less or more likely to die or survive if the drug is administered. You need to determine whether administering the drug on day 3 of symptoms developing has the best potential outcome, or whether administering it on day 10 hastens death. And much more. Plus you need very complete recording of all vital signs and pre-existing conditions etc. Ad hoc doctors, giving ad hoc patients, at ad hoc stages of the disease progression, an ad hoc course of the drug, tells you nothing about the efficacy of the treatment for the population as a whole.

 

[GoofGoof]

Disney is now accepting applications for Epcot Cultural Representative Programs | Chip and Company

Disney is now accepting applications for the Epcot Cultural Representative Program on the Disney Careers website.

chipandco.com

Super helpful article. I wouldn't be surprised if Epcot doesn't open until August (or any of the parks, really).

Interesting. The rumor was the parks would open in phases with EPCOT last so maybe they really would look at an August open for EPCOT with the other parks opening in June or July. Obviously nothing set in stone but could be a clue as to what the company is thinking.

 

[Kevin_W]

Plus, many Hollywood creatives and artists are adamant to show their movies on the big screen since they want the movies to look good. If we're condemned to a world where the only screens left are the ones in our living room, then creatives and artists will see no reason to make good product since they'll make far less money from it.

(Sorry Mom, I realize we're getting off topic).

That argument would have made send 20, maybe 10 years ago. Today you can buy a 75" 4K television for $1000 that looks pretty darn good. And at that size and normal seating distance, your field of vision is pretty close to what you get in most seats in the movie theater.

Heck, I built a home theater 13 years ago and while the projector could use upgrading, it's still a better experience than 90% of the movie theaters I've been in.

 

[Lora Baines Bradley]

Interesting. The rumor was the parks would open in phases with EPCOT last so maybe they really would look at an August open for EPCOT with the other parks opening in June or July. Obviously nothing set in stone but could be a clue as to what the company is thinking.

Definitely. I think a small June/July opening is likely, then if business is doing well, they'll amp up construction in EPCOT and hopefully have considerable progress on the projects there by the time it reopens in August. Just a guess, though.

 

[Tom P.]

(Sorry Mom, I realize we're getting off topic).

That argument would have made send 20, maybe 10 years ago. Today you can buy a 75" 4K television for $1000 that looks pretty darn good. And at that size and normal seating distance, your field of vision is pretty close to what you get in most seats in the movie theater.

Heck, I built a home theater 13 years ago and while the projector could use upgrading, it's still a better experience than 90% of the movie theaters I've been in.

For many people, shelling out $1,000 for a TV might as well be asking them to shell out $1,000,000. It is simply not possible.

There is an important "community experience" aspect to viewing a movie in a theater that is lost when you view it at home, regardless of how good your TV or sound system are. It's the same reason why people will pay big bucks to go see a band in person rather than watching them on YouTube. Sadly, I'm afraid that for all the good it has done, our technology is pushing people farther and farther away from each other in these kinds of ways.

 

[Lora Baines Bradley]

There is an important "community experience" aspect to viewing a movie in a theater that is lost when you view it at home, regardless of how good your TV or sound system are. It's the same reason why people will pay big bucks to go see a band in person rather than watching them on YouTube. Sadly, I'm afraid that for all the good it has done, our technology is pushing people farther and farther away from each other in these kinds of ways.

This is anecdotal, but I'm 20 and I have the Regal Unlimited pass. I loved being able to go see a movie after work. Personally, I think a movie theater experience is super special and can't be beat. Your full attention is on the movie and nothing else.

 

[Calmdownnow]

Interesting. The rumor was the parks would open in phases with EPCOT last so maybe they really would look at an August open for EPCOT with the other parks opening in June or July. Obviously nothing set in stone but could be a clue as to what the company is thinking.

And how, exactly, does Disney think it is going to recruit these people when they are currently in lock down and restrictions on movements and flights are predicted to last for some months yet in their home countries?

 

[Lilofan]

I can see Security looking for suspected shoplifter in the park, 6ft tall male, slim build, baseball cap, wearing a face mask.

 

[Lora Baines Bradley]

And how, exactly, does Disney think it is going to recruit these people when they are currently in lock down and restrictions on movements and flights are predicted to last for some months yet in their home countries?

I wonder if exemptions can be made since they will not be shortly returning to their home country.

On a wider scale, though, I can't see Disney opening without international travelers. They make up so much of the people that visit.

 

[Polynesia]

And how, exactly, does Disney think it is going to recruit these people when they are currently in lock down and restrictions on movements and flights are predicted to last for some months yet in their home countries?

I suspect they can still do phone interviews, Skype, etc. When things ease up they can continue the interviews further and see what restrictions are then in place. I’ve gotten a few jobs doing phone interviews, especially when it was in another state. I’m sure there are ways to accomplish this.

 

[techgeek]

Holiday traditions I’m missing this year: spending the week keeping up with the WDWMagic ‘MK phased closing watch’ thread and shaking my head at insane crowd pics on Twitter.

 

[Calmdownnow]

I suspect they can still do phone interviews, Skype, etc. When things ease up they can continue the interviews further and see what restrictions are then in place. I’ve gotten a few jobs doing phone interviews, especially when it was in another state. I’m sure there are ways to accomplish this.

Video interviewing can be done. but taking up references from academics who are not working, or applying for work visas from the U.S. Embassy, or getting a flight when a travel ban is in place might be a bit more problematic for anyone aspiring to be an International CM.

 

[GoofGoof]

And how, exactly, does Disney think it is going to recruit these people when they are currently in lock down and restrictions on movements and flights are predicted to last for some months yet in their home countries?

Probably zoom or Skype interviews. I’ve done a few of those over the last couple of weeks. It’s not perfect but it works. They must be assuming that by August they will be able to fly these people in. Probably make them quarantine for 14 days then start their job.

 

[Jimdalva]

When you combine social distancing with masks, you keep them UP when close and Down when you have the room.

 

[GoofGoof]

Video interviewing can be done. but taking up references from academics who are not working, or applying for work visas from the U.S. Embassy, or getting a flight when a travel ban is in place might be a bit more problematic for anyone aspiring to be an International CM.

We have had similar discussions around background checks for new hires. So much can be done remotely now. Not sure about work visas.

 

[thomas998]

I wonder if exemptions can be made since they will not be shortly returning to their home country.

On a wider scale, though, I can't see Disney opening without international travelers. They make up so much of the people that visit.

Well I remember going there in the early days and it wasn't always targeting international visitors to begin with it was expected to only cater to the US market, it was only when the rest of the world's standard of living rose to the point that you had a significant number of people from overseas capable of affording WDW that they started catering to them, so it isn't as if they can only exist based on international traffic, they have in the past existed solely on US traffic and could again if that was the only market available. Things change and a business will often have to adjust their business plan when things beyond their control smack them in the face... I would say this virus and the impact on the world is one of those things that could force them to make adjustments.

 

[Lora Baines Bradley]

Probably zoom or Skype interviews. I’ve done a few of those over the last couple of weeks. It’s not perfect but it works. They must be assuming that by August they will be able to fly these people in. Probably make them quarantine for 14 days then start their job.

I mean, for my CP (not ICP, granted) it was all over the phone. I never met with Disney in person before I got my job offer.